Dim sum is arguably one of the most memorable of dining experiences; the traditional practice of small-portion Cantonese dishes served tableside via carts long preceded the current rage of tapas abounding at restaurants. To experience it in its purest form, you need look no further than Ping Pang Pong, nestled away in the Gold Coast off the Las Vegas Strip.
Situated on the outskirts of Las Vegas’ Chinatown, Ping Pang Pong is the epicenter of the valley dim sum scene. If you’ve never experienced it before, be prepared for a whirling dervish of activity that may seem somewhat overwhelming. You need not worry—just order what looks good and make sure you’ve got plenty of time on your hands; dim sum is a meal best experienced at a leisurely pace with a large group, so you can try as much as you’d like.
While dishes aren’t labeled, your servers can undoubtedly point you toward your soon-to-be favorites. Some dishes are easily recognizable; yeung qi dze, or shrimp-stuffed eggplant, easily distinguished by the vegetable’s purple color, memorably pairs land and sea. And almond shrimp balls that are coated with crunchy almond shards, creating a luscious, deep-fried shrimp sphere.
Not nearly as obvious: jian dui—sesame-coated deep fried glutinous rice balls stuffed with red bean paste—impart a sweet surprise when you might be otherwise expecting a bite of meat. Lo mai gai—lotus leaf-wrapped chicken sticky rice—invokes the flavors of Hong Kong with savory chicken practically melted into sturdy sticky rice hidden behind the leafy exterior. It’ll be the only foliage-wrapped dish available.
And then there are the dishes that remind you that you’re immersed in a foreign cuisine. If you’re persistent enough, you can find rarities such as crunchy pickled jellyfish and slightly spicy snails—not served together, of course—but there are some that are a little less challenging while just as unique. Zhaliang—rice noodle-wrapped fried Chinese crullers—mix textures and flavors, with crispy, long doughnuts embraced in soft noodles; topped with a subtle sweet sauce, each is crunchy and chewy in every bite. And grab a sharp rendition of seaweed salad, because vegetables should be a part of any nutritious meal.
A salty, spicy dish of stir-fried smelt could be as addictive as any you’ll encounter elsewhere. Equally as intriguing: steamed rice layered with pork ribs and a chicken foot. While the chicken foot may seem off-putting, the tender morsel has flavor well worth exploring.
Since the carts come out in no particular order, you can begin your meal with dessert if you’d like. Try the egg custard or the mong guo bou din—mango pudding—fruity and just sweet enough. The walnut butter cookies are as good as the ones your Chinese grandmother used to make. Why wait until you’re full for these treats? You can start and finish with dessert—that’s the beauty of dim sum!
Gold Coast Lunch featuring dim sum 10 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner 5 p.m.-3 a.m. daily. 702.247.8136
