If you're not sure what to order, the Bento Box is definitely the way to go. I love that you get to…read moretry a little bit of everything, which makes it perfect for your first visit. We also ordered sushi, gyozas, a lychee fresh (which was SO good!), and one of their specialty desserts that's made by a local pastry chef. It isn't part of their regular menu, but if they have it when you visit, don't skip it. It was absolutely worth it. The restaurant has a cozy, traditional Asian atmosphere that makes the whole experience feel really authentic. Everyone was kind and welcoming, and the service was great from start to finish. Overall, everything we tried was delicious, and I'd definitely come back. Whether you're planning a date night, dinner with friends, or just craving good Asian food, this place is 100% worth checking out

They've got a huge variety of dishes they serve. From…read moreyakitori to fresh fish, from beets to craft cocktails. And the quality of every dish is high! That why we keep coming back. I love their skewers with sausage! They are so juicy and tasty. Tried their baked mussels that were topped in creamy sauce. Any rolls you order here will be tasty and fresh. Service has been always great. The decor at this restaurant deserves a separate attention.

On my first trip to Denver for work, my bestie childhood friend took me here as it was highly…read morerecommended by her and another friend, Japanese person from Japan, to add context to the quality and how highly they speak of the restaurant. Smaller, well loved mom and pop restaurant that you can tell is a community favorite. This is a dying genre of Japanese restaurant we're seeing in SoCal (at least) with the rampant gentrification and rising rent, so this was a nice place to stop by. However, with that in mind, it's not the biggest restaurant, so definitely call in advance to put in a reservation if you have a bigger party, like ours. I want to add, to my amusement, that they have Shohei Ohtani themed dish menus here. The Japanese love him, no matter where they're at or from (as an LA adjacent native, this was pretty funny). For our visit, I got: 1) Negitoro Don: -It's a minced fatty raw tuna mixed with green onion on rice. -I've had this before at a fancy omakase and after that I've fallen in love with negitoro. Love the fatty, rich tuna with the crisp bite of the green onion and slight crunch of the nori bits they have on top too. -Delicious fresh fish and tasty, comforting rice dish. 2) J.F.C. - Japanese Fried Chicken: -We got 2 orders of this so our party can heartily enjoy. Goes great with the sauce they provided. Can't go wrong with crispiness of the breading and skin. Chicken was moist too. Good stuff. I got to try some of my friend's dishes too and all were perfectly seasoned and also were in generous portion sizes. Solid Japanese comfort food.

Talk about authentically Japanese that is Kiki's Casual Japanese restaurant. I've been going to…read moreKiki's for years now. I don't know why I've never done a review, but it's time. I recently went to Kiki's with a friend of mine I got the soba-buckwheat noodle with the dipping sauce and tempura shrimp and veggies. My friend got the mackerel and some rice. What can I say? Kiki's never disappoints. I also ordered a green tea and they gave me a coffee mug full of green tea. I was not prepared for that and ended up staying awake most of the night because I was so caffeinated. I also love the yakisoba. The Ramen is fire. the Takoyaki is delicious The restaurant is clean. The service is very good. They close early so you need to put in your order before 8:30 p.m. They don't seat past 8:30 p.m. It looks like a lot of mom and pop Japanese restaurants that you would find in Japan. No I have not gone to Japan, but I watch a lot of videos about Japan due to being obsessed with the culture and the country.

I had a wonderful experience here the other weekend. My friend and I came for the happy hour on a…read moreFriday and had no problem getting in without a reservation. We arrived around 4:30, but there was a long wait as we were leaving. We ordered so much food, but the price was extremely reasonable for high quality sushi and our total bill was much less than I would've expected! The ambiance is pretty casual, but there were a few folks dressed up. Don't let the location turn you away, this place is worth a try!

I want to start by saying I've never had a bad experience here before. My boyfriend and I come at…read moreleast once a month, recommend this spot to friends, and genuinely love the quality of the fish. Unfortunately, my visit today was an exception. I came in alone, sat at the bar, and ordered a beer, sake, and maguro and shake sashimi (I made a point to specify, since we've received nigiri by mistake before). The order still came out as nigiri, and when I asked to have it corrected, the server told me, "when you don't specify, nigiri is default." I reiterated that I had ordered sashimi, and he took the dishes back to the chefs just a few paces down the bar and said, "she didn't ask for this, but we need to redo these as sashimi." After that, I asked for my check because the interaction felt unprofessional. When he returned, he asked if I wanted the sushi to go, and I said no. He then went back to the chefs and said, "I don't know what's wrong with her," and asked them to cancel the order. I still tipped on my bill, but I left disappointed. We'll continue coming back because we've always loved this place, but I hope the service is more respectful and consistent in the future.

We had a great meal here and our server was very attentive and nice! The decor in this restaurant…read moreis OnePiece themed but it's not super noticeable, as they have a strong izakaya theme throughout the place. The vibe is fast and loud, but the servers are super efficient and communicative. I really liked the tokidoki roll and hamachikama. Hard to go wrong with those! The hamachi kama was HUGE. They give you the entier collar! I also liked the yaki ika which was very tasty, not rubbery at all. They have a lot of ramen on the menu which was a crowd pleaser for our group. Their edamame is also very spicy and quite good -- not your typical simply salted edamame. One thing I wouldn't order - the kimchi fried rice. One person in our party ordered it but it wasn't really fried rice, just kimchi and meat mixed with steamed white rice.

Yaki Ika and yes, I did it. I have been eyeing on stopping by at this restaurant for awhile…read morewanting to try it. It was good and glad I did. Commonly called ikayaki and checked off! You can try to park at the free parking, off the street or on the street. It was Sunday 3 pm and parking was no problem. Ambiance. Very Japanese like feeling with knick knacks every where with banners, akachõchin. Sushi bar takes one side and also a small bar to the back. Drink menu featured several imported Japanese bottled beers on top of the common ones at reasonable price. Ended up getting the house salad, chicken yakitori, spicy tonkatsu ramen and yaki ika. All tasted good, no complaints. Spicy tonkatsu ramen had rich broth, chatsu was grilled and plenty. Repeat

Izakaya Den is one of Denver's best Japanese restaurants…read more Quick review: 10/10 * Exceptional fish quality * Great mix of sushi, small plates, and cooked dishes * Beautiful atmosphere and excellent date-night spot * Consistently strong service If someone asked me for a "can't-miss" sushi dinner in Denver, it's the top of the list.

Izakaya Den is simply outstanding and easily one of the most impressive dining experiences in…read moreDenver. From the moment we sat down, it was clear that the service here operates at a different level. Our server was exceptionally well versed in the menu and sake pairings, explaining ingredients, preparation, and flavor profiles with confidence and genuine enthusiasm. You can tell the waitstaff is deeply trained to understand the food, beverages, and how everything works together. Their sake recommendations were spot‑on and elevated the meal even further. Every dish we ordered was executed beautifully. The miso eggplant was silky and deeply flavorful, perfectly balanced between savory and sweet. The miso black cod was rich, flaky, and melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender, while the mixed seafood tempura was light, crisp, and impeccably fried without a hint of greasiness. Each appetizer showcased refined technique and restraint. The Colorado steak with truffled potatoes was another standout. The steak was cooked perfectly and paired beautifully with the earthy richness of the truffled potatoes, easily holding its own among the sushi offerings. The moment that truly made the night unforgettable was the Osaka‑style pressed sushi served aburi‑style. It quite literally changed my son's life and opened his love for sushi. We ended up ordering several more of these incredible bites of salmon, topped with mayo and lightly flame‑kissed, resting on perfectly seasoned sushi rice. The fish here is so clean, well cured, and expertly prepared that I strongly recommend ordering a side of fresh wasabi--it brightens and elevates the flavors even further. The lobster sushi and scallop sushi were also exceptionally fresh and delicious, reinforcing the level of care taken with their seafood. Dessert was the perfect finale. The green tea tiramisu was light, creamy, and indulgent without feeling heavy. To cap it off, our waiter brought us yuzu and lychee sorbets, which offered a refreshing, citrusy finish and showed thoughtful hospitality. As we were leaving, something small but meaningful stood out. All of the sushi chefs looked up, raised their heads together, and warmly thanked us with sincere goodbyes. It was a gracious, heartfelt gesture that perfectly reflected the hospitality we felt throughout the evening. We cannot wait to return.

Step into the sleek, intimate charm of @ototoden in Denver's Old South Pearl Street Shopping…read moreDistrict. They're now offering a delicious lunch. As the relaxed counterpart to Sushi Den and Izakaya Den, Oto offers a more casual yet equally elevated dining experience, where the focus is on traditional pub-style Japanese cuisine. Explore a curated selection of sake, Japanese beers, and thoughtfully crafted cocktails that perfectly complement the savory menu. In Japanese, Ototo means "younger brother." The name is a perfect, playful nod to the restaurant's hierarchy and family dynamic on South Pearl Street. Bonus treat: The South Pearl Street Farmers' Market runs on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, typically from early May through mid-November. Lunch Hours : Sunday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Lunch/Brunch) Monday & Tuesday: CLOSED

Ototo used to be one of my top recommended restaurants to friends and people visiting Denver. It's…read morean easy reservation. The food is good. In general, it's been a laid back, go-to place to get a meal that will be much better than average for the price. I've been many times since before and after COVID, and it was one of my favorite repeatable spots in Denver. However, the crew totally dropped the ball with our visit today. My wife ordered a tonkatsu ramen and got a chicken tonkatsu set instead (chicken cutlet, not bowl of ramen). To not make it weird, we just let that one be for the greater good of the table because it was our anniversary, grandparents were visiting, and we are here often. Our hamachi kama (one of my favorite dishes in the entire city, normally something I'd highly recommend on this review) was never sent to the kitchen, leaving us waiting for over an hour with two young kids at the table who had finished 40 minutes before. I watched the staff's confusion from my seat, even after we had been told that it was on its way. It was never even started, and it was obvious. That stuff happens, but it's hard to hide what happened in an open kitchen where you can hear what people are saying. But then after they had the "oh crap" moment, it wasn't even expedited. It was gonna take so long that it wasn't worth getting, so two people had to leave our not-busy lunch without getting the main thing we brought them to Ototo for. We were asked to wait for the dish, waited 15 more minutes, and it was not even close to ready. And while I appreciated the apology, the manager initially just tried to "take the dish off the bill," a dish we never received. So he basically tried to do nothing because no restaurant would charge for something that never came out. After I pointed this out, they took off part of the check, but that attempt at nothing under the guise of a comp was crazy. I've easily spent thousands at Ototo over the years. I've sent tons of people to Kizaki, Temaki Den, and the others. This will probably be the last time I go to Ototo. If you read some of the recent bad reviews, something is not working here anymore. I hope the otherwise amazing service at the other Dens can find its way back to Ototo.

A new chef is in town and it shows. We came here for the first time since Ramen Star changed…read moreownership. The new menu delighted. Gone were the stuffy, large dishes that were heavy and overwhelming. In were perfectly portioned "small" sizes so you can try multiple bites of your favorite new dishes. We took advantage of the Ramen + 20% of Sushi Roll combo. I had a small Ramen Star and a tempora crab sushi roll. The noodles were fresh with a slight bounce and the Ramen Star broth still held my favorite ramen umami. The new owner was a head sushi chef at Sushi Den. The staff is attentive and everything delivered. I will be back!

Went on a Friday night, and it wasn't busy until about 7:15-7:30 pm…read more The ambiance was fairly laid back and quiet. Minimal decor around but nice and tasteful. Started off with some apps: the french fries were okay. However the gyoza was amazing. Nice and crispy! The ramens we ordered were all okay. The tonkatsu could definitely use a bit more salt and flavor. The Ramen Star was slightly better but just very slightly needed more salt and a little more flavor. Noodles were all good, not too bad. The sushi portion was, surprising. Nigiri set had tuna with blue cheese, not my cup of tea. All were prepared with wasabi which is traditional but felt it was overpowering unfortunately. The spicy tuna crispy rice was okay. The bell peppers were a bit too much. Overall it was an okay place. Not amazing but not terrible. Ramen service was a bit slower than typical but didnt come out scolding hot, so just a difference.

This is my Japanese comfort restaurant…read more One of the hidden gems of Denver, Domo is a Japanese restaurant that has been around for a long time serving home-style tradional Japanese meals. You won't find fancy sushi here or fusion cooking here, but rather tasty home cooked style classic Japanese dishes. Dishes like Japanese curry, oyakodon, and other donburi and noodle dishes. Having been here multiple times, I cannot recommend this place enough for a homey style meal. No joke, each meal here makes you feel warm inside, like a good home cooked meal. It's comparable to many meals I've had traveling through out real Japan. The flavors are simple, but each dish is well prepared while emphasizing conform over fancy preparation. You just cannot go wrong with any dish here, though I'm partial to the donburi, the green tea soba, and the hot pot. And if the meal is not enough, there is a beautiful garden to enjoy. If you catch it at the right time, the cherry blossom in the spring is beautiful and transport you right to Japan. Overall, Domo is a place that I'm always down to visit. It's warm, comfy, and nostalgic, and I just know I'll miss it when it's gone.

Domo was such a unique and memorable experience. We had dinner in the restaurant's beautiful garden…read moresanctuary, which felt peaceful and charming--and seeing the cats roaming around made it even more special. The service was pretty good. We were seated right away and given plenty of time to take in the restaurant's history and look through the menu. Our food came out quickly, and the staff was always nearby if we needed anything. We started with the cucumber salad and shrimp shumai. The cucumber salad was refreshing, but the shrimp shumai had a strong fishy smell and taste that didn't seem very fresh--I couldn't eat more than one. For my entrée, I ordered the nabeyaki soup with ramen noodles and chicken, and it was excellent. The soy-based broth was rich and flavorful without being too salty, and the ramen noodles were cooked perfectly--tender with just the right amount of bite. Overall, Domo offers a really special atmosphere and a memorable dining experience. I wouldn't recommend the shrimp shumai, but I'd definitely come back to try another ramen flavor, and to see the cats again.