10 Best Asian Restaurants In Des Moines, Iowa

asian restaurants in des moines
Maria Cristina
Maria Cristina 
Published
| 5 min read

Des Moines, the city capital of Iowa, is the county’s best-kept secret! It offers a lot of attractions that are affordable, accessible, and in a safe location. It’s often overlooked even if it’s just a short drive from Chicago, probably because it’s not as flamboyant as its Midwest neighbors like St. Louis or Minneapolis. However, it’s quiet tourism is what makes it perfect for a getaway. The vast landscape of farmlands is a welcome escape from the chaotic city. And these farms are the source of fresh produce used in creating the most delicious dishes in their unique selection of dining options. The city is filled with a variety of cafes, breweries, and restaurants offering local and international cuisines. Below is our list of the best Asian restaurants in Des Moines, Iowa that you should try when you drop by.

1. Nut Pob Restaurant

The best there is The best there was The best there ever will be Combination Pad Thai from Nut Pob Restaurant Got a lunch delivery from my baby girl.... thank you and luv luv

Posted by Sithon Sysaenglath on Thursday, 6 February 2020

If you are craving the best Thai cuisine in Des Moines then head over to Nut Pob Restaurant located on Indianola Avenue! They are open for lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Sundays, and they serve authentic Thai dishes. Enjoy your meal in modern, Asian-inspired interiors. They have over 12 dishes in different variants that you can order with side dishes of crab rangoon or eggrolls. Their best-sellers are their pad thai, spring rolls, and angry chicken matched with their popular beverage: Thai iced tea. You can order these sumptuous dishes for dine-in, drive-through, or take out.

Nut Pob Restaurant

Address: Indianola Road Park Plaza, 3322 Indianola Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315, United States

Website: Nut Pob Restaurant

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sun: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon)

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2. Wasabi Chi

Is everyone excited for October? We are! All of October we'll be featuring the Andrea's Angel Roll in honor of the...

Posted by Wasabi Chi on Sunday, 30 September 2018

Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisines are among the best cuisines in the world and you get to enjoy all of them by dining at Wasabi Chi. The restaurant boasts cozy modern interiors with enough space for a few dining tables and a bar counter for solo diners. They serve the sushi in classic bento-style trays and the other Asian dishes on impressive contemporary platters. The presentation of their food is very pleasing to the eyes and the taste will surely satiate your ravenous appetite. Try their takoyaki, or savory squid balls with sauce, or their monthly specials like the spicy kimchi ramen.

Wasabi Chi

Address: 5418 Douglas Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310, United States

Website: Wasabi Chi

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 9:30pm (closed on Mon)

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3. Haiku

Posted by Haiku on Sunday, 16 March 2014

Haikus are traditional Japanese poems that are quite unique in measure. At Haiku, the restaurant serves popular Thai dishes and heavenly sushi rolls that will make you break out in poetry! Their cool, sleek, club-like ambiance adds to the hip vibe while you enjoy their fusion Asian cuisine made only from fresh, top-quality ingredients. They have an all-day menu that you can order online for pick-up, or you can enjoy their freshly cooked dishes at their restaurant by dining-in. Try their octopus sashimi, a crowd favorite.

Haiku

Address: 1315 31st St, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States

Website: Haiku

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 2:30pm, 4:30 - 9:30pm; Fri: 11am - 2:30pm, 4:30 - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm

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4. Rolling Wok Cafe

yum beef or beef salad

Posted by Rolling Wok Café on Sunday, 21 February 2010

Rolling Wok Cafe should be your restaurant of choice if you want to expand your knowledge of Asian food. They offer a wide variety of Laos, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai cuisine that you can enjoy by dining in or getting takeout. Their recipes are very traditional and they use only the freshest ingredients to create their recipes. Do note that there are some sauces that may trigger food allergies so make sure to ask the server about them. You can also book them for catering services. Reservations are preferred if you are coming as a group.

Rolling Wok Cafe

Address: 1534 E Grand Ave E, Des Moines, IA 50316, United States

Website: Rolling Wok Cafe

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 2pm, 4pm - 9pm; Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm

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5. Fawn's Asian Cuisine

Oxtail pho #sundayeats

Posted by Sara Mengote Martin on Sunday, 7 April 2019

Are you ready to taste some exciting Thai, Lao, and Chinese dishes? Visit Fawn’s Asian Cuisine and sample their famous hot and spicy dishes like kung pao chicken, angry shrimp, red curry shrimp, red curry chicken, and angry chicken. They also serve specialty soups, salads, and pho all made from farm-fresh ingredients. Enjoy their authentic Asian dishes that are very colorful and tasty, served in a clean, modern, and casual setting. Their prices are quite affordable for servings that are so generous. Their dishes are served with steamed rice, egg rolls, and your choice of hot and sour soup or egg drop soup.

Fawn's Asian Cuisine

Address: 1107 E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316, United States

Website: Fawn’s Asian Cuisine

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am – 9pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm

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6. A Dong Restaurant

20 - Crispy egg noodles with beef, chicken, shrimp, and veggies.

Posted by A Dong Restaurant on Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Go vegan or vegetarian when you drop by A Dong Restaurant located on High Street. They serve lunch and dinner without the need for advance reservations. Since 1989, A Dong has been providing Des Moines with healthier food options without compromising their quality and good taste. Their food is made fresh, and everything is reasonably priced, making it excellent for both your health and your pocket. The restaurant is very bright and spacious, perfect for casual dining. It has received two awards in 2015 from Cityview Best of Restaurants as the “Best Vietnamese Restaurant” and the “Best Place for a $10 Dinner”.

A Dong Restaurant

Address: 1511 High St Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3109

Website: A Dong Restaurant

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 10:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 10pm (closed on Mon)

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7. Blu Thai Food and Sushi

PERFECTION??? Stop in at Blu Thai and get your fix!! #spicy #liveauthentic #alldayeveryday #eatgood #eatfresh #healthy #stickyrice #papaya #chicken #perfection #thai #food #foodie #livelifetothefullest

Posted by BLU Thai & Sushi on Monday, 29 July 2019

Since May 2012, Blu Thai and Sushi has been providing the community with authentic Thai cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere. Diners also have the option to order for take-out or delivery. The restaurant’s interiors were designed by the owner’s friends and family to provide a warm, home-like atmosphere to its diners. Delicious sushi and Thai food made using great recipes create a memorable dining experience that keeps customers coming back for more. Be sure to try their sampler platter.

Blu Thai Food and Sushi

Address:215 E Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States

Website: Blu Thai Food and Sushi

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 2pm, 4pm - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 2pm, 4pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 9pm (closed on Sun)

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8. New Le's Chinese Bar-B-Que

Most slept on, and best Chinese place in Des Moines, hands down.

Posted by Dylan Boston on Wednesday, 25 December 2019

This no-frills Chinese restaurant serves authentic Chinese barbecue in a cozy, casual setting. Their Chinese-style barbecue pork and duck are some of the bestsellers on the menu. The meat is marinated, roasted, and hung to dry in glass enclosures. These bestsellers are put on display along with a full-size suckling pig that you’ll see upon stepping in the door. The portions are generous, the meat is tender and flavorful, and served rustic-style that you can enjoy it by dining on-site ordering for takeaway.

New Le's Chinese Bar-B-Que

Address: 1600 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, United States

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 8pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

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9. Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge

Taco Tuesday or Twice-Cooked Pork Tuesday? ? If you haven’t tried our Twice-Cooked Pork yet, you need to! It’s one...

Posted by Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge on Tuesday, 18 February 2020

Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge pays homage to their Sichuan and Gansu province ancestry by cooking their dishes using traditional methods served in an elegant style. These delicious dishes are paired with their signature cocktails, sake, wine, and teas. Drop by and enjoy their Chinese dishes in their brick-walled restaurant decorated with artistic, Asian-themed murals and stylish modern furniture. They have special events like Twice-Cooked Pork Tuesdays.

Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge

Address: 225 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265, United States

Website: Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 2:30pm, 4:30pm - 9:30pm (closed on Mon)

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10. Tsing Tsao South

Hunan shrimp spicy !!!!

Posted by Tsing Tsao South on Tuesday, 20 September 2016

Enjoy classic Chinese dishes for lunch and dinner in a simple but modern restaurant on Fleur Drive. It’s everyone’s favorite stopover before heading off to the airport. It’s also the perfect place for a family gathering and special occasions. They specialize in noodles and various Chinese recipes cooked the traditional way with fresh ingredients. The food is served in a colorful display, with a combination of either noodles or rice and two other viands. At Tsing Tsao South, you’ll definitely have a full belly!

Tsing Tsao South

Address: 4230 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, United States

Website: Tsing Tsao South

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9:30pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9pm

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Mouthwatering dishes!

Asian restaurants in Des Moines
Source: Pixabay

Just looking at the pictures above is enough to make your mouth water! These restaurants serve the best Asian dishes, whether they are made with classic recipes or a fusion of several cuisines. When visiting Des Moines, include these restos in your travel agenda and have a memorable culinary experience ahead.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Tina is a free-spirited writer and traveler. She likes to experience unfamiliar places, cuisines, and scenery. She prefers beaches to mountains though as she is afraid of heights. Visiting museums,...Read more

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