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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of San Diego

Affordable Chinese food

Made for those who want to explore a wide variety of Chinese dishes without overspending.

Based on 690 Opinions
+687
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Updated May 2026
01
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Chinese restaurant

Small, family-owned Chinese restaurant with cozy atmosphere and simple decor. Guests can watch dumplings being handmade in an open kitchen while enjoying Studio Ghibli instrumental music. Seating is limited and intimate, creating a warm and inviting vibe.

Dumplings stand out as the most delicious and authentic, with varieties like beef, chicken and mushroom, and cabbage and pork. The menu also features ma la spicy dishes and sides like green onion pancakes and beef soup.

Prices stay affordable with good portion sizes and fresh ingredients in the dumplings.

People are saying

"The cucumber salad is amazingly fresh, crunchy, and flavorful."

"These handmade Chinese dumplings are authentic and amazing."

"I found the dumplings here to be affordable and tasty."

Good to know

1

Make sure to come early because there are limited seats in the restaurant.

2

Be prepared to look for parking.

3

The restaurant was small and parking could be difficult.

02
Steamy Piggy Point Loma image 1
Asian restaurant

Asian restaurant with modern, inviting decor and photo-worthy corners creates a friendly, vibey atmosphere. Loud, chill music and several TVs showing sports and K-pop fill the space. Cocktails like lychee and passionfruit complement soft dumplings and flavorful chicken rolls.

Chow mein and chow fun feature chewy, flavorful noodles cooked well. Dumplings, bao buns, and pork belly stand out with rich taste and texture.

Food comes out quickly and stays affordable with inexpensive prices for the portion size. Cocktails, noodles, dumplings, and soups all fall within a fair price range.

People are saying

"I found the food to be delicious and the portions huge."

"The Chinese food here is great, with attentive and friendly servers."

"The food and cocktails here are delicious and affordable."

Good to know

1

Happy hour starts at 8pm with $1 wings and late night deals.

2

The $1 wings are a popular choice during happy hour.

3

Parking is easier at this location compared to others in the area.

03
Paik's Noodle - Hong Kong Banjum SD image 1

Large, bright space with spaced tables creates a comfortable, open environment. Atmosphere feels sterile and quiet, lacking warmth or mood. Ordering happens via table tablets, making service efficient and convenient.

Sweet and sour pork stands out with a chewy and crispy texture from rice flour. Mapo tofu pairs well with rice, and dishes like jajangmyeon and beef jjamppong also appear on the menu.

Prices stay affordable while offering good quality food. The meals are tasty but don't reach an excellent level.

People are saying

"The jjajangmyeon here is the best Korean food I've had."

"The sweet and sour pork here is the best I've had."

"I found the food here to be affordable and delicious."

Good to know

1

Parking can be challenging during peak hours due to limited spaces.

2

Free parking is available in the lot for diners.

3

Ordering is done via tablets at the table, streamlining the process.

04
Bafang Dumpling image 1
Asian restaurant

Cozy shack with cafeteria-style seating and a shared patio for outdoor dining. Atmosphere is vibrant and casual, often busy with long lines during lunch hours. Walls display stories about dumplings and franchise growth, adding a unique touch to the spacious, clean interior.

Dumplings stand out with crispy exteriors and rich fillings like pork and cabbage. Vegetarian options include flavorful veggie potstickers and noodles, all fairly priced and paired well with garlic sauce.

Prices stay affordable with meals around 20 dollars for two. Portions come large and the food remains inexpensive overall.

People are saying

"These dumplings are as good as any I had in Taiwan."

"The Taiwanese beef noodle soup here is as good as any I had in Taiwan."

"The food here is affordable and comes in large portions."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times of 10-15 minutes for food during busy hours.

2

The restaurant is often crowded, especially during lunch on weekdays.

3

Walk-in orders are only accepted for takeout; no reservations available.

05
Fan-Fan image 1
Chinese restaurant

Bright space with tall glass windows and high ceilings creates a warm and lively atmosphere. Seating includes both booths and bar options, offering comfort and convenience. The environment feels modern and cozy, welcoming guests with an artsy mural reflecting campus life.

Hot pot stands out with a build-your-own option charged by weight and a price around $10 per pound. Classic dishes like fried rice, sesame chicken, and sweet and sour pork deliver solid flavors.

Offers a variety of dishes with large portions at low prices. Food stays affordable without cutting back on options.

People are saying

"The Chinese food here is so authentic, it satisfied my stomach."

"The Chinese food hot pot is a good deal."

"I found the food here to be affordable and delicious."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers 30% off select drinks and specific food items, not the buffet.

2

Fan-Fan accepts only card payments; no cash or dining dollars are accepted.

3

Prices are based on weight, approximately $0.79 per pound for food.

06
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Bubble tea store

Spacious tea shop with modern minimalist decor and ample seating draws many who come to study or relax. The atmosphere stays cozy and lively with good music and free WiFi, while board games add a playful touch. High-quality tea offerings and unique toppings like sticky rice set it apart.

Soup dumplings stand out with good flavor. The menu includes dim sum and hot bowls, paired well with tea and a mango sticky rice drink.

Drinks cost between $5.5 and $6.75, with toppings at $0.65 each. Prices stay affordable compared to other boba spots on Convoy.

People are saying

"I found the tea here to have a great, strong flavor."

"I loved the freshly brewed tea and dim sum here."

"The drinks here are really affordable, especially compared to other spots."

Good to know

1

All milk teas are dairy free, making them suitable for lactose-intolerant customers.

2

Prices are slightly cheaper than other boba places in the area.

3

They offer free samples of their popular drinks.

07
Great Wall Express image 1
Chinese restaurant

Small spot with only four tables offers affordable prices and decent portions. Atmosphere is quick and casual, attracting those seeking a filling, fast meal. Known for tasty orange chicken and homemade egg rolls with a curry flavor.

Orange chicken stands out with its freshness, great portions, and tasty flavor. Vegetable egg rolls have a unique curry twist, and chow mein offers a nice chew with plenty of vegetables.

Chinese food offers good quality at inexpensive prices. It serves as an affordable quick meal option.

People are saying

"The orange chicken here is incredible and a must-try."

"I thought the chicken wings were the best dish."

"I found the food tasty and inexpensive with great portions."

Good to know

1

You can get two entrees, noodles or rice, and a soft drink for $11.

2

A serving of orange chicken costs under five dollars and is enough for two people.

3

Prices at Great Wall Express are generally affordable and slightly lower than average.

08
Rising Dragon Chinese Restaurant image 1

Takeout-only setup with spartan decor and no dine-in option. Atmosphere centers on affordable prices and lunch specials around $7, attracting those seeking quick, budget-friendly meals. Food quality varies, but fried rice and orange chicken stand out as satisfying choices.

Orange chicken stands out with a real orange flavor and generous pieces. Wonton soup varies, sometimes with fewer wontons and more broth, while dishes like beef broccoli and sesame chicken offer solid options.

Prices stay consistently affordable here. Meals offer good value without stretching the budget.

People are saying

"The food here is so good and fresh."

"The lunch specials here are a great deal for the price."

"I found the prices here to be affordable."

Good to know

1

Rising Dragon Chinese Restaurant is takeout only.

2

The lunch special costs about $7.

3

I suggest calling ahead to order.

09
Szechuan House image 1
Chinese restaurant

Traditional Chinese decor creates a cozy, warm atmosphere with soft piano music enhancing a calm, relaxed vibe. The space feels old school and quaint, attracting those who appreciate a quiet, family-friendly setting.

Szechuan garlic beef and Salt and Pepper Chicken stand out with bold flavors. The chicken lo mein and orange chicken deliver rich, authentic tastes close to traditional Chinese cuisine.

Food comes at reasonably affordable prices and tastes good. The menu offers inexpensive options without sacrificing quality.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and flavorful."

"The Chinese food here is amazing, especially the orange chicken."

"The food here is so tasty and authentic."

Good to know

1

Szechuan House only accepts cash, so be prepared with cash.

2

They offer lunch specials that are very filling and fairly cheap.

3

You get free wonton chips with your meal.

10
Great Plaza Buffet image 1
Buffet restaurant

Buffet restaurant offers an enormous dining area with live cooking stations including Mongolian and teppanyaki grills. Atmosphere varies from cozy and quiet to lively and crowded during peak hours. Tables are close together, creating a bustling environment with fresh sushi and stir fry options.

Orange chicken and walnut shrimp stand out with authentic Cantonese flavor. Stir-fried dishes like sweet and sour chicken, broccoli beef, and potstickers come fresh and refill quickly.

Buffet options come with inexpensive prices and senior discounts. Location by the sea helps keep the overall cost affordable.

People are saying

"The buffet's fresh food, especially the stir fry, is always delicious."

"The chow mein and fried rice at this Chinese food spot are highlights."

"I found the buffet to be good and affordable."

Good to know

1

The buffet is available every day, regardless of weather or season.

2

The restaurant has a birthday policy where you eat for free if it's your birthday, but you must show an ID.

3

Lunch costs around $20 for one person, including tip.

11
Paradise Buffet image 1
Buffet restaurant

Buffet restaurant offers a spacious layout with a central Mongolian grill and live cooking stations where food is prepared fresh. Atmosphere varies from family-friendly and lively after 4 p.m. to quieter and darker earlier in the day. The sushi selection stands out as a notably fresh and popular feature.

Hot dishes like Szechuan chicken and shrimp have the right heat and are well cooked. The orange chicken stands out as very good, while fried rice and other items are properly seasoned.

Prices stay consistently affordable with a focus on fresh food. The atmosphere suits families looking for good value meals.

People are saying

"I found the buffet food to be amazing and great quality."

"The Chinese food here is well seasoned and cooked properly."

"I found the food here to be fresh and affordable."

Good to know

1

On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm to 4 pm, it is all-you-can-eat for $10.

2

The birthday person eats for free at the buffet.

3

Lunch costs $4 less and ends at 3:59 pm.

12
China Ann image 1
Restaurant

Medium-sized dining room shows signs of wear with a minimalist Chinese style. Atmosphere suits takeout and delivery more than dine-in. Menu offers authentic Chinese dishes with generous portions and reasonable prices despite some inconsistencies.

Classic Sichuan and Cantonese dishes include Spicy Mongolian Beef, Sweet and Sour Pork, and egg foo young made with egg, bean sprouts, and carrots plus meat or vegetables. Wonton and egg drop soups serve as filling starters.

Offers a wide variety of authentic dishes at very affordable prices. Food quality matches the budget-friendly cost.

People are saying

"I found the soup here to be the best Chinese I've had."

"The takeout service here is so nice and friendly."

"I found their Chinese food to be the best I'd experienced."

Good to know

1

The prices are reasonable and portions are generous.

2

China Ann offers delivery, pickup, and dine-in options.

3

Dinner specials are available.

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