Luscious Dumplings Expands to South Bay: Michelin-Recognized Restaurant Chooses Chula Vista
Chula Vista’s culinary scene is about to get even more exciting! Luscious Dumplings, the beloved Los Angeles-based restaurant recognized by Michelin, is preparing to open its first San Diego location in Chula Vista’s Village Walk at Eastlake Shopping Center. Seeing so many great spots and finally realizing that Chula Vista is a great place to be is fantastic.
A Legacy of Handcrafted Excellence
What started as a humble family business in San Gabriel Valley has blossomed into a dumpling dynasty. Founded in 2001 by Alan Lam and Grace Li, Luscious Dumplings carries forward the authentic flavors of Northern Chinese cuisine. The name itself tells a story—derived from the Chinese “Run Feng Yuan” (Moist Abundant Garden), they chose “Luscious” to perfectly capture the essence of their mouthwatering creations.
Luscious Dumplings Is A Family Affair
The heart of Luscious Dumplings beats strongest in its family ties. When Michelle Wu and her husband Ker Zhu left their careers in nursing and fashion to join the family business, they brought fresh energy while preserving time-honored traditions. Every morning at 6 AM, Ker and his team personally select fresh produce and oversee the meat grinding process, ensuring only the highest quality ingredients make it into their dumplings.
What Makes Luscious So Special?
Don’t let the simple decor fool you – the magic happens in the kitchen. Every dumpling is crafted fresh daily, with dedicated staff mixing fillings, kneading dough, and hand-folding hundreds of perfect pouches of flavor. The menu features everything from classic potstickers to steamy xiao long bao (soup dumplings), plus adorable custard-filled treats shaped like animal faces. Round out your meal with appetizers, noodle dishes, soups, and fluffy bao buns.
Chula Vista’s Growing Food Scene
This expansion to Chula Vista reflects the city’s emerging status as a culinary destination. The addition of a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient – an award celebrating restaurants offering exceptional food at moderate prices – signals South Bay’s arrival on the serious food lover’s map. The excitement doesn’t stop there: Village Walk at Eastlake also welcomes Bag of Beans, a new coffee house & restaurant is set to open this spring, adding to the center’s growing reputation as a dining destination.
Local residents are celebrating the area’s evolving culinary landscape. As one Chula Vista resident says, “I love that so many great restaurants are finally seeing that Chula Vista is the place to be. Before it was just Mexican restaurants, but now we’re getting a wonderful variety of eateries. Can’t wait to see what is coming next.”
Looking Forward To More Options in Eastlake
Coming later this year to 884 Eastlake Parkway, Luscious Dumplings promises to bring the same dedication to quality and authenticity that has earned them long lines of loyal customers at their other locations. As Chula Vista continues to attract more diverse and exciting dining options, this new addition promises to be a delicious chapter in our community’s culinary story.
Want to stay updated on the opening? Visit lusciousdumplings.com for the latest news, and share your excitement in the comments below! Are you ready to join the dumpling revolution in Chula Vista?
