Many local food geeks are hooked on Seoul Plaza, the compact strip mall on Spring Mountain Road just west of Decatur Boulevard, home to Raku, Monta, Kabuto, and several other stunning but small Asian restaurants. But it’s not the only Chinatown-area enclave offering great eats.
Lately, attention seems to be shifting a bit farther west to the more expansive nook on Jones Boulevard just off Spring Mountain—Mountain View Plaza. This spot has been semi-popular for years, thanks to China Mama—long considered one of the best Chinese restaurants in the Las Vegas Valley—and late-night karaoke strongholds Forbes KTV and Cafe Moda. But an influx of incredible restaurants has diversified and strengthened the plaza’s reputation as a dining destination. There’s the nationally acclaimed Chada Thai & Wine, right next door to brand new Vietnamese fusion spot District One Kitchen & Bar. You’ve got authentic regional Chinese cuisine at Shaanxi Gourmet and traditional Japanese noodle soup at Ramen Tatsu.
Mountain View Plaza
If you’re game for exploring Mountain View Plaza, start with two terrific Chinese restaurants revered by Asian eaters but often overlooked in the ever-changing Chinatown landscape.
HK Star (3400 S. Jones Blvd. #15, 220-3388) specializes in Hong Kong-style seafood but offers a huge assortment of dishes, from noodles to rice porridge to clay pot stews. Signature plates include braised turtle and chicken ($13.95), chu chu roast pig ($16.95) and seafood tofu soup ($11.95). HK’s menu can be a little intimidating but there’s definitely something for everyone; the less adventurous will enjoy crispy fried oysters ($14.95), spicy XO shrimp ($13.95), or Peking duck in lettuce cups ($5.95).
Speaking of duck, Asian BBQ & Noodle (3400 S. Jones Blvd. #5C, 202-3636) is one of the top spots in the city for Chinese barbecue; the place is usually packed with people sharing roasted pork, ribs, duck, or hai nam chicken. Grab a barbecue-and-rice plate ($7.50-$7.99) with your favorite meat, or buy it by the pound for a take-home feast. I recommend a three-meat combo plate ($14.99) so you can try as much as possible, but do not leave without tasting the city’s best wonton soup ($5.99 plain or with egg noodles; $7.99 with roasted duck).
These tasty bites may not replace China Mama’s soup dumplings or beef rolls as your favorite Mountain View Plaza meal, but you won’t know until you try.
