China Cafe
1 / 30#30. China Cafe
- Rating: 4.1/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 5969 Merle Hay Road Ste B Johnston, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Asian Fusion
-
路爆料TV

Asian food is having a moment. Nearly have at least one Asian restaurant, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of SafeGraph data as of March 2023. While those are mainly Chinese, Japanese, or Thai, diners are increasingly trying other cuisines from the continent. That's brought Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, and Filipino food to the forefront of diners' culinary explorations.
Asian flavor combinations tantalize diners' expanding palates with flavorful sauces and a variety of spices. Those who like to turn up the heat love the different ways each country infuses pepper and spice into its food, from Korean gochujang sauce to Vietnamese chilies and fiery Indian peppercorns. Other dishes like Filipino chicken adobo and Vietnamese pho all pack a savory punch of umami.
The use of fresh ingredients and fermented foods like miso and kimchi brings a healthy aspect to many Asian cuisines. Unique fruits such as kumquat and yuzu also expand the range of flavors restaurants can bring to foods and drinks.
Many diners also like Asian foods because of their fun factor, with Korean barbecue and Chinese hot pot dishes offering communal experiences.
compiled a list of the highest-rated Asian restaurants in the Des Moines area using data from . Data is as of Aug. 6, 2025. Businesses were filtered to fall under at least one of these categories: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian/Pakistani, Vietnamese, Filipino, Malaysian, Pan Asian, or Asian fusion.
Restaurants selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews, and within a 10-kilometer radius of Des Moines were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 10 locations nationally, based on our Yelp data, were not included.
You may also like: Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Des Moines metro area
China Cafe
1 / 30- Rating: 4.1/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 5969 Merle Hay Road Ste B Johnston, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Asian Fusion
-
All Ph峄� You
2 / 30- Rating: 4.1/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4120 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese
-
De Rice
3 / 30- Rating: 4.1/5 (79 reviews)
- Address: 8430 Birchwood Court Johnston, Iowa
- Categories: Thai, Chinese, Sushi Bars
-
Pho 515
4 / 30- Rating: 4.2/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 801 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese
-
China Chef
5 / 30- Rating: 4.2/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5010 Southwest 9th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-
You may also like: The most expensive homes sold in Des Moines this year
Pho 85 - Ankeny
6 / 30- Rating: 4.2/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1701 Southeast Delaware Ave. Ste 200 Ankeny, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese
-
TNT Vietnamese Restaurant
7 / 30- Rating: 4.2/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3452 Martin Luther King Pkwy Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese
-
Silk Elephant
8 / 30- Rating: 4.2/5 (87 reviews)
- Address: 2410 Southwest White Birch Drive Ste 108 Ankeny, Iowa
- Categories: Thai
-
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
9 / 30- Rating: 4.2/5 (202 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 316 Court Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Cocktail Bars
-
Roots 95 Craft Kitchen & Bar
10 / 30- Rating: 4.2/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 8705 Chambery Blvd. Ste 700 Johnston, Iowa
- Categories: New American, Asian Fusion, Bars
-
You may also like: Best private high schools in the Des Moines metro area
Lucky Lotus
11 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (140 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2721 Ingersoll Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Thai, Laotian, Vietnamese
-
China Dragon
12 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2351 Sunset Drive Ste 103 Norwalk, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-
Eat Thai, Thai Eatery
13 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1821 22nd St. Ste 103 West Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Thai
-
Akebono 515
14 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (313 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 215 10th St. Ste 120 Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese
-
Pho All Seasons
15 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (183 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1311 East Euclid Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese, Bubble Tea
-
You may also like: Highest-rated Cajun restaurants in Des Moines by diners
Wasabi
16 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8481 Birchwood Court Johnston, Iowa
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Asian Fusion, Chinese
-
C Fresh Market
17 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 801 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese, Grocery, Meat Shops
-
Fawn's Asian Cuisine
18 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1107 East University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Asian Fusion
-
Rolling Wok
19 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (106 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1534 East Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai
-
Hokkaido Ramen House
20 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2732 Southeast Delaware Ave. Ste 310 Ankeny, Iowa
- Categories: Ramen, Sushi Bars, Juice Bars & Smoothies
-
You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in the Des Moines metro area
Vietnam Cafe
21 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3800 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese
-
Teriyaki House Japanese Grill
22 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 1802 Southeast Delaware Ave. Ste 108 Ankeny, Iowa
- Categories: Japanese
-
W-Tao Sushi
23 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (434 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 400 Walnut St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Japanese, Asian Fusion, Sushi Bars
-
Sam's Fine Food Egg Rolls
24 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (129 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3300 Southwest 9th St. Ste 4 Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
-
Zavy Kitchen
25 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
- Address: 111 East Grand Ave. Ste 101 Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese, Bars, Bubble Tea
-
You may also like: Cheapest gas stations in Des Moines
Kathmandu Restaurant
26 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7225-7229 Apple Valley Drive Windsor Heights, Iowa
- Categories: Indian, Himalayan/Nepalese, Seafood
-
Red Chillez Indian
27 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (34 reviews)
- Address: 1701 Southeast Delaware Ave. Ste 300 Ankeny, Iowa
- Categories: Indian, Desserts
-
Basic Bird
28 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2607 Beaver Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Korean, Chicken Wings
-
Lzaza Indo-Pak Cuisine
29 / 30- Rating: 4.7/5 (129 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1409 23rd St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Pakistani, Indian, Halal
-
Amruth Indian Grill
30 / 30- Rating: 4.8/5 (32 reviews)
- Address: 9974 Swanson Blvd. Clive, Iowa
- Categories: Food Stands, Indian, Food Delivery Services
-
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 323 metros.
You may also like: Most expensive homes for sale in Des Moines