Two New Eats in the Richmond!

By Sandra Lee Fewer

There are two new restaurants along the Geary corridor joining the dining scene in the central Richmond: Que Chulada and Sonamu. 

Que Chulada

For those of us in the Richmond who have been longing for a new place to have a plate of traditional homestyle Mexican food, look no further than Que Chulada located on Geary Boulevard and 23rd Avenue. 

This small, family-run Mexican restaurant offers big plates of enchiladas, tacos, chili rellenos, burritos, tortas, fajitas and more. The restaurant is owned and operated by a young husband and wife team, Maritza Castillo and Salvador Cervantes. Salvador is the chef and Maritza runs the front of the restaurant, taking orders, clearing tables and providing customer service. This is their first restaurant venture and chose this location because it provided a great opportunity for them to own their own business. 

Maritza grew up in the restaurants that her father owned, cleaning and being the cashier. Salvador has a deep passion for cooking that he inherited from his father. Both Maritza and Salvador are second generation Mexican Americans, and their food reflects the regions of Mexico where their families came from. 

Maritza’s family is from Guanajuato and Salvador’s family is from Michoacan. Their food is a combination of styles and flavors from both regions. 

A favorite among customers is the Quesabirria, a taco that has been dipped in sauce, filled with beef birria, fried and topped with onions, cilantro and cheese. A cup of broth comes on the side. The birria is marinated and slowly braised in a richly flavored broth, which is the broth that comes with the plate.  

Another favorite is Enchiladas Verdes. These enchiladas are filled with chicken and covered in a homemade green tomatillo sauce topped with onions, sour cream and cheese. The plate comes with homemade rice and choice of refried or black beans. 

Que Chulada also serves breakfast which is sorely needed in the Richmond. Breakfast options include chilaquiles, a deluxe breakfast burrito filled with eggs, chorizo and potatoes, as well as other breakfast dishes.  

The menu also includes many vegetarian and vegan options. Que Chulada also caters and the 25-seat restaurant can be booked for private parties. Maritza also makes homemade watermelon, cucumber, jamaica, strawberry and horchata agua frescas. Beer and wine will be available soon. Que Chulada! Que Bueno!

Que Chulada

5850 Geary Blvd @ 23rd Avenue

415-702-6433

Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Reservations and credit cards accepted.

Sonamu

We are blessed with many fine Korean restaurants in the Richmond, such as Brothers and Han Il Kwan, but at Sonamu, you can eat rustic traditional dishes that are rare outside of Seoul. 

Sonamu is located in the spot that was previously occupied by Turtle Tower on Geary between 21st and 22nd avenues. Jimmy Kim and his mother Kilsoon Choe wanted to offer real traditional rustic dishes of Korea along with better-known favorites, like galbi, bibimbap and bulgogi. 

Kilsoon has more than 30 years of experience owning and running Korean restaurants in the Bay Area and South Bay. Jimmy is a San Francisco native, raised in the Western Addition and later at 12th Avenue and Anza. Kilsoon runs the back of the house while Jimmy does the financials and runs the front of the house. Their food can be described as casual Korean and many of their dishes are meant to be shared with two or three people. 

Kilsoon makes homemade kimchi every day, and all the banchan or side dishes are made by her daily. The marinades and sauces are her own special recipes, and they are made by her too. There are many familiar favorites on the menu, but at Sonamu there is an opportunity to try some new items, such as the popular Braised Kimchi Mackerel (item #20) or Beef Tripe and Intestines (item #34).  These dishes are meant to be shared and, surprisingly even to Jimmy, are very popular items.  

Another dish he recommends is Korean Style braised pigs feet (item #22). Pigs feet are braised in a special sauce until they are tender and served thinly sliced. Customers keep coming back for this unique and delicious dish. 

The lunch box specials are particularly popular and a good value, as Korean food is traditionally on the expensive side. There are eight lunch boxes to choose from with the most expensive being $25 for marinated beef short ribs. All dishes can be customized to your level of spiciness. If you are new to Korean cuisine, this is the time to try some. Start with an appetizer like maybe a seafood pancake and move onto a soup and then add a meat, such as marinated short ribs or pork belly. The dishes come with at least six homemade side dishes. 

Sonamu doesn’t offer desserts, but no problem. Just head on down to Joe’s and top your meal off with a green tea ice cream. 

Sonamu is a moderately priced restaurant that will prepare you for your visit to Korea or leave you wanting to plan a trip there. In the meantime, let Sonamu bring the real taste of Korea to you. Enjoy!

Sonamu

5716 Geary Blvd.

415-781-6808

11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m. Closed Wednesdays

Reservation accepted for parties of five or more: email Jimmy at Hello@sonamusf.com

Sandra Lee Fewer is a fourth-generation Chinese-American San Franciscan, former Board of Education commissioner, former member of the SF Board of Supervisors representing the Richmond District and has lived in the Richmond for more than 60 years.