Best Chinese Restaurants In Las Vegas Open On Christmas

Sometimes, the warmth of moo shu pork, salty chow mein and fluffy dumplings are all you need on a cold Christmas day.

The connection between Chinese restaurants and Christmas has been a staple for many families even before the invention of colored television. Specially, this is a tradition in many Jewish-American households. But where did this tradition of Chinese food and St. Nick start? And why is it a major tradition for people who practice Judaism?

Well, according to an article from the New York Times published in 1934, a man named Eng Shee Chuck brought chow mein to a Jewish children's home in Newark, New Jersey on Christmas day. This was one of the first written records of this tradition.

An article from NPR also explored the connection between Chinese and Jewish culture and history in America.

"Honestly. The Chinese restaurant was a safe haven for American Jews who felt like outsiders on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,"  Rabbi Joshua Plaut said in an NPR interview. "If you go to a Chinese restaurant, you become an insider. You can celebrate somebody else's birthday and yet be amongst friends and family and members of the tribe, thereby the outsider on Christmas becomes the insider."

It's quite beautiful to see the connection of American culture bringing two groups together in such a fun and celebratory way. And it's quite remarkable to see other cultures creating traditions in the fabric of America. For example, many Muslim people go to iHop during Eid al-Fir, which is a major holiday in the religion that marks the end of Ramadan.

The other amazing thing is that Las Vegas perfectly represents the beautiful diversity and intensity of American culture, economics and entertainment. Through tradition, everyone innovates and adapts to create something great. But, perhaps this is another reason why Chinese restaurants have become a staple in many neighborhoods across America: There is still a sense of comfort and nostalgia through the glossy-pictured menus and clamoring of utensils hitting against the steel Woks.

In Las Vegas, we have a rainbow array of options for the best Xiao Long Bao, the most delectable Shanghai Beef Noodle Soup, and the explosively flavored duck dishes. See the list below for your fix of the best Chinese food that you can get during Christmas.

When it comes to St. Nick, I've been a fan ever since I was a kid. He's a holiday superhero! That's why I love watching a good Santa movie at Christmas time. Santa movies have given us everything from heartwarming tales and even raunchy comedies. Some of these movies hit just right and become holiday classics, while others, wouldn't even make it on the Hallmark channel. So let's stick to the good stuff here. The ones that make you laugh, and hit you right in the feels.

First up, there’s just something hilarious about watching a regular guy get roped into being Santa and having absolutely no idea what he’s doing. Add in some elves and reindeer who are way too serious about their jobs, and boom, instant holiday movie gold. If you’ve ever wanted to see your dad bumble around trying to do something he’s not prepared for, there’s a movie for that, and it’s The Santa Clause.

Then, you’ve got the Christmas magic of Buddy the Elf. He’s not Santa himself, but he’s basically the spirit of Christmas in oversized tights. You can't talk about Santa without mentioning how Buddy practically forces Christmas spirit onto everyone, even a grumpy Santa who acts more like he needs a nap than a sleigh ride. He kind of reminds me of my Buddy Booger. He drives you nuts, but you can't help but love the guy.

Okay so let’s not forget about the classics, though. If you’re tired of the latest CGI movies, an old-school black-and-white movie might just hit the spot. Miracle on 34th Street is it. I used to watch this every year with my mom. She loves it. It's that Christmas film that reminds you there’s still magic in the world, even if it’s hiding in a courtroom.

And I cant forget about Arthur Christmas! Oh the memories! I must of watched this movie EVERY day when my daughter was little. It's a movie where Santa’s youngest kid, who looks like he couldn’t organize a sock drawer, goes full hero to deliver a single gift. He brings the kind of dedication we should all bring to holiday shopping.

Of course, not every holiday movie plays by the rules. Sometimes you need a Saint Nick who’s more grumpy than jolly, someone who’s better at downing drinks than handing out gifts. A movie like Bad Santa is perfect for those days when you need a laugh after the kids goes to bed.

Tim Allen going from a regular dad to Kris Kringle? Pure gold. This flick has heart, laughs, and the right amount of Christmas magic. Watching Allen stumble through Santa training is like seeing your dad try to set up a trampoline without directions. It’s the perfect mix of slapstick and holiday spirit.

Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf isn’t technically Santa, but it’s got the jolly man as the backbone of the plot. Ed Asner plays a grumpy but lovable Santa who teams up with Buddy to save Christmas. It’s ridiculous, warm, and full of maple syrup-level sweetness.

This is the O.G. Santa movie. Kris Kringle gets caught up in a wild trial to prove he’s the real deal. It’s all black-and-white, but the charm is timeless, and you’ll find yourself believing in the magic by the end.

Santa’s son Arthur takes on a race against time to deliver a missed gift. The animation and humor make it fun, while the story brings heart. It’s a family favorite with a modern twist.

A conman plays Santa to pull off a heist but finds unexpected redemption. Dark, funny, and not your typical Santa story. Perfect for when you need some adult holiday humor.