TJ Dumplings

Daye Liu _{on Google}

Mar 10th, 2022

To be fair, San Diego was not known for authentic Chinese food. This place, is about on par with what you would expect. However, as a native from Tianjin, I do not find anything that remotely reminds me of a tinny bit of taste of food in my hometown. Actually, even the menu is telling -- there is no Tianjin dishes on it at all, nada.

Bernardo Salinas _{on Google}

Feb 17th, 2022

Today was THE WORST experience I've ever had at a restaurant. Me and my family ordered several different dishes. One of them being the 8 piece steamed pork, shrimp, and chives dumplings. My wife bit onto one and said "IT'S RAW!" At first I thought she was overreacting, but when I took a bite, it was all mushy inside and It was totally raw. I spit it out on the dish it came on and told the guy it wasn't cooked. He apologized and took the dish away. He later came back with the same dish and the half dumpling I left on the plate. In other words, they steamed the same dumplings exposing the steamer to the dumpling I ate from. Disgusting! Everyone else will eat from that same steamer and dish. I'm never going back ever again.

Jerry Z _{on Google}

Feb 15th, 2022

Yummy!

Tim Wang _{on Google}

Feb 9th, 2022

I grew up eating primarily Northern Chinese style food, which is where TJ (Tianjin) Dumplings claims its cooking style from. Many are familiar with Southern style dumplings which usually have a combination of: a dense but thin skin, sometimes egg in the dough, fried, very moist/oily fillings, and a strong onion/garlic component. The meat can also err on a coarse grind for increased chew. Overall, an oily mouth-feel and sharp flavors are common.
Northern style dumplings can differ quite a bit: the flour-water ratios should allow for a thicker, fluffy/airy mouth and handling feel; these dumplings are tough and meant to be boiled; and instead of onions/garlic, cabbage is a major component of the fillings as its enzymes help with flavoring and marinading. This results in a very different profile that is comparatively mild, but the end feel should be heartier and "stick to your stomach."
The pork dumplings and Tianjin Steamed Buns hit these marks very well for me. I found the flavors and textures balanced nicely in the TJ/Northern style. I got my order delivered, but I would very much be interested in trying them in-house -- these kind of dumplings are best served piping hot.
Give them a shot! But be prepared for some differences compared to the dumplings you might be used to.
They also deliver their food with a ramekin of black vinegar -- so you know it's legit.