Wynn Las Vegas has introduced Min’s Test Kitchen, a new pop-up concept from Michelin-recognized Chef Min Kim featuring innovative Asian dishes inspired by his international experiences. It was located within Jardin at Wynn Las Vegas and remained open through late September 2023. Min’s Test Kitchen encapsulated Chef Kim’s diverse culinary background and personal style through food, fashion, art, and music, offering an experience never-before-seen at Wynn.
As the executive chef of Wynn’s fine dining Japanese restaurant, Mizumi, Chef Kim was known for his artful and authentic Japanese cuisine. Mizumi temporarily closed for renovations in the spring of 2023, enabling Chef Kim to introduce new culinary concepts in the dynamic pop-up platform of Min’s Test Kitchen, which would remain open through the fall of that year.
Min’s Test Kitchen featured progressive Asian cuisine inspired by various countries across Asia and the Pacific where Chef Kim had lived, learned, and cooked. In addition to his Korean heritage, the menu drew inspiration from Chef Kim’s culinary training in Australia, experience in Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo, and time leading the kitchen at Mizumi at Wynn Macau, where he had earned two Michelin stars. While the menu offered several types of fare, each dish was authentic to its region of origin. Menu highlights included a contemporary version of Cod Karaage with silken tofu, ice plant, dashi soy, and brown rice vinegar; Japanese Purebred Olive Wagyu made with olive-fed wagyu raised in the Kagawa prefecture of Japan; and Chef Kim’s elevated take on Steamed Pork Belly Bossam served with pickled radish, lettuce, and fermented soybean.
To complement the dining menu, Wynn’s Master Mixologist, Mariena Mercer Boarini, had created a bespoke cocktail program utilizing fresh, bright flavors. Featured cocktails included a Harmony Highball made with The Botanist Gin, Chareau and Shiso Kombu Liqueurs, lime juice, and dry cucumber soda served in a unique and one-of-a-kind fish mug; and the Silk Road Margarita made with Patron Silver Tequila, spiced yuzu citrus medley, ginger, gochujang, and kimchi salt garnished with golden ginger cubes. An extensive sake list was also available for guests.
A rotation of ambient entertainment was present in the dining room, including a live DJ who created the soundtrack each night and other surprise performance artists. Matching the relaxed yet energetic vibe of the pop-up, staff members donned uniforms of custom t-shirts and sneakers designed in collaboration with FEATURE, whose flagship store was located inside Wynn Las Vegas.
Min’s Test Kitchen was open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and it remained closed on Sunday and Monday. Reservations were available and could be made by visiting www.minstestkitchen.com or by calling 702-770-DINE(3463).
