Thumbling Menu: Best Dumplings, XLB, Prices & Wait Tips

Thumbling is one of the most talked-about dumpling restaurants in West Covina, and the reason is simple: people come for the soup dumplings, stay for the pan fried dumplings, then end up ordering noodles, beef roll, cucumber salad, dessert buns, and milk tea too. Thumbling Menu: Best Dumplings, XLB, Prices & Wait Tips.

The menu is big enough to feel confusing on a first visit. There are xiao long bao, steamed dumplings, pan fried dumplings, boiled dumplings, wontons, noodle soups, fried noodles, fried rice, Shanghai rice cakes, stir-fried dishes, desserts, and drinks. This guide keeps it practical: what to order first, what is worth sharing, what travels well for delivery, what to skip, and how the wait works before you drive to West Covina.

Thumbling’s official site lists the restaurant at 228 S Citrus St, West Covina, CA 91791, with hours of Monday–Friday 11:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 10:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

Thumbling Menu Categories, Dumplings, Noodles and Drinks.

Thumbling Hours 2026

DayHours
Monday11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Tuesday11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Wednesday11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Thursday11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Saturday10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday10:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Hours confirmed via Yelp (May 2026). Saturday and Sunday open 30 minutes earlier at 10:30 AM.

Address: 228 S Citrus St, West Covina, CA 91791 (The Square shopping plaza)
Phone: (626) 339-1688
Parking: Free parking lot; can be somewhat difficult on weekends

Thumbling Wait Time & Waitlist System 2026

The Thumbling wait time is the most-discussed aspect of visiting the restaurant. Understanding it before you go saves frustration:

How the waitlist works:

  • There is a QR code on a podium at the front entrance — scan it to add your name to the waitlist before entering
  • This is first-come, first-served — there is no advance reservation system
  • Once you scan in, you can wait outside or nearby until your table is ready
  • The app/system tracks your position in line

Realistic wait times:

  • Weekday lunches (11 AM–1 PM): 15–30 minutes typical
  • Weekday evenings (5–7 PM): 30–60 minutes typical
  • Weekend mornings (open–noon): 20–40 minutes
  • Weekend peak (Fri/Sat 5–7 PM): 60–90 minutes; arrive early or expect a significant wait
  • Best strategy: Arrive 5–10 minutes before opening time on weekends for no wait or very short wait

Pro tips from regulars:

  • Scan the QR code the moment you arrive at the parking lot — don’t wait until you’re at the door
  • Weekday afternoon (2–4 PM) visits typically have minimal waits
  • Party of 2 usually gets seated faster than large groups
  • The restaurant fills up even faster on rainy or cold evenings

Ordering at Thumbling is fully QR code–based. Once seated, scan the table QR code to see the menu on your phone and place your order digitally. Staff bring food to the table. Payment is handled digitally via the same system. Tipping is integrated into the checkout flow.

What Should You Order at Thumbling?

For a first visit, order Pork Xiao Long Bao, Pork Pan Fried Dumplings, Beef Roll, and Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Fried Udon. That order gives you the full Thumbling experience: soup dumplings, crispy-bottom dumplings, a Taiwanese-style appetizer, and one strong noodle dish.

Postmates lists the most ordered Thumbling items as Pork Xiao Long Bao 10 pcs, Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Fried Udon, and Beef Roll, which matches what many first-time visitors are trying to decide between.

If You WantBest Thumbling Order
First-time classicPork Xiao Long Bao
Best crispy dumplingPork Pan Fried Dumplings
Best appetizerBeef Roll
Best refreshing starterMarinated Cucumber Salad
Best noodle dishBlack Pepper Beef Tenderloin Fried Udon
Best soup bowlHK Style Wonton Noodle Soup
Best delivery orderFried rice or noodle soup
Best dessertCustard XLB or Piggy Buns
Best drinkJasmine tea or milk tea

Thumbling Menu — Complete Categories

The Thumbling menu is organized into 14 categories:

  1. Appetizers (開胃菜)
  2. Steamed Dumplings (蒸麵點) — includes XLB
  3. Pan Fried Dumplings (煎麵點)
  4. Boiled Dumplings (水餃類)
  5. Wonton (雲吞類)
  6. Noodles Soup (湯麵類)
  7. Noodles in Sauce (拌面類)
  8. Fried and Dried Noodle (炒麵類)
  9. Fried Rice (炒飯類)
  10. Fried Shanghai Rice Cake (炒年糕類)
  11. Soup (湯)
  12. Stir-Fried Dishes (盤菜)
  13. Dessert (甜點)
  14. Drinks (饮品)

Thumbling Appetizers Menu With Prices

ItemPriceDetails
Marinated Cucumber Salad$9.00–$9.10Cold marinated cucumber, chili oil dressing
Marinated Seaweed & Bean Sprout Salad~$9.00Cold salad, sesame dressing
Beef Roll (牛肉捲餅) — A7$18.00Crispy scallion pancake wrapped with sliced marinated beef
Sweet & Sour Baby Ribs~$14.00Crispy fried pork ribs with sweet-sour glaze
Sautéed String Beans with Garlic~$13.00Wok-fired green beans, whole garlic
Fried Custard (fried custard bites)~$8.00Crispy exterior, warm custard interior

Marinated Cucumber Salad confirmed at $9.00 (Yelp popup pricing) / $9.10 (Seamless). Beef Roll confirmed at $18.00 (Yelp). Beef Roll (A7) confirmed as 3rd most popular item per Postmates order data.

The Marinated Cucumber Salad ($9.00) is the most universally praised appetizer in Thumbling reviews — multiple visitors describe it as “the best we’ve had at any Chinese restaurant.” It’s cold, slightly spicy, tangy, and the right palate cleanser between rich dumpling orders. Multiple regulars explicitly recommend it as a table-essential starter.

The Beef Roll ($18.00) is the second-most reviewed appetizer — crispy scallion pancake wrapped around sliced marinated beef, rolled and sliced. It’s the Taiwanese classic executed with the care Thumbling applies to everything else and generates consistent “must order” mentions.

The Sautéed String Beans with Garlic is the most-requested vegetable side and pairs well with the richer XLB and fried noodle orders. Multiple reviews specifically call out the string beans by name as a standout item.

Thumbling Hours, Waitlist System and Appetizers Menu

Thumbling Steamed Dumplings & XLB Menu With Prices

This is the heart of the Thumbling menu — handmade steamed dumplings and xiaolongbao (XLB) soup dumplings. Available in 6-piece and 10-piece portions.

XLB — Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)

ItemSizePrice
Pork XLB (豬肉小籠湯包) — S16 pcs$13.00
Pork XLB (豬肉小籠湯包) — S1L10 pcs~$17.00–$18.00
Chicken XLB6 pcs$10.40
Spicy Pork XLB6 pcs~$13.00
Crab & Pork XLB~6 pcs~$15.00–$16.00
Creamy Custard XLB (dessert XLB)6 pcs~$10.00–$12.00

Pork XLB 6 pcs confirmed at $13 from Yelp reviewer breakdown. Chicken XLB 6 pcs confirmed at $10.40 from Seamless and Grubhub. Pork XLB 10 pcs (S1L) is the #1 most-ordered item per Postmates data; Yelp menu listing shows Pork Xiao Long Bao at $17.00 (which is consistent with the 10-piece large size).

The Pork XLB is Thumbling’s signature item and the reason people drive from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Reviews consistently describe the soup broth as “juicy” and “perfectly seasoned,” with “thinly skin” that holds the broth without breaking during the steam. The 10-piece large order ($17.00) is the recommended size for a group of 2–3 who want to make XLB the focus of the meal.

The Creamy Custard XLB is the dessert version — a golden custard filling inside a steamed xiaolongbao wrapper. The custard is molten when served hot; described as “delicious, but need to eat this steaming hot so the custard is still in liquid form.” It’s one of the most unique items on the menu and a must-order for first-time visitors who want the full Thumbling experience.

Regular Steamed Dumplings

ItemPcsPrice
Pork Steamed Dumplings~6 pcs~$10.00–$12.00
Vegetable Steamed Dumplings6 pcs~$10.00–$11.00
Pork & Chive Steamed Dumplings6 pcs~$10.00–$12.00

Thumbling Pan Fried Dumplings Menu With Prices

Pan fried dumplings at Thumbling are served with the bottoms crisped golden and the tops soft — typically served inverted to show the crispy bottom, all pieces connected by a thin lacy batter crust (similar to sheng jian bao style).

ItemPcsPrice
Pork Pan Fried Dumplings6 pcs$9.00
Chicken Pan Fried Dumplings6 pcs$13.00
Yellow Chive, Shrimp & Pork Pan Fried Dumplings6 pcs~$13.00–$14.00
HK Style BBQ Pork Pan Fried Bun (Bao)~4–5 pcs~$10.00–$12.00

Pork Pan Fried Dumplings confirmed at $9.00 (Yelp reviewer confirmed purchase). Chicken Pan Fried Dumplings confirmed at $13.00 (Grubhub). Yellow Chive, Shrimp & Pork Pan Fried Dumplings mentioned in Yelp reviews as a standout item.

The Pork Pan Fried Dumplings ($9.00 for 6 pieces) are the best-value item on the Thumbling dumpling menu and one of the most-ordered items across all platforms. The crispy batter-connected bottom creates a visual and textural experience reviewers consistently describe as “interesting” and “delicious.” The Chicken Pan Fried Dumplings ($13.00) are the most reviewed individual pan fried item on Google and Yelp — reviewers specifically call them “so good” and “my favorite” above all other dumpling types at Thumbling.

Thumbling Boiled Dumplings Menu With Prices

ItemPcsPrice
Pork & Chive Boiled Dumplings8 pcs~$11.00–$13.00
Vegetable Boiled Dumplings8 pcs~$10.00–$12.00
Corn & Pork Boiled Dumplings8 pcs~$11.00–$13.00

Corn & Pork Boiled Dumplings mentioned specifically in Uber Eats review: “Im obsessed with their corn and pork dumplings.” The Chive & Pork Boiled Dumplings are consistently described as “soft and juicy” with a “sweet chili sauce that compliments it well.”

Thumbling Steamed, Pan Fried and Boiled Dumplings Menu

Thumbling Wonton Menu With Prices

ItemPriceDetails
Shanghai Style Shrimp & Pork Spicy Wontons$14.00Spicy chili sauce wontons
HK Style Shrimp & Pork Wonton Noodle Soup$14.00Wontons in clear pork bone broth
Chicken & Pork Wonton Soup~$12.00–$14.00Wontons in broth
Spicy Wontons (boiled, sauce)~$12.00–$14.00Chili oil sauce wontons

Shanghai Wontons ($14.00) and HK Style Wonton Noodle Soup ($14.00) both confirmed from a Yelp reviewer’s itemized order. The wontons are described as “piping hot” with the broth added after boiling for consistent heat. The HK Style Wonton Noodle Soup — pork bone broth with shrimp and pork wontons and noodles — is the go-to single-bowl meal for visitors who want the soup experience at Thumbling.

Thumbling Noodle Soup Menu With Prices

ItemPriceDetails
N1. House Steamed Chicken Noodle Soup$15.00Chicken broth, chicken, noodles
N2. House Steamed Beef Noodle Soup$15.00Beef broth, sliced beef, noodles
N3. Braised Beef Noodle Soup$16.00Rich braised beef broth, tender beef
N4. Fried Pork Chop Noodle Soup~$15.00–$16.00Crispy pork chop, noodle soup

N1, N2, N3 prices confirmed from Mealkeyway online ordering system ($15, $15, $16).

Thumbling Fried & Sauce Noodles Menu With Prices

ItemPriceDetails
Chicken Fried Noodle$20.80Stir-fried noodles with chicken
Beef Tenderloin Udon with Black Pepper (N15)~$17.00Wok-fired udon, black pepper sauce
Veggie Udon with Black Pepper~$15.00Wok-fired udon, vegetarian
Shrimp Fried Noodle (蝦仁炒面)~$18.00Wok-fried noodles with shrimp

Chicken Fried Noodle confirmed at $20.80 (Seamless). Beef Tenderloin Udon with Black Pepper is the #2 most-ordered item at Thumbling per Postmates data; Yelp reviewer confirmed at $17.00 from an itemized order.

The Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Udon ($17.00) is the menu item that comes up in the most first-time visitor recommendations — rich wok-fired udon in a bold black pepper sauce. Reviews describe it as “so bomb” and “great” but with occasional notes that the beef quantity can be light. It’s the non-dumpling order that most converts return for.

Thumbling Wonton, Noodle Soup, Fried Rice and Noodles Menu

Thumbling Fried Rice Menu With Prices

ItemPriceDetails
Chicken Fried Rice~$16.00–$18.00Wok-fried rice with chicken, egg
Pork Chop Egg Fried Rice$22.10Fried rice with whole fried pork chop

Pork Chop Egg Fried Rice confirmed at $22.10 (Grubhub). Chicken Fried Rice mentioned as a bestseller in Uber Eats/DoorDash reviews (“Bao, cucumber salad, chicken fried rice. All amazing.”).

Thumbling Fried Shanghai Rice Cake Menu With Prices

ItemPrice
Fried Shanghai Rice Cake (vegetarian)~$14.00–$16.00
Fried Shanghai Rice Cake with Pork~$16.00–$18.00

Shanghai rice cake (nian gao) at Thumbling is wok-fired until crispy on the edges with a chewy interior. One reviewer notes to “recommend less oil when stir frying the rice cake” — an indication that the oil level can be heavy. The vegetarian version uses bok choy and vegetables.

Thumbling Soup Menu With Prices

ItemPrice
Hot & Sour Soup~$7.00–$8.00
Egg Drop Soup~$6.00–$8.00

Egg drop soup specifically mentioned in Uber Eats reviews: “Im obsessed with their corn and pork dumplings and my son loooves their egg drop soup.”

Thumbling Stir-Fried Dishes Menu With Prices

ItemPriceDetails
Sautéed String Beans with Garlic~$13.00–$15.00Wok-fired green beans, garlic
Mongolian Beef~$15.00–$18.00Sliced beef, green onion, dark sauce
General Tso’s Chicken~$15.00–$18.00Crispy chicken, sweet-spicy sauce

The Sautéed String Beans with Garlic is the most-reviewed stir-fry dish at Thumbling — repeatedly praised for being wok-fired properly with good bite and seasoning. Multiple reviewers specifically name it as a “must order” alongside the XLB and pan fried dumplings.

Thumbling Dessert Menu With Prices

ItemPriceDetails
Creamy Custard XLB (6 pcs)~$10.00–$12.00Steamed XLB with molten custard filling
Fried Custard Bites~$7.00–$9.00Crispy exterior, warm custard
Piggy Buns (Red Bean)~$8.00–$10.00Soft steamed buns shaped like pigs with red bean filling

The Piggy Buns are among the most photographed items in Thumbling social media content — pig-shaped soft steamed buns with a red bean filling described as “not too sweet and gave the hint of red bean taste.” They’re described as “a must order” in multiple reviews, particularly for first-time visitors.

The Creamy Custard XLB bridges the dessert and dumpling menus — steamed in the same xiaolongbao format as the savory dumplings, with a molten golden custard filling instead of meat broth. Eat immediately while hot.

Thumbling Drinks Menu With Prices

Thumbling offers a bubble tea and specialty drinks menu. Pricing starts at approximately $5.00–$7.50 depending on the drink and customizations.

DrinkBase PriceNotes
Jasmine Milk Tea~$5.50–$6.50
Brown Sugar Milk Tea~$5.50–$6.50
Taro Milk Tea~$5.50–$6.50
Matcha Latte~$5.50–$6.50
Fruit Tea~$5.00–$6.00Seasonal varieties
Smoothies~$6.00–$7.00
Bubble Tea (various flavors)~$5.50–$7.00
Mai Tai (cocktail)~$10.00+Available at select times

Drink toppings (add-on pricing):

  • Milk Foam, Grape Jelly, Jasmine Jelly: +$1.00 each
  • Honey Boba, Grape Crystal Ball, Lychee Coconut Jelly: +$0.85 each
  • No Ice option: +$0.50

Topping add-on pricing confirmed from thumbling.restaurantmenu.us.com menu data. Thumbling also offers alcohol service including cocktails at the restaurant.

Thumbling Soup, Stir Fried Dishes, Desserts and Drinks Menu

Thumbling Full Price Reference Table 2026

ItemPriceConfirmed
Marinated Cucumber Salad$9.00✓ Yelp
Beef Roll (A7)$18.00✓ Yelp
Pork Pan Fried Dumplings (6 pcs)$9.00✓ Yelp reviewer
Chicken Pan Fried Dumplings (6 pcs)$13.00✓ Grubhub
Pork XLB (6 pcs)$13.00✓ Yelp reviewer
Pork XLB (10 pcs / S1L)~$17.00✓ Yelp menu
Chicken XLB (6 pcs)$10.40✓ Seamless/Grubhub
Shanghai Spicy Wontons$14.00✓ Yelp reviewer
HK Style Wonton Noodle Soup$14.00✓ Yelp reviewer
Beef Tenderloin Udon / Black Pepper$17.00✓ Yelp reviewer
Chicken Fried Noodle$20.80✓ Seamless
Pork Chop Egg Fried Rice$22.10✓ Grubhub
House Steamed Chicken Noodle Soup (N1)$15.00✓ Mealkeyway
House Steamed Beef Noodle Soup (N2)$15.00✓ Mealkeyway
Braised Beef Noodle Soup (N3)$16.00✓ Mealkeyway

Thumbling Calories 2026

Thumbling does not publish an official nutritional guide. Approximate calorie estimates per serving:

ItemApprox. Calories
Pork XLB (6 pcs)280–360 cal
Pork Pan Fried Dumplings (6 pcs)320–400 cal
Chicken XLB (6 pcs)240–300 cal
Beef Roll400–500 cal
Beef Tenderloin Udon Black Pepper580–750 cal
Chicken Fried Rice550–700 cal
Pork Chop Egg Fried Rice750–950 cal
Marinated Cucumber Salad60–100 cal
Sautéed String Beans80–120 cal
Piggy Buns (2 pcs)200–280 cal

What to Skip or Think Twice About

Do not order only XLB. Add pan fried dumplings or noodles so the table has more texture and variety.

Do not order delicate dumplings for long-distance delivery. XLB and pan fried dumplings are better fresh.

Do not trust old prices. Delivery platforms and dine-in prices may differ, and menus can change.

Do not arrive at peak weekend dinner expecting no wait. Go early or choose a weekday afternoon.

Do not skip a cold starter. Cucumber salad or seaweed salad helps balance a dumpling-heavy meal.

Is Thumbling Better Than Din Tai Fung?

This is the question that comes up in virtually every Thumbling Yelp and Google review. The consistent consensus among Los Angeles-area dumpling enthusiasts:

Thumbling advantages over Din Tai Fung:

  • No multi-hour mall wait — the Thumbling waitlist system is faster and more predictable
  • Prices are lower (Pork XLB at $13/6 pcs vs Din Tai Fung’s XLB running $14–$18+ depending on location)
  • More relaxed, neighborhood-feel atmosphere
  • Fried noodle section is broader
  • Shanghai rice cake, fried custard, and Piggy Buns are menu differentiators

Din Tai Fung advantages:

  • More consistent thin-skin XLB execution (some Thumbling reviews note the wrapper is “a bit thick”)
  • Broader vegetable and specialty side dish menu
  • More polished, high-volume service system

Overall verdict from most reviews: Thumbling is a genuine Din Tai Fung alternative that outperforms the chain on value, wait time, and atmosphere. For the specific experience of hand-made dumplings in a neighborhood setting, many regulars prefer Thumbling. For the most precise thin-skinned XLB execution, Din Tai Fung remains the technical benchmark.

Thumbling Delivery 2026

Thumbling delivers via multiple platforms in the West Covina area:

  • Uber Eats — primary delivery platform; 4.8 rating (3,000+ reviews)
  • Grubhub / Seamless — available with same menu
  • Postmates — available with same menu
  • Fantuan — available (the Asian food delivery app popular in West Covina’s SGV market)
  • Online ordering: thumbling.net (direct ordering for pickup)

Delivery note: Pan fried dumplings and XLB are fragile during delivery. The lacy batter crust on pan fried dumplings can soften in transit; XLBs can collapse or leak. For best results: order the noodle dishes, fried rice, boiled dumplings, and stir-fry dishes for delivery. Visit in person for XLB and pan fried dumplings.

Best Items to Order at Thumbling in 2026

Best first-time table order: Marinated Cucumber Salad ($9) + Pork XLB 6 pcs ($13) + Pork Pan Fried Dumplings ($9) + Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Udon ($17) — the four-item table that covers every format Thumbling does well.

Best single XLB item: Pork XLB 10 pcs (S1L) (~$17) — the #1 most-ordered item per delivery platform data, and the size worth getting for the full XLB experience.

Best appetizer: Beef Roll ($18) — crispy pancake wrapped with marinated beef, universally praised, photographed more than any other starter on the menu.

Best non-dumpling dish: Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Udon ($17) — the 2nd most-ordered item chain-wide, described repeatedly as “bomb” and “great.”

Best value: Pork Pan Fried Dumplings ($9 for 6 pcs) — the lowest-price dumpling on the menu and one of the highest-rated items in Yelp reviews.

Best dessert: Piggy Buns (red bean filled steamed buns) — the most photographed dessert item and one that generates the most repeat-order mentions.

Best item for delivery: Chicken Fried Rice or Braised Beef Noodle Soup — both travel well and maintain quality during Uber Eats/Grubhub delivery better than the delicate dumplings.

Frequently Asked Questions — Thumbling 2026

What is Thumbling?

Thumbling is a Taiwanese-Shanghainese dumpling restaurant in West Covina, CA, founded by Chinese immigrants Feng and Ye. It specializes in hand-made dumplings — especially XLB (xiaolongbao soup dumplings), pan fried dumplings, boiled dumplings, and wontons — alongside noodle soups, fried rice, Shanghai rice cakes, and bubble tea.

How long is the wait at Thumbling?

Weekday evenings: 30–60 min. Weekend peak hours: 60–90 min. Weekend mornings before opening: little to no wait. Arriving 5–10 minutes before 10:30 AM on Saturday/Sunday is the strategy most regulars use for minimal wait.

Does Thumbling have multiple locations?

No. Thumbling has one location in the United States: 228 S Citrus St, West Covina, CA 91791. It does not currently operate multiple branches.

What are the top 3 items at Thumbling?

Per Postmates order data: (1) Pork Xiao Long Bao 10 pcs, (2) Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Fried Udon, (3) Beef Roll. The Marinated Cucumber Salad and Pork Pan Fried Dumplings are also consistently top-reviewed.

Is Thumbling better than Din Tai Fung?

For most West Covina and San Gabriel Valley locals: yes, especially for the shorter wait and lower prices. The XLB is thinner-skinned at Din Tai Fung (technical precision), but Thumbling’s XLB broth quality, pan fried dumplings, and overall value are generally preferred by regulars.

Does Thumbling take reservations?

No. Thumbling is walk-in with a QR code waitlist system at the front door. Scan the QR code on the podium outside to join the waitlist. First-come, first-served.

Can I order frozen dumplings at Thumbling?

Yes — Thumbling sells frozen dumplings for home cooking. Ask at the counter or check the online ordering system at thumbling.net for current frozen dumpling availability.

Thumbling Menu 2026 — Final Take

Thumbling is best when you order family-style. Start with Pork Xiao Long Bao, add Pork Pan Fried Dumplings, share a Beef Roll, and get Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Fried Udon as the filling noodle dish. Add cucumber salad or string beans if you want balance, then finish with custard XLB or Piggy Buns.

For the best experience, go early, eat the dumplings fresh, and check the live menu before publishing exact prices. Thumbling is not just a dumpling stop — it is a full West Covina Chinese comfort-food meal if you order it the right way.

Address: 228 S Citrus St, West Covina, CA 91791
Phone: (626) 339-1688
Online ordering: thumbling.net
Delivery: Uber Eats · Grubhub · Postmates · Fantuan

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