Dumpling Inn on Convoy
Also, Spotlight on a Linda Vista Resident
THE DUMPLING INN
I’ve been a fan of dumplings since I was a kid growing up in Pennsylvania. There, the dumplings were globs of dough usually atop bubbling beef or chicken stew. You can imagine how excited I was to find out there was a place called Dumpling Inn right here on the outskirts of Linda Vista on Convoy Street. Of course, these are Chinese dumplings and have nothing in common with the dumplings of my youth, except that they too are delicious.
We made a couple of trips to this restaurant, and we opted to order take out. You can call your order in ahead of time or wait until you get there. The service is great and the staff very friendly. On our first visit, we stuck to ordering dumplings although they have a very extensive menu of soups, cold dishes, noodle and rice dishes and hot entrees. See their entire menu here.
Steamed Vegetable Dumplings
As mentioned in previous posts, we do not eat meat so the dumplings we tried were the Steamed Vegetable Dumplings and the boiled Fish and Chive Dumplings (10 for $8.50 and $9.00, respectively). I think Shrimp Dumplings (baked) would have been delicious but the Shrimp Dumplings included chicken for some reason. I plan on asking about that the next time I go there.
The texture of the boiled and steamed dumplings was very different, but we found both satisfying and tasty. The fish was well seasoned and the veggie very good dipped in one of the many sauces they offer.
On a subsequent visit, we included our intrepid carnivore sidekick so we could get an opinion about their meat dishes. He ordered the Beef Curry Dumplings (6 for $7.50) which were deep fried, and he opted for the Szechuan Hot Sauce for an additional $1.00. As he is a person of few words, he declared the Beef Dumplings “outstanding.” When pressed for more information, he indicated the beef filling was well seasoned, tasty, and the hot sauce flavorfully spicy. He enthusiastically stated he would absolutely order them again. In fact, he claimed he could have eaten twenty more. He also tried the plain fried Silver Strand Buns (6 for $6.25). He shared and we found them a good alternative to bread.
Other dumplings available include pork, pork pot stickers, pork and chive, shrimp and chicken with chive. These may be boiled, steamed, deep fried, or pan fried and range in price from 6.25 to $9.50.
Crispy Pan Fried Noodles with Shrimp
On a subsequent trip we tried an entrée and a noodle dish: the Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Sauce (13.50) and Crispy Pan-Fried Noodles with Shrimp (12.50). You can ask for Shanghai or Hong Kong style crispy noodles. The servings were very large. Both included many vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, and cabbage. Rice was included with the Shrimp with Garlic Sauce. The noodle dish included a large amount of food and was enough for two meals. We easily could have shared this dish. The shrimp on both dishes were large and perfectly cooked, the vegetables fresh and crisp.
Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Sauce
There is adequate parking (in a nearby parking garage) and there is a tent installed in the parking lot if you would like to eat outside rather than inside the restaurant. Please review the extensive menu on their website as there is not enough space here to list everything.
The interior of the Dumpling Inn also hosts the Shanghai Saloon, which according to its website is a 1920’s style ode to classic Shanghai.
Interior of the Dumpling Inn and Shanghai Saloon
So whether you just want a quick dumpling fix, soup, noodles, or a full meal, this is the place for you. There were couples as well as families eating under the tent in the parking lot. There are adequate safety precautions with social distancing marked on the lines inside and out. Masks and gloves were worn by staff and masks required of all patrons.
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon
4625 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
858-268-9638
Closed Mon
Open Sun 11:00 am – 8:00pm
Tues - Thurs 11am – 3pm , 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Fri-Sat 11am - 3:00pm, 4:00pm - 9:30pm
INTERVIEW WITH JESSIE CHANG-FARLEY
Jessie Chang-Farley
Editor’s note: This is a third in a series of interviews with Linda Vista residents intended to show different perspectives of what we consider important and interesting about our community. Today’s interview is with Jessie Chang Farley. She has resided in Linda Vista since 2012.
What would you like to see happen in Linda Vista during the next couple years in terms of changes, activities, projects, etc.?
I would like to see more businesses in Linda Vista like the ones you see along Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa. These businesses would bring many more people to our community. I would also like to see a stronger connection between the University of San Diego and the Linda Vista community. It would be nice if more Linda Vista residents attended USD’s sporting events. They are fun to watch. Finally, I would like to see more areas for cycling safely throughout the community.
What local groups are you active with around the Linda Vista area?
I am active with the Taiwan American Foundation which is located in Kearny Mesa. I attend their community center’s lunch program and social club. I also play an active role with the Taiwanese American Woman’s Association. This association has provided support for the Ronald McDonald House, the domestic violence prevention program at Access in Linda Vista, and other community service programs, to include ones that have contributed anti-COVID supplies for different groups.
What fun activities do you like doing around the Linda Vista area?
I like to eat Thai food at Sab-E-Lee, and I enjoy eating at Mr. Peabody’s. I also like K Sandwiches and any restaurant that serves Pho. I enjoy walking around the beautiful USD campus to get my exercise. And I like to shop for fruit at Santos Grocery (next to the 7-11 along Linda Vista Road)—they always have good oranges.
The Linda Vista Update wishes to thank Jesssie for taking the time to conduct this interview.
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It was a pleasure to read! Thanks!