Welcome
What’s Ahead This Week
Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe opened over the weekend in the former One Piece Cafe space on Spring Mountain Road — our full first look is below. Also this week: the Culinary Union’s election-season canvass is now ongoing from its Spring Mountain Road headquarters, with outreach running through Election Day on November 3.
Inside: our Spotlight visits Chinatown’s ginseng and herbal shops, Community Corner meets the Vietnamese American Community of Las Vegas, Live Performance Spotlight stops by The Sand Dollar Lounge, and Looking Back follows a Commerce Corner storefront from foot reflexology to ChoJang. Shop Local pairs four protein deals at 99 Ranch Market and 168 Market with dinner ideas, Coming Soon updates what’s on our radar, and Gripes: Then & Now revisits two years of our recurring complaints.
Join us Tuesday, October 20, for Episode 14 of This Week in Chinatown on YouTube.
Breaking
Breaking News
🦔 Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe Opens on Spring Mountain Road
The Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe exterior on Spring Mountain Road, with a Las Vegas-themed banner featuring Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, and Shadow. Photo: ChinatownVegas.
Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe opened Saturday, October 17, at 5600 W. Spring Mountain Road, Suite A, in the former One Piece Cafe space. ChinatownVegas toured the cafe at a media preview on Thursday, October 15. It is the latest stop for Speed Cafe, a traveling Sega pop-up run with Los Angeles restaurateur Andy Nguyen’s The Lunchbox Group.
The Las Vegas location has four exclusive dishes, including the Casinopolis Dog ($17.99), topped with shaved prime rib, horseradish peppercorn crema, and caramelized onions, and the Neon Palace Dog ($11.99), a bacon-wrapped hot dog with honey-chipotle-lime Sin City sauce and shredded cheddar. Other menu items include the Speedway Prime Dip Sandwich ($21.99), the Knuckles Sandwich ($15.99), and the Game On Dog ($7.99), a plain hot dog with a vegan option available. Inside, neon lighting, hanging golden rings, and Las Vegas-themed murals surround two Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds game stations, and a menu board lists Las Vegas-only merchandise, from pins to crewnecks.
The cafe is expected to run through December 2026. Organizers told ChinatownVegas that something else is already being planned for the space, but no details have been shared, and no extension of the Sonic cafe has been confirmed. One Piece Cafe, the previous tenant, closed after service on October 2.
Opening weekend hours were 11 a.m.–9 p.m., October 17–18. Regular hours are now 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Check the cafe’s Facebook page for the latest.
🗳️ Culinary Union’s Election Canvass Is Underway on Spring Mountain Road
Hospitality workers are hitting the streets. The Culinary Union’s election-season canvass is now underway, headquartered at 5241 Spring Mountain Road. Hundreds of workers on temporary leave from their casino jobs are talking directly with voters ahead of Nevada’s November 3 election, in what union officials describe as the largest political field operation in the state.
Outreach is now ongoing and runs through Election Day. According to the union, daily canvass launches are internal staging, not public drop-in events, and media attendance requires an RSVP confirmed at least 24 hours in advance.
📅 Election 2026 at a Glance
Early voting runs Saturday, October 17, through Friday, October 30. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Long-term early-vote sites across the valley include Cambridge Recreation Center, Meadows Mall, and Las Vegas Athletic Club–Rainbow.
Forecast
Chinatown Weather
Live conditions for the Spring Mountain corridor, updated automatically.
Spring Mountain (East)
89102
Spring Mountain (West)
89146
Spotlight
Beyond the Restaurants: Chinatown’s Hidden World of Ginseng & Herbal Treasures
There’s a side of Chinatown where centuries of tradition live on in glass jars, fragrant teas, and apothecary drawers packed with roots and botanicals unfamiliar to most Western shoppers. Step inside one of the corridor’s traditional Chinese herbal shops, and you’ll discover an intricate world operating quietly alongside the bustling dining scene outside.
At the center of it all is ginseng, long revered as the “King of Herbs” in traditional Chinese medicine. Alongside it sit goji berries, dong quai, astragalus, dried florals, and medicinal mushrooms, staples of Chinese home cooking and traditional wellness practices.
You don’t have to travel across the Pacific to experience it. Several long-standing specialty shops are rooted right here along Spring Mountain Road and Jones Boulevard:
- T&T Ginseng (Chinatown Plaza, 4115 Spring Mountain Rd, Suite E103): A corridor classic stocked with herbs, specialty teas, and dried culinary delicacies such as scallops, abalone, shiitake mushrooms, and fish maw. With bilingual labeling throughout, it is an accessible stop for curious newcomers and seasoned home cooks alike.
- Hung Thai HTH Ginseng & Asian Grocery (5150 Spring Mountain Rd): Located further west, Hung Thai blends a traditional herbal counter with a neighborhood grocer, stocking pantry staples alongside loose teas, roots, and traditional herbal products.
- Ginseng Plus (Mountain View Plaza, 3400 S. Jones Blvd): A neighborhood fixture for more than two decades, Ginseng Plus is known for its selection of wild and cultivated ginseng, medicinal herbs, whole-leaf teas, and artisan teaware.
- Zhong He Ginseng & Herb (Spring Mountain Center, 3417 S. Jones Blvd): Just across the street from Ginseng Plus, near 168 Market, Zhong He Ginseng carries on the apothecary craft with wall-to-wall herbs, packaged tonics, and loose dried botanicals weighed by hand.
Glass jars of dried herbs and roots at Ginseng Plus in Mountain View Plaza. Photo: ChinatownVegas.com.
What makes these shops special isn’t just what sits on their shelves. It’s the deep cultural knowledge behind the counter, the family recipes they support, and the intergenerational bridge they maintain in the community.
With 248 restaurants drawing crowds day and night, it’s easy to forget that some of Chinatown’s greatest discoveries aren’t listed on a menu. They’re waiting in a glass jar on a wooden shelf.
Explore More: Discover Traditional Chinese Medicine in Las Vegas Chinatown — Our Complete Guide to Herbs, Ginseng & Neighborhood Shops →
Community
Community Corner
This week: getting to know the Vietnamese American Community of Las Vegas.
🇻🇳 Meet the Vietnamese American Community of Las Vegas
Chinatown’s story extends beyond its restaurants and shopping plazas. It also lives in the organizations that help neighbors connect, celebrate their heritage, and find support. This week, we’re introducing the Vietnamese American Community of Las Vegas (VACLV).
Vietnamese American community members celebrate their heritage with traditional áo dài, colorful floral fans, and cultural displays. Photo courtesy of VACLV.
Established in 2015, VACLV works to preserve Vietnamese culture, encourage civic participation, and improve the lives of Vietnamese Americans in Las Vegas. Its mission brings together two parts of community life: keeping traditions alive and helping residents navigate everyday challenges.
Past activities have included Tet and Mid-Autumn celebrations, citizenship classes, free tai chi, and ballroom dancing, which give families a chance to share traditions, meet neighbors, and connect across generations.
Vietnamese American cultural performers celebrate heritage and tradition with floral fans and áo dài. Photo courtesy of VACLV.
In 2023, VACLV celebrated the opening of an office at Cambridge Community Resource Center, a milestone in its efforts to connect residents with community resources. Service plans outlined at the time included translation assistance, referrals for seniors, educational guidance, and citizenship study courses.
Leadership listed on VACLV’s website: Megan Pham, President; Chandra Kor, Vice President of Internal Affairs; Mike Colian, Vice President of External Affairs; Tiffani Bui, Secretary.
For those of us who know Chinatown through its Vietnamese restaurants, markets, and small businesses, VACLV offers another way to get to know the people and traditions that help shape our neighborhood.
Want to connect? Visit VACLV’s website to learn more, or contact the organization about current activities, available assistance, and ways to get involved.
Contact (from VACLV’s website):
- Address: 3900 Cambridge St #110, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Phone: 702-907-0946
- Email: VACLV2025@gmail.com
- Website: vaclv.org
- Instagram: @vaclv.nevada
A stronger community starts with knowing our neighbors, and the people working to bring them together.
On Stage
Live Performance Spotlight
This week: live music at The Sand Dollar Lounge.
🎶 Live at The Sand Dollar Lounge
Great music, craft beer, cocktails, and pizza — all under one roof at one of Las Vegas Chinatown’s iconic live music destinations. The Sand Dollar Lounge keeps the neighborhood rocking seven nights a week, with never a cover charge and always 21+.
This week’s live music picks:
- Wednesday, October 21: Richiman and Groove Nice — 10 p.m.
- Friday, October 23: MOKSHA — 10 p.m.
Whether you’re winding down after dinner or heading out for a late-night adventure, The Sand Dollar offers a lively soundtrack to your Chinatown evening. Grab a drink, order a pizza, and enjoy the music!
🎸 See the full live music calendar →
The Sand Dollar Lounge, 3355 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 30, Las Vegas, NV 89102.
Deals
Shop Local: A Feast of Fresh Deals
🛒 Four Protein Deals, Four Asian-Inspired Dinners
This week, 99 Ranch Market and 168 Market are serving up some serious savings. We’ve picked four protein bargains and paired each with a simple, delicious dinner idea. These deals run October 16–22.
🥩 99 Ranch Market
- Tilapia Fillet (All Nature), 2-lb pack, $12 (through Oct. 22). The Move: Make Cantonese-style ginger-scallion fish. Steam with fresh ginger, then finish with scallions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Serve over jasmine rice.
- American Wagyu Rib Finger Meat, $10.99/lb (through Oct. 22). The Move: Whip up a sizzling black pepper beef stir-fry with onions, bell peppers, garlic, soy sauce, and cracked black pepper.
Bonus deal: Buddha Jasmine Rice, 25 lbs for $28.99.
🍤 168 Market
- Natural Pork Spare Ribs, $2.99/lb (through Oct. 22). The Move: Make sticky Chinese honey-garlic ribs. Marinate with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and rice vinegar, then slow-roast until tender and caramelized.
- Headless Shrimp (26/30 count), $5.99/lb (through Oct. 22). The Move: Try Thai-style garlic chili shrimp. Stir-fry with garlic, fresh chilies, fish sauce, and a squeeze of lime. Finish with Thai basil.
Bonus deal: Mogami Premium Medium Grain Rice, 15 lbs for $10.99.
Four proteins. Four delicious dinners. Two neighborhood markets. That’s what we call shopping local!
📍 Browse the weekly specials: 99 Ranch Market | 168 Market
Specials expire Thursday, October 22. Prices are from each market’s weekly flyer. Nevada stores only; availability may vary by location, so check shelf labels. While supplies last.
Preview
Coming Soon: Chinatown’s Scene Heats Up
Major developments, new restaurants and shops: here’s what’s on our radar along Spring Mountain Road. Timelines and details can change.
Projects with reported progress or timelines
In Development
Pacifica Vegas / Pacifica Plaza
A mixed-use development with retail and dining. FOX5 reported in September that groundbreaking is expected before the end of 2026.
In Development
Jade Promenade
According to FOX5, Clark County commissioners approved plans in February for a retail plaza near Spring Mountain and Wynn roads, to be built in two phases.
Under Construction
Jewel
An apartment complex with retail on the first floor. According to FOX5, construction is expected to finish in March 2029, with leasing expected to begin in July 2028.
In Development
XYZ Square (XYZ²)
A multi-level development where Harbour AYCE Seafood Hot Pot is among the planned restaurant concepts.
Longer-standing plans and announcements
On Our Radar
Plazas and destinations
- Diamond Spring Mountain Plaza: A central-strip plaza with a food and beverage focus.
- Chinatown 11: A compact plaza expected to add boutique storefronts.
- Chinatown Visitor Center: An information stop for locals and travelers.
Restaurants
- Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori: A Southern California yakitori and izakaya restaurant. Announced years ago and since delayed, but still on our radar.
- Sea Harbour by Chef Tony: A dim sum and Cantonese seafood restaurant with Vancouver and Los Angeles roots. Announced years ago and since delayed, but still on our radar.
- Lao Sze Chuan: A Chicago-based Sichuan restaurant, coming to Pacifica Vegas (see above).
- Harbour AYCE Seafood Hot Pot: An all-you-can-eat seafood hot pot restaurant at XYZ Square (see above).
- Shabu Rokka: A Japanese shabu-shabu hot pot restaurant.
- Tuk Tuk Thai Street Food: A Thai street food restaurant.
- Saigon Street: A Vietnamese street food restaurant at Golden Spring Plaza.
- Oak & Yolk: A breakfast and brunch restaurant.
- Nine Nine Food ToGo: A takeout-focused food concept.
Drinks, snacks and shops
- theVenti: South Korea’s theVenti is preparing its first U.S. location in Las Vegas Chinatown, with a surprising connection to Japan’s Liberty Walk custom supercar brand. Read our exclusive coverage.
- Chubby World: An Asian snack and treat shop.
- Boutique Wine Bar (name unannounced): A natural wine bar. Its name hasn’t been announced.
For more on the corridor’s redevelopment, see our Special Chinatown Redevelopment Issue.
Throwback
Looking Back
🦶 The Shift from Reflexology to Late-Night Pocha at Commerce Corner
Then
Summer Palace Foot Reflexology at Commerce Corner, summer 2018. Photo: ChinatownVegas.com.
In the summer of 2018, walking past Suites 3-A and 3-B at Commerce Corner (6000 Spring Mountain Rd) meant passing Summer Palace Foot Reflexology.
Flanked by bright neon footprint logos, vibrant pink window-trim tubing, and a neon-yellow starburst decal advertising “$22/hour” foot reflexology, Summer Palace was one of the foot spas and massage studios that were a familiar sight in Spring Mountain Road strip malls throughout the 2010s, offering low-key, affordable pampering.
Since then, some service storefronts at Commerce Corner have become food and drink concepts, including the former Pinoy Cash space in Suite 4-A, now home to Hatoya, the Kyoto-based matcha shop that arrived more recently.
Today, the heavy window curtains and neon massage signs are gone. What was once a two-suite storefront has found a second life as ChoJang (pictured below), now in a single suite—a Korean pocha and seafood house with boiling seafood pots, raw fish, and late-night soju culture. Where patrons once kicked off their shoes to unwind in quiet relaxation, groups now gather around steaming burners and shared street-food platters late into the evening.
Now
ChoJang today, in the space once home to Summer Palace Foot Reflexology. Photo: ChinatownVegas.com.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal (Hatoya, Suite 4A); What Now Las Vegas (Cho Jang Zip license filing, Suite 3-B).
Unfiltered
Chinatown Gripes
😤 Gripes: Then & Now — Two Years Later… Seriously?
We decided to take a little trip down memory lane this week. Not to revisit great restaurants, grand openings, or Chinatown milestones. Nope. We went digging through our own Gripes archives.
And guess what? Some of our complaints are apparently celebrating anniversaries.
November 3, 2024
Formula 1 headaches. Endless construction. Orange cones. Potholes. Unsynchronized traffic lights. Speeding drivers. And a staircase that had been barricaded for more than 18 months.
October 20, 2025
Potholes. Poorly placed bus stops. Dangerous left turns. Erratic traffic signals. Speeding concerns. Formula 1 disruptions. And crashes bringing Spring Mountain to a standstill.
October 2026
Formula 1 construction is back. Traffic signals, pedestrian safety, risky left turns, and speeding remain on our radar. Some things really do never go out of style.
At this point, our orange cones deserve their own Chinatown loyalty cards.
But here’s the serious part: these aren’t just inconveniences. They’re issues affecting the people who live, work, shop, dine, and invest in Chinatown.
We recognize that roadway improvements take time, and we welcome progress. There is movement: Clark County approved a $5.7 million contract to repave Spring Mountain Road through Chinatown, and the corridor has been designated a redevelopment area. But the ultimate measure isn’t how many projects get announced. It’s how much safer and easier it becomes to navigate Chinatown.
Two years of the same Gripes. Plenty of new restaurants. Plenty of new development. How about some new solutions?
The potholes have been horrible for more than a decade. Time to mobilize a special pothole-repair task force?
From the ChinatownVegas archives: November 3, 2024 and October 20, 2025.
Watch
In Case You Missed It
▶️ Watch Episode 13 of This Week in Chinatown
Missed last week’s video? “Chinatown Las Vegas: This Week in Chinatown | Episode 13” was published Tuesday, October 13, on YouTube. New episodes publish on Tuesdays.
Explore More Chinatown
Ready to dive deeper into the neighborhood? Whether you’re hungry, curious, or looking for something new, Spring Mountain Road has plenty to explore, from dining to community events. Revisit our past coverage at chinatownvegas.com/chinatown
Master Martial Arts in Chinatown’s Core
Chinatown’s martial arts studios offer Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and more for kids and adults, combining fitness, focus, and tradition.
Chinatown Vegas Features Perfect Places to Master Martial Arts for Kids and Adults
9 Ramen Bowls to Warm Your Soul
Chinatown’s ramen scene includes bowls of tonkotsu, spicy miso, and more, for any time you’re craving comfort.
9 Amazing Ramen Dishes to Try in Chinatown
Insider Tip: Visit ChinatownVegas.com daily for breaking news, openings, and the stories behind your favorite neighborhood spots.
Let’s Celebrate
Let’s Celebrate
Let’s celebrate a neighborhood that never stands still: a Sonic cafe in the former One Piece Cafe space, a Korean pocha where a foot spa once stood, and organizations like VACLV helping neighbors connect. Thanks for reading, and for supporting the local businesses and organizations that make Chinatown what it is. See you back here next Monday, and at ChinatownVegas.com every day in between.
— The ChinatownVegas.com Team
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