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Ranked by verified ratings, mentions, and signature picks
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Little Russia · $$
Sweet baked char siu buns — frequently called out as a must.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Financial District · $$
Char siu filling encased in soft bun with crunchy sugar-glazed top
Cantonese & Dim Sum · SoMa · $$
Crackling sugar‑crusted buns filled with saucy char siu—highly recommended
Shanghainese · Parkside · $
Juicy pork filling encased in a fluffy top with a crispy, golden bottom.
American · Mission Bay · $$
Fluffy steamed bao filled with braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, and savory sauce
Shanghainese · Noe Valley · $$
Crispy, golden-brown bottom crust with a juicy, tender pork interior.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Chinatown · $$$$
San Francisco's iconic Dutch crunch bread reimagined as a char siu bao, crispy-topped and stuffed with sweet roast pork
Chinese · Inner Richmond · $$
Pan-fried buns with a crispy bottom and a succulent, savory pork filling.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · North Beach · $$
Golden baked bun filled with sweet-savory BBQ pork—frequently singled out as out of this world
Northern Chinese · Outer Sunset · $
Juicy pork‑filled bun with a crisp bottom—though some find it slightly doughy
Chinese · Lower Haight · $$
Features a pillowy bun with a filling that is noted as 'not too sweet'.
Dumplings & Noodles · The Castro · $$
Fluffy steamed buns filled with sweet and savory char siu pork — three to an order, gone in seconds.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Inner Richmond · $$
Soft baked bun with sweet-savory char siu — the most-praised pick.
Shanghainese · The Castro · $$
Golden‑brown bottoms with fresh green onion topping, crisp exterior and savory filling
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Chinatown · $$
Sweet glossy pastry bun stuffed with char siu
Shanghainese · Chinatown · $
Bakery · Chinatown · $
Savory buns filled with tender, sweet-and-savory barbecue pork.
Shanghainese · Duboce Triangle · $
Chewy, crunchy buns with savory pork filling and a crisp bottom
Cantonese & Dim Sum · North Beach · $
Char siu bao with crunchier exterior and pillowy interior — frequently called out.
New American · Mission Dolores · $$$
Pub & Grill · Union Street · $$
Steamed buns stuffed with braised pork belly -- an approachable appetizer that pairs well with cocktails
Soft buns filled with sweet barbecued pork—classic dim sum favorite.
Small, soup-filled buns featuring a signature audibly crunchy, pan-fried bottom.
Shanghainese · Parkside · $$
Praised for their perfectly crispy bottoms and savory pork filling, these buns are a standout.
A classic, inexpensive savory pastry filled with seasoned pork.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Outer Sunset · $
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Portola · $$
Fluffy steamed buns filled with sweet char siu pork.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Visitacion Valley · $
Soft, golden-baked buns filled with a savory-sweet barbecue pork mixture.
A signature item featuring a flaky, golden crust concealing a savory BBQ pork filling.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Chinatown · $
Tender, crisp‑edged pork filling inside a pillowy baked bun with satisfying squish
Fort Mason · $$
Tender pork belly served in buns with turmeric pickled daikon, green shiso, and a red miso glaze.
American · Inner Richmond · $
Large, popular buns featuring a generous amount of sweet, savory pork filling inside a soft dough.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Outer Richmond · $$
Flaky, golden-brown pastry exterior filled with a savory-sweet barbecue pork filling.
Bakery · Inner Richmond · $
These frisbee-sized buns are a highlight, featuring a fluffy exterior and a sweet and savory barbecue pork filling.
Fluffy, slightly sweet baked buns filled with savory char siu (Chinese BBQ pork).
Bakery · North Beach · $
Soft buns generously filled with salty, airy pork floss, offering a satisfying savory bite.
Bar · Marina District · $$
Noted as a standout, these pork buns likely offer a delightful combination of tender pork and soft steamed buns.
Pho & Noodles · Visitacion Valley · $
Signature soft-baked buns filled with savory pork, made fresh daily.
Ramen · Yerba Buena · $$
Steamed bao with braised pork belly, lettuce, and mayo — IPPUDO's iconic appetizer that's worth ordering every time
Southeast Asian · Union Square · $$
Soft steamed buns filled with soy-braised pork belly, pickled daikon, and char siu glaze.
Char siu pork, hoisin, ginger, pork bun filling, topped with crackling, black vinegar glaze, sesame, and scallion
Coffee & Tea · Union Street · $
A soft, doughy bun filled with savory-sweet barbecued pork.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Mission District · $
Enjoy the combination of sweet, fluffy buns with a savory barbecue pork filling.
New American · Yerba Buena · $$$
Steamed bao with pork belly
Shanghainese · Outer Sunset · $$
These buns offer a delightful contrast with their crispy bottoms and juicy pork filling.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Russian Hill · $
Soft, steamed bun filled with sweet and savory barbecue pork.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Ingleside · $
A fluffy bun filled with a sweet and savory char siu (barbecued pork) filling.
Northern Chinese · Marina District · $
Crispy on the bottom and fluffy on top, these small buns are filled with savory pork and spring onion.
