Crustacean
Vietnamese restaurant · Financial District ·
Legendary garlic noodles & crab, reimagined Vietnamese cuisine, stunning space
Legendary garlic noodles & crab, reimagined Vietnamese cuisine, stunning space
"After more than 30 years on Polk Street, the 2025 move to the Financial District brings an updated space perfect for power lunches and splurge dinners. Chef Helene An’s legendary garlic noodles and garlic-roasted Dungeness crabs are must-orders, and the Dungeness crab thankfully arrives out of the shell here. A new kohlrabi Caesar reimagines the classic with curls of crunchy kohlrabi tossed in Caesar dressing and dusted with Parmesan “snow” and black pepper; despite the ubiquity of Caesars, this feels like a fresh take with kohlrabi a worthy substitute for romaine. The steamed shrimp and lobster dumplings are also worth a try, hiding beneath a squid ink tuile and soy–mustard vinaigrette; the tuile adds a wow factor to the look and a nice crunch when placed on top of the dumpling for each bite. Do plan for traffic, which can be a nightmare for early dinner reservations as workers make their mass exodus out of the city, or book later. For now, it’s only open for lunch Tuesday through Thursday; much of the dinner menu is available at lunch (including the noodles and crab), and lunch-only specials include a roast half-chicken, a chicken chopped salad, and a standout rib-eye “banh mi” with a pho dip and salad that’s their take on a French dip." - Dianne de Guzman
"The newly reopened Financial District stunner might be the swanky ticket to Thanksgiving if you’d rather not cook: go non-traditional with the signature Dungeness crab and garlic noodles (it’s a must), and don’t miss a special of dumplings stuffed with roasted turkey and Japanese sweet potatoes, served with mushroom gravy and a cranberry-cherry reduction; it’s all à la carte, with dinner service from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and reservations available via OpenTable." - Dianne de Guzman
"Known for garlic-roasted Dungeness crab and garlic noodles from a famously secret kitchen, this San Francisco stunner surprised me most with a newcomer: the kohlrabi Caesar. Thin, wide ribbons of kohlrabi form a crunchy base tossed in a lovely Caesar dressing with black pepper, Parmesan, and furikake; it’s a bit unwieldy at first as the kohlrabi uncurls on the plate, but as I got further in, the toothsome bites gave way to real appreciation. Pleasant bits of bready croutons make it a fun, refreshing palate cleanser before the main meal, and while the crab and noodles remain impressive, if you’re looking for another add-on to your order, this salad is the way to go." - Paolo Bicchieri
"After three decades in Nob Hill, this standby for Vietnamese crab and garlic noodles is reopening in the Financial District in July. Like their other restaurant Thanh Long, the secret recipes will be safeguarded in a separate, family-only kitchen. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Julia Chen
"A modern Vietnamese restaurant returning to downtown San Francisco this spring after wrapping 32 years on Polk Street in February 2023; the operation is now helmed by the founder’s daughter Monique An and son-in-law Kenneth Lew. The trademarked Secret Kitchen is wrapped into the new, larger space, serving family recipes once again—most notably the garlic noodles that have become an outsized hit across the An restaurant empire." - Dianne de Guzman