Welcome Back to This Week in Chinatown!

Wow, what a week! Chinatown continues to be a culinary hotspot, and we’re here at Chinatown Vegas to keep you in the loop on all the exciting developments.

We pride ourselves on being your trusted source for all things Chinatown. This week, we were thrilled to be the first to share the news that sent ripples through the Las Vegas food scene: the (almost) confirmed arrival of Chef Tony, the undisputed King of LA Dim Sum! Read more about it here.

The world of Las Vegas dim sum is about to explode with variety! Alongside beloved spots like Palette Tea Lounge, the (almost) confirmed arrival of Chef Tony He, a legend in LA dim sum, promises to bring a whole new culinary experience to Chinatown.

But that’s not all! Japanese BBQ lovers, rejoice! Another popular California Japanese spot is prepping to take over the former Kyra Ramen space, bringing the delicious world of yakitori to Chinatown.

There’s finally light at the end of the tunnel for the Decatur Street paving project at the corner of Decatur and Spring Mountain. Recent reports suggest the work is nearing completion after two long years. Meanwhile, talks surrounding the Chinatown redevelopment project are heating up, bringing hope that plans are in place for our Chinatown to keep up with its massive growth and further establish itself as a major tourist attraction.

Don’t forget to check out our Special Chinatown Redevelopment Issue for a deep dive into the future of Las Vegas Chinatown and the exciting projects shaping our vibrant community.

Oh, and soon Chinatown will have a marijuana consumption lounge! So let’s take a look around our magnificent neighborhood and see what else is cooking (or smoking!) this week. Stay tuned for restaurant updates, hidden gem discoveries, and more news that’ll keep you coming back for seconds. Let’s explore Chinatown together!

This way to Chinatown Vegas

Kicking Off Our Week at the Iconic Sand Dollar

We always like to start our Chinatown adventures at the legendary Sand Dollar, the easternmost outpost of Las Vegas’ vibrant culinary scene—and for good reason!

The Sand Dollar is more than just a bar; it’s an experience. There’s no cover charge, so you can walk right in and enjoy their delicious artisan pizzas, crafted with fresh ingredients. Thirsty? Cool off with one of their many craft beers or signature cocktails, expertly mixed by their talented bartenders. Don’t wanna deal with a bartender? Head to one of their vending machines and grab a beer yourself!

For a complete list of upcoming events, head over to their website, but here are two shows you don’t want to miss:

Tuesday, July 16th: Get ready to rock with Down South Jukers, a southern rock tribute band featuring a powerhouse horn section!
Saturday, July 20th: Las Vegas native Jimmy Carpenter takes the stage, bringing his soulful Americana, blues, and rock stylings to life.

Remember, the Sand Dollar is 21+ only. So grab your friends, head to the east side of Chinatown, and start your week off right at the legendary Sand Dollar!

Inside Cultivate Dispensary

Chinatown Takes a Historic Step: Cultivate Dispensary to Open Consumption Lounge with Permanent Food Trucks

Calling all cannabis connoisseurs and foodies! Chinatown is about to blaze a new trail with the exciting news that Cultivate Dispensary is set to open a consumption lounge, offering a safe and legal space for cannabis consumers to enjoy their purchases.
This is a groundbreaking development for Las Vegas, as current laws only allow cannabis consumption in private residences. The new lounge at Cultivate will provide a much-needed solution for tourists and locals alike who want to experience cannabis in a comfortable and social setting.

But wait, there’s more! The lounge is confirmed, and it will feature permanent food trucks, taking the experience to a whole new level. While the official lineup hasn’t been confirmed yet, we can’t help but dream of the delicious possibilities. Here’s hoping for a residency by the legendary Lucky Cat BBQ! Their mouthwatering smoked meats would be the perfect complement to a relaxing cannabis experience.

Stay tuned, Chinatown Fam! We’ll be keeping our ears to the ground for more details on the opening date, food truck lineup, and any other exciting news about this historic development.

Hotai Plaza Heats Up: From Retail to Foodie Hub!

Calling all hungry adventurers! Chinatown’s Hotai Plaza is undergoing a delicious transformation, transitioning from a primarily retail space to a vibrant foodie destination.

The arrival of 8 Ounce Korean Steakhouse and Nabe AYCE Hotpot kicked off the culinary excitement, and now the plaza is sizzling with even more delectable offerings.

In addition to Sunright Tea Studio, Garionban, Choigozip, and Chubby Cattle Yakiniku, there’s been a surge of interest from foodies flocking to this strip mall. Adding even more to Hotai Plaza’s allure, we’ve got intel that the recently vacated furniture store facing Spring Mountain Road is undergoing a transformation that suggests it might become not just one, but possibly two new restaurants!

Stay tuned, Chinatown Fam! We’ll be sending out our culinary detectives ( and lasers 😉 to investigate. We promise to keep you updated on all the juicy details as Hotai Plaza continues its exciting foodie evolution. We’ve even included a photo to spark your culinary curiosity!

Is yet another restaurant ( possibly 2 or more?) coming to the Hotai Plaza? Stay tuned for more

From Ramen to Yakitori: A New Chapter for the Former Kyara Ramen Space!

Chinatown veterans may remember the former Kyara Ramen, known for their unique seafood ramen creations, including the “Finding Nemo” dish. While Kyara Ramen has sadly closed its doors, the space is about to undergo a delicious transformation!

While it hasn’t been yet made official, we can report that Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori, a popular California chain known for its high-energy atmosphere and high-quality yakitori, is taking over the location. This marks yet another popular California chain flocking to our vibrant Chinatown, furthering its position as the best Chinatown in America.

If you’re unfamiliar with yakitori, get ready for an explosion of flavor! Skewers of perfectly grilled meats, vegetables, and seafood are the stars of the show at Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori.

This is a welcome addition to Chinatown’s culinary scene, offering a unique dining experience for those craving sizzling skewers and delicious Japanese fare. Stay tuned for updates on the opening date, and prepare to embark on a delicious new yakitori adventure in Chinatown!

California’s popular Shin-Sen-Gumi-Yakitori is coming to Chinatown

Double the Spice, Double the Pride: Rutba Indian Kitchen Makes Us Proud!

As you already know, at Chinatown Vegas, we pride ourselves on being your trusted source for all things Chinatown. Sometimes, we have the privilege of breaking news about soon-to-be stars! Remember back in October 2023, when we first announced the arrival of Rutba Indian Kitchen? We were thrilled to welcome this exciting new addition to our vibrant culinary scene.

Well, folks, get ready to spice up your life (pun intended) because Rutba Indian Kitchen has achieved incredible recognition! They’ve been ranked a whopping #7 on Yelp’s Top 25 Indian Spots in the US for 2024! This is a huge honor, and we couldn’t be prouder to see their delicious food and dedicated service getting the national spotlight they deserve.

This recognition is a testament to the incredible talent and passion behind Rutba Indian Kitchen. Their menu, featuring both classic Indian dishes and unique culinary creations, has captured the hearts (and taste buds!) of Las Vegas and beyond.

Congratulations to the entire team at Rutba Indian Kitchen! We know you’ll continue to tantalize our taste buds and make Chinatown a culinary destination to remember.

Feeling inspired? Head over to Rutba Indian Kitchen is located on the 2nd floor of the Pacific Asian Plaza. Experience the flavors that have earned them national acclaim.  Reminder, there is parking on the second floor with easy access to the second-floor restaurants.

RUTBA – #7 on Yelp’s Top 25 Indian Spots in the US for 2024!

That’s all for this week, Chinatown Freinds!

We hope you’re hungry for delicious discoveries, excited about the sizzling new yakitori joint, and ready to celebrate Rutba Indian Kitchen’s well-deserved recognition.

Remember, whether you’re craving dim sum delights, artisan pizza perfection, or a unique cannabis experience with top-notch food trucks, Chinatown has something for everyone. So get out there, explore, and savor all that our vibrant community has to offer.

After all, what happens in Chinatown, happens here!

See ya next Sunday

Suzuya Cafe / Restaurant Row

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Subscribe to Chinatown’s New YouTube Channel

In our ongoing efforts to promote and highlight what we feel is the best Chinatown anywhere, we have launched a YouTube Channel to capture it.

The channel plans to feature businesses, food, chefs, breaking news, street reports, and much more. Chinatown Vegas’ YouTube Channel hopes to capture a real sense feel of what it’s like to visit the super-fast growing Chinatown.

Whether you’re craving sweet treats at Suzuya Cafe, rocking out at the Sand Dollar Lounge, or escaping into a hilarious musical, there’s something for everyone in the vibrant heart of Las Vegas. So grab your friends and family, explore all that Chinatown has to offer, and make some memories that will last a lifetime. Remember, what happens in Chinatown, happens here. See you next week for another exciting edition of “This Week in Chinatown“!