Ma's Dimsum & Cafe — Restaurant in San Francisco

A Hidden Gem for Clay Pot Rice Lovers

After returning from Hong Kong, I was craving authentic clay pot rice, but my search around the Bay Area often left me disappointed, overpriced and mediocre at best. I typically avoid Chinatown for Chinese food, as many spots cater to tourists and lack authenticity. However, this unassuming little restaurant defied my expectations.

Let's address the elephant in the room first: it's your quintessential old-school Chinatown eatery. The tables and floors are sticky, there are mouse traps here and there, and cleanliness isn't exactly a priority. But if you can look past the ambiance, you'll find some of the best clay pot rice in the Bay, rivaling the flavors I experienced in Hong Kong.

I tried two dishes: the classic Chinese bacon clay pot rice and the Four Treasures, featuring "yellow skin" chicken, spareribs, Chinese sausage, and Chinese bacon. At just $13.50 each, the portions were generous. Something you rarely see anymore, especially when most clay pot rice dishes elsewhere hover around $20 or more.

I have to admit, I'm usually wary of Chinese sausage and bacon due to their funky aftertaste when poorly made. But this place wowed me with its quality. The Chinese sausage was juicy and tender without being overly fatty, and the bacon was thinly sliced, avoiding the overly fatty texture I dislike. The spareribs were tender and flavorful, with the meat easily separating from the bone. Even the scallions were vibrant and aromatic, adding a perfect touch to the dish.

Now, let's talk about the star: the rice. This wasn't just any rice, it was fresh-crop rice with a slightly translucent appearance, a delightful chewiness, and a rich flavor. The grains were distinct and not clumped together. And yes, they nailed the crispy rice layer at the bottom of the pot. Waiting for it to crisp up is key, and they achieved it by perfectly oiling the pot. Unlike other places where the bottom layer is more gummy than crispy, this was a textural delight.

The soy sauce deserves its own mention. They use the proper sweet soy sauce in a bottle, which is already great, but it would've been perfect if served warm in a bowl, like the traditional way.

Overall, this spot delivers some of the best clay pot rice I've had in the Bay Area. While a few places attempt it, they often fall short on authenticity or execution. If you're a fan of clay pot rice, don't let the interior scare you off. It's worth it.

Pro Tip: Parking is a challenge. Even on a Sunday evening after 7pm, street parking was nearly impossible to find. The nearest parking garage is less than a 10-minute walk, so plan accordingly.

Whether you're here for the clay pot rice or their other traditional Chinese dishes (which looked just as tempting from what I saw others ordering), this place is a must-try for anyone chasing...

This place has so much hate on Yelp, but I can tell you from (improperly) poking my head in the kitchen that they're actually really clean here and legit, and the food is as authentic Cantonese cafe food as you'll get in SF, and super cheap! The claypot rices are all delicious. I've had four of them over two times of coming here, and my parents love it. My dad grew up in SF Chinatown back in the 50s and 60s, so this is comfort food to him. You can't go wrong with any of the claypot rice dishes, and the dim sum dishes in front are all fresh, delicious, and insanely cheap. The claypot rice bottom where the rice crisps up and is crunchy - that is seriously the best part of the claypot rice. Don't dig in all the way to the bottom of the pot -- let it crisp up and cool a little before you eat that part. Being patient is worth it with that.

The stir-fried noodle dishes are really good and authentic here, too. The fact that this place has 100% Chinese clientele (who all speak Cantonese or Toisan) should tell you that this place is good. They aren't that friendly to you if you speak in English with them, but your stomach will thank you later.. and so will...

I'm very disappointed with this place. There's no organized system for waiting in line, and it feels especially unfair if you're not Chinese. We waited in line by the door for 20 minutes, but people who arrived after us cut ahead, and the staff did nothing about it. As soon as tables became available, some people rushed forward, claimed they were first, and were seated—no questions asked.

It seemed like the staff only communicated with Chinese-speaking customers and prioritized them. If you don’t speak Chinese or act aggressively, it’s almost impossible to get a table. The servers were unhelpful and didn’t assist us at all. Overall, a terrible experience and...