A few days ago; I got word that Luscious Dumplings, a well regarded jiaozi shop, now located in Monrovia, which holds Michelin Bib Gourmand status had just opened in Eastlake. Yep, Eastlake! Initially, I decided to wait a few weeks....but then having had some great jiaozi at the original shop in San Gabriel (which eventually moved to Monrovia)...and you know me and jiaozi, right? I just decided to check the place out and see if it was worthy of a visit from the Missus, who, hailing from QingDao where everyone in the family makes jiaozi (yes, even the Missus does) is even more picky about it than I am.
So, I took the 35 minute drive onto Telegraph Canyon Road, past places I hadn't been to in years, and then where Telegraph Canyon become Otay Lakes, to a large strip mall that I'd never been to; the Village Walk at Eastlake.
Finding the place was easy....they sure make a big deal out of the Michelin recognition, huh?
The restaurant is spartan. You order on the device at the counter......I understand it's card only.
And then they'll bring your order to you or text you to pick-up your takeout order.
The guy at the counter seems a bit gruff and unfriendly; but he turned out to be a very nice guy.
All the standard accoutrements are available. Along with disposable sauce bowls and utensils.
The prices gave me a bit of a pause, the Pork, Shrimp, and Cabbage Jiaozi was $14, as were the Pork XLB. After a short wait, my Jiaozi were delivered.
You notice the color of the fillings that you can see thru the wrappers? Well, I'm thinking there was some opening jitters here as I ordered the Cabbage, Shrimp, and Pork, but I basically got 4 of those and four Pork, Shrimp, and Chive! Which I would have ordered if I could have gotten four of each!
The wrappers were on the thicker end of the scale, but quite fluffy, with just the right amount of pull. The chive filling was full of, well chive, almost pungent-garlicky tones. I could make out more of the shrimp flavor in these as well. The fillings, while not as light and fluffy as the one's we had at the original location, was moist and juicy. These were quite good; I'm sure the Missus would be asking for some pounded garlic with these. Perhaps my favorite in San Diego right now. Though I'm not quite sure about how I feel having 8 jiaozi for $14!
Speaking of juicy, the Pork XLB were indeed that.
The wrappers were quite delicate, almost too delicate as I punctured three of the XLB while picking them up with the chopsticks. There was so much light-porky, not salty "soup" in these.
The amount of filling was on the lighter side, though it was decently porky and so moist.
I'm thinking that the lack of saltiness might have thrown another customer off, who was complaining that the soup had no flavor and that he knew XLB because he is from LA! Ohhh-kay.....
I think these XLB might be my favorite overall in San Diego right now; while not even close to what we had at the original location of DTF on Xinyi Road, it's much better than what I've had on my first and subsequent visits to the SD location.
And while they do play up the Michelin thing a bit too much for me; I found the service to be nice. I showed the gentleman the photo that I had on my phone of the original location in San Gabriel and he smiled and asked me to wait. He went and called the owner who came over, looked at the photo and laughed. It's his Mom's shop!
I do wish this shop was closer to where we live as it's going to be a bit of a trek getting the Missus there; but I do want Her to try the jiaozi out here.
They are getting set for their grand opening shortly. If this place was on Convoy, there would be lines out the door......
Luscious Dumplings
872 Eastlake Pkwy Suite 413
Chula Vista, CA 91914
Current Hours
Daily 11am - 9pm
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