Join the California Migration Museum on a bite-sized journey across San Francisco’s food scene. From Gold Rush saloons to Instagram popups, and Rice-a- Roni to Mission burritos, here are 38 stories exploring how immigrants have shaped the city and fed its residents since 1849.

The Melting Spots podcast takes listeners through more than 2 centuries of SF’s food and immigrant history, weaving together the stories of 38 immigrant chefs and businesses. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or here.


Use the map below as your menu to the city — tap the icons to learn more, then head out and taste the stories for yourself. Buen Provecho!

1. Thanh Long
Inventing Garlic Noodles
2. Wonderful Foods
Where the Boba Craze Began
3. H-Mart
Korean Imports are Nothing to Cry About
4. Japanese Tea Garden
The Fortune Cookie's (Surprising) Origins
5. Lavash
From Burritos to Home Cooking
6. Mamahuhu
A Fresh Take(out) on American Chinese
7. Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe
Piroskhis from the Old Country
8. Mandalay
Putting Burma on the (SF) Map
9. Anchor Oyster Bar
Cioppino: the Italian Connection
10. Minnie Bell's Soul Movement
Homecoming: Soul Food in the Fillmore
11. La Mediterranee
Better than Rice-a-Roni
12. Uji Time
Mochi, Matcha, and Asian Solidarity
13. Beit Rima
Hot Dogs to Harissa
14. Damansara
Introducing Malaysia: from Instagram to Noe Valley
15. Mitchell's Ice Cream
Old-School Ice Cream with Exotic Flavor
16. Bi-Rite Market
Reinventing the Arab American Grocery Story
17. Senor Sisig
Filipino Food Truck Fusion
18. Prubechu
A Taste of Guam in the Bay
19. Abanico Coffee Roasters
No More Cafe Listo
20. Grand Coffee
An Espresso with Ethics
21. Reem's California
Bread is Politics, Too
22. El Faro
The Original Mission Burrito
23. Dandelion Chocolate
SF's Long Chocolate Tradition
24. D'Maize
Latinx Legacy in the Mission
25. Moya
Refugees and Tofu Tibsi
26. Estrellita's Snacks
Spanish-Language Street Food
27. Bini's Kitchen
Momos Everywhere
28. The Buena Vista Café
The Invention of Irish Coffee
29. Tonga Room
Thunder, Lightning and Tiki Cocktails
30. Liguria Bakery
Focaccia, Four Ways
31. Comstock Saloon
Peruvian Miners and Pisco Punch
32. Boudin Bakery Cafe
Starting San Francisco Sourdough
33. Sam Wo Restaurant
Not Just Chop Suey
34. R&G Lounge
American-Chinese Banquets
35. Yank Sing
Dim Sum Carts in Downtown
36. Boug Cali
Creole with Bay Area Roots
37. Midnite Bagel
A New Breed of Bagel
38. Besharam
Spicy Food is for Spicy Girls
39. California Migration Museum
California Migration Museum
1. Thanh Long
Inventing Garlic Noodles
2. Wonderful Foods
Where the Boba Craze Began
3. H-Mart
Korean Imports are Nothing to Cry About
4. Japanese Tea Garden
The Fortune Cookie's (Surprising) Origins
5. Lavash
From Burritos to Home Cooking
6. Mamahuhu
A Fresh Take(out) on American Chinese
7. Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe
Piroskhis from the Old Country
8. Mandalay
Putting Burma on the (SF) Map
9. Anchor Oyster Bar
Cioppino: the Italian Connection
10. Minnie Bell's Soul Movement
Homecoming: Soul Food in the Fillmore
11. La Mediterranee
Better than Rice-a-Roni
12. Uji Time
Mochi, Matcha, and Asian Solidarity
13. Beit Rima
Hot Dogs to Harissa
14. Damansara
Introducing Malaysia: from Instagram to Noe Valley
15. Mitchell's Ice Cream
Old-School Ice Cream with Exotic Flavor
16. Bi-Rite Market
Reinventing the Arab American Grocery Story
17. Senor Sisig
Filipino Food Truck Fusion
18. Prubechu
A Taste of Guam in the Bay
19. Abanico Coffee Roasters
No More Cafe Listo
20. Grand Coffee
An Espresso with Ethics
21. Reem's California
Bread is Politics, Too
22. El Faro
The Original Mission Burrito
23. Dandelion Chocolate
SF's Long Chocolate Tradition
24. D'Maize
Latinx Legacy in the Mission
25. Moya
Refugees and Tofu Tibsi
26. Estrellita's Snacks
Spanish-Language Street Food
27. Bini's Kitchen
Momos Everywhere
28. The Buena Vista Café
The Invention of Irish Coffee
29. Tonga Room
Thunder, Lightning and Tiki Cocktails
30. Liguria Bakery
Focaccia, Four Ways
31. Comstock Saloon
Peruvian Miners and Pisco Punch
32. Boudin Bakery Cafe
Starting San Francisco Sourdough
33. Sam Wo Restaurant
Not Just Chop Suey
34. R&G Lounge
American-Chinese Banquets
35. Yank Sing
Dim Sum Carts in Downtown
36. Boug Cali
Creole with Bay Area Roots
37. Midnite Bagel
A New Breed of Bagel
38. Besharam
Spicy Food is for Spicy Girls
39. California Migration Museum
California Migration Museum