Ju Feng Yuan Dumpling Cafe

Ju Feng Yuan Dumpling opened back in January and created a bit of a buzz. I know that "FOYs" SDJulie and RD both highly recommended the place. And Calvin, who lives fairly close by also liked the place, though he said that the Xiao Long Bao weren't always available. So, I decided to wait past the soft opening period before driving up to Scripps Poway Parkway in search of Ju Feng Yuan.

When I arrived, I cracked up, just a short while back this was Rooster Rice & Noodles! Well, they didn't last too long did they?

I had heard that the place gets a bit busy so I told Calvin to meet me there right when they opened. I arrived ten minutes before opening and Calvin parked and walked on over a few minutes later.

Except for the center seating area, the interior is fairly austere and simple....they also filled up fast.

The menu and ordering is done by QR code. The menu is a mish mash of various regional dishes ranging from la zi ji to niu rou chuan, as well "ABCDE" type favorites like fried rice and orange chicken!

I had really wanted to try the Jiaozi, but Calvin was looking forward to the XLB, so I figured I'd get that on my next visit.

We started with the Shrimp and Pork Wonton in Chili Oil.

I liked the wrappers, which had a nice pull, but as still tender. I also enjoyed the large pieces of shrimp on the won ton; you could really make out the flavor of the shrimp. The filling was moist with a bit heft to it. The "chili oil" was short on chili and too heavy handed in the black vinegar department....it's usually the opposite way around, but here, it was way too sour.

After trying out those colorful multiflavored XLB at places like Dian Shui Lou in Taipei I'm of the mind that it's kind of a gimmick, Just give me good Pork XLB any day of the week.

    Of course we're talking about good pork XLB. This was basically, meh.... The wrappers were too thick, there wasn't enough "soup" in the dumplings, and the pork filling was tough.

I sent my friend "YZ" who is from Shanghai and is even more picky about XLB then I am and she basically said "that looks too dry, the wrappers too thick, I bet it doesn't have enough soup?" Correct on all counts.

My two favorite dishes were not the dumplings.

I enjoyed the String Beans.

Nicely stir fried, with a pleasant mild crunch, a bit of fermented black bean and garlic to add savory-pungent tones. This was quite good.

And the Garlic Spareribs, which were more like a good Salt and Pepper Spareribs.

Nice black pepper, perfectly seasoned, hints of garlic, crisp outside, fairly moist meat, great for gnawing on the bones.

Overall, this was a nice lunch. It was interesting to see what folks were getting....from the young Asian hipsters with the signature XLB and tomato beef noodle soup, to the folks who looked like they worked in the area getting won ton soup, orange chicken, and what looked like pineapple fried rice?

I of course had to return to try the jiaozi.....but, I guess because of the distance, it took a couple of months before I returned. Again, I got to the shop before they opened and just sauntered in when that sign lit up. I was alone this time so ordering was easy....except, when I placed my order, they were out of the Pork and Cabbage Jiaozi. Even though I like to have the baseline standard, it was easy enough to order the Shrimp, Pork, and Chive version. Finding out that my next three choices were also out (no niu rou chuan!!!! no smacked cucumbers!!!) was kind of a bummer, but I found something to order. 

As for the jiaozi.

    It was good. I liked the wrapper, which was tender, with a bit of heft, and a nice al dente pull to it. The filling was also nicely seasoned, more of a course chop with large pieces of tender, briny-sweet shrimp. There were perhaps a bit too much Chinese chives in this, but overall no complaints. I did not care for the dipping sauce that came with the jiaozi, it had sweet tones I didn't care for. I just ended up using the black vinegar provided on the table.

As for my other dish. Well, I chose the Eggplant with Garlic Sauce.

Well, the eggplant was nicely cooked, initially firm, but then giving way to molten melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The sauce however, was overly sweet, overpowering every other flavor and there was a certain gloppiness to the dish I didn't care for. I could only finish a couple of bites.

Still, it was great to finally have some decent jiaozi in the area. The problem being the distance from home. I wish it was closer to work/home Still, I finally have a place that I can take the Missus to for Jiaozi, if She'll let me.

Ju Feng Yuan Dumpling Cafe
12265 Scripps Poway Pkwy Suite B109
Poway, CA 92064

Ju Feng Yuan Dumpling Cafe
12265 Scripps Poway Pkwy Suite B109
Poway, CA 92064
Current Hours:
Mon, Wed - Fri 1130am - 3pm, 5pm - 830pm
Sat - Sun 1130am - 330pm, 430pm - 9pm

Thanks for the recommendations RD and Julie!

 

Comments

[kat]

hoping the missus likes this:)

[Kirk]

I hope so too Kat! ;o)

[RedDevil]

Except for the prices, this place reminds me of SGV type places. I think it would be decent to okay in SGV. But it’s pretty darn good for SD and really good for Poway/Scripps Ranch in my opinion. Anyway glad you found some items you liked. Interested to hear what your better half thinks when she tries it. Happy eating.

[SD Julie]

Glad you got a chance to try this place. The mapo tofu and beef noodle soup are also good, especially as we head into cooler months.

[Kirk]

Yes, it'll be interesting to see what the Missus thinks RD!

Thanks again for the recommendation Julie!

[Dereck]

Oh, I like the look of those jiaozi. I usually hit Duke's if I feel like driving out that way for lunch (the owner is great there), but this will go on my list for the next jaunt out there.

[Soo]

Those garlic ribs look good.

[Junichi]

Looks good. I'll need to make a mental note the next time I head to Ramona.

[Kirk]

The jiaozi was good here Dereck!

Yes, really good Soo!

Hope you enjoy Junichi!