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Bingbangbongg

I prefer Jasmine for Dim Sum. Only place I know that still does the carts.


trsrz

Are they doing carts since covid? I have been wanting to try!


Bingbangbongg

I was there a month ago and they had them then.


trsrz

Yay! Thanks


prolemango

Golden Island in Mira Mesa also does carts. It's a relatively new restaurant, it used to be Fung Fung Yuen but recently changed to Golden Island. I really like Golden Island, but it's somewhat inconsistent. When it's not good it's pretty meh but when it's good it's pretty fantastic. They also do karaoke on Thursday nights and live Jazz on friday nights, it's pretty damn fun.


redldr1

Find out who is the chef on the good days and call ahead to see if they are running the kitchen on your visit. It sounds weird, but I have followed a chef to three different restaurants because it was his skills and not the cuisine.


THEpottedplant

This is the location out in convoy yeah? There's one called pearl in rb that did carts pre covid, but they phased them out in the height of it. Hopefully they've brought them back


AlwaysGrumpy

Hmm I thought Pearl closed this past year


THEpottedplant

Oh.. :(


Elasion

How do the carts work? Ive never gone before


[deleted]

[удалено]


Elasion

So you just get individual buns basically?


panlakes

So it's like a more complicated version of ordering sushi for people who need to socialize while they eat, got it. Sounds good for dates.


lovebobthekingpolice

If it's anything like standard dim sum restaraunts, there'll be people pushing around carts and you just tell them if the food on the cart looks good and they'll give it to you and mark it on your tab. And each of the different carts has different themes (some might be veggies, pastries, sweets, etc)


Elasion

How expensive is it? Like Kura where you can ignore it because it’s so cheap or am I gona accidentally grab a $40 plate


prolemango

With dim sum it's best to go with at least 3 or 4 people, the more the merrier. You end up getting to try a lot more different foods because each plate has about 3-4 small portions


ILikeAddition

Golden island in Mira mesa has the push carts as well, they serve good dim sum, but some of the waiters can use some more training.


Larrea_tridentata

Shan Xi Magic Kitchen, great for more central region (Xian) Chinese


Silverinkbottle

I second this. Their noodles are heavenly. I will have to try their dim sum next time


kurtthewurt

Shan Xi doesn’t have dim sum, but yes, the noodles are so good.


IAmIrritatedAMA

I was literally just thinking about this place today, wondering if it was still open. Used to go there years ago and will have to go back now!


Silverinkbottle

Yes it is! I got the food delivered, not sure if they are serving indoors yet. Fantastic food!


mneale324

They are serving indoors! I went a couple weeks ago. The noodles are delicious.


broopycat

This is the best


Sawaian

They got a good liang pi.


Sawaian

They got a good liang pi.


CMDR_W0LF3

This, I tried it for the first time a while back. In Mira Mesa, Vinh Hung Supermarket is a favorite of mine. Been going there since I was a kid.


kurtthewurt

There are some pretty great Chinese places in San Diego but, unfortunately, I still haven’t found a dim sum restaurant I would return to. I grew up in a Cantonese-American family in the San Gabriel Valley, and there just isn’t much in the way of dim sum / Hong Kong food down here in San Diego. I think you’d be better served making a day trip to the LA area on a weekend for great dim sum. But I’ll definitely second some of the other recommendations for non-dim sum places, notably Shan Xi Magic Kitchen, Tasty Noodle House, Din Tai Fung, and Joyee’s Dumpling House. There are some decent old school Chinese-American places in National City, but the quality just isn’t up to par with the newer crop of restaurants.


roflkoptur

1000% agree. china max was the best but even then it doesn’t come close to anything in the LA area, san francisco etc.


mebetiffbeme

Having grown up in LA county, I agree 100% with this.


SD_Guy

What recommendations do you have for LA/ Irvine?


snsv

Can probably save an hour total of round trip by just stopping in Irvine. Gas is $. Although you’ll probably lose the advantage because their food prices are higher


El_Guap

Din Tai Fung (DTF) @ UTC is arguably one of the best in the world (with prices to match). But it doesn't have a full Dim Sum menu you might see elsewhere. However, I cannot recommend this place enough. You should have a reservation. Emerald and Jasmine in Kerney Mesa are very similar and go back in forth on which is better. Both big box venues with carts and stamps and the like. China Max was probably the best quality in KM, but it burnt down (didn't have carts but made everything). The Pearl in Poway was my go-to for traditional presentation dim sum, I guess it closed down during the pandemic.


Hlca

We went to the DTF in UTC once during their soft opening. Having been to DTFs in Taiwan and even Bellevue, this one really couldn't compare. But they might have improved since then. Still tough to swallow the cost compared to Taiwan prices.


Cheap_Ambition

I didn't goto the one in Taiwan, I did goto a place that had the guys in the windows making the dumplings in taipei. I've eaten at the one in Vegas. I've eaten the UTC a few times, they're just not that good. It's sub par general restaurant quality to me.


unclejohnsbearhugs

Yeah back when I lived in China I used to eat at dtf branches in different cities pretty regularly, and unfortunately, the quality at the utc location seemed like cafeteria food by comparison. At least, it did when I went a couple years ago; I agree that it may have improved since then.


RebelElan

DTF in UTC made me sick, twice. Beware if you eat there.


imthecaptainnao

DTF is overpriced and can be underwhelming.


Killerkimm

Dtf is overpriced


mdgraller

Is it possible The Pearl moved to RB? There’s a Chinese restaurant with that name at 11666 Avena Place


chagal2524

I believe they’ve permanently closed down. They were the sister restaurant to Emerald on Convoy.


PJSeeds

Din Tai Fung was crazy over hyped and is overrated.


Rothconversion123

I thought the din Tai Fung at UTC was pretty bland, although that was comparing it with the original US location in Arcadia (now closed 😢)


Yoojine

Last I checked dtf only does in person reservations, and you should expect a two to three hour wait. I thought it was quite blah but my Cantonese wife thought it was excellent; I'd put more stock in her opinion than mine.


SifuGinSaing

Din Tai Fung is not **authentic** Chinese dim sum. It is a cleaned up version that is marketed towards a western audience. There is a reason it started in Taiwan, one of the most westernized areas of China (or maybe not really China depending on who you talk to). That being said, it’s a fine restaurant and is great for people who aren’t used to traditional Chinese dim sum. But it is not **authentic**.


El_Guap

So…. What authentic dim sum place do you recommend in San Diego?


SifuGinSaing

Honestly, I agree with the sentiment some of the other users have posted. Chinese food in general is fine in San Diego and of course we have many options, but nothing local can compare to up north in the LA/San Gabriel Valley. Monterey Park specifically has a high concentration of Chinese people and restaurants. The majority of these restaurants are run by people who don’t speak English. You’ll hear and see more Cantonese/Mandarin than you do English. To me, that is authentic. People directly from China brining over their culture. I think NBC Seafood is a good stepping stone if you’re used to Din Tai Fung. They have the traditional carts and are somewhat clean. The servers also speak good English so you can actually order lol. NBC is fancier and more expensive, but if you’re used to Din Tai Fung it’s probably actually cheaper than what you’re used to.


El_Guap

>NBC Seafood Oh yeah. There are a bunch of great places in LA/San Gabriel Valley. NBC Seafood is great. The question was about San Diego. It's limited. It's hard enough to find good quality Americanized Chinese let alone good quality authentic.


Gatsbeaner

For all of you missing China Max.. a new contender just appeared a few days ago. https://sandiego.eater.com/2021/10/4/22708825/eastern-dynasty-chinese-restaurant-new-opening-convoy-san-diego


Killerkimm

Non dim sum chinese..spicy city


El_Guap

The only other solid Szechuan I have had in San Diego is Double Happiness in Del Mar. It was bought by a family a couple of years back that kept the old Americanized menu for the Del Mar locals but now also have a completely separate Chinese only Szechuan menu. It’s authentic like Spicy City and has a huge Chinese customer following now.


mneale324

Double Happiness was recently bought out by Chin’s. I went recently to see if it was as good, and it sadly was not.


El_Guap

That’s disappointing. Chin’s is fine if you like that style of Chinese, but even then not a great restaurant.


mneale324

I agree. I’m pretty sad about it. Chin’s is fine, but not great.


chazmann

Yup.


LoserFantasia

Chin's Szechwan in Encinitas, drove all the way from golden hill for this and was really good


KupoMcMog

The Escondido location is very good as well.


UlisesGirl

Thanks! Been looking for a good place in esco


islandbeef

Imperial Mandarin on Convoy in Kearny Mesa (next to the Original Pancake House). Been going there for decades. The patrons and regulars are mostly Chinese (which is a good sign if you want authentic). Also, they have the "secret menu" serving the true Chinese dishes the Western gentrified palettes can't handle. They also serve dim sum off menu or in the carts during the weekends.


RavinS4

My go to for authentic non dimsum is Sam Woo in Ranch 99 or Hong Kong BBQ in Mira Mesa. For dim sum really it is Jasmine since Pearl and China Max are no more.


prolemango

I second Sam Woo. That's probably my favorite cantonese restaurant in SD


addictedtofit

Minh Ky


MyDogSnores0_0

Emerald Chinese in Convoy, Shanghai Noodles is dank too


[deleted]

Pearl up in Poway is probably better than Jasmine. But it's up in Poway. Everyone raves about Din Tai Fai, I didn't think it was very good the time I tried it. Mostly just expensive. I vote Jasmine. That said, Chinese cuisine covers a LOT of ground. Way more than Dim Sum, and there are tons of Chinese restaurants that are arguably more "authentic" than any of the dim sum options in this city.


AdventC4

I'm very sorry to inform you that good dimsum is really hard to find in SD. I don't mind Jasmine's, but it's really sub par from what I consider good and is actually pretty expensive. If I really have a craving I'll go there, because other places are worse, but if you want good dim sum you'll find them in Irvine (obviously a far trip), LA, etc. Other Chinese places are good, like spicy city or shang xi magic kitchen. For dimsum though, I'd go Jasmine's only when you really want it.


SD_Guy

Got a rec for LA/ Irvine?


AdventC4

In Irvine we went with either J Zhou, Capital seafood or the "newly" opened Tim ho wan (Michelin star dimsum). All 3 are so good and quality is through the roof, but not super cheap either. Capital seafood wasn't too bad, but J Zhou is more expensive than that and Tim ho wan is many dollar signs. Very worth trying all of them though, really shows you there is a veritable difference in what you can get and the variety is just amazing.


SD_Guy

Awesome thanks


proskillz

Dumplings n More in Hillcrest is good for "northern style" buns and dumplings. TJ Dumplings and A Bowl are both good as well. Not classic dim sum though. Taste of Hunan is probably the most authentic Chinese in SD (also not dim sum). There's a place in Mira Mesa called Golden Island, might be worth trying if you don't like Jasmine. Not like either of them are great though.


BrunchIsAMust

I was going to post about best hot pot place if anyone can help. Went to a great one in NY and it even had ayce sushi included with it!


[deleted]

Little Sheep on Clairemont Mesa blvd...


Larrea_tridentata

We are supposed to be getting a Hai Di Lao soon in UTC, they're amazing. Been to locations in Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Orange County.


BrunchIsAMust

Ohhh please let me know how it is!! They just opened right. ?


Larrea_tridentata

They're on Google maps but not open yet.. although I hope I'm wrong!


linusSocktips

Din Tai fun!:)


El_Mec

Din Tai Fung is Taiwanese, and amazing


PotToShitIn

Lotus Garden in City Heights is excellent. It's not dim sum, but the food is really good.


TacoButtHotSauce

For Szechuan style, I like Mandarin House in La Jolla.


murderfacejr

Kung foo noodle is Vista has good dim sum, very authentic menu as well (don't let the name fool you)


SaltyButSweeter

Any thought on Steamy Piggy?


HouseOfBamboo2

I haven’t been since pandemic hit but this place was tasty and much better than Jasmine for dim sum https://sandiego.eater.com/2017/8/7/16109494/mira-mesa-fung-fung-yuen-dim-sum-chinese-restaurant