Noah Smith

Maria IsabelOther

Every single thing I had here was excellent, and this might be the best new restaurant I’ve discovered this year.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Prik HomOther

In terms of sheer deliciousness, this is my favorite Thai restaurant in a city with lots of good Thai restaurants

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

TiyaOther

But Tiya has stuff you won’t get anywhere else, and it’s easily my favorite restaurant in the Marina.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

MijotéOther

This might just be my favorite restaurant in the city.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Ka KaiOther

Ka Kai in the Castro has an amazing sampler platter, and the best khao soi I’ve ever eaten.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Hai Ky Mi GiaOther

But the best Vietnamese restaurant in the whole area is probably the amazing Hai Ky Mi Gia

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

El Gallo Giro Food TruckOther

This little truck has some of the best tacos and burritos in the city.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

NariOther

Nari has an absolutely incredible trout curry — probably the best Thai curry I’ve ever had

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Washlet (Japanese toilet)Hardware

Once you’ve used a washlet for years, it’s very hard to go back to a basic toilet.

A post arguing that Americans under-adopt two obviously better tools, used as an analogy for AI adoption.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-06-21

WashletHardware

Once you’ve used a washlet for years, it’s very hard to go back to a basic toilet.

A post arguing that Americans under-adopt two obviously better tools, used as an analogy for AI adoption.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-06-21

Mr. PolloOther

It’s always good, and it’s just $49 — maybe the best value for money in the entire city.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

7 AdamsOther

This place does have one Michelin star (and richly deserves it), but it’s significantly cheaper than a lot of other Michelin places while being every bit as good.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Khao TiewOther

You can absolutely gorge yourself sick on amazing food at Khao Tiew for $30.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Gusto Pinsa RomanaOther

It’s cheap, it’s delicious, and it’s good to eat in or DoorDash.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

TaishokenOther

I’d give the edge to Taishoken, since it takes reservations and doesn’t require you to wait an hour on the street in the middle of SF’s worst neighborhood like Mensho does.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

HorsefeatherOther

This is one of the best-kept secrets in San Francisco, since most people think it’s just a place to drink, but it actually has a very extensive food menu full of creative and excellent cuisine that’s basically a mashup of French, Latin American, Korean, Japanese, and Italian.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Mini PotstickersOther

If you want great takeout dumplings in SF, this, in my opinion, is one of the two best places to get them.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Bo&BeurreOther

Bo&Beurre is a little out-of-the-way Vietnamese place that will give you that sandwich.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Fermentation LabOther

The single most underrated, unknown restaurant in this category.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Sichuan Tasty RestaurantOther

One of the most underrated restaurants in the city.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Timur Indian and Nepalese CuisineOther

this small, out-of-the-way, affordable little restaurant is the best Nepalese food in a city filled with great Nepalese places. I especially recommend the korma.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

L&GOther

Both are amazing, both have no lines, and I’d recommend both over Saigon Sandwich.

Smith's guide to restaurants in San Francisco, ranked by what he calls yums per dollar.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-08-18

Rocking pizza cutterHardware

An alternative — which works especially well if you’re making thick-crust pizza — is a rocking pizza cutter

A post arguing that Americans under-adopt two obviously better tools, used as an analogy for AI adoption.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-06-21

Pizza shearsHardware

So there you go, Americans. Please try pizza shears or rocking pizza cutters, and please try washlets.

A post arguing that Americans under-adopt two obviously better tools, used as an analogy for AI adoption.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2026-06-21

John Aziz's BlogOther John Aziz

An old friend of mine, who used to write about economics, and now writes about the Palestine conflict

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter John Aziz's Blog, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2025-12-02

Derek ThompsonOther Derek Thompson

The man who got me into op-ed writing, and one of the authors of Abundance!

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Derek Thompson, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2025-06-20

Japan HappinessOther Hiroko Yoda

Insightful thoughts on Japanese culture and society

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Japan Happiness, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2025-03-23

@andrewchenOther

A blog by venture capitalist Andrew Chen

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter @andrewchen, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2024-05-06

StatecraftOther Santi Ruiz

A blog about state capacity, bureaucracy, regulation, and how to get things done, by Santi Ruiz

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Statecraft, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2024-05-01

Global DevelopmentsOther Oliver Kim

A blog about development econ and economic history

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Global Developments, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2024-03-15

Briefing BookOther Kevin Rinz

An econ blog by some government economists

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Briefing Book, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-12-06

China TalkOther Jordan Schneider

An incredible wealth of timely information about China-related stuff

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter ChinaTalk, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-10-19

Apricitas EconomicsOther Joseph Politano

One of the best econ data blogs out there. By Joey Politano.

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Apricitas Economics, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-10-19

Olga KhazanOther

A blog about psychology from one of my favorite Atlantic writers

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Olga Khazan, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-10-19

TokyoScope by Patrick MaciasOther TokyoScope

If you enjoy Japanese pop culture, this is the blog for you!

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter TokyoScope by Patrick Macias, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-06-28

Matt Alt's Pure InventionOther Matt Alt

A fun blog about Japanese pop culture, for those of you who enjoy that sort of thing

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Matt Alt's Pure Invention, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-05-24

Breaking the NewsOther James Fallows

James Fallows is one of the best reporters and essayists I've read.

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Breaking the News, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-04-17

By the NumbersOther Hannah Ritchie

Hannah Ritchie's excellent data-driven blog about the transition to a sustainable economy

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter By the Numbers, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-01-19

CalculatedRisk NewsletterOther CalculatedRisk by Bill McBride

A great classic newsletter about housing and other economic stuff

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter CalculatedRisk Newsletter, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2023-01-18

Economic ForcesOther Economic Forces

A fun economics blog

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Economic Forces, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2022-12-30

One Useful ThingOther Ethan Mollick

Ethan Mollick is a great source of interesting social science research.

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter One Useful Thing, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2022-11-11

Not Boring by Packy McCormickOther Packy McCormick

The most techno-optimist of all blogs

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Not Boring by Packy McCormick, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2022-10-10

The Discourse LoungeOther Darrell Owens

An excellent blog about housing and urban issues, and (occasionally) about social trends, from the excellent Darrell Owens

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter The Discourse Lounge, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2022-06-12

The OvershootOther Matthew C. Klein

Matt C. Klein's econ blog. Lots of good charts and macro stuff.

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter The Overshoot, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2022-06-12

What's New Under the SunOther Matt Clancy

Matt Clancy's excellent blog about the economics of science and technology.

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter What's New Under the Sun, on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2022-03-25

DeLong's Grasping Reality Weblog Other Brad DeLong

The first economics blog, and still probably the best.

Noah Smith's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter DeLong's Grasping Reality Weblog , on their Substack's recommendations page.

noahpinion.blog ↗·2022-03-25