Margot Seeto

We’re lucky that Michelin-starred chef Ho Chee Boon, originally from Malaysia, thinks that San Francisco “is the perfect city.” He decided to settle here with his family after opening the SF location of opulent international Cantonese chain Hakkasan in 2012. After its pandemic closure in 2020, Ho made the grand and risky move to open his own fine dining Cantonese establishment, Empress by Boon, in the former historic Empress of China space in Chinatown — still in pandemic times in 2021. The open…

We’re lucky that Michelin-starred chef Ho Chee Boon, originally from Malaysia, thinks that San Francisco “is the perfect city.” He decided to settle here with his family after opening the SF location of opulent international Cantonese chain Hakkasan in 2012. After its pandemic closure in 2020, Ho made the grand and risky move to open his own fine dining Cantonese establishment, Empress by Boon, in the former historic Empress of China space in Chinatown — still in pandemic times in 2021. The open…

Italy’s official culinary authority agrees: Redwood City’s Donato Enoteca makes some of the most legit Italian food — gnocchi and ravioli — in the Bay Area.

When Chinese American food historian, film producer and former New York Times writer Jennifer 8. Lee says Hayes Valley’s Dumpling Home is her favorite place for dumplings when she visits San Francisco, I’m all ears — and ready to eat. On a sunny Wednesday, there’s already a line outside the Gough Street corner restaurant before it opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m. A few chairs along the exterior wall show that a line to get in is normal, which is impressive considering that the place only opened in…

SFGATE dumpling columnist Margot Seeto eats at Chef Chu’s, an iconic Los Altos...

From juicy shrimp dumplings to wontons in chili oil, SFGATE’s dumpling columnist shares...

“These are the best har gow I’ve had in my entire life.”

“Dumplings have a very deep, deep meaning to us.”

“I am really in love with Chinese street food. It’s a sensory overload.”

“I am really in love with Chinese street food. It’s a sensory overload.”

“Don’t cut it. … If you can, take the whole bite.”

Waiter, there’s cheese in my dumplings! And it might be the best item listed on the...

Waiter, there’s cheese in my dumplings! And it might be the best item listed on the...

It’s hidden in an obscure alleyway in Chinatown.

“There’s a lot of shrimp in here!” exclaimed Sam.