An abundance of flavors distinguishes Beijing Noodle No. 9
By Brock Radke
Photos by Beverly Poppe
Homemade noodles with sliced pork and mushrooms
Welcome to 2012, year of the dragon. In Chinese astrology, this animal zodiac sign is quite unique, a special symbol of power and ability, and so this year brings great expectations. The dragon stands apart, distinguishing itself from all others. In this spirit, celebrate your Vegas visit during Chinese New Year at a restaurant where the cuisine is equally special and distinguished.
Beijing Noodle No. 9 has garnered a reputation as one of the best and most authentic Chinese eateries on the Las Vegas Strip. Its brilliant all-white setting—contrasted only by the shimmering gold of darting fish in two massive aquariums at the entrance—creates a peaceful, upscale experience inside what is actually a warm and relaxed, casual dining room. Families and locals flock to this restaurant to watch expert chefs hand-pulling fresh noodles, and to enjoy soulful, savory soups, dim sum, rice and seafood dishes.
The menu here, already a seemingly infinite selection of favorites you might find at a classic Hong Kong noodle shop, has been expanded recently to include 30 new dishes, many of them coming as fresh-made dumplings, dim sum and pancakes on the list of appetizers. Don’t miss xiao long bao, a half-dozen seafood and pork soup dumplings—delicate pouches full of hot, delicious broth and flavorful meat. Traditional dim sum offerings also include steamed-bread pork buns known as char sieu bao, har gow shrimp dumplings, and pork wontons.
Of course, noodles are the main attraction, particularly the chef’s special handmade noodle with sliced pork and mushroom. You can create your own noodle dish by choosing from spring noodles, egg noodles, those hand-stretched masterpieces or rice vermicelli, and adding popular sauce and ingredient combinations like Beijing-style pork and vegetable sauce or spicy Sichuan dan dan. Singapore-style rice noodles come stacked with bright vegetables and plump shrimp and are best with the addition of a smooth curry sauce. You can also order your noodles in soup mode, where the options include war wonton soup, kobe beef noodle soup or shredded duck meat with rice vermicelli. Classic hot and sour or tomato and egg flower soups also are available, for the non-noodley diner.
Singapore-style black pepper crab
Jumping out among the entrée options are several live seafood favorites, including spotted prawns, jumbo clam or Maine lobster. Beijing Noodle No. 9 offers the option of this authentic dining experience or keeping it simple and casual with more approachable fare, such as kung pao shrimp, deep fried sea bass in a spicy-sweet sauce or a crispy fried version of sweet walnut shrimp.
Prefer to stay on dry land? Chinese honey glazed barbecue pork is addictively delicious, sweet and savory enough to contemplate a second order. Try boiled beef or lamb in that peppery, spicy Sichuan sauce, or cool things off with classic tea-smoked duck or poached Hainan chicken with fragrant rice. Fresh orange, carrot or watermelon juices, Thai iced tea or Vietnamese coffee offer another refreshing dimension to this dining experience.
Forget the astrology. Any year that begins with a meal at Beijing Noodle No. 9 is guaranteed to be a great year.
Caesars Palace
11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily. 877.346.4642
