Hey Besties!
I still can’t believe I finally made it to Dream Asia Fest this year! I missed out last time (caught wind of it too late—classic me), so the second I saw tickets drop in Las Vegas, I pounced. Not going to lie, I sort of planned my spring around this one, determined to save up not just for entry, but for all the snacks I was hoping to try.
As I scanned the vendor list, I spotted some familiar favorites from Smorgasburg Miami (yes, I was determined to relive those flavors). Let’s just say, I had a serious snack agenda!
What is Dream Asia Food Fest?
Dream Asia Food Fest is a celebration of Asian cultures from all corners of the globe—think food, art, and community, all in one vibrant festival atmosphere.
Festival Atmosphere & Activities
Walking up, there were two lines—VIP and General Admission. My day got off to a lucky start: I won a prize right before the doors even opened! (Still not over snagging that limited edition event tote usually reserved for VIPs. Sometimes it pays to check your email!)
Inside, every sense went into overdrive. The delicious smells, the pop of colors, the yellow “STAMPS HERE” flags—the Dream Asia Fest vibes were on another level! The event ran a city-themed stamping challenge where, if you visited all the right booths, you could build a full Las Vegas festival scene stamp by the end. It quickly became a game (and honestly, one of my favorite parts).
There was even a shimmering yellow wishing tree, where you could buy a tag and hang your wishes for the weekend. I loved seeing people participate and share traditions from their cultures.
After a circuit around the entire field—research is important, right?—I stumbled onto a 360 photo station called High Flying _____. The crew yelled, “Pose, pose!” while I cycled through every version of the peace sign imaginable. (Note to self: practice my camera poses for next time.)
Food Highlights & Must-Try Dishes
Let’s talk about the real star– the food.
My first surprise was Hibachi Done Wright, a local Vegas gem. Their special festival-only Hibachi Bomb—crunchy on the outside, cheesy and savory on the inside, all drizzled in their signature Zodiac sauce—was honestly a flavor explosion. There’s talk it might go full-time on their menu if enough of us ask for it (yes, please!).
After that, I went in search of Mao’s Bao and So Sarap. With both set up diagonally, I stuck to my one-return-only festival rule and picked So Sarap for something new. I re-ordered a favorite skewer from last time and tried a couple new ones for good measure. No regrets!
Then, at the far edge of the venue, a vendor selling Asian snacks and drinks—international snacks always make my day. I grabbed one drink and one bag if chips. One day I may dig these up to taste them together with you.
Final Thoughts & Takeaways
I only made it for one day (the festival runs all weekend!), but what a day it was. Dream Asia Fest was delicious, creative, and absolutely worth the hype. If it comes to your city, would you go? What snacks or traditions would you want to see featured? Let me know below—I’m already dreaming about next year’s bites!
Keep tasting, Besties!
