Mama Lu’s Dumpling House - Tustin

Second review: My second time back and for the best reason I live farther now so coming to Mama Lu's is definitely a treat and it was a special day so we did the drive out and of course did not disappoint!! They had two new items on the menu: Bombay duck fish and red bean pancakes: both 10/10 Hot and sour soup: 100000/10 my absolute favorite Sweet and sour chicken: 9/10, only cause I'm not a fan of pineapple and it had some chunks but that's me House special chow mein: 10000/10 it was JAM packed with all types of protein: chicken, squid, Chinese sausage so so good Garlic green beans: 10/10 can not go wrong with them, plus topped with Chinese sausage Pork dumplings: 100/10 the main reason we came, their dumplings are so good here. Juicy and tender, honestly way better than Din Tai Fung Overall the food, service, ambiance, vibe, and price were all so good and reasonable $90 for 3 people WITH tons of left overs from the insane portion size makes me believe I'm stealing but guess not!! Definitely coming back again First review: Where to begin.. let me just start off by saying that the food, quality, price, service, atmosphere, and taste were all 5/5. For food we got the spicy pork wontons, egg rolls, juicy pork soup dumplings, peking pork chop, egg drop soup, pork pan-fried dumplings, garlic string beans, and pork chop with spicy salt. I give every item a 5/5 and comparing it to Din Tai Fung, even more. The portion sizes are double, prices are affordable, and the food is actually fresh and really good. I plan to come back and try other items that I didn't get, such as the cornish hen and shanghai rice cakes. The service was impeccable. The server made sure our drinks were always refilled, we got plenty of napkins, and answered all of our questions with enthusiasm. He made some great recommendations such as the pork chop with spicy salt and the egg drop soup which were my top 3!! Overall this place was truly lovely, and my return is guaranteed.

The food totally hit the spot. super comforting, flavorful, and affordable. Perfect weekday dinner for anyone working nearby. Definitely adding this to my regular rotation!

Super clean and spacious interior with plenty of seating and very attentive service. Tucked next to a grocery store with lots of parking, and there’s even a Meet Fresh right next door if you’re in the mood for dessert after! Tons of menu options and the portions are generous. My favorite dish was definitely the Shanghai rice cakes. It was seasoned perfectly and the texture was so chewy and satisfying. Also really enjoyed the juicy pork dumplings and sautéed string beans with sausage. Would definitely come back again for a comforting and filling meal!

Scrumptious . Terrific. Delightful . You’re sad to get full because it means you can’t eat more . I came from San Diego to try it and it was worth the traffic . Bring your friends and family .

Mama Lu's Dumpling House (一口福) is a spot everyone who’s been in LA for a while probably already knows for its amazing value. They have multiple locations, but this one near Irvine really shows off just how budget-friendly they are (and you know how pricey Irvine can be!). The portions are huge! For the three of us, it came out to around $30 per person, and of course we couldn’t finish everything in one sitting—plenty to pack up and enjoy again at home. Definitely feels like a great deal! Dim Sum We ordered siu mai, lo mai gai, and the marinated cucumber. The cucumber was tangy and refreshing—perfect for summer. As for the siu mai and lo mai gai, they’re classic dim sum dishes that you just can’t go wrong with. Lunch Specials Their lunch specials are served Monday to Friday before 5 PM, and for $15.98 you get a main dish plus rice and soup! We tried the stir-fried clams and the garlic pork ribs. The clams were plump and nicely seasoned, but the ribs really blew me away—the portion was massive. We ate several pieces there and still had enough to bring home for another meal. The flavor is the kind kids would absolutely love. Beef Roll It’s been a while since I had a beef roll, but this one didn’t disappoint. A thin, crisp wrap filled with generous slices of beef, plus cucumber and cilantro—it hit the spot. Shanghai Stir-Fried Rice Cakes Since we had a lot of spicy dishes, the rice cakes were a nice change of pace. Soft and chewy with a flavorful sauce, combined with veggies and meat—sometimes it’s great to switch it up with something not spicy. Bonus One thing I really like about this location is that it’s inside Rivera Food Service. With prices climbing everywhere, I’ve been shopping more at these warehouse-style markets, so being able to grab groceries and then sit down for a hearty meal at Mama Lu’s makes it extra convenient.

Overall: I really enjoyed my experience here, the interior was very modern and had a great ambiance, a great place to dine with family and friends! We came in on a Thursday at around 7PM and were seated promptly. The service is also great! The food was a dupe of din tai fung, large portions for the same price with great food. We ordered: Beef wrap, Spicy wontons, Juicy pork dumplings, Green onion pancake, Fried pork bun, Yang chow fried rice, Salt and pepper chicken wing, Walnut shrimp, Sesame balls Honey walnut shrimp: 5/5 This was my favorite dish! The shrimp was crispy and the sauce was perfectly sweet and salty. Much better than Panda’s honey walnut and a very large portion! Fried pork bun: 4/5 Super fluffy bao filled with delicious meat. The balance of saltiness from the meat went very well with the neutral bao. I added some crispy chili oil to elevate the dish further. Juicy pork dumplings: 5/5 Super juicy XLB, just as good as DTF and they give so much more! Generous amounts of meat in each XLB and super juicy! One of my favorites! Sesame balls: 5/5 Filled with mung bean paste, the perfect sweet treat to our meal! The sesame balls were crispy and the sweet filling was delicious. You need to end your meal with this!

Amazing service and amazing food! I went at peak dinner but was able to get seated pretty quickly. The servers come around at the perfect time and the food will come out not too long after ordering. I love the beef wrap and the honey walnut shrimp. The portion sizes are generous that it's the perfect place to go with a large group of people!

Desiree Nguyen

This Dumpling House has multiple locations, and today I am at Mama Lu’s Dumpling House in Tustin. Mama Lu is a highly regarded for its authentic, affordable Northern Chinese cuisine. They are famously known for their top tier juicy pork soup dumplings. The crispy pork chop is juicy and tender. The Crystal dumpling is chewy and stuffed with meat and shrimp. If you love pork dumplings, then Sui Mai is a must try. These dumplings are juicy and comforting. Complete your meal with steamed buns dipped in condensed milk. I like their generous portions and casual atmosphere. This spot has great value for your money with shareable portions. This restaurant is like Din Tai Fung without the wait.

jackie zhang

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House in Tustin quickly became one of my favorite spots for comforting Chinese food. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and came out surprisingly fast even during the dinner rush. The Walnut Shrimp was perfectly crispy with a creamy glaze, and the Juicy Pork Dumplings were packed with flavor and super juicy. The Pork Chop with Spicy Salt had an amazing crunch and just the right amount of heat. I also loved the Shanghai Rice Cake—chewy, savory, and really well-seasoned. The Beef Wrap was a standout, with flaky layers wrapped around tender beef. The Seafood Fried Rice was loaded and not greasy at all. We also tried the Siu Mai and Red Bean Pastry, both solid choices. If you want something unique, the Salt & Pepper Bombay Duck Fish is definitely worth ordering—crispy, light, and packed with flavor. Great food, generous portions, and friendly service. Highly recommend this location if you’re craving delicious dumplings and classic Chinese dishes!

Alexis Preciado

Mama Lou’s Dumpling House just opened their new Tustin location, and it’s really good! I’ve been to Mama Lou’s before and this spot definitely lives up to it.We ordered the Kung Pao chicken, beef fried rice noodles, green beans, and soup dumplings. Everything came out hot and flavorful. The soup dumplings were really good — juicy and full of flavor. Definitely recommend and will be coming back!

Laura X

This is a well-known chain restaurant in the Los Angeles area, famous for its generous portions and affordable prices. The flavors feel like a mix of Taiwanese, Cantonese, and Shanghainese cuisine, so whenever I don’t know what to eat, I just come here. They have a wide variety of dim sum and even weekday lunch specials that come with soup and rice. For me, the portions are too big to finish in one sitting. I also really enjoy the taste. The restaurant is located inside a supermarket, with a dessert shop right next door, so you can easily take care of shopping, dessert, and a meal all in one trip.

Henry Monzon

Staff was awesome. We ordered the lunch specials along with a few other things we wanted to try out. One lunch special alone is enough for two people. Food was nice and fresh. Would definitely come back when we're in the area.

xiaoyu yan

Came for dumplings, stayed for the stir-fry! Their xiaolongbao are delicious (thin skin, rich broth), and the hot dishes are homestyle and tasty. Affordable, satisfying, and easy to order—a trustworthy choice for Chinese food.

kara yip

1. Yummy Kitchen offers incredible value with huge portions—our meal for three cost just $20 per person, and we had plenty leftover for another meal! 2. Must-try dishes include the garlic ribs, basil clams, dim sum, and Shanghai-style stir-fried rice cakes—all flavorful and satisfying. 3. Located inside a food market near Irvine, it’s a perfect spot for a tasty, affordable meal with takeaway options too!

Health & Wealth

Authentic Chinese food! I personally love the location since it’s inside a supermarket! Meetfresh the famous dessert store is right by it as well! Love the cooking and food, service was polite and courteous as well. We ordered 4 dishes for 3 ppl and the final bill including tax, fees and 18% tip was $81. Good value!

Haoran Wang

If you’re in Tustin and craving solid Chinese food, Mama Lu is a must-try! We ordered a feast—beef rolls, spicy wontons, juicy pork dumplings, scallion pancakes, pan-fried pork buns, Yang Chow fried rice, walnut shrimp, salt & pepper wings, and sesame balls—and every single dish was on point. Flavors were authentic, portions generous, and prices super reasonable (under $30 per person). The service was friendly and fast, and the place felt clean and cozy. Perfect spot for a casual group dinner!

Dan Nguyen (TravelBud)

Mama Lus is truly an awesome Chinese Taiwanese dining experience, I been to the original location years ago and fell in love with their homemade style Xiao long Bao , rice cakes, fried rices and many other dishes. I’m glad they opened up a location closer to me in Tustin OC, that is larger in space. The staff were very kind and attentive too. Some of the best Chinese food you can get for reasonable prices great for large families too

Allison Wibowo

Overall: I really enjoyed my experience here, the interior was very modern and had a great ambiance, a great place to dine with family and friends! We came in on a Thursday at around 7PM and were seated promptly. The service is also great! The food was a dupe of din tai fung, large portions for the same price with great food. We ordered: Beef wrap, Spicy wontons, Juicy pork dumplings, Green onion pancake, Fried pork bun, Yang chow fried rice, Salt and pepper chicken wing, Walnut shrimp, Sesame balls Honey walnut shrimp: 5/5 This was my favorite dish! The shrimp was crispy and the sauce was perfectly sweet and salty. Much better than Panda’s honey walnut and a very large portion! Fried pork bun: 4/5 Super fluffy bao filled with delicious meat. The balance of saltiness from the meat went very well with the neutral bao. I added some crispy chili oil to elevate the dish further. Juicy pork dumplings: 5/5 Super juicy XLB, just as good as DTF and they give so much more! Generous amounts of meat in each XLB and super juicy! One of my favorites! Sesame balls: 5/5 Filled with mung bean paste, the perfect sweet treat to our meal! The sesame balls were crispy and the sweet filling was delicious. You need to end your meal with this!

Rey Chou

Mama Lu's Dumpling House (一口福) is a spot everyone who’s been in LA for a while probably already knows for its amazing value. They have multiple locations, but this one near Irvine really shows off just how budget-friendly they are (and you know how pricey Irvine can be!). The portions are huge! For the three of us, it came out to around $30 per person, and of course we couldn’t finish everything in one sitting—plenty to pack up and enjoy again at home. Definitely feels like a great deal! Dim Sum We ordered siu mai, lo mai gai, and the marinated cucumber. The cucumber was tangy and refreshing—perfect for summer. As for the siu mai and lo mai gai, they’re classic dim sum dishes that you just can’t go wrong with. Lunch Specials Their lunch specials are served Monday to Friday before 5 PM, and for $15.98 you get a main dish plus rice and soup! We tried the stir-fried clams and the garlic pork ribs. The clams were plump and nicely seasoned, but the ribs really blew me away—the portion was massive. We ate several pieces there and still had enough to bring home for another meal. The flavor is the kind kids would absolutely love. Beef Roll It’s been a while since I had a beef roll, but this one didn’t disappoint. A thin, crisp wrap filled with generous slices of beef, plus cucumber and cilantro—it hit the spot. Shanghai Stir-Fried Rice Cakes Since we had a lot of spicy dishes, the rice cakes were a nice change of pace. Soft and chewy with a flavorful sauce, combined with veggies and meat—sometimes it’s great to switch it up with something not spicy. Bonus One thing I really like about this location is that it’s inside Rivera Food Service. With prices climbing everywhere, I’ve been shopping more at these warehouse-style markets, so being able to grab groceries and then sit down for a hearty meal at Mama Lu’s makes it extra convenient.

Mon

Amazing service and amazing food! I went at peak dinner but was able to get seated pretty quickly. The servers come around at the perfect time and the food will come out not too long after ordering. I love the beef wrap and the honey walnut shrimp. The portion sizes are generous that it's the perfect place to go with a large group of people!

Sona Keshishyan

Second review: My second time back and for the best reason I live farther now so coming to Mama Lu's is definitely a treat and it was a special day so we did the drive out and of course did not disappoint!! They had two new items on the menu: Bombay duck fish and red bean pancakes: both 10/10 Hot and sour soup: 100000/10 my absolute favorite Sweet and sour chicken: 9/10, only cause I'm not a fan of pineapple and it had some chunks but that's me House special chow mein: 10000/10 it was JAM packed with all types of protein: chicken, squid, Chinese sausage so so good Garlic green beans: 10/10 can not go wrong with them, plus topped with Chinese sausage Pork dumplings: 100/10 the main reason we came, their dumplings are so good here. Juicy and tender, honestly way better than Din Tai Fung Overall the food, service, ambiance, vibe, and price were all so good and reasonable $90 for 3 people WITH tons of left overs from the insane portion size makes me believe I'm stealing but guess not!! Definitely coming back again First review: Where to begin.. let me just start off by saying that the food, quality, price, service, atmosphere, and taste were all 5/5. For food we got the spicy pork wontons, egg rolls, juicy pork soup dumplings, peking pork chop, egg drop soup, pork pan-fried dumplings, garlic string beans, and pork chop with spicy salt. I give every item a 5/5 and comparing it to Din Tai Fung, even more. The portion sizes are double, prices are affordable, and the food is actually fresh and really good. I plan to come back and try other items that I didn't get, such as the cornish hen and shanghai rice cakes. The service was impeccable. The server made sure our drinks were always refilled, we got plenty of napkins, and answered all of our questions with enthusiasm. He made some great recommendations such as the pork chop with spicy salt and the egg drop soup which were my top 3!! Overall this place was truly lovely, and my return is guaranteed.

arron Xu

The food totally hit the spot. super comforting, flavorful, and affordable. Perfect weekday dinner for anyone working nearby. Definitely adding this to my regular rotation!

Michelle Fung

Super clean and spacious interior with plenty of seating and very attentive service. Tucked next to a grocery store with lots of parking, and there’s even a Meet Fresh right next door if you’re in the mood for dessert after! Tons of menu options and the portions are generous. My favorite dish was definitely the Shanghai rice cakes. It was seasoned perfectly and the texture was so chewy and satisfying. Also really enjoyed the juicy pork dumplings and sautéed string beans with sausage. Would definitely come back again for a comforting and filling meal!

Jeffrey Wong

My go to place for XiaoLongBao. Great flavor and value for the price paid. The other dishes in the menu also taste delicious! Recently visited on Sunday and I really liked the Wonton soup! One of the best I've had in a while. The staff is attentive and friendly as well!

I had a nice meal here. The staff are so nice. The house special chow mien has so many different meats. It has chicken, fish, shrimp, calamari, Chinese sausage, prolly some more. The Mongolian beef was great with a side of white rice. Their dim sum is as good as anywhere else. I tried their beef roll, xlbs, spicy wontons, and chicken feet. The chicken feet were soggy though.

Kilometers

I had a nice meal here. The staff are so nice. The house special chow mien has so many different meats. It has chicken, fish, shrimp, calamari, Chinese sausage, prolly some more. The Mongolian beef was great with a side of white rice. Their dim sum is as good as anywhere else. I tried their beef roll, xlbs, spicy wontons, and chicken feet. The chicken feet were soggy though.

Another eatery that I had been curious, so here we went. 1. House Special Chow Mein: 3/5 - just like a typical fastfood chow mein because of the noodles, big fat chow mein noodles, not special or unique about it. The sauce and taste was good. We were told by the waiter that there were shrimp, squid, and roasted pork but we only got fish, squid, and roasted pork. The menu didn't say so who knows what are supposed to be in the dish... 2. Juicy crab dumplings: 4/5 - pretty good but found no crabs or tasted crabs... it was all ground pork...it tasted good, the dumpling wrapper was thin, dumplings were juicy and tasty. The restaurant was not busy so we got seated right away and foods came out promptly. Because we didn't get the ingredients in our dishes as described... so make sure you get what you order.

Came here to try the dumplings and honey walnut shrimp. Both were not edible but not worth the trip. Dumpling was on the fatty side, tasted was just average. Shrimp dish was over-battered. It's more like honey walnut tempura shrimp. The taste was decent but just too much batter to my liking.

roostahktchn M

Another eatery that I had been curious, so here we went. 1. House Special Chow Mein: 3/5 - just like a typical fastfood chow mein because of the noodles, big fat chow mein noodles, not special or unique about it. The sauce and taste was good. We were told by the waiter that there were shrimp, squid, and roasted pork but we only got fish, squid, and roasted pork. The menu didn't say so who knows what are supposed to be in the dish... 2. Juicy crab dumplings: 4/5 - pretty good but found no crabs or tasted crabs... it was all ground pork...it tasted good, the dumpling wrapper was thin, dumplings were juicy and tasty. The restaurant was not busy so we got seated right away and foods came out promptly. Because we didn't get the ingredients in our dishes as described... so make sure you get what you order.

Thomas Q Tran

Came here to try the dumplings and honey walnut shrimp. Both were not edible but not worth the trip. Dumpling was on the fatty side, tasted was just average. Shrimp dish was over-battered. It's more like honey walnut tempura shrimp. The taste was decent but just too much batter to my liking.