Hawker's Kitchen — Restaurant in Ankeny

TLDR: inaccurate menu photos, not vegetarian friendly, otherwise okay Food: The concept of the food is quite cute, and there is a diverse range of food types. However, there is a SEVERELY limited vegetarian-friendly list. There were only about 2 items that were available for vegetarians, not to mention the difficulty for vegans. This is really quite confusing to me because I have been to several real hawker centers in Singapore, and there were always a plethora of vegetarian options. It seems kind of absurd that there was essentially no sustenance food option that a vegetarian could eat. I did get the mango sticky rice and the egg tart, as those were vegetarian. They were very good. The egg tart was huge; I recommend sharing it with someone. The mango sticky rice was disappointing in both visual and size. It came in a very small box that had like 6 slices of mango and some rice. While it tasted good (totally soaked in the cream, which was nice), it did not resemble the picture and implied portion at all. It was significantly smaller, and also not the same color as the photo at all (the photo of the menu showed green/teal rice?). Honestly really quite disappointed with the choice of food execution, but the taste of the food itself was fine. Another inaccuracy with the menu (or maybe it was a mistake with our food) was that we ordered the Nasi Lemak, specifically because it had an egg on it and the beef bulgogi did not. However, after we got our food, there was NO egg. Also, we ordered a boba drink. The liquid was delicious, but the boba was hard and grainy. Not chewy at all. The curry puffs were good, though. Service: We came in around 30-45 minutes prior to closing. There were about 4 people in line prior to my party. The line went pretty fast. The counter people were also quite nice and helped us make decisions. When I asked for a customization with the boba drink, two syrup flavors instead of just one, they were able and willing to try to fulfill this request. We were also greeted upon entry and exit by a man, who we think is the owner. The staff are very punctual with closing time. We finished getting our food and walked out at like 2-5 minutes before closing, and the closed sign was already up. Other: The atmosphere is kind of interesting because it’s a very modern and simple wood-based design. Very little decor or furniture that makes the place feel fun. This is pretty different from the experience of a real hawker center because a real hawker center is full of vibrant sounds, colors, and very busy and loud. While I appreciate they did not follow the cleanliness standard of a hawker center (which can be quite low for the tables), it did feel like people were not intended to sit, enjoy, and talk with the same lively atmosphere as a...

Hawker’s Kitchen is hands down one of the best Malaysian and Singaporean restaurants you can find in the country. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, setting the stage for an authentic Southeast Asian dining experience.

The food is outstanding — every dish is cooked with care and packed with rich, bold flavors that taste just like what you’d find at hawker stalls in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The ingredients are fresh, portions are generous, and the balance of spices is perfect. Whether you’re craving savory noodles, fragrant rice dishes, or their incredible curry noodle soup (laksa), everything here is a hit.

The service is just as impressive as the food. The staff are friendly, attentive, and passionate about what they serve, which really elevates the whole experience. You can tell they take pride in sharing authentic Asian flavors with their customers.

If you’ve been searching for a place to satisfy your Asian food cravings, look no further. Hawker’s Kitchen won’t disappoint. I highly recommend this spot — once you try it, you’ll definitely come...

Just stopped here for lunch and everything was phenomenal! The staff is super welcoming. They gave us menus as soon as we walked in, though I think you can also scan a QR code for info. The menu as well as descriptors are listed on the screen behind the counter, too. They serve comfort foods from several Asian countries--some well-known like Korea's bulgogi but also lesser-known dishes (to the average American diners) such as Malaysia's Nasi Lemak. I got the Laksa which is a savory, curry noodle soup from Malaysia. And, my boyfriend got the Char Quay Teo which is a seaside Chinese favorite served with pickled vegetables. Both dishes were absolutely delicious with the perfect amount of umami, perfect temperature, perfect texture of the noodles. Just perfect! Can't wait to come back and try...