From handmade dumplings to weekend dim sum, here’s where Des Moines’ independent Chinese kitchens shine right now. Come hungry and explore staples, regional specialties, and a few playful twists across the metro.
Chinese Food in Des Moines
10 Places
From handmade dumplings to weekend dim sum, here’s where Des Moines’ independent Chinese kitchens shine right now. Come hungry and explore staples, regional specialties, and a few playful twists across the metro.
Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge
Chinese restaurant
Valley Junction’s modern dining room highlights Gansu- and Sichuan-influenced dishes alongside Chinese-American comforts. Travelers praise the mapo tofu and dumplings, and the menu’s breadth makes it a group-friendly choice. Noted by TripAdvisor reviewers for flavor and service.
Shanghai Chinese & Vietnamese Restaurant
Chinese restaurant
Family-run since 2002, this west-metro stalwart blends classic Chinese cooking with a few Vietnamese dishes and a full bar. Consistently recognized by Cityview readers as a top Chinese option, it’s a reliable pick for a sit-down meal.
Dragon House East
Chinese restaurant
An east-side mainstay with an old-school dining room and a huge menu, known for its Dinner for Two platter and speedy delivery radius. Locals rely on it for comforting Chinese-American standards at approachable prices.
Dumpling House
Chinese restaurant
A Sunday-night pop-up near Drake serving northern Chinese potstickers and wontons handmade from scratch. Featured by Axios for its farmers’ market potstickers, it’s an essential stop for dumpling lovers seeking something truly homespun.
Rolling Wok Cafe
Asian restaurant
East Side and proudly family-owned, Rolling Wok mixes Vietnamese, Lao, Thai, and Chinese dishes; locals swear by the lo mein and sesame chicken alongside Southeast Asian staples. Recognized by the Iowa Asian Alliance for community involvement.
Fong's Pizza
Pizza restaurant
A playful fusion icon that grew from the former King Ying Low space, now reopened in the East Village. Eater spotlighted its Chinese-inspired pies, and Axios covered the 2025 move; the crab rangoon pizza is a Des Moines rite of passage.
Iron Wok
Chinese restaurant
Family-run and friendly, Iron Wok delivers quick, wok-seared Chinese standards with a few Thai crossovers. Reviewers on TripAdvisor note consistent flavors and value, making it a dependable stop near shopping and entertainment.
Canton Chinese Cuisine
Chinese restaurant
A low-key West Des Moines fixture for classic Chinese-American comfort—think Mongolian beef, kung pao, and egg drop soup—prepared by a small team that knows its regulars. A steady neighborhood choice for takeout or a quick dine-in.
Wong's Chopsticks
Chinese restaurant
One of the metro’s few dim sum options, served at weekend lunch. Axios highlighted the spread from steamed BBQ pork buns to Chinese broccoli. Beyond dim sum, the everyday menu covers American Chinese standards done with care.
China Chef
Chinese restaurant
South Side loyalists frequent this independently run counter-service spot for hot-and-sour soup, sesame chicken, and straightforward, satisfying portions. It’s an everyday, neighborhood answer when you want quick, inexpensive Chinese comfort.
