I had fully intended on returning to Ju Feng Yuan after my not so great visits to Super Dumpling in Carmel Valley. It had been a while since I last visited and though I think Lucious Dumpling’s Outpost in Eastlake is now my favorite, I needed to revisit JFY, which was my previous fave for jiaozi in San Diego. So, I set out with a visit to JFY in mind…but got sidetracked to Dumpling Inn…..a big mistake on my part.
I know “FOY” RD mentioned the Popcorn Chicken and Julie is a big fan, so I had my agenda set! I would not get sidetracked this time!
I arrived on a weekend at opening time and was the first in.
I did the iPad ordering thing from my table. The Pork and Chinese Cabbage Dumplings ($11.95) and Popcorn Chicken ($9.99).
The Popcorn Chicken was actually the first to arrive.
Fairly crunchy, a bit on the chewy – drier side, but not bad. Decent mild five spice tones. Good salt and pepper. I’m fairly certain they use potato starch, based on the texture.
Proper popcorn chicken; though a step below my favorite, which is from Soup du Jour….strange; I thought I did a post on the place which I’ve visited like 8-9 times since getting back from Taiwan…but I guess not??? I need to do one more visit to catch up then get me post done.
I mentioned previously, that I’m not a big fan of the sauce that accompanies the jiaozi, but of course they do have Black Vinegar.
I did enjoy the Pork and Chinese Cabbage Jiaozi – 8 decent size dumplings.
The wrappers were adequately tender, with a decent stretch to them. I do like mine a bit more “fluffy”, but this was fine; better than most anything you’ll find in SD.
The filling was textbook pork jiaozi, nice savory tones, seasoned well, not overly minced and tender. Good porkiness. Would not be amazing in the SGV…..but in SD……
I wish JFY was closer to me; though it is a faster drive than Lucious Dumplings…which I need to return to! Thanks for always thinking of us RD and Julie!
Ju Feng Yuan Dumpling Cafe
12265 Scripps Poway Pkwy Suite B109
Poway, CA 92064
Current Hours:
Mon – Thurs 1130am – 3pm, 5pm – 830pm
Friday 1130am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm
Sat – Sun 1130am – 330pm, 430pm – 9pm
Man I gotta check this place out
Hope you enjoy it ST!
Good thing you didn’t get sidetracked this time!
Yes…I’m sometimes so easily distracted Junichi! ;o)
Nice that you found a dumpling place you like
Well, there’s actually two Franklin! Wish they were closer though!
Glad you mostly enjoyed it! My thoughts exactly—in SGV it’s nothing special but in SD it’s pretty good and stands out from the rest. Btw, have you seen the prices in SGV these days? We were shocked by the SD prices when we first moved here from the SGV but now they are pretty much the same as SD. Better selection and quality though.
I know the prices were rising in the SGV during our lasts visits RD. But we haven’t been since we got JJ….so it’s going to be interesting the next time we’re there.
hope you’ll be able to get back here aoon
I need to make a conscious effort to return Kat!
Haven’t been to JFY but wanted to chime in about Soup du Jour. It became a regular lunch stop for me while I was working in the area and the spiced street chicken was my usual order. I’d occasionally get something else like the chicken congee or minced pork but the spiced street chicken was easily my favorite dish there.
It’s the Street Chicken and Honey Glazed Spare Ribs for me Derric! I gotta get that post done! It’s great hearing from you; I hope all is well!