Momofuku Las Vegas Happy Hour. The Strip

Momofuku is a good landing spot for food-minded travelers and Strip industry locals who want Asian-fusion cooking without a full sit-down commitment. David Chang's room inside The Cosmopolitan feels more downtown Manhattan than casino, sleek and dimly lit, with communal tables that put you next to strangers worth eavesdropping on.

Happy hour runs daily, 3 to 5pm, which is generous for the Strip. Drinks are $8 beer, $10 cocktails, and $12 wine and sake, with bites priced $7 to $15. The sake is actually drinkable, the beer leans craft and rotates, and the wine by the glass holds up. Pair a few of the bites with the drinks and you have a solid afternoon snack rather than a full meal. The pork buns are the order most people come back for.

The crowd skews younger and cooler than much of the resort, with locals from the industry and tourists who read food blogs. It stays lively without getting loud. Bar seating is first come, first served and the best bet for a small group or solo visit.

Hit it at 3pm on a weekday for the calmest version. The space is not large, so during a convention or a weekend, expect a wait. Despite the casino setting, the room manages to keep the slot machines out of your sightline, which is part of why it works.