Five Local Eateries Define Valley Comfort Food

Las Vegas residents identified five distinct dishes at local establishments as the primary examples of comfort food in the valley. The selections span multiple culinary traditions, including West African, South Korean, Mexican, Vietnamese, and Hawaiian styles. Each restaurant offers a specific meal at a fixed price point.

Calabash African Kitchen in the Rainbow Boulevard strip mall serves jollof rice, a staple dish from the Gambia and Senegal regions. Owner Oulay Fisher, a James Beard Award semifinalist, prepared the mound of rice with tamarind and aromatic spices. The plate includes stewed cabbage, carrots, and eggplant in a tomato and onion broth, along with plantain and lime. Fisher recommends adding fish to the order. The dish costs $21 at the 1750 S. Rainbow Blvd. location.

Jjamppong Zizon on Spring Mountain Road offers jjajangmyeon, a dish associated with South Korea's April 14 Black Day holiday. The chain's version features beef, potato, and onion covered in a black bean sauce. Customers can request the sauce be prepared spicy. The meal is priced at $9 and is located at 4545 Spring Mountain Road #101.

El Tamalucas in North Las Vegas provides a family-run option for Mexican street food. The restaurant highlights a birria tamale wrapped in steamed corn masa and filled with slow-braised beef. Patrons can add melted cheese to the top. Daily menus include chicken verde and cheese-jalapeño varieties, though inventory often sells out quickly. The establishment posts special items, such as Flamin' Hot Cheetos tamales, on its Instagram account. Tamales start at $5 at 2987 Las Vegas Blvd. North #9.

Yen Viet Kitchen on Decatur Boulevard serves banh khot, a Vietnamese street food item. The mini pancake contains shrimp and derives its yellow color from turmeric. The dish is wrapped in lettuce with cucumber, pickled daikon, carrots, mint, and Thai basil. It is served with a house fish sauce for dipping. The price for the meal is $16 at 3575 S. Decatur Blvd. #101.

Zippy's, a Hawaii-based diner chain with multiple locations in the valley, serves island-style chili. The stew-like dish contains Portuguese sausage and is typically served over white rice. A secret ingredient provides a subtle sweetness to the savory mix. The chain suggests pairing the chili with cornbread. Prices range from $8 to $10 across its various locations.