50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Des Moines

“I mean wow. Just wow. I ordered the spicy chicken breast and broccoli plate that comes with onions and carrots sautéed in. Can I just say how picky I am when it comes to Asian food or any food in general. My adopted mother is Chinese and cooked us original asian dishes our entire childhood she was an amazing cook. Anything she put her hands on came out like a 5 star Michelin restraint. Authentic too. I can't see her or speak to her anymore. When I smelled this dish the memories came flooding back. and then I dug in.... The seasoning is beyond anything I've had in teriyaki shops before. . The composition was beautiful. The taste brought me back to my childhood. Its been along time since I've tasted something this amazing. I will say I was blown away by this plate. I'd give it another star if I could.“

“Excellent food. The chicken was perfect- melt in your mouth. Even the rice is exactly right. The sauce was not over whelming but getting all the way thru it. Not too salty but you know it's there. I will absolutely be back even tho I live 30 miles away. That good.“

“One of the many great Des Moines restaurants, if you haven’t been, you need too. Great hospitality and amazing food. Definitely a must!“

“Excelente service thank you 🙏“

“Fantastic sushi and people. Casual, kind and some of the best service and fish around.“

“We went to visit Sumo Japanese restaurant for the first time after church service. The food and the service were great. I highly recommend this restaurant and the robots service was a great touch.“

“Friendly service, food is great, plenty of selections; Korean, Chinese, and Japanese foods in one place. I had the spider roll and the Mongolian Beef. I didn’t order the combos on purpose but who knew the Japanese food and Chinese food complimented each other very well. Talking about a great service, my wife order the sesame balls for a dessert. 2 of 5 were a bit under cooked somehow. We broke them a part but didn’t eat them. One other staffs walked by and asked if we didn’t like. My wife told her those 2 seemed like they are not full cooked so we didn’t want to eat them but we are okayed. She then insisted that she asked the chef to make a fresh batch of 5 for us. This time they were perfectly cooked. I was impressed with her and felt very appreciative. I recommend this place if you like delicious food and something quick.“

“My favorite sushi restaurant hands down. Been coming here for years and it never disappoints. Well worth the drive to get there.“

“My Husband and i eat here nearly once every week. The owner Yoko is inviting and friendly. The food is very delicious! Itadakimasu!~ Many thanks for the wonderful meals, Always worth it! My favorites: + Pan Fried gyoza; delicious,crispy, perfect. + My husband orders the Miso soup, It's the most flavorful miso we have tried. + My husband loves the curry ramen, I always enjoy sipping some of the broth too! very flavorful and warming. (I think they used to be called I <3 Curry! So this fusion is wonderful!) + Okonomiyaki; beautiful and delicious. +Tonkatsu Curry is very delicious! i order this the most +Curry pork fried rice special over the summer is very delicious! I always ask if they'll still make it for me.(and am very grateful when they do!)“

“Visiting from Texas. Lived here 30 years ago and have been looking for “the little teriyaki place we used to eat at” on every visit. While driving down the road we saw this sign and were hoping it was the same place. And it was. The owner welcomed us and the food was amazing. Made fresh, homemade dressing for the “salad” and homemade teriyaki. DELISH. even came back while we were heading to the airport!!

Recommend!!!“

“We have been there a couple of times. Everything has been excellent. Prices are comparable to other sushi restaurants in the area. Our only complaint is the tea is a bit week. Still deserves 5 stars.“

“Finally visited the new location! Their udon is so good! The owner remembers me from the original Kirkland location 5 years ago!“

“Went here for the first time a few weeks ago. I ordered bibimbap and when asked my choice of meat, I said chicken. They don't usually make chicken bibimbap, but they did it for me and it was SO GOOD. Definitely one of my favorite bibimbap bowls!
My partner also really enjoyed his food. We would definitely go back!“

“Kim's Teriyaki is our favorite teriyaki in Kent. Their food is absolutely delicious, their restaurant is super clean and well maintained, and the folks working are always super friendly. We usually grab takeaway from them, and when we had a busy day we once went there for lunch AND dinner. Yes. Their food is that delicious! I love their chicken teriyaki and their chicken yakisoba. We love sharing a pork gyoza order. My husband gets chicken teriyaki with 4*'s of spice and it is SPICY AS HECK and he absolutely loves to sweat and cry through it. Kim's is one place that we can always agree on going to and always sounds good for lunch/dinner. Their salads are also the best! The salad dressing is perfection.

If you haven't given Kim's a try, go! Plenty of free parking, easy to get in/out of the parking lot, and super delicious food at decent prices.

Note: the teriyaki is so good that I forgot to take a photo before I started eating it >facepalm<. The teriyaki does not come partially eaten!“

“Amazingly generous place. Great service regardless of dine in or take out. They took care of our order to go and blessed us with miso soup that we didn't order. Very giving restaurant. Recommend them highly. I've never had a bad meal from them. Golden Gate is one of my favorites.“

“Lovely people that make great food!! Parents come here weekly so we thought we would stop in. Very happy we did! I had the sesame chicken combo and it was delicious!! My husband also thoroughly enjoyed his Mongolian. The crab ragoons were also so perfectly crisp! Will definitely be back more.“

“The best teriyaki in town and the customer service is amazing“

“It's been nearly 20 years since I had last eaten at Soho Teriyaki, and I was worried that I was misremembering how great it was. I ate there today and it is still hands-down my very favorite teriyaki place of all-time!!! Thank you for the awesome food and memories.“

“Variety of rolls to choose from. We ordered Godzilla roll & Super Dragon roll. Both tasted great and affordably priced too. Very friendly staffs with cozy atmosphere. Highly recommended.“

“Hands down the best sushi restaurant in the PNW. Small place, I believe the chef only serves one table at a time, so booking is tight. We waited about a week before we got a slot. When you do place your reservation, you will also need to order your dishes in advance. It's a very personal experience, which is great because it lets us appreciate the quality of sushi. We ordered the chirashi bowl and omakase, and it's the best that we've ever had.“

“I stumbled upon this restaurant by chance while passing by. It offers a typical teriyaki menu, along with Korean dishes, some Japanese options (like sushi and tempura), and even jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles). The area is an industrial zone, so workers from nearby factories frequently drop in. Perhaps because of this, the restaurant opens early at 10 AM and closes early (3PM) as well.

It seemed like the owners, a husband and wife, were the only ones working (I couldn't see the kitchen). The owner’s wife took orders and served in the dining area. I arrived around 10:40 AM, a bit early for lunch, but there were already two tables with customers, and more people started coming in shortly after.

I ordered four dishes, including Korean and teriyaki options. Typically, teriyaki places don’t serve Korean side dishes (banchan), but since I ordered Korean food, they brought out banchan. The owner’s wife apologized for the limited variety of side dishes and generously brought out extra.

As I tasted the side dishes, they had a comforting, homemade quality, like a warm meal prepared at home. The flavors were neither too salty nor too bland, with a clean taste that didn’t rely on artificial seasonings. The dishes—spicy pork bulgogi, seafood soft tofu stew, stone pot bibimbap, and Mongolian beef—reminded me of my mom's cooking, which I loved. While the food didn’t have the commercialized taste of popular chain restaurants, it felt like it was made with care and attention, just like a meal prepared at home.

This restaurant pleasantly exceeded my expectations.

- Service: Following the typical teriyaki joint setup, you place and pay for your order at the counter before taking a seat. The staff then brings your meal to your table. A nice touch is the complimentary bottled water that accompanies your meal.

- Price: Considering the generous portions and delightful taste, the pricing is quite reasonable. While I haven't compared it to other eateries in the vicinity, the value for money here stands out.

- Food: The dishes shine with a home-cooked quality, free from overpowering artificial flavors. Each bite feels wholesome, capturing the essence of genuine, heartfelt cooking.

- Ambiance: The setting is straightforward and functional, characteristic of fast-food-style teriyaki spots. It's not fancy, but it serves its purpose well.

- Parking: There's ample parking available, though spaces can fill up quickly. Nevertheless, finding a spot wasn't an issue, and it's free of charge.

In summary, this restaurant offers a delightful blend of authentic flavors and efficient service, making it a noteworthy spot for anyone craving quality teriyaki and more.“

“Got to stop by this place while visiting Seattle recommended by my friend. I was not disappointed at all. Everything was made fresh to order. I really enjoy the dumplings and the shrimp roll as well as the shrimp tempura. I will stop by again to try other options. The staff was nice and very knowledgeable.“

“my son told me to try the tonkatsu ... and he was absolutely tastier and juicier right👍👍“

“I have never had teriyaki like this before, most teriyaki places have sauce all over the meat, sure, but the meat will STILL be dry. NOT HERE - the chicken is the most moist I have ever had at a teriyaki place, it isn't dripping in sauce, it just has a perfect layer for flavor. I 100% recommend this place to get your teriyaki, go ahead an ask for a side of sauce, but you'll barely even need it. ?“

“Good food and good staff. Thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Will be back!“

“I love eating teriyaki and I've been to several places all around the greater Seattle area. Teriyaki Box in Renton has a unique teriyaki sauce and great salad dressing sauce too. The service is friendly and fast and the tables are clean. The prices are reasonable for what you get and I would definitely come back again.“

“I have been a customer for over 35 years. Never ever have I experienced a better Sushi restaurant. I adore the owners. Fresh amazing food.“

“One look at the material used on the menu itself tells you that this place gets it. Super clean atmosphere. Service with a smile. Clean and organized dining area. This place is a hidden gem. From the water service to the specialty rolls this place just gets it. Top notch amazing!!“

“Beautiful new sushi restaurant at The Landing.
Presentation is awesome for quality sashimi and sushi!
They have another location that is much smaller in Newcastle.
The menu is large with lots of cooked items as well! Looking forward to trying more of the menu.“

“Good food!my husband favorite teriyaki spot.Easy to find.great customer service. This spot is located in the parking lot of the brown bear car wash and right next to the smoke shop. The owner is super nice. Food is served hot and fresh and cook to order. Things to try Fred rice /beef n broccoli with shrimp “

“Great local teriyaki. We love the honey garlic chicken, spicy teriyaki, and original teriyaki. They also make some damn good Boba milk tea and Boba smoothies.

Kid-friendliness: My kids love this place. When they aren't ordering the chicken teriyaki, they often want to stop just for the Boba tea.“

“Thank you so much Chopstick Teriyaki for making my day :)

I ordered over the phone for orange chicken. I asked if it tasted like oranges and she said no, but she through in an orange LOL! I had a good laugh and a bright day, thank you“

“I’ve been coming here biweekly for 20 years and through 2 owners. We live 20 minutes away and it’s worth the drive. The food is always good and service fantastic! Short ribs are my go to and my spouse loves the veggie yakisoba. You won’t be disappointed!“

“Good Teriyaki, pretty simple and straight forward. I feel like it’s hard to mess up teriyaki but you never know. It came with a little side salad. Teriyaki chicken, Teriyaki beef and shrimp combo they were both good. Surprised that the shrimp came on a screwer with pineapples but it was good. Only a few pieces tho. Kinda worth it depends if you really like shrimp. Overall pretty decent place. Nothing to rave about but also nothing to complain about.

Vegetarian options: Not very many vegetarian plates.“

“The Calamari was the absolute best I've ever had. Their sushi rolls are very tasty.“

“You all know that good, quality, CONSISTENT teriyaki spots aren't easy to come by, and when I moved to Burien it took me weeks to find this place but I knew when I had it the first time it would be my #1 go to moving forward, and it has served me well for so many years.

Everything I've ever tried is amazing and so tasty. Big portions, nice staff. Most weeks I get the house special fried rice and there is SO much food and protein in that to-go container that I can eat it for 3-4 days for lunch at work. Their teriyaki sauce is that special thick sweet one that is so hard to find. Sad I'll be relocating east for a couple years, no teriyaki spot will replace it.“

“I've dined at numerous Teriyaki restaurants in the Seattle area, some of which were quite impressive. However, Manna Teriyaki surpasses them all as the premier Teriyaki establishment in the region. Their service is consistently exceptional. The restaurant maintains a pristine environment and is decidedly family-oriented. Upon arrival, patrons are hungry, but depart satisfied, with sufficient funds remaining for other expenditures. The staff exhibit remarkable cordiality. Having visited many Teriyaki restaurants, I will exclusively patronize Manna Teriyaki in Burien. Thank you, Manna Teriyaki, for your outstanding services
Regina“

“Everyone loves their karaage chicken...huge servings! They also have the best Tom Kha...the flavor is spot on! Pad See Ew, drunken noodles, etc are all wonderful. Portions are large & prices are reasonable. But, biggest reason I keep returning is their terrific staff...just the nicest people!“

“We just flew into SeaTac from Texas. We decided we wanted some Asian food and I looked for a spot that was on the way to our AirBnB. Saw this one and the reviews were a bit mixed, but overall it looked good and had a decent overall rating. Service was quick, the food was hot, the kids loved it (major win), and the egg rolls might be some of the best I’ve ever had! The restaurant leaves a bit to be desired as far as ambiance and atmosphere, but we all very much enjoyed our food (chicken teriyaki, sweet and sour chicken, chicken katsu, and egg rolls).“

“The food here is very standard teriyaki chicken, the chicken was a little dry and tasted like it had been sitting out for a bit which I assume it had since it came out immediately. The rice was a bit clumpy and the salad was very standard. Overall for the price it was a very standard Seattle teriyaki with a good price of $13. I like that they had sauce bottles available for dine it.“

“My absolute favorite sushi place in Kent, and probably in the surrounding areas too. The fish is always fresh, the portions are always so generous and they always fulfill my requests whenever I want to tweak the order. The pricing is really good too in my opinion. The restaurant itself looks clean with a very cozy atmosphere. I've dined in, done take out, and ordered delivery plenty of times and they never disappoint. Also they might have the best spicy mayo recipe I've ever tried.“

“I'm pretty picky about teriyaki these days but this place is EXCEPTIONALLY good. The staff member Rianna was super friendly and helpful and had amazing recommendations. The food is great. The katsu, teriyaki and fried rice are literally mouth watering and FRESH. This is our new go to spot and can't wait to try more!“

“Shari is the best !!!! I love her service she made me feel welcomed and had a big smile . I was comfortable and. Tipped her very well. If anyone need a raise is for her compassion at work !!! Let’s Go SHARI !!!!“

“I haven’t been here since probably 2 years and I went yesterday and got a ‘moms plate’ which is essentially a family meal and I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of goodies you get with it for only 50$ (3 large plates of entrees with fried rice and lots of side dishes&soup) it’s supposed to feed 4 but it definitely can feed more than that. And my favorite sweet and sour chicken has gotten much better since the last time I’ve gone, they must’ve started using better chicken as it was a lot fresher and not dry. Owners are extremely kind and I’m always greeted with a big smile, certified auburn classic and I’ll be coming back more often!!“

“It's very quick for a lot of food and the service here is beyond excellent. I was honestly surprised with how nice the staff is here. I was indecisive with how much of an amazing selection they have since they have a lot of options but I definitely recommend anything with chicken. Their noodles were also excellent. I ended up getting this to-go and there was so much food that I had some leftovers for the following day which was still great.“

“Very good teriyaki! A great spot for lunch, simple and clean interior. Good portions and the sauce is on point! This was my first time eating here and it won't be the last. I got to speak with the owner and confirm it is owned and operated by a very nice family. I got the chicken teriyaki plate for lunch and I am stuffed, every bite was delicious. My plate came with lots of chicken drenched in house teriyaki sauce, two helpings of white rich and lettuce. Give it a try, it ls the best teriyaki in the area I've tried.“

“Loved their Spicy Teriyaki Chicken. It was actually spicy...“

“We love this place. Come in 2x a week. Service is always top notch. Hubby loves the Chicken Katsu & I get the pork teriyaki. Food quality/taste are consistent & portions are generous. Huge variety of cold drinks.
Very clean & inviting atmosphere.
Best part, I can walk right in & get my food. Free parking if you're driving & right off the Othello Light Rail Station.

Parking: Free ramp parking

Wheelchair accessibility: No automatic door switch.
Ebtrance is sidewalk level.
Dining tables are handicap accessible.“

“Seriously the only place I love getting the beef short ribs, they cut it up so nice and thin and then ask for it well done to get the char on the bones seriously I don’t get it from any other teriyaki spot, all their food here is amazing, I drive all the way from puyallup just to come get their food“

“Excellent food here.Kung pao chicken was fried perfectly and a great combination of sweet and spicy. Just like my Chinese mother in law makes.Chicken teriyaki has a grilled taste and was also excellent.Portions are large.Extra teriyaki sauce at the table, so you can add extra sauce and flavor.The egg roll was massive and delicious.The kids meal is also an excellent value and delicious.“