We use cookies for essential site functions and, with your permission, for analytics and advertising. California residents can opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information at any time. See our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.
Best of San Diego
Carts, har gow, and weekend waits, ranked
Last updated · See what changed
The Winner
The deepest dim sum selection in the county and the benchmark for har gow.
Emerald Chinese Seafood in Kearny Mesa is the best dim sum in San Diego, with the widest selection and true cart service on weekends. Jasmine Seafood is the close second and the better room for large family tables.
| # | Place | Neighborhood | What to get | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerald Chinese Seafood | Kearny Mesa | Har gow, shumai, and honey walnut shrimp | $4–9 per plate | 89 |
| 2 | Jasmine Seafood Restaurant | Kearny Mesa | Siu mai, egg tarts, and steamed spare ribs | $4–9 per plate | 87 |
| 3 | China Max | Kearny Mesa | Shrimp rice noodle rolls and pan-fried turnip cake | $4–8 per plate | 85 |
| 4 | Dumpling Inn | Kearny Mesa | Pork soup dumplings and pan-fried pot stickers | $8–16 | 85 |
| 5 | Shan Xi Magic Kitchen | Kearny Mesa | Steamed dumplings and hand-pulled noodles | $10–18 | 84 |
The deepest dim sum selection in the county and the benchmark for har gow.
A cavernous banquet hall that fills with carts by mid-morning. The shrimp dumplings have thin, translucent wrappers and the char siu bao are steamed to order rather than parked.
Local tip: Arrive before 10:30am on weekends or expect a 45-minute wait.
The best big-table dim sum room in San Diego, and the egg tarts to beat.
Jasmine runs a long-standing weekend service with reliable classics and warm, flaky egg tarts. Slightly less adventurous than Emerald, but nothing arrives cold.
Local tip: Call ahead for parties over eight — the round banquet tables book out.
Order-off-the-sheet dim sum with the freshest rice noodle rolls in town.
No carts, just a paper menu and a fast kitchen. That trade means every plate lands minutes after it's made, which the cheung fun in particular rewards.
Local tip: Skip the carts mentality — checkbox ordering means everything arrives hot.
A tiny dumpling counter that punches far above its strip-mall address.
Not a traditional dim sum house, but the best pure dumpling cooking in Kearny Mesa. Thin skins, juicy pork, and a chili oil worth a side order.
Local tip: Cash goes faster than card here; the line moves quickest right at opening.
Northern-style dumplings and noodles for anyone burned out on Cantonese carts.
A small kitchen doing Shanxi specialties with real skill. The dumplings are heartier and more peppery than Cantonese har gow, and the noodles are pulled to order.
Local tip: Order the hand-pulled noodles alongside dumplings and share both.
Every revision to this ranking, newest first — additions, removals, and rank moves.
Latest
Our rankings are editorial. This part is yours — vote for your favorite dim sum in San Diego. One vote per reader.
Experience
How good the core food, drink, or experience actually is.
Consistency
Repeatability across visits, staff, and seasons.
Value
Price relative to what you get.
Atmosphere
Setting, crowd, and comfort.
Uniqueness
Something you can't get anywhere else in San Diego.
We ordered har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, and turnip cake at every restaurant as control dishes, on both a weekday and a weekend morning.
Emerald Chinese Seafood in Kearny Mesa, for selection and weekend cart service. Jasmine Seafood is the best choice for large groups.
Yes — Emerald and Jasmine both run traditional carts on weekends. China Max uses a checkbox order sheet instead, which means hotter food.
Before 10:30am on Saturday or Sunday. After 11am, waits at the Convoy-area restaurants routinely hit 30 to 45 minutes.
Every list is scored with the same methodology. See all rankings → See every 2026 winner →
Hour-by-hour itinerary, taco stops, parking notes, and a packing list — sent to your inbox, plus one weekly email of new spots and events.
Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .
