Asian Things to Do in Des Moines: A Local's Guide
Des Moines has quietly built one of the Midwest's most diverse Asian food scenes, spanning Vietnamese pho shops on the south side to upscale sushi downtown. Whether you're craving hand-pulled noodles, authentic Thai curries, or Korean fried chicken, the metro delivers surprising depth beyond the typical strip mall fare. Here's where locals actually eat when they want the real deal.
Where to Experience Asian Cuisine in Des Moines
A Dong Restaurant
This south side institution near SE 14th and Army Post Road serves some of the metro's most authentic Vietnamese food. The pho broth is simmered for hours, and the banh mi sandwiches are perfectly balanced with pickled vegetables and cilantro. The dining room is no-frills, but regulars know this is where Des Moines' Vietnamese community eats.
The pho ga (chicken pho) and bun bo hue are as close to Saigon as you'll find in Iowa.
Order the Vietnamese iced coffee—it's strong, sweet, and the perfect complement to spicy dishes.
Miyabi 9
Located in West Des Moines near Jordan Creek, this modern Japanese restaurant elevates sushi beyond California rolls. The omakase experience lets the chef showcase seasonal fish, while the ramen bowls are rich and complex. It's pricier than strip mall sushi but worth it for special occasions or when you want expertly prepared nigiri.
The quality of fish rivals what you'd find in coastal cities, and the presentation is Instagram-worthy without sacrificing flavor.
Sit at the sushi bar on weeknights for a more intimate experience and direct conversation with the chefs.
Thai Flavors
Tucked into a strip mall on Hickman Road in Urbandale, this family-run spot serves Central Iowa's most flavorful Thai curries and stir-fries. The pad see ew has that perfect wok char, and they'll actually make dishes spicy if you ask (specify 'Thai spicy' not 'Iowa spicy'). The lunch specials are an incredible value at under $10.
The green curry has the right balance of coconut sweetness and Thai basil heat that many Americanized places miss.
The papaya salad (som tam) isn't on the main menu—ask for it if you want something refreshing and authentically spicy.
Pho 888
Another south side gem near SE 14th Street, this Vietnamese restaurant specializes in pho but also serves excellent banh xeo (crispy crepes) and spring rolls. The portions are generous, the broth is aromatic with star anise and cinnamon, and the herb plate comes loaded with Thai basil, cilantro, and lime. It's a local favorite for weekend brunch.
The rare beef pho arrives with paper-thin slices that cook perfectly in the steaming broth at your table.
Come before noon on weekends to avoid the lunch rush—parking can be tight in this shopping center.
Wasabi Tao
This East Village spot combines Japanese and Chinese influences in a sleek downtown setting near the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The sushi rolls are creative without being gimmicky, and the Chinese entrees like General Tso's are elevated versions of takeout classics. The happy hour deals make it accessible for downtown workers and pre-event dining before Wells Fargo Arena shows.
The location is perfect for combining dinner with a walk through the sculpture park or catching a show downtown.
Happy hour runs until 6pm with half-price sushi rolls—one of downtown's best dining deals.
Asian Markets on the South Side
Several Asian grocery stores cluster around SE 14th Street and Army Post Road, including options for Vietnamese, Chinese, and pan-Asian ingredients. These aren't restaurants, but they're essential for anyone wanting to cook authentic Asian food at home. You'll find fresh produce like Thai basil and lemongrass, frozen dumplings, specialty sauces, and kitchen tools you won't see at Hy-Vee.
Shopping here gives you access to ingredients that make home-cooked Asian meals actually taste authentic.
Don't be intimidated if you can't read all the labels—staff are usually helpful, and Google Translate works wonders.
Korean Fried Chicken Spots
Des Moines has seen a surge in Korean fried chicken options, with crispy, double-fried wings tossed in gochujang-based sauces. These spots typically offer both traditional Korean flavors and fusion options. The chicken is crispier than American-style fried chicken and comes with pickled radish to cut the richness.
Korean fried chicken has become a local obsession for good reason—the texture and flavor profiles are addictive.
Order a mix of flavors so you can try both the sweet-spicy gochujang and the soy-garlic varieties.
Bubble Tea and Asian Dessert Cafes
Several bubble tea shops have opened across the metro, particularly in West Des Moines and near Drake University. These cafes serve Taiwanese-style milk teas with tapioca pearls, fruit teas, and Asian-inspired desserts like mochi and shaved ice. They're popular study spots and casual hangouts, especially with Des Moines' growing Asian student population.
These cafes fill a niche that didn't exist in Des Moines five years ago and offer a taste of Asian cafe culture.
Ask for 50% or 75% sweetness on your first visit—full sweetness can be overwhelming if you're not used to Asian dessert drinks.
Local Tips for Asian Dining in Des Moines
The south side corridor along SE 14th Street between Army Post Road and Indianola Avenue is Des Moines' unofficial Asian restaurant district—you'll find the most authentic Vietnamese, Chinese, and pan-Asian options clustered here, though parking lots can be tight during weekend lunch rushes.
Many Asian restaurants in Des Moines automatically tone down spice levels for Midwestern palates. If you want authentic heat, specifically say 'Thai spicy' or 'Vietnamese spicy' and emphasize you mean it—some places have a secret spice scale for regulars who can handle the real deal.
Lunch specials at Asian restaurants typically run $8-12 and offer the same quality as dinner for half the price. Thai Flavors in Urbandale and several south side Vietnamese spots have exceptional lunch deals Monday through Friday before 3pm.
The Asian Cultural Festival typically happens in late summer at Western Gateway Park, featuring food vendors, cultural performances, and cooking demonstrations. It's free to attend and gives you a chance to sample multiple cuisines in one afternoon while supporting local Asian-owned businesses.
Don't sleep on the Asian grocery stores for prepared foods—many have delis or hot food sections with fresh spring rolls, dumplings, and other ready-to-eat items that rival restaurant quality at grocery store prices. The prepared kimchi and pickled vegetables are also excellent.
If you're dining with a group at Korean or hot pot restaurants, expect communal-style eating where dishes are shared. This is the traditional way to experience these cuisines and lets you try more variety, but speak up if you have dietary restrictions since cross-contamination is common with shared cooking surfaces.