3 new spots to score Asian eats in San FranciscoNamu Stonepot | Photo: Daniel S./Yelp
Hoodline
Published on September 19, 2019

So you're hungry — and you're ready for some Asian cuisine. Good news: We've found the freshest spots to satisfy your appetite. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for Asian food.

Namu Stonepot 

499 Dolores St., Mission Dolores

Photo: Daniel S./Yelp

Namu Stonepot is a Korean fast-casual spot offering rice bowls, soups and more.

As we previously reported, this is the second location of Namu Stonepot, which is owned and operated by brothers Daniel, David and Dennis Lee (the original location can be found on Divisadero and Hayes). The new eatery takes over the space of the more upscale Namu Gaji, another of the Lee brothers' restaurants, which will eventually reopen at the site of the now-shuttered The Perennial.

Like the Divisadero location, the Namu Stonepot in Mission Dolores offers customizable Korean classics served in stoneware bowls. Check out the Namu Stonepot Rice, a sizzling rice bowl topped with seven vegetables and your choice of protein. There are sides and small plates, too, like Korean-style fried chicken, fresh-made poke and Korean tacos served in seaweed shells with kimchi salsa.

Yelper Alexander H., who reviewed the new Namu Stonepot on Aug. 28, wrote, "This is probably the best Korean food I've had in the San Francisco Bay Area."

Patricia W. added, "Cute place with friendly staff and tasty food!"

Namu Stonepot is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday–Sunday and for dinner from 5–10 p.m. daily.

New Thai Elephant

393 Bay St., North Beach

Photo: New Thai Elephant/Yelp

New Thai Elephant is a restaurant offering Thai favorites for dine-in, takeout and delivery.

New Thai Elephant, which has another location in downtown San Mateo, serves up a menu of classic Thai dishes, from chicken satay and papaya salad to pad thai and panang curry. There are also noodle soups topped with roasted duck, barbecue pork and other proteins, as well as chef's specials, like the deep-fried salmon with with red curry and peanut sauce. New Thai Elephant offers vegan and vegetarian options, too. (Find the full menu on its website.)

With a 4.5-star rating out of 14 reviews on Yelp, New Thai Elephant has been getting positive attention.

Yelper Dan C., who reviewed it on Sept. 9, wrote, "New Thai Elephant is a much-welcome breath of fresh air in San Francisco. After going on a bit of a Thai food tour of the area, this is the only venue that delivers consistent, delicious Thai food, with a staff that truly cares about your experience."

New Thai Elephant is open from 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily.

Bac Lieu Restaurant

3216 Mission St., Bernal Heights

Photo: Cherylynn N./Yelp

Bac Lieu Restaurant is a Vietnamese spot offering noodles, soups and more.

As we previously reported, Bac Lieu ⁠— which is named for a coastal province in south Vietnam ⁠— replaces Vietnamese restaurant Lotus Garden. The new eatery offers a full menu of favorites, like bun noodle bowls, pho, spring rolls and rice platters with meat and seafood. The menu also includes a number of chef's recommendations, such as quail, seafood noodle soup, vegetarian pho and bánh khot — crispy mini shrimp pancakes. Explore the full menu here.

Bac Lieu Restaurant currently holds 4.5 stars out of 87 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.

Yelper Angela L., who visited the eatery on Sept. 15, wrote, "This place deserves all the hype! In an unassuming shop that is good for both large groups and two-person dates, Bac Lieu serves up delicious Vietnamese food with variety and quality that I've seldom seen in other San Francisco Viet restaurants."

Bac Lieu Restaurant is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekends. (It's closed on Monday.)


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