Jai Yun for Authentic Shanghainese food in San Francisco

This is the restaurant that triggered me to start a food blog. We went to Jai Yun on the edge of Chinatown in San Franciscoe as it was a bit of a cult in San Francisco. It is where all the chefs go to eat when they get off work. It is run by chef/owner Nei Chia Ji who has been described as both an artist and a genius. There is no menu, you just tell them how much you want to pay and they food starts arriving. The decor is sparse and but not dingy.

This was the beginning of a 22 course meal and for our $40 budget. Every dish was cooked fresh, was totally unique, cooked in a different style and every flavour was distinct and quite amazing.

Starters: Lotus root, Vegetarian chicken, duck, imperial vegetable, jelly fish, beef, pickled cucumbers

Stir Fried Prawns with chickpeas

Soyabean, goji berry, fu chuk and spring onions

Squid in garlic, chilli and pepper garnish

Fan pei, shanghainese noodles

Deep fried crispy beef

Yin choi with tofu and chives

Stewed pork knuckle

Spicy chicken with nuts

Double fried egg plant

There was plenty to eat but we felt a bit cheated when the table of 10 next to us got a fish dish as well. We were a smaller table so maybe that was our ration.

Of all the chinese places that I have eaten at in San Francisco Chinatown, this was the best by a mile. The food was not like the Americanised chinese food that is in most of the restaurants in Chinatown. Not  chop suey to be seen. I have not been back in while so am not sure if it is still there. Definitely worth a visit, if you want an authentic chinese food experience.