Where to buy a wok in SF, Daly City, or nearby

[Dave MP]

I'm hoping to buy a wok - looking for something pretty simple, ideally with a wooden handle, probably carbon steel, with a flat bottom (it'll be used mostly on an electric stove). What are the best places in San Francisco to get something? Looking for something probably in the $10-40 price range. Also, ideally wouldn't be in Chinatown....the Richmond, Sunset or other easily car-accessible neighborhood would be best...and Daly City, South City, etc could work too.

Any advice? Bonus points if they sell other kitchen equipment too, like spatulas, wok cleaners, etc.

I went to see if Ranch 99 sold woks, but as far as I saw, they didn't.

Dave MP

[vircabutar]

by the way, don't bother haggling with those ladies. they are so hard to budge. haha!

[emily]

The Wok Shop, though it's in Chinatown.
http://www.wokshop.com/store/main.php

[RWCFoodie]

+1 for the Wok Shop. Tane stocks many types and sizes of woks including some hand spun in Hayward!

[Jim]

I second the Wok Shop. Extremely knowledgeable staff and a great selection to choose from, worth the hassle of getting to/parking in Chinatown.

[walker]

It's a pleasure to shop at the Wok Shop! If you take the bus, Grant is a block downhill from Stockton (you can take a cab after purchase).

[Robert Lauriston]

Yeah, you wouldn't expect it given the touristy neighborhood, but you can't beat the Wok Shop for selection or price. It's maybe a block and a half from the Portsmouth Square garage.

[grayelf]

FWIW we went to the Wok Shop just to ogle the gear on one of our visits and thought they had a super selection and the prices were much better than in Vancouver. We just didn't have room in our luggage!

[Dave MP]

Okay, I think you guys have convinced me. I'll check it out. Wouldn't be the end of the world to carry a wok on MUNI. Any idea what their hours are? Open on weekends?

[Robert Lauriston]

Daily 10-6.

http://www.wokshop.com

[CarrieWas218]

Not a big deal to carry a wok on MUNI - people carry lots bigger and weirder things! Definitely worth the visit (and you can stop at Golden Gate Bakery for a fresh, warm custard tart!)

[Bob Copeland]

Once upon a time, many decades ago, I purchased a brass Queen-size headboard from Macy's at Union Square and carried it home via Muni. Not only did I get a few looks, I was able to protect myself from the crowds on the bus.

[od_sf]

Wok on muni: ok. Durian on muni: not ok.

[xanadude]

Ehh, their selection's very good, but the prices are Kamei are significantly better. At the Wok Shop, you're paying for the advice and sometimes higher quality products (though for a wok it doesn't really matter).

[Robert Lauriston]

How is Kamei's selection? I don't remember seeing many woks. Do they even carry flat-bottomed ones?

[Zeldog]

Kamei seems to stock whatever they can get a good deal on, so you never know what you'll find there. They usually have some very large woks, and I think I saw some thin cast iron woks there once (or maybe it was at that little place across the street), and they do stock flat bottom woks, at least sometimes. Don't even think about calling ahead to ask what kind they have. I suspect they are a little cheaper partly because they don't waste time on customer service.

[CarrieWas218]

I would go to Kamei on Clement & 8th in the Richmond District; GREAT Asian restaurant-supply shop that will have everything on your list and some things you don't even realize you need...