Best Asian Restaurants in West Des Moines
West Des Moines has quietly become the metro's Asian food powerhouse, with everything from family-run Vietnamese spots to upscale sushi bars clustered along Grand Avenue and near Jordan Creek. Whether you're craving authentic pho on a rainy spring afternoon or celebrating with Korean BBQ, this suburban dining corridor delivers flavors that rival much larger cities—without the pretense or the wait times.
Our Favorite Asian Restaurants in West Des Moines
Pho 888
This no-frills Vietnamese restaurant on Grand Avenue serves some of the most authentic pho in the metro, with rich, aromatic broth simmered for hours. The menu extends beyond pho to include excellent banh mi, vermicelli bowls, and spring rolls. The space is casual and family-friendly, perfect for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner.
The pho tai (rare beef) has the perfect balance of star anise and beef flavor that's hard to find in Iowa.
Order the Vietnamese iced coffee—it's strong, sweet, and the perfect complement to spicy dishes.
Miyabi 9
An upscale Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar that combines hibachi entertainment with a serious sushi program. The chefs prepare creative rolls alongside traditional nigiri, and the hibachi tables are great for groups or special occasions. Located near Jordan Creek, it's become a go-to for celebrations and date nights.
The quality of fish rivals what you'd find in coastal cities, and the hibachi show never gets old for kids or adults.
Sit at the sushi bar on weeknights to chat with the chefs and get recommendations on seasonal specials.
Thai Flavors
A family-owned Thai restaurant serving Central Iowa since the early 2000s, with a menu that spans all the classics plus some harder-to-find regional dishes. The curry selection is extensive, the pad thai is perfectly balanced, and they'll adjust spice levels honestly (ask for Thai hot if you mean it). The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious.
They don't dumb down the flavors for Midwestern palates—the food tastes like it should.
The lunch specials (weekdays 11am-2pm) are an incredible value at under $10 with soup included.
Wasabi Chi
A modern Asian fusion spot that blends Japanese, Chinese, and Thai influences with creative cocktails and a sleek atmosphere. The menu features everything from sushi rolls to teriyaki to pad thai, making it ideal when your group can't agree on one cuisine. The bar scene picks up on weekends with a younger professional crowd.
It's the rare Asian restaurant in West Des Moines with a legitimate cocktail program and late-night energy.
Happy hour (3-6pm weekdays) includes half-price sushi rolls and discounted sake.
Local Korean BBQ spot
West Des Moines has a Korean BBQ restaurant where you grill marinated meats at your table, surrounded by banchan (small side dishes) that keep coming. The bulgogi and galbi are standouts, and the interactive cooking experience makes it perfect for groups. Spring is ideal for trying the lighter seafood options alongside the traditional beef.
It's an experience as much as a meal, and the quality of meat is consistently excellent.
Come hungry and with at least three people—the portions are generous and meant for sharing.
Family-style Chinese restaurant
A reliable Chinese restaurant near EP True Parkway that serves both Americanized favorites and more authentic Szechuan and Cantonese dishes. The menu is extensive, the portions are huge, and they're particularly good with large family orders. The hot and sour soup and Mongolian beef are local favorites.
They nail both the comfort food classics and the more adventurous dishes without compromise.
Ask about the Chinese-language menu for dishes like mapo tofu and twice-cooked pork that don't appear on the standard menu.
Ramen and noodle shop
A newer addition to the West Des Moines Asian food scene specializing in ramen bowls with rich, complex broths and perfectly cooked noodles. The tonkotsu ramen is a standout, and they also offer rice bowls and appetizers like gyoza and takoyaki. The casual counter-service setup makes it perfect for a quick but satisfying meal.
Finally, Des Moines has legitimate ramen that doesn't come from a package—the broth alone is worth the trip.
Add a soft-boiled egg and extra nori to any bowl for minimal cost and maximum flavor impact.
Vietnamese banh mi shop
A small, focused operation serving exceptional Vietnamese sandwiches on crusty baguettes with pickled vegetables, cilantro, and your choice of proteins. The grilled pork and lemongrass chicken are particularly good, and everything is made fresh to order. It's primarily a lunch spot with limited seating.
These are the best banh mi in the metro—crispy bread, perfect vegetable-to-protein ratio, and authentic flavors.
Call ahead during lunch rush (11:30am-1pm) to skip the line, especially on Fridays.
Insider Tips for Asian Dining in West Des Moines
Parking is easiest at the Grand Avenue corridor restaurants—most have dedicated lots, unlike the cramped street parking you'll find downtown. The Jordan Creek area gets congested on weekends, so arrive before 6pm or after 8pm for dinner.
Many West Des Moines Asian restaurants offer significantly better lunch specials than dinner pricing, often $3-5 cheaper for similar portions. Thai Flavors and several Chinese spots run weekday lunch deals that include soup and spring rolls for under $10.
The Asian grocery stores along Grand Avenue (near many of these restaurants) are worth exploring before or after your meal—you'll find ingredients, snacks, and frozen items you can't get at Hy-Vee, plus they often have small prepared food sections.
Spring is prime time for lighter Vietnamese dishes like bun (vermicelli bowls) and fresh spring rolls rather than the heavy pho you crave in winter. Korean restaurants also feature more seafood specials as the weather warms up.
Most West Des Moines Asian restaurants are family-friendly and welcome kids, but if you want a quieter, adult atmosphere, aim for the sushi bars on weeknights or the fusion spots after 8pm when the bar crowd arrives.
Don't assume every Asian restaurant takes credit cards—some smaller Vietnamese and Chinese spots are still cash-only or have credit card minimums. There's a Wells Fargo ATM at the Grand Avenue Hy-Vee if you need cash in a pinch.
Common Questions About Asian Food in West Des Moines
About Dining in West Des Moines
West Des Moines has evolved from a bedroom suburb into a legitimate dining destination, with the Grand Avenue corridor and Jordan Creek area anchoring the metro's most diverse Asian food scene. Unlike walkable downtown Des Moines, this is decidedly car-dependent territory—restaurants are spread across several miles of commercial development, strip malls, and standalone buildings. Parking is abundant and free, which locals appreciate after dealing with downtown meters. The area attracts a mix of suburban families, young professionals from the nearby tech and insurance companies, and University of Iowa hospital workers who commute from Iowa City. The vibe is casual and unpretentious—even the upscale spots don't require reservations most nights. What makes West Des Moines special for Asian food is the critical mass of immigrant-owned businesses serving their communities first and curious diners second, resulting in authenticity you won't find in more tourist-focused areas. Spring brings patio season to a few spots, though most Asian restaurants here focus on interiors rather than outdoor dining.