Haiku — Restaurant in Des Moines

My wife and I eat here about once a week. Typically, depending on what time of day we eat, I can spend anywhere from $50 to $75. I want to start with saying that usually, I would say 99.9% of the time, The food and service are great, especially when Sebastian is serving. However, Today I called today to place my to-go order and was put on hold so long that I was at the restaurant before anyone came back to the phone. ( I live ten mins away , long time to be ON HOLD ) My order was taken from the wait staff that complained they were much too busy to take phone orders... I ordered in person then waited half an hour for my order only to find out it was on the counter, waiting to go out to a table, the ticket did not reflect that it was 'to go'. I would Also like to mention that I had to ask about my order, no one ever checked on me. ( I had to go up to the counter to ask about my order.) I am absolutely disappointed with the service I received today as this is in no way shape or form the 'norm' however when I mentioned to the wait staff that I was less than impressed they did not seem to be bothered by this information. I understand they're busy however I was made to feel like an inconvenience to their server because I was to -go ( even though I DID TIP ) And when I asked why my food was just left on the counter while I waited my servers responded with ' okkkkay' AND SIGHED like I somehow upset them. Disappointing all the way around , probably won't be...

Update review Sept 3, 2025 down 4 stars. How can so much change in just one month?! Usually I come in and order 3 sweet potato tempura rolls. They’re so large and tender. It usually takes a white to go box to hold it all but today it’s a small regular sushi platter for 3 rolls. I took it back because I thought I got the wrong order (some of the sweet potato is white . I honestly thought it was crab). One employee told me this is how they always make it and I showed them a google pic of what it normally looks like. The cashier said they used to have larger parboiled strips. The other confirmed this is how they make it now with the new chef (which makes sense because I heard someone say they didn’t know how to make a sweet potato roll. So if they’re new to the store they wouldn’t know). I said ok thank you, I’ll take it this time but I won’t order it again. What I meant was I’ll not come back again. This is what I get for trying to order food next to a college campus maybe? Lesson learned. It was nice while it lasted.

Original 5 star review from August 6, 2025: The food is very good. I really enjoy the 3 for $15 lunch special. This place has the best sweet potato tempura roll and green curry I’ve ever had....

I moved to the neighborhood a few months ago and I was so excited to have a sushi restaurant so close because it’s my favorite food but this will be my last visit to Haiku.

I use to be a weekly patron but since their very talented chef left it has quickly gone downhill. The previous chef created delicious, flavorful, and well made rolls. The new chef however has served lack luster flavor and poorly wrapped rolls.

The menu could also use an update since they seem to just cross things off they decide not to serve anymore.

The server was less than pleased to have to wait on me, I was brought water, offered no other drinks, order taken, food brought to me and asked once if the food was okay. The next time I saw her was the check.

The restaurant is pretty but the music was soooo loud I couldn’t think. The rolls were sub par. The nyc roll was on the menu as salmon but was served with smoked salmon which I could live my life without and die happy never eating smoked salmon again.

I will go back to driving out of my way for...