四姐 Special Noodle — Restaurant in Spring Valley

One of the greatest things about living in this country and especially in the wonderful city of Las Vegas (LV) is that chances are, you have a Chinese restaurant either within walking distance from your residence or within a 5 to 10-mile radius...unless you live out in the boonies. Not to mention, with all the delivery options available to us, you can easily enjoy some of your favorite Chinese cuisine within a matter of minutes. All that being said, my family and I used to embark on frequent Chinese food journeys; however, in the last 6-8 years, we haven't eaten Chinese food in quite some time based on other options that have sparked my interest. As a result, I wanted to partake in some Chinese food after a long break so my wife and I tried Special Noodle for the first time on 16 Feb 2025, and we were thoroughly impressed.

I don't know if they take reservations since we opted to just wing-it and see if we could get a table upon arrival, and to our success, we were immediately seated. I quickly noticed the nice décor and friendly employees as soon as I sat down - those fish tanks at every table were an amiable surprise as well. Heads-up to new customers, be sure to have a decent amount of battery life on your phone because you place your order from your phone after scanning a QR code that's on your table. Speaking of ordering...that process was very intuitive - you can even request assistance during your meal for additional napkins, water refills, etc....so don't close out of the program after placing your order. Some would rather order from a server, and I believe they would accommodate that for those that are not as savvy with their phones or perhaps have a difficult time reading the smaller print. Regardless, it was a nice program.

We ordered the Spicy Steamed Chicken Dumplings and Pork Soup Pan Fried Buns for our appetizers; and Jalapeno Pork Mixed Noodles (Flat Noodles), Spicy Beef Mixed Noodles, and Orange Chicken for our main entrées. Yes, this is an excessive amount of food for just two people; however, I wanted to try multiple dishes during this visit. This restaurant offers either regular noodles, rice, rice noodles, or flat noodles for your entrée which was amazing to see that many options. The noodles are evidently homemade (and fresh) because the texture was like nothing I've ever experienced before at those other sought-after Chinese restaurants - the noodles here were phenomenal. The other entrées were magnificent and the Spicy Beef definitely kept up to its name...it was spicy! The dumplings were made to perfection and the spiciness of the Orange Chicken was a pleasant surprise. Be careful when ordering your food and pay attention to the "spicy" identifiers next to the entrée, especially if you have a mild-to-zero spicy tolerance. The star of the evening were the Pork Soup Pan Fried Buns. We wanted to take them home as leftovers but decided to stuff ourselves instead so we could enjoy them while they were fresh - yes, it was that serious!

The price-to-quantity/quality ratio was out of this world...100% reasonable. As mentioned earlier, the employees were very friendly...and they were also accommodating, highly efficient, and extremely attentive. Unless I missed it, I was surprised that this restaurant didn't serve any alcohol...especially since we're in LV...but that didn't ruin the evening; I love water anyways. If you haven't been to this restaurant before, I highly recommend that you stop by to experience some extraordinary Chinese cuisine. I don't eat Chinese food as often but rest assured, I will be back sooner, rather than later because this place was remarkably impressive - the high Google rating of 4.9 stars (at the time of my visit)...

Nestled amidst the hustle and bustle of an energetic neighborhood of Las Vegas, Special Noodle Chinese Restaurant emerges as a hidden gem, offering a sanctuary for those searching for genuine and meticulously prepared Chinese cuisine. As soon as you enter, you are greeted by a warm, inviting ambiance that envelops you like a comforting embrace. The enticing aroma of hand-pulled noodles meets the delicate scent of freshly steamed dumplings, creating an irresistible atmosphere that lures you deeper into the culinary experience that awaits.

During my lunch visit, I decided to treat myself to two dishes that proved to be nothing short of astonishing culinary revelations. The first was the 香辣小笼包 (Spicy Steamed Pork Dumplings), a delicately crafted masterpiece that exceeded all expectations. The translucent and expertly shaped wrappers embraced a filling of pork so rich and flavorful it felt like a warm hug for the taste buds. The subtle heat from the spices elevated the experience, dancing on the palate while harmonizing perfectly with the tender, juicy meat. Each bite revealed an exquisite interplay of textures—the dumpling's silky skin yielding a delicious rush of savory broth, intermingled with aromatic spices that lingered tantalizingly. These dumplings were a testament to the precision and care that went into their preparation.

Following the dumplings, I savored the 藤椒石锅雪花牛肉 (Beef Stone Pot Noodle Soup), a dish that managed to radiate both comfort and a touch of sophistication. Presented in a sizzling stone pot, the sight alone was a spectacle; the steam rose gently, evoking a sense of anticipation. The hand-pulled noodles were astonishing—each strand was crafted to perfection, chewy yet tender, with the ability to absorb the rich, herbaceous broth to an exquisite degree. The beef, delicately marbled and resembling soft snowflakes, melted into the soup quickly, releasing a depth of extraordinary flavor. The combination of heat from the stone pot and the well-balanced spices created an enveloping warmth that was both invigorating and soothing, making every spoonful a comforting embrace.

Even the tea served alongside this culinary journey was an experience worth noting. What might initially appear to be a simple accompaniment was a flavorful elixir boasting fragrant, earthy tones that elevated the meal. Its soothing qualities perfectly counterbalance the robust and dynamic dishes, cleansing the palate while allowing a deeper appreciation of each flavor. The tea, with its unique blend and soothing properties, added an intriguing dimension to the dining experience, leaving me pleasantly surprised and intrigued.

Special Noodle Chinese Restaurant is more than just a dining establishment; it's a testament to the profound sense of craftsmanship and culinary artistry. From the handmade noodles to the exquisite dumplings and baos, each bite reflects a steadfast commitment to freshness, tradition, and the rich cultural tapestry of Chinese cuisine. Dining here is not merely a meal but a transformative, delicious odyssey that invites you to explore and savor the richness of a storied culinary heritage. This commitment to culinary artistry is something to be appreciated...

It's best to come with a group of 4+. Northern Chinese food. Excellent service. Order via QR code on your table. This place is new so giving them the benefit of doubt. We were only a party of 2, ordering 4 dishes, total around $93 and was not satisfied. The SO is would to give in it another try later just because it at least taste like Chinese food... unlike many other local Chinese restaurants.

$11.99 Cucumber salad: Too salty.

$17.99 Spicy Beef Noodles, Flat noodles. Was decent. Light broth. Mild spicy. Not the typical soy sauce broth. Light spice numbing beef noodle soup. The tea egg was super salty. Noodles were decent, packaged flat noodles. Nothing really too wrong with this dish. Mustard was sweet. The meat was tender and tasted on point. I liked this dish as okay. Maybe need to change the noodle style next time. But SO doesn't think it's worth the price.

$13.99 Pork Soup Pan Fried Buns (6). It's a popular but not for us. Overly fried and oily top for us. It's not the typical pan fried. It's full of juice so the meat is juicy. Something we usually don't ever order at this age. But for a new Northern Chinese restaurant, and yelpers keep repeating this as a popular dish, why not.

$26.99 Fried Pork Intestine, Kidney and Liver. This is a very sizzling dish. Be careful because oil will splatter far out. In a table for 4, theres only 2 of us and we placed it across from us and it still can splatter to you. Taste wise, it might to be manually mixed. All the meats were soft and moist. Most places usually over cook it. I'm okay about this dish. The SO really liked this dish and sees potential in this place because of it.

$2.50 White Rice.

I'm really picky with my xiao long baos. I haven't found any restaurants in LA now a days and Vegas that is worth trying. The reviews on it from certain yelper definitely confirms it. Butttt maybe dumplings could be ordered. I'm picky with dumplings too but it seems more promising.

Next time we visit, we have a list to try instead. And hope...