Top 13 Las Vegas Dishes of the Las Vegas Man Who Eats Out in Honolulu 180 Times a Year
In case you’re wondering, Young Park eats out in his home city 11 times a week.
Young Park and Angela Tang eat out in Las Vegas 11 times a week. That pales in comparison to how often they out in Honolulu, which is 21 times a week—every meal of every day of the couple’s twice-yearly monthlong stays. So naturally, after Park spontaneously texted us loving descriptions of all 15 of his favorite dishes in Honolulu, we asked the Las Vegas resident to do the same with his top picks in the Ninth Island.
SEE ALSO: Top 15 Picks of a Las Vegas Man Who Eats Out in Honolulu 180 Times a Year
Park graciously obliged; Tang followed up with photos. These aren’t the celebrity chef restaurants of the Strip, nor, for the most part, national chains. Park and Tang support local eateries. From pancakes to pizza to Peking duck, they know these dishes only as true fanatics can: When they find something they love, they go back for it repeatedly, even in the same week.
They did this with Honolulu’s Sushi Gyoshin, booking four more omakase dinners in April after we met there that month—even though Gyoshin’s waitlist stretched into summer. How? I asked. If you’re diligent, there are last-minute cancellations, they said. They must have called nearly daily. While they were at it, they booked five more reservations at Gyoshin for their return visit next month.
So what do they love in Las Vegas? Bookmark this and read on.
SEE ALSO: Honolulu’s Omakase Obsession
Photo: Angela Tang
Spicy Pig pizza and tagliatelle pasta at La Strega
The crust on the Spicy Pig is legit—slight crunch and a nice chew but not overly doughy. Not super thin like Joe’s Pizza (my favorite NYC pie), but it’s damn good. Red sauce is house-made, and the soppressata, smoked mozzarella and chives make this something special. Gina Marinelli travels to search out new and different dishes for her ever-changing seasonal menu. A newer item, the tagliatelle pasta served on bone marrow with guanciale and pomodoro, is a simple dish done extremely well. You want great Italian in Vegas? Pass on Carbone and go to La Strega—you will thank me.
3555 S. Town Center Dr., Summerlin, lastregalv.com, @lastregalv
Photo: Angela Tang
Carne asada burrito at Buena Vista Kitchen
I may be Asian American, but I grew up in LA. My favorite Mexican spots there, to establish some street cred with you, are King Taco (El Taurino aka “Hoover Taco” if you’re from Ktown) for their red chile sauce, Sonora Town for the grilled carne asada, and Leo’s Taco Truck for out-of-this-world al pastor tacos.
At Buena Vista Kitchen, Manny Garduno makes everything from scratch, including his flour tortillas, which are to a great burrito like rice to sushi or bread to a sandwich. The tortilla is thin and has a stretch when you bite in. The burrito has quality carne asada, which is pretty rare unless you’re going to a fancier Mexican spot like Javier’s. Served with house-made guacamole, pico de gallo salsa, choice of refried or black beans, and that’s it! Plus house-made corn tortilla chips and mixed green/red chile that is very, very good.
2620 Regatta Dr., Summerlin, buenavistakitchen.com, @buena_vista_kitchen
Photo: Angela Tang
Peking Duck at Mott 32
This is the one exception to my “I don’t dine at Strip restaurants” mantra. The 42-day aged duck at Hong Kong-based Mott 32 is as good as the best in China or Hong Kong. Executive Chef Alan Ji (he opened Hakkasan in Miami and led Wing Lei at Wynn in 2016) is the real deal—his Chinese culinary knowledge and experience are reflected in the dishes. The Peking duck is perfect, from its crispy, light and flavorful skin to the tableside presentation and cutting to the sauces and ultra-thin wraps. Despite a modern Asian nightclub vibe, the restaurant is not so noisy. Service is exceptional—special shoutout to King Kai “Danny” Chan who is the best server!
3325 S. Las Vegas Blvd., mott32.com/las-vegas, @mott32vegas
Double Double at In-N-Out Burger
Truly still one of my most favorite things to eat. During the COVID lockdowns when we couldn’t see family and friends and most other restaurants were closed, In-N-Out saved me from going insane. No need to describe the legendary Double Double. I believe In-N-Out was Anthony Bourdain’s favorite restaurant in LA.
Multiple locations, in-n-out.com/locations/nevada
Photo: Angela Tang
Twice-cooked pork and boiled fish with rattan pepper at Spicy Zest
Chef Alan Ji of Mott 32 opened Spicy Zest in May 2024 with his wife, Vivo Mo, who works the front of the house. Spicy Zest brings Michelin-star-level Szechuan dishes in a warm, casual, family-friendly setting, with prices that are also friendly. The twice-cooked pork is exceptional and properly enjoyed with a bowl of white rice. The flavor and texture are perfect, prepared by a chef who knows what this dish is supposed to taste like. The boiled fish with rattan peppers is equally outstanding with a broth of liquid gold that is spicy but not overwhelming. In southwest Vegas, the new hot spot for Asian restaurants.
7320 S. Rainbow Blvd., (725) 214-3383
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Chinese Food
Photo: Angela Tang
Italian beef sandwich at Amore Taste of Chicago
Authentic Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches in a nice, large sports bar setting. The sandwich comes with a generous portion of beef, side of au jus and house-made giardiniera peppers. The bread is slightly toasted, crisp outside and airy inside. Comes with fries for $10.95, an unbeatable deal. This is a guy’s dish for sure—any woman who likes this sandwich or is willing to just watch her man enjoy it is a keeper.
Multiple locations, amoretasteofchicago.com, @amoretasteofchicagolv
SEE ALSO: My 8 Favorite Sandwiches on O‘ahu
Photo: Angela Tang
Chocolate banana cake at Nutriente Pastry Studio
Neither words nor pics can do justice to the magical delights that chef-owner Diana Dimitrova creates. Like all of her desserts, you can taste the quality ingredients in the chocolate banana cake from the first bite to the last. Nothing else in Vegas compares. The setting is cozy, humble and confident. Dimitrova greets and treats each guest like a good friend. Simply magical.
7225 S. Durango Dr., nutrientepastrystudio.com, @nutriente_pastry_studio
Photo: Angela Tang
Spicy Shoyu Ramen at SilverLake Ramen
Everyone has their favorite ramen spots, and folks get pretty heated about where is best. For me, it’s SilverLake. The broth is not too heavy and not too light, the noodles are just the right chew and the chashu is thicker and has that LA carnitas vibe that I love. SilverLake, which originated in Los Angeles and now has locations across the mainland, including a newly opened spot in Vegas’s Chinatown, has successfully taken its Japanese origins and combined them with the LA/SoCal palate.
3455 Arville St., silverlakeramen.com, @silverlake_ramen_lv
Grilled salmon bento at Japan Creek Market
This is a tiny grocery store specializing in Japanese food products in a Henderson strip mall off the 215 freeway. The grilled salmon is perfectly prepared medium, not overcooked, and comes with rice and small sides of macaroni salad, nikujaga and pickles, all for $9.99! Workers are super courteous and service is great—I call in my order, and it’s ready in 20 minutes. This is an easy, delicious, healthy and inexpensive meal that I enjoy at least once a week.
9310 S. Eastern Ave., japancreek.com
SEE ALSO: My 12 Favorite Restaurants Off the Strip in Las Vegas
Photo: Angela Tang
Organic Chicken Katsu at Katsu Ya Ton Ton
Easily the best Japanese katsu spot in the Western United States. We are lucky that Chef Masa and his wife Reiko relocated to Vegas from Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu & Yoshoku Bistro in Waikīkī. Katsu Ya uses a superior rice bran oil and sources its pork and meats from Sunterra Farms. Their signature panko is from Japan’s Kyoei Foods, which specializes in panko. All the katsu dishes are outstanding, but for me, the organic chicken is just so damn juicy and light and flavorful. Also, the panko crust is always perfect on the chicken compared to the pork. Pair the chicken katsu with Asahi on draft in a frosted mug, and you are good to go.
7225 S. Durango Dr., tontonlv.com, @tontonkatsuya
Photo: Angela Tang
Chef Roy Ellamar’s mom’s banana bread
I don’t know if you can still get the banana bread at Fine Company in downtown Summerlin, since Roy parted ways in June with LEV Group. Some of you may know him as a local from Hilo—I’m keeping in touch with him and will let you know when I find out where I can get that frickin’ banana bread.
Photo: Angela Tang
Hainan Chicken at 88 Noodle Papa
I’m a fein for good Hainan chicken, and Noodle Papa easily turns out the best in Vegas. And I’ve tried them all. Noodle Papa is a little spot in Shanghai Plaza in Chinatown (on Spring Mountain) that turns out some great Hong Kong-style dishes. Pair the Hainan chicken with the HK-style iced lemon tea and close your eyes and you might be in Hong Kong.
4276 Spring Mountain Road, 88noodlepapa.com
Photo: Angela Tang
Khao Soy with Scallops and Shrimp Pad Thai at Weera Thai
Vegas has many Thai restaurants, including very good ones like Lotus of Siam and Weera Thai (which has multiple locations; this is about the Rainbow location—I can’t speak to the others since I haven’t been there). The general manager, Peter, is Thai and runs this restaurant with hospitality and genuine warmth, which are hallmarks of the beautiful Thai culture. This is where the local Thais come to eat with three generations of family. That’s how you know the food is authentic and good. The pics do more justice to how good these dishes are than my clumsy words, so I will stop here.
7337 S. Rainbow Blvd., weerathai.com, @weerathai.rainbow
