MinGaLaBar Burmese Kitchen

Lots of tasty options for vegetarians and carnivores alike!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Crazy delicious food and the sweetest folks. If we lived nearby we’d be here all the time! Don’t pass on the Ah Thoke Sone and Kyet Kalar Thar.

This place doesn't get enough credit!
Simply a best kept secret of the DSM metro.
Kids egg roll set is WINNER with our kids.
Sushi, curry & many other options. No reason to leave hungry or disappointed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was so good and very fresh. The vegetables were cooked perfectly!
I will be back, highly recommended!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was excellent. Will definitely be back when in town

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Have never tried Burmese food and based on the rave reviews wanted to try. It was amazing! The LaPhat Thoke was incredible- have never tasted something like that before- very unique and flavorful. The other dishes had high quality, fresh ingredients and the atmosphere is lovely and clean. The server was a sweetheart. We will definitely come back on our next trip through town. Thank you!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic food and great and friendly staff. I come here often and have never had a bad experience.

Highly recommended!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very sweet staff. Support this business! Their food is so yummy

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I'm buffled by my and my partner's experience here. My partner looked very satisfied at the beginning and the fried eggplant he ordered was actually very good. Hovever, the dried meats which were on the plate was too dry and hard to swallow.

My noodle with shrimps and squids was a complete disaster as the seafoods were extremely smelly and tasted like rotten (especially squids). That smell and texture are never caused by passing an expiration day just one day. They're not properly preserved for a long time. My partner who ate one of the shrimps vomitted immediately after leaving the restaurant. I don't understand why there are such high reviews. Certainly won't come back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 2

Tried something new to us. It was good. The spring rolls were the best. So crispy and full of goodness. Chicken wings okay, the little potato filled pillow things were crispy and good.

The main dish was okay. I asked for medium spice and it was insanely spicy. I couldn't eat it.

Ordered through DoorDash and it arrived hot and fresh in time line specified.

Silverware, chopsticks, napkins included. Plenty of food for 2 large adults. Total for food $35.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

What a great experience! Mingalabar has one of the largest menus I've see in the metro area. We went to experience Burmese food and found that they also serve and full spectrum of Asian dishes, including sushi.

We had the Sate Thar + Kalar Pae ( Goat Stew with Chana Dal ),
Puzon Hnin ( Shrimp Tomato Curry ), Salmon Poke, and shared the Laphat Thoke ( Tea Leave Salad ). All of them were phenomenal and fresh. Poke was the only dish with which we were familiar and it was the best poke we've had in the area. The waitress shared that Burmese food is influenced by the cuisine of the surrounding countries of Thailand, India, and China. Fresh vegetables, rice, curry, and pepper were all present in our dishes.

The restaurant was very clean and well decorated with Burmese art and artifacts. It has a full service bar with a variety of American, local, and Asian beers on tap and in bottles. There was one waitress and one person behind the bar. The waitress was very attentive and offered suggestions when we asked. My only dislike about the experience was that there was no music playing.

Mingalabar is a hidden gem in the Des Moines metro area. I haven't found another restaurant like it and look forward to going back. If you're looking for great food or a new food experience, you've got to give it a try.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Probably one of the best restaurants I’ve had for Burmese food, service and the atmosphere was spectacular and the food was one of the best I’ve had, it does take a while for it to came but it is all worth it, highly recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food! Best Boba tea I've ever had - get the mango!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

So good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pork salad! Heat #2.5 delicious pain! Great flavors! Staff is so accommodating.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5