Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant
Chinese restaurant · Encinitas ·

Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant · Encinitas ·

Handmade dumplings, soup dumplings, potstickers & milk teas

xiao long bao
dumplings
chicken wontons
beef potstickers
cucumber salad
custard buns
pan-fried dumplings
pork xlb
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant by null

Information

119 N El Camino Real Suite E, Encinitas, CA 92024 Get directions

$20–30

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Trendy

Information

Static Map

119 N El Camino Real Suite E, Encinitas, CA 92024 Get directions

+1 760 456 5555
order.toasttab.com
@dumplingbarencinitas

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Trendy
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining
•Touristy

Last updated

Feb 2, 2026

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@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

Iconic San Diego Chinese Restaurant Chinese Max Reopens in the Convoy District | Eater San Diego

"Opened in 2024 in Encinitas, this dumpling‑focused spot has gained popularity in the beach town, and its success directly influenced the decision to make China Max’s new menu more dumpling‑centric." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/openings/60824/china-max-dumpling-house-reopening-san-diego-convoy-district
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

Handmade Chinese Dumplings Emerge in North County | Eater San Diego

"Located in the Encinitas Village Shopping Center near Trader Joe’s, Dumpling Bar opens on Monday, September 16 after 15 months of construction and renovation. The 1,300-square-foot restaurant seats approximately 32 people (11 tables inside and two tables outside) and is one of the few Chinese dumpling spots in North County with a display kitchen where diners can watch a dedicated chef flatten scratch-made dough and fill wrappers. Backed by the team behind Taste of Hong Kong, Kanpai BBQ & Shabu, and China Max, the owners bring decades of culinary experience to the menu, which features soup dumplings (xiao long bao), potstickers, steamed dumplings with Kurobuta pork and shrimp or vegan fillings, and chicken wontons in chili sauce that can be requested with added green Sichuan peppercorns for extra kick; housemade chili oil and chili crisp will be available at each table. The restaurant will also offer “thumb buns” (mini pan-fried buns) served in containers balanced atop tumblers of drinks like soda, Thai tea, or boba milk tea, and dessert dumplings filled with sweet red bean, chocolate, or black sesame. During its early days Dumpling Bar will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and its handmade dumplings will carry over to the planned resurrection of China Max on Convoy Street slated for mid-November." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/2024/9/16/24245987/dumpling-bar-chinese-restaurant-new-opening-encinitas-north-county-san-diego
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

Handmade Chinese Dumplings Are About to Arrive in Encinitas | Eater San Diego

"Coming soon to the Encinitas Village Shopping Center, Dumpling Bar is a new dumpling restaurant backed by the team behind Taste of Hong Kong, Kanpai BBQ, and the resurrected China Max. Customers will be able to watch dumplings being handmade in an open kitchen, with varieties that include soup dumplings (xiao long bao), potstickers, steamed dumplings with Kurobuta pork and shrimp or vegan fillings, and chicken won tons in chili sauce. Another specialty will be mini pan-fried “thumb buns” piled into containers balanced on tumblers of soda, Thai tea, or boba milk tea, mirroring a popular street snack in China, and dessert dumplings will be offered with chocolate, red bean, or black sesame fillings. Co-owner Shuai Liu tells Eater the team is “excited to bring a great dumpling restaurant to North County where the dumplings will be house-made, not frozen.” The menu will also range from appetizers and soups to fried rice and stir-fried noodle dishes. Construction is complete and the team is waiting for final city inspection, so the opening could be any day now." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/2024/4/16/24131235/dumpling-bar-chinese-restaurant-new-opening-encinitas-san-diego
Dumpling Bar Chinese Restaurant

Srujana

Google
The egg drop soup was DIVINE! 🤤 Just what I wanted on a chilly night. The vegan dumplings were very fresh and light! Dunked the dumplings in my own concoction of hot and sour soup, chilli oil, vinegar. It's unbelievable that all the items on the menu are below 20$! Will definitely keep coming back here when I'm in the area.

McCoy B

Google
We happily stumbled upon this place and are pleasently suprised. It was fast and affordable! The pan fried dumplings was crispy and cucumbers fresh! The noodles were a little bland for my taste but overall above average

Vanessa S.

Google
Dishes ordered... * Braised Beef Noodle Soup * Chicken Wonton with spicy chili * Pan fried xiao long bao on top of milk tea When I saw milk tea topped with Bao on Instagram, I knew I needed to try it out. Braised Beef was so soft & flavorful, broth had great flavor, a pickled veggie was included in the soup (may not be for everyone, I enjoyed it). Everything was delicious, very filling. The food and milk tea are all made fresh. I enjoyed The Dumpling Bar way more than Din Tai Fung. I would of ordered more dishes if I had more people with us. I definitely will be returning.

Zongping Z.

Google
Every dishes is unique and delicious. We traveled to here from Seattle and found this place. We ordered fried dumplings, steamed baos, crispy pork chops with noodles,cucumber and green beans salad, BBQ ribs etc. Everything is very tasty and delicious. The servers were so kind with friendly support. Overall we really enjoyed the food and entertainment here. This is a perfect place for handmade dumplings and noodles lover. Price is very reasonable. I do recommend perhaps sharing dishes, the portion sizes are pretty big. Definitely we will comeback.

Rebecca H.

Google
Came for dinner at around 5:30pm on a Wednesday. It was a bit busy, but the servers were very attentive, ensuring that every guest was well taken care of. Food was great, and the service was even better! My server was extremely helpful in helping me decide what to get, and her recommendations were spot on! I started with the beef potstickers and they were very juicy and packed with flavor. The chicken wontons and cucumber salad are a MUST, and the milk green tea was delicious. The custard bun was a great dessert to end the meal too. Every dish I tried was well worth it! The ambiance was very nice, the restaurant is a bit small but it makes for a good service. I enjoyed watching the chefs make the dumplings through an open window, which added to the experience. The overall vibe was very chic and sophisticated, definitely on par with other high-end restaurants. I would recommend this restaurant to all my friends!!

Johnathan Y.

Google
Came for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. The staff were friendly and let us sit at any open table. I was very positively surprised by how good the food was. The braised beef noodle soup had a delicious broth, and the beef was cooked so tender. The bbq pork buns also had an incredible filling and were so soft and fluffy. I would come here again!

Alex S.

Google
The BaoTea combo is not just a gimmick! 6 pan fried xiao long bao in a bowl placed on top of boba tea. It's definitely a sight to see. This would be really convenient if you have to walk around and eat, but if you have a place to sit, I'd recommend separating them right away. You don't want your hot dumplings to be cold or your drink to get warm. The mini dumplings were tasty and even though they're small, they still contain the soup inside! The skin is lightly fried and adds a nice slight crisp in each bite. For the drink, you can choose any drink you like and I opted for the brown sugar milk tea. It was so good! The service here was wonderful! The server for my table was friendly and she brought us water and checked on us periodically to see if we needed anything else. It was quiet at lunch time on a weekday and it's nice to be able to just take your time to enjoy these amazing food.

Wu C.

Google
Now I know why there is always a line. Xiaolongbao is 100% hand-made on site. Xiaolongbao - Savory pork with rich broth, and the tender dough with vinegar melts on my tongue is a harmonious blend. Pan Fried pork XLB – Similar to XLB, but creates a crunchy and satisfying texture. Chicken wonton with chili sauce - a softer and more delicate texture served with a dipping hot sauce. Service - The service is efficient, with orders arriving promptly and drinks being refilled as needed. The waitress makes excellent food recommendations, and taking into account my preferences.
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Presh N.

Yelp
I tried this place because I've been seriously craving dim sum, and a friend shared it on Instagram. We decided to do the AYCE dim sum option, which let us try almost everything on the menu, including dim sum, soups, appetizers, and drinks, for $34.99 (we went on a Sunday). The standout dishes for me were the shu mai, BBQ ribs, cucumber salad, and the chocolate bun. I also loved that soft drinks and boba milk teas were included in the AYCE, which was a nice bonus. They even include ice cream to end the meal. It's a bit of a drive for me, but I'd definitely make the trip again for the food.
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Yaya D.

Yelp
Been here a couple of times, awesome food, milk tea delicious We tried different things from the menu recommended by the waiter Really enjoyed everything
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Eric D.

Yelp
I had a fantastic experience at Dumpling Bar in Encinitas! From the moment we walked in, the cozy and casual atmosphere made it the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch/dinner. The highlight was definitely the dumplings they're freshly handmade and packed with flavor, with the pan-fried and steamed options both standing out. We also tried a few of their noodle and soup dishes, and everything we ordered was satisfying and well prepared. The chicken wontons with chili sauce had just the right amount of heat, and the jasmine milk tea was a refreshing complement to the savory meal. Service was friendly and efficient, and the food arrived quickly, which made the experience even more enjoyable. I especially loved watching the dumplings being made in the open kitchen it's a fun touch that adds to the overall dining vibe. Affordable, delicious, and great for a casual meal with friends or family I'll definitely be back to try more from the menu!
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Kim V.

Yelp
This was a good halfway point for my friend and I to meet. I'd say 3.5 stars, mainly because it took a while for all the food to come out. Pros: Food is good and made fresh. Lots of parking. XLB - Tasty and well made Eggrolls - crispy and full of flavor Beef dumplings - executed well Crispy Pork Chop on scallion oil noodle - good amount of food. Pork chop was indeed crispy and noodles had a nice bite Fried Rice - pretty good fried rice (not pictured) Cons: the service is slow. Slow enough that my stomach felt satiated before my entree (noodles) came out. We shared the dumplings and eggrolls, but it took over 20 min from our first to last dish. The upside of this is that I got to spend time with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. Also, I definitely didn't overeat, and ended up taking the noodles home. They reheated pretty well. Bottom line: If you are in a rush, you might want to order take out. If you have the time to spare, come in, take a load off and enjoy the food/company (even if it is just you!)
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Christian B.

Yelp
We happily stumbled upon this place and pleasantly surprised! It was fast and affordable! The pan fried dumplings was crispy and cucumbers fresh! The noodles were a little bland for my taste but overall above average
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Alyssa S.

Yelp
Very nice first experience here. Soy noodle salad is super tasty. Vegan dumplings are yummy but I'd rather there's 8 dumplings for this price instead of 6. Will order from here again!
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Susan D.

Yelp
Located in the Encinitas Shopping Center, parking was difficult on a Sunday around noon. However, there was no wait in this quaint establishment and we were able to be seated right away. We chose to sit towards the back to be able to see through a glass partition, a lady making fresh dumplings. There were good menu items and decided to share pork xiao long bao, wontons with chili oil, braised beef noodle soup and the chocolate-filled xiao long bao for dessert. We also tried the green milk tea. We liked the wontons with chili oil the best, so soft yet so flavorful I could've just drank the sauce! Both kinds of xiao long bao flavor-wise, was good too, but the outer wrapper/dough was a bit too al dente for our preference. The braised beef noodle soup and milk green tea were ok, just a bit lacking. Service was ok and a bit slow, it was surprising especially since there were not a lot of people dining. So, we came & went. Glad we had a chance to try this place.
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Allison C.

Yelp
My daughter found this place on IG. She loves dumplings and boba. So this place was perfect. I always get braised noodle soup when I go to dumpling places. And we also have to get xlb. They even have a chocolate dessert one(menu said hazelnut). Private parking lot outside. Good service, yummy food. Would go here again.
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Sean S.

Yelp
Was excited to try this place out. Walked in at 8:15pm...they close at 8:30pm. They asked if I wanted to be seated. I said, no, just want to get some food to go. The woman then told me, oh no...our kitchen is about to close. WTF? You were going to sit me, but not take my to go order? Not the best first impression.
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Esther S.

Yelp
We've been waiting for this eatery to open for many months and finally we got to try it. What a delight! The ambience is very casual. All of the items that we ordered were very tasty and the service was great. Since this was our first visit, the waiter made some great suggestions of things to try and they were spot on. Prices are very reasonable - will be back.
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Esh N.

Yelp
Dumpling Bar is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk in, the savory aroma of freshly steamed dumplings welcomes you like a warm hug. We started with their cucumber salad and it was perfection. Each bite was like a small celebration. Next came the pan fried pork xiao long bao and brown sugar milk tea combo, which had a crisp golden bottom and a juicy filling that burst with flavor. The steamed custard buns were a treat! We also tried the Shumai and Shrimp Dumplings. Everything was delicious! The staff were very kind and super attentive. The space is cozy and clean, with what looked like bamboo basket style light fixtures. Not sure if they did that on purpose but it was super cute. My favorite was the Pork XLB, don't skip it!! Whether you're a dumpling connoisseur or just curious, Dumpling Bar will leave you planning your next visit before you've even finished your meal!
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Patrick S.

Yelp
What I got today is amazing food and great service. This place is clean. The food is so delicious. We order the beef noodle soup and dumplings. We will be back soon.
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Zakira J.

Yelp
The chicken wontons were the highlight of the meal -- so flavorful and delicious with every bite! I would definitely come back just for those. Unfortunately, the beef noodles were underwhelming. They lacked seasoning and tasted more like plain noodles lightly coated in beef oil, with the beef itself being just as bland. We also tried the brown sugar boba milk tea (one of only two boba options), but it was bitter and didn't have the rich, sweet flavor you'd typically expect from this drink. I'd highly recommend the wontons, and next time, I'd love to try the dumplings instead. I'd skip the noodles and boba though -- they just didn't hit the mark for me. The inside of the restaurant isn't very big, but it's so cute because they have cartoons playing for kids on the TV, and you can see the staff making the dumplings through the window which is nice
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Kristine T.

Yelp
We were excited to see this open up. We wanted to find a place that had soup dumplings close by so we did not have to drive down to Ding Tai Fung. FOOD Garlic Butter Edamame - I probably could have passed on these. They seemed a little undercooked. Chicken Wonton w Chili Sauce - This was one of my favorites. I thought the wonton itself was well cooked. The wrapper held strong without being mushy. I wish this was slightly spicy. Pork XLB - Very slightly soupy. Still had a good flavor and the filling was plentiful. Beef Potstickers - I felt like these had a pretty similar flavor profile to the pork ones minus the soup. Pan Fried Pork XLB - I liked these because the bottoms were a little crisp. Gave it some texture. The sauces they provided was a good addition to these dumplings. BBQ Pork Buns - I tend to gravitate towards these because of the fluffy buns. The buns were perfectly fluffy. The filling was excellent. Savory and not too sweet. My toddler typically doesn't like these due to the flavor but she liked it from here. DRINKS Green Tea w Boba - It was fun to see the dumplings on top of the cups as lids. The tea itself was tasty. The boba needed some work. They were undercooked and hard. Overall, it was a good meal. We tried a lot of their menu and most things were enjoyable. We would come back for their dumplings!
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Char B.

Yelp
Yummy places. Plenty of tables/seating. Everything was delicious. My son's favorite was the pan fried soup dumplings. I loved the spicy chicken wontons. The pork chop and noodles were ok, but my least favorite. Service was friendly. I wanted to try their milk tea boba and dumpling combo but I'll just have to get that when I come back!
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Danielle K.

Yelp
My mom & i have been dying to try this place since we first saw it! But of course we live 1.5 hours away so we had to wait. It was worth it!! We got the xiao long bao, the sweet n sour ribs, and the chocolate buns. Everything was INCREDIBLE!! Our server was very nice and the food came out quickly and steaming hot. The soup dumplings were perfect - full of pork and soup as expected. The ribs were TO DIE FOR and a generous portion! The choco buns were the perfect dessert - yoy could have 1 and be satisfied but ordering 3 is good too! ;) I cant wait to come back ASAP! Parking is generous and everything was clean. Restaurant itself is a bit small but it kinda feels like youre dining with friends because i was so happy eating there. Highly recommend!
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David Z.

Yelp
I really wanted to visit this location because I was hearing that this place rivaled another large chain but at a more reasonable price. I was surely disappointed. The Yelp waitlist was not really followed. We waited 40 minutes being 16th in line without moving up a spot. This place was definitely understaffed on a Sunday. That's all fine once we managed to get a seat. We wanted to try the food. The service was ok, but when we got our food. The portions were small and the food tasted less than ideal. The soup dumplings, while fresh, had no soup. The prices were comparable to the other large chain in town, but at least there, I would be receiving better service at a comparable price. I don't know if I will be visiting this location again sadly. I was really disappointed in everything.
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Jason N.

Yelp
We happened to be shopping, or rather my wife happened to be shopping right next door, and we popped in for dinner. All in all, I would say that I was happy with the quality and flavor of the food. Is it the best that I have had, no but it is one of the better ones within my area! While I came in for the Xiao Long Bao, it was not my favorite here, but I did enjoy the pan-fried version over the steamed. The Chicken wontons and garlic string beans were both good, and next time I am back I will try a few other items!

Lauren J.

Yelp
The chili wontons were my favorite. The crab soup dumplings were also a must-order... super juicy and packed with flavor. We also got the cucumber salad, which was really fresh and the perfect little break between dumplings. And the sweet and sour ribs were amazing. Everything we tried was delicious and definitely coming back to eat my way through the rest of the menu. The service was quick and the we're all so friendly and welcoming!! It was has a cute interior that is small but cozy!

Vanessa G.

Yelp
Restaurant was covered in dust and cobwebs, and service was a bit slow for how empty it was. Food wasn't too bad.
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Alex S.

Yelp
The BaoTea combo is not just a gimmick! 6 pan fried xiao long bao in a bowl placed on top of boba tea. It's definitely a sight to see. This would be really convenient if you have to walk around and eat, but if you have a place to sit, I'd recommend separating them right away. You don't want your hot dumplings to be cold or your drink to get warm. The mini dumplings were tasty and even though they're small, they still contain the soup inside! The skin is lightly fried and adds a nice slight crisp in each bite. For the drink, you can choose any drink you like and I opted for the brown sugar milk tea. It was so good! The service here was wonderful! The server for my table was friendly and she brought us water and checked on us periodically to see if we needed anything else. It was quiet at lunch time on a weekday and it's nice to be able to just take your time to enjoy these amazing food.
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Nell C.

Yelp
Dumpling Bar has an authentic flare with homestyle cooking and flavors. Happy to see more authentic Asian restaurants in North County! Prices are on the higher end however service is very good and attentive. Appetizer trio: Cold Green Beans, Cold Cucumbers and warm Spare Ribs. Cucumbers were good and seasoned well. Green Beans tasted sweet and wasn't a fan. Spare Ribs was cooked too long and sauce was sticky. Spicy Beef and Noodle bowl (san soup). Noodles were oily but good. Beef was cooked very good and authentic! Xiao Long Bao Pork filling was authentic! Bravo. However, wrapper was too thick.

Cathy W.

Yelp
Amazing food. Now they offer all you can eat. 31.99 on weekday and 34.99 on weekend. We ordered XLb, crab XLB, many kinds of dumplings! So full!
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Rachel W.

Yelp
Me and my bf were craving dumplings at 6pm on a Saturday night. We contemplated going to Din Tai Fung, but already knew the wait would be unnecessary. We found this restaurant is IG and it looked good. Since we were already in the area, we decided to check it out. The wait was about 20 mins which makes sense since they are new. You have to check in yourself bc they are busy, but it was worth the wait. When seated we ordered the green beans, sliced steak in chili sauce, bbq ribs, beef potstickers, xlb, shumai, fried xlb, and crispy pork noodles. The xlb was my fave! I'd probably pass on the shumai (I've had better). Everything was good though! I'd come back if I lived closer. This is definitely a great alternative to DTF if you live north of Convoy.
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Christine M.

Yelp
We came to dumpling bar on Wed around noon. There was no line and we got seated right away. The staff were pleasant and efficient. Food arrived without much wait and the fun began! The appetizer wood ear mushroom and soy noodle were tasty. The soy noodle looked a bit bland but it definitely had enough flavor. The wood ear was also tasty, I loved the addition of celery in the dish. Shumai was probably the weakest dish that we ordered. It was not bad but I guess you can't compete with a full blown dim sum restaurant. It was still acceptable, just not great. We liked the beef potstickers. Meaty and crispy at the bottom. The filling was nicely done. The pork chop with noodle, I loved the pork chops. They were not fatty, perfectly fried. Although I thought the noodle didn't have a lot of taste, so I didn't care much for the noodle. Overall, not a bad showing for an Asian place in north county. Would definitely want to come back to try other dishes next time I'm in the area.
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Michelle W.

Yelp
- tucked into a plaza with plenty of parking - on a weekend there's a waitlist - just write your name down and listen out for when they call it out! - super attentive and kind service food: - appetizer combo comes with 3 bowls of your choosing - great value and able to sample different dishes! - pork ribs were a little too saucy, sweet, and slightly tough for my liking - vegan dumpling was surprising good! thin skin and tons of veggie filling, mushroom was prominent and so delicious in there - crispy fried pork was crunchy and yet retained a tender taste it was slightly salty so pairing with the noodles is a must!
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Audrey L.

Yelp
Finally made it in to dumpling bar and it ended up being really good! They have a simplified menu but if familiar to those who have been to Din Tai Fung. I ordered the cucumber salad, chicken wontons in spicy sauce and rice. The cucumber salad was good, but the wontons were the star of the show. The sauce had a really great flavor. I also ordered a green milk tea which was not very sweet and I loved it! Our server Hope was super sweet and friendly.
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Joriene M.

Yelp
Dumpling Bar is a great dumpling spot in Encinitas! Their Xiao Long Bao, my go-to dumpling, didn't disappoint. I got to enjoy this place with family and everything we ordered was delicious.
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C A.

Yelp
The food is good however the wait time estimation is WAY off and they are so understaffed. We checked in on the ipad, and the estimated wait time was 15-30 minutes. We were finally seated an hour and a half later. When we went to order, they were out of many things on the menu and said the most basic things like rice would take longer than usual to make. I understand it gets busy, but the manager should really plan better for weekend nights. It wasn't the staff's fault, but they definitely suffered as a result. There were a lot of angry customers due to the long wait times, incorrect time estimates, and the fact that they were out of everything. Poor management!!
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Mike R.

Yelp
My daughter found this and wanted to try it; we're glad we did! We were there about 4:30pm on a Sunday and there was no wait, thought it got a bit busier as the night went on. I appreciated what I though was a somewhat limited menu. That meant we didn't have to debate too much on what to order, and that what was on the menu ought to be good. We ordered the appetizer combo that includes 3 appetizers for a healthy discount. With four of us we added a forth appetizer. In all we had the Cucumber Salad, Seaweed Salad, the Ribs, and Garlic String Beans and they were all great. Would order them all again! For mains we ordered the Pork XBL, Pan Fried XLB and both were great. We did like the pan fried version as it added a bit of crunch to the dish, but both were excellent! Of everything we ordered the Shumai was our least favorite, but that's not to say it was bad, just our personal preferences. We wrapped up with an order of the Steamed Custard Bun and 2 orders of the Steamed Chocolate Buns. Both were great and our group was mixed on which they preferred; I personally liked the Custard Bun! Overall we'll add the Dumpling Bar to our list of go-to spots. Service was nice, efficient, food came out quickly, and was hot and delicious.
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Mai W.

Yelp
My kids said "this is my favorite restaurant, can we come back here pleaseeeeeeee". And that's all you need to know. Just kidding. I think the combo of good food + having Scooby Doo on one of the TV's helped the cause. It's a cozy restaurant. Lots of two tops and some four tops. We got there around 5:45 and probably got one of the last four top tables before they went on a wait. I loved the trio of appetizers we got. Shaved beef w/ chili, cucumbers w/ chili oil, and ribs. It was a nice start to the dumplings. My kids devoured the XLB. My husband liked the beef dumplings the most. My favorite was the crispy pork + noodles. They pork and tender. Better than any chicken katus I've had. My only complaint was the noodles were a bit too saucy/drenched. The jasmine green milk tea was also bomb! Nice balance of sweet/bitterness. I'm looking forward to coming back!!!!!
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Michelle N.

Yelp
I'll never get tired of dumplings, especially when a restaurant offers so many different varieties! Dumpling Bar has a great selection for you and your friends to choose from, so be sure to bring more guests for a bigger feast! - PARKING - Shares a large parking lot with several other businesses. It does get busy due to the grocery markets, but you'll find a spot eventually. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Not a huge restaurant, but it can seat a decent amount of customers. Most tables are arranged to fit 4 people comfortably. I love when places have the clear window for you to see the cooks in the kitchen - feels more immersive! Seeing the chefs hand roll out the dough and pleat each dumpling is fun. Service was very attentive throughout our meal. After we ordered, items came out in waves as they were completed, rather than all at once. - FOOD - Pork XLB: At first glance, I didn't think there would be much soup inside, but after biting into them, they definitely proved me wrong! Delicious juicy meat inside, and the wrappers aren't too thick. Pan-Fried XLB: Level up the classic XLB and pan-fry them to get a crispy bottom! I actually ended up liking these the most because of the contrast of textures. The inside was still juicy too which is a plus! Steamed Beef Dumplings: Nice clean taste, and packed with meat. Their homemade chili oil went nicely with this! Pan-Fried Beef Dumplings: Again, the delicious beef dumpling but leveled up! The crispy skirt just takes it up a notch. Custard Buns: Gotta always have a sweet treat at the end of a meal! The custard doesn't ooze out, but it does have a nice level of sweetness. The bun itself was super soft and fluffy. - OVERALL - A great spot if you're craving some dumplings! Bring more of your friends and family to try out more options!
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Han N.

Yelp
First time eating here and the food was amazing! The service was super quick and we felt very taken care of. We ordered a good amount of food to try a little bit of everything on the menu. My personal favorites were the chicken wontons with chili sauce, pork XLB, beef spicy noodles, & the chocolate XLB. I definitely would come back for those along with the 3 appetizers combo (great to way to try a variety)! There were other items that I would want to come back to try as well, including the dim sum and soups. My dumpling cravings were satisfied! See photos below for all items we ordered & the menu. The parking is great, very spacious parking lot with a Sephora & Trader Joe's nearby (for the girlies!!). Overall, really cute dumpling place and definitely worth a try if you're in Encinitas!
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Ann H.

Yelp
I was pleasantly surprised to find an authentic dumpling place in Encinitas. We tried a variety of items- cucumber salad, pork xlb, pan fried xlb, chicken dumplings, and steamed chocolate bun. The items were all delicious and the xlb did have the soupy goodness. The servers were attentive and checked in with us often. The dining area was clean and comfortable with the ability to see into the kitchen. It was nice to be able to see the chefs making the dumplings right there. The place was not cheap but it was expected for the area. It probably would have been cheaper to go to a place on convoy but when looking for a dumpling spot in north county, this is the place.
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Jessica L.

Yelp
We came here today (Sunday) around 5pm. There was barely a wait, but make sure to go inside and sign your name onto the wait-list. There was one table ahead of us. The food was great! My husband compared to XLB to the ones we used to have in NY, which is high praise from him. The garlic string beans were cold, but still delicious. Both the chicken wontons and braised beef noodles were yummy as well. The custard buns were a really nice surprise, it would be more accurate to call them phoenix buns. They have the right texture inside! We will definitely be coming back again! We regretted not getting the appetizer trio to try more things.
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Sarah K.

Yelp
Finally made time to eat here during one of my visits to Encinitas and I'm so glad I did! My daughter and I shared the sweet and sour ribs that had the most delicious sauce, and two trays of the xiao long bao dumplings. Everything was so tasty! It was busy when we went but the service was great. We also had chocolate buns for dessert. The interior is small, but clean and cute. I'm looking forward to another visit sometime soon.
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Judy N.

Yelp
I am so happy to have a good dumpling place nearby and that doesn't break the wallet like DTF! I love their sampler plate because it allows you to order 3 different things for a price for about 18-19$! Their spicy wontons, xiao long baos, and dumplings are so good.
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Jackie T.

Yelp
We were pleasantly surprised with the food here. It was super tasty and fresh. The place was super clean and the service was great. Love how you can see the workers make all the dumplings from scratch. This place is smaller place than din tai fung, which I don't mind at all. I love to support small Asian restaurants. The prices for these fresh tasty dumplings are great. We ordered one of everything on the menu and I'm so glad we did because it was delicious. We came right when they open so we got right in. After we got seated there was a huge line, so come early. If I'm ever in the area I would definitely come back. If you have not tried this place out I highly recommend you do. You won't be disappointed. Thank you Dumpling Bar for a tasty first time.
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Cindy L.

Yelp
I've been so excited about this place opening in North County, San Diego. We don't have many dumpling options up here, and many times, I've driven down to Convoy just to get some fresh dumplings. My family and I came here this past weekend and saw that there was still a line, but we decided to wait anyway. We were 7th in line and ultimately got seated. There were even a few instances where people tried to get ahead by claiming they were a particular person who didn't show up, sad but true. Once seated, we quickly ordered two orders of the xiao long bao, 2 orders of the chicken wontons, and the pork noodles. And let me tell you, they were absolutely delicious. The only hiccup was the waitress forgetting our soup dumpling order, but when they finally arrived, they were worth the wait. The only thing missing was the ginger pieces like Ding Tai Fung for our sauces. We were so full, we didn't have room for dessert, but we'll have to try that next time. The ambiance is simple, but I love that there's a window to show two people rolling dumplings and making fresh noodles. The concept of fresh is there and I love that there's transparency in what they make.
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Jeanie P.

Yelp
So good!!! We got the chicken wonton in chili sauce and pork xlb. They also had this cute combo with your drink of choice
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Joann T.

Yelp
Overall, decent dumplings with a decent price tag. The XLB & dumplings are on the doughier side, but that's my preference. All of the food is also on the slightly saltier side, which I don't mind, it wasn't overwhelming. - pan fried dumplings and gyozas were perfectly crispy & had good flavor and a good amount of meat filling - the green beans came cold, which I think is intentional? Regardless, flavor and crunch was just right - beef noodle soup was on the sweeter side (no spice/heat which I also prefer) Lots of parking in this lot, right next to TJ. Came on a Monday evening g around 6:30 pm, the restaurant was a bit more than half filled.
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Tobias H.

Yelp
Food was great and it came out quick. We got there early enough to get a seat right away and our waitress was very kind. Food was awesome and super tasty. The only downside was just that there was only one waitress serving a room of 12+ tables and it was obvious that they needed another server. Someone get that girl some help!
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Trevor L.

Yelp
Best spicy beef noodles- super tender meat thought it was pork for a second. Great jasmine milk tea with the fried xlb pork dumplings. Loved the steamed xlb bao, I think the fried ones were better because I like the crunch. Beef dumplings were bomb absolutely need the soup in it. Everything 5/5. Get the cucumber salad no idea what the seasoning is but so good and savory. I actually filmed a bit while I was there, might post a little feature soon! Would love to come by again and try some of your new menu items.
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Elizabeth M.

Yelp
Stopped by this new spot in Encinitas during their second day of soft opening. The vibe? Casual, with a glass section where you can watch the chef make dumplings. Service was friendly but a bit chaotic--lots of reminders needed. As for the food: Chicken Dumplings with spicy oil (2/5): Mostly wrapper, with barely any stuffing. Fried Pork Chop with Scallion Oil Noodles (2/5): The pork chop wasn't juicy, and the noodles were off-balance, leaning too sweet with hardly any scallion fragrance. The scallion oil was practically MIA. Pork Soup Dumplings (2.5/5) : Tiny with a thicker wrapper--if they were bigger, the wrapper thickness would make sense, but the flavor was still decent. Beef Potstickers (4.5/5): Finally, a win! Perfectly balanced with juicy stuffing and a wrapper that was just the right thickness.. Overall, a mixed bag, but it's early days. Hopefully, things improve with time!
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Donny V ..

Yelp
Came here with high expectations because we saw someone do a review on TikTok with a great experience . Unfortunately, for me, I feel like I've been tricked. We ordered the beef curry XLB, crab XLB, sweet and sour pork baby back ribs, crispy pork chop noodle with scallion oil. In the chicken wonton in spicy chili oil. - The ribs felt like I was eating beef jerky and sauce was really dark - The noodles with the pork chop had no flavor at all - The chicken wonton was kinda good - Now about the XLBs - The filling was decent, nothing special but the wrapper for each one felt like they were frozen for a while and reheated, but like in a very chewy way. Also a lot of them came already POPPED which was really disappointing bc all the juice was gone. ( you can see in the picture) Unfortunately won't be coming back - you're better off going to Ding tai Fung or dumpling story. Good luck dumpling lovers
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Ellee W.

Yelp
Cute place in the shopping center of Trader Joe's and Gap. The food is fresh and everything is very tasty. I was very impressed with the green beans, the dumplings are made fresh.
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Nicole C.

Yelp
The long boa was fantastic! However the shrimp dumplings are the main reason to visit. We had pork Xl potstickers and tried each soup. The Egg flower was better elsewhere and the pork sticky buns needed more bbq pork. Server never took all the empty plates and was frustrating. Busy place with an open floor plan, single restroom with a line
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Stephanie O.

Yelp
I've been wanting to come here for a while and finally squeezed in a lunch date with my girl friend for some dumplings, service was very quick and the shop was a cozy atmosphere. We ordered the shrimp dumplings, xiao long Bao, shumai, pork dumplings, beef noodle plate and an appetizer of seaweed salad. To say the least the dumplings were amazing! The dumpling skirt was perfectly made, the xiao long Bao soup broth was very light and flavorful. The beef noodle plate was absolutely delicious, the noodles perfectly chewy, but the star was definitely the beef. Fall apart, tender and perfectly balanced for the bowl of noodles that came to the table. We were all very full by the end of the meal. Definitely a spot I would come back to if I'm in the area
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Derek I.

Yelp
What a surprising find! Encinitas really is making strides in adding variety and Dumpling Bar might be the best. Service: Really great - attentive and food comes out quick. Can't complain. Inside: For a small spot, there's actually a decent amount of tables. We came at peak dinner and were seated right away. Food: Dumplings are made to order and they come up quick, and piping hot. The dough is delicate on all the dumplings, and may be the best dumplings I've had. - pork XLB (5/5) - wowowow. We ordered two orders because my wife liked them so much. Flavorful with just enough soup inside. These are the best XLBs we've had - sorry DTF. - spicy chicken wontons (4.5/5) - again, just as flavorful, and nestled in a "spicy" sauce. Not really spicy for me, but the flavor is rich, and I loved the delicate texture of the boiled dumpling. - porkchop with noodles (3.5/5)- really popular based on looking around, but this was kinda a low point for us. The porkchop was nice and crispy, but was a little dry and salty. The noodles were dope tho! - shrimp dumpling (4/5) - very simple and well executed. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and tender. - cucumber salad (5/5) - fantastic. The cucumbers were COLD and refreshing. The chili old adds a nice subtle heat. We'll be back and have been spreading the good word.