Hang Ah is famous for its shu mai and barbecue pork buns, a sweet-savory mix with fluffy bao.
Give us the lowdown-especially what not to miss. Get an order of tea, which is $3 per person and accompanies the menu well. What should we be drinking? A small selection of Chinese beers, like Tsing Tao and Lucky Beer, an Asian-style lager that comes in a bottle shaped like a Buddha. Families commonly dine here together, and the entire vibe is one of familiarity. What was the crowd like? Especially popular among Chinese-American residents, expect to see plenty of regulars spanning generations. But there's a reason this place has lasted so long-and it's not for the decor. Inside, it's small and simple, and fairly typical of a small dim sum joint. The name stands for 'aroma ' the alley used to house an incense manufacturer. On a little alley near Willie 'Woo Woo' Wong Playground and on one of San Francisco's famously steep hills, it would be easy to miss if it weren't for the towering sign above the door. Welcome to the United States' oldest dim sum restaurant, Hang Ah, in operation since 1920.
Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.
