Best Asian restaurants on Convoy street
Updated July 26, 2023
Whether your taste buds are craving Chinese or Japanese, Vietnamese or Thai, Korean or Laotian, you’re sure to find it near Convoy Street. If you’re scratching your head about where Convoy Street is, or if you know exactly where that is—hey, that’s where I bought my car—know that both responses are normal.
Convoy Street is a tucked-away gem of San Diego. One that doesn’t often make its way on a typical San Diego tour. It doesn’t have oceanfront views; it’s not near the infamous Gaslamp Quarter. In fact, what makes Convoy Street stand out are the incredible restaurants on and around the main drive. Oh, and the various dealerships… But that’s for another article.
WHAT IS CONVOY STREET?
Before diving into the restaurants themselves, this Southern California strip of delicious eateries and their auto dealership neighbors could use some backstory.
- Kearny Mesa – Convoy Street is in Kearny Mesa, triangled between The 805, The 163, and The 52. The majority of restaurants sit between Othello Avenue and Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
- Types of Shops – There are big-box retailers, industrial companies, auto repair shops, dealerships, and pan-Asian grocery stores and restaurants.
- Atmosphere and Vibe – During the day, Kearny Mesa seems like a regular busy street with strip malls on almost every corner. It’s at night when the air becomes charged with smells of sweet and sour, that Convoy Street comes alive. Here you’ll find everything from some of the best Asian restaurants to fun nightclubs to the coolest speakeasy bars in San Diego.
Tired of the lesson? Okay, class dismissed. Onto the reason that you even clicked on this article: the best Asian restaurants on Convoy Street San Diego.
DUMPLING INN
To kick off this pan-Asian food lovefest, we’re starting off with a restaurant that’s been comforting its patrons since 1994. Dumpling Inn is known for serving China’s most popular comfort food—the dumpling. Feel free to pair the meat-filled buns with modern Westernized dishes. They serve these alongside the traditional to bring out the best of both worlds.
“Though times have changed, our tradition remains the same.” A fitting motto for a restaurant that handmakes their steamed buns every single day.
- Type of Cuisine: Chinese
- Hot Ticket Item: Their delicious soup dumplings; Xiao long bao
- Location: 4625 Convoy Street
TAJIMA
Photo Courtesy: Tajima Restaurants
San Diego has an increasing appetite for authentic cuisine of all cultures and backgrounds. Tajima stands as a pillar, a cherry blossom of Japanese cuisine, serving many different styles of flavorful ramen—a staple in Japanese cuisine and culture—and feeding locals exactly what they crave. Their drink selection includes a rotating list of locally brewed craft beer, imported Japanese craft beer, and a premier selection of sake.
It’s fair to assume their success is an extension of their food, as they are opening up branches across the city of San Diego and all over Southern California, venturing a little bit north into Long Beach and a little bit south into Tijuana. It’s a place with tasteful décor and many different ramen choices to enjoy—all of which are worthy of praise. Safe to say, this is definitely up there with the best ramen spots in San Diego.
- Type of Cuisine: Japanese
- Hot Ticket Item: Tajima Ramen
- Location: 4681 Convoy Street
PHUONG TRANG
Photo Courtesy: Yelp San Diego
Get the pho out of here! You know exactly what this delicious Vietnamese restaurant serves. Or do you? While the main staple within Phuong Trang is their homemade pho from scratch, the menu goes above and beyond this single category. How far above and beyond?
With over 248 appetizers, soups, noodle dishes, and main entrees, you will find yourself in the Netflix-Conundrum, but for Vietnamese food. Which one to choose? Our best advice is to stop once you find something that looks good—otherwise, the kitchen might close by the time you finally decide on the perfect entrée.
Don’t be misguided by their relatively bland décor and storefront. Though it may not be up there on our list for classy, fine dining in San Diego, there’s nothing more to love than a delicious hole-in-the-wall restaurant loved by locals. What they may lack in ambiance, they pay dividends in flavor.
- Type of Cuisine: Vietnamese
- Hot Ticket Item: Pho Tai
- Location: 4170 Convoy Street
HIDDEN FISH SUSHI
Hidden Fish brings traditionally prepared, high-quality seafood to Convoy. The various seafoods are sourced from around the world – including a changing selection from Japan’s iconic Toyosu Fish Market. Every bite and roll has been carefully crafted for you in this intimate dining experience. Reserve a space at their exclusive 12-seat sushi bar where you get the full Omakase experience featuring 18 pieces for $135.
- Type of Cuisine: Sushi
- Hot Ticket Item: Scallop Bluefin Tuna
- Location: 4764 Convoy Street
REALM OF 52 REMEDIES
They say to expect the unexpected … A secret speakeasy in the middle of Convoy is definitely unexpected! Realm of 52 Remedies, whose name pays homage to ancient Chinese medicine, is a secret speakeasy located within Common Theory. Look for the mysterious white door and you will be let into the entrance for the secret bar, which is adorned with jars of exotic herbs lining the walls as a nod to the ancestors. The inside of the speakeasy is ornate and Asian-inspired – sip on a well-deserved ‘remedy’ as you take in the moody ambiance.
- Type of Cuisine: Liquid — cocktails
- Hot Ticket Item: “MANDARIN” (Dill and Ginger-infused Nikka Gin/Don Fulano Reposado Tequila blend, Absinthe, Lime, Mandarin, Gomme, Bitter Bianco, Mandarino)
- Location: 4805 Convoy Street (inside Common Theory)
Looking for something different?
Private Tours
Learn how to cook!
Private Cooking Classes San Diego
There is always room for improvement when it comes to cooking.
- Sushi Cooking Class
- Pasta Making Class
- Mexican Cooking Class
Local Brews and Views
Carlsbad Food & Drink
Tour
Journey through time and space on our Carlsbad food tours. Enjoy notable San Diego cuisines.
- History on the move
- A pour de force
- A tour designed for you
Craft Breweries, Local Flavors!
San Diego Brewery
Tours
Tour San Diego on foot, and you’re sure to find a tasty brew in your hand!
- North Park Brewery Tour
- Ocean Beach Brewery Tour
- Little Italy Brewery Tour
The heart of Downtown San Diego
Balboa Park Walking
Tours
Immersive walking tour with insights into the park’s extensive history and architectural marvel.
Sip Around Town
san diego Urban Winery
Tour
Taste great wine from the best urban wineries in San Diego.
- Wine Production
- Taste Award Winning Wine
- Explore San Diego
STEAMY PIGGY
Steamy Piggy is known for its adorable Steamy Piggy kawaii buns. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on these cute and tasty creations! If you’re in the mood for a more protein-packed meal, you can have one of their chicken, beef or ‘piggy’ baos, their scrumptious dumplings, or a nice hot ramen dish. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and are dog-friendly.
- Type of Cuisine: Casual Chinese Fusion
- Hot Ticket Item: Steamy Piggy Kawaii Buns
- Location: 4681 Convoy Street
MEKONG CUISINE
Photo Courtesy: Yelp San Diego
Fusing two worlds together, Mekong Cuisine offers both Laotian and Thai food. This restaurant is known for its “family-style” soups that come in donut-shaped dishes to be scooped and served to all. Thus, our recommendation, Mekong is best enjoyed with a large group at your side. It’s tasty alone, don’t mistake us here; it just has the kind of appetizing menu that makes you want to try twelve different items. And that can only be achieved through a stuffed wallet or a stuffed friend group.
As with most of the restaurants on Convoy Street in San Diego, Mekong Cuisine is located in a strip mall. Tucked between a realty shop and a salon is this quiet, tempered eatery. The inside is decorated tastefully if not reserved, allowing their food to take the spotlight.
- Type of Cuisine: Laotian and Thai
- Hot Ticket Item: Tom Yum Soup
- Location: 3904 Convoy Street
TAEGUKGI
For those who know Convoy Street, you know that there are more Korean BBQ joints than fingers on your hands. Thus, it stands to reckon that to be the Korean barbecue restaurant that makes it through the noise (the sizzling, appetizing noise), it must be pretty darn good. And where Taegukgi is concerned, there is no doubt.
Taegukgi has much to offer its patrons. To start off, there’s both an outside patio café and an outside waiting area. Both are drink-friendly, which means even if it’s busy, you won’t feel like you’re waiting. Once inside, you’ll notice there are two dining areas, a bar area, and a VIP room to host private reservations for up to 34 people. Plenty of space to create a lively, exciting atmosphere.
Finally, the meat. Korean BBQ is judged based on the quality of the meats and the care for which they’re cooked in front of you—unless you happen to be the one cooking it. And on both fronts, Taegukgi passes with flying colors, so you can be sure that this spot is amongst some of the best Korean bbq in San Diego. The quality and taste is hard to beat.
- Type of Cuisine: Korean
- Hot Ticket Item: All You Can Eat Special (is there anything better than AYCE?)
- Location: 7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd (just a step off Convoy Street)
ASIAN DESSERT
There’s always room for dessert! Asian-infused restaurants craft up some of the most innovative desserts for you to enjoy. No basic ice cream cones here!
Matcha Cafe Maiko
This cafe specializes in all things matcha! In fact, they import theirs from Uji, Japan, which is known to have the best green tea leaves. One of the fan faves is the Maiko Special Parfait, which has matcha chiffon, shiratama mochi, and chestnuts. You should also try their coconut pudding and salt and butter rolls.
- Type of Cuisine: Matcha Desserts
- Hot Ticket Item: Maiko Special Parfait
- Location: 8072 Clairemont Mesa Blvd (just a step off Convoy Street)
Bing Haus
Bing Haus is the place that gave San Diego the intro to Thai rolled ice cream, and they have also given us a taste of bingsoo – the Korean shaved ice cream dessert. One of our recommendations is the patbingsoo, and the way to eat this according to the owner Nancy Chi is to start with the shaved ice and condensed milk at the top and work your way to the sweet red bean and mochi melon center.
- Type of Cuisine: Thai and Korean Desserts
- Hot Ticket Item: Bingsoo
- Location: 4425 Convoy Street
PAN-ASIAN CUISINE AT ITS FINEST
You may have noticed that each type of Asian cuisine was represented only once on this list (and not EVERY Asian cuisine made it onto the list, we know). This was done with purpose. The beauty of this street is in its diversity. It’s not the same as Koreatown in LA or Chinatown in San Francisco. Convoy Street restaurants offer Korean fried chicken next to sushi, pho next to baozi. It’s in the richness of flavor and deliciousness that all these restaurants come together as one.
So, try one style. Then try another. Walk the streets guided solely by your nose and your gut. Or take to social media to find the next viral restaurant or dessert spot. Allow the world of pan-Asian cuisine to overwhelm and delight. Whether you come for lunch or dinner, your dining experience at these Asian restaurants is sure to impress your taste buds.
Kanpai, Ganbei, and Cheers to Convoy Street restaurants!
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related Posts
Categories
Daily Tours
The historic Gaslamp Quarter is famous for its entertainment, shopping, and nightlife, but most people don’t realize the historic district was once home to one of the most anticipated red light districts in the West. On this guided Gaslamp tour full of cuisine, culture, and curiosities, we’ll take you through the scandalous post-Gold Rush history of the heart of downtown San Diego.
On our Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones guided tour, we take you back in time to Old Town San Diego—also known as the Birthplace of California. Together with one of our expert tour guides, you’ll discover the events and learn about the individuals that led to Old Town’s current popularity as a cultural hotspot.
But don’t worry, we don’t believe in following the usual tourist paths when it comes to exploring a town so rich in history and culture. On our Old Town food tour, you’ll get authentic food tastings, elevated cocktail sampling, and a haunted location or two for an unforgettable historic Old Town experience.
No San Diego Little Italy walking tour would be complete without exploring this culinary hotspot’s best places to eat. Known for its variety of restaurants, America’s biggest Little Italy has become a food lover’s bucket list destination, and we’re here to show it off!
Join our Little Italy walking tour full of food, fun, and Italian culture.
Planning a romantic date or your next friend’s night out? Our Little Italy wine tasting tour is the perfect way to elevate your outing and get to know one of San Diego’s most unique downtown neighborhoods.
As we stroll through this historic fishing town, you’ll learn all about the area’s rich history and, of course, sample the food and wine that makes Little Italy one of the best dining locations in all of San Diego and, dare we say, Southern California.
