Steamy Piggy Runs Two Happy Hours a Day, Every Day

Overview

Steamy Piggy runs happy hour twice a day, every day: 3 to 6 p.m., and again from 8 p.m. until close.

That second window is the one worth knowing about. Most restaurants treat happy hour as a way to fill an empty late afternoon. This one also discounts the end of the night, which turns a Convoy Street dinner into a genuinely cheap late sitting.

The restaurant calls itself "casual chinese fusion," drawing on "recipes and classics from China, Korea and Japan." It opened on July 21, 2017.

And here's the thing that explains the food: they make the dumplings the same day they serve them.

In their own words, the dumplings are "only" served made on the same day, using "premium whole-wheat flour so they're softer, fresher, and tastier." The ramen broth is "boiled for 12+ hours." The chili wontons come in "a top-secret housemade mild-spicy chili-based sauce." And across the board: "No added MSG or artificial coloring."

Their dumpling recipe is described as "a product of a rich family tradition combined with a worldly culinary palette."

Happy Hour — Both of Them

Daily, 3–6 p.m. and 8 p.m.–close:

• Bao Flight (3) — $15 · Taco Flight (3) — $15
• Salt N' Pepper Wings (8) — $12.50 (normally $15.50)
• Bulgogi Fries — $11.50 (normally $16)
• Soju — $10.50 · Beer — $4.50 (Sapporo or Tsingtao)
• Purple Rain — $5.50 (soju, lychee, floral tea) · Passion Punch — $5.50 (soju, passion fruit)

The flights are the move. Three baos or three tacos for $15 is $5 each against a $6 à la carte price, and it's the only way to try the range in one sitting.

The Menu

Baos and tacos — $6 each, one per order:

• Piggy Bao — pork belly, cabbage, spicy mayo, hoisin, cilantro
• Bulgogi Bao · Chicken Bao — fried chicken, cabbage, sweet chili, spicy mayo
• Piggy Taco · Bulgogi Taco · Chicken Taco

Dumplings and sides:

• Soup Dumplings (7) $16.50 · Pork & Chives Dumplings, boiled (8) $15.50
• Potstickers, pork and chive, pan-fried (7) $16
• Shrimp Dumplings, steamed (6) $13 — gluten-free
• BBQ Pork Baozi (3) $10.50 · Chili Wontons (8) $16
• Salt N' Pepper Wings (8) $15.50 · Bulgogi Fries $16 (vegetarian on request)
• Sautéed Bok Choy $14

Rolls, built on a scallion pancake: Bulgogi $14.50 · Chicken $13 · Veggie $11.50

Entrées:

• Steamy Piggy Ramen $17 — the 12-hour tonkotsu, with rolled chashu, ajitama egg, wood ear and scallion
• Spicy Ramen $17.50 · Shio Ramen $15
• Beef Chow Fun $18 · Bulgogi Chow Mein $18
• Red-Braised Pork Belly $17 · Bulgogi Bowl $17 · Steamy Piggy Bowl $16.50
• Pineapple Shrimp fried rice $17.50 · Wonton Soup $15.50

Desserts: Kawaii Buns (4) $10 (custard) · Sesame Balls (7) $8 (red bean)

Drinks: Thai Tea $5.50 · Passion Fruit Lemonade $5.50 · Lychee Lemonade $7.50 with free refills · beer $5.50 · soju and sake $12.50 · cocktails $7.50 · hot tea $6 from Yun Tea

How to Visit

• Address: 4681 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111 — in the heart of Convoy
• Phone: (858) 492-0401 · Email: info@steamypiggy.com
• Hours: roughly 11 a.m. to 9:30 or 10 p.m., later at weekends — their site lists three different versions, so call if you're going late (see the note below)
• Happy hour: daily, 3–6 p.m. and 8 p.m.–close
• Reservations by phone or through Yelp
• Dine-in, takeout and delivery
• Indoor seating and a pup-friendly patio

Good to Know

• Go at 8 p.m. The second happy hour is the most underused thing about this restaurant.
• Order a flight. $15 for three baos or three tacos beats ordering them singly.
• The shrimp dumplings are gluten-free, which is rare in a dumpling house.
• Dogs are welcome on the patio — stated plainly, which many Convoy restaurants don't.
• Check the closing time before a late visit. Their published hours don't agree with each other.

The Takeaway

Turn up at eight, order a bao flight and the Steamy Piggy Ramen, and have a $4.50 beer with it.

What makes Steamy Piggy worth a Convoy Street trip isn't fusion — Convoy has plenty — it's a kitchen that makes its dumplings the same day, boils its broth for twelve hours, and then discounts the whole thing twice a day.

For more spots worth knowing, browse our Local Picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Steamy Piggy? At 4681 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111.

When is happy hour? Twice daily, every day: 3–6 p.m. and 8 p.m. until close.

What is Steamy Piggy known for? Its ramen, made with a 12-hour tonkotsu broth, and its baos and dumplings — made fresh the same day with whole-wheat flour.

Is Steamy Piggy dog friendly? Yes, on the patio.

Does Steamy Piggy serve alcohol? Yes — beer, soju, sake and cocktails, all discounted during both happy hours.

Are there gluten-free options? The steamed shrimp dumplings are marked gluten-free.

When did Steamy Piggy open? It had its soft opening on July 21, 2017.

Does Steamy Piggy take reservations? Yes, by phone at (858) 492-0401 or through Yelp.