ShangHai Taste
Shanghai Fried Rice Cake
House Fried Fat Noodles with Shrimp
Sheng Jian
Shanghai Scallion Pancake
Kao Fu
Noodle with Scallion Oil and Shanghai Soy Sauce
Fish Wonton Soup
Now re-open in Las Vegas’ Phase One of COVID-19 recovery, Shanghai Plaza is not quite the bustling marketplace it once was, but for those seeking a truly outstanding meal the flagship of 4266 Spring Mountain Road remains Chef Jimmy Li’s ShangHai Taste.
Tucked inside Suite 104 of a two-story complex on the corner of Arville Street and Spring Mountain Road, it is upon entry that eyes are immediately drawn to Chinese-born Chefs working inside the restaurant’s glass prep-room, and with Chef Li’s time at 3 Villages, 1900 Asian Cuisine and Niu Gu well-known to fans the fact that everything on-site is made from scratch should come as no surprise.
Seating approximately 20 guests with proper social distancing from 11:00am until 8:00pm seven-days-a-week, all staff clad in PPE, it was with an order pre-arranged through partner Joe Muscaglione that seven items were received in tidy packaging, the ten minute drive home finding everything temperature appropriate and ample in portion.
Affordable without skimping on Ingredients, all thanks to Chef Li and Joe Muscaglione’s hard work, a distinctive feel is ensured by the fact that almost every single item on-site is imported from or near Shanghai, and starting with fried Soup Dumplings known as Sheng Jian it is great to know a temporary closure during the pandemic has not affected ShangHai Taste’s quality one bit.
Sharing several Shanghainese favorites, and able to accommodate most dietary preferences, Shanghai Scallion Pancakes once again proved crispy and desirable to all in attendance, while “Kao Fu” made of steamed Wheat Gluten and Mushrooms may turn some off with texture despite its unique and bold flavor.
Built on family recipes handed down to Chef Li, his House Fried Fat Noodles with choice of Protein always a crowd-pleaser, Soups are additionally a good choice regardless of outdoor degrees Fahrenheit, Fish Wontons in particular eating lighter than versions filled with Pork or Beef without tasting “fishy” at all.
Undoubtedly most popular for Xiao Long Bao, though omitted on this occasion for fear of deterioration during transport, additional selections included Soy-slicked cold Noodles with Scallion Oil and, personal favorite, Stir-fried Rice Cakes traditionally known as Chao Nian Gao.
FIVE STARS: Back after the pandemic, and practicing social distancing with all the right protocols, Chef Jimmy Li and Joe Muscaglione face an uphill battle much like the rest of Las Vegas’ Restaurants, but for those seeking Chinatown’s best Shanghainese Cuisine there is simply none better when accounting for cost, quality and customer service.
RECOMMENDED: Sheng Jian, Kao Fu, Shanghai Fried Rice Cake, House Fried Fat Noodles, Fish Wonton Soup.
AVOID: N/A.
TIP: Open daily from 11:00am until 8:00pm. Call 702-570-6363 or hop on Yelp! to make reservations.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
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