Japanese food at reasonable prices is not a prominent thing in Iowa. Krunkwich Ramen House, located at 2721 Ingersoll Avenue, has been offering a modern and Americanized twist on the traditional dishes from Eastern Asia. Kayla Nguyen is a Vietnamese senior at Urbandale High School, who gave her opinion on the eatery.
At first, the restaurant itself seems pretty normal. But when one pays more attention, they will notice the incredible amount
of cat art and decorations on the walls. Nguyen appreciates how the decorum adds to the experience. “The cats are very cute. It adds positive energy and vibes to the area. The atmosphere in here is very relaxed and chill. It’s a good place to just talk to someone.”
The contemporary restaurant offers a variety of menu items, with a significant amount of vegan selections. The menu, with over a dozen different vegan alternatives, offers options for every person’s diet. Nguyen, who has struggled with vegetarianism in the past because of the difficulty of finding non-meat foods, says, “I think it’s awesome that they have a lot of alternatives, compared to many other restaurants I go to. They have a really big selection.”
One of the more controversial aspects of the restaurant is the fact that it combines American cuisine with traditional Asian dishes. For example, the pulled pork steak is a cohesive mix of American barbecue and Banh Mi, a Vietnamese bread roll. “It’s very interesting,” says Nguyen, “Some people might not like it, but the idea sounds good. However, it’s important to know that if you are going to fuse something, you have to make sure to do it right.”
Krunkwich stands out in Iowa as a truly unique restaurant. It’s strange yet uplifting atmosphere, combined with it’s unique menu, provides for a distinct experience that can not be found in many other places in Des Moines. As a restaurant with a variety of different offerings, it provides options for everyone to find something they enjoy. Krunkwich does not try to fit in with the rest of the midwest, but strives and succeeds to create its own identity.
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