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CantoneseUntil 23:00
House of Nanking in San Francisco is the Kearny Street Sichuan-Cantonese hybrid since 1988, with a sesame chicken set by an opinionated counter.
OrderWhatever the owner brings; tell him you trust the kitchen and let him pick three plates.
TipSkip the menu; ask the owner to feed you. Cash and card; the wait is shorter for lone diners at the counter.
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CantoneseUntil 03:00
Yuet Lee in San Francisco is the Chinatown all-night Cantonese counter at Stockton and Broadway, open to 03:00 with salt and pepper squid the late shift.
OrderSalt and pepper squid plus a steamed live fish from the tank.
TipCash only after midnight; the kitchen window seats fill the fastest at 23:30.
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TaqueriaUntil 02:30 Fri and Sat
El Farolito in San Francisco is the Mission's all-night taqueria on 24th and Mission, with the super burrito al pastor the city eats at 01:00 every weekend.
OrderSuper burrito al pastor with everything, plus a Mexican Coke.
TipThe 23:00-01:00 window has the fastest line of the night; arrive at 01:30 and the line stretches outside.
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BakeryUntil 24 hours
Bob's Donuts in San Francisco is the 24-hour Polk Street doughnut counter since 1960, with an apple fritter, a monster doughnut challenge and a 04:00 crowd.
OrderButtermilk bar and an apple fritter, with a black coffee.
TipThe buttermilk bar is the locals' order over the fritter; the back room takes overflow at 02:00.
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CantoneseUntil 03:00 Fri and Sat
Sam Wo in San Francisco is the Chinatown late-night Cantonese counter since 1912, with rice jook (congee), roast pork chow mein and three narrow floors.
OrderJook with thousand-year egg and pork, plus a side of roast pork chow mein.
TipThe third-floor kitchen seats are the fastest service after midnight; ask for a window stool.
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Japanese ramenUntil 23:30 Fri and Sat
Marufuku Ramen in San Francisco is the Japantown Hakata tonkotsu counter, with a 36-hour pork bone broth and a late-night line that turns inside thirty.
OrderHakata classic tonkotsu with extra garlic chips, plus the karaage on the side.
TipDigital waitlist before you head over; the late seating cuts the wait to twenty minutes.