Crustacean
Vietnamese restaurant · Financial District ·
Legendary garlic noodles & crab, innovative small plates, chic bar
Legendary garlic noodles & crab, innovative small plates, chic bar
"Opened on Pine Street in 2025, this legendary California Vietnamese restaurant’s Financial District location immediately pushed downtown’s dining scene to raise its game, offering dishes that few other spots in the neighborhood produce. The restaurant is beloved for its singular preparation of crab, with butter pooling beneath strikingly red shellfish that can arrive untouched, pre-cracked, or cracked for different prices, and in December 2025 the market-price crab ran about $88 with a $5 cracking fee; the salt and pepper crab here is very much the main character, and licking the seasoning from oily fingers makes it all worthwhile. Garlic noodles are described as a mandatory $16 side order, and the drinks are serious, with an inventive Saigon 75 that weaves together lemongrass and bergamot and an Oa-Hoi-Can Negroni built on Mal Bien Zacate Limón mezcal. Dessert demands the baked Alaska, which comes with thick, lightly torched meringue, untreated strawberries scattered over the plate, and a thin layer of chocolate underneath. The overall vibe feels born in a Beverly Hills Shangri-la, with a check-in room, a lounge and bar for waiting, and a sprawling dining room that could fairly be called glittering and plush. Practical considerations include the famously difficult parking situation in the FiDi, making nearby BART stations and plentiful bus routes attractive options, while those who do drive should be prepared to pay for a parking garage." - Paolo Bicchieri
"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
