Asian dining scene developments: James Beard, chef moves, new openings, hidden gems
Key Questions
Which chefs won James Beard awards for SF Asian dining?
Michael Tusk and Kevin Diedrich won James Beard awards, ending SF's drought. Gopinathan and Thapar were also finalists in related categories.
What is Four Kings' ranking in the Chronicle Top 100?
Four Kings ranked #1 in the Chronicle Top 100, highlighting Asian cuisine dominance in SF dining.
What is Fuhuihua and where is it located?
Fuhuihua is an unmarked eight-seat Chinese tasting menu restaurant in SF's Mission District run by a father-son team.
What cuisine does J & X Bistro specialize in?
J & X Bistro offers Jiangxi regional cuisine in SF Chinatown, featuring clay pot soups and other traditional dishes.
When and where is the Nihonmachi Street Fair happening?
The SF Nihonmachi Street Fair in Japantown is scheduled for August 1-2, featuring food, culture, and community events.
What desserts are popular at Makkee Dessert in Mountain View?
Makkee Dessert, the first Bay Area outpost in downtown Mountain View, draws lines for jellies, beans, taro balls, and mango pomelo sago.
Where can diners find a concentration of Indian restaurants in Fremont?
Fremont Boulevard and the Pacific Commons corridor feature block after block of Indian dining options.
What Bay Area events celebrate Asian food and culture this season?
Events include the SF Buddhist Church Bon Odori, Tokyo Central food fair in Emeryville, night markets, and the Nihonmachi Street Fair.
SF broke James Beard drought with two wins (Michael Tusk, Kevin Diedrich) and Gopinathan/Thapar as finalists. Chron Top 100 reinforces Asian dominance with Four Kings #1. New finds: Fuhuihua (unmarked eight-seat Chinese tasting menu in Mission, father-son team), J & X Bistro (Jiangxi cuisine in SF Chinatown, clay pot soups and regional dishes), Benu profile (three-star Asian-influenced fine dining). Chef Ton x David Yoshimura collaboration dinner at Nisei in three days. New openings: Handroll Hawker, Stray Dog, Maillards' Thai-vibe burger, Saam (Chef Ton's casual Thai) now open in SoMa, Pàng, Hai Ky Mi Gia, Aung Myanmar, Gangsan Korean, Cantoo Latin Asian Rotisserie. Hidden gems: Dumpling Report guide, Richmond Chinese food corridor, Deho (NYT mention), and now a guide to Fremont's Indian dining corridor. Events: San Leandro Restaurant Week, SF Buddhist Church Bon Odori, Tokyo Central food fair in Emeryville, Bay Area night markets roundup, and Nihonmachi Street Fair in SF Japantown (Aug 1-2). Economic pressures: inflation hitting Asian restaurants (Roti Indian Bistro, Yoji Sushi, New India Bazar). Oki Sushi closed temporarily for rodents. Chef Jason Francisco moves to Hotel Nikko. New: Makkee Dessert, a traditional Chinese dessert shop in downtown Mountain View, first Bay Area outpost, drawing long lines for jellies, beans, taro balls, and mango pomelo sago.