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    Temaki Joint

    4.8 (35 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Temaki Joint Photos

    TEMAKI JOINT ATMOSPHERE

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    Kenneth P.

    Temaki Joint sits above a pho restaurant in Boulder, almost daring you to overlook it. Great omakase has never been about flashy dining rooms or impossible reservations. It's about the person standing behind the counter. Chef Duy Pham is that person. He spent years helping shape Colorado's most respected sushi restaurants, but this tiny counter might be the purest expression of his craft. People love to argue about where the best sushi is in Colorado. They're asking the wrong question. The best sushi is wherever the best chef happens to be. Right now, that's here. Chef Pham chases not just pristine fish, but the kinds of ingredients you rarely see outside Japan or top sushi counters. This isn't an introduction to sushi for someone looking for spicy mayo and cucumber. It's a satiation for people who've wandered through the markets of Tokyo, lingered over meals in Hokkaido, or still think about that unforgettable bite they had in Okinawa. The meal unfolds one piece at a time, with Chef Pham guiding you through each course. He tells you where the fish came from, why it was prepared this way, and what inspired it. The server is there to make sure you're comfortable, but the evening belongs to the chef. By the end, it feels less like a dinner and more like spending two hours with someone hopelessly obsessed with doing things the right way. Eight seats, no distractions, just extraordinary food and a chef who genuinely wants to see your reaction behind each bite. Go for a date night. Go to celebrate something worth remembering. Or go simply because you love food enough to experience the pinnacle of sushi. One last tip: if the conversation drifts toward Pokémon, lean in. Chef Pham has plenty to say about that, too.

    We did the 20-course omakase with Chef Duy, and it was easily my favorite omakase experience I've had. Every bite felt incredibly thoughtful, with unique cuts of fish that truly melted in your mouth. I tried several fish I'd never had before, along with some of my favorites, and the quality, creativity, and presentation were exceptional. Chef Duy did a wonderful job explaining each course and made the entire experience feel personal. He even treated us to complimentary miso soup and, for my birthday, surprised me with a little plant and a shot of quality Japanese whisky. For the price, this was an incredible value and a truly top-tier omakase in both taste and experience. Absolutely 10/10 -- I would come back in a heartbeat.

    Cute water glasses
    Sara M.

    Have to give them credit for a small opening space to test Boulder. Partnering with space Pho Kitchen has had for years but underutilized, they partnered in a way for Temaki Joint could operate upstairs and Pho Kitchen could cook and serve downstairs. So not really a pop up as originally presumed and that they would be temporary here. They close next week on the upstairs patio but will reopen in a month after remodeling the upstairs interior space to serve more. Gojd to know they will not be any farther away. The food was very good. I don't drink sake and was not in the mood for wine or spirits but know they have an extensive offering. We did have a selection of their temaki rolls though uniquely shaped, rather than cone shaped, they are columnar, like a grill, this gives and even distribution of flavors and textures with each bite. One consequence is that you need to keep track of your rice as it can sometimes slip out of the nori. But I loved the concept, I had the yellowtail tail with cilantro, forgoing the jalapeño. The fish was fresh and tender. I also had the sautéed mushroom hand roll, never before had a non fish hand roll. They were sautéed and very tender Asian mushrooms and very tasty but slippery! My third hand roll was Japanese Snapper, similar to red snapper, with plum purée and shiso. I'd love to have this seasoning with a different fish that was a bit more tender. But it was fine with this for flavor. My husband had the blue fin tuna hand roll well as the Hokkaido Scallops. He also had the blue crab negiri. Once they reopen, we will be back. Parking is really easy behind the building . The chefs were friendly and there were a few other diners in this slightly hidden space.

    'everything expensive' - otoro, fois gras, fois gras fat, uni, shaved truffles and creme fraiche
    Anh N.

    Tamaki Joint is one of those places you almost don't want to tell people about because part of the magic is how intimate it feels. It's hidden upstairs above a pho restaurant with just about 6-8 seats at the sushi bar, so every meal feels personal. I've been lucky enough to eat Chef Duy's omakase over the years at Foraged, Hana, and now here. He somehow keeps getting better. What stands out isn't just the quality of the fish. It's how much heart goes into everything. Chef Duy loves talking about food, sustainability, and making the most of every ingredient. Nothing gets wasted, and you can taste that level of care in every course. Don't skip dessert either. He makes those himself and always wants to share a little extra. Come hungry. This isn't one of those omakases where you're stopping for pizza afterward. Chef Duy makes sure everyone leaves happy, full, and already thinking about their next visit.

    Octopus sashimi
    Hanh P.

    I was lucky enough to try out Temaki Joint at the soft opening. We had a sampling of the most popular dishes. There was a ton of people so it was hard to get a true feel for the dining experience on a normal day. The truly special experience was when I came back on my own with a couple friends. We were 1 of 2 parties dining, pretty quiet night as they've only been open for 2 weeks. Being that 2 of 3 of us were new there... we asked the chef if he could order us what he recommends. There was an octopus carpaccio that was phenomenal. We ordered a big bottle of Little Sumo sake (we wanted best bang for the buck). Chef helped give us a little experience in the sashimi section, nigiri section and we ended with handrolls. It was a perfect sprinkling of the menu. I am the omakase Queen... as I've tried all the omakases in Denver. And I would say this is the best. Why? Well it's more personalized to the size of your group and your ability to eat without losing the quality. Our bill came out to $300 for 3 people... $90 was in alcohol. That's just unreal for this type of dining these days. I've had Duy Pham's omakase before... and although it's always exquisite... I tend to tap out 3/4 of the way through his menu. Now... he has it so you can stop at any point and he will alter his recommendations to your personal taste. In the past it was... this is your package. I feel like this experience was much more curated to our group specifically and that was awesome. All of us plan on coming back and sharing this experience with more people.

    Dessert

    Finally made it back for the 12 course Omakase, and it did not disappoint. Chef Duy made every bite in front of us and gave passionate detail into what went into the bite, which included accents like shiso leaf (from his garden), pickled wasabi, various roes, black garlic aoli, custom soy based sauces/reductions brushed on matched nigiri, and much more. All very low key, which we loved. Highlights were a kabocha squash shrimp bisque with garlic toast (studded with roe and aioli) that was an "interlude" to the 10 piece nigiri that included black cod, Hokkaido scallops, king salmon and....amazing toro (with foie gras and ossetra caviar). Dessert was an over the top eclectic mix of cheesecake with pineapple coulee and caramelized banana, pistachio ice cream, and a brown butter cookie. And...the staff rocks.

    Uni handroll

    Best sushi experience in Denver! Every meal I've had prepared by Chef Duy Pham has been unforgettable and this visit was no exception. He takes the time to walk you through every ingredient and explain the thought behind each bite, and his passion for his craft truly shines through. My favorite bites of the night: Seafood Chowder Ootoro topped with foie gras, uni, and truffle Aburi Ora King salmon Uni handroll (LOADED with uni) If you're looking for one of the best sushi experiences in Colorado, Temaki Joint is a must visit! Quality ingredients, incredible attention to detail, and an unforgettable dining experience every time!

    Get this Sake, it paired perfectly with our sushi
    Hon L.

    Have you ever woken up the next morning still thinking about what you ate the night before? I usually don't--but this place had me craving it all over again. There's something about that deep, rich umami layered with complex flavors that just stayed with me. Maybe it was the sake... but honestly, it was the sushi. Every bite lingered in the best way. The real reason? Chef Duy's creativity. Each piece felt intentional, perfectly balanced, and completely memorable--like a small work of art. New to the Boulder sushi scene, let me introduce you to Temaki Joint. The menu is refreshingly simple and focused on what they do best: incredible hand rolls. They also offer a mini omakase, which I highly recommend if you want a curated experience. Standouts for me: scallop, shrimp, bluefin tuna topped with unagi, and blue crab temaki--each one packed with flavor and executed beautifully. The miso soup, elevated with a variety of mushrooms, is a must--don't skip it. We also tried the aji appetizer, and it absolutely delivered. Safe to say... I'm already planning my next visit--with the goal of trying everything else on the menu.

    Tiffany C.

    We had an amazing omakase experience with Chef Duy! The creativity, service, fresh fish, and thoughtfulness in every bite was incredible. Everything was so delicious and we couldn't believe how each course could get better and better. It was awesome to sit at the sushi counter and chat with the chef and learn about him and his background. We can't wait to frequent this place!

    Everything expensive. Black truffle was added on top after the photo was taken

    We were excited to learn that @chefduypham has opened up his own spot @temakijoint in Boulder. We rushed to make reservations and of course ended up having one of the best omakase experiences ever. His creativity, passion, and dedication to his craft shines through every delicious bite! My fav was the geoduck clam and the "everything expensive" nigiri's. You know, just a bit of caviar, uni, and black truffle Where was I...? lol Trust us, book your experience and thank us later! Not pictured are his homemade ice creams and the three of us taking shots. Mot, hai, ba....do!!!! Thanks for always walking us through your creative thought process, your hospitality, and your A game @chefduypham

    Amy N.

    Wow!!! I am obsess with this place. So many great flavors. It's not like anywhere I've been before. The flavor profiles are so delicious, I'm still dreaming of them. Love the creativity in the dishes, the freshness of all the ingredients. This will be my favorite go to spot to take my friends and family. Service was amazing as well. The environment is cozy and intimate. Just absolutely perfection.

    Dave H.

    Temaki Joint was incredible! I am a huge sushi snob after living in California for a decade and traveling to Tokyo frequently for work. After moving to Boulder I was thrilled to find Temaki Joint - the service, fish, and restaurant vibe were all immaculate. The sushi bar is perfect for asking questions about your fish and talking with the chefs about what is fresh. This is a sushi lovers dream! Must go!! The crispy nori in the hand rolls was elite!

    Booked the 20 course omakase and had an amazing experience. If you are between doing the 12 course and the 20 course definitely do the 20 course. The food was great and so was the service. Looking forward to going again.

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    2 months ago

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    Mediocre and small portion of food for ridiculous prices. Sorry not going to work for me.

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    Ask the Community - Temaki Joint

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    Just going to Hapa is a party. We have two faves in town for sushi and Japanese specialties and…read morethey each have their own twist on the menu. It's sort of like having to kids with the same heritage but they are not exactly the same but neither is better than the other, they are just different. Tonight we needed a fish fix to get healthy Vitanin D for me and good clean protein for my husband. With veggies of course an a tasty dessert, I'm partial to sashimi and had some tender large pieces of very fresh hamachi. My husband also likes crab and crispy so he had the spider roll. We shared some happy hour specials, salmon avocado roll and yellowtail scallion. We started with the warm "magic mushrooms" which is named for its appearance but is actually salmon wrapped around a core of avocado and grill and garnished with a nice soy based drizzle and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Nice on a chilly evening with snow still melting across town. Since he had a few leftovers to serve as his lunch tomorrow, I ordered the salmon skin roll to go. Since it is not raw salmon it holds up beautifully overnite in the fridge. When home alone, it's my go to takeout item. The staff is impeccable and the seating pretty and comfortable. We can never have a bad time here these days. The menu is extensive so browse in advance if you can.

    No longer a fan despite being a frequent customer…read more We sat at the long sushi counter today at about 11:30am, and unfortunately, it was disgustingly dirty. Along the entire metal section just above the eating counter, there appeared to be old rice and other food debris that looked as though it may have been left from the previous night. There were also food and/or soy sauce splatters along the wooden baseboard in the same area. To make matters worse, there was a noticeable accumulation of dust around three large sake bottles displayed in the corner. My photo unfortunately does not clearly show the extent of the filth. I asked our very nice waitress if the cleaning crew had been absent. She apologized and promptly began cleaning the counter herself, which I appreciated. However, that should never have been necessary. Someone should have cleaned these areas either at the end of the previous evening or before the restaurant opened. I also noticed staff cutting mounds of cucumbers with bare hands. To me not acceptable. Where was the management oversight? For a restaurant where customers are eating raw fish and other food prepared in front of them, cleanliness should be an absolute priority. We will not be returning. There are simply too many other sushi restaurants to patronize.

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