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| - Yun Nan Garden could be an intimidating place for many people, thanks to its slightly hidden location and a menu that's not going to be familiar to those whose experience of Chinese food doesn't go much beyond Panda Express and General Tso. But Yun Nan Garden holds some of the best Chinese food in Las Vegas, and is well worth venturing out of your comfor zone for.
The atmosphere really isn't anything to speak of, it's pretty typical Chinese restaurant stuff. Booze is, as far as I know, limited to cans of Budweiser. But you're here for the food, and really not much else. There are a few standard Chinese dishes on the menu, but go for the Sichuan/Yunnanese dishes. I recommend:
- Chonqqinq chicken - this is my favorite. It's a pile of small pieces of deep-fried chicken served in a mound of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies. It's hot: you notice the kick with your first bite, but it's not too bad. Then your lips start to tingle and numb from the peppercorns, then your mouth catches fire from the chilies, delivering a satisfying burn and great flavor.
- Dan dan noodles - a standby of Sichuan cuisine, with ground pork, preserved vegetables and chili oil over noodles.
- Pea shoots sauteed in garlic - a nice change of pace from the heat and complex flavors of other dishes.
Prices are excellent, most dishes are $10-12 or under. One warning, though: it's not the best place for vegetarians, or even pescatarians. There's meat and poultry lurking in a lot of the dishes. But all in all, it's a star of Spring Mountain.
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