Well, well, well, my saucy darlings, it’s time for another royal verdict from Jill, Jamie, and Max—and this time, we’re talking about the iconic Hakkasan Las Vegas. As a queen with high standards for her meals, I’ve dined at several Hakkasan locations around the world—London, Dubai, and now, Las Vegas. Let me tell you, I was expecting nothing less than royalty in a plate. And while the Vegas location certainly delivered in atmosphere and ambiance, the food? Well, not quite the Michelin-star experience I’ve come to know from Hakkasan.
But let’s get into the juicy details, shall we?
First things first—let’s talk about the dress code. We were told in advance that long trousers were required, even for Max, my little Saucy Prince. So, off we went, looking sharp, prepared for a fancy night out at Hakkasan. But when we walked in, guess what we saw? A sea of people dining in shorts. Really? I mean, pick a lane, darling! But in true royal fashion, we moved past the confusion and got to what really matters—the food.
The vibe at Hakkasan Las Vegas is exactly what you’d expect—luxurious, moody, and absolutely chic. Dark lighting, beautiful décor, and an overall feel that says, “I’m too fabulous for words.” It’s a gorgeous space, no doubt, but let’s dive into the real question: how was the food?
Let’s start with Max, our little food critic. Now, Max is a creature of habit, and when we’re at Hakkasan, he’s usually all about the Hakka Noodles for $25. But here’s the problem—Max doesn’t handle spicy food well at all. So when we ordered his Hakka Noodles and specifically asked for no spice, you’d think that would be a safe bet, right? Well, guess what? We got the spicy version.
Let me paint the picture—Max’s face went from excitement to distress in less than two seconds. His cheeks turned bright red, his eyes watered, and his little mouth looked like it had just been caught in the middle of a spice hurricane. Fire and fury! So, naturally, we had to send it back, and then came the waiting game—25 minutes for the dish to be remade.
By the time Max’s noodles finally arrived, my food was cold, and you know how the Queen feels about cold food—not happy at all. So here I am, starving, with a dish that’s gone from hot and fresh to lukewarm, all because of one spice-related mishap. Not ideal for a royal dining experience.
Now, moving on to my royal picks, I had the Sweet Chili Crispy Beef for $29, which is usually one of my go-to dishes at Hakkasan. But sadly, while the beef was crispy, it didn’t have the luxurious richness I’ve come to expect from this dish. It was good, but it didn’t quite have that wow factor I was hoping for. The flavors were fine, but honestly, I was expecting more elegance and refinement from a dish that usually shines at Hakkasan.
It wasn’t terrible, don’t get me wrong, but it lacked that little extra magic I’ve enjoyed at other Hakkasan locations like London and Dubai. There was no gold leaf, no jaw-dropping presentation—just good food. And let’s be real, when you’re at Hakkasan, you expect greatness. It was a little too average for my taste.
Next, I tried the crispy prawns, priced at $22, but unfortunately, these didn’t meet the royal standards either. The prawns were overcooked and lacked the juicy tenderness I crave when I go for seafood. The spices were there, but the texture was a bit off. They were dry, and quite frankly, not what I was expecting from a place that’s known for its high-end Asian cuisine.
Now, let’s talk about the Saucy King—Jamie, my discerning husband who knows exactly what he wants when it comes to food. He decided to go for the Sweet Chili Crispy Beef as well, and while he was satisfied, he didn’t rave about it. Just like me, he felt it didn’t hit the same luxury mark as the versions we’ve had at other Hakkasan locations. It was good, but not mind-blowing.
Of course, the King went with a glass of Veuve Clicquot ‘Yellow Label’ Brut at $31. We know the King loves his champagne, and you can’t go wrong with Veuve. But for $31 a glass, I was hoping that the overall meal would feel more balanced. The drinks were great, but the food just didn’t match the luxury experience we were looking for.
After the champagne, Jamie also went for a glass of 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vineyard 29 ‘Cru’ Napa Valley, priced at $30. He enjoyed it, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary. For the price, we were hoping for something that would really impress us. It was solid, but not worth the royal price tag.
When it comes to cocktails, the Saucy Queen doesn’t settle for less than fabulous. First, I tried the Hakka, made with Belvedere Vodka, Junmai Sake, lychee, coconut, and passionfruit, priced at $21. Unfortunately, this one didn’t hit the spot for me. I’ve had it at Hakkasan London and Dubai, and those versions were much more balanced. Vegas, however, made this one a bit too sweet for my taste. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t the elegant cocktail experience I was hoping for.
Next, I tried the Heart & Seoul, made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Soju, Luxardo Maraschino, lime, pineapple, and raspberry, priced at $22. Now, this cocktail was a hit. It was refreshing, with the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. The pineapple and raspberry flavors were on point, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Finally, we had dessert—the Spikey Lemon, priced at $18, a signature dessert at Hakkasan. Made with yuzu curd, calamansi gel, and vanilla cake, it was a bright, refreshing way to end the meal. It was light, tangy, and exactly what we needed to finish the evening on a high note.
So, what’s the final Saucy Meal Queen verdict on Hakkasan Las Vegas? Honestly, it’s a 5/10. The atmosphere was fantastic, the cocktails were enjoyable, and the Spikey Lemon dessert was the highlight of the meal. However, the foodjust didn’t live up to the Hakkasan reputation I’ve come to love. The flavors were good, but it wasn’t the luxury experience I expected.
With so many other fabulous Asian dining spots in Vegas, I won’t be rushing back to Hakkasan Las Vegas anytime soon.
Stay Saucy, The Saucy Queen 👑💋
