We generally watch Anthony Bourdain for travel insights when we are about to travel to some exotic international destination.
After all, we gained some terrific food insights from Tony for our first trip to Singapore in 2010.
And we find his style of exploring the world and its food fun and informative.
Las Vegas just doesn’t seem like a typical Anthony Bourdain destination.
But just before our recent weekend in Vegas, there he was on CNN’s new Season 3 of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Episode 2: Las Vegas.
One of the many Las Vegas food destinations that Anthony explores in this episode is a Thai restaurant in a strip mall that specializes in the cuisine of Northern Thailand.
Fast forward to our visit. As we checked into the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, we were given the Renaissance Local Navigator with staff recommendations of the best places to eat, drink and see in Las Vegas.
One of the three recommended places to eat was the same Northern Thai restaurant in strip mall where Anthony Bourdain had dined on “Parts Unknown.”
The Renaissance Local Navigator described Lotus of Siam as a place where “Thai food becomes an adventure for those willing to step out of their comfort zones.”
We had to dine at Lotus of Siam.
On a Monday morning before our afternoon flight, we took a taxi about two miles from the Renaissance (Convention Center area) to an unassuming strip mall away from the strip at 953. E. Sahara Ave.
Just as we arrived, so did our friends James and Gillian in another taxi from the Wynn.
Three of the four of us are planning a trip to Asia later this year that includes three days in Myanmar (formerly Burma.)
So we had no problem following Anthony Bourdain’s edict to focus on the last pages on the long menu at Lotus of Siam. These pages focused on Northern Thai Food.
Here’s what the Lotus of Siam menu says about this section of offerings on its menu:
“The food from the north is as distinctive as its culture. Northern dishes are generally more milder than those of central and northeastern Thailand. The influence of neighboring Myanmar(formerly Burma), Chan, Chieng San, Laos and South China (Hunan), is present in of these most popular dishes from our small kitchen to you.”
Here’s what we tried at Lotus of Siam:
The Sai Oua (northern Style Sausage), described as this northern Thai style sausage packs quite a bit of heat, stuffed with ground pork, fresh and dried herbs and spices, these mild-medium spice sausages will be sure to give a kick with every bite.
It was delicious with quite a kick.
I ordered the Thum Ka Noon (pounded & Shredded Young Jack Fruit), described a local dish from the north made of shredded young jack fruit, ground pork, tomatoes, northern Thai spices and seasoning.
Gillian and Mr. Jones both ordered our groups’ favorite dish: the Khao Soi, described as a typical Burmese influenced dish is served with egg noodles in a curry base with a touch of coconut cream, with your choice of meat. The Khao Soi pictured above was with pork.
I enjoyed the Khao Soi with chicken.
The Khao Soi was a creamy concoction filled with noodles and spicy goodness.
The next time you are in Vegas, take a quick little side trip to Lotus of Siam, and other from the back pages of the menu.
While you might need a second Thai iced tea, or an extra glass of water, you won’t regret making the trip to this restaurant.
Have you dined at Lotus of Siam? What dish do you recommend? Please share in comments below.
Check out these other food posts you might enjoy:
- Eating Our Way Through Chinatown with Food Tour Singapore
- Fabulous Thin Crust Pizza in Chicago
- A Romantic Dinner on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach at Azure
- Eating Our Way Through Budapest With Taste Hungary
- Enjoying Modern German Food at Affäre in Kansas City’s Crossroads
- Delicious Dumplings at Din Tai Fung in Singapore