Founded in China and named after the Chinese phrase for “big drum,” Dagu Rice Noodle is best known for its signature “Crossing the Bridge” noodle soups, a centuries-old dish from Yunnan Province. The style centers on an intensely hot, slow-simmered broth that arrives bubbling, traditionally served with rice noodles and a variety of proteins and toppings that are either added tableside or pre-assembled by the kitchen, depending on the order.
At the Convoy Street outpost, diners can choose from multiple broth bases, including pork bone, spicy mala, tomato, sour soup, mushroom, and golden broth variations. Many bowls feature thinly sliced beef, brisket, pulled beef, or bone-in cuts, while others lean into brighter profiles like tomato or pickled vegetable soups. The menu also allows guests to customize their bowls with add-ons such as pork ribs, sliced beef, fish, quail eggs, mushrooms, rice noodles, and vegetables, reinforcing the interactive nature of the experience.
Dagu’s soups are designed to be hearty and filling, with portions that reflect the brand’s roots as a comfort-food staple in China. In other markets, the chain has become known for offering unlimited rice noodle refills with many dishes, emphasizing satiety as much as flavor. While the San Diego location keeps its focus squarely on soups, the menu also includes appetizers and snacks such as crispy chicken, quail eggs, shrimp balls, fried rice, and noodle dishes for those looking beyond broth-based meals.
The opening continues Convoy Street’s evolution into one of Southern California’s most diverse dining corridors, particularly for regional Chinese cuisines that extend well beyond the more familiar Cantonese and Sichuan offerings. Yunnan cuisine, known for its layered broths, rice noodles, and use of preserved and pickled ingredients, remains relatively rare in San Diego, making Dagu’s arrival notable for both casual diners and food enthusiasts seeking something different.
Dagu Rice Noodle operates dozens of locations across China and has expanded steadily into North America over the past several years, with restaurants in Canada and select U.S. cities. The San Diego opening places the brand in the heart of Kearny Mesa’s Asian business district, alongside a dense concentration of noodle houses, hot pot restaurants, bakeries, and specialty cafes.
Dagu Rice Noodle is now open at 4690 Convoy Street, Suite B108, in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa neighborhood.
Originally published on January 13, 2026.
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