Discovering Authentic Flavors at Taste Of China Des Moines
Nestled in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa, at the accessible address of 4212 Douglas Ave, Taste Of China Des Moines stands as a cherished local institution dedicated to bringing the rich, diverse tapestry of Chinese culinary traditions to the community. For years, this establishment has cultivated a reputation built on freshness, authenticity, and a commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience that transcends the ordinary takeout meal. It is more than just a place to eat; it is a gateway to exploring the nuanced flavors and time-honored cooking techniques that define genuine Chinese cuisine.
In a city with numerous dining options, Taste Of China Des Moines distinguishes itself by focusing intently on quality ingredients and respecting traditional recipes while remaining open to subtle, modern interpretations that appeal to a broad palate. Whether you are a long-time aficionado of Szechuan spice or prefer the delicate balance of Cantonese preparations, the menu offers a comprehensive journey through various regional styles. The atmosphere is welcoming, designed to make every guest feel like a valued part of the dining family, whether they are stopping by for a quick lunch or settling in for a leisurely dinner.
The dedication to excellence permeates every aspect of the operation, from the careful sourcing of produce and proteins to the precise execution in the kitchen. This focus ensures that each dish served reflects the high standards the restaurant has set for itself. Exploring the offerings at Taste Of China Des Moines provides an opportunity to savor dishes prepared with passion and expertise, making it a reliable destination for those seeking true taste and quality in the Des Moines area.
Key Highlights of the Dining Experience
What truly sets Taste Of China Des Moines apart in the local culinary landscape are several core strengths that resonate deeply with patrons. These elements combine to create a memorable and consistently satisfying experience:
Commitment to Authentic Regional Styles: The restaurant prides itself on offering a broad spectrum of Chinese cooking traditions. Patrons can expect genuine representations of various regional cuisines, moving beyond generalized Americanized interpretations. This dedication to authenticity means that the depth of flavor and complexity of spices are carefully maintained, offering a true taste of China.
Emphasis on Freshness and Quality Ingredients: A cornerstone of great Chinese cooking is the quality of the raw materials. Taste Of China Des Moines places a strong emphasis on utilizing fresh, high-quality ingredients in all preparations. This commitment is evident in the vibrant colors and crisp textures of the vegetables and the superior quality of the meats used in their signature dishes.
Versatile Menu Catering to Diverse Preferences: The extensive menu is thoughtfully curated to accommodate a wide array of dietary needs and flavor profiles. From lighter, steamed options to richly flavored, wok-tossed specialties, there is something to delight every diner. This versatility makes it an ideal gathering spot for groups with varied tastes.
Welcoming and Accessible Location: Situated conveniently at 4212 Douglas Ave, the restaurant is easily reachable for residents across Des Moines and surrounding areas. The location is designed to be welcoming, providing a comfortable setting for both casual dining and more focused culinary exploration.
A Culinary Destination Worth Exploring
Taste Of China Des Moines represents a significant culinary landmark in the 50310 area. It successfully bridges the gap between traditional Chinese gastronomy and the expectations of the modern American diner. The experience here is characterized by warmth, attention to detail, and, most importantly, exceptional food that speaks volumes about the skill in the kitchen.
For anyone in Des Moines looking to explore the depth and variety of authentic Chinese flavors, a visit to this establishment is highly recommended. It is a place where every meal is prepared with respect for tradition and a genuine desire to please the customer. The dedication to quality and authentic taste ensures that diners leave satisfied, already anticipating their next return to 4212 Douglas Ave to sample more of what this fine restaurant has to offer.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Quiet
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
Locals
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Menus
Photos
Reviews Taste Of China Des Moines
Solaris
14-11-2025
My food was delicious! It arrived hot and fresh, the Cab Rangoon were still very crispy and almost too hot to eat. I ordered delivery and it was delivered near Drake in only 20 minutes.
Under $20 for one person including delivery fee and tip is awesome. Highly recommend.
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes
Singapore Rice Noodles
Ivy Pulis
09-11-2025
Singapore noodles are life changing. Although the restaurant is older, it is very clean. Staff very friendly and they get your food quick!
Jerry Fees
31-10-2025
Was just looking for something new and drove by Taste of China, so we stopped. Great decision.
We had Pork Egg Foo Yung, the General's Chicken, Egg Rolls, and Fried Dumplings. All good.
We'll be back. This is a classic chinese takeout with six or eight tables. The atmosphere is strictly business. The food is great and the staff knows just what they're about. The prices are very affordable. Give it a shot.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Karl Seidel
26-10-2025
I’ve been coming here since 2014. It’s not fine dining, but it’s tasty Chinese food, and abundant fresh ingredients are used. There is no skimping on anything, ever. I lived less than a mile from it when I first started eating here. Now, I … More
Monique 69
13-10-2025
Had the Singapour Style Rice Noodles,shrimp fried rice, crab Rangoon and some egg rolls 🤤it was hot flavourful just yummy.. did delivery. it was right before they closed and it was still fresh and good 👍🏾
Price per person
$30–50
John K
09-10-2025
I've gone here for 15+ years. The staff have always been friendly enough for the most part, and the value was good for the quality. (Update, the quality is not good here any longer.) With the pandemic we try to order online whenever … More
Mark Jensen
07-10-2025
I've reviewed Taste of China a few years ago, but we've been getting take-out and delivery from them ever since. We love their food, and they've always given us great service, and great food. My wife still prefers her "usual" of Beef and Broccoli (which is excellent). I have tried many of the different dishes they offer, usually with the spicy symbol next to them on the menu. I don't know if I have a favorite. I like the selections with "triple" in the name, that have chicken, beef, and shrimp, or the Phoenix and the Dragon, with chicken and shrimp, but the Mongolian Beef is also a good standby if I can't make up my mind.
I've had a lot of Chinese food throughout my life, from many different restaurants and many different cities, so I have some base of knowledge when I say the egg rolls at Taste of China are some of the best. We always order extra, even if we get a meal that comes with them. Their Crab Rangoon are fantastic as well. I think sometimes my wife would be happy to just have them for dinner she loves them so much.
We started getting food from Taste of China during the COVID shutdown, so we've never actually eaten in the restaurant (hence the 3 star rating for atmosphere). As far as I know they haven't reopened their dining room since then. We don't live too far from the restaurant, so we order for delivery most times, and they know us pretty well (and we tip well), so we get really fast delivery. At the risk of other people cutting into our fast delivery times, I highly recommend Taste of China if you want good Chinese food.
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Fried Rice, Egg Rolls, Mongolian Beef, General TSO's Chicken, Beef Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, General TSO Chicken with Broccoli
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section, Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
Parking
Last I knew, they've closed dine-in since COVID, but they still have delivery and carry-out. I have not gone to pick up food for a while because they are close by, and their delivery is fast.
Meredithe Wolfe
02-10-2025
I've been eating at the restaurant chain since I was 8 years old I'm Turing 43 on Thursday the 20th of November
Service
Take out
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Very quiet
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Brandi B
06-08-2025
They are just up the street from us. We have never had a bad dish from there. There are some weeks we eat there multiple times a week. Staff is always friendly and like I already said the foot is great.
Service
Take out
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Mary Mercy
17-07-2025
Great place with delicious food, friendly staff, and a clean, welcoming atmosphere. Everything felt well-organized and refreshing. Highly recommended!
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Egg Rolls, Chicken Fried Rice, Combination Lo Mein, Sweet Sour Chicken Sauce on Side
Seating type
Indoor dining area, Bar area, Outdoor patio / terrace, Booth seating, Counter seating
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
Kid-friendliness
Yes
Wheelchair accessibility
Yes
Zachary Lux
16-07-2025
We are visiting Des Moines and just wanted to stay in and relax @ the hotel. The reviews for local Chinese restaurants very alot from service to service. The google reviews for here were good so we finally decided to order from here. The price wasn't bad, it was on par for the smaller city near us. The delivery man was very quick, they stayed 35-45 minutes but it ended up being 20-25 minutes. I am use to delivery food being Luke warm and losing its texture, by the time we get it but not tonight. It was hot and couldn't be any fresher. Each dish was delicious (sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, lo mein, crab ragoon and egg rolls). Definitely recommend choosing them for delivery.
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes
Egg Rolls, Sesame Chicken
Tonya Davis
12-06-2025
First time trying this place and was incredibly impressed! This will absolutely be my new favorite Chinese food place from here on out! Can't wait to go back! The best!! ❤️❤️❤️💯
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Yvonne Campbell-Anderson
11-06-2025
This place is a joke. There are many other Chinese restaurants that are much better. We decided to go to this one...it was new to us. Bad decision. Our food was disgusting and I ordered crab Rangoon, Egg Rolls, and Sugar biscuits. She got my order wrong and then came to the table and took back what she gave me after I had already touched it. She put it back in the kitchen for someone else, which is so gross. My spouse's food tasted like vinegar. She finally came and gave me my crab rangoon and it was nothing but cream cheese in it. We were so disappointed. Never going back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
George Ernst
29-05-2025
Total cost for the food: 21 and change. I tipped 5 bucks for good luck.
Now that's for a tasty entré, crab rangoons, and fried rice.
The food is amazing. Truly a taste of China. The service is very quick. The man who answered the phone didn't act like he didn't want to be there, like so many other restaurants of all types. I could even taste it! The atmosphere was my house, because they do their own deliveries instead of contracting with Doordash like lazy people. 5 stars across the board. These guys deserve it. Will I order again? Yes. But I'll save it for a special occasion, because these things need to be cherished.
THEIR FRIED RICE HAS ONION IN IT!!! 😁
Honestly, I want all of those picky reviewers to do me a favor and get over it. Read some Chinese philosophy. Lao Tzu said "True perfection seems imperfect, yet it is perfectly itself." ☯️
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
General TSO's Chicken
William Schmitt
28-05-2025
March 15th ordered out after struggling to find the best place we wanted to try being from out of town 👍 I should have just drove to get but felt like staying in, place was booming busy which equaled longer delivery time. To me that’s a great sign, driver was apologetic and super nice upon pick up 👍would get from again but as my wife would put it “order less next time”
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes
Egg Drop Soup, Chicken Fried Rice, Egg Rolls
First Name
23-05-2025
Food good, service fast. Order your take out here. Food is consistent, same people running it for years. This review has the current menu and prices. We order here frequently. No complaints. My name is listed as FirstName because I'm a grumpy ass & don't want google putting me all over. :)
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Shakeyfox
25-04-2025
Bland, tasteless and void of sauce. I won’t be back. Very dry meat and very difficult to swallow without chasing each bite with a drink of water. It was like eating fried rice with jack links beef jerky. GET HELP
Food: 1
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Cassie Huffaker
23-04-2025
I got the veggie crunchy lo mein and was incredibly disappointed. It’s just a bowl of cabbage and celery with crunchy strips you put in it. No noodles. It was also the consistency of mucus, I only took a few bites. I have now been puking for the last 48 hours, chills, hot sweats, incredibly strong stomach pains. I’m assuming food was old or proper hand washing was not happening and I got food poisoning.
The rest of my family thankfully has been fine after eating different dishes than me. I will not be back. For $50 for a family of four, I’ll go somewhere else. Order with caution. I hope they get a health inspection soon. As someone who works in a kitchen myself food safety is SO important…
Service
Take out
Food: 1
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 1
Katie Luksetich
16-04-2025
Best crabrangoons in the area! Real filling, not oily or fakey
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Not sure
Noise level
Not sure
Mickey Cook
14-04-2025
I am in from out of town and was looking for something fresh and tasty because I'm sick of fast food. This place was really good and reasonably priced for what you get. The turnaround was quick and the food was fresh and hot. I had the … More
cats R cool
14-04-2025
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!!! The workers are very kind and understanding, I messed up my order, and we worked through it! The food is also very tasty! I couldnt recommend it enough. More
Dayesha Dembinski
02-04-2025
Usually when I get from this place, it is normally good but today it was disgusting. It was hard and it was cold. I called the manager and he told me that he couldn’t give me a refund and there’s nothing you can do about it because I ordered what I ordered I’ve had this before, and it was nothing like they were last time very rude very disrespectfu maybe next time they will do better
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Debbie Aldrich
29-03-2025
Ordered take out yesterday. Crab rangoon, Chicken Chow Mein, and eggrolls with a side of fried rice. Everything was hot and delicious. Portions were large! Eating leftover Chicken Chow Mein today!
Service
Take out
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Noise level
Not sure
Wait time
No wait
BrayBent Paulding
09-03-2025
This is the best chineese food. The sauce and flavor for the chicken and mixed vegetables are perfect. Soke of the others have a dull awkward taste. All of their food is fresh, fast and tastes great. They're efficient. Highly recommend.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Andrew Lee
01-03-2025
I had Mongolian beef, and it was far too salty.
My wife's lo mein was salty too, but at least palatable.
I think this place caters to a mostly take-out customer base, because the … More
John Harvey
12-02-2025
Our go to for all Chinese food and has been for 40 years (current or nearby former locations). I live 10 minutes away and the food is ready when I arrive after calling. I always have Szechuan Shrimp or Singapore-style Rice Noodles—both delightful. Appetizers are great too.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes
Fried Rice, Chicken Lo Mein, Pork Egg Foo Young
Antony H
01-02-2025
Ok I guess this does have dine in seating. Could not believe how many people coming in the door for take out! Food was amazing! Best Chinese I have had in a long time!
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
MaryAnn Spicer
21-01-2025
A hidden gem in a strip mall that serves up your favorite entree to order tasty and hot!
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Matthew O
14-01-2025
The best fast Asian food in beverdale area. Haven’t tried anything I didn’t like. Their lunch specials is where it’s at, get a full entree rice and spring roll for ~$8
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Hot Sour Soup
malik chanthavisouknthavisouk
08-01-2025
I come here all the time. The one time I pay with $100 bill they take the payment. I’m in my car getting ready to leave and the lady chases me down asking if I can pay a different way. They don’t believe the $100 is real mind you i just got it from the casino and if you can’t tell a fake to a new $100 bill you shouldn’t be working. I had some other cash was able to pay but I’m definitely not coming back here again. Terrible service
Service
Take out
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Reviews Taste Of China Des Moines