First off, Amu is totally worth the drive from Denver to Boulder if that's what you're weighing. Three of us girls drove to Boulder just to eat here, and while we knew the wait would be long, we waited wayyy more than we were quoted or expected (I think about 2.5 hours)! That was our one complaint, mostly because we were all starving! Once seated, we tried a flight of sake and ordered Omakase style where the server brings things out based on dietary restrictions, preferences, hunger level, etc. (this is the only way to go - the three of us ate/drank like Queens for about $100!). I normally hate sake (or so I thought before this visit), but 2 of the 3 sakes were amazing! The one that tastes like melted snow is divine. Each dish we tried was amazing and unlike anything I've had before! Most notably was the eggplant dish...I practically licked the cast iron skillet...glad I didn't...ouch! Once you step in, you are no longer in hippy Boulder, you are in Japan...I think they said employees have to know Japanese or have lived in Japan to work here. Having visited Japan before, I know that this place creates a great authentic Japanese experience, and it brought back my awesome vacation memories. read more

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First off, this is one of the best restaurants in in the area, I say that with the experience of dining at most dining places around town. The food was absolutely incredible, the service was fluid, & the chemistry among the staff was noticeable. The bartender Courtney was very nice and informative with the menu - and cheers to her for recommending the garlic soy Lamb Chops; that was one of the best plates I've ever eaten in Boulder. The soft shell crab was also cooked perfectly with a great citrus ponzu on the side. The miso was excellent; as were the daily selections of sashimi. read more

Shoes off. It is ON. My goodness, this place is good. When challenged with finding a great place to eat in Boulder for my group of three, I headed to my handy dandy Yelp app and discovered Amu's rave reviews. Amu is a very authentic Japanese spot, complete with a no shoes policy and traditional (really short) dining tables. We came here on a Monday night during the winter and luckily were not met with a wait. It seems like most people expect to wait at least a little while here, as there's pretty limited seating and everybody loves it. Tip: they don't accept reservations for parties of three or less, so go early or on a slow night (Mondays or Tuesdays) to make sure you get a spot. I was lucky to dine with an adventurous group who wanted to try ALL THE THINGS. A few of my favorites: the Unagi Kabayaki (fresh water eel in japanese bbq sauce), Sake Harami Kasuzuke (salmon belly marinated in sake pulp), and the Muuru Gai Misoyaki (New Zealand green lip mussels broiled in spicy miso). I had two glasses of sake--my suggestion is to let your server choose you a great, dry sake (they're the experts!). I'm somewhat of a kimchi enthusiast and thought their homemade kimchi was so tasty. The asian pancake and potstickers were also very popular with my dinner-mates! I see you, Boulder sushi scene. I'll be back to Amu soon and would love to try their neighbor, the popular Sushi Zanmai next! read more

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Always a great, inventive meal. Do yourself a favor and let the staff order for you. Omakase is the only way to go.

A lovely and intimate experience -- you take your clothes off! Okay, just your shoes. Amu is not a chain, although it's brethren, Izakaya, is right next door. In no way is Amu a monstrosity, it's a very small place that seats 10-12 at the counter, and a back room to sit a party of 8-12. One chef was able to handle all the orders without any duress, as she was totally pro and fun to watch prepare the many items and house specialties with ease. The menu has a bit of all Japanese cuisine with sushi, hot pot, shabu shabu, and cooked hot foods of fish, beef, and chicken. I had a number of things, but to-die-for favorites of the night: the miso rock cod, rib eye in ponzu, maguro & avocado, yellowtail sashimi, and a little complimentary salad (ooh the sesame dressing). All that with some cold, unfiltered Saki -- oh baby. I really couldn't fit it in dessert, but after thinking about it for roughly 2 seconds, I caved. Sharing it with my dining companion (who has been before and LOVES Amu very much), 5 types of mochi ice cream (white cherry, mint, salted caramel, green tea, and red bean). All were wonderful, but in particular...the white cherry and salted caramel. If you're looking for a more intimate dining experience, or the feeling of a small boutique, non-commercial outing -- this is your place. Personable, kind people, and fantastic cuisine. Don't forget to wear nice, clean socks...and don't show up for lunch -- it's only open for dinner. read more

Sorry Colorado, you have no idea what izakaya food is. The interior is nice and is like an izakaya, but the food is no where near the quality it should be. The wait was long and when my girlfriend and I were seated the waitress completely ignored us for 10 minutes. Yes, it was busy but she could have at least acknowledged us and told us she would be with us momentarily. I also found it unprofessional that she was drinking on the job; which perhaps explains why we had such a horrible experience. The food is overpriced for the quantity and quality. We paid $12 for 6 pieces of salmon sashimi cut into tiny pieces that all had gaping holes in the middle. I've never in my life had sashimi served to me in this way, and I was appalled that the chef could even send something like this out. The rest of the food was equally as disappointing including: tempura calamari, crab croquettes, and yaki onigiri. We left some of these unfinished because they were so disgusting. Sadly we were so hungry after waiting forever that we ate what we could stomach. We went to another restaurant to eat afterwards because we were still hungry. Stay away from this trap and Yelp something else. read more

Izakaya Amu - This was the salmon sashimi we received. 6 pieces for $12 -- all with holes in the middle. - Japanese Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Life-changing culinary experience, I ordered yellowtail sashimi (13$), which was real juicy and flavorful. I only needed a bit of soy sauce and wasabi to round out the taste. Next order was the gyutan (beef tongue) which was amazing. Nice, chewy, and savory, and the portion was a fair amount for 12$. The last dish I had was the tekka don (13$), which was tuna sashimi on rice with soy sauce marinade. The rice portion was enough to leave me satisfied, and the tuna pieces were really rich and flavorful. Rounded out the night with a miso soup, which I would highly recommend you try. It's a really soothing way to end the meal! Never gonna forget this place for life, kinda tempted to fly back to Boulder one day just to eat here again read more

Izakaya Amu - Gyutan and yellowtail (it comes with 5 pieces, I just ate one before this pic) - Japanese Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

This place is Amazing!! Flight was cancelled so we stop in here expecting you're typical sushi experience.. They blew our minds. Flavor.. Hands on experience.. Authentic Japanese cuisine.. The works! Go with their recommendations.. You can't go wrong! And.. Sake to compliment the dish! 5 stars! read more

Izakaya Amu - Japanese Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Amu is, hands down, my favorite place to eat in Boulder, possibly in Colorado. I was introduced by a friend a few years ago and have been coming back ever since. I started with things I recognized, sashimi, sunomono, soba, etc and have now tried almost everything on the menu. Their new style "fusion" is amazing - try the Salmon Carpaccio and attempt to hold back your tears of joy. I recently discovered the tseukemono (pickled veggies) - brightly colored, perfectly pickled treats. I'm not one to dine alone but Amu is one of those places where I feel comfortable the second I walk in. By now most of the wait staff knows me by sight, they are the sweetest people ... I can sit at the bar, share a cup of sake with my chef and have an amazing meal for under 20$ (if I want, but let's get real, I have NO QUALMS spending money at this place). The fish is fresh, they have weekly/daily specials, you can buy a huge bottle of sake and they will keep it for you in a special 'customer's only' fridge, the service is fast and friendly, the environment is delightful....I have never had a disappointing experience here. Sure, there are a few things that I've tried that I haven't been wild about but then I just order up a plate of Hamachi Carpaccio and melt into my chair (which is super comfy by the way!) Oh, and try the Mochi Kakiage - imagine a flash fried ball of mochi with scallops, shrimp, fish and seaweed tumbled together and served piping hot with a dish of sea salt.... Nothing but Amu LOVE. read more

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The most carefully curated, and artful sashimi I've ever had. Especially in Boulder, coming from the West Coast. Look for the daily specials, sit at the sushi bar, and check out the soulful Japanese hot plates. I especially appreciated the hot pots and the real wasabi. read more

Excellent Japanese food that caters to special food requests. I have a gluten and dairy allergy and there were plenty of options. My favorites were the salmon belly and black cod from the kitchen, the seam bream sashimi, and the uni dish. We also had the sake flight, which was delicious. I can't wait to go back! read more

Izakaya Amu - Uni - Japanese Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Great Japanese dishes we don't normally find in most other Japanese restaurants. Really good service at the counter.

A really cool spot (not so hidden) next to it's rowdier sibling. From the moment you walk in (and take off your shoes) you can sense that their primary thought is about providing you with a wonderful experience with the best product they can source for you. While I'm a bit of a sushi snob and think that Colorado has very little to offer in this category, Amu stands atop. They don't have a vast variety of fish selections unlike other places but they do offer tasty and well-presented dishes. They also have more than just sashimi dishes which I suggest you experiment with. N.B.: They do not offer any nigiri options. read more

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Tasty and varied menu, tapas style. A welcome change from the usual Japanese fare. Altogether very pleasant.

If you've been wanting to go to Japan but just can't afford that $1,800 per person flight, come here instead! Learn a little Japanese before coming to help yourself fit in... and be prepared for everyone else to be speaking it. We got here at 4:58 - and there was already a line! Get there early, the seating is tight and there aren't many people leaving early (we left first out of everyone that came and we stayed almost 1.5 hours). It's like a tapas place so be prepared for small plates that you share. And be aware that even at the few tables there, you'll be sitting with other people - it's a cozy place, not a private place. We ordered the sake flight, which was very good (unfiltered sake available) and 6 other dishes including beef tongue! If you sit at the first bar, you can watch them work - and that's a cool show in itself. Make sure to bring shoes you can slip off easily and try to wear socks or bring some to put on. It's not cheap but it's a fun experience so give it a shot! read more

holy. moly. Guys, all the hype is real. The food was incredible. each and every thing we ordered was well balanced, with dynamic flavors. The surprise of the evening was how much we enjoyed their pickles vegetables. A great start to the meal! We had an amazing unfiltered sake and never felt rushed by our server when we sat and chatted until they closed. Can't wait to go back. read more

This place was authentic Japanese all the way down to the no shoes beyond the entryway rule. I savored a cold mixed vegetable amuse-bouche, assorted sashimi and yellowtail carpaccio; every bite perfectly presented and perfectly palatable. What impressed me the most, however, was the made-to-order miso soup, which was the best I've ever tasted. Choosy Eaters Certified read more

Izakaya Amu - made-to-order miso soup - Japanese Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

I already commented on Google review. This was a very painful experience as we waited 1.5h to get the first dish. The other items took an additional 1.5h. By the time we left we had lost our spirits, we were hungry and tired and upset at the $350 bill that forcefully included our tip. Not as cool as the review stated. Also, don't order the $65 sushi plate. Total rip off. read more

I've been here before and had a great experience but this time, I took my parents, and it was horrible. My dad ordered a sunomono and when he asked for wasabi, the gentlemen behind the bar said - and I quote - "oh, wasabi is $2. We charge for anything we don't recommend be served with a dish." Meaning because they don't think wasabi should be eaten with a seafood sunomono, it's ok to charge 200% the cost and say something as condescending as that. We saw a guy down the bar from us ask for a bowl of rice to eat with his hot pot to which he received a very hesitant "oh.... Sure". I will never go back here because I felt like I was shamed. Instead of being educated about Okinawa and the region the owner is from (I think?) I felt looked down on and because of that, I won't give them a dollar more of my money. It's also incredibly overpriced for what it is. My mom ordered yellowtail and it was over cooked and rubbery. read more

I have found the most overrated restaurant in Boulder, and it is you, Amu. I'm pretty sure that people add an extra star to their ratings just because at Amu they make you take off your shoes. "OMG, this place is SO AUTHENTIC!" the patrons exclaim, in wondrous delight. You know what else is authentic? Meatballs. Literally any meatball in the world, no matter how bad, because meatballs are just meat and bread and whatever else. Congrats Amu, you are the meatball sandwich of Japanese restaurants. read more

THE BEST, Japanese restaurant I've ever tried. One the most enjoyable culinary experiences I've ever had. Get everything... if nothing else, get the eggplant. AMAZING. All of it. read more

Fantastic. Very traditional Japanese style where we had to take our shoes off... that's how you know the food will be authentic and delicious. Service and food was amazing. My favorite dish by far were the green muscles. Some of the best muscles I've ever had. read more

Very unique Japanese restaurant. It is a cute small restaurant that would seat about twenty. You take your shoes off at the entrance. The staff was very knowledgeable and passionate about Japanese culture. The agedashi tofu, crab cream croquette, monkfish sashimi, miso soup, and grilled eggplant were all very good. If I had not been too full, I would have ordered another plate of the croquettes. You need 2-3 small plates and the range from 8 to 25$ each. I had a nice dinner with tofu, croquette and miso for about 20$. read more

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This place was fantastic. The ambiance and authenticity of the restaurant was superb. The food was very filling, but didn't leave me feeling uncomfortable afterwards. We ordered the Kobe Beef Sukiyaki with Zousui, Ebi shumai, lobster and vegetable tempura. All were great, light, and feeling. I would highly recommend read more

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Wow what a meal!!! Ridiculously delicious sake, wonderful sushi, but OMG the nasu dengaku was the best eggplant of my life! Run here right away, foodies! read more

Izakaya Amu - Japanese Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

This is one of the most expensive and terrible Japanese food I have ever had. We were expecting an excellent Sukiyaki dinner but only found a small pot with a few beef slides and a big raw onion. The service is terrible. Our server forgets to serve our food in the first place, but they still ask for an unchangeable 20% tip. I will not try it again. read more

Amazing Authentic Japanese Cuisine ! Two sides of the restaurant. One more family oriented and another smaller room which will make you feel like you're in Japan :) read more

The cuisine here is crafted, not to accomodate the American palate, but to take it somewhere new. Not for the casual eater, but a truly unique experience for the open minded. We had a selection of sashimi that was incredible - well prepare, non-tradition species. The Miso soup was lovely and familiar. Ask your waiter for sake recommendations, they have a great selection. Use the grading system to pick something dry vs sweet that suits you. Be adventurous, and patient - the restaurant is small, expect an hour wait if you don't make a reservation. Plenty to see and do while you wait. read more

Amazing food and presentation. We sat at the bar and everything was carefully explained to us....I live in the Bay Area but this is the best Japanese I have ever had! read more

I had been to Amu a year or so ago and had one of the best meals of my life. So we were very disappointed when we went back for a special occasion and felt let down by the food and not well taken care of. We ordered the "omakase" without even looking at the menu, anticipating a sophisticated evening of fresh, adventurous food lovingly prepared by the chef. The timing of the food felt off (our first course came out 20 minutes after sitting down and it was a cold dish). For a chef's tasting menu at a restaurant like Amu, we were saddened by the caliber of the food we were served. The style of food was something I would expect at Hapa on Pearl Street: fried, covered in sauces and lacking finesse. Our least favorite courses included a cooked spinach in peanut sauce, teriyaki-flavored beef, shrimp dumplings and crab cakes. I could not even finish my crab cakes because of the amount of mayonnaise it has and I was so disheartened by the meal by that point that I was ready to leave. We expected a sophisticated experience and an equally sophisticated selection of food like we had the last time we dined there - but we received the opposite. We decided to end the tasting meal early, leaving hungry and disappointed. We are sad that we won't be going back there again. read more

My god this place is good. It's one of the three or four best dining experiences I've had in the Denver area, and I can't wait to go back. This isn't a place to be seen or to dance or to get hammered or blah, blah, blah. It's about food, and it's obvious that this place takes its food very, very seriously. We made last-minute reservations here, and the wait staff was very accommodating. The place has an option to have the wait staff pick it's food for you, and that's what we did. Everything they brought out was fresh, interesting and astonishing in how flavorful it was. A lot of places advertise kobe beef, but I suspect that this was the first time I really ate kobe beef because this tasted like nothing else I've ever had before. I didn't need teeth to eat this beef. The fish tasted like it just jumped out of the Pacific, which is quite a feat considering how far we are from the closest ocean. This place isn't cheap, but you absolutely get what you pay for -- and what you get is one of the best restaurants in the state. read more

So disappointed with this restaurant. Was told it was the best. Waiter treated us like we had never eaten in a Japanese restaurant before. Menu was misleading. Food was less than mediocre. Atmosphere was blah. I went knowing that Boulder is not a culinary epicenter but this sucked because we were told it was authentic. We ordered a variety of things and the eggplant was the only thing that was good. Skip this place for sure! read more

this restaurant made me feel unwelcome and the food quality didn't make up for it. i'm not coming back

I just took my daughter and her friend for a meal at Izakaya Amu and describing it as fantastic would be an understatement. Being from California, the land of incredible sushi, my expectations weren't very high. But we put ourselves in the hands of the remarkable chef and had a most memorable meal. I'm already planning another meal when I return to Boulder. read more

So very lucky to nab the last 2 seats at the bar on a Saturday ... 10 minutes after they opened! Date night! Fabulous freshness and happy service. I had the large sashimi platter - awesome; miso soup - perfect; rice triangles - ok; husband had spicy bruchetta, soft shell crab, crabmeat in cream croquette; we finished with pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin ice cream. He can't stop talking about how great it was! If you want to experience this Very Popular place, get there the minute it opens! Otherwise you'll wait a Long Time. read more

This is the best restaurant in Boulder. I have gone 3 times and each time has been amazing. This place is not cheap, i usually go for a special occasion. You can have the server choose your plates. I suggest asking, "how is the uni" (sea urchin) today and trying that as one of the plates if it is good. Melts in your mouth! Also great selection of high-end sakes. Really awesome place 10/10. Some of the previous stuff also stated AO Izikaya and that is also very good but cheaper so def check them out. read more

I ate here maybe 5 years ago during a business trip. I remember it was pretty good and had nice ambience.

I really loved the clams even though a little too big and maybe a tad over cooked - great spice. The ambience was fantastic! The croquets were just too rich and needed something to break down some of the fat yet they serve with a tar tar sauce... no! Had to modify. The sashimi was pretty good but nothing exciting. The service was fantastic and loved the mood of this place. The sake was really good! read more

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Just upon entering to put our names on the 45 minute waitlist, it became immediately apparent to me why Izakaya Amu is the most highly acclaimed restaurant in Boulder. This narrow lot directly adjacent to the sushi Zanmai parent establishment is an incredible facet of Boulder. In the front of house, there's a chef-facing bar that probably seats about 15. In addition, there is a back of house, which is evidently for those who've made reservations (which requires you to have a party of 4 or more). Apparently, we made our first visit to Amu on the night to visit Amu - Thursday - when they fly in loads of fresh fish from Japan (probably why the back of house was fully reserved). Having never experienced Izakaya before, which roughly means 'a sake house to stay in' we were introduced to the concept by Jeff, who also let us know about Omakase, which translates to entrusting the chef with your food selection. As I was enthralled with the sake selection, I let the girlfriend make the food selections - in conjunction with Jeff's suggestions. I ordered a sake flight, and she ordered many pieces of sashimi. Thank you Jeff, for the great suggestions on food, and things to see on our planned trip to Japan in April. Easy to say that I will be returning to Amu as soon as I can. There's a certain charm to this place. Perhaps it's the shoeless mandate upon sitting down, or the beautiful palace aesthetic, but this restaurant has a way of transporting you to far, and away. read more

Favorite Japanese restaurant the food tastes so authentic, the place is small; which honestly lends to a better experience in every way. Quiet, relaxing, and wonderful atmosphere to enjoy a small meal or a feast with friends. Literally everything on the menu is 10/10. They even have you remove your shoes at the front, which makes me feel right at home in Japan. 大好きです! read more