Chinese parents are a funny breed, aren’t they? My parents don’t like too oily or fried foods, seldom eat red meat, but likes chicken and fish (though they always prefer vegetarian) and would like to go to a place where it’s a good price and not too expensive.
Taking in account all of these characteristics of a “good restaurant” to them, there’s a few options I have in mind that they might like.
For the Family Style Traditional Sitdown Meal
H.L. Peninsula Restaurant
608 Dubuque Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080
This place is a staple for us when we go eat dim sum with Asian friends or have a large group. It’s one of those large roundtables that operate as a lazy susan, and has ample dim sum options for everyone, including the pickier eaters.
The interior is modern, grand, and has chandeliers from what I remember. The venue itself is sometimes used for weddings and banquet halls. It’s an upscale Cantonese dining experience that has ample seating. There’s also a lot of parking and space, though it’s not in the heart of San Francisco. You do need a car to get to this location. The staff speaks both Mandarin and Cantonese, as has the proper seating and support for elderly.
For the Delicious Sushi Meal
Yellowtail, seasonal fruit, and garlic shoyu. Photo courtesy of Okaeri Japanese Bistro.
Okaeri Japanese Bistro
Address: 3515 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
My parents don’t eat raw fish, so sometimes sushi is off the table but I know some other Chinese parents out there love it. Sharing you one of my favorite Japanese restaurants Okaeri Japanese Bistro. It’s definitely on the pricier side $$$, but the menu items are out of this world.
For example, we got the the buttered toast with homemade uni cream, toro tartar & uni caviar. They also do yuzu foam oysters, a spoonful of wagyu with caviar and uni, and really fresh cuts of any sashimi you want. A lot of the items are innovative and have a modern twist on it. If your parents are open-minded, they would love this, otherwise it could just be an intimate date night with your partner too or serious yap session with your girlfriends.
Make sure to make a reservation in advance! Note: the restaurant itself is in Mission District SF, so plan your trip accordingly. My fiance and I like to go to Garden Creamery for some good gelato after eating here as well.
For the Vegetarian Meal
MIXT Salads
they’re located in various locations around San Francisco
Before you say MIXT is basic, let me tell you that it’s just easy, fresh, and convenient for vegetarian parents who are picky about what goes into their food. Mixt is bougie to me, mostly because it’s hella expensive and you get to see an employee whip a magical salad together and stir madly for a minute, watching your salad fly around in a big metal bowl.
My mom and dad have their own preferences for such things, like no cheese as Asian people can be lactose intolerant. At MIXT, you can create your own salads with fresh ingredients that you can see right in front and pick and choose easily. Meat protein can be substituted for beans or tofu, which is honestly great. If I was in a rush and needed to get them to eat somewhere, MIXT would be it as there’s so many locations in downtown San Francisco.
Honestly, when I’m lazy, I would also probably just get them Chipotle bowls and they do sofritas, a popular plant based protein that is like meaty tofu, but without the actual meat.
Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant
839 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108 (in Chinatown)
My parents are Buddhist and from Taiwan, so they tend to frequent vegetarian restaurants or buffets. I have never been to Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant, but it seems legit from the ratings and info online. I would definitely take them here next time if they requested vegetarian.
On their website, it states, “our ‘vegetarian meets Chinese cuisine’ restaurant has a diverse and flavorful menu that draws specific inspiration from our Buddhist roots. Our menu is based on high-quality, healthy and environmentally friendly ingredients. We have a wide selection of dishes that demonstrate our personal touch for every taste bud. The level of quality and service at our San Francisco vegetarian restaurant has made us a critically acclaimed success. We have been selected as Top 7 American Best Chinese Restaurants by CNN Travel and have been nominated for Best Vegan Restaurant in San Francisco.”
For the Delicious Quick Bite Meal
Dabao Singapore
THE METREON, 135 4th street, San Francisco, CA 94103
If you love Southeast Asian flavors, Dabao Singapore IS IT.
During the pandemic, I had ordered two chili crabs for my brother-in-law’s birthday with fried mantou, laksa, and bee hoon. They also do home meal kits and catering for events, which I’ll probably tap on when I host a bigger event. Now the previous cloud kitchen has become a physical brick and mortar in the heart of San Francisco. Both of us had worked abroad in Singapore, and so when we miss certain flavors and spices, Dabao Singapore is the place to go. It is located in this shopping center and movie theater location, so there is mall-seating in the area. It’s also clustered near the SFMOMA and Convention Center, so I would grab a bite here first and then take them to explore the museum or check out the Salesforce Tower Park afterwards. If you’re big into boba, you MUST try HeyTea which is right around the corner and has incredibly fresh tea.
My mom can’t really handle spice, but she would love the chicken rice. It’s so flavorful and fragrant.
For the Italian Meal
Collina
1550 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Collina means “little hill” in Italian. They are the little sister of Seven Hills restaurant. It is a restaurant nestled on Hyde street, serving delicious handmade pasta, including the many options of raviolo, sphaghettini, and truffle pasta. They have great service and an extensive wine selection. My favorite was the lasagnette, heritage chicken, and mixed baby lettuces.