Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Emerald Chinese Cuisine in San Diego

3.6 (90) 3709 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111, United States

Categories

Chinese restaurant
Cantonese restaurant

Location on the map

San Diego, San Diego County, California, US

Phone: +1 858-565-6888
Site: https://emeraldchinesecuisineca....

Opening hours

Monday:10:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday:10:30 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:10:30 AM–9 PM
Thursday:10:30 AM–9 PM
Friday:10:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday:9 AM–9 PM
Sunday:9 AM–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 3.6

90 Reviews for Emerald Chinese Cuisine 2024:

Review №1

2023-12-04 08:25:51

The quality of the food is not excellent like Noble Chef, but it is not terrible either. When you dine there, you are obligated to leave an 18% tip and madatorily billed. Moreover, the restaurant is very cunning. They provide you with a receipt to sign, allowing you to add extra tips. If you do not double-check your bill carefully, you will unknowingly give them double tip money. Additionally, they also impose a $1.5 fee for take-out boxes, which is something I have never encountered in San Diego.

Review №2

2023-11-28 19:42:53

Came here for lunch with my family. There was 10 of us. We ordered our food and when they brought it out, they brought out more food than we ordered. We were confused why this was happening and the server said he didn’t think we ordered enough food. We were baffled. They charged us for the extra food they brought out, plus they charge you for hot water and the best part is because they brought out extra food that we didn’t order, we had left overs and they charged us for to go boxes. Complete joke. But food was decent.

Review №3

2023-12-02 20:08:31

We had been going to this place for more than 5 years. The foods are still good, but sadly to say that the service is becoming terrible (one particular leading server, the others are fine as before). We had a large party of 17, and most of us felt uncomfortable with the service. The service attitude has changed a lot, so as the pricing and forced ordering. We used to be a loyal customer to Emerald and had a lot of gatherings here, but not anymore.

Review №4

2023-05-11 21:29:16

Got the king pao chicken, singapore noodles, and the broccoli with oyster sauce for take out. the portions are really big and the food was tasty!

Review №5

2022-10-23 21:05:04

Cash only. Since others have claimed they’re cash only then I guess it might become a long term thing. The meal was so expensive, let me rephrase, RIDICULOUSLY expensive, for dim sum. Check out my pictures on pricing as on Oct 2022. I saw someone posted a picture a month ago and the pricing is about $0.30 less per dim sum category. This month they must have added another higher category, charging $10.68 for a dim sum dish. And $3/person for tea. Yikes!The food was mediocre. Half the stuff is good. Half not good.☑️siu mai❌shrimp dumpling (tough texture, wrapper breaks easily)❌ beef tripe stew (tender, but color and taste were not authentic)☑️ shrimp rice roll (silky roll, good sweet soy sauce)❌ radish cake (toooo salty)☑️ egg tart☑️ duck egg yolk custard bunAs for service, not much smiles going on.We didn’t even enjoy the meal. But it costs $90 for two ppl after tax and tips. We don’t even spend that much elsewhere with alcohol included. I would not recommend this place nor will I return.Pro tip: I haven’t been to Golden Island for a few months now since I thought that place was expensive. Little did I know Emerald is worst. But at least every dish at Golden Island is delicious. Staff was friendlier and they take credit cards.Please give a thumbs up 👍 if this review or pictures have helped you in any way. Thx.

Review №6

2022-09-17 02:55:21

It is a great place the food is really good and great variety of dishes, it is a good place to come with a group so you can share different dishes and try a little bit of everything. Portions are big, so come Hungry.

Review №7

2023-07-07 02:54:08

Frequent flyers of Emeralds. The food, the service and the were all attentive to their costumers needs. This place is highly recommended, their food is worth the price theyre charging you. Try to visit this place and youll be delighted with all the dishes that they will serve you.

Review №8

2023-10-03 22:28:49

We liked everything we got but the xiao long bao. The chow fun, har gow, and fried shrimp ball were all enjoyable. However, the service was not good and the prices are high.

Review №9

2023-10-26 15:36:34

The food was mediocre, the atmosphere seemed run down, we got pitchers of water with plastic cups and had to serve ourselves. very pricey. 🤔

Review №10

2023-10-04 01:56:10

Theyve brightened up the place. Service was awesome. Weve always had a good experience here. Food was great as well.

Review №11

2023-06-24 18:59:44

Cash only, ok, no problem, but you are going to charge me Auto Grat with a check over $100 for 2 ppl (mind you food quality was not like it use to be) my bill was $92, cashier goes I consider that $100 so I charge service fee. Ok, lets talk about the service, I had to go to the waiter station to get my own napkins, fork, hot sauces, because I saw no wait staff. So...who am I paying a service fee for?

Review №12

2022-08-20 05:14:25

Mediocre dim sum, was craving one morning, wouldnt come back. Came right at open, so they did not have everything ready, but it came out quickly.

Review №13

2023-05-15 08:38:58

Horrible service, had to pour our own waters. Orders were late and missing. Tried flagging down servers with no avail. What is with the mandatory tip line items? I don’t even have a way to show my displeasure. Avoid at all costs… oh and had a sign that it is cash only? Should be illegal… or maybe it’s a way for them to skirt taxes. With more money for the IRS please audit them.

Review №14

2023-03-26 02:40:58

I used to love this place, so I felt really embarrassed when I finally brought my friend to try it out. Its like they completely forgot about our table because it was only 4 of us. Then were running around catering to the bigger groups (6 people), Id get it if it was busy, but it was only 4 tables occupied. Had to ask for every single thing. The server came up and asked if everything was okay.... we were waiting to place our order. We asked for sauce, and then we had to ask for utensils for the sauce. Horrible service dont bother, even if you loved this place before, its not the same, trust me, I thought so as well.

Review №15

2023-09-17 22:04:30

The food is terrible. Plates are either bad or average. You can even buy a much better version of Char Siu from 99 ranch

Review №16

2023-10-15 23:16:31

Food was ok but the pricing is just terrible. Definitely not worth the cost

Review №17

2023-03-17 02:30:47

Hosted a birthday party at Emerald and will never come here again. The food is good but service is beyond terrible. Prices have also gone up a LOT more compared to other dim sum restaurants on Convoy.The plan was for each table to order their own dim sum but the racist hostess just filled out the order sheet for my table of non-Asian friends. She ended up ordering like 40 dishes for a table of 6.Then the service staff had the gall to refuse to take back items that no one at the table was able to eat due to dietary restrictions.Based on how much busier Jasmine and Mandarin Imperial are, Emerald will soon close just like its sister restaurant Pearl and people wont find out until months after the fact.

Review №18

2023-01-25 15:42:37

This place is very overpriced. Service was mediocre Forgot 3 of our dishes and did not appreciate the cheap plastic cups for water to go with our $30 entree. Acoustics were terrible and there was a loud business group there of nearly 100 people. Very loud and obnoxious. We could not talk. They have a banquet room. I kept wondering why they didnt seat them there and not torture us. Wont be back. Would actually like a refund

Review №19

2022-01-01 02:45:18

I recommend their dim sum but not their pork belly since it was too gamey. I’m also disappointed that they charged us for takeout boxes and plastic bags.

Review №20

2022-08-06 23:22:00

The service is quick. It’s very busy. Dim sum is fine. Not a fan of the turning ribs or porridge but the steamed shrimp dumplings are great. Here to write a review on the cash only scam. I joined a group of folks late but was the one paying. The cashier YELLED at me saying that I knew it was a cash only policy and was told when I entered (over and over even though I spoke to no one) I remained calm and said that I know you take cards- They finally said they would try to take it since it was debit… and of course, there was a machine there and it worked. One of the servers apologized; I felt bad for him but we are still the patrons. I take the fees when people pay with cards, and would never be upset at someone who doesn’t want to pay cash. No loss here to go elsewhere.

Review №21

2023-10-10 15:45:27

Only it shouldnt charge the tea $3 per person. For good business model it should be complimentary.

Review №22

2023-08-14 03:32:43

Great place for some dim sum. They also have menu options for you to choose as well

Review №23

2023-11-23 22:11:29

Best Dim Sum in San Diego - albeit more expensive than the alternatives.

Review №24

2022-07-03 07:46:10

I really loved this place, but this review is for their current mode of operation and the pricing. It now cost more for Dim Sum compared to the cost for similar quantity of food at a Premium buffet Sushi restaurant, Korean Barbecue restaurant or Brazilian restaurant. $20 for a plate of Chinese Brocoli? Thats not even an entree, its a side dish. Plus you scaled down and simplified your menu to the bare basics. Its not a complete menu compared to when you first open or year later when you were still at the peak of your operation. Going to eat Dim Sum used to be a weekly event for me to meet with friends and share a meal together. With your small menu and higher prices, it just isnt worth it anymore. There are places to eat with larger menus at a fair market value. This is a word of warning to you and your competitors, your current business model with the scaled down menu and elevated prices is going to lead to the failure of your business. Im telling you this because I love your food and like your employees. Get your act together before its too late. Im giving this same revue to your competition.

Review №25

2022-07-31 18:45:39

Good food but they just accept payment in cash and they charge for the To Go Box 🤦‍♂️

Review №26

2023-03-01 03:07:52

I wished I wouldve read the reviews before ordering with uber eats.Food was cold, not tasty and over priced. Not worth the money.Im in town for a couple days, conference and wanted a good meal. Will not do this one again. Rule of thumb...READ REVIEWS FIRST.Will try to post pictures of the food.

Review №27

2023-11-25 00:50:53

They added a 18% service charge (even though our group was only 4 persons) without telling us!

Review №28

2023-08-18 14:08:37

Went there for dim sum, it was sub par. The food was just ok. The service is not attentive.

Review №29

2022-10-02 20:54:44

1 star because that is the minimal rating I can provide.Unclear pricing, they charge $3/person for tea! And its a tea bag shared amongst the table. Not great tea by the way. $3 gets me a donut and a hand poured coffee at Dunkin Donuts. I can almost get a handcrafted drink with that price and not dipping a tea bag into hot water. They should out of courtesy tell customers the pricing on the tea cost per person and also offer more authentic tea options and not only a jasmine tea bag that I can get an entire box for cheap. Good job on scamming customers.Prices on menu are also unclear, only one item had a price to it. But fine, I didnt want to hold a menu and ask what the price is for every item shown on the menu.Steamed rolls. Its NOT hot. It was barely room temperature. What is steamed rolls? They served is something that was microwaved for 10 seconds and served.But their other steamed dim sum items came out steaming hot, so that was decent, but taste was truly mediocre, not worth the price for the quality of food you get in return. The flavours were not amazing. We paid more than AYCE pricing per person for 5 dim sum dishes and a congee. We didnt leave starving, but didnt fill us up entirely either. If this is the best dim sum restaurant in San Diego, then I pity the restaurant scenery here.Owner, if you see this review, feel free to ignore it because it seems like thats how you would like to run your business, but I am here to warn others to spend their money wisely and spend it elsewhere.Definitely not coming back, and I want to let others know what they coming into.Edit: Had a severe diarrhea after unfortunately.

Review №30

2023-05-31 22:13:24

Unexpected high quality dimsum, friendly staff.

Review №31

2022-11-24 04:35:16

I am a big fan of dim sum and have tried different places. I was told to try Emerald so my family and I went for an early dinner. We ordered ala carte some steamed seafood entrées, bar b que pork and some steamed pork buns. Based on the food and experience I dont believe we would be dining there again. I could have written off our experience but after getting the bill with an 18% gratuity immediately added up justified why I should be writing this review. Please do not allow my review to stop you from visiting Emerald. But I will leave you to judge your own dining experience.

Review №32

2022-10-03 00:48:49

Don’t drink tea here! There is a HUGE $3 fee per person. The waiter will not warn you. The most expensive single pot of tea you’ll ever buy. Locals brought their own tea or drank water.Also don’t expect much when you come here. The food came out a bit too quick. Some of our food was cold! Afterwards two of four of our group got sick and felt uncomfortable afterwards. We narrowed it down to the sui mai. Otherwise they have a full dim sum menu and offer ok service.

Review №33

2023-10-03 07:14:50

Awful, service and food are horrible, cash only and unreasonably charged for service fees. Please just dont go here.

Review №34

2023-02-23 00:30:16

Some friends took me here and its the best Dim sum Ive ever had. Staff loves to chat and explain what everything is. Recommend getting there early before the crowd.

Review №35

2022-12-28 21:54:01

Ive been coming here as a kid and this place is still one of my go tos for dimsum in San Diego. We were quite excited that they were open on Xmas eve and that they had dimsum all day. The food came quick, tasted great, and service was pretty good.

Review №36

2023-04-29 08:55:12

The food was pretty good. My family would order here again to try it again, but we have experienced better from other restaurants.

Review №37

2022-08-21 18:09:31

Worst dim sum I ever had, all fried things are super hard and greasy, steam bun is merely a frozen food you can grab from asian grocery store. The servant is very rude. When she gives us coins for change, one dime falled on the ground and I told her one coin is missing and she denied immediately and lied in front of me! Stay away from this restaurant.

Review №38

2022-07-16 03:51:41

Really disappointed in my recent experience. Came to Emerald to spoil my boyfriend and daughter with the little money I had. Bill came out to about 72 dollars and gave my card to the waiter who had been walking back and forth the entire time. (He was not our server and simply helped check us out.) I sign the merchant receipt and as I go to grab my card he begins to question me why I’m not leaving a tip and if I was going to leave cash. I told him I barely had enough to pay for dinner and that I didn’t have cash on me. He interrogated me and said if I had left money on the table. I again told him no that unfortunately I could not leave a tip. I know that seems bad on my part but he was NOT our server. Feeling uncomfortable by his aggressiveness, I just head towards the door when he shouted at me and my boyfriend “Screw you! Don’t come back!” Absolutely disrespectful and rude. I get that I didn’t give a tip, and I’m sorry but to cuss at me in front of my child is so ridiculous.

Review №39

2022-12-19 16:24:51

This place runs a scam on customers. I noticed a 18% tip on my bill. When asked the reason, the cashier said because we spent over $100. But NOWHERE on the menu or around the restaurant says this rule. In addition, they only take cash. Big tax fraud.

Review №40

2023-01-25 22:48:03

Found hair on my food! Sad! Hope, they make sure food being serve is clean, so customers will come back! Some workers are very rude! Please, check your receipt as well; I noticed being charged twice for the tipEvery Sunday, their machine for credit card is broken… they only accept cash

Review №41

2022-04-02 05:00:24

Always good food even though it’s been over 8 years since I finally get to eat there again as I am in SA, TX now. Miss the food cart servers that goes around the dining with choices of dim sum to pick and point. Definitely the price doubled. I still wish we have one here in SA, TX

Review №42

2022-07-21 07:34:50

Over price lol for dim sum . Charge you for to go container then charge each person $3 for hot tea lol and the dim sum is getting out hand about $10 to $13 a plate of 4 pieces the size of meat ball lol. Before it was only like 5 to 8. This is over price even befor the covid. If you loke over price meat ball then it the thing for you.

Review №43

2022-08-20 21:09:40

If you wanna try Peking duck or lobster, this place is definitely not your choice. Stay away from here. When I having food, the waiter always look at me make me feel uncomfortable. Too expensive, not worth!!!

Review №44

2022-04-19 08:23:13

If i could leave -0, i would. Was totally unsatisfied when we found out we got charge for 17% Service fee on top of the 15% Tip. The service was terrible. We had to call twice to remined them of our order. THE SERVICE FEE OF 17% PLUS TIP WAS A TOTAL SCAM. I have never eatin in a restaurant that would charge a Service Fee in addition to a Tip. Will never come back to this place. Ever. Lousy service. Salty food!!!

Review №45

2022-05-27 05:17:20

We had a perfectly delightful Thursday evening dining experience. Nothing was ordinary; for example the Potstickers were mega in size and flavors- I enjoyed taking bites of the potstickers without and with and without the sauce. These magnificent potstickers were distinctively delicious either way! In contrast lesser potstickers NEED their sauce. We were very fortunate to have available the beautiful steamed prawns- a house speciality that is often just not available due to scarcity; these alone were an absolutely devine flavor experience that outshone everything else this evening. That’s a mouthful because excellence permeated everything that. Was served. Expensive = yes; but if you only live once, you’d best come here to dine and gain precious gastronomic memories. (Please click 👍🏼)

Review №46

2022-10-30 13:58:03

The fried dim-sum had old oil taste, some of the dishes were overpriced (Chinese broccoli for $19) and they were accepting cash only. Disappointing.

Review №47

2022-06-05 21:57:26

10+ years ago this was our go to dim sum spot. Sometimes going several times in a single week. We eventually would shift this love to China Max until pandemic/ structure fire put an end to the that. On recent visit, while good to see so many familiar faces still working there, just not what it was. However the gau choy bang ( pan fried leek dumplings) is outstanding especially now it is cooked order. In the old daze they had an excellent steamed version too albeit in the triangular form. Yum cha stables like har gow and siu mai are just okay. The recently brought back bean curd rolls also just okay and it was quite good here back in the day. The current San Diego dim sum scene could use some help. It was nice when Emerald and China Max (plus Jasmine of 15 or so years ago) where all delivering consistent high quality dim sum here...LunAsia please come to San Diego. Cerritos is too far and SGV even further.

Review №48

2022-02-14 04:24:28

For brunch w my family. Food was as usual very good as well as the service. I still do not understand why all customers had to pay cash Today. Payment with Credit Card was not available.

Review №49

2022-09-02 02:50:27

Beef stew was tough to chew and did not cook enough. The restaurant was too warm without ac running while outside was 89f degree.

Review №50

2022-07-16 04:55:06

Horrible . It was going good in the beginning and towards the end is where everything went bad . After eating we literally paid for our food . The guy that “ helped us “ skinny guy with glasses . Accused us when leaving not giving a tip . Was forcing us to pay for tip . Saying you no pay tip why ? We don’t have to pay tip ? Under California law . And telling us out the door, “ screw you I don’t want to see you again, don’t come back to the restaurant “ screw this place, also they take so much service fees when you pay .

Review №51

2022-03-22 22:04:53

I arrived and the first thing I see is a huge sign that says that no credit card is accepted because they are having issues with their bank terminal...turns out that in fact they do receive debit card... and at the end the owner told me... if you guys are only two I will receive credit card....I didnt like that besides food was very good... Emerald used to be a great restaurant with great customer service... something changed with the new owners.

Review №52

2023-03-03 14:51:39

Had a family meal there and they charged cash only and tipped themselves 20% after tax. Food was okay.

Review №53

2022-03-19 01:54:35

For the price of their items they should definitely be including rice. Especially considering I already regret ordering it as their sweet and sour chicken tastes the same as any other only way more expensive.

Review №54

2023-11-14 17:56:45

Great 👍 Chinese food 😋Shrimp and scallops!!!!

Review №55

2022-05-04 16:50:51

We enjoyed the Dim Sum. Many many choices. Fast efficient, friendly service. Very good food. Well worth a visit.

Review №56

2022-12-10 19:59:33

Mediocre dimsum and service, especially for the price.One of the waiters was pretty good though.

Review №57

2022-06-17 03:38:54

Eating at this place is like your eating at a restaurant in Hong Kong. Dim sum is just great on sunday morning, I go there very often and the prices are very reasonable

Review №58

2022-10-12 03:43:20

1st time here with family, foods its great especially the waitor...super nice.

Review №59

2022-07-28 15:08:20

Very good DimSum a bit higher priced but always freshly prepared. Crowded on weekends. Suggest go early.

Review №60

2022-10-23 20:40:43

This was open at 9am, but they only take cash only, and we did not have enough to try this place, odd, that a restaurant is cash only, oh well

Review №61

2023-07-11 16:02:03

Best dim sum in San Diego!

Review №62

2023-10-11 06:33:11

Best Peking Duck around..!!!

Review №63

2022-05-30 17:48:39

Food taste great, dont have typical long line wait for dim sum

Review №64

2023-06-09 05:30:07

Nice private room that are quite large.

Review №65

2022-08-29 17:25:38

Best dim sum in San diego, great service, seriously excellent food

Review №66

2021-12-19 19:31:55

Always great food and service. Have gone their for many years and never disappointed ❤

Review №67

2023-06-11 18:41:41

Its getting better over the years actually.

Review №68

2022-04-29 23:14:55

The service charge is too high, 18% for two people. The service staff ignored us many times.

Review №69

2022-05-16 00:32:03

Too expensive for a Chinese food you will be disappointed save your money never again….👎

Review №70

2023-09-10 02:25:59

Disappointing. Not the same Emerald.

Review №71

2022-05-07 18:55:00

Amazing dim sum although fairly expensive.

Review №72

2023-02-25 00:32:28

The OG for me! Always so good!

Review №73

2022-09-14 19:43:27

Best place in town for dim sum

Review №74

2022-08-14 23:37:55

I look around, and its just not the saaamme- fousey

Review №75

2022-02-28 03:36:37

Delicious food, great customer service

Review №76

2023-04-21 22:44:46

Everything good and food delicious

Review №77

2022-08-12 04:59:15

Great authentic food made freash

Review №78

2023-02-17 23:32:48

Loved it!

Review №79

2023-02-16 02:48:47

Dim Sum

Review №80

2023-03-15 01:59:31

A large place with a large menu.

Review №81

2023-02-23 21:42:34

Was a wonderful experience.

Review №82

2022-08-08 23:01:42

Yes we are happy

Review №83

2022-11-03 23:29:31

Amazing and quality Chinese dishes

Review №84

2022-05-10 08:43:43

Good dim sum.

Review №85

2023-10-23 06:37:03

Although it’s a bit expensive, the roast duck is quite delicious.

Review №86

2023-08-11 04:59:51

It was delicious unlike Chinese food in Japan. I dont have any complaints because its company pay.

Review №87

2023-02-07 16:24:49

Very bad 👎 restaurant. I brought my friends for lunch. I ordered lobster noodles and two snacks. I was told that the lobster was only five pounds, and it cost $38 a pound. It’s just the lobster tail without meat. It must have been changed. The most outrageous thing is that they included an 18% tip in the final checkout, and they didn’t tell you. Just a little bit of this meal cost more than 300 dollars. The noodles with lobster are the worst I have ever eaten in my life!

Review №88

2023-09-20 12:38:11

Airy, clean; diverse and abundant food and drinks; good price; Enthusiastic - cheerful - attentive service staff.

Review №89

2022-11-10 04:20:25

Hong Kong style tea drinking is pretty good.

Review №90

2022-09-23 15:19:12

The waiters are friendly and the service is very good.