This is my Japanese comfort restaurant. 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. read more

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Domo was such a unique and memorable experience. We had dinner in the restaurant's beautiful garden sanctuary, 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. read more

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I've been to Domo many times over the years, in their various incarnations and reboots. They're always a Denver gem to me. Great food that aren't just the typical offerings, good value, and an absolutely unmatched setting to enjoy it. The owner's story and engagement with various causes is great to support. I'm happy to see their menu has (re-)expanded substantially in the last couple years, it had at one point been cut down to like one page, but now there's plenty of choice again. All the pros to me are worth putting up with the cons. Sometimes it can be a bit slow or the speed uneven. The sign on every table about watching your children is actually less passive aggressive than their old handout, and I can imagine the kind of uncontrolled running around the garden that probably led to this. Their parking lot is small. With all the new apartments nearby, street parking has gotten a bit harder but still easy within a block. read more

Thought about Domo for awhile and finally made it back. Its been about 10 years since last visit. 1st impression? Nothing has changed. Little brighter maybe? Got the garden seating by the bamboo forest? Menu and the water was served right away. However, took a long time to take order. Very long time. Drink came out quickly. Hot drink served in the small aluminum pitcher inside the wooden tray (masu) that usually holds excess sake. Very original! Food came out one dish at a time. Hot pot then, unagi tamago. It too awhile for the bento. By this time, we were full. Should only ordered two dishes. Next time! Our server who took the order never checked on us. Only to bring the drink and the bill. No wonder other Yelpers complained about bad service. Great value for the money. Very authentic dining experience, right here by Auraria campus. Limited parking by the front entrance or metered parking. Great food options. We paid on the way out. Will be back! read more

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Domo is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Denver. The home cooking and the decor of the place are a vibe. Staff go above and beyond. They are the sweetest and are okay with all my questions. Any dish at Domo is amazing. My go-tos are the sashimi bowls, katsu-don bowls, and ramen. read more

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I dine here purely for the ambiance and environment. I have never seen a restaurant decorated so thoughtfully and appreciate all the cultural art displayed here. The restaurant, garden, and museum have so much detail in every corner. Food is good, but definitely not the best Japenese food I have had. Service is hit or miss and can keep you waiting at times. Parking looks like it can be difficult at peak hours, but I have never had an issue. Owner donates money to meaningful causes, so I do feel good about supporting his business. All in all, this place is definitely worth checking out just for the sightseeing alone. The food is a bonus but not the highlight of the restaurant. read more

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We went on a Friday lunch. Parking was a bit challenging, but everything is as I remembered it from several years ago. Friendly service, quality food, excellent ambiance. The garden is still there, with little shrines and statues. I love reading about the charity work that the owner does. It did get quite crowded by the time we left around 12:30pm, so we were glad that we got there somewhat early to beat the rush. A lot of people wanted to eat outside, but I thought it was too windy and sunny. We ordered chrysanthemum tea, tuna and salmon sashimi donburi, and so a dipping noodles with pork. The tea was a little sweet for our taste, but it was still good. The tuna and salmon sashimi was very quality and enjoyable, though we found the sauce to be a tad spicier than we prefer. And finally, the soba was absolutely delicious. That matcha buckwheat noodle had such a fresh texture. Dipping bowl was so tasty and comforting. I do wish that the pork was cooked more, but it was definitely cooked through and tasty. Overall a charming experience. I want to go back for more soba noodles! read more

Domo - Dipping soba with pork - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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The food and ambiance here are truly spectacular. Domo is definitely one of Denver's hidden gems. We enjoyed a lovely meal outside next in the shade of their beautifully curated foliage. Our food was delicious and authentic. The service was the only area that needed improvement. We waited quite a while for our entrees read more

An original experience in Denver! It was definitely a unique experience to dine in and explore the garden and dojo in the backyard which was gorgeous. Food wise, I enjoyed trying the Kiritanpo Nabe, it was an interesting mix of savory milk broth. However, no dish was notable to me but the experience was nice and it satisfied my appetite. Overall, 7/10. read more

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It's been 11 years since I've been here and it's really changed. There's a lot of stuff on the menu that's not really authentic Japanese. There were 5 of us and I tried a lot of stuff. It's all pretty good but not like I remembered it. I had the chicken katsu curry noodle soup... the katsu is THE BEST I've had in recent memory but the curry soup noodle soup it came with was meh. And the udon is flat, not round, so it's a totally different texture. The shrimp taco is AWFUL... I would avoid that like the plague. The grounds is different too... Feels a little ill maintained (especially the pond... overgrown and muddy/murky... almost feels like a health hazard) although the architectural style is unchanged and authentic. I'm not totally sure I'd recommend it. read more

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We've been meaning to check out Do for so long. We finally decided to go on New Year's Eve. What an amazing decision! We were able to get a table for 5 pretty easily around 6pm. The interior is so nice and feels very cultural. We sat at this big tale with stools for seats. We almost sat outside as it was very gorgeous, but it was a bit too cold. We got some sashimi, gyoza, Chicken Katsu Curry, and various ramen and soups. The spicy sashimi was delicious. The other sashimi we ordered (the whiter one) was a bit too fishy and chewy. The chicken katsu curry was a stand out. So delicious! This place lived up to the expectations. I will say things were on the pricier side, but you definitely get your money's worth as the portions are pretty hefty. We had a great time here and definitely would come back! One thing to note, you can not split by items here. We had one person pay and just venmoed per each person. read more

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I had this place saved on my list to visit . It's a very unique restaurant with very cool decor . I love the ambiance. The garden outside must be quite amazing in spring. Service was slow despite only few customers at the time. It was not busy when we arrived . I was hoping for an authentic Japanese cuisine since they advertise as Japanese food. Unfortunately, it is not. It's an Asian fusion , very underwhelming. Food was simply, meh. My daughter ordered soup that supposed to have Udon noodles and it didn't. It had completely different type of noodle and it ruined the experience. If she knew she would order ramen instead. The waiter came up with some excuse that they were Chinese udon noodles which wasn't accurate at all . Why Chinese noodles if we came to Japanese restaurant? Anyhow , there is no passion in food there. I think they thrive on ambiance alone because people want to visit just for the looks of this restaurant and hype of social media. Needless to say, we won't be back. read more

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The decor at Domo is spot on! It was really nice to sit inside and then check out the garden after dinner. The service was good too just pretty slow despite an almost empty house. The food was pretty lack luster. I really wanted to like this place but it really isn't authentic Japanese. I'd call it more of an asian fusion place which confused me a little since they advertise as Japanese. Regardless of that the food was still underwhelming with flavors. Cool spot and I can see how it got hype over their restaurants vibe. But I return for the food. read more

Domo - kimchi noodles - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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It was my first time at Domo and I ordered the Kashiwa Tsukesoba with dipping soup and chicken, and went with the cha soba (matcha soba)--so delicious and fun to eat. The noodles are firm, and the dipping style adds an interactive, hands-on experience that makes the meal feel special (my friend preferred the soup style, though, so there's something for everyone). The vibes here are amazing. We sat outside, surrounded by lots of greenery and zen-like touches which felt like a mini escape to Japan. There's even a small museum to explore. The meal was filling, the flavors were spot-on, and I really appreciated the thoughtful presentation. Overall, Domo nails the full experience: great food, vibes, and a little taste of Japan without leaving town. read more

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Food is good for the price. All their sets are $16.50 + tax. Portions are good and flavor is good. Inside is vibey. Note that they do have an outdoor portion so there are bugs and flies around. Service is very slow. They are nice but are in no rush. Minimal parking available but plenty of paid street parking. read more

Domo - Tao Sova - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Went out to this Denver staple for a friends birthday. We were seated promptly & outdoors which is beautiful. However there was an unpleasant smell outside & we later learned that a cat had had a litter of kittens that were living in the gardens. That was the smell unfortunately . The menu offered many options however there were several disappointing moments: no tempura shrimp appetizer , no soy sauce any where, appetizers that never came, shumai shrimp appetizer that tasted like ketchup, eel sushi mishap. Overall the food was under seasoned & ok. It was a nice experience though. read more

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I enjoyed the food here and everything we tried was flavorful and generously portioned, making it perfect for sharing. The katsudon and the dipping ramen were the two dishes that stood out to me the most, and worth coming back for. That said, there were a couple of downsides. Parking is limited and can be inconvenient. The restaurant interior was quite dark, which made it a bit hard to fully enjoy the atmosphere. Also, they only had one high chair available, which felt pretty inconvenient for families with little ones. We had to wait for another table to finish before we could use it. The outdoor patio was beautiful and nicely decorated. There's also a small house in the back filled with traditional Japanese furniture and decor. It didn't seem like it was actively in use... possibly just there for ambiance. But it added a nice cultural touch to the overall experience. All in all, the food alone makes it worth a visit, especially if you enjoy hearty, comforting Japanese dishes. Just something to keep in mind if you're dining with little ones. read more

Domo - Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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The atmosphere and ambiance of the place is amazing - we came in during a quiet after for an early dinner and the interior layout is gorgeous and serene. Service was fine, nothing notable there. The reason I can't rate this highly is because the food was very mediocre, mostly bland. I ordered the tsukemen dipping noodles, and both broth and side dishes were underseasoned. If you're looking for a peaceful place to spend some peaceful time, then you can relax here with some refreshments and take in the beautiful gardens. But if you're looking for delicious Japanese food, you may not find it here. read more

Domo - Tsukemen dipping noodles - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I've been going to Domo for the same dish for years. Steeped in tradition, Domo never disappoints. The noodle bowls come in a caldron-like bowl so that food stays hot, even when you're eating in the outside garden. Atmosphere: awe-inspiring Food: delicious Service: quick & polite Go. Just go. Treat yourself to a tea while you're at it! read more

Domo - Pork nabayaki noodle bowl - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

When in Denver, you have to visit Domo! This was the most charming setting with a very traditional feel, and the patio is absolutely stunning. If it's nice weather, you definitely need to sit in the garden area because it's so peaceful and nice. We got the shrimp shumai for appetizers And we tried different variations of noodle soups for our entrées. We ordered the curry soup with udon, and the tonyu dipping Ramen. I ordered my Ramen with pork in it, which was thinly sliced and perfect. The chicken wasn't quite as good as the pork. The menu was quite extensive and a little overwhelming however, the photos helped clarify what you were ordering. The server was also super helpful in answering questions. The tea was good and I got the iced chrysanthemum tea. However, there was some more traditional drink offerings as well. Would definitely recommend. read more

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My family used to take me to this spot when I was little and I was so sad to hear they closed down but when I heard they reopened I had to go back and this was a few months ago but I didn't get the chance to review! I love the Japanese interior and the tree trunk tables. I ordered the Kiritanpo nabe and it was really warming and I enjoyed the light broth! I love coming here and always have a great meal. read more

Domo - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Beautiful Garden Dining I loved this place from the moment I walked in and was seated in the serene garden. The setting was incredibly relaxing, complete with a peaceful koi pond that added to the charm. The service and food were just as wonderful as the ambiance. The ramen was absolutely perfect--rich, comforting, and genuinely healing. The shumai was spot on, and the cucumber salad was fresh with just the right kick of spice. I'll definitely be back for more! read more

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This place is really special! I can't believe it's been around for 30 years and I just heard about it. Everything on the menu is amazing. Unique flavors you can't get at most restaurants. The space is very authentic to the Japanese countryside eating experience and the gardens are beautiful. They also do a lot of good work in other countries with their proceeds/donations. Most of the negative reviews for Domo seem to be about wait time/service. Everyone was super friendly and we were in and out in under an hour when it was moderately full for an early dinner. read more

Such a unique place, with a Japanese country museum and beautiful garden and dojo attached. We had some of the best food we have ever eaten! I had the chicken katsudon and my husband tried a tiger prawn noodle dish. Everything was well balanced and delicious. Portions were generous, so I was able to have leftovers, though my husband couldn't help but eat all of his yummy dish. Servers were kind. Of note, there was no air conditioning and the inside was rather dimly lit. We went on a hot summer afternoon with temps in the 90s. Definitely had to use a handheld fan and did survive it, but will prefer to return in cooler weather and would love to sit in the garden area next time. read more

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So slow. Slow slow slow god it's so slow. Very disappointed how they manage their methods and systems of this place. They are super impacted that getting drinks took long but getting food was even longer. Disappoint x4. Do not order the Thai tea. The ratios are super off. They also don't do anything customized. So if you're a picky eater there is absolutely no substitution or being able to take things off. read more

Domo - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Possibly the best place in town. I didn't say best Japanese, I said best overall restaurant in Denver and the state of Colorado. If there is one place I tell visitors to check out when they are in town, it is Domo. This place is amazing. The atmosphere is an 11. The decor is fantastic. the patio is the best with the lush garden and fish ponds. There are shrines as well as a small museum with a suit of samurai armor. There is also a window into the aikido dojo. The dojo is absolutely beautiful. The food is fantastic. You will not find soy sauce on the menu, as the chef already got it right for you. This is not a sushi place, this is a traditional style Japanese food restaurant. The kicker? The food is extremely reasonably priced. My meal was $17 before taxes and tip, and it was amazing. I have come here for years, and I never get over how amazing of a place this is. I wrote my first review on Domo 7 years ago. I am back in 2025 to say again, this might be the best hidden gem restaurant in the state of Colorado. Amazing food at an amazing cost in an amazing atmosphere... you simply cannot beat it. read more

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This place is a hidden gem in Denver with beautiful interior design!! It is a really cute spit for date night or even for a good group of friends. The food itself may be considered mildly seasoned to some, but I actually thought the flavor profile was quite authentic. The other downside is that they barely had AC in the summertime so it was quite hot inside the restaurant. read more

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Most interesting dining experience I've had in Denver. The history, landscaping and vibe are what took me in awe. They don't serve alcohol and close around 7pm but I recommend making a detour. Their prices are quite reasonable and you will leave incredibly full. I love their variable side dishes. I recommend spending time here as the space has much more to offer than a restaurant. The service was also quite friendly. I am excited to go back because what makes this place special is the story. read more

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I took my family here when they were in town visiting, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time here. The decor made this restaurant feel like it was a whole event since there was so much to look at, especially the outdoor space with the little water feature. Super peaceful. We were seated pretty quickly- food came out at a decent time and was definitely fresh. My brother was obsessed with the gyoza and wouldn't share, so take that as you will haha. Probably could have passed on the salmon sashimi appetizer, but everyone else enjoyed their entrees. Both curry dishes were the stars of the show- rich and comforting, with the katsu being crisp without being dry. The nabe and ramen were also good, but the broths weren't anything to write home about. I would absolutely come here again for their curry dishes and the ambiance- it was a whole experience! Also, everything was very reasonably priced and huge portions. We all got take out boxes which rarely happens! read more

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Delicious, home cook feel. Very warm and satisfying. Immediately after I walked in, it felt fun and relaxed. There was so much to look at and enjoy. I felt at ease. Most of their dishes are customizable. They had lots of different noodle soups and rice dishes. I got a northern style soup with tomatoes, some kind of tofu, bok choy, and my favorite, crispy sticky rice. This was my first time having that dish. It was a calming and relaxing lunch. Very nurturing. read more

Domo - Their special. Soy milk broth with veggies topped with crispy sticky rice and two side dishes (one was a kelp salad) - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

We got here right as they opened and were very pleasantly surprised about this place. Everything from the entrance to the seating was very cute. The service is a tad bit slower than a normal restuarant, but the vibes were really nice and we weren't in a rush for anything so it worked out. They have lots of indoor and outdoor seating and the outside is amazing for a nice day! Very zen with lots of greenery. The food is decent. Some of the dishes were better than the others. The cucumber was slightly bland. The salmon poke was really good with LOTS of big slices of salmon. Very good deal for the price. The cha soba was good.... the noodles were a bit on the softer side for me, but the dashi was very good and flavorful. The katsu don was very big and very yummy. The rice is slightly softer and mushier than I prefer, but flavors were good. I would come back here because the ambiance is really nice. The food is good, some things on the lighter/blander side, but I didn't mind that. People were friendly and they have special japenese beers that I have not seen elsewhere. read more

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What an amazing spot in Denver. We sat in the garden and it was magical. Felt like we were in a Kyoto zen temple. The landscaping was wonderful, ambiance serene. To have food and a beer was a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, service was hit or miss and the food while delicious was ok, not quite up to the ambiance. Great spot and we'll be back. read more

This is a must visit if you are not a rush and have patience. No reservations and no they do not pick up their phone. Things to note: 1) No reservations and they close early at like 7pm. Yes, 7pm but we finished our meal at like 7:30pm - so people still sit around and eat. 2) No indoor AC, so on these hot Colorado summer days ... even the outdoor garden is warm, plus these are a lot of flies outside 3) Nevertheless - try to sit outdoor because there is a full Japanese garden 4) The service is very very very slow and sometimes you are waiting just to order your meal 5) no alcohol 6) do not ask for soy sauce with your raw fish here bc they already pre-season it and it's a no no 7) I love this soy milk both thing where you dip your noodles 8) no there are no sushi roads, it's more of a Japanese comfort food place - think curries, ramen, teriyaki bowls (homemade sauces) Again - if you are not ok with very subpar service .. do not come here, otherwise pretty decent prices, a little garden in the middle of the hood (tbd sometimes a lot of homeless wander) but otherwise you are near Santa Fe. read more

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A group of 4 of us dined this past Sunday. Gorgeous day, we sat in the garden area. All of us ordered different entrees and each was perfect, both in presentation and in taste. It was my first visit there but we will be back. The service was great, we were in and out in a bit over an hour, and they were busy. read more

I honestly can't even believe a couple of the negative reviews I'm seeing here right now. Came here today and sat in the STUNNING garden on one of the first beautiful days in a while. Lovely sounds of the beautiful water features creating such ambiance for our meal. My friend opted for the gyoza and chicken Japanese curry, which I chose the gatsurri and smashed cucumber salad. The food was absolutely delicious, flavorful, clearly fresh with fresh ingredients, nothing tasted processed in the slightest. There was a restaurant in NY state I went to a few times as a child with my grandparents called Mt Fuji, it remains one of the most memorable restaurants of my life, like Domo, beautiful Japanese gardens and authentic structures brought from Japan to create a unique experience. Domo brought me such fond nostalgia today as it was so like that beautiful place from my childhood. I had been meaning to visit domo for quite some time and I was so pleased to be able to finally try it, and on which a beautiful day, today. Thank you, Domo! We hope to return soon! read more

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Excellent place, inside and out, the decoration is superb and the food is simply delicious..... a wonderful place for routine outings with my friends. read more

Domo is a Japanese restaurant that has great atmosphere and art. The food was ok but the restaurant is dark and it's hard to tell what you are eating. The food took a while to get to the table and we rarely saw our server. The restaurant was busy but they don't take reservations. They have a sign-in sheet -but if you don't know that-regulars come in and sign in before you-and that is irritating. There was no one at the front desk most of the time. The bathrooms were clean and parking is in their lot. Again, the food was ok-I think we may have caught them on a busy night. Prices were reasonable. Turn on some low light so people can read the menu and see the food. read more

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Such an adorable place. Looks just like a Japanese fishing hut. The garden is beautiful in the summer. There's a small museum attached. Food is authentic & delicious. Service is in traditional Japanese style so they don't offer substitutions. Best ginger tea around. read more

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Domo has grown to be our all time favorite restaurant in Denver! The ambiance, authenticity, friendly service, and amazing food are always so consistent! The chef/owner has made the menu more limited since re-opening from COVID, but I absolutely love it! Less options for me (an indecisive person) to choose from, the better. All entrees are $16.75 + tax which is so worth it especially in today's economy. The portions are huge - you won't need to stop by McDonald's afterwards. Food wise - we ALWAYS order the maguro (tuna) bowl. If we had one last meal on earth, this is the one. Thick slabs of tuna over a bed of rice with a perfect marinade. Also, we tried the beef sukiyaki with udon for the first time, and it did not disappoint! The broth felt like it was made from scratch which is rare these days as some restaurants take the easy way out with using pre-mixed powders. Drinks - we skipped the teas this time, but those are always amazing. My husband had the cup of sake (a special one for the year of the snake), and he really enjoyed it. It didn't have a harsh taste as some sakes do. As of right now, they are open 11 am to 7 pm (closed on Mondays). I know Google says otherwise, but follow them on Facebook for more recent updates. Enjoy!! read more

Domo - Beef Sukiyaki with Udon Noodles - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Revisited Domo on a Saturday and it was about a 30 minute wait at 6pm. The front desk and waiters were friendly and my party and I had no complaints. Service was fast and they answered any questions we had. The last time I came the menu was on a single laminated paper, but they now have a flippable menu with appetizers, drinks, and entrees. Almost all of the entrees are priced at $16.75 with two small side dishes. We ordered the karage and takoyaki appetizers and after 3 minutes they arrived at our table piping hot. After 10 minutes we got our main dishes and none of us had a complaint. Everything was delicious and filled us up. The indoor and outdoor design at Domo is amazing. When the weather gets warmer, the outside seating is one of the best experiences there. The greenery and walkable backyard makes it a great spot to take photos if you want to take them. read more

Domo - Udon Nabayaki - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado