Japanese in Denver

Ajinoya Ramen

1390 S. Colorado Blvd. East Denver

720--638-8678

Japanese, Ramen, Menu

1 article

AOI Sushi & Izakaya

3303 30th St. Boulder

303-449-5394

Japanese, Sushi

Banzai Sushi

6655 Leetsdale Dr. Southeast Denver

303-329-3366

Japanese, Sushi, Best Of

There's not much atmosphere here, but the sushi's fresh, so skip the cooked dishes and eat it raw. And be sure to peruse the menu, because reading the names of Banzai's innovative rolls is half the fun. With dishes like the Chernobyl, the Shake-N-Bake, the ever-popular Drum Roll, and both the Tighty Whitey and the BVD (looks like we know Banzai's answer to the ageless boxers-or-briefs debate), you're sure to find something to tickle your funny bone as well as your tastebuds.

1 article

Benihana

515 Zang St., Broomfield Northwest Denver Suburbs

303-410-0482

Japanese, Sushi, Best Of, Menu

Benihana is the Barnum & Bailey of Japanese food, an unabashedly corny and often embarrassing centerfold of eye-rolling wisecracks, theatrics and occasional mishaps from the knife-wielding teppenyaki chefs who elevate (some would say disintegrate) food into an entertainment form. But guess what? The food here is nothing to sneer at, and the fried rice — allegedly a "top secret" recipe — is a dish that deserves a command performance. It's a medley (as best we can tell) of fried eggs, soy sauce, garlic butter, sesame seeds and vegetables, and it arrives at the table long before the chefs toss your beef, chicken or shrimp on the plate — a ploy, we think, to ensure that you order another round. Most people do.

2 articles

Benihana

3295 S. Tamarac Dr. Southeast Denver

303-750-0200

Japanese, Sushi, Best Of, Menu

5 articles

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial Southwest Denver Suburbs

720-283-6383

Japanese, Sushi, Menu

Domo

1365 Osage St., Denver Golden Triangle/La Alma

303-595-3666

Japanese, Essentials

Gaku Homma opened his homestyle Japanese restaurant with an unlikely farmhouse setting, complete with a Japanese garden, in an urban neighborhood in 1996. It had a loyal legion of fans for years, but a viral TikTok video nearly led to its demise after crowds descended on the typically quiet space. After taking some time off to concentrate on his nonprofit, Homma brought Domo back, and it’s as charming as ever. Dining here is a Zen-like experience, so don’t come when you’re in a rush.Save this spot for the times you’re ready to linger over comforting donburi bowls, ramen, Japanese curry and more.

30 articles

Eeny Meeny Sushi Roll

3650 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood

303-988-0870

Japanese, Menu

Denver doesn’t do weird — at least not when it comes to restaurants (Casa Bonita is the exception that proves the rule). So fans of offbeat dining should head to this Lakewood sushi bar, which is a wonderland of weird decor: miniature fairy gardens populated with tiny cartoon animals; plush, smiling nigiri; colorful balloons randomly placed as if left over from a child’s birthday party; and a fisherman’s net filled with what appear to be discarded iPods or cell-phone covers. There's a dazzling list of sushi rolls — familiar varieties like spicy tuna and California — and more creative offerings such as the Colorado cowboy or cowgirl, both of which include snow crab and torched filet mignon; the first also boasts asparagus and five-spice seasoning, while the second pairs the surf-and-turf combo with avocado and spicy mayo.

1 article

Fontana Sushi

8601 W. Cross Dr., #F4, Littleton Southwest Denver Suburbs

303-933-6788

Japanese, Sushi, Best Of, Menu

Brothers Quiang and Sky Chen own this Fontana Sushi, the only link in a chain otherwise belonging to Kevin Lin. Wanting a place where they could offer both the authentic Japanese gyoza, soba, katsu and tempura that form the street-food backbone of their native cuisine as well as a spread of Tokyo new-wave dishes, the brothers picked this unlikely location in a strip mall. The menus can be just as surprising, full of ultra-modern sushi interpretations as well as chirashi plates and tempura ice cream.

4 articles

Glaze

1160 Madison St. Central Denver

720-387-7890

Coffeehouse, Dessert, Japanese, American, Recommended

Heather Alcott's Glaze in Congress Park is known for circular cakes called baumkuchen that bake one layer at a time on a horizontal rod. The place opens at 9 a.m. every morning as a bakery cafe featuring tarts, macarons, coffee drinks and of course, baumkuchen -- a Japanese-German hybrid that requires a special oven (Alcott says hers is the only one in the U.S.). Everything that crosses the counter here, as much art as cuisine, demonstrates expertise, quality and sheer fun. With a modern, minimalist dining room and a sleek chef's counter, the restaurant still pulls off warmth and charm in part because of the confidence and sincerity pouring from the kitchen and bakery.

15 articles

Go Fish

1 Broadway B108 Central Denver

303-733-8881

Sushi, Japanese, Menu

Go Fish is an outgrowth of the Spicy Basil a couple of doors down, which means you can now get Thai-Chinese on one corner, Japanese-American on the other. This is a simple and uncomplicated sushi bar and Japanese restaurant for neighbors, for anyone looking for a little miso soup, a couple of handrolls and a bit of yakitori as a snack. It's fast, cheap and easy to love.

2 articles

Hana Matsuri Sushi

150 S. Union Blvd. Lakewood

303-284-1278

Japanese, Sushi, Recommended, Menu

Steve and Jessie Liu, who opened the superb Land of Sushi in 2000 and the sleek Hana Matsuri in 2009, have done it again. The second installment of Hana Matsuri opened in late 2015 in Lakewood, bringing hungry diners in the southwestern suburbs an authentic sushi experience. While the decor may not be traditional, the sushi chefs here are dedicated to providing stellar sushi.The best way to experience their skills might be with the chirashi, sashimi and nigiri, although the occasional departures into fusion can also produce worthy results.

Hapa Sushi

1220 Pennsylvania Ave. Boulder

303-447-9883

Japanese, Sushi, Recommended, Menu

Hapa Sushi is essentially a fusion restaurant, offering sliders, nachos and Fuji-apple-and-bleu-cheese salads on the one hand, poke don, kanpyo maki and a small spread of sashimi on the other. It caters quite deliberately to rookies, actually naming a section of the menu "Beginner Sushi Rolls," which is followed by "Intermediate" and then flows right into the house specials -- almost all of which are named after something sexual. But while Hapa is a fun place, there's also undeniable talent in the kitchen.

4 articles

Izakaya Amu

1221 Spruce St. Boulder

303-440-0733

Japanese, Recommended, Best Of

Izakaya Amu is the yin to the yang of the rest of the restaurants in this small empire. It shares a wall with the raucous Sushi Zanmai, but it's a tiny oasis, an authentic izakaya. You won't find sushi here; instead, the gracious staff serves you classic Japanese country food and shabu shabu, which you can pair with Boulder's most extensive selection of sake. You may have to wait for one of the handful of bar seats or low tables, but your meal will definitely be worth the wait. An added bonus: The Japanese menu contains dishes that are not translated into English, so if you're feeling adventurous, make sure you ask your server for unfamiliar recommendations.

6 articles

Izakaya Den

1487 S. Pearl St. South Denver

303-777-0691

Sushi, Japanese, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

More than two decades passed before Sushi Den owners Yasu and Toshi Kizaki decided to expand upon their successful sushi business, but when they did, they went big. While the word “izakaya” means little more than “bar and grill” in Japan, in Denver it has become synonymous with the same style, service and dedication to fresh seafood that Sushi Den customers have come to expect.

49 articles

Izu Sushi

1528 E. Colfax Ave. East Denver

Japanese, Sushi

3 articles

Japango

1136 Pearl St. Boulder

303-225-7344

Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Best Of, Menu

Japango flies in fish daily to ensure that your meal includes the freshest catch available. The gorgeously decorated, lush interior and rich, delicious food are reflected in the price tag -- but all things considered, you get what you pay for at Japango. The wine and sake lists are dynamic and affordable (and the sake is available in flights, rated for your consuming pleasure); daily specials offer plenty of options for seafood lovers (and even vegetarians, who can order a fish-free sushi plate at dinner); and the reasonably priced Bento boxes are an excellent way to enjoy an upscale dining experience at lunch without breaking the bank.

3 articles

Japon

1028 S. Gaylord St. South Denver

303-744-0330

Japanese, Sushi, Recommended, Menu

The 1000 block of South Gaylord Street is swimming in dining options, but if you’re in the mood for sushi, you can’t beat Japon. Located right next door to the old Japon (which closed in 2005), Japon 2.0 has vaulted ceilings, an open kitchen and plenty of space where you can enjoy an intimate meal with a companion or celebrate with a big party – and you can always belly up to the sushi bar to watch the chefs cut and craft your meal. Japon’s lunch and dinner menus are expansive, with a la carte sushi, combos and cooked options; there are always a few house specials, too. And don’t forget the happy hour, with cheap sushi and sake, during the week.

10 articles

Jason's Thai Asian Bistro

2022 S. University Blvd. South Denver

303-777-8388

Asian, Japanese, Seafood, Sushi, Best Of, Menu

Jason’s Thai Asian Bistro is a clean, updated space in an otherwise seedy South University strip mall. The comprehensive eatery offers dine-in, carry-out and delivery service, beer and wine, and an Asian fusion menu of dishes from Thailand, Japan, China and Vietnam. Starters include summer rolls and edamame, seaweed salad and miso soup, while entrees like spicy stir-fried chicken and jalapeños and sriracha beef share space with vegetarian items made with tofu and eggplant. The culinary geography changes up with tempura, lo mein and udon noodles, classics dishes like drunken noodles and pad Thai, and more Thai curries than you can shake a pair of chopsticks at.

2 articles

John Holly's Asian Bistro

1028 S. Gaylord St. South Denver

303-942-0158

Asian, Japanese, Sushi, Thai, Menu

3 articles

Katana Sushi

955 Lincoln St. Downtown Denver

Japanese, Sushi

Katsu Ramen

1930 S. Havana St. Aurora

303-751-2222

Japanese, Ramen, Best Of, Readers' Choice

When Katsu Ramen opened in early 2015 in Aurora, it was greeted by long lines of ramen lovers. They found was milky-white tonkotsu ramen, cloudy with pork bones boiled for the better part of a day; sweet, nutty miso ramen; lighter shoyu, with a soy-flavored blend of chicken and pork stock; spicy chicken ramen, with a slick of red-chile oil; and chilled ramen, with a pungent blend of sesame-seed paste and soy sauce. Ramen isn’t the only thing on the menu: Gingery gyoza, katsu curry (fried pork cutlets dipped in sweet brown curry), mirin-marinated beef over rice and green tea ice cream round out the roster. But it’s ramen that steals the show.

9 articles

Kawa Ni

1900 W. 32nd Ave., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

303-455-2984

Japanese, Best Of, Essentials

Inspired by Japanese izakayas, chef/restaurateur Bill Taibe founded the original Kawa Ni in Westport, Connecticut, in 2014. Nearly a decade — and many dumplings, bao buns and inventive plates — later, he debuted the second Kawa Ni in LoHi after falling in love with the neighborhood, which has embraced it right back. The buzzy dining room is a high-energy place to dig into options such as the aptly named Addictive Cabbage, red curry coconut onigiri and spicy lamb dan dan noodles.

1 article

Kazan Ramen Bistro

3901 Tennyson St. Northwest Denver

720-535-7253

Japanese, Ramen

3 articles

Kiki's Japanese Casual Dining

2440 S. Colorado Blvd. Southeast Denver

303-504-4043

Japanese, Best Of

Filled with knickknacks, Kiki's is cluttered in the way your favorite aunt's house might be — but that just adds to the homey vibes of this casual, under-the-radar eatery that specializes in authentic country-style Japanese food. There is an entire ramen menu to explore as well as sushi offerings, but Kiki's also serves up dishes like agedashi tofu, karaage (Japanese fried chicken), takoyaki (fried balls made with wheat batter and octopus), tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and a lineup of noodle dishes.

3 articles

Kobe An Shabu Shabu

3400 Osage St. Northwest Denver

Japanese, Restaurants

Some people consider cooking a chore, but if the activity at Kobe An Shabu Shabu, a niche Japanese restaurant that opened in Highland in summer 2014, is any indication, people are not only willing to cook, they'll pay good money to do so â?? provided they're in a swanky space drinking plum wine with friends. Shabu shabu, which translates to "swish, swish," brings platters of vegetables, meat and noodles to your table, along with pots of broth in which to cook all those ingredients. The result is supposed to be a glorious mess of a meal that's guaranteed to bring out your inner kid â?? but here itâ??s sometimes just a mess.

7 articles

Kokoro

5535 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada Northwest Denver Suburbs

303-432-0600

Japanese, Best Of, Menu

Founded by Mareo Torito in 1986, Kokoro has specialized in speed, low prices, freshness and healthy ingredients -- with a Japanese accent -- for decades now. In both look and feel, this original outpost apes a Japanese noodle shop, serving rice bowls and noodle bowls, sushi lite (think California and spicy tuna rolls), gyoza, edamame and salads, all very, very quickly. Wash it all down with a Japanese bubble-gum soda.

4 articles

Kokoro

2390 S. Colorado Blvd. Southeast Denver

720-410-5315

Japanese, Best Of

Founded n 1986, Kokoro has specialized in speed, low prices, freshness and healthy ingredients -- with a Japanese accent -- for decades now. In both look and feel, this original outpost apes a Japanese noodle shop, serving rice bowls and noodle bowls, sushi lite (think California and spicy tuna rolls), gyoza, edamame and salads, all very, very quickly. Wash it all down with a Japanese bubble-gum soda.

5 articles

Komotodo

1512 Larimer St. Downtown Denver

303-534-0500

Fast Casual, Japanese, Mexican

3 articles

Land of Sushi

2142 E. Arapahoe Rd. Centennial

303-779-0608

Japanese, Sushi, Recommended, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

Back in 2000, Land of Sushi opened in a strip mall across from what was then Southglenn Mall — now the Streets at SouthGlenn — and quickly made a splash. Over the years, the spot has just gotten better. While the seafood selection is impressive, the restaurant itself is comfortable but modest. But you'll forget your surroundings when you belly up to the brightly lit sushi bar, often attended by three chefs and flanked by an L-shaped counter that's usually full of guests. The bare-bones ambience just means there's nothing to distract your attention from the food — and the food definitely deserves all your attention.

10 articles

Leezakaya

2710 S. Havana St. Aurora

720-769-6595

Japanese

Leezakaya is part of Seoul Hospitality Group, the restaurant empire that includes Pho 75, Mono Mono Korean Fried Chicken, Seoul ManDoo, Menya and ThankSool Pocha, among others. It's ruled benevolently (and deliciously) by J.W. Lee, and that's all we need to know to make the trek to Aurora, where we can load up plates with excellently executed izakaya fare like sushi, udon noodles in creamy mentaiko sauce, soft-shell crab karaage and okonomiyaki.

Matsuhisa

98 Steele St., Denver Cherry Creek

303-329-6628

Japanese, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brought everything we expected when he opened a branch of his namesake restaurant in Cherry Creek in 2016. The building is opulent and stunning, the plates executed with an artist’s skill and mastery of color and form, and the flavor pure and focused. Yes, Matsuhisa is destination dining for the most special of occasions, but its takeout is also perfect for an extravagant dinner at home.

13 articles

Menya Noodle Bar

951 16th St. Downtown Denver

303-935-8888

Japanese, Menu

Japanese in Denver

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