Hang Ah Tea Room
The Verdict
"Go at lunch on a weekday when you can get a table without waiting. Order the har gow and pot stickers. Finding the alley entrance off Sacramento Street is part of the fun."
What you need to know
Hang Ah Tea Room opened in 1920 and bills itself as the oldest dim sum restaurant in America. It’s a small dining room at 1 Pagoda Place, tucked into Hang Ah Alley off Sacramento Street. No carts, no neon, no spectacle. You order from a paper menu and the food comes out hot from the kitchen.
What to Order
Har Gow: Shrimp dumplings, the benchmark of any dim sum kitchen.
Siu Mai: Open-topped pork dumplings.
Char Siu Bao: Steamed BBQ pork buns.
Pot Stickers: Pan-fried with a crisp bottom. Use the vinegar-soy sauce.
Lo Mai Gai: Sticky rice with chicken and Chinese sausage in a lotus leaf, unwrapped at the table.
Finding It
Pagoda Place is a narrow lane off Sacramento between Stockton and Grant. Hang Ah Alley runs off it. You’ll think you went the wrong way until you see the sign. Inside, around 30 seats at tight tables.
The History
When Hang Ah opened in 1920, the alley location offered privacy for tea, gambling, and socializing away from the main streets and police attention. The dining room has barely changed since.
Practical Info
Price: Dim sum $4 to $8
Address: 1 Pagoda Place
Reservations: Not taken; small space fills at lunch
📍 Location: This restaurant is in Chinatown. Explore the neighborhood →
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What to get
Har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, pot stickers, lo mai gai