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Oldest Dimsum in the USA: Hang Ah Tea Room

San Francisco's Chinatown contains a number of firsts. I've previously mentioned the first Taoist Temple, the Tin How Temple on Waverly St. Here is another one: the first dimsum restaurant in the US... Hang Ah Tea House (1 Pagoda Pl, SF, CA 94108), circa 1920. 

Hidden in an alley called Pagoda Place next to the Willy Woo-Woo Playground, Hang Ah is away from the normal bustle and hustle of Chinatown centered on Grant Avenue. It is near the Stockton Tunnel leading out of Chinatown to Union Square, between Clay and Sacramento. Most tourists only stumble upon this place by accident, unless they sought it out. 

The first sign you see is actually written in chalk:

Hang Ah's chalk sign

The restaurant itself is a bit larger on the inside than the entrance suggested. Go in, make a left turn, down a slight slope (probably for ADA) and enter into the dining area, where you will see about a dozen or so tables. You can order entrees or dimsum. 

Entrees are nicely prepared, and dimsum is hot and moist. You do have to order from the menu, and prices are a bit on the high side. But being able to claim you ate at the 1st ever dimsum restaurant in the US? Priceless. 

Keep in mind that Far East Cafe on Grant opened the same year (1920), and Sam Wo claimed to be open as early as 1907 (right after the 1906 Earthquake). "Nom Wah Tea Parlor" of New York also claims to be open since 1920.  

Stay tuned for more adventures in Hidden Chinatown of San Francisco. 

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About the author

Kasey is a professional tour guide and amateur historian who specialized in Chinatown History and Tours. You will often find him guiding groups sampling delicious food and learning interesting historical tidbits about Chinatown most weekends.

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