4 Best Korean Restaurants near Waukee

“The wings were amazing. Super crispy outside and juicy inside. I had the Thai Basil and son had the Honey Gochjang. Both were awesome. Hoping for the best for them.“

“Good food and good service :)“

“Love What Dak! The chicken katsu and Korean corn dog are my favs.“

“I wish Mandarin Grill was closer to my house - or maybe not, because I would be a regular to an alarming degree. I’ve eaten lunch here multiple times in the past month and still haven’t hit the point of “that’s enough.” If anything, I’m getting more committed and now I’ve started working through their Korean/Chinese specialty menu. Honestly, it’s been a very successful journey.

I brought my kids a few weeks ago and now they keep begging for a return trip. The only snag is I can really only make it for lunch - but luckily, their lunch pricing is super reasonable, so that works out in my favor.

I’m fully locked in on the spicy edamame and crabmeat rangoons. The edamame hits the spot - not too garlicky and not “you’ll taste this tomorrow” levels. I usually eat a few and then take the rest home so they can soak up more of that spicy soy garlic situation. Addicting midnight snack behavior. The rangoons are packed with cream cheese (not like other places that skimp on the good stuff) and are more savory, not weirdly sweet. So. Freaking. Good.

At this point, I’ve basically run through all their yellow curries - combo, beef, chicken - and even trued some fried tofu off a friend’s plate. I’m not typically a tofu person, but the sauce could carry anything. I’d eat it off a flip-flop if it came down to it (…not proud but just being honest).

A few standouts from the Korean/Chinese specialty menu: stir-fry potatoes, bibimbap, and kimchi fried rice. The potatoes are a problem - in the sense that regular potatoes now feel like a total letdown. If you haven’t tried potatoes this style, I highly recommend. Bibimbap is everything-in-one-bowl with an egg on top, and somehow it’s just as good (maybe better?) reheated.

I’m definitely forgetting a few dishes, but lately I’ve also been on a bento box kick at lunch - little bits of everything, which feels like the correct life choice for me so I can sample several things. Bento boxes are organized heaven, neatly sectioned off like a proper plate should be. 🍱

What else is on their menu that I should try? I’m making my way through the whole dang thing at this point.“