I've been here several times throughout the years. I went in today to get takeout. Very friendly…read morestaff. So, this is a place where you pick all the raw foods you want in your dish, as well as all the sauces you want. YOU are the person who controls what you get. The food is cooked on a large, very hot grill. It takes less than 5 minutes after the cook gets it and it's done. The food area was clean and well stocked. I got my takeout meal with a large order of potstickers. All tasted great. I watched as an order was prepared for DoorDash. It looked really good. I may try that sometime in the future. Lot parking. Price for lunch is $13 plus tax. Get the app and use it for free food. It's all you want to eat when you dine in. I believe the dinner comes with soup or salad. MarcyDiner'sTantrumScale 5/5- NoScreamingKids. CyHawkApproved.

HuHot A Family Fave…read more Our kids go to college in Ames and they love HuHot Mongolian BBQ. It's quickly become a family favorite. Since it's a self-serv Mongolian BBQ you don't have to wait to order and you can customize your stir fry dish any way you like. Buffet items include various meats, fish, tofu, assorted veggies and various sauces and oils. Everything is then stir fried on a giant wok. It comes out hot and ready to eat in about 5 minutes. Best of all my twenty somethings and their "plus ones" can eat as much as they want, and I pay one low price. Yay! It's like Benihana but better: faster, cheaper and more casual. Perfect for what we want.

I don't expect a good Vietnamese restaurant in Ames but I was wrong! As a student from Vietnam and…read morelived in other big cities in California, I have to admit their food bringcback my childhood flavor which I did not have for more than 10 years. I order their beef pho. It was simple but when tasting the beef, I was surprised how good it is. It tastes like my childhood pho from my hometown. I also ordered the fried rice and this is the fried rice I want in a Vietnamese restaurant. It has smoke flavor similar when I ate in my hometown. Some Vietnamese restaurants in California does not have that flavor. It's hard to describe but I admit their food is authentic. Wish their business goes well for a long time

Ok, I gotta be honest... I had low expectations since I'm from San Jose, CA. BUT DANG! The beef pho…read morebroth here is better than some places back at home. Just keep in mind that the pho doesn't have the usual specialty cuts of meat like tendon, tripe, etc. which I totally understand considering the location. I'd come back to try other things!

Stopped in on Saturday for lunch after shopping at the mall. Was a little difficult to find,…read morebecause the location on yelp is a little off. Was promptly seated and didn't have to wait long to get my order in or receive my food. Now I was in early so I could see how it could get busy as service picks up because seating can be a little limited. The restaurant was clean and decorated well enough. The location doesn't do it many favors but the food is good so I'll likely come back. I requested the New Delhi-Style Noodles because I enjoy yellow curry dishes and was needless to say I was impressed. The vermicelli noodles were great dipped into the accompanying fish sauce with curried chicken bites in between. The portion was solid for lunch and I didn't feel like I needed more to get me through until dinner. Only gripe is maybe the price is a little high for anything other than chicken but that's life right now. I'll likely stop back in to try a few more dishes when I'm back in the area.

Tried Vietopia (carryout), and overall...we left a little confused…read more The wings were honestly the highlight--really, really good. Didn't get much "lemon pepper," but still super flavorful. Potstickers were just okay. The dipping sauce didn't do them any favors--this felt like an easy upgrade they're missing. Imperial Egg Rolls were the biggest letdown. At $17 for three, I expected something memorable...they just weren't. Pad Thai landed squarely in "average." Grilled Honey Roast Chicken Egg Noodles was a mixed bag. The chicken itself was delicious, but the noodles were pretty bland--and oddly, they didn't really work together. Royal Fried Rice was a win. The combo of BBQ pork, sweet sausage, and shrimp came together really well. Seafood Noodle dish was unfortunately pretty bland. All in all, a few bright spots, but not a place we're rushing back to--though I'd reorder those wings without hesitation.

This might be my favorite location. The decor fabulous, I love the big bar area. One of my…read morefavorite seasonal cocktails, anything with a marshmallow and bourbon. Happy hour spicy garlic edamane and these baked seafood roll is my favorite roll of all time, I had to buy more to go so my husband can try. Service is always wonderful, I will be back at this location for sure.

I visited my niece and Iowa State University and she wanted sushi. This place is really close to…read morethe campus and it has really good sushi. It has nice decor. We were able to get a seat for dinner right away. Our waitress was really nice and sushi came out fast after we ordered. We got a few sushi rolls. They were all well-made and tasted really good. Prices were decent.

This is one of my favorite restaurants. Every bite is like "yum yum yum yum" like I literally say…read moreit out loud because I can't contain myself. It's always fast and reasonably priced. So happy to support a local business. PS we loooove their bulgogi fries!

Recently ordered some takeout and is the food getting worse? It's like a totally different chef and…read moresloppy work. There's no love in making it anymore. Buns are overcooked, noodle dish is overly drenched. That's sad, i hope they clean it up. Only ordering here in the future when desperate because it's close to me.

The staff is always so friendly and smiling when we come in! We have been here so many times and…read moretried something new every time because there are so many good options on the menu! And plenty of good drinks options to go with it!

Hawker Kitchen brings authentic Malaysian street food flavors right into the heart of Des Moines,…read moreand it's a spot that feels both comforting and exciting if you're craving Southeast Asian dishes. Char Kueh Teow This dish stood out immediately which has a smoky wok hei flavor (the "breath of the wok") coated the flat rice noodles, giving them that deep caramelized edge that's hard to find outside of Malaysia. The prawns were plump and juicy, and the mix of soy, garlic, and chili gave just the right balance of savory and spicy. Fresh cucumbers and pickled vegetables on the side added a refreshing crunch, making each bite balanced and addictive. Laksa Rich, creamy, and fragrant, the laksa broth was a highlight. The curry coconut base carried layers of spice without being overwhelming, and every sip warmed you from the inside out. The noodles were cooked just right, with toppings that tied it together from seafood to herbs. It's the kind of bowl that makes you pause between spoonfuls just to savor the aroma. Satay The chicken satay had a lovely turmeric and lemongrass marinade, grilled to a slight char that locked in the smoky flavor. Tender on the inside with crispy edges, it paired perfectly with the bold, nutty, and slightly spicy peanut dipping sauce. The cucumber slices on the side helped cut through the richness, just like you'd get back at a hawker stall in Malaysia. Overall Hawker Kitchen is a gem for anyone looking for authentic Malaysian comfort food in Des Moines. Portions are generous, flavors are bold and true to their roots, and the variety on the menu makes it worth repeat visits. If you're new to Malaysian cuisine, start with the satay and char kueh teow; if you're a fan already, the laksa will feel like home.

Innovative food at a reasonable price. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgeable about the…read morevarious items on the menu. Upscale but casual atmosphere. We were not that hungry so went with a number of small plate options: a pear and blue cheese flatbread, an order of amazing roasted brussel sprouts and a handheld Korean style BBQ Pork Banh Mi sandwich. Lots of other items on the menu we wish we could have tasted. Great place to go and share dishes.

I ate there today with a friend, and our server was excellent and I want to make sure she knows…read morethat. However, the music is very, very loud, it is hard to converse because of it. I had asked her twice if they could turn the music down, which she did ask the guy behind the bar, I don't know if he was a bartender or a cook, but I heard him say what do they want, I've turned it down four times. Well, yes, I did overhear that I was sitting very clause to the bar. It was very rude of him, and I had been very kind and requested that the music be turned down some. The food was pretty good, I had the fig and creamy goat cheese flatbread. Overall, it might be a very good place for other people, rudeness is not acceptable.

If you're looking for authentic, flavorful ramen, Hokkaido is absolutely worth the visit. This was…read moreonly our second ramen spot, but it has officially become the standard we'll compare every other ramen restaurant against. We started with the dumplings, and they were outstanding--crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor. They were the perfect way to start the meal. I ordered the Spicy Beef Ramen, and all I can say is... wow. The broth was rich, bold, and full of depth without overpowering the dish. The beef was incredibly tender, practically falling apart with every bite, and every ingredient came together perfectly. My wife ordered the Miso Ramen and couldn't stop talking about how flavorful and comforting it was. Every spoonful tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The atmosphere was another highlight. The restaurant has a beautiful, open layout with warm lighting, Japanese-inspired décor, and a welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay and enjoy your meal. It feels modern while still being cozy. To top it all off, the service was phenomenal. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling intrusive. Hokkaido delivered on every level--food, atmosphere, and service. We'll definitely be back, and if you're in the Ankeny area and craving ramen, this is a place you need to experience. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere and service were great! Ramen was alright - spiciness in medium spicy was perfect amount…read moreof spicy as a spice lover!