Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon
Family-run since 1994, when it started with eight tables — now a 230-seat room shared with Shanghai Saloon's bar, lanterns and murals. Soup dumplings, potstickers and big family-style plates of Chinese-American favorites come out fast. Lunch and dinner only, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Dumplings $9.50–15
- Parking: Medium
- Details checked Oct 2026.
4625 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon is a mid-priced Chinese spot on Convoy Street in San Diego's Kearny Mesa. Regulars order the Xiao long bao — the signature, though recent reviews are mixed and the Potstickers or pork and chive dumplings with the spicy wonton sauce. Parking is medium.
Parking
Medium- Fills up: Fri–Sat 5–8pm · Easiest: weekdays 1–3pm
Uncovered lot out front is free for 2 hours; the structure behind is paid (about $8 for 2-3 hours); street parking on Daggett if you get lucky.
Park once, walk to
- Boba Bar and Desserts Boba · 1 min
- Friend's House Korean Korean · 1 min
- Happy Lemon Convoy Boba · 1 min
- Jasmine Seafood Restaurant Dim Sum · 1 min
- Kura Revolving Sushi Bar Sushi · 1 min
- Sunday Ice Cream Ice Cream · 1 min
Fill times estimated from Google's Popular Times for the spots in this lot. Walk times are estimates.
Happy hour
Menu at the bar, including spicy dumplings; ask for current times.
Every happy hour and lunch special on Convoy
Deals change often — confirm with Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon before you go.
Good to know before you go
Diet & allergies
- Portions are family-style and meat entrees come with free rice; any dish can be made with tofu, and vegetarian dumplings are on the menu
Cost & paying
- Lunch-only noodle soups from local legend Phat Vuong (wonton, crispy chicken, braised duck, $15.50-16) sell in a limited daily batch
- Happy hour menu at the bar, including spicy dumplings — ask for current times
- Groups of six or more get an automatic 20% gratuity (babies count)
Waits & timing
- No reservations for small groups — put your name on the list; dinner opens at 4pm, so arrive early on weekends. Parties of 12+ can reserve by email
- Closes between lunch and dinner (2:30-4pm) — don't show up mid-afternoon
- Food comes out very fast, and some diners feel rushed at busy times
At the table
- Small groups can grab open seats at the bar, which serves the full menu
- Shanghai Saloon has a long list of draft beers, kombucha, cider and whiskey
Dessert or tea after Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon
- Boba Bar and Desserts Get: Purple Oreo or strawberry cheesecake puffle
- Happy Lemon Convoy Get: Bubble waffle — original or cheese, with the salted cheese dip
- Sunday Ice Cream Get: Split scoop of pandan and Thai tea — the most-ordered pair
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon vs other Convoy chinese
| Spot | Order | Price | Latest close | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon | Xiao long bao | $$ | 9:30pm | Medium |
| Tasty Noodle House | Shanghai grilled pork buns | $ | 9pm | Brutal |
| Shan Xi Magic Kitchen | Biang biang spicy hand-ripped noodles | $$ | 9pm | Medium |
| Steamy Piggy | Bulgogi roll or chicken roll | $$ | 10:15pm | Brutal |
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon: quick answers
What should I order at Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon?
Regulars order the Xiao long bao (soup dumplings, $15 for 10) — the signature, though recent reviews are mixed, Potstickers or pork and chive dumplings with the spicy wonton sauce, Honey glazed shrimp or honey walnut shrimp — the most consistent dishes.
Is parking easy at Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon?
Parking is rated Medium for this lot at peak times. Uncovered lot out front is free for 2 hours; the structure behind is paid (about $8 for 2-3 hours); street parking on Daggett if you get lucky.
What should I know before going to Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon?
No reservations for small groups — put your name on the list; dinner opens at 4pm, so arrive early on weekends. Parties of 12+ can reserve by email. Small groups can grab open seats at the bar, which serves the full menu. Closes between lunch and dinner (2:30-4pm) — don't show up mid-afternoon.
Where can I get dessert or boba near Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon?
Boba Bar and Desserts (boba, 1 min walk, open until 10:30pm (11pm Fri–Sat)); Happy Lemon Convoy (boba, 1 min walk, open until 11pm (midnight Fri–Sat)); Sunday Ice Cream (dessert, 1 min walk, open until 11pm (midnight Fri–Sat)).
Does Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon have a happy hour?
Happy hour menu at the bar, including spicy dumplings; ask for current times.
Does Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon take reservations?
No reservations for small groups; put your name on the list; dinner opens at 4pm, so arrive early on weekends. Parties of 12+ can reserve by email.
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon hours
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 11am–2:30pm, 4pm–8:30pm |
| Thu | 11am–2:30pm, 4pm–8:30pm |
| Fri | 11am–2:30pm, 4pm–9:30pm |
| Sat | 11am–2:30pm, 4pm–9:30pm |
| Sun | 11am–2:30pm, 4pm–8:30pm |
How to find it
Details checked October 2026. Wrong hours, closed, or changed? Report a problem