Jin Chaih (Chinese) — Restaurant Review
JIN CHAIH (CHINESE RESTAURANT) — REVIEW
Living here in Las Vegas for more than 20 years without a dependable “go to” Chinese restaurant has been an unforeseen spin-off of disappointments and frustrations.
Sure, there are many okay and good Chinese restaurants here, perhaps even some great spots for those wiling to spend time and money. My goal however, isn’t fine dining or rolling dice on exotic fare. It’s locating the ideal cozy neighborhood retreat with delicious food–both for dine-in and take out. In search of simpleton Chinese Holy Grail, I’ve been forever seeking the Wo Hop of Las Vegas–note that Wo Hop is a New York Chinatown legend (been there at least 30-40 times, and make at least one visit there each time I’m in NYC). Realizing the folly of expecting distant gratification from the past and thousands of miles away, I’ve given up. Hopelessness.
Jin Chaih recently opened next to a massage parlor in a strip mall near a grocery store. There’s nothing to indicate this place is any good. The sign out front has been up for months now. Each time we stopped by ready for lunch, the door was locked. Finally, I saw a sign hanging–something about “opening soon.” There were issues with the permits or construction or whatever. I almost gave up on this place.
Saturday, we noticed the lights were on. The OPEN sign was flashing. No, not the massage parlor. Jin Chaih.
For a new restaurant, it’s pretty much a dump. Clean. But nothing fancy. Menu prices were a bit higher than expected. Chinese food can be ridiculously cheap, but most of these items were 20 to 30 percent higher than what might be found in a similar location in Chinatown, or elsewhere.
If all this sounds like a restaurant review where I’m about to rip the place apart, brace yourselves. Get ready for a shocker.
The food was fantastic!
Okay, I’m floundering all over the social media map here. Problems with the grand opening. Boring decor. Seemingly overpriced. But great food. Oh, and we only tried two items, so far. Yeah, this review needs another visit and a redux. I plan to go again this week sometime.
We tried the best beef fried rice I’ve had since departing the East Coast. Fabulous. Moist. Delicious. Enough to share for two. $18.
We also split a War Wonton soup. Homemade wontons, not the canned stuff. Again, enough to share. We had two items, totaling $32, and left full and happy. And service was fast and friendly. The Asian chef came out of the kitchen and took pride in our compliments at how great the food tasted.
Next visit — Mongolian Beef. Will post a review (and photos).
Maybe it’s that Jin Chaih is almost walking distance from my home. Maybe it’s that we’ve been disappointed countless times in the past. Maybe it’s that we expected nothing from this location after a confusing opening. Maybe it’s that you wouldn’t expect the food to be any good in a place like this. But, it was. I enjoyed one of he best Chinese meals in Las Vegas in the past 20 years this past Saturday.
Will the other items live up to the first impression and hype of this review (albeit incomplete)? I don’t know.
What I do know is — Jin Chaih packed a powerful punch and makes me want to return and try more dishes.
This wasn’t just a surprise; it was a shock.
Wo Hop, I’m still faithful to you. But I found the closest thing to true love for great informal convenient Chinese food.
Looking forward to more visits and sharing more menu items I enjoy.
Note: See website and menu HERE.
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Update: Went for Mongolian Beef take-out Sunday night. Excellent. Very tender beef, perfect Mongolian sauce, lots of pepper and onions but also only for those who like heat (it was borderline too spicy–which is not meant as a complaint). 8.5/10 So, this place continues solidifying my confidence.
