The charms of this neighborhood are subtle, but appealing. Chinatown, downtown, is fun, for sure, but it’s not where most Chinese-Americans want to live — Chinatown where you end up when you first arrive in the U.S. Once they enter the middle class, Chinese-Americans often move west, into the Richmond district, and Clement Street is the main shopping corridor. The stretch between 8th Avenue and 4th Avenue is a gold mine, but only if you take it in on foot. The stores here are amazing, as are many of the restaurants. It’s not particularly photogenic, but the shops and restaurants along the drag are as bountiful as a quick trip to East Asia.

- May Wah (corner of 8th) FANTASTIC Asian supermarket
- Green Apple Books (Best used bookstore in the city)
- Kamei Homewares (cheap dishes, cookware, Asian housewares)
- Toy Boat (great little ice cream shop)
- the combination Florist/Aquiarium store at 425 Clement. Facinating.
- Genki (near 4th Ave) Japanese convenience store and crepe shop.
— Spices Szechuan Trenz restaurant, at 291 6th Ave (at Clement) is my fave Chinese restaurant in town. Very spicy!