Okay, the recent discussion of Ma Po Tofu has given me a hankering for it. I
also want to make some "Ma La" oil (from the China Moon cookbook). Both
those require Szechuan peppercorns, and you mentioned recently that they
could be found in any Chinese spice shop in San Francisco. Problem is, I
have an amazing ability to get lost every time I go to San Francisco, and on
the occasions when I *did* make it to Chinatown, I didn't see any spice
shops. Could you please take pity on me and recommend a shop which carries
Szechuan peppercorns, then tell me its address or specific location? (Come
to think of it, I'd also appreciate it if you could tell me where the fabled
farmer's market is in Chinatown.)

Bob

On 23 Feb 2005 02:15:05 -0600, "Bob"
> wrote:

> Okay, the recent discussion of Ma Po Tofu has given me a hankering for it. I
> also want to make some "Ma La" oil (from the China Moon cookbook). Both
> those require Szechuan peppercorns, and you mentioned recently that they
> could be found in any Chinese spice shop in San Francisco.

Actually I thought I could get them at my local green
market, but I haven't been in there since we talked about it
previously. Sorry!

> Problem is, I
> have an amazing ability to get lost every time I go to San Francisco, and on
> the occasions when I *did* make it to Chinatown, I didn't see any spice
> shops. Could you please take pity on me and recommend a shop which carries
> Szechuan peppercorns, then tell me its address or specific location? (Come
> to think of it,

Are you looking forward to an excursion or will this be a
compulsory foraging trip? If you really WANT to go to
Chinatown, I can give you a little "do it yourself" walking
tour to take that includes a kite shop, an herb store
(medicinal) and a tea shop where you can sample various
types of Chinese teas (for free).

If you don't care about Chinatown per se, I'll see if I can
hunt up some Szechwan peppercorns for you in a not so
confusing area (there is a plethora of one way streets, dead
end alleys and no left turns downtown, so that's why you get
so confused).


> I'd also appreciate it if you could tell me where the fabled
> farmer's market is in Chinatown.)

Not sure what you mean by a Chinatown Farmer's market, but
if you want the flavor of Hong Kong, head to Stockton St.
(one block up-hill from Grant). The busiest section is
between Pacific and Clay. There are green markets coming
out your ears (people shoulder to shoulder) and places where
you can buy everything from live fish to live frogs &
turtles. Can't get any fresher than that.

Adding to your confusion: Did you know we have an alternate
Chinatown on Clement between 3rd and 10th Aves? Not as
crowded, but busy and a big variety of stores.




sf

sf wrote:

> Are you looking forward to an excursion or will this be a
> compulsory foraging trip? If you really WANT to go to
> Chinatown, I can give you a little "do it yourself" walking
> tour to take that includes a kite shop, an herb store
> (medicinal) and a tea shop where you can sample various
> types of Chinese teas (for free).
>
> If you don't care about Chinatown per se, I'll see if I can
> hunt up some Szechwan peppercorns for you in a not so
> confusing area (there is a plethora of one way streets, dead
> end alleys and no left turns downtown, so that's why you get
> so confused).

It takes me three hours to get to the area (and three hours to get home), so
I might as well spend an appreciable amount of time there and soak in the
entire Chinatown experience. I guess the walking tour would be my choice.
(And if you know of a good bubble tea shop, I'd like to check it out.)


>> I'd also appreciate it if you could tell me where the fabled
>> farmer's market is in Chinatown.)
>
> Not sure what you mean by a Chinatown Farmer's market, but
> if you want the flavor of Hong Kong, head to Stockton St.
> (one block up-hill from Grant). The busiest section is
> between Pacific and Clay. There are green markets coming
> out your ears (people shoulder to shoulder) and places where
> you can buy everything from live fish to live frogs &
> turtles. Can't get any fresher than that.

That sounds like what I meant, especially the part about being able to buy
live fish. I'm guessing I can buy shrimp, chicken feet and roasted duck in
that area, too. I'll have to browse the produce and see what inspires me.
Okay, Stockton Street between Pacific and Clay ... Stockton Street between
Pacific and Clay ... Stockton Street between Pacific and Clay ... Stockton
Street between Pacific and Clay ...


> Adding to your confusion: Did you know we have an alternate
> Chinatown on Clement between 3rd and 10th Aves? Not as
> crowded, but busy and a big variety of stores.

I *did* know that because of past threads recommending Chinese restaurants
in The City. But I never looked at a map to see whether Clement was anywhere
close to the area I think of as "Chinatown."

Thank you!

Bob

There's a farmer's Market at Civic Center in SF on Wednesday's that
many Asian folk go to (some on the bus). When I was a regular there 10
years ago, they had many Asian stalls with cool veggies, herbs and
fruits normally found in Chinatown. Is that the farmer's market you're
thinking of?

You should also check out Old Oakland's farmer's market, Fridays on
Washington and 9th Streets, mid-day (or does it open at 9? I don't
know). It's right next to Oakland's Chinatown and features the same
sort of vendors s the SF market, with all those interesting
ingredients. Good prices too. Note that both markets also have many,
many "regular" vendors, flowers, plants, chatchkes, etc. Last time I
was there I bought yellow dates (forget the name) that are a favorite
among the Chinese, I was told. I still like Medjool better but that's
me.

Also Oakland farmer's market has a tamale stand and a rotisserie
chicken wagon. Also plastic tables for you to eat said goodies right on
the sidewalk.

Leila

On 24 Feb 2005 03:43:02 -0600, "Bob"
> wrote:
>
> It takes me three hours to get to the area (and three hours to get home), so
> I might as well spend an appreciable amount of time there and soak in the
> entire Chinatown experience. I guess the walking tour would be my choice.

I'll get you some addresses in that case.

> (And if you know of a good bubble tea shop, I'd like to check it out.)
>
BUBBLE? You can get that anywhere... and it's like a
milkshake or a smoothie - but don't call it "tea" and
believe it or not - you won't find it in Chinatown easily.
The tea shop I mentioned will give you tastes of "real tea"
in the hope that you'll buy their ware. It's kinda like
going to the car lot and kicking tires.
>
> >> I'd also appreciate it if you could tell me where the fabled
> >> farmer's market is in Chinatown.)
> >
> > Not sure what you mean by a Chinatown Farmer's market, but
> > if you want the flavor of Hong Kong, head to Stockton St.
> > (one block up-hill from Grant). The busiest section is
> > between Pacific and Clay. There are green markets coming
> > out your ears (people shoulder to shoulder) and places where
> > you can buy everything from live fish to live frogs &
> > turtles. Can't get any fresher than that.
>
> That sounds like what I meant, especially the part about being able to buy
> live fish. I'm guessing I can buy shrimp, chicken feet and roasted duck in
> that area, too.

Of course.

> I'll have to browse the produce and see what inspires me.
> Okay, Stockton Street between Pacific and Clay ... Stockton Street between
> Pacific and Clay ... Stockton Street between Pacific and Clay ... Stockton
> Street between Pacific and Clay ...
>
You won't be sorry... it's a real adventure and it doesn't
have to be culinary.


BTW: I went to 2 herbal stores near where I work (which is
nowhere near Chinatown) it, but they didn't carry Szechwan
pepper corns. Those stores had peppercorns from other
places but nothing they carried resembled Szechwan. LOL! I
asked another co-worker today about them, but I was
pronouncing it all wrong (plus, in Chinese, they're called
"seeds"). My friend told me that my pronunciation is wrong
and I can only guess how other people mangle it... so I
asked her to write it down.



> > Adding to your confusion: Did you know we have an alternate
> > Chinatown on Clement between 3rd and 10th Aves? Not as
> > crowded, but busy and a big variety of stores.
>
> I *did* know that because of past threads recommending Chinese restaurants
> in The City. But I never looked at a map to see whether Clement was anywhere
> close to the area I think of as "Chinatown."
>
> Thank you!
>
> Bob
>


sf

sf wrote:

>> Stockton Street between Pacific and Clay
>>
> You won't be sorry... it's a real adventure and it doesn't
> have to be culinary.

Er...this brings back memories of my assignments to Korea, when I'd walk
home around 3 AM and hear "Psssst!" from the aji-ma's with favors to sell.

Bob