Known as one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, Chinatown is a treasure trove of history with many delights for one to explore and claim as their own.

After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire caused widespread wreckage to San Francisco’s Chinatown, thousands of Chinese survivors made the move across the bridge to rebuild in Oakland. Today, Oakland Chinatown is the center of Asian cultures, known for several annual events and fairs, and of course, its legendary cuisine.

The gourmet journey begins at Shooting Star Café, where a diverse menu of Hong Kong-style food awaits. Options range from curry to noodle soups, but don’t skip the crepes and egg puffs. For lunch, head over to Cam Anh Banh Mi, a small sandwich stop whose owner, Anh Nguyen, manages to greet every visitor personally, no matter how busy it gets (and it gets very busy). Nguyen prides herself on the restaurant’s vegan options and healthy recipes with minimal oil and sugar. Don’t miss Tay Ho, a traditional Vietnamese restaurant featuring locally sourced wine, and to satisfy a spicy craving, Spices 3 is the place to grab traditional Szechuan dishes with a little extra chile pepper. Finally, a trip to Chinatown would not be complete without a bowl of ramen, and there’s no place better to devour the noodle dish than Sobo Ramen. When it’s past midnight and the snack cravings still linger, check out New Gold Medal, a Chinese restaurant open until 3 am.