Grab them to go from Bini’s kiosk at McKesson Plaza or head to her brick-and-mortar restaurant on Howard St. if you want to sit down and enjoy your momos.
Pushkin
380 Bush St
San Francisco
(415) 901-3434
You could easily walk by the entrance to the International Food Court that houses Pushkin and never realize the good eats you’re missing out on. Pushkin offers boiled Russian and Ukrainian dumplings called pelmeni. Flavors like smoked gouda with beef and lamb with mint fill the neatly folded pelmenis, which are served in a hearty chicken broth.
For vegetarians, there’s a pan-fried potato-filled pelmeni coated in sweet, caramelized onions.
Yuanbao Jiaozi
2110 Irving St
San Francisco
(415) 702-6506
For boiled Northern Chinese dumplings that will bring tears of epicurean joy to your eyes, Yuanbao Jiaozi on Irving Street is the place to be. Behind a glass window in the back of the restaurant, you can see the chefs rolling out wrappers and expertly sealing perfect dumplings in record time.
The freshness really does make a world of difference: the dumplings, with shitake mushrooms and fish or rich pork and three delicacies fillings, are incredibly tender whether served plain or in a hearty soup.
Italian Homemade Company
716 Columbus Ave
San Francisco
(415) 712-8874
Get your fix of Italian dumplings at the growing Bay Area chain’s original North Beach location. Stuffed pastas, including tortellini and ravioli, are made in house and boiled to order. The tortellini — whose shape is modeled after Venus’ belly button — is filled with prosciutto, mortadella, pork, and parmigiano. The ravioli comes with a delicate ricotta paired with either spinach or beef. A choose your sauce adventure then begins with options of butter and sage, pesto, bolognese, or pasticiatta.
Bon, Nene
2850 21st St
San Francisco
(415) 872-9332
At Bon, Nene in the Mission, thoughtfully executed Japanese potstickers, or gyoza, shine in an airy bistro ambiance. The original nene potstickers, filled with pork, sprouts, cabbage, ginger and garlic, are served beneath a crispy batter-skirt and accompanied with a bright ponzu dipping sauce. The combination of the light, earthy filing with the sharp citrus sauce makes for an exquisite bite.
Pera
1457 18th St
San Francisco
(415) 796-3812
For the tiniest dumplings you’ve ever seen, head to Pera in Potrero Hill. Pera serves traditional Anatolian manti, filled with herbed beef and covered in garlic yogurt sauce and smoked paprika butter. The cool tanginess of the yogurt and the warming Turkish paprika combine for a delicate, light dumpling experience.
