Luscious Dumplings is a family-run northern Chinese dumpling shop on Duarte Rd, the second-generation home of a San Gabriel original that opened in 2001, with Michelin Guide plaques on the wall for every year from 2021 through 2026. The yuzu chicken soup dumplings are the one to come for: real, bright yuzu in the broth and a delicate skin. The chive pockets and pork, chive, and shrimp dumplings back them up, and everything stays affordable.
Start withYuzu Chicken Soup DumplingsSee what to order →Go here if
- →You want a soup dumpling you will not find anywhere else
- →You like handmade northern Chinese dumplings and chive pockets
- →You want a full, affordable meal for two at around $40 with tax and tip
Skip it if
- —You want real ceramic dishes
- —You need a big menu with lots of non-dumpling options
What to order at Luscious Dumplings
Don't overthink it.
Photo: Eat in SGVYuzu Chicken Soup Dumplings
Start with thisSoup dumplings filled with compact ground chicken and a broth that tastes strongly of real yuzu, not artificial flavoring, with a little chicken fat mixed in. Possibly the most citrusy chicken you will ever eat. The skin is soft and delicate, so eat them hot before they flatten.
Photo: Eat in SGVPan-Fried Chive Pockets
Three thick, pleated pockets, crisp from the pan with doughy edges, packed with chives, egg, and vermicelli. Juicy and funky from the chives, and the egg makes it taste almost meaty. Lightly seasoned, so there is room for soy sauce or chili oil.
Photo: Eat in SGVPork, Chive, Egg, and Shrimp Dumplings
Thicker-skinned dumplings that come five to an order with the noodle soup combo. Very juicy, meaty, and fragrant, and best tasted plain or with the original chili oil.
Photo: Eat in SGVBeef Tendon Noodle Soup
All tendon, no other beef, in pieces that range from gelatinous to chunky, with a lot of bok choy. The broth is clean and light but still beefy, with a soy-braised stew flavor and a hint of star anise, and it is not salty at all. Thick, doughy, chewy noodles, almost like a dumpling wrapper. Add chili crisp for a peppery kick.
What we'd do at Luscious Dumplings
"Order the Yuzu Chicken Soup Dumplings first and eat them right away, since the delicate skins start to flatten after about three minutes. Add an order of Pan-Fried Chive Pockets to share. If one of you wants noodles, get the Beef Tendon Noodle Soup combo, which comes with five pork, chive, and shrimp dumplings. Try the dumplings plain or with the original chili oil before reaching for the sweeter one."
Eat in SGV team
The basics
- Address
- 919 W Duarte Rd, Monrovia, CA 91016
- Price
- $ · about $10–20 a head (Google)
- Cuisine
- Dumplings
Been here? Help the next person decide.
Add the dish you ordered, how parking went, or a quick note that helps someone decide to go.
If this doesn't work, try these instead.
Or see every spot for Best Dumplings.
Good Alley
RosemeadA modern Chinese restaurant in Rosemead known for its soup dumplings. The Kurobuta pork and truffle soup dumplings and the organic chicken ones arrive piping hot with wrappers that hold, and the soup to meat ratio is right. The Xi'an cold noodles and the A5 Wagyu Chinese burger round out a menu that is strong across the board.
Hui Tou Xiang
San GabrielHui Tou Xiang makes dumplings by hand. Each one has a thin, crisp skin and a juicy, flavorful filling. They also serve a spicy beef noodle soup with thick noodles and tender beef in a warming broth. There's a quick to-go spot in San Gabriel and a full-service location in Hollywood. It's the kind of place that hits the spot when you want nothing but real-deal dumplings.
Prince Dumpling
RosemeadPrince Dumpling is a good place to begin with the classics. Order a few dumpling varieties for the table, then round out the meal with rice or noodles. The combination of value, portion size, and speed is what keeps people coming back.