Yin Ji Chang Fen

Yin Ji Chang Fen’s Pleasanton spot is tucked away in a corner plaza on Stoneridge Dr, featuring high ceilings with exposed wood beams, polished concrete floors, and light wood furniture. The walls are decked out with vintage photos and "King of Rice Rolls" calligraphy, while a classic black and gold signboard hangs over the counter, accented by a row of mini red lanterns. Founded in Guangzhou back in the 1950s, they’re famous for their chang fen (steamed rice rolls) made using the traditional cloth-pulling method—where rice slurry is steamed on cotton cloth and hand-pulled for a wrapper that’s much thinner and silkier than the machine-made version. You can find them all over the Bay Area now, with branches in Pleasanton, Berkeley, Milpitas, Concord, and San Lorenzo. The Beef Rice Rolls come with four per order, with skins so translucent you can see the seasoned minced beef and lettuce tucked inside. Drizzled with their house soy sauce, they’re so silky they practically slide down without needing much chewing. Their congee (savory rice porridge) comes in generous 24oz servings, topped with scallions and cilantro by default. The Beef Congee with Raw Egg arrives with the rice cooked down into a creamy base and a raw yolk in the center; once you stir it in, the whole bowl fills with a rich, eggy aroma, and the beef is poached to perfect tenderness. If you’re into rice bowls, the Beef Brisket Steamed Rice features melt-in-your-mouth brisket, a steamed egg, and blanched choi sum (leafy greens) over fresh rice, all finished with a splash of secret soy sauce. Don’t miss the Pork and Shrimp Siu Mai (dumplings)—four to a basket, with thin yellow wrappers hugging chunks of pork and shrimp topped with crab roe. A side of vibrant Poached Lettuce with soy sauce is the perfect way to cut through the richness of the meal. The menu also features favorites like Pork Giblet Congee, Boatman’s Congee, Shrimp Dumplings, Salted Egg Yolk Buns, You Tiao (fried dough sticks), and Curry Fish Balls. Perfect for family gatherings, dining with kids, or a quick solo breakfast or lunch.