#26 San Tung （山東小館）
Posted on June 26, 2007
Filed Under Best of the Best, Chinese |
San Tung is a province in Northern China near Korea, known for having tall people and foods that are simple but delectable. While Southern China thrived on a vast variety of ingredients and rice, San Tung and the Northern Chinese region had simpler dishes based around flour; noodles, dumplings, pancakes, things of that sort.
My paternal grandfather ran a noodle stand while my dad was a young man, so while we’re all Southerners by descent, (My father’s side is from Hunan, mother’s side from Canton) I grew up eating and really enjoying a lot of Northern style food.
Grampa always made dumplings for New Years and it’s a very fond memory of mine. One time Grampa Cheng took me out to the back yard and there was a smoking oil drum with a huge chunk of fat pork hanging over it. He was smoking his own pork.
THAT was hard core, gramps. You’re my inspiration.
Northerners have a saying, “There’s nothing tastier than dumplings, nothing more comfortable than lying down.”
I like afternoon naps as much as the next guy, but I’m here for the food.
They always start things off with some pickled cabbage, this was nothing to write home about, but does serve well as an appetizer.
Actually, whoever said there’s nothing tastier than dumplings hadn’t had the ridiculous dry fried wings at San Tung, cause it’s off the hook good. Deep fried wings drenched in a slightly spicy, sweet glaze.
This actually comes in dry and wet style, and they have boneless diced chicken if you’re not into keeping things real and want others to do the work for you. I’d recommend the dry wings.
Last time we were here, the three of us ate two orders. Best. Wings. Ever.
I’m a huge dumpling snob now, ever since I had Dumpling 10053. (See Meal #3) I firmly believe that in order to retain the full flavor and appreciate the delicacy of the skin, dumplings ought to be steamed. Here’s the steamed dumplings.
Just to clarify, potstickers and Dumplings are the same thing, except potstickers are fried, and dumplings can be steamed or boiled.
I didn’t try the potstickers last time, but they looked so good I was determined to come back and try it. I was NOT disappointed. Crunchy on the outside, filled with juice and meat on the inside. These were huge!
You can buy frozen dumplings and fry them yourself, just coat a flat pan with a good amount of oil, lay out the dumplings, THEN turn on the fire. When it gets hot, wet your hands and sprinkle in maybe a half cup’s worth of water, then cover and let it steam / fry. Don’t pour water in, use your hands and sprinkle for even coverage.
How’d you know!? My secret is out!
San Tung’s is a great little place for a quick lunch or informal dinner. The food’s definitely authentic. It does get crowded but the big tables can set up to 10. Don’t miss out on the wings, and the potstickers are definitely a good call.
San Tung
1031 Irving Street
(between 11th Ave & 12th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
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great looking 山東小館, you are right, nothing beats dumplings and good nap. Just like nothing beats visiting 50meals on work day!!
So the sweet chicken is a dry glaze? Or did you order the wet hence the glaze?
Photos look amazing!
San Tung is one of the fav Chinese restaurants near UCSF. A lot of us UCSF students go there for a good meal. Every dining experience comes w/ an order of “dry fried chicken”, a must-have.
I can see the relations with Korea. The pickled cabbage is actually type of kimchee served in many Korean owned Chinese restaurants.
That’s awesome, I did not even know that Chinese people ate fried chicken wings. That looks AWESOME! Do you eat it w/ chopsticks too?
dude, glossy beautiful birds. Soooo hungry now!!!
TT Jack,
Those pictured were dry wings.
Chuck,
Yes, chopsticks, or, if you’re a brute like me, I use my hands.
How were the steamed dumplings? Did you like them?
Went to Sang tung yesterday, ordred your recommendations, it was INCREDIBLE!!!
Those wings are out of this world. I told the owner I found them through 50meals, they said they’d check it out. Definitely going back there again, actually on 2nd thought, it is ALMOST lunch time again!!
Sam,
Shoot me an E-mail, I’ll send some cards out to you.
Kevin.
“There’s nothing tastier than dumplings, nothing more comfortable than lying down.”
Excellent photos! You took them, not too close, and not to far away from the food.
Also your descriptions are very well done! I am enjoying my memorial day weekend reading over all your entries from the start.
Thanks for the fun time!
Yatouhi
“There’s nothing tastier than dumplings, nothing more comfortable than lying down.”
Excellent photos! You took them, not too close, and not to far away from the food.
Also your descriptions are very well done! I am enjoying my memorial day weekend reading over all your entries from the start.
Thanks for the fun time!
Yatouhi