Dim Sum in Vegas

Las Vegas is an internationally renowned destination for gambling, shopping, fine dining and entertainment. Over the years it has also grown into the most populous city in Nevada.

Dining in Style

Harbor Palace Seafood Restaurant is conveniently located in the heart of Las Vegas’ Chinatown, just ten minutes away from Las Vegas Boulevard. The owner, Chow opened Harbor Palace in 1998 after selling his first restaurant, Food Express, a popular restaurant that he and his brother had opened in 1992.

Out front, there is a big parking lot. Nearby you’ll see a number of small businesses, residential areas, and other restaurants. For years, Harbor Palace has stayed ahead of its competition in part by being the only upscale Cantonese styled eatery in the area. Henda Chow, chose this location for his restaurant because he saw an opportunity. He firmly believes a good location is essential when planning where to open up a new business.

The 7,000 square foot restaurant consists of a main hall, two VIP rooms, and a large banquet room. It can comfortably seat up to 300 diners at a time. “I believe that the dining environment and sanitation are just as important as the food and service,” Chow says looking around the restaurant. Not one to skimp on the interior, Henda Chow boasts a number of handsome wooden sculptures that add to the ambiance. It is apparent that Chow has put a lot of energy into creating a clean, approachable, and soothing environment for his customers and it shows.

The Journey Begins

According to Chow, Asian Americans make up 70% of the restaurant’s total business and the rest stems from locals of other ethnicities. Knowing his target market, he insists on providing his loyal customers with the most unique and authentic flavors possible.

Harbor Palace Seafood Restaurant serves Americanized and traditional Chinese food, drawing mainly from Cantonese influences and focusing mainly on seafood and  Cantonese Dim Sum. Delicacies including abalone, fish maw, lobster, and shark fins are also available.

Dim Sum, which is the transliteration of Cantonese meaning “touch of heart,” has become well-known in more and more foreign countries. According to an online reviewer, Harbor Palace’s dim sum is some of the most sumptuous in all of Nevada.

“There are altogether 60-70 different dim sum items to choose from. Each exquisite piece is made fresh and served from the traditional carts,” Chow says. He recommends the Deep-fried Crab Claw, Steamed Spare Rib w. Rice Rolls and Har Gow (steamed shrimp dumplings) which are three delicious dim sum choices that Harbor Palace offers.

Some of the house dishes that Chow strongly recommends are Live Lobster Noodle, Mustard Green w. Top Soup and Honey Walnut Prawn. Cantonese cooking is generally healthier than one might expect. If you ask locals where you can go to get a light and healthy Chinese meal, people here will most likely recommend Harbor Palace. Chow prefers to serve dishes that are lighter in flavor, but the kitchen will gladly adjust a dish to a customer’s liking. Chow doesn’t like it when food looks oily or tastes greasy—that’s why he uses little or no oil to prepare dishes.

The homemade sauces are all made by Chow and his brother in order to make sure that customers will always be served with delicious food no matter when they dine at the restaurant. “Adhering to traditional cooking methods, dishes are prepared using their original recipes to satisfy every customer,” says Chow.

Time-Honored Standard

Healthy cooking is rooted in fresh ingredients. Chow is very particular about food quality, “There is a group of people that I have hired just to order/purchase ingredients and replenish stock every day.” He leads a team of excellent staff, including 20 experienced chefs, that have been well trained and work very efficiently together. Chow prefers to hire chefs who are qualified yet still very willing to learn. “Keeping the taste consistent is a tough job, especially for one that has been around for awhile. Yet, we have accomplished that in part because of the low kitchen staff turnover rate,” Chow says. “The chefs have been here for awhile so they know what the customers truly want.”

Chow believes that good food, excellent service, tidiness, and a nice demeanor make up the key elements of running a successful restaurant. The restaurant was awarded Readers’ Choice Best Chinese Food by the local media City Light in 2004 and 2005. The National Restaurant Association has also awarded Harbor Palace with the Healthy Certification of Recognition, for its leadership and commitment to the community in offering menu choices that support healthier lifestyles.

Harbor Palace is open from 10am-5am everyday and has even gone a step further by also offering Cantonese Night Tea, giving patrons a chance to also enjoy Dim Sum in the evening and late night. When you’re in Vegas and are suddenly in the mood for delicious Chinese fare, don’t hesitate to go to Harbor Palace Seafood Restaurant.

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