Las Vegas is no stranger to tableside presentations, whether it’s a sliced tomahawk steak for two, smoked cocktails, or a Caesar salad tossed on the spot — but an ambitious Chinese restaurant is putting a new spin on the concept.
👀 China Mama Springs Forward
Spring by China Mama opened last year to relatively quiet fanfare, but is gradually building a loyal following — despite a location near Virgin Hotels that’s notoriously affected by Formula 1 construction in the fall.
😋 Come Hungry
The menu carries a hearty selection of China Mama staples — dumplings, noodles, crispy beef, and more — but stands apart by offering a unique spring wraps presentation.
🍽️ How It Works
The spring wraps arrive with a full make-‘em-as-you-go presentation. A server demonstrates how to roll your choice of meats, eggs, and vegetables into one of two types of wraps, which are almost like Asian tortillas. From there, you roll them yourself, but don’t worry — it’s super easy and hard to mess up.
🦆 A Delicious Duck
My pick: sliced duck with bean sprout and scrambled eggs. You might assume the presentation is a play on Peking duck, but that’s not the case. The flavor combinations are lighter and brighter. No hoisin sauce to bury the flavors. Instead, you get bean paste for a touch of flavor and texture. The duck is a leaner cut too — far superior to the oily slices with crispy-skin associated with Peking duck.
Roll 'em up. (Rob Kachelriess/City Cast Las Vegas)
🤔 How Much Does it Cost?
It’s $86 dollars, but advertised for two to share. During a recent visit, I was able to share the presentation with four people with no issue while adding other menu items to the meal. The wood ear mushroom salad and mixed stir-fry vegetables were easy standouts.
🍜 Chima Mama’s Vegas Expansion
Owner Ivy Ma oversees a growing empire of restaurants in Las Vegas, including the original China Mama (back open after a fire) on the west edge of Chinatown, a second location in Shanghai Plaza, a third that recently opened in Palace Station, and a takeaway-focused version, China Mama Express, in Spring Valley. Hao Chi by China Mama is another new concept that’s more casual with beef rolls, soups, and dumplings near Charleston and Decatur.
💰 Family Business
Spring by China Mama is Ma’s most personal project — a collaboration with her father, who founded the Lao Chang chain of food businesses in China. The spring wraps are a family tradition in Harbin, a northern Chinese city known for intense cold and a surprisingly strong Russian immigrant community. (The Trans-Siberian Railroad once passed through the area). Harbin has a popular winter festival, but the spring wraps celebrate the time of year when the weather finally begins to warm up. The menu is steeped in tradition and based on recipes handed down by Ma's grandmother.
- Learn about more Chinese restaurants in Las Vegas. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
