Masao

“OMG. The sushi and nigiri are out of this world and more aligned to something I would expect in Chicago or New York City. I had the futomaki and bluefin akami (deep, cranberry red) to start, followed by the bluefin toro, the J. Pablo, and finished with the tuna lemon. All were excellent in their own distinct ways. This restaurant is super cute on the inside, and they fly in their seafood from all over, but it is very fresh and made at the bar in plain sight. Caitlin took excellent care of me, and Pedro made all of the sushi by hand, and he did a phenomenal job of educating me on what he was making, and what everything was. My dinner there was the highlight of my visit to DSM, and locals and visitors alike need to check this restaurant out!”

“Masao, you were so good to us. This was our first time coming and celebrating Valentine’s Day a little early. Staff was very knowledgeable, and so kind. They made us feel so special. Pork Belly was 💯 !!! but our favorite was the mussels (and broth). Drinks came out fast and the bathrooms were so vibey! We don’t have anything bad to say other than I wish I took more photos! Oh and staff member Kong made us laugh- we will be back 🥰♥️”

“Overall: WOW. 100/100. My girlfriend took me here for my birthday, and it was hands down one of the best birthday experiences I’ve ever had. Absolutely unreal. Nick, the chef, is the real deal. If you go, sit at the bar, no question. It’s the best possible experience and lets you truly appreciate the craft. After this visit, I plan on spending every birthday at Masao. It was that good. Now let’s talk about the food. This was the best-tasting food I’ve ever had in the Des Moines metro. Every bite was intentional, creative, and unforgettable. Nick deserves serious recognition as a chef, this is Michelin-level execution and experience. The scallops? Michelin-star caliber. An absolute experience on their own. Completely blown away. Thank you, Nick. Legend.”

“Masao: East Village’s Posh Playground for the Brave Palate Walking into Masao feels less like “just another dinner” and more like stepping into a fusion experiment where France and Japan decided to stop texting and finally move in together. The ambience is clean, minimalist, and elegant — subtle lighting, thoughtful details, and a space that whispers “classy” without trying too hard. Even the bathrooms got the memo: spotless, stylish, and more bougie than you’d expect (you know a restaurant cares when the bathroom makes you nod in approval). The menu is bold and playful, changing daily, so you’re not here for comfort food — you’re here to taste things you probably haven’t tried before. Bring an open palate, because Masao isn’t pandering to the usual Midwest safe-zone. The food highlights: Vegetable Tempura ($10): Beautifully plated broccoli rabe tempura, but yeah — a little oily, like it lingered too long in the fryer. The dipping sauce saved the day. Lavender Eggs ($18): French-style scrambled, soft as a cloud, kissed with lavender and topped with caviar. Half breakfast, half fine art. Scallops ($28): Seared just right, resting on lemon beurre blanc with sautéed leeks. A bit salty solo, but mix it all together and it hits balance. Salmon Sashimi:,($25) Clean, fresh, and plated so elegantly it almost felt rude to eat it. Karaage Chicken ($25): The absolute rockstar. Soy and sesame marinated, fried golden, paired with Okinawa purple potato chips, and finished with a cheeky beet gel nail polish swipe on the plate. Crispy, juicy, and somehow luxurious. Fried chicken, but make it fashion. The service takes Masao from “great” to “unforgettable.” The waiter knew every dish like they wrote the cookbook, offering non-alcoholic pairings that actually felt intentional. Then the chef himself came out, chatted like an old friend, and — plot twist — poured Hennessy VSOP shots into gold-rimmed glasses. That’s not dinner, that’s membership into the Masao inner circle. And credit where it’s due — the owners are genuinely great people. They care about the community, support local, and it shows in how they treat their guests. Final word: Masao is a must-visit for anyone who loves food with a side of adventure. Not every dish will be your thing, and that’s the point. Come with an open mind, a hungry stomach, and maybe a friend who appreciates fine plating and a good shot of Henny. This is East Village showing off, and it’s worth every bite.”

“Service was great and the atmosphere was decent, though the wait was longer than expected. Even with a reservation, we still waited about 30 minutes to be seated. Before the food came out, everything felt promising. I knew the portions would probably be small, but they were even smaller than I anticipated. The shrimp nigiri was actually good, but one piece had the tail on and the other didn’t, plus they were noticeably different sizes. Sushi, especially Japanese-style sushi, is usually about precision and consistency, so that stood out to me. I tried four different sushi options, aside from the shrimp, the others were just okay, with some tasting a little fishy. Overall, the experience reminded me a bit of Waterfront, just in a different style. Glad we didn’t come with a large group because I left feeling like I technically ate, but somehow still felt hungry.”