--- title: "Cioppino: The Real San Francisco Treat" description: How a rustic seafood stew made the trip from Italy to the shores of America and eventually to the west coast. image: https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Cioppino.jpg --- [![Paesana Logo](https://www.paesana.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/paesana-flat-logo.png?noresize&width=180&name=paesana-flat-logo.png)](https://www.paesana.com/) [italian food](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/italian-food), [sauce](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/sauce), [lobster](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/lobster), [seafood](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/seafood), [fish](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/fish), [cioppino](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/cioppino), [shellfish](https://www.paesana.com/blog/topic/shellfish) # Cioppino: The Real San Francisco Treat How a rustic seafood stew made the trip from Italy to the shores of America and eventually to the west coast. By [Paesana](https://www.paesana.com/blog/author/paesana) 04.26.19 | 3 min read [![upclose photo of shrimp and clams in pasta sauce](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Cioppino.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/cioppino-the-real-san-francisco-treat) [** Blog](https://www.paesana.com/blog) Fishing is hard work. No, not lazily leaning over the rail of a party boat gently floating in the Long Island Sound. That’s relaxing, easygoing, and downright serene. Fishing professionally, for a living, for an entire day with the chance of coming up empty constantly hanging over your head—*that’s* hard work. And for the populations of certain regions in Italy, like the port city of [Genoa](https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/liguria-piedmont-and-valle-daosta/genoa), it was the main source of income. This remained true when Italian immigrants came to America during the time of mass immigration. Some of these first Italian-Americans stayed in the New York area, while others kept going west until they hit San Francisco Bay. Once these Italian laborers were nestled in Northern California, buoyed by their tireless work ethic, they integrated into the local fishing industry. The industry thrived in San Francisco, especially on the North Beach neighborhood’s Meiggs’ Wharf. But, even a thriving fishing sector has its off days when the lines are pulled up without a single bite. On those lean days, empty-handed anglers would walk up and down the wharf with a large pot asking their luckier dock-mates to chip in what they could—and when the roles were reversed, the favor would be returned. Local folklore says that the name “cioppino” originated from Italian immigrants shouting out “Chip in! Chip in!” in their heavy accents, thus the phrase sounding like it ended in a vowel. And that’s how Cioppino was born. But in reality, the name comes from [ciuppin](http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/ricette-liguria/ciuppin.aspx), the name of a classic seafood soup from the Italian region of [Liguria](https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/aug/26/italy-sleepy-italian-riviera-alassio-liguria-seaside-towns). And this rustic seafood stew, born out of necessity and kindness, has since become the city of San Francisco’s signature dish, showing up at five-star restaurants, fish stands, and legendary eateries that have survived earthquakes, gentrification, and tech booms alike. The [earliest description](https://www.kqed.org/news/11695791/the-fishy-origins-of-cioppino) of cioppino is from a 1901 recipe printed in *The San Francisco Call*, though the stew was called "chespini" in that publication. Meanwhile, the word "cioppino" first appeared in 1906 in [*The Refugee's Cookbook*](https://archive.org/details/refugeescookbook00sanf), a fundraising effort to benefit San Franciscans displaced by the 1906 earthquake and fire, which destroyed Meiggs’ Wharf and subsequently gave birth to Fisherman’s Wharf. ##### Cioppino Ingredients Cioppino, the dish, is made up of two components: A mix of herb-seasoned seafood, the actual “cioppino,” and the sauce. The two components are prepared separately, then combined before serving. One of the San Francisco restaurants specializing in this dish is Phil’s Fish Market, located south of North Beach and the long-gone Meiggs’ Wharf. The restaurant’s owner gladly shares his proprietary [recipe](https://gfreefoodie.com/phils-fish-market-cioppino-recipe/), which includes shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, mussels, Dungeness crab, and whatever happens to be the freshest white fish of the day. The seafood medley is thrown into a pot with olive oil, fresh herbs, a couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce for tang, and a pinch of [saffron](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-saffron) for a bit of the spice’s mysterious flavor. Generally, the seafood stays in its shells, including the crab, which is cracked and served halved or quartered. As for the sauce, it consists of a combination of fresh, crushed tomatoes and tomato puree, along with the expected herbs and spices, in addition to more unexpected ingredients like brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon.  ##### Seafood Stew Amongst Friends Since the seafood keeps it shells, it often takes time and a bit of work to eat cioppino. Armed with a special crab fork and cracker, and wearing a bib, it’s not unusual for eaters to spend an hour or two with a bowl of cioppino in front of them. And that’s the way it should be. After all, eating is a celebration—and we should want to stretch out that celebration, and make it last as long as possible.  ##### Make It At Home With Paesana! A fine, fishy, and fragrant cioppino craves a classic tomato sauce with fresh herbs and plenty of room to add your own custom ingredients. This makes Paesana’s [Marinara Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce#products-8) the ideal addition to this venerable seafood stew. Simply add our Marinara, along with any additional spices and herbs you choose, and get ready for a seafood feast. But other sauces including [Fra Diavolo](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce#products-6), [Tomato Basil](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce#products-2), and [Roasted Garlic](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce#products-5) are also perfect pairs to a flavorful cioppino.  ###### Subscribe to the Blog ###### Featured Sauce [![Paesana Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Sauce%20Photos/paesana-marinara-sauce.png) ###### Marinara ](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce#products-1) ###### Featured Articles ###### Featured Articles - [![upclose shot of uncooked penne, ziti and rigatoni](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/penne-ziti-rigatoni-uncooked-pasta-upclose.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/lets-talk-about-pasta-the-difference-between-penne-ziti-and-rigatoni) [Let’s Talk About Pasta: Comparing Penne, Ziti, and Rigatoni](https://www.paesana.com/blog/lets-talk-about-pasta-the-difference-between-penne-ziti-and-rigatoni) They look similar, but short-tube pasta, such as penne, ziti, and ... - [![assortment of dishes on a table including fish, spaghetti with seafood, bread](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/feast-of-the-seven-fishes.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-an-italian-american-christmas-eve-legacy) [Feast Of The Seven Fishes: An Italian-American Christmas Eve Legacy](https://www.paesana.com/blog/feast-of-the-seven-fishes-an-italian-american-christmas-eve-legacy) Christmas is the time of traditions—like the Italian-American Feast ... - [![Penne ala vodka on plate with utensils and tomatoes on the side](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Blog-Template3.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/the-story-behind-the-sauce-vodka) [The Story Behind The Sauce: Vodka](https://www.paesana.com/blog/the-story-behind-the-sauce-vodka) Vodka sauce dishes such as penne alla vodka burst onto the Italian ... - [![Side by side shots of tortellini and ravioli dishes from overhead ](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Blog-Template.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-ravioli-tortellini) [What’s The Difference Between Ravioli & Tortellini?](https://www.paesana.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-ravioli-tortellini) Ravioli are square and tortellini are ring shaped, but both make for ... - [![assortment of dried pastas ](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/assortments-of-dry-and-fresh-pasta.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/fresh-pasta-vs.-dry-pasta-boiling-down-the-differences) [Fresh Pasta vs. Dry Pasta: Boiling Down The Differences](https://www.paesana.com/blog/fresh-pasta-vs.-dry-pasta-boiling-down-the-differences) When cooking an Italian meal, is fresh pasta or dry pasta the better ... - [![Closeup of osso buco made of cross cut veal shank with oranges and tomatoes](https://www.paesana.com/hubfs/Blog/Closeup-of-osso-buco-made-of-cross-cut-veal-shank-with-oranges-and-tomatoes.jpg)](https://www.paesana.com/blog/most-romantic-italian-meals) [Most Romantic Italian Meals](https://www.paesana.com/blog/most-romantic-italian-meals) Paesana’s top dishes to cook for someone you love on Valentine’s Day ... ![Paesana Logo](https://www.paesana.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/paesana-flat-logo.png?noresize&width=300&name=paesana-flat-logo.png) ###### About Paesana - [The Paesana Tradition](https://www.paesana.com/the-paesana-tradition) - [Family History](https://www.paesana.com/history) - [Paesana Process](https://www.paesana.com/paesana-process) - [Family Recipes](https://www.paesana.com/family-recipes) - [Commercial Services](https://www.paesana.com/commercial-services) - [Blog](https://www.paesana.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.paesana.com/contact) ###### Our Products - [Pasta Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/pasta-sauce) - [PAESANA RESERVE](https://www.paesana.com/products/paesana-reserve) - [Cooking Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/cooking-sauce) - [Organic Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/organic-sauce) - [Pizza Sauce](https://www.paesana.com/products/pizza-sauce) - [Condiments](https://www.paesana.com/products/condiments) - [Olives](https://www.paesana.com/products/olives) [**Facebook Icon](https://www.facebook.com/Paesana-844659075568834/) [**Instagram Icon](https://www.instagram.com/paesanagourmetspecialties/) Copyright 2025. Paesana. All Rights Reserved [Privacy Policy](https://www.paesana.com/privacy-policy) | [Accessibility](https://www.paesana.com/accessibility) ### The Jar With The Lady On It. Paesana means friendship, warmth and caring, which is what our family is all about. That’s why we honor our great-grandmother to reflect pride in our family’s Italian heritage. One taste and you’ll discover our sauces and condiments are like no other – Created from the finest quality ingredients! [** Back to Top Button ](https://www.paesana.com/blog/cioppino-the-real-san-francisco-treat#) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Farmingdale", "addressRegion" : "NY", "postalCode" : "11735", "streetAddress" : "101 Central Avenue " }, "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "40.752527", "longitude" : "-73.409503" } }, "description" : "Inspired by generations of family food heritage, Paesana jars homemade sauces for pasta and pizza, along with an array of Italian specialties, for a taste of the Old World at your dinner table.", "email" : "info@paesana.com", "image" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5002174/Blog/paesana-og-image.jpg", "logo" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5002174/Logos/paesana-logo-no-pic.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.paesana.com/blog/cioppino-the-real-san-francisco-treat", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "How a rustic seafood stew made the trip from Italy to the shores of America and eventually to the west coast." }, "naics" : "3119", "name" : "Paesana", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paesana/844659075568834", "https://www.instagram.com/paesanagourmetspecialities/", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/l-&-s-packing-company-inc." ], "telephone" : "800-447-1718", "url" : "https://www.paesana.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Paesana" }, "dateModified" : "May 27, 2020, 4:28:42 PM", "datePublished" : "2019-04-26 15:00:00", "description" : "How a rustic seafood stew made the trip from Italy to the shores of America and eventually to the west coast.", "headline" : "Cioppino: The Real San Francisco Treat", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5002174/Blog/Cioppino.jpg" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5002174/Logos/paesana-logo-no-pic.png" }, "name" : "Paesana" } } ```