This is one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego, and my 2 year old agrees! We found this place on a whim one day at 4pm and have made an effort to come back at least once a month. We've gotten a variety of foods and each is better than the next! Our top favs: chicken chow mein!!!! Kung pao chicken, beef broccoli, hot and sour soup, and the dumplings! Baby girl loves the fried rice and chow mein! The employees are always so attentive and sweet, and the food comes out nice and hot so quickly! We love it here! read more

We've lived in San Diego for so long and I can't believe this is the first time we're eating at Shanghai Saloon. I'm so happy we finally did though! I absolutely loved the vibe and decor in the dining area. It felt like we were transported to a restaurant somewhere in China. The food was good. The wonton soup was very comforting and delicious. I loved that it wasn't too salty. I can do without the chicken noodle soup now when I get sick--just give me a heaping bowl of this wonton soup and I'll be good. Their walnut shrimp was super tasty too. I really enjoyed that it was still crispy when it was served and the sauce wasn't too sweet--in fact, it just had the perfect tanginess to it. The pork & shrimp wontons were bomb diggity too, especially when you have some of the sauce with each bite of the wontons. *chef's kiss* Service was fair. Our food came out quickly and the staff were nice. Overall, I would love to come back. I think I might try other dishes next time too. read more

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Wonton Soup - 2*. Not the best soup. Didn't taste authentic wonton soup. Deluxe Chow Mein - 2*. Did not taste like Chinese authentic cooking. Something was off with the taste of chicken and beef. It tasted more like meat with baking soda. And canned mushrooms were used. Yuk! Service was good but not coming back. Parking was hard to find. read more

I want to give this restaurant all the stars! It's one of our families all time favorites! The food is off the chain!!! The soup dumplings the green beans omg the fried rice all of them over the top delicious my personal favorite is the Chinese sausage! It's loud because it's always packed but they can move folks quickly so don't worry! The takeout is packed so well everything is as fresh as can be when you open it up! We moved out of state and our whole family craves Shanghai Saloon! Every time we come to town it's our first stop! read more

Shanghai Saloon - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Food all around was phenomenal. The service was friendly and prompt. I really enjoyed the decorative ambiance. read more

Shanghai Saloon - Delicious lunch special. Wonton noodle soup. - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I'll be honest -- I was extremely skeptical walking in. First red flag: it had a bar. No authentic Chinese restaurant has a bar. Second, the majority of people dining there were white. And then there were posters of celebrities by the front door. Every sign was pointing to Americanized Chinese food and I was ready to be disappointed. But wow, were we wrong. The staff was mostly Chinese and the waiters were speaking Cantonese, which is always a great sign of authenticity. The food completely won us over. We got a dish of fresh vegetables cooked the right way -- on a hot wok with garlic and chicken broth. You could actually taste the wok hay, which tells you everything you need to know. We also got the dumplings and xiao long bao, which were bursting with flavor and incredibly tender. And of course we got a lychee drink, because that's always a good call. Don't judge this book by its cover -- the food is the real deal. Just be prepared to wait, and know that parking is rough. There's limited free parking right in front, but if you can't snag a spot you'll have to pay. Worth it though. read more

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One of my favorite spots for a quick dinner unless there is a long wait haha which it usually does have a wait but today I got here right when they opened on a Friday & there were 2 families already waiting in line. I ordered the deluxe chow mein which is a must the noodles are delicious and the pork & shrimp wontons are so yummy I also usually always get the salt and pepper chicken wings as well those are an all time fave! Dinner is always delicious here whatever you order from the menu you will be happy with! read more

Shanghai Saloon - Bar - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Great service and food was hot and freshly made. They have a full bar too and on the Friday evening I went they had a free whiskey tasting too. Lots of seating at the bar and at tables. XLB could use a little more soup but good portion sizes and overall delicious with good prices. We ordered potstickers, crispy pan fried noodles, a veggie and the XLB. Would def come back. Parking is a bit tough here but you can pay to park in the garage. read more

Shanghai Saloon - Drink menu - June 2026 - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Not the usual Chinese restaurant. Unique flare of the old west, a great beet menu great food. There is parking which is hard to find in the Convoy district. A large restaurant that makes for a good vibe Ang great for large parties read more

No wait for dinner at 5pm on a Wednesday. Easily found street parking as well. Overall, great place for Chinese food but soup dumplings not as good as Din Tai Fung. Portions are generous. Service was good. Soup dumplings - 3/5 wrapper is too thick Beef broccoli - 5/5 didn't get to try but husband loved it Walnut shrimp - 5/5 shrimps are very big, crispy and light Shredded pork with green beans - 4/5 good flavor Garlic baked fish - 3/5 enjoyed the fish but didn't care for the bok choy Deluxe fried rice - 5/5 really delicious Lychee martini - 5/5 great flavor, cute presentation read more

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This restaurant is definitely more of American Vietnamese/Chinese fusion than a traditional place. Their lunch menu is similar to what is served at Minh Ky which is great as this place is closer to my home. I enjoyed my bowl of crispy chicken noodle soup. Broth is light and that paired with the crispy chicken makes a great lunch. I was also surprised by the dumpling. Sometimes with restaurants this may taste like something you can make a home, this pan fried gyoza tasted fresh. The chef is COOKING. Service is. good, he was attentive and got Chinese vinegar for the gyozas. Parking can be hard, you really need to pay attention to the non covered parking slots (that's free for 2 hours). read more

Shanghai Saloon - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Made a quick stop here for a light lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon. I haven't been here in a few years but I used to visit here frequently. It was slightly busy so if you're coming with a large party it's best to call in advance or get here early to give them time to cater to your party. The parking in this lot is always terrible so unless you're trying to pay for parking in the garage I'd suggest looking for street parking near by. Everything is pretty much how I remembered. I normally only get a few rounds of the Xiaolongbao and some beers to wash it down. I'm my opinion, the quality is pretty good for the price. A lot of high-end Chinese restaurants charge almost double for what you're getting here. I believe it was about $13-$14 for a tray of Xiaolongbao. They used to have fried pig ears here that we're so good. I wish they would bring them back. I really don't have anything negative to say about this spot. Service was great, food was delicious, and prices are more than fair. read more

Shanghai Saloon - Kentucky sunset - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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The xlb did not have soup inside and it was a little chewy. I do recommend their regular boiled dumplings like the pork chive dumpling was good. The servers were very nice and fast and friendly. Also the parking lot garage to the side is a plus because most of convoy has impossible parking at dinner time. read more

Shanghai Saloon - pork Xia Long Bao, Soup Dumplings "XLB" (10) a little dry inside - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I have a strange love for wanting to be sitting at a bar top, sipping on a vodka/soda, and eating delicious Chinese food. There are only a few places in town that I feel truly allow this type of symbiotic existence and Shanghai Saloon is one of them! Seriously, I can (and I have) sit here for hours as long as I have good company, a good bartender, and a constant stream of soup dumplings placed in front of me from time to time. Is that too much to ask? The answer is "no" and SS has always been my happy place when seeking out this kind of gluttony. This being said, I can only do it once or twice a year and I look forward to it every time! read more

Why did it take us so long to find Shanghai Saloon? Stopped in last night for dinner with friends and it was awesome. Service was excellent and the food was great. It was busy but not packed and there was no wait to be seated. Lively but not too loud. We will definitely be back. read more

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Pretty loud ambience on a Thursday evening during dinner rush, as far as portions they are large portions. Overall quick efficient service from the door to where we sat. Everything came piping hot, and had decent flavor. In my opinion the lamb chow mein was overly sauced. Fried calamari My favorite. read more

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Amazing Asian food with incredible flavor, a great ambiance, and top-notch service. Everything was fresh and beautifully prepared, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff was friendly and attentive. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to! Definitely try the orange chicken! read more

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Bar service excellence: two drinks recommended: Whistle Pig Manhattan martini and a 10oz Rasputin beer glass. This made my day terrific! read more

Shanghai Saloon - Whistle Pig Manhattan on left; Rasputin stout on the right - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

We ordered a good amount of food for a Saturday lunch and were seated + served so quickly! On top of that, we felt that we definitely got our money's worth. Despite it being easy, we still enjoyed how spacious the restaurant was and how quickly we were helped. The food was also great, I think this was one of my favorite walnut shrimps I've tried in a while. I will definitely be back! read more

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Although parking can be a nightmare, it's worth a visit. The restaurant is pretty large and has a bar area. There is no happy hour but there are some specials depending on which day you come. The service was amazing. The server was constantly refilling drinks, and making sure empty plates were removed and cleared. The food comes in very large portions so definitely come hungry with multiple mouths to feed. The bao's were a little thick and somewhat on the large side but not bad if they were hot. Unfortunately the bok choy was over cooked. The rest of the food was good and you can't go wrong if anything you choose. With its central location right in convoy, go check it out. read more

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this place is FIRE! I vaguely remember trying it years ago but don't remember it being that good. We came around 845-9 on a Saturday night. There was no line, no wait and it was busy but not overly packed. Everything came out within 5-10minutes after we ordered and we loved everything! We tried the vegetable chow mein, kung pao seafood, vegetable fries rice and xiao long bao. The bao was the only thing that took a bit longer but they did give us a heads up to order that first! I was craving Chinese food so this deff got the spot. I was expecting the kung pao to be spicey but it was actually more on the sweet side. Not bad but I would want to try a spicy item next time. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Shanghai Saloon - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Food is always great! Our server is a resident server and very serious and straight to business. He doesn't do small talk at all; but it could also be that he's just busy. It's always busy here and the tvs at the bar are always playing with current sports. Ambiance is casual and great for small or large parties. Drinks are always great. read more

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We ended up at Shanghai Saloon while visiting San Diego since a lot of the other spots we had in mind had long waits. We had a group of six and were seated right away, which was nice. The restaurant is huge, with tons of space and seating. That said, the service was a bit lacking. As for the food, I thought it was just okay. I eat a lot of Asian food regularly, and this didn't really hit the mark for me. Probably wouldn't come back. read more

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Modern Chinese restaurant vibe--stylish interior, good for big groups and they have a full bar. The deluxe fried rice with beef, chicken, and shrimp was a standout: super flavorful, and the added bean sprouts gave it a really nice crunch that elevated the dish. The honey glazed shrimp was also delicious; the sauce reminded me a lot of orange chicken in the best way--sweet, savory, and addictive. That said, I love Din Tai Fung, so my expectations for xiao long bao were high, and unfortunately these fell short. The soup inside was pretty lackluster and didn't have that rich, savory depth I was hoping for. The wonton soup was another miss--it honestly just tasted like hot water. On the plus side, prices are decent and portions pretty , so you do get good value overall. I'd come back for the fried rice and shrimp, but probably skip the soups and soup dumplings next time. read more

We were in the area looking for Shanghai style pan fried noodles. When we walked in it's like transported to old Shanghai era! Beautiful old fashioned Shanghainese style designs! We got seated right away. There's bar that you can order from and tables all around. Absolutely adores the atmosphere! Service was ok but not so attractive. Food is pretty traditional but not as tasty as I expected. Our pan fried noodles taste pretty good so we were happy with it. We didn't order any cocktails because nothing catches our eyes. Overall the place is decent and would recommend to anyone who wants some Shanghainese food :) read more

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A great find hole in the wall Chinese restaurant. The courses and dishes were surprisingly delicious. Not too oily, not too salty, and priced just right. Portions are big enough for sharing with 2-3 people. Call for reservations as there is always a line. The xlb is pretty decent. My favorite is the baked fish fillet. It's packed all the time so it's quite noisy with all the buzz. The strip mall has a lot of Asian establishments. Highly recommended for big groups read more

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We actually had more food just didn't make it to the pics cause it was all gone haha that's how good the food is. Came here for dinner for a big family celebration and was pretty busy but seated within 20 mins, our server was very nice and patient with us. The decor was great! Felt like china town and the smell as soon as you walk in man it smelled good! Food is shareable they come a lot and very tasty. read more

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Been here 3x now and can solidly give this a 3.5, maybe a four star spot. Service is quick and efficient. Each time I've come here it has been busy and from the time you order, you can have your meals within 10 minutes. We always order family style when we go here and share the plates which are a pretty decent size. The biggest reason why this place doesn't get a 4 star in its ranking although it's super close to it, is that one of my food each time I've been here, has arrived to my table cold. So each time is like Russian roulette on which one it will be. I also ordered a Thai ice tea this last time and it tasted like a regular ole IPA rather than anything special. The duck is my personal favorite and I ordered it the last two times. The tofu with special meat sauce was new to me and I was so impressed I almost wanted to order some to take home! We were a table of five so I wished they gave us more than two cups of rice. Ambiance and seating is pretty standard and service has gotten better each time. Fairly happy with this place and will continue to come back a few times a year. read more

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Dumpling Inn - Shanghai Saloon (the official name of this restaurant) is a San Diego staple and a restaurant that we try to visit anytime a guest comes into town. Shanghai Saloon is themed around 1920s Shanghai, giving it a unique vibe you can't find anywhere else. The decor is a blend of historic Shanghai elements mixed with the vibe of an old-fashioned saloon. Along with the cool vibes, you're hit with the aroma of classic Chinese dishes as soon as you open the double doors. The Vibes are nice, but people come here for the food, especially the dumplings. Outside of the soup dumplings, the Wonton Noodle Soup and Black Pepper Steak are highlights of the menu. Taking center stage (or slightly off center in the restaurant layout) is the bar. This bar is packed with over 100 different types of whiskey and rye whiskey and 30 + types of tequila including Califino which is a lesser-known delight. The service is quick, friendly and great. The food comes out in less than 10 minutes from ordering which is always a shock. They bring it out as it's ready so if you order a lot, they may serve you over 3 or 4 visits. The Pricing- The pricing is fair including the soup dumplings which you get 12 for less than $13. Most entrees are around $15 and we've never left without boxes and boxes of leftovers due to the large portion sizes. The one issue to 龇牙咧嘴 (zī yá liě zuǐ): "to grit your teeth in pain" about is the parking. It's pay to park which is not a big issue if you're coming from downtown but for us suburbanites, it's a bit of a shock. There's usually plenty of parking but it's always congested so you must allow an extra 15 minutes to find a spot, pay and then head to the entrance. read more

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My only wish is to open a location out here in Rancho, San Diego. The only downside is their location and parking, but it's worth the effort. We walked in around 2:30, and they closed at 3:00 to get ready for dinner service. This is one of the few restaurants where, regardless of the time you walk in, you feel welcome. This place is a twofer in having the restaurant and the saloon. Don't get me started on the saloon; I'll leave that for another review, but if you like Bourbon ( Makers ), this is the place to visit! Take it for me, a Makers Ambassador. Our server was spot on, and the food came out so fast it was surprising. We also ordered food to go. This might be the best Asian food in SD! read more

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Really enjoyed Shanghai Saloon. Yes, the parking is a bit difficult but we did find a spot without having to use the alternative parking garage so I'm not sure how much additional parking was there. Arrived at 5pm on a Saturday and there was a wait quoted of 30 minutes and we were seated within 20. They seemed to have a really good system of quoting time and there was seating available outside for those waiting. The ambiance was great. Really festive, clean and felt spacious even though it was packed. We ordered Kung Pao Seafood, Kung Pao Chicken, Honey Glazed Shrimp, Broccoli Beef and Deluxe Fried Rice. Because I mean...what's better than leftovers? The Kung Pao dishes were both very tasty...seafood was cooked perfect except for calamari which was very chewy. Honey glazed shrimp had huge shrimp that tasted fresh and were nicely breaded. Sauce didn't have enough kick for me but they do bring you extra chili. The Broccoli Beef was probably my least favorite... it didn't do anything for me and I'm not sure why except I do like spice and this was a sweeter dish. Stir fried rice had a nice mix but it was a quick stir fry...would have liked a little more toast to the rice. All in all very good food, huge portion sizes, and reasonably priced. We've been looking for a go to for Chinese food and looks like we found it! read more

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We back !! Ok so was going to eastern dynasty got there at 5:08 there was 15 tables 12 were full 2 where's for 6 guest and one was for 4 guest no reservations and 6 tables for 4 had 2 guest so not to say racism but those tables has Asian guest so y can't Me and my guest sit on a 4top not sure ????? Ok all life matter ?? Ok so when y over to Shanghai !! Woop woop same bartender bomb mai tai baby ! I got the win ton soup !! And I took pic this time sooooo good!! Deluxe fried rice Val was our bartender wow his the absolute the greatest and best server ever and I've read more

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Shanghai Saloon is always a 10/10. All of their food is family-style so be prepared to share. Their hot and sour soup absolutely hits the spot. The soup has mushrooms, pork, and bamboo shoots all cooked to perfection. The pork and chive dumplings were flavorful and refreshing. The vegetable dumplings also have a lot of flavor and a nutty aftertaste. The service here is impeccable and the waiters check on you regularly. There's little to no wait time even at peak hours for a group of two. The restaurant is dimly lit and a bit more casual and lively. read more

Shanghai Saloon - Hot & Sour Soup* - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Sat at the bar for over 12 minutes flagged bartender twice no help, no water not even a drink; I left told hostess on way out she didn't seem to care said sorry were busy. The bar only had 8 people at it not that bsuy - i walked across street for jasmine to go they were kind and quick read more

A solid dumpling option in Convoy. Second time here, so we knew what to expect. We ordered shrimp, chicken and chive boiled dumplings, pork and chive dumplings, Xiao long bao soup dumplings, and three meats crispy noodles. Dumplings were good. The XLB were hot, but not too hot. Noodles were a little thicker than usual, but good. Got here before 6:00 on a Saturday so no waiting. read more

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I came in for my birthday with a large party. Their portions are family style of course, so dining with a large party is pretty necessary. To get the full experience, I recommend ordering 5+ dishes to share between everyone, letting you enjoy a variety of what they have to offer! I especially appreciated their lychee martini (I had 3). They close pretty early, and they were unfortunately very pushy about getting us out of the restaurant before their posted closing time. This really dampened the mood, but the food was great nonetheless. read more

Shanghai Saloon - They let us bring a balloon - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Shanghai Saloon is one of my favorite places for dumplings! Great place for chinese food and whiskey. If youre looking for authentic Chinese food with an atmosphere, this is the place to go! I also believe they have great customer service. The last time my friends and i went here we had exceptional service. Our waiter was very attentive and didnt let us wait long to order, wait for our food, and always checked on our drinks. Besides that, the food is absolutely delicious! I havent had the chance to try the whiskey flights but i hear they are worth trying! The only downside (like every place in convoy) is the wait and the parking. So i recommend planning that out before you decide to eat here. read more

Shawn provided one of the best bar experiences I've had in a long time. From the moment I sat down, he made me feel welcomed with his friendly personality, genuine hospitality, and attention to detail. He was knowledgeable about the menu, offered excellent recommendations, and crafted every drink perfectly. SHAWN ROCKS ! read more

Dumpling Inn Shanghai Saloon has the best dumplings that I've ever eaten in San Diego. The atmosphere is fun, the drinks are good, and the food is very good! I ordered a Founders Fashion and the Pork and Chive dumplings The drink was great and the dumplings were perfect. I enjoyed the oil tray they brought out for the dumplings as well. I'll be coming back! read more

Shanghai Saloon - Pork and Pork & Chive Dumplings (Boiled) (10) - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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1st time here and we enjoyed our dinner here Found it on Yelp and thought we try it Food was delicious tasty and all made to order Service was fast friendly and efficient shout out to our server VAL Ambiance is nice clean and organized Def coming back again read more

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