Las Vegas Chinatown is a vibrant hub of Asian cultures, offering a diverse range of restaurants, bars, shops, karaoke venues, arcades, and more.

Las Vegas Chinatown is a vibrant, ever-evolving cultural corridor along Spring Mountain Road, just west of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

The three-mile stretch of plaza-style strip malls originated as a commercial hub for the city’s Asian community in the 1990s, evolving into a cultural melting pot and a thriving district that attracts locals and tourists alike. 

Apart from touches of Asian-style architecture, Las Vegas Chinatown might not seem special at first glance, but within its 20 walkable shopping centers are more than 150 restaurants, six Asian supermarkets, bars, shops, spas, and everything from martial arts schools to marijuana dispensaries. 

While it helps to have a plan when visiting Las Vegas Chinatown, it’s best to explore the area at your own pace. If unsure where to start, pick any strip mall, park, and walk. You’ll surely stumble into something cool and unexpected. From hand-pulled noodles to personalized boba tea, anime merch to arcade games, hidden izakaya to a dreamy dessert bar, you could easily make a whole day (or night) of it.

Go on a culinary adventure

Don’t let the name fool you. Las Vegas Chinatown is a journey through the entire Asian culinary world, featuring Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian-influenced cuisines, as well as a sprinkling of other world cultures. There’s something for all price points for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late at night, and early morning.

Japanese

Yes, you’ll find sushi bars and restaurants, from high-end to all-you-can-eat, but that’s just the tip of the crunch roll. 

At Raku, they’re firing up the Japanese robata grill; Customers rave about their food. Hachi is known for its Japanese tapas, great for sharing. James Beard Award-nominated Chef Kaoru Azeuch has created diverse sushi and traditional culinary experiences for guests at Kaiseki Yuzu. Vegans and meat eaters will find something delicious at Ichiza, the city’s first Izakaya-style restaurant. To try a little of everything, check out 888 Japanese BBQ. This all-you-can-eat spot is one of Yelp’s Top 25 restaurants in Nevada.

Chinese

Las Vegas Chinatown has everything from artistically handcrafted noodles at Shang Artisan Noodle to steamed buns at Xiao Long Dumplings. You can dine on Sichuan and Cantonese-style dishes like pan-fried pork buns, Mongolian beef, crispy duck, and chow mein at popular casual Chinese eatery China Mama 2. Don’t forget seafood and dim sum at SK Seafood Restaurant.

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Experience the Korean palate at all-you-can-eat 888 Korean BBQ or get a mouthful in more ways than one, late into the night, at legendary Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Kim Long. The globally influenced Chubby Cattle features a hot pot and a refrigerated conveyor belt. 

Grab a drink

Many restaurants in Las Vegas Chinatown have noteworthy bars and libations (Chef Brian Howard’s Sparrow + Wolf comes to mind), but there are also many standalone standouts. 

Ecclectic is an understatement when describing The Golden Tiki, a tiki bar with island-themed decor and tropical cocktails, open 24 hours a day. 

While Mas Por Favor appears to be a typical taco shop, it belies a speakeasy, hidden at the end of a tunnel—and it’s considered among Yelp’s Top 10 tequila bars in town. With a history dating back to 1976, classic Vegas bar The Sand Dollar Lounge still delivers music and cocktails in a casual environment. ​

Coffee, tea, boba, and dessert

Looking for sweets? From authentic Asian bakeries like Sunville Bakery to popular Hong Kong-based dessert chains Hui Lau Shan and Sweet Honey Dessert, even soft serve ice cream in a goldfish-shaped waffle cone at SomiSomi, you won’t have to look far. La Paleta Bar is a one-stop Spanish ice pops shop. 

Grab a pastry and savor a handcrafted coffee or tea in the cozy Gäbi Coffee & Bakery, a chic café that blends traditional Oriental and modern Western cultures. Pick up a few loose-leaf teas for later at Tea and Whisk or kick back on the cozy outdoor patio at Mama Chai’s for a customizable tea with boba, jelly, and bean toppings. 

Award-winning boba tea brand Tiger Sugar has a proprietary eight-hour method for cooking the syrups and tapioca pearls used in its brown sugar bubble tea, featuring a unique tiger stripe design.⁣ Chica San Chen is a Taiwanese-style tea shop and spiritual retreat. For green tea specifically, try the matcha and hojicha at Urban Matcha.

Other things to do

Exercise your voice at karaoke

Karaoke is a cultural phenomenon and a popular activity in Las Vegas Chinatown, where karaoke bars cater to all sorts of karaoke preferences. 

If you’re looking for a private room and food, hip venue J Karaoke is a great late-night spot, while Ninja Karaoke takes you on a culinary and musical journey. Industry 13 features 14 private karaoke rooms, offering a selection of Chinese, Korean, and English songs. 

If you want to show off your singing skills to the public, try Las Music Karaoke & Bar.

See a live performance

Take a break from walking around strip malls, sit down, and watch a live show at the Las Vegas Little Theater. A non-profit community theater, located in Las Vegas Chinatown, LVLT has entertained audiences with critically acclaimed plays and talented local performers at reasonable prices since 1978. 

Check online for music and events at The Sand Dollar Lounge, a legendary bar that was once a draw for iconic musicians including Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and even Mick Jagger. You can also catch live music at other bars in the area.

Smash things, play games, have fun

From breaking glass and old computer equipment with a baseball bat or sledgehammer at the Wreck Room to daring to find a way out of the SAW Escape Room, a trip to Las Vegas Chinatown is never ordinary. 

Play Japanese and classic arcade games at Game Nest Arcade, packed with simulators, shooting games, console gaming, and more. Claw Joyland keeps you fishing for prizes with modern claw machines, from classic to limited-edition.

Just around the corner from Las Vegas Chinatown, AREA 15 is an immersive entertainment playground featuring interactive exhibits, bars, restaurants, rides, entertainment, and activities such as axe-throwing, simulated golf, and VR games. 

Shop

Las Vegas Chinatown is filled with anime, K-pop, and other Asian pop culture stores carrying everything from collectibles to cosplay gear, obscure snacks to Asian beauty products. 

Check out shops in strip malls like Chinatown Plaza, Shanghai Plaza, and the Pacific Asian Plaza. Get your Pokémon and Funko Pops fix at 888 Collectibles, squeeze the plushies at Kuma Co, or check out the collectible cards at Animetsubasa. 

For another treat, head to an Asian market and browse the aisles. Bally Market is a recent addition to the expanding Chinatown area, while the longtime Ranch 99 Market is a popular stop for tourists and locals.