Eat in Chinatown, Oakland

Battambang ★ 4.2

Battambang on Broadway in Oakland's Chinatown has cooked Cambodian cuisine since 1993. Beef lok lak and amok lead a menu locals have leaned on for years.

Signature: Beef lok lak, Amok, Cambodian noodles

Tay Ho Restaurant and Bar ★ 4.4

Tay Ho on 12th Street on the edge of Oakland Chinatown cooks Northern Vietnamese plates with a full bar. Bun cha Hanoi is the lead order at the door.

Signature: Bun cha Hanoi, Banh xeo, Pho ga

Shan Dong ★ 4.4

Shan Dong on 10th Street in Oakland Chinatown pulls noodles by hand behind a glass counter. Dumplings, sesame noodles and chive pancakes anchor the menu.

Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Pork dumplings, Sesame paste noodles

Tay Ho Restaurant and Bar ★ 4.4

Tay Ho in Oakland Chinatown leans into Northern Vietnamese cooking with a full bar. Bun cha Hanoi and banh xeo, plus a daily lunch crowd from BART.

Signature: Bun cha Hanoi, Banh xeo

Battambang ★ 4.2

Battambang in Oakland Chinatown has cooked Cambodian plates since 1993. Beef lok lak and amok with thirty years of regulars at the Broadway corner.

Signature: Beef lok lak, Amok

Shan Dong ★ 4.4

Shan Dong in Oakland Chinatown pulls noodles by hand in the front window. Dumplings, sesame paste noodles and chive pancakes drive the lunch line.

Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Pork dumplings

Vien Huong ★ 4.4

Vien Huong on Franklin in Oakland Chinatown serves Chiu Chow Cantonese-Vietnamese noodle soups. Hu tieu, congee and noodles for breakfast and lunch.

Try: Hu tieu noodle soup

Shan Dong ★ 4.4

Shan Dong in Oakland Chinatown pulls hand-made noodles for under twelve dollars a bowl. Dumplings, chive pancakes and sesame noodles round out the menu.

Order: Sesame paste noodles and pork dumplings under twelve dollars.

Tip: Watch them pull the noodles in the front window; weekday lunch hours have shorter lines.

Vien Huong ★ 4.4

Vien Huong on Franklin in Oakland Chinatown cooks Chiu Chow Cantonese-Vietnamese plates under ten dollars. Hu tieu, congee, and a sub-three-dollar tea.

Order: Hu tieu noodle soup or congee under ten dollars.

Tip: Breakfast and lunch only; cash only for the smoothest check.

Tay Ho Restaurant and Bar ★ 4.3

Tay Ho's 12th Street lunch hour runs Northern Vietnamese plates for under fifteen dollars. Bun cha Hanoi, banh xeo and rice bowls at the door.

Order: Bun cha Hanoi for thirteen dollars at lunch.

Tip: Lunch specials run 11 to 3 weekdays; the dinner menu doubles on price.

Battambang ★ 4.2

Battambang on Broadway in Oakland Chinatown has run a Cambodian counter since 1993. Beef lok lak and amok at thirty-year regulars-only prices.

Order: Beef lok lak.

Why locals love it: Oakland Chinatown Cambodian institution since 1993, frequently passed over by visitors heading to dim sum down the block.

Tip: Order across the menu with two friends; the spice levels are conservative by default.

Vien Huong ★ 4.4

Vien Huong on Franklin in Oakland Chinatown cooks Chiu Chow Cantonese-Vietnamese plates breakfast through lunch. Quietly the corridor's best hu tieu.

Order: Hu tieu noodle soup.

Why locals love it: Chiu Chow Cantonese-Vietnamese fusion that even locals overlook for the more famous dim sum houses.

Tip: Breakfast and lunch only; cash only at the register.