Chinese New Year celebrations begin this year when February arrives, but there’s no reason to wait to mark the start of the Year of the Tiger, especially if you want to do it through food. Las Vegas is without question one of the greatest destinations on the planet for all different types of Chinese cuisine, from fine-dining restaurants on the Strip you can’t find anywhere else to affordable and satisfying neighborhood takeout joints and everything in between.
Since the new Resorts World Las Vegas was built by Malaysian company Genting Berhad, it’s no surprise that there’s an emphasis on Asian cuisine at the new hotel and casino, and its Chinese restaurant is already garnering acclaim. Genting Palace (702.676.8888) offers a glamorous environment with a menu running the gamut from seafood specialties to noodle dishes and dim sum. The prix fixe menu is a great way to explore this exciting new eatery, featuring dishes like roasted pork two ways with pork belly and barbecue honey-glazed pork, sweet and sour Chilean seabass, Sichuan-style braised tofu and chicken, and crispy vegan spring rolls.
China Mama (702.873.1977) has long been a favorite of locals craving soulful, authentic eats, as well as Vegas visitors who love to explore the city’s Chinatown district west of the Strip along Spring Mountain Road. The savory steamed soup dumplings xiao long bao are one of the specialties of the house and most popular dishes, but this talented kitchen team is equally adept at everything from pot stickers to pork buns, including a rich and delicious version of mapo tofu.
If you want to check out the Strip’s best versions of those memorable soup dumplings, best to head to Aria to explore the menu at Din Tai Fung (702.590.8650) or slide over to The Palazzo to experience the spicier version at Mott 32 (702.607.3232). Of course, both of these regal restaurants have plenty more to offer, but there’s no shame in touring the city to find your favorite dumpling.
If you want to experience a true Vegas institution in this culinary category, head to the Gold Coast on Flamingo Road and try everything at Ping Pang Pong (702.247.8136). This place famously fills up on the weekends for an irresistible dim sum brunch, but you can order its deep-fried handmade shrimp balls and cumin lamb skewers any time of day, any day of the week. Don’t pass on the wor wonton soup or Cantonese barbecue selections; and be sure to eat your veggies while you are at Ping Pang Pong, because nobody does them better.
For a very different Chinese food experience, the legendary Mr Chow (702.731.7888) at Caesars Palace elevates the ambience and offers a super-modern take on one of the most popular global cuisines. The prawn toast, chicken satay, turnip puff and squab with lettuce are iconic appetizers, and Mr Chow’s classic handmade Beijing-style noodles have changed the way Westerners eat Chinese food since 1968. Round out this experience with the famous green prawns and the velvet chicken, the latter kissed with just the right amount of chili. That’s a proper celebration any time of year.
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