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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 · $$
Crackling sugar‑crusted buns filled with saucy char siu—highly recommended
American · Mission Bay · $$
Fluffy steamed bao filled with braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, and savory sauce
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Chinatown · $$$$
San Francisco's iconic Dutch crunch bread reimagined as a char siu bao, crispy-topped and stuffed with sweet roast pork
Shanghainese · Noe Valley · $$
Pan-fried sheng jian bao with crispy bottoms
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 · $$
Fluffy steamed buns filled with sweet and savory char siu pork — three to an order, gone in seconds.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Chinatown · $$
Sweet glossy pastry bun stuffed with char siu
Shanghainese · Chinatown · $
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
Small, soup-filled buns featuring a signature audibly crunchy, pan-fried bottom.
Shanghainese · Parkside · $$
Praised for their perfectly crispy bottoms and savory pork filling, these buns are a standout.
Bakery · Chinatown · $
A signature item featuring a flaky, golden crust concealing a savory BBQ pork filling.
Shanghainese · Inner Richmond · $$
Crispy-bottomed pan-fried baos with juicy pork filling
Golden-brown bottoms dusted with green onions - 'worth a trip' per reviewers.
Crispy-bottomed pork buns; the second specialty after the soup dumplings.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Inner Richmond · $
Soft baked bun with sweet-savory char siu — the most-praised pick.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Outer Richmond · $$
Flaky pastry buns filled with sweet-savory char siu pork; reviewers' pick of the dim sum cart.
Bakery · Inner Richmond · $
These frisbee-sized buns are a highlight, featuring a fluffy exterior and a sweet and savory barbecue pork filling.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Chinatown · $
Fluffy, slightly sweet baked buns filled with savory char siu (Chinese BBQ pork).
Bakery · North Beach · $
Soft buns generously filled with salty, airy pork floss, offering a satisfying savory bite.
Bar · Marina District · $$
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.
Chinese · Visitacion Valley · $
Warm baked pork buns that evoke childhood memories with their comforting, nostalgic flavors
Ramen · Yerba Buena · $$
Steamed bao with braised pork belly, lettuce, and mayo — IPPUDO's iconic appetizer that's worth ordering every time
Soft buns filled with sweet barbecued pork—classic dim sum favorite.
Char siu pork, hoisin, ginger, pork bun filling, topped with crackling, black vinegar glaze, sesame, and scallion
Coffee & Tea · Union Street · $
A sweet and savory bun topped with a pineapple crust, highlighted by reviewers.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Mission District · $
Enjoy the combination of sweet, fluffy buns with a savory barbecue pork filling.
Shanghainese · Sunnyside · $
Sheng jian bao - pan-fried buns with soup-filled pork
Union Square · $$$
Soft steamed buns filled with seasoned pork.
New American · Yerba Buena · $$$
Steamed bao with pork belly
Soft steamed bun stuffed with sweet-savory char siu.
Shanghainese · Outer Sunset · $$
These buns offer a delightful contrast with their crispy bottoms and juicy pork filling.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Portola · $$
Fluffy steamed buns filled with sweet char siu pork.
Cantonese & Dim Sum · Ingleside · $
A fluffy bun filled with a sweet and savory char siu (barbecued pork) filling.
Steamed bun filled with savory char siu pork.
Northern Chinese · Marina District · $
Crispy on the bottom and fluffy on top, these small buns are filled with savory pork and spring onion.
Ramen · Stonestown · $
A steamed bun filled with tender braised pork belly, offering a sweet and savory combination.
Sichuan · South Beach · $$
Char siu bao, Hong Kong-style steamed buns.
