Trattoria Nakamura-Ya — Restaurant in Spring Valley

Nestled quietly in the heart of Las Vegas’ bustling Chinatown is a place most people drive past without even noticing — Trattoria Nakamura-Ya. But if you know, you know.

I first stumbled upon it by accident, looking for a cozy lunch spot away from the noisy strip. What I found was more than food — it was a story in every bite.

🍝 The Tale of Tokyo-Style Italian

Chef Kengo Nakamura, originally from Tokyo, brought with him a vision — to introduce Tokyo-style Italian cuisine to the desert city of Las Vegas. That means familiar Italian flavors with unexpected Japanese twists: think spicy cod roe carbonara, or sea urchin fettuccine that’s both creamy and briny in perfect harmony.

The Uni Tomato Cream Fettuccine felt like a love letter between Italy and Japan. Rich, savory, with the kind of umami you don’t forget. It’s the kind of dish you slow down for — not just to eat, but to think about how something so unique even came to exist.

🧑‍🍳 A Hidden Gem With Character

Nakamura-Ya isn’t flashy. The space is small, intimate. Maybe 8–10 tables max. But the energy inside feels warm, like you’re part of a secret the city hasn’t discovered yet. The soft hum of conversation, the occasional sizzle from the open kitchen, and the smell of garlic butter floating in the air — it feels like home. Not your home, but the home you’d want in another life.

🍽 What to Order (If You Want the Real Experience) • Uni Cream Pasta – their signature dish and must-try. • Mentaiko Carbonara – spicy, savory, with just the right amount of funk. • Tonkatsu Mille-Feuille Style – layered pork, so crispy and tender it practically tells its own story. • Hamburg Steak – served in a demi-glace that takes you straight to Tokyo diners.

🪑 The Vibe & Insider Tips

If you’re going on a weekend or dinner time? Make a reservation. This place fills up quick — not because it’s trendy, but because regulars know it’s worth coming back to.

And parking? A bit tricky — it’s in Seoul Plaza, so aim for off-hours if you don’t want to fight for a spot.

💡 Final Thoughts

Nakamura-Ya is not just a restaurant. It’s a story of a chef who brought his passion across continents. A place where Italian comfort meets Japanese precision. It’s one of those rare spots in Vegas where food still feels personal — and if you’re lucky enough to discover it, you’ll understand why people keep it to themselves.

It’s not about hype. It’s about heart. And Nakamura-Ya has a lot of it.

Watch full video on my...

[Above all, will I be back?] I've been eyeing on this place for a while and finally had a chance to visit! I had two entrées and unexpectedly one was a hit, the other one was a miss (The appetizer was just ok). As a Vegas local, I would give it another try for different menu next time.

Food

(3/5) Complimentary bread & butter It was okay. Nothing special.

(4/5) Caprese It was okay, nothing special. The ingredients were fresh. I would try different their signature appetizer next time.

(5/5) Miso Carbonara This is a true Japanese Italian fusion cuisine! It was really good as I love both Miso Ramen and Pasta. :) The best combination of both lol It is more like noodle soup than pasta with full of flavor. The pancetta & fried burdock (root) slices on top of it were a cherry on top to enjoy different texture! Portion was good as well but I was sad, every bite the the bowl shows the bottom. I could eat this every other day! Hands down for this, next time again!

(1/5) Squid Ink Risotto ($27) So disappointing. I don't know what kind of flavor they tried to aim but I didn't taste either flavor or fragrance. $28 for just rice with black ink? I wouldn't recommend.

Ambience It is a little, cozy mom & pop vibe restaurant with about 10 tables. It gave me an impression the food would be home-made style. I loved it.

Service The server was friendly, attentive and fast.

I don't know why but there were two people in the kitchen were looking at us almost the whole time since the the foods were served and it made me feel uncomfortable.

Hygiene Glasses, plates, utensils, table and floor were clean.

Price About average.

Location It is in the busy restaurant area (like Monta Noodle, Raku, Zen curry house, etc) on Decature and Spring Mountain Road in Chinatown. Less than 15 minutes from the Strip.

Parking Parking can be tricky sometimes as lot is small.

ETC Gluten free option is available.

• If this review was helpful, please vote :)...

"Tokyo Style Italian" - what a hook, who could resist? Not me! So went for lunch before a movie.

Snow Crab Meat Salad ($9.50 for the half size): according to the restaurant's copy, the chef intends for the natural flavors to be the focus of a dish, with minimal enhancements from seasoning as possible. To me, this salad could have used a tad more seasoning, or more ingredients, as there wasn't enough in the bowl to interest my taste buds. It was nice, but I found myself wanting more cheese, or more crab, or more something. Did come with a complimentary bread roll, which was a yeasty treat.

Spaghetti Wafu Kurobuta Sausage & "Kinoko" ($16.50): This was fantastic; arrived piping hot, plenty of al dente noodles, flavorful broth, sausage snappy and slightly sweet, very juicy without mushiness. Decent mushroom mix.

Black Sesame Blancmange ($6): Good subtle nuttiness in the custard; while the strawberry sauce lasted it provided a delicious berry sweet contrast.

Also had a $10 can of Nippon Citrus Ale w/Yuzu & Sea salt. I liked the can more than its contents, which were very light, a bit crisp, a bit sharp, no buzz.

Value: Got dinged due to the salad, and ale cost; otherwise would be outstanding.

Atmosphere: Casual, Italian trattoria meets Japanese izakaya; Italian flags, red plaid plastic tablecloths, colorful chalk menus, red color scheme, sketches of Asian scenes on the walls.

Service: Very warm...