Did You Know: Clement Street Offers a Delicious DIY Around-the-World Food Tour Through San Francisco?

By theFrontSteps Real Estate on April 25, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Imagine a street where you can circle the globe in just 10 blocks—no passport needed. That’s Clement Street in the Richmond District, a culinary secret where San Francisco’s real food scene thrives. And the best way to experience it? A Clement Street Food Crawl, where every stop unlocks another delicious discovery.

The Challenge (If You’re Hungry Enough)

Your mission: Hit at least five spots, from flaky French pastries to fiery Sichuan noodles, without tapping out early. Here’s how the adventure unfolds:

1. The French Connection (Arsicault Bakery)

📍 397 Arguello Blvd (near Clement)

The Move: Sneak in before the crowd and grab the almond croissant—so buttery it should come with a warning label.

Fun Fact: When Bon Appétit named this America’s best new bakery in 2016, the line stretched around the block for weeks.

2. Dumpling Diplomacy (Dumpling King)

📍 336 Clement St

The Move: Order the soup dumplings and watch the steam rise when you puncture the delicate skin—it’s like a delicious science experiment.

Fun Fact: This cash-only spot proves that sometimes the simplest storefronts hide the most incredible flavors.

3. The Burmese Revelation (Burma Superstar)

📍 309 Clement St

The Move: Solve the mystery of tea leaf salad—fermented leaves mixed with crunchy bits that create magic in your mouth.

Fun Fact: This restaurant helped launch SF’s Burmese food craze—Anthony Bourdain called the cuisine ‘one of the great undiscovered food treasures.'”

4. The Japanese Wild Card (Genki Crepes)

📍 330 Clement St

The Move: Go sweet with Nutella-banana or savory with teriyaki chicken—either way, you’re winning.

Fun Fact: This crepe stand has been flipping batter since 2003—long before Instagram food trends existed.

5. The Irish Safehouse (The Plough & Stars)

📍 116 Clement St

The Move: Collapse into a wooden booth with a Guinness as live fiddle music soothes your food coma.

Fun Fact: This pub survived every tech boom since the 70s.

The Realization

Halfway through, you’ll notice something surprising—you’ve probably walked past these spots dozens of times without stopping. Clement Street’s magic isn’t in flashy signs or hype, but in these unassuming storefronts serving world-class flavors to locals in the know.

Why This Food Crawl Works

All Within 6 Blocks: No transportation needed
Budget-Friendly: ~$40 for a global feast
Built-In Digestion Break: Pop into Ornot Bike (59 Clement St) to browse sleek cycling gear—maybe even get inspired to burn off those calories on your next ride!