Okay Nomsters, this one’s a serious treat. Food Network’s Chef Jet Tila just launched a brand new menu at Luk Fu inside Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, and I had the absolute privilege of meeting him and tasting it all firsthand. If you don’t know Jet, he’s a celebrity chef and one of the biggest names in Thai cooking in America, so you already know the food was going to hit. And it did.
His pad Thai and Thai pineapple fried rice were my favorites of the night, but honestly, every single dish had something special going on. Luk Fu’s a pan-Asian spot out in Hanover near Arundel Mills, and quick heads up before you plan your visit: it’s inside the casino, so it’s 21 and up. Here’s everything I tried and what you gotta order.
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What Makes Luk Fu a Standout Spot in Hanover
What makes Luk Fu special right now is the Jet Tila factor. This is part of an exclusive partnership that brought his signature dishes to Live! Casino, and the Maryland menu just went live in late August. Jet’s cooking pulls from all over Asia, think Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and more, a lot of it built on his own family recipes.
That mix of a celebrity chef’s personal history and a big, glossy casino setting makes it feel like an occasion, not just a meal. You get dialed-up versions of dishes you know and love, plus a full cocktail program and a sushi bar. It’s the kind of place you go when you want dinner to feel like a whole night out.
What to Order at Luk Fu
It was tough to pick favorites, but here’s everything I tried and what to know about each.
Hamachi Chili Ponzu
Start here. This yellowtail dish comes with ponzu, Serrano chili and sesame oil, and you really can’t go wrong with that flavor combo. Everything works so well together, and that hit of sesame oil adds a nutty finish I loved. It’s a great way to kick off the meal.
Sweet Heat Chicken Wings
These extra crispy wings come coated in a sweet chili sriracha glaze, and they nail that sweet-spicy balance without one side overpowering the other. The glaze clings to every crispy edge, so each bite is packed with flavor. A great pick for the table!
Jet’s Pad Thai
Obviously you gotta try the pad Thai, because as Jet tells it, this is his grandma’s recipe. There’s a ton of history in this dish, too: fun fact, Jet was first discovered giving pad Thai cooking lessons in his backyard. Order it for the story and the heritage behind every bite. And if you want a more casual, everyday Thai fix in Hanover, Little Spice is my go-to.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
This was easily one of my favorites of the whole meal. It’s another Tila family recipe, and the rice had such a great texture to it. So yum. I highly recommend grabbing an order for the table to share.
Coconut Tapioca Pudding
Save room for dessert. This creamy coconut pudding comes topped with fresh mango and toasted peanuts, and it’s a lovely way to end the meal. It’s light enough that you can finish dinner without feeling overly heavy or too sweet.
And that’s just what I tried. The full menu goes deep, from Peking duck and sizzling Mongolian beef to a whole sushi bar, plus signature cocktails like the Volcano Bowl (which serves two) if you’re making a night of it.
Who Is Chef Jet Tila?
If the name sounds familiar, you’ve probably seen Chef Jet Tila on Food Network, whether that’s Beat Bobby Flay, Guy’s Grocery Games or his own show. But his roots run deeper than TV. His family is often called the first family of Thai food in America: they opened the country’s first Thai grocery store in LA back in 1972.
He grew up cooking beside his grandmother, and he actually got his start teaching Thai cooking classes out of his backyard, before an LA Times feature blew up and changed everything. So when he says these dishes honor his food traditions, he means it.
The Vibe and Experience
Since Luk Fu sits inside Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, the vibe is all night-out energy, glossy, buzzy and a little glam. Just remember it’s a 21-and-up property, so leave the kids at home for this one. With the late hours, full cocktail list and that big-night feel, it’s a great pick for a date night or a group celebration. And if you’re already out near Arundel Mills making a whole thing of it, Hanover’s got you covered for more casual bites too, like Maiwand Kabob for platters.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 7002 Arundel Mills Cir #7777, Hanover, MD 21076, inside Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland.
- Ages: it’s a 21-and-up property, so bring your ID and leave the little ones at home.
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11AM to 1AM, Friday and Saturday 11AM to 3AM. The sushi bar and late-night menu keep their own hours.
- Reservations: it’s walk-ins only, so plan for a possible wait on busy nights.
- Parking: free self-park in the casino garage, connected by a covered skywalk, with valet available too.
- Heads up: there’s a 3% facility fee added to every check, and they can accommodate gluten free and vegetarian requests.
- Menu: check the Luk Fu website for the full Jet Tila lineup.
Is Luk Fu Worth It?
If you love bold Asian flavors and a fun night out, absolutely. Getting to try Chef Jet Tila’s menu firsthand was such a treat, and the pad Thai and pineapple fried rice alone would bring me back. It’s a big-night-out kind of spot, so save it for a date night or a celebration. And if you want to keep the Hanover Asian food tour going another day, Pho One-O is a cozy local favorite. But for a celebrity-chef night out near Arundel Mills? Luk Fu’s a whole vibe.
So which of Chef Jet’s dishes are you trying first, Nomsters? Drop it in the comments below, and if you’ve got a foodie who loves a good night out, send this their way. And if you’re a fan of watching Chef Jet on TV, you’re in good company, haha!