Where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego? Start with ramen, Korean fried chicken, dumplings, or sushi. Convoy Street is in the Convoy District of Kearny Mesa. It has Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants. This guide sorts them by cuisine and says what to order. Updated October 2026.
Japanese Restaurants on Convoy Street
Convoy Street is a go-to destination for Japanese food in San Diego. If you are exploring where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego, this is one of the best places to start.
Best Ramen on Convoy Street
- Tajima Ramen Convoy – Classic tonkotsu ramen with rich broth and perfectly cooked noodles.
- Nishiki Ramen – Their spicy miso ramen is a crowd favorite.
- Menya Ultra – Known for thick, chewy noodles and deep, savory flavors.
- Rakiraki – Try the 36-hour chicken broth ramen and tsukemen (dipping noodles).
- Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai – specializing in authentic Kitakata-style ramen with hand-crinkled, thick curly noodles in a light, soy-sauce-based pork broth.
- Yakyudori – charcoal-grilled yakitori skewers and specialty Nagoya-style ramen
- Karami Ramen – specializing in spicy Tori Paitan (creamy chicken broth) ramen, they offer customizable spice levels using Indian, Korean, and Habanero chilies
Sushi and Omakase
- Harmony Cuisine 2B1 – premium sushi, Omakase, and Japanese fusion dishes.
- Zzan Sushi & Soju – creative sushi rolls, fresh sashimi, and Korean comfort food
- Hidden Fish Sushi – Omakase-style dining with fresh fish and precise techniques.
- Sushi Deli 3 – Affordable rolls and traditional sushi for a casual lunch or dinner.
Casual Japanese Restaurants on Convoy Street
- Wa Dining Okan – Home-style Japanese comfort food, perfect for small groups.
- Hinotez – A late-night spot offering small plates and drinks with friends.
- The Curry Club – specializing in Japanese comfort food (kare raisu) and rich, beef-based curries
- Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House – AYCE Japanese hot pot
- Chopstix – inexpensive, quick, and hearty casual Japanese meals
Chinese Restaurants on Convoy Street
From dim sum to Sichuan spice, Convoy Street has a wide range of Chinese options. If you are exploring where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego, this is a great place to find bold flavors and regional dishes.
Dumplings and Noodles
- Dumpling Inn – Pan-fried dumplings and noodle bowls that hit the spot.
- Tasty Noodle House – Taiwanese-style noodles and beef noodle soup.
- Shan Xi Magic Kitchen – Known for hand-pulled noodles and authentic flavors.
Sichuan and Spicy Chinese
- Spicy City – Sichuan-style dishes like mapo tofu and boiled fish.
- Szechuan Chef – Bold, fiery dishes that keep locals coming back.
Dim Sum and Cantonese
- Jasmine Seafood Restaurant – Traditional dim sum favorites like shrimp dumplings and barbecue pork buns.
- Emerald Chinese Cuisine – dim sum and authentic Chinese food.
- China Max – all-you-can-eat (AYCE) dim sum, handmade dumplings, and seafood.
- Eastern Dynasty – traditional Cantonese cuisine with roasted meats, seafood, and clay pot dishes.
Korean Restaurants on Convoy Street
Korean cuisine is a major draw on Convoy Street. If you are wondering where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego, this area is one of the best places for everything from BBQ to comfort food.
Korean Fried Chicken Restaurants
If you are looking for the best Korean fried chicken Convoy District has to offer, these spots are a key stop .
- Cross Street Chicken and Beer – Crispy wings with sauces like soy garlic and spicy. What to order: Half and half wings with soy garlic and spicy.
- bb.q Chicken – Light, crunchy coating and flavorful sauces. What to order: Golden Original or Secret Spicy.
- Bonchon Chicken – Double-fried for crunch and bold flavor. What to order: Soy garlic wings and drumsticks combo.
- Pelicana Chicken – Slightly under the radar, but solid fried chicken. What to order: Original fried chicken with dipping sauces.
Trying the best Korean fried chicken Convoy San Diego offers is a must for any food crawl. Each restaurant has its own style and flavor profile, making it easy to try more than one.
Korean BBQ Restaurants
- Manna BBQ – Cozy spot with all-you-can-eat options and flavorful marinades.
- Song Hak – Favorite KBBQ (not AYCE)
Korean Comfort Food in Convoy District
- Friend’s House – Home-style Korean dishes like bibimbap and stews.
- Grandma Tofu & BBQ – Soondubu and other comfort plates in a casual setting.
- Jomaru Korean Hot Pot – serves hot pot and gamjatang, a pork bone stew.
Thai Restaurants on Convoy Street
Thai food on Convoy Street ranges from casual dishes to more regional specialties. It’s also a great stop when figuring out where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego.
- Koon Thai Kitchen – Traditional Thai curries and noodle dishes.
- Chaba Thai – Very casual, authentic, delicious food with reasonable prices.
- Thai Papaya – Casual dishes like pad thai and fried rice for quick bites.
- Mekong Cuisine Lao & Thai – specializing in authentic Laotian and Thai dishes
Vietnamese Restaurants on Convoy Street
If you are exploring where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego, for pho, rice dishes, and classic Vietnamese flavors, check out:
- Phuong Trang – Noodle soups and grilled dishes done well.
- Pho Duyen Mai – Pho and rice plates for casual dining.
- Pho Nom – modern Vietnamese restaurant.
Taiwanese Restaurants on Convoy Street
- Formoosa – Modern takes on Taiwanese street food classics.
- Tasty Noodle House – Taiwanese noodle soups and dumplings.
Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants on Convoy Street
Convoy Street has a heavy focus on meat and seafood, but you can eat well without either.
- The Yasai – Vegan Japanese food from the owner of Rakiraki. The menu has vegetable-based ramen and specialty sushi rolls.
- Karami Ramen – Offers a vegan, soybean-based broth next to its chicken broth.
- Tajima Ramen Convoy – Listed as vegetarian friendly.
- Phuong Trang – A large Vietnamese menu with a vegetarian section.
- Mekong Cuisine Lao & Thai – A few vegan dishes, mostly tofu stir-fries. Ask for no egg, fish sauce, or oyster sauce.
- Formoosa – Taiwanese street food with a few vegetarian and vegan options.
Asian Fusion Restaurants on Convoy Street
For something creative and unique:
- Realm of the 52 Remedies – Shanghai-inspired speakeasy with Asian fusion dishes and craft cocktails.
- Flama Llama – Combines Asian and Peruvian influences for a bold twist.
Dessert Shops and Boba on Convoy Street
No visit to Convoy is complete without dessert or a boba stop, and it’s an easy part of where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego:
- Matcha Cafe Maiko – Matcha drinks and desserts.
- Somi Somi – Taiyaki cones with soft serve.
- MNGO – mango-themed desserts.
- Cake de Partie – highly recommend you try their fluffy soufflé pancakes.
- Up2You – try the signature honey brick toast.
- Sul & Beans – bingsoo (fluffy, snow-like milk shaved ice with toppings).
Tips for Visiting Convoy Street
- Parking can be tough during peak hours. Allow yourself some extra time to find parking, especially since the bike lanes removed more than 300 street spaces on the stretch from the SR-52 on-ramp to Kearny Mesa Road. Also use the lots and side streets.
- Go with a group so you can try more dishes.
- Many restaurants stay open late, especially fried chicken and ramen spots, which is helpful when planning where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego.
If you are still deciding where to eat on Convoy Street in San Diego, the best approach is to pick a cuisine and explore from there. With so many options packed into one area, it is one of the easiest places in the city to plan a food-focused day.
FAQ's
What is Convoy Street known for?
Convoy Street is in Kearny Mesa, and the area is officially called the Convoy Asian Cultural District. It is known for Asian food. You can find ramen, Korean fried chicken, dumplings, sushi, hot pot, and boba on one street.
Is parking free on Convoy Street?
Many shopping center lots are free, but they fill up at lunch and dinner. Street parking was removed on the stretch from the SR-52 on-ramp to Kearny Mesa Road when the bike lanes went in. Use the lots or the cross streets, like Dagget, Vickers, and Armour. Read the posted signs, since parts of the area have paid or time-limited parking.
What is open late on Convoy Street?
Zzan Sushi & Soju is open until 1 AM most nights and 2 AM on Friday and Saturday. Realm of the 52 Remedies, the speakeasy, is open until midnight most nights. Tajima Ramen Convoy is open until 10 PM. Hours change, so check before you go.
Are there vegetarian restaurants on Convoy Street?
Yes. The Yasai is fully vegan. Karami Ramen has a vegan broth. Phuong Trang, Mekong, and Formoosa have vegetarian dishes. Ask about the broth and sauces, since many dishes use fish sauce or oyster sauce. See the vegetarian section above for details.
Do I need a reservation?
Most places take walk-ins. The Yasai recommends reservations. Rakiraki takes reservations through OpenTable, and it draws lines at peak times. Realm of the 52 Remedies is reported to fill up on weekends, so book ahead if you plan to go then.
4 Responses
Best spot for vegetarian options would have been great.
Good catch. I can still add it. You have any favorite restaurants that are vegetarian on Convoy Street?
Wow Susan… Darryl went through all the work to put this together for free and you only have a complaint? Go search “Best vegetarian restaurants in Convoy” yourself, this isn’t that list.
Thanks Darryl!
Thanks Peter, you are right in that a lot of work went into creating and making sure the list is up-to-date, so I appreciate your words.