The original Mandarin Restaurant was opened in Beaverdale, in 1978, where it hosted thousands of wonderful, unforgettable memories such as: weddings, birthdays, family reunions, graduation parties, as well as a few not-so-wonderful memories, such as when the floods of 1995 and 2008 victimized the Mandarin.  The Mandarin has always been known for its unwavering and flawless marriage of essential Asian flavors.  Grandma Sue

(Jade's mom, Chef K's mother-in-law, and the former owner of the Mandarin in Beaverdale)

remains a culinary monarch, still hand-making appetizers from scratch, teaching those around her about the “old country”, and about how all great Chinese foods begin with: fresh ingredients, skillful hands, a love for foods & a passion for eating.  She is the mother of 3 children, all in the Des Moines area, the grandmother of 4, and great-grandmother of 3 littles.  Born in 1927, she still remains active and is a treasured,
family gem.

Master chef Kevin C. ("Chef K.") has been locally established as a leading culinary artist, introducing new Asian cuisines to his restaurant’s most loyal guests.  We have catered to some of the most esteemed guests, including President of China Xi Jing Ping and his entourage, Chinese Olympic gymnasts training in town at Chow’s Gym, amongst so many others…not including our local and amazing customers.  Our guests sometimes travel over 3 hours to taste Chef K.'s creations. 

Chef K. was born in South Korea, his parents having deflected from China, and was raised in the same refugee camps as his wife, Jade C. in Pusan, South Korea.  Chef K. claims to have fallen in love with his wife when they were in middle school, as all deflected Chinese were housed and schooled in the same refugee camp.  Jade has a very different version :) of the story. 

Chef K. went on to study architecture in Tokyo, Japan.  However, as a poor student, he could not make ends meet and ended up  as a dishwasher in a prestigious hotel in Tokyo.  It was here that the hotel’s master chef took Chef K. (then 18yrs old) under his wing, teaching him the art of sushi and other culinary delights.  From there, Chef K. went onto Taiwan and then America in the late 70’s. 

Jade, grandma Sue, and the rest of the family also deflected to Taiwan where Jade played pro-basketball on the national Taiwanese team.  From there, the family received immigration papers to come to America, also in the late 70’s-early 80's.  While running an already well-established family’s restaurant, Jade needed a skilled chef…lo-and-behold, in walks Chef K., having recently received his papers to immigrate to America, and needed a job!  Long story short, they married, had kids, and are now the proud grandparents of 3 littles, two that reside in Nashville and one here in the Des Moines area. 

Their greatest pride and joy comes from a passion for culinary delights and being grandparents.

(Dragon Roll)

515-327-5988

1250 NW 128th Street

Clive, Iowa 50325

(1/2 block North of 128th & University Ave)

 

Sun 11-9

Mon-Thu 11-2, 4-9

Fri 11-2, 4-9:30

Sat 11-9:30

 

No email food orders please!

 

Our family history:

We are a blend of Chinese/Korean, Chinese blood, born and raised in South Korea.  During the Communist Revolution, and into the Korean War, our family escaped famine and communism by deflecting to South Korea.  There, Grandma Sue (the family patriarch) gave birth to her three children at the US Military base in Pusan, S. Korea.  It was here that an entire genre of foods was born.  One iconic dish is our JaJangMyeon (click on link for a history).  The man in this video is from the same refugee camps our family came from.  Some of the dishes we have on our SPECIALTY MENU originate from this refugee camp.  The history of our family runs deep.

 

Jade has had celiac disease for several years.  As such, we are extra cautious for our fellow gluten-sensitive guests.  Please feel free to let your server know if you have an allergy; we are happy to accommodate!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Yeah...we know the owner, too" 

 

Call ahead for take-outs & reservations for parties of 6+!