San Diego's appetite for international cuisine is about to be further indulged with a new player in town. Bafang Dumpling, a renowned Taiwanese dumpling chain, has announced it's debut of its first San Diego location following Christmas. Nestled in the Village at Mira Mesa, Befang's arrival comes just a stone's throw from other culinary giants such as Sunmerry Bakery and Crumbl Cookies.
From its humble beginnings, the dumpling empire was founded by Jiayu Lin, a former struggling mechanic, and his wife, a math teacher who doubled as a tutor and potsticker-maker extraordinaire. The first Bafang Dumpling spot opened in 1998 and has since flourished into a force in Asia, with close to 1,300 locations and a whopping 1.2 billion dumplings sold annually. After impressive expansion across Asia and a landmark IPO on the Taiwanese stock market last year, the chain now turns its eyes to the U.S. market, with plans to surpass its Hong Kong presence, according to Eater.
Bafang's first North American foothold was made in the San Gabriel Valley in March 2022, followed by a spate of openings in Chino Hills, Temple City, and Gardena. The upcoming 3,000-square-foot Mira Mesa establishment promises ample seating and a vast menu of palate-pleasing dishes. Patrons can look forward to classic bites like griddled fried potstickers, spicy signature noodles, and various heart-warming combos coupled with soups or refreshing iced lemon black tea. Stephanie Peng, CEO of Bafang Yunji North America, described the chain's mission to Eater: "We aim to deliver high-quality food that's easy and convenient at affordable pricing."
Bafang's Southern California conquest doesn't end in Mira Mesa. Peng revealed plans to Eater for future restaurants in locations including Brea Mall, Cerritos, Torrance, Cypress, and Irvine, where their central kitchen is poised to support the burgeoning empire. Unlike its Asian counterparts – 85 percent of which are franchised – the U.S. arm began with corporate-owned branches. However, the intentions for stateside expansion include franchising, offering a ripe opportunity for the brand's spread across America. A tease on Bafang's Instagram signals San Diego foodies can expect doors to be flung open soon with an inviting post: "We are almost ready to open! Can't wait to see you all soon, San Diego!!"
