In Johnson County, Iowa lies Iowa City that’s renowned for its bustling festival scene and wide range of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It’s also an important agricultural hub that rivals California and Texas and has become the USA’s biggest producers of corn soybeans, which is indeed an impressive accomplishment. But it’s also home to a wide variety of excellent Asian restaurants that have significantly impacted the local culinary scene. A few examples of these include Formosa, which attracts students due to their affordable prices and comprehensive menu, JiangHu Asian Street Food, which specializes in contemporary Asian cuisine, and Thai Spice, which prepares delicious Thai meals you soon won’t forget. Check out our picks for top Asian restaurants in Iowa City, Iowa, and plan your upcoming trip accordingly!
1. Oryza Asian Cuisine & Bar
The locals in Iowa love Oryza Asian Cuisine & Bar for its clean environment, excellent service, and tasty food. It’s an Asian fusion restaurant that specializes in Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese delicacies. We recommend their delicious General Tso chicken, jjampong seafood noodle soup, and satay skewers. Don’t forget to order a refreshing ginger ale, iced coffee, or orange soda to wash all that down.
Oryza Asian Cuisine & Bar
Address: 5 Sturgis Corner Dr, Iowa City, IA 52246, United States
Website: Oryza Asian Cuisine & Bar
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
2. Formosa
Formosa is a hit with college students in Iowa due to its affordable and varied offerings. So, if you’re planning on dining on a budget, then do give them a try and be sure to order their appetizers, sushi rolls, and salads. A few choice items on the menu include the flying fish roe with quail egg, green bean tempura, and loaded miso soup. They’re also renowned for their cocktails and martinis, so try out their Electric Lemonade, Mango Sunset, and Pineapple Express.
Formosa
Address: 221 E College St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Website: Formosa
Opening hours: Mon: 5pm - 9pm; Tue - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
3. JiangHu Asian Street Food
We all know that Asian street food is incredibly tasty, but only a few eateries seem to get it right. Fortunately, we’ve found this amazing restaurant that specializes in contemporary Asian cuisine. They serve everything from Chinese burgers to barbecued meats. There are many mouthwatering treats on the menu that are worth trying out, such as the cross-bridge rice noodle, deep-fried mini hotdog, and grilled chicken wings.
JiangHu Asian Street Food
Address: 110 E Court St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Website: JiangHu Asian Street Food
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 11pm (closed on Mon)
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4. Dumpling Darling
Dumpling Darling is a contemporary and laidback eatery that serves incredibly delicious bowls, dumplings, and steamed buns. But it doesn’t end there - its comprehensive menu includes a wide variety of delicacies at affordable prices. A few of these choice items include the green curry, kimchi mandu, and roasted ramen salad. They also serve several tasty beverages such as craft sodas, hot tea, and French press coffee.
Dumpling Darling
Address: 213 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Website: Dumpling Darling
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2:30am
5. Korean Barbecue
One of the main reasons to visit a Korean restaurant is that you have the opportunity to grill your own food. And that’s exactly what makes Korean Barbecue so special, as it features barbecue tables and a clean and relaxed environment for you to enjoy this unique dining experience. We recommend their seafood pancake, spicy pork bulgogi, and vegetable combo roll. Also, don’t forget to order one of their delicious drinks such as mango juice or strawberry milk.
Korean Barbecue
Address: 624 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9:30pm (closed on Sun)
6. Thai Spice
Do you usually crave Thai food when heading out to eat? Head over to Thai Spice next time you’re in Iowa, as this casual dining space offers patrons authentic Thai dishes served by friendly and efficient staff. Several choice dishes on the menu include their delicious chicken satay and fried rice with pineapple. Don’t forget to order one of their spicy salad dishes such as the papaya salad, yam pla muk, or yam woon sen.
Thai Spice
Address: 1210 S Gilbert St # 200, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 11am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 9pm; Wed - Sat: 11am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 10pm; Sun: 4:30pm - 9pm
7. Long Xing
Long Xing offers patrons authentic Chinese dishes and boasts a clean and no-frills dining environment. They’re renowned for their affordable prices, attentive staff, delicious food, and excellent take out and delivery service. Furthermore, they have a comprehensive menu with Chinese delicacies such as chicken wings with pork fried rice, roast pork chow mei fun, and yang chow fried rice. But don’t leave without trying out the chef’s specialties such as the black pepper chicken, Mongolian beef, and squid with garlic sauce.
Long Xing
Address: 428 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246, United States
Website: Long Xing
Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 11am - 10pm; Tue: 4pm - 10pm; Wed - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm
8. Taste of China Chinese Restaurant
Taste of China Chinese Restaurant doesn’t skimp on portion sizes and consistently delivers quality dishes that wow the locals and out-of-town visitors. This place is known for its attentive staff and excellent service as well as its good food. We recommend their beef with broccoli, crab meat rangoon, and egg foo young. They also prepare a variety of mouthwatering combination platters such as the chicken chow mein, sesame shrimp, and sweet and sour pork.
Taste of China Chinese Restaurant
Address: 1705 S 1st Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
9. Szechuan House
Szechuan House is yet another restaurant the ditches the frills and fancy surroundings in favor of authentic Chinese dishes. Moreover, this eatery specializes in both popular and obscure dishes, making it a good choice for patrons who want to explore Chinese cuisine to its fullest. Several choice dishes on the menu include the braised pork with chestnut, cumin-flavored beef with chili sauce, and shrimp with black bean sauce. They also serve a variety of refreshing beverages such as apple juice, bubble tea, and Thai iced tea.
Szechuan House
Address: 320 E Burlington St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Website: Szechuan House
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
10. Seoul Grill
If you’re looking for a no-fuss and unpretentious Korean restaurant, then head over to Seoul Grill when in Iowa. Here, the focus isn’t on fancy interior decor but on delivering authentic and quality dishes that will impress patrons who enjoy delicious Asian cuisine. They have a wide variety of delicacies on offer, such as the creamy beef soup, dumpling and rice cake ramen, and heated bulgogi bowl. But don’t leave without washing down your meal with one of their ice-cold drinks such as bottled water, Mountain Dew, or Pepsi.
Seoul Grill
Address: Old Capitol Town Center, 201 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
Website: Seoul Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Excellent Asian restaurants worth discovering in Iowa City
With so many impressive Asian restaurants in Iowa City, it makes it difficult to decide which one to try out first. And the best part is that many of these restaurants offer patrons a diverse range of dishes that are popular throughout Asia and not just one specific country. Moreover, establishments such as JiangHu Asian Street Food veer off the beaten path by focusing on the latest street foods that younger diners will enjoy.
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