I love Thumbling it's definitely one of THE spots in West Covina! Be prepared to wait closer to an hour if your party is large, and maybe 10-30 for smaller parties. There's plenty to walk around in the plaza (desserts, pastries, açaí bowls) while you're waiting and even a fountain. Once seated everything moves relatively fast. The menu is extensive, food comes out quickly and fresh, and workers are attentive even though you order through a tablet and it's super busy inside. Food is stellar and of value (6 XLB for $8!), portion sizes are good, and everything is piping hot! The soup dumplings have soo much soup IMO beating out Mama Lu's which is what I would consider to be their nearest competitor. The spicy shrimp wontons are also good, but I think the flavors don't quite hit as well - big pieces of shrimp are enclosed though! The Peppered Beef Udon was great the beef pieces were tender and juicy and great textured noodles. Onion pancakes are a staple along w/cucumber salad (not pictured) , and their pan fried pot stickers are my favorite along with the sauce it comes with. Sooo crispy. Pro tip: If you are a first timer/came from far and waited a while don't let them seat you at the bar the experience is not as nice by far (I saw someone say it's like paying to stare at a wall - I concur) Being seated at a booth or table will allow you the full experience but I do understand there's only a limited amount of room in the bustling place. read more

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Came here with my partner and overall it was just okay. I wouldn't call it great, mainly because the food didn't taste the way I expected, and unfortunately it's not somewhere I'd return to. I've visited twice now, and both times were disappointing. The biggest letdown was the pork chop with egg fried rice; the rice was completely unseasoned, which really ruined the dish for me. The udon was decent, but nothing memorable. The xiao long bao was also just okay, which was surprising since that's usually a standout at dumpling-focused spots. On a positive note, the staff were great, very friendly and helpful, and most spoke Cantonese, which I appreciated. Ordering is done through a QR code on your phone, which is convenient if you prefer minimal contact, though I personally still like having a server take our order. Overall, nice service but the food just didn't deliver for me. read more

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Love this place! The flavor of the food here is great and I came here once to celebrate after a huge exam. To join the waitlist, we had to sign up using the QR code at the front desk of the restaurant. And there is always a wait! But it moves pretty quickly At this visit, we got... - Garlic green beans: always a classic, hard to go wrong, and great to compliment with the other dishes - Sauteed bok choy: came out nice and hot! - Pork XLB: not the best xlb I've ever had, but very solid. The flavor is great and the wrapping is the perfect thickness. - braised beef udon noodles with black pepper: the flavor of this is always great, nice and peppery. However this time it did come out a bit salty and oily. The udon noodles are cooked to perfect chewiness though. I appreciate the bell peppers and onions that contest with the beef - beef roll: we really enjoyed this! There wasn't too much sauce, and the dough was nice, thin, and crispy - honey walnut shrimp: tbh our least favorite this visit. The shrimp were not that big and they put too much sauce making it a bit soggy - beef noodle soup: I didn't get to taste bc my mom devoured it before I had a chance to try. But that means it was pretty solid since she's a picky eater! Overall, the food is very yummy and it will satisfy your craving. Just a heads up the food is a bit oily, but I recommend giving it a try! read more

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I cannot believe this was my first time trying Thumbling! This place is a West Covina staple and 9/10 has a large group of people outside waiting to get a table. I think that this is a pretty comparable restaurant to Din Tai Fung, just not as upscale. For service here, you order via a QR code on your table. However, the staff still comes around often to check in and grab drinks. The food here was hot and flavorful. We loved the beef roll, xiao long bao, green beans, and beef fried noodles. Now if they could only add the DTF chocolate xiao long boa to the menu... I would love them forever. read more

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We went on Mother's Day at 2:30pm and on the waitlist it said that we were 22nd in line, however our table was ready within 10 mins for a party of 2. The service was great. We had people checking up on us every 5 mins, even the floor manager came to say hi. We liked the xlb but felt that the skin tasted bit more floury than we'd like, and the rice on the pork fried rice was not even coated with flavoring. Overall a good spot and we really felt welcomed! read more

Thumbling - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

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YASSSSSS! We're here, oh yesss we're here the dream team is here. MIB servers rolled up on us upon entry. Order, service, food not lacking. How we gonna walk in on "no wait Wednesday. "Everrrrrythang we ordered was fi-ya. I love this place or I think it loves me. I will be back read more

Thumbling - Shanghai Shrimp and Pork Wonton Soup and pork xiao - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

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It took a few attempts for my boyfriend and I to try Thumbling. The first time we came by it was so busy they had a long wait and we decided to go elsewhere. The second time, the estimated wait was reasonable enough for us to wait it out. We were seated at an extremely TIGHT counterspace where the depth of the ledge was really insufficient to enjoy a meal comfortable. The space inside the restaurant really seems like the squeezed in as many seats as they can, while compromising the comforts of the customers. It's one thing if other dumb customers keep bumping into me... but it's annoying when their staff keeps bumping into me cause the walkway is insufficiently tight. To order, you scan the QR code and self order. So not much service here either. We ordered a Pork Xiao Long Bao ($8/6 piece), Sauteed Spinach with Garlic ($14), and a Beef Tenderloin Udon with Black Pepper ($18). We probably could have eaten more but the space was not comfortable for me to enjoy. The udon noodles came out first, then the xiao long baos, then the spinach. The food tasted decently. The xiao long baos skin were thin and they were juicy and flavorful. The udon and spinach were average, just like any other business that offers these dishes. I feel like the reason why people love this place is the price. The food isn't anything mind blowing or special enough for me to put up with the crowd and cramped space. Definitely not worth waiting too long for. To each their own. I'll leave this place to others who align with what they're offering. read more

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I was really excited to try Thumbling since I kept hearing comparisons to Din Tai Fung, but unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype. I called shortly after opening and was quoted a 25-minute wait for takeout. The timing was accurate and my order was ready right when I arrived, which I appreciated. Tried the pork XLB ($8 for 6 pieces), HK Shrimp & Pork Wonton Noodle Soup ($15), Chicken Egg Fried Rice ($15), and Beef Fried Noodle ($17). Most of the soup inside the XLBs had already leaked out - though that's probably just the downside of getting them to-go. The bigger issue was that the fried rice and noodles were pretty bland and needed extra soy sauce and chili for flavor. The chili oil itself was purely oil, so I'm not sure what went wrong there while packaging. The service also felt a bit rushed. The gentleman assisting me quickly handed over my order and walked away without much interaction. Staff seems to speak limited English but can understand enough to get by. Thumbling is located in the same plaza as 85 Degrees and Dave's Hot Chicken. It's a large plaza, but parking can be tough during peak hours. I was surprised to see Thumbling almost completely full around noon on a weekday. Unfortunately, the food just didn't quite meet my expectations. read more

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New favorite dumpling spot. Go hungry cause, believe me, you're going to want to try everything! Quick service. Clean. Delicious food! I stuck to the chicken items since I have a shellfish allergy, my siblings ate the seafood ones. And we loved everything we tried. We're already planning another trip back. Til next time! read more

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My friends have raved about this place so I am glad that I was finally able to try it!! I came here when it opened at 11am on a Friday and was seated immediately, while party must be present before getting seated. We got a variety of items from the menu including the cucumber salad, pork soup dumplings, pork potstickers, beef rice rolls, and beef udon stir fry. Everything was super yummy and affordable!! Service was quick and friendly!! They even boxed up our leftovers! Parking lot is small and pretty busy. By the time we finished, there was already a line! read more

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Thumbling is a great alternative to Din Tai Fung, and true local spot. I visited twice, once on a weekday night and a Saturday morning. Even on a weekday nignt there's a wait. If you go on weekend mornings before it opens, you can easily get a table. Food comes out pretty fast, and it's all delicious. You can find most of the Din Tai Fung classics here and more. My favorite are the pan fried dumpling baos. Overall, great restaurant. read more

Thumbling - Use this QR code to join the waitlist - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

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006/2026/Jan My wonderful and delightful experience with my family for dinner was really awesome with their attentive service and appetizing dishes!! It was raining and the wait was from and hour or more ! For a party of 11 it was quiet a wait which we were on a waiting list # 17 !!! Grandkids were hungry believe it or not they all want different eats so we went to a bakery, a chicken and hot dog place to get them something to munch while waiting! Surprisingly Our turn came after an hour !! We were seated and started ordering online using QR code on the table !!! That's fast service which was really awesome! The Shanghai rice cake dish was my favorite!! The taste was just dancing with delight from the flavor in every bite ! Love the Masago fried rice which pops with tasteful with every spoonfull !! For dessert my daughter ordered the salted egg dumpling , and oh my that was a rich filling of the duck egg yolk with the flavor and texture !!! NOW! WHY 4 stars from this experience ??? We were getting ready to leave when i saw my granddaughter still finishing her food ! But there was a staff waiting for us to vacate the table ! I told the gentleman staff ,who was impatiently hovering at the end of our table , that she was just finishing her food and he responded and pointed to a group of customers that they have been waiting for 2 hours!!! I thought that was a rude comment cause we all waited for our turn ! That really was unacceptable!!! read more

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Love Thumbling! One of my go to spots with classmates and friends. Would give this place a solid 4.8/5 stars. This is one of those food establishments that I could go back to again and again! I even went twice in a single week because 2 different friend groups invited me (3 times in a single month ). It's a classic dumpling spot with a slight Cantonese styled twist. Parking isn't much of an issue with the large lot but waiting definitely is. During peak hours especially, the waiting can get up to 30-50 mins long but the establishment is decently sized and is just super popular among locals and visitors. The staff and service is great and constantly checking in on customers and making sure everything is alright. One different occasions, I get different things but the xiao long baos are juicy, delicious, and a mouthful of warmth. The stir-fried noodles are so oily but so delicious. It's a classic dry noodle dish with a cantonese taste that I love. These two items, I get every time I come. The shrimp fired rice is a classic dish and nothing special but still delicious nonetheless. Same with the pan-fried dumplings. The scallion beef rolls were interesting as they contained cucumber and it was definitely a surprise for me as I've only eaten them with cucumbers here. Not a fan but the beef rolls still tasted good. The siu mai were also delicious and juicy. A surprise I hadn't eaten in a while that was super delicious was the salt and pepper squid; super savory, salty and crispy. Thumbling is a classic restaurant and despite the long lines and busy ambiance, I always come back to it. read more

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Pro tip: call ahead to check the wait -- there's no Yelp check-in, and you have to be there in person to get on the list. Sampling hasn't been open very long, but there's almost always a line before they even open. Wait times can easily run 45 minutes to an hour, so I recommend having someone stop by early to put your name down. If you catch them on a good day and time, the food is absolutely worth it. Fresh ingredients, a great variety of handmade dumplings, and honestly such a special spot to have nearby. One thing I miss -- they used to have a clear view of the kitchen where you could watch the dumplings being made, but that's now closed off. Not a dealbreaker, just something I noticed. You order through the app once seated, service is smooth, and overall it's a great experience. I'd definitely recommend coming with family -- just plan ahead for the wait. read more

Thumbling - Marinated Cucumber Salad - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

Ok, lemme just say this: Don't ever let them sit you at the bar. That's like asking "do you like staring at a wall and paying a bunch of money to do it?" The bar was dumb. The food was good! I like the beef roll, the chicken rice cakes and the chicken dumplings. All very good. The dumpling sauce and chili sauce were so good too. The service was horrid. We had to ask multiple times for water refills. Was this cuz they think we're idiots for sitting at the bar and staring at the wall? Probably. It was jam packed too. We got in right at 4:30p but any min after that and your gonna wait a stupid amount of time. And you'll probably be at the bar. The bar that has no cocktails. Just a wall to stare at. Dumb. read more

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I hear a lot of people compare this place to din tai fung, very similar menu some things they do way better some things not to the level of din tai. They have way better wontons and soup dumplings, more fillings and the meat is moist and flavorful on the inside. The bao however has less filing. Overall our food came out very fast for late lunch hour and it was all fresh and delicious, served quickly, and we sat right away! Very pleased and can't wait to come back! read more

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Food is delicious and handmade !Service is awesome and fast.Ambiance could be better as it can be too tight for families. read more

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Thumbling XLB for $13! It's a little far but the XLB is larger. They also sell Pork Chop Fried Rice. We ordered the pan fried pork bun, which was a little disappointing. Tasty and delicious XLB makes the commute worth it! read more

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good as always! the food is comparable to DTF but the portions are much bigger. service is hit or miss but we always come back. read more

Thumbling - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

Loved this place and the food it offered. It's the first actually comparable place to Din Tai Fung. The space is tight and very busy but that's with good reason. Their boba was surprisingly extra delicious and in legitimate cups. Loves the XLB and beef rolls. The spicy wonton chicken was great and truly if I lived closer I'd come here over DTF any day. Totally worth a try. They don't seem to take reservations but they have a AR scan to get in line and watch your spot on the wait. We only waited for 15 minutes on a weekday during lunch. The parking lot was packed but we all managed to find parking in my group of 3. read more

Honestly love this restaurant more than din tai fung- portions and flavors are so much better (coming from a Chinese girl who grew up in SoCal, this will definitely be added to my staple list when I'm too lazy to cook at home!) highly recommend the scallop/egg fried rice. Can skip the sweet and sour ribs though read more

Thumbling is such a great spot for dumplings and more! The menu has a nice variety beyond just dumplings--everything we tried was delicious. The xiao long bao (soup dumplings) were juicy and flavorful, and the spare ribs had the perfect crunch with a sweet and spicy glaze. The pork chop fried rice was a standout--well-seasoned and satisfying. We also loved the sides like the hot & sour soup and garlic cucumbers, which were super refreshing and paired well with the heavier dishes. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and food came out quickly even though the place was busy. Definitely a great spot for comfort food, and I'll be back to try more of their dumpling flavors! read more

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The food is very fresh and hot temperature wise. Their service is amazing. Everyone is nice and it's a great view. Every time I come there you all are so kind. Thank you so much for serving great food. I highly recommend this restaurant. They get a lot of customers because they are very awesome great food, great service! read more

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Crowded every time come here. Had to wait half an hour for party of 11 to be seated. As always it's all worth the wait. Food was great. Very consistent and full of flavor. Ambiance noisy but comfortable and fun for family experience. Will always come back here. read more

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It is good! Everything is very authentic! Why go to DTF to line up for hours when you have very same competitive items, if not better... Although the wait in line is still like 45 minutes... The servers are pretty alert when they see you look around, they offer helps immediately. The dining room is a bit crowded and noisy. read more

Thumbling - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

Went to thumbling on Tuesday night and was surprised at how busy it was around 8 pm! Anyways you order from the QR code with your phone and food comes out as it's made. I like to keep it paced out so I ordered in rounds. I didn't really think the spicy wontons, the pork xlb or the pork sticky rice wrap was good.... They were okay but I probably won't order it again. Sticky rice wrap was really really bland. And wontons were too sweet... The beef tenderloin was really good, the boiled dumplings were fricking good and I liked the pan fried dumplings! Will come back to try more things but idk I felt like it was ok experience??? read more

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Wow! This place was worth the wait. Came on a Monday night and we were 15th on the waitlist. On a Wednesday night around 7pm, we were 9th on the waitlist and waited 30-minutes. Food was amazing. We got the Xiao long bao, beef rolls, rice cake sir fry with pork, stir fried noodles with shrimp and green beans. My favorite were the green beans and rice cake. Service was quick and you can order via QR code on the table. There's also a QR code outside to join the waitlist. We'll be back! read more

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After experiencing a SCRUMPTIOUS meal at Thumbling, I absolutely get the hype around dumplings now! WOW, were my socks blown off! For starters, it was a PACKED HOUSE! Every table had a party seated and the staff we're slingin' food left and right. This was a telltale sign that I was about to have a delicious experience. I met up with a group of friends for dinner who had been there before and was told "trust the process". By that, my friends meant "we'll do all the ordering: we got you". That, they sure did and I would trust them to do it all over again!! I loved how efficient the ordering process was, where each person could scan the barcode on the table, and whatever was ordered would all go to the table, no matter which device it was ordered from. (this was my first time experiencing the style of ordering/payment! So awesome!) Every dish we ordered, from appetizers, to dumplings, was made to order; hot and fresh! It was love at first bite - WOW! Every dumpling I had, paired with the dumpling sauce and chili oil was absolutely delectable! The cucumber salad was my absolute favorite. Such a simple and refreshing dish, yet packed with MAJOR flavor. Another notable was the chicken pan fried dumplings. I still think about that perfect crisp!! Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this spot to any and all folks craving some solid dumplings. Definitely go with a group if you can, so you can try more menu options :) read more

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I am a regular customer at this restaurant and have always enjoyed the food and overall experience. I come here almost every other day, either by myself or with colleagues and friends, and I have recommended this place to many other people as well. Unfortunately, I had a disappointing experience today. I came in alone after 1 p.m., well after the lunch rush, and there were plenty of available seats. The hostess recognized me immediately and even said, "I see you come here all the time." She also knows that I prefer sitting at a table rather than at the bar. However, despite there being open tables, she chose to seat a couple who arrived after me before seating me. When I questioned her about it, she told me to wait for a one-person table located between several other tables. The issue was that the table was not even available yet. For me, this was meant to be a quick lunch before returning to work, so the delay was frustrating. The situation made me feel as though I did not deserve a regular two-person table simply because I came alone. I completely understand that during busy rush hours, larger parties may need to be prioritized when tables are limited. But when the restaurant is not crowded and there are open tables available, customers should simply be seated wherever space is available. I still enjoy the food here and will likely continue coming back, but I hope management will reconsider how solo diners are treated in situations like this. read more

Conveniently located right off the 10 Freeway -- got here at 11am and was seated right away. Ordered the Pork Xiao Long Bao, Wonton Soup, Sticky Rice and Pork Sui Mai, and Vegetarian Fried Noodle. Use the QR code to order and they give you a slip to confirm items at the table. The food was very good and each dish they brought out was good and hot. Will definitely be back. Parking in the strip mall gets busy during peak times, and there can be a line to get a table read more

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Food was ok Parking is hard, place is busy and fast Only complaint is about the service. They try to rush you in ordering. They don't seem to have time in talking to you. They expect you to know what you want and move on. Not very friendly. Never going back read more

Thumbling - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

I used to live in West Covina so when this first opened I was here all the time ! I actually can't believe I haven't reviewed this place already, it's my favorite dumpling spot and I've tried many all over California. The wait times can get really long , I came on a Sunday at 11 am and I actually got seated right away but as soon as it was closer to 12 pm there were a lot of people waiting to sit. I'd definitely come early or if you don't mind waiting it's in a cute plaza with other things you can walk to. The food is amazing, everything I've ever ordered always hits the spot. Some of my favorite sides are the cucumber salad and green beans. I always get a fried rice or noodle and soup! 3-4 different kinds of dumplings depending on your party size but we had 3 of us and still had left overs so it can really fill you up I'd say order less and you can always order more! read more

Thumbling - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

Overall, a really solid restaurant. It was pretty packed on a Monday at 8pm, but the wait was only around 15-20 minutes. The tables are a little close together (at least where we sat), but the service was quick. The total cost was $80. We also got the milk tea and Thai iced tea. Both drinks were good, but nothing special. Pork Xiao Long Bao - Juicy and decently sized. They were flavorful with a good amount of filling, and arrived hot and steamy at the table. I was able to finish all of them myself, but they're definitely shareable. Spicy Pork Xiao Long Bao - Pretty much the same as the regular ones, just with a kick of spice. My spice tolerance isn't very high, so I found them a bit spicy. I'd say it was probably slightly above mild. Chicken Egg Fried Rice - Note: the photo I attached was taken after I already served some. It comes in a good portion. Tasty and simple in flavor. Not anything spectacular, but I'd still recommend it. Pork Fried Dumplings - Pretty good. Crispy on the outside with a nice filling. I'm not the biggest fan of fried dumplings, so my opinion's a bit biased. Overall, a nice spot for a quick meal with friends or family! read more

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We tried Thumping for the first time and had a generally good experience. The food quality is solid, though I wouldn't call it spectacular--it's just a very dependable spot. The Atmosphere & Logistics The space is quite small and they definitely pack the tables in as best they can to maximize seating. Because of this, the wait can get really long. Pro Tip: You absolutely need to register for the digital wait-list ahead of time. It saved us a lot of headache! The Food Spicy Wontons: These have a serious kick! Definitely spicier than what you'll find at other spots, but still very yummy. Shu Mai: A bit of a surprise--it's not your traditional flavor profile, but it was unique and tasty. Kid Favorites: The kids polished off the fried pork chop, shrimp fried rice, fried calamari, and the beef noodles. Everything was kid-approved! The Finish: A highlight was the simple bowl of beef broth served toward the end of the meal. It was delicious and served as a perfect palate cleanser. Service Despite how crowded it was, the service was excellent. The host was fantastic, and the servers were attentive and kept the food coming out relatively quickly once we were seated. Overall, we enjoyed our visit. It's a great local find as long as you manage the wait-list properly! We will come back read more

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I'll never need to go to Din Tai Fung again. Thumbling is 1945934999133x better!! To begin with, I'm not the biggest fan of din tai fung. I feel like their xiao long baos are lacking, and the rest of their food just tastes not that special?? It took me quite a while to try thumbling despite it being closer to me. But so far I think it's my favorite restaurant that serves this kind of Taiwanese & shanghainese food. You can order through the qr code at the table. Food comes out in a decent amount of time. The beef noodles are so flavorful. Fried rice, xiao long bao, and spicy chili oil wontons all good! overall everything is just yummy! read more

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First off, they do things differently when ordering. Everyone at the table scans the barcode and it brings up an order page. Everyone can add things from their own phone and it is added to the table order. When you're done, you submit the order and they start bringing stuff out. They'll bring a receipt with your order on it and stick it to the table so they know what they brought. I liked this. It was fast and easy. This place is delicious. We tried a few things and they were all good. I loved the spicy pork Xiao long bao. The paper beef with udon noodles was my second favorite. This place is often crowded and a line out the door. We got there at 1050 and there was a line. It opened at 11am. We were seated immediately. Definitely recommend. read more

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Last weekend, I ate at Thumbling with a couple of long-time friends from high school. This dumpling restaurant was commendable in many areas... The food was delicious, the service was great (once we were able to get seated since there was a long wait outside) and the ambiance was that of a successful business bustling with satisfied customers! In terms of the food, my friends and I ate around four bowls worth of dumplings, and the fried rice plus fried noodles were tasty as well. The beverages, such as Thai iced tea, were provided in customized sippy cups that you can take home. And ordering our meal was very quick since we can do it on our phones. As is the case with many popular Asian establishments here in SoCal, parking was tricky as the lot was packed! Would I go back to Thumbling again, you ask? Yes-- To have another great gathering with great friends! read more

Thumbling - A bowl of dumplings at Thumbling. - Shanghainese Near Me - West Covina, California

The food and portions are amazing and perfect for sharing, the prices are good as well, the service is fast and easy to order from, But the waiting time is long I will say but it's worth it! definitely going to back! read more

What a sweet Lil find in West Covina. I had the wonton soup and it was absolutely everything you want in a wonton soup. It was simple flavorful not too many ingredients on the wontons were absolutely delicious. The service was great and the staff was really helpful. It's a place you can sit down and have a lunch or grab lunch and take it back to the office. Really a fun find. read more

Went to Thumbling on a Sunday evening. The wait for two wasn't bad, even though there were a few people ahead of us. We got seated fairly quickly and ordered a few dishes. Everything was flavorful and good, but nothing really stood out. We tried the garlic string beans, pork buns, fried rice, cucumber salad, and the braised noodle soup. The place was crowded, and the staff was attentive but it did start to feel like they were rushing people out because of the long lines outside. Toward the end of our meal, we slowed down a bit to chat, and noticed a few servers hovering. Within about three minutes, at least three different staff members were eyeing our table with their iPads, whispering and pointing like we were supposed to be done. It definitely felt like they were waiting for us to leave, which made the end of the meal uncomfortable. I get that they're trying to keep the line moving and avoid long wait times, but it still made us feel rushed and that took away from the experience a bit. The place had nice lighting and lots of seating, ambience was good. read more

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