You’re walking through the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, dodging a bachelor party and trying to find the roller coaster entrance, when you hit a wall of garlic and ginger. That’s Chin Chin. It’s been sitting right there on the casino level for decades. Honestly, in a city where restaurants open and close faster than you can lose a twenty on a slot machine, its longevity is kinda wild.
Most people think Chin Chin New York New York Las Vegas is just another overpriced strip joint with mediocre orange chicken. They're wrong. Well, mostly. If you go in expecting a Michelin star, you’re gonna be disappointed. But if you know what to order, it’s actually one of the better values on the South Strip.
The California Connection
Believe it or not, Chin Chin didn't start in Vegas. It was born on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles back in 1983. Back then, it was the "it" spot for celebrities who wanted dim sum without going to Chinatown. When it migrated to the New York-New York in Las Vegas, it brought that "West Coast" Chinese vibe with it. This isn't traditional, back-alley Cantonese food. It’s vibrant, loud, and very approachable.
The kitchen is open. You can actually see the chefs tossing woks and rolling sushi. There's a specific smell to it—what the pros call "Wok Hei" or the breath of the wok. It’s that slightly charred, smoky aroma that you only get from high-heat steel. It makes the whole place feel alive, even at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday.
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What to Actually Eat (And What to Skip)
Let’s get real about the menu. It’s huge. It covers everything from Japanese sushi to Szechuan green beans. That’s usually a red flag for a restaurant, right? Jack of all trades, master of none. But Chin Chin has a few "greatest hits" that justify the hype.
- The Chinese Chicken Salad: This is the dish that put them on the map in LA. It sounds boring. It’s not. It’s basically a mountain of shredded chicken, ginger, and those little crispy fried noodles. It’s light, which is a miracle in Vegas.
- Honey Walnut Shrimp: This is the crowd favorite. The shrimp are massive, the glaze is sweet but not cloying, and the walnuts are actually crunchy.
- The Volcano Roll: If you’re hitting the sushi bar, this is the one. It’s spicy, it’s messy, and it’s unapologetically "Vegas-style" sushi.
- Garlic Chili Crisp Wontons: These are relatively new to the menu compared to the staples, but they’ve got a legit kick.
Avoid the generic stuff. If you order the basic beef and broccoli, you’re gonna get... well, basic beef and broccoli. It’s fine, but it’s not why you’re here.
The "Secret" Brunch Buffet
The biggest shocker? They do a breakfast and brunch buffet. People walk by it every morning and don't realize it's there. Last I checked, it was around $35 for adults, which is actually a steal by Strip standards.
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It’s a weird mix. You’ve got your standard American eggs and bacon, but then you’ve got Shu Mai and sushi. It’s the perfect "hangover" spot because half the group can eat pancakes while the other half dives into fried rice. It runs daily, usually starting around 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM.
The Vibe and Logistics
The atmosphere is loud. If you’re looking for a romantic, quiet dinner to propose to your partner, please go somewhere else. Chin Chin is for groups. It’s for people who just spent four hours at the craps table and need a giant plate of noodles and a beer.
Reservations? You can usually walk in for lunch, but for dinner, especially on weekends, use OpenTable or call ahead. The line gets long fast because it’s situated right in the "Times Square" area of the casino.
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Pricing: It’s a "$$" spot. Entrees usually land between $20 and $35. In 2026, finding a decent meal on the Strip for under $40 is getting harder and harder, so Chin Chin occupies that middle ground between a food court and a high-end steakhouse.
A Few Expert Tips
- MGM Rewards: Since it's inside New York-New York, you can earn and redeem MGM Rewards points here. Don’t leave money on the table.
- The Bar: If the wait for a table is an hour, check the bar. They serve the full menu there, and the service is often faster.
- Portion Sizes: They are big. Seriously. If you’re two people, you can easily share one appetizer and one entree and leave full.
Why It Still Matters
In a town that constantly reinvents itself, Chin Chin New York New York Las Vegas feels like a constant. It doesn't try to be the trendiest place in town. It just serves solid, West Coast-style Chinese food in a fun environment.
It’s not authentic in the way a San Gabriel Valley hole-in-the-wall is. It's "Vegas authentic." It's big, it's bold, and it knows exactly what it is.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the hours: They vary slightly by season, but they generally stay open late (midnight on weekends).
- Scan the menu online first: It’s massive, and the table turnover is fast, so you don't want to spend twenty minutes deciding.
- Look for the 10% discount: Sometimes, if you're staying at the hotel, they have digital coupons in the MGM app.
Whether you’re there for the legendary chicken salad or a late-night sushi fix, Chin Chin remains a reliable anchor in the chaos of New York-New York.