This is one of my most often returned to restaurant in the Lohi area. Amazing food, great happy hour, and delicious drinks. The vibe here is of a japanese izakaya, though not a super traditional one, with sake bombs and everything. That said, the food is definitely on the pricier side, though extremely delicious. My typical go to is on of the salad. Now salads typically are not standout at most restaurants, but the ones at Kawa Ni just hits different. Both the red cabbage and pear salad and the brocolli salad are delicious and the portion is massive, easily enough for a table of 4 to share. For apps and shareable entrees, you can't go wrong here. The build your own tuna temaki hand rolls can easily be shared and the tuna is so fresh and well seasoned. The szechuan dumplings are delicious, as is the curry onigiri and the bao bun. The Dan Dan noodle, kimchi Carbonara, and their tonkotsu ramen are also amazing, and, with the exception of the tonkotsu ramen, can easily be shared. I would highly recommend other seasonal dishes as well, such as the coconut swordfish or chicken katsu parm. However, one of my absolute favorite dish here is the ochazuke. It's basically grilled fish over rice in a warm green tea dashi. It's so comforting, especially on a cold night, and a dish that I return to time and time again. Overall, Kawa Ni is an amazing japanese restaurant. Come for the food and just make sure you get a sake bomb and ask for the gong when you do. read more

Kawa Ni, I love you! Friendly server, great energy inside and on the patio, fab food. Best for groups that like to share. Had to order the broccoli again, but the red cabbage and pear salad is even better. Loved the red curry coconut onigiri, miso salmon over rice, and cold sesame noodles. Every dish is a winner. Please open a location in Arizona! read more

Had a great night at Kawa Ni in LoHi. We were walk-ins and had about a 50-minute wait, but we left to grab a drink nearby and came back, which worked out fine. The atmosphere is honestly everything--dim lighting, really cozy vibe, and music that's full of throwbacks and just sets the mood perfectly. We sat at the bar and the service was great the whole time; all the bartenders were attentive. (Definitely would recommend a reservation on a Saturday though.) Drinks were solid--my boyfriend had a gin and tonic and I had hot sake (I personally prefer it a bit hotter, but still enjoyable). Food was the highlight. We started with the three fish appetizer, which was incredible--big, fresh chunks of fish and super flavorful. Then we split the kimchi carbonara and the 50/50 ramen, both of which were honestly outstanding. Probably the best ramen I've had in Denver so far--really rich, balanced, and deeply flavorful without being heavy in a bad way. Ended with the pearling knife cocktail, which was great and not overly sweet. Overall, such a warm, homey spot with amazing food and a really good vibe. Definitely going back. read more

Kawa Ni - Pearing Knife Cocktail - Izakaya Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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The food was delicious! It was a great place to order a few things and try them. The spam bao buns were a stand out. The service was good. The dishes came out quickly and the server was attentive. The ambiance was nice inside but we sat outside which was perfect. read more

Kawa Ni - Fried rice and dumplings - Izakaya Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Our favorite ramen in Denver (so far)! We started with the hamachi which were thick slices and a fresh green sauce. The pork and garlic ramen were our favorite. Thick noodles that held on to the broth. The broth wasn't too creamy which sometimes tonkatsu leans that way. Black garlic added a nice essence. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and have been comparing all the ramen we've had since to Kawai Ni. read more

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Came back this week and re-ordered the hamachi, red curry coconut onigiri, and szechuan pork dumplings because they were absolute perfection the first time I came! They absolutely lived up to the hype again and the hamachi and onigiri remain the standout dishes on the menu by far. We also tried a couple of new items, including the cucumbers with pomegranate, kelp, sunflower, and shiso, which were a refreshing, crunchy bite and a great palate cleanser between the richer dishes. We also tried the pork & garlic ramen which was solid, the pork belly was delicious, and the noodles had a great snap. Once again, the service was great all around! Our server was extremely attentive and engaging and this second visit reinforced how consistent Kawa Ni is! I'll absolutely be back again! read more

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Kawa Ni still feels like a late-night flirt. It's packed, loud, and absolutely not trying to make it easy for you. Two years after opening, nothing about this place has cooled off. I was flying solo on a Thursday night and snagged the very last bar seat, perfectly wedged between two very demographically represented LoHi couples who were deeply committed to each other and their dinners. Honestly? Ideal. Peak people-watching, zero awkwardness, exactly where I wanted to be. I started with the cucumbers, and they were excellent. Super crisp, super crunchy, with bright hits of mint and pomegranate that immediately reset my palate and signaled that the kitchen is still capable of executing. Simple, refreshing, and smart. Next came the crab rangoon and this was the one miss of the night. Overfried, somehow not even properly crispy, and heavier and greasier than expected. I've had this dish multiple times and it is usually light, crispy and exceptionally crab forward. What stood out, though, was the service. The bartender comped the crab without me saying a word. Not because it looked bad, but because it took forever to come out. In hindsight, that delay should've been my sign to skip it on this particular evening. I finished with the tuna tataki, deconstructed, which arrived as a beautiful little DIY project. I'll admit it, I had to look up how to assemble it using my AI "companion." No shame. The process is simple once you know it: grab a sheet of nori, spoon on a bit of rice and tuna, fold it like a sushi taco, and eat immediately so the nori stays crisp. Crunch meets melt in one perfect bight. Also, it's just genuinely fun to eat at the bar. Misses happen at times and it's about how a restaurant handles those situations. At Kawa Ni the room, the energy, the execution everywhere else, and the way the staff handled the one stumble still reinforce why Kawa Ni remains one of the most popular spots in the neighborhood and in all of Denver. I'll be back. I'll order more. And if you can grab a bar seat, especially solo, do it. read more

Kawa Ni - Tuna tataki - assembly required. - Izakaya Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Meeting old friends in Denver for dinner and the adventorous menu at Kawa MI looks intriguing. The restaurant is somewhat difficult to find. On a a Friday evening this place was packed and a nice vibe. Kawa Ni is known for their ramen, izakaya, korudo (cold dishes), nama (raw), and hotta (hot dishes), sandwiches, and men (noodles). Meals here are tapa-ish and meant to be shared. The options here are almost overwhelming, but the wait staff was more than helpful in navigating the extensive menu. We started with the addictive cold cabbage with yuzu, sesame and wasabi. The flavor was unique, crunchy, and not over seasoned. The kung pao karaage was well seasoned, spicy, packed with flavor and a nice crunch. The szechuan pork dumplings had a bite, great flavor and moist. The peekytoe crab rangoons were a bit dry but accompanied with a nice ginger kosho dressing. The crab fried rice was tasty, savory and contained bits of pork belly, corn and egg. Our favorite dish was the baing baing chicken bao with hot honey, yuzu, and pickles. They were a homerun and definitely, a Must Try. Reservations here are a must as the joint is poppin. The vast selections gives everyone a great option for shared plates. If you are adventourous and a foodie, Kawa Ni is a great choice in Metro Denver. My only criticism is a sign out front would be helpful. A fun time was had by all. Good job, Kawa Ni. read more

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Happy hour here is just wonderful. The drinks were around $10 for a cocktail and mine was really delicious. The ramen was well priced and a good size. We sat at the bar and the place filled up fast. Reserve ahead if you can. The communal table seemed fun as an option. The bartenders are well-versed, making perfect recommendations on food and drinks with fun personalities and a friendly demeanor! One spoke highly of the kimchi ramen with parmesan so I tried it. It definitely is an acquired taste. I love kimchi, but the combo with parm made it kind of funky! I wouldn't get it again. My friend enjoyed it. We also tried the yellowtail sashimi after happy hour and the shishito peppers. Both were spectacular! The shishitos were charred just right and had so much flavor! Will return. read more

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First time here and I'm pretty stoked so let's start strong with the food! Szechuan Pork Dumpling The wrapping itself is to be commended. Perfectly steamed with a soft chew stays rather than disappears. The initial flavor is a spicy zest followed by a mellow pork flavor and ends quietly with a hint of astringency which was nice. I'd like a little more pork flavor coming through but honestly the Szechuan flavors are so pleasantly balanced that it's just reaching at this point. Beautifully plated and works well with the More Passion drink. Pork & Garlic Ramen The broth is complex with flavors of rich pork, black pepper, and a smooth umami finish that lingers. The bok choy is appreciated for texture but the pork belly's crust and light chewiness is more than enough. The pork belly itself is a presence that stands out. The noodles are semi thin, perfectly cooked, and provide a satisfying chew that works well with the rest of the ingredients. The egg's texture is akin to nicely done firm tofu and the yolk flavor has an almost bright but earthy flavor that is quite tasty, appearing out of left field. Overall this ramen competes with the best on my list from California and has cemented Kawa Ni on my highly recommended places to try in Denver. More Passion (no booze) Passionfruit, aperitivo, orgeat, lemon Wonderfully refreshing, bright and fruity, lightly sweet and tangy. Compliments the spice of the dumplings nicely. Fantastic food, interior design, atmosphere, and genuine service is all you'll ever need and it's right here. Just go already read more

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I've been waiting about a year to go to Kawa Ni, but not for the reason you would think. My siblings informed me that they had wonderful heated toilet seats and man were they right. Of course I had also heard the food was incredible, but the bathrooms need an honorable mention. Before I dive into talking about the food, I want to give a giant shout out to our waiter, Drew. He not only gave great recommendations and was so warm and wonderful, but he also shook each of our hands and remembered all six of our names for the whole meal - even when we were not sitting at the table! We were mind blown. Thank you, Drew, for service beyond compare! Ok onto the food - a lot of the plates here are very splittable and I definitely recommend trying a handful of things! My standouts were easily the red curry coconut onigiri ( do not sleep on this!), the chicken bao, cold sesame noodles, and beef curry udon. The red curry onigiri was one of the most flavorful things I've had in a while and incredibly well balanced. The rice was crispy on the outside, which was a nice mix of textures along side of the squishy tofu. The other dishes I mentioned were bomb as well put my brain didn't dial in on the detail as I scarfed them down, so I don't have as much to say ! Our table also ordered a couple drinks with dinner. Kawa Ni has a nonalcoholic sake bomb, which none of us had ever seen! One person in our group ordered the passionfruit option and said it was delicious. I ordered the Mazenta which was a shaken gin drink that had Ube in it. It was refreshing with just the right amount of tartness and didn't taste too strong. One of us also ordered the Hokkaido leaves cocktail, which was a whiskey drink with pan dan. If you enjoy those two flavors separately, I definitely recommend this cocktail . It was smooth and the pan dan was subtle but recognizable. Even though our table ordered a ton of food, we always save room for dessert. We tried the Matcha tiramisu as well as the black sesame ice cream sandwich ( which 100% had a better name than that). The matcha tiramisu is a hit for the reason. It has great texture, great color and just enough of the delicious Matcha flavor you are looking for. It's a perfect size to split, but I wouldn't blame you if you ordered one for yourself. The sesame ice cream sandwich was definitely the much more unique dessert option. I can't say I would eat a ton of it, but it's worth ordering with a group so everyone can have a bite to experience it. I can confidently tell you I have no idea what my facial expression was when I tried it for the first time. Kawa Ni definitely lived up to the hype with incredible food, great service, nice atmosphere, and of course, awesome toilet seats. So glad we planned ahead to make this reservation happen - the wait was definitely worth it read more

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Kawa Ni is a Izakaya-inspired Japanese pub. The word Izakaya in Japanese is made up of three kanji (居酒屋) with the meaning, "stay-drink-place." Happy Hour is Tuesday-Friday 4-5pm. AMBIANCE Packed with people inside, I appreciated Japanese decor and wood elements accented by dimmed lights. There's also exterior seating. SERVICE Host seats guests, while staff primarily interacted with guests, and kitchen brought out dishes table-side. Note 20% surcharge is automatically included. FOOD 3.5/5 SHAVED BROCCOLI (raw) - MISO GOMA (didn't taste much miso or sesame as it may have been overshadowed by the honey) - ham: best but smallest part of the dish - flavorful, tender - burnt honey: this overpowered the dish with too much sweetness and did not taste burnt imo - crunchy ra-yu: no chili oil was provided, and when i requested it I was given chili paste instead read more

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Everyone in the universe, including all of the professional critics and the vast majority of customers, seems wildly enthused by this place, but I guess I'm one of the few contrarians. I was not impressed. I've had a better version of every dish we tried at other venues. The space is a former firehouse which is completely encapsulated by an office building built over and adjacent to it, occupied by Compass Real Estate. Access to the restaurant is very confusing. The property comes to a point at 32nd and Erie with a high concrete platform that supports the restaurant's outdoor patio. There is an unmarked staircase off 32nd with a steep wheelchair ramp. There is a small, private parking lot just west of the staircase which is reserved for Compass; however, it includes one handicapped spot. This is completely unmarked, but I was informed by the staff that it could be used by restaurant guests. Once I found this, it was very convenient, but I had driven around the block three times by then, finally stopping the car in a no parking zone to investigate on foot. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately at a table properly set up for my handicapped friend. The restaurant is small, but attractive with a long bar and a row of booths on one side, tables on the other. It was unbearably noisy with blasting music and loud conversations. We were also treated to two screaming children in stereo, on either side of us. We should have chosen the peaceful patio, but it was a bit chilly. The server was very pleasant and knowledgeable and other staff popped by to help, but we felt rushed as our four dishes arrived randomly with no attempt at coursing. Despite the fact that the dishes are designed to share, our plates were not swapped out and became very messy. Empty serving dishes were eventually picked up, but crowded us on the small table for far too long. I finally started stacking them (I know this is rude) which attracted the attention of a staffer. There's a nice list of wines and cocktails. I started with the Kiku-Masamune Kimoto (junmai) saki which I enjoyed. The first dish was the "Szechuan" Pork Dumplings in a ponzu and garlic hot oil sauce. These were not at all warm. I thought for a moment they were intended to be served cold. Other than that, they were fine--nothing special. Despite a warning from the server, the sauce was very mild. Nothing Szechuan about the dish. The Peekytoe Crab Rangoon with a ginger-kosho sauce was also OK. I'm confused about the emphasis on natural crab when most of the filling was surimi. The server did make this clear. The wontons were crisp, the dish was fine, if rather bland. The Biang Biang Chicken Bao (fried chicken sandwiches) with "hot" honey, yuzu goma (citrus sesame dressing), and pickles was adequate. Karaage chicken should be very tender and juicy. This was just fair, but I apparently picked the good sandwich. My friend said his was so tough that it was mostly inedible. The final item was the Crab Fried Rice with pork belly, corn, kani (another surimi product), and a fried egg. This was our favorite dish and was quite flavorful. The pork belly was a little tough, though. To sum things up, the space is attractive, the service was pretty good, the noise was unbearable, and the food was very average. I would probably not return. read more

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Took a friend here for happy hour and even though I'd been here twice before, I was still blown away, as was she! We went for Happy Hour, and ordered everything off the menu with the exception of the veggie ramen. I hadn't had the Tan Tan chicken udon noodle bowl before, and that was hands down my favorite. The kimchi udon bowl also always does it. Can I just say hands down what an AMAZING food happy hour?! Full size ramen and noodle bowls for $13 what?! We also split the tofu pocket (each got one), a cod bun (with American cheese - sounds so strange but so good!!) and shishito peppers. My ONLY comment was the back room we were in was DARK like way too dark for a cozy ambience. Other than that - love this place!! read more

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Kawa Ni in Denver delivered a solid dining experience with a comfortable atmosphere. We walked in without reservations and still managed to get seats at the bar, which ended up being a good spot. The bartender handled both drink service and food orders and made an effort to learn our names and use them throughout the night. It added a personal touch that stood out. We ordered the creamy tuna, dumplings, and udon. All three dishes were prepared well and had clean, balanced flavors. The menu isn't overwhelming, but what they offer is executed with care. Drinks were well-made and matched the style of the restaurant. Overall, it's a place worth recommending for a casual night out or a last-minute dinner, especially if you can grab a bar seat. read more

Kawa Ni - Izakaya Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Parking is a little challenging in the neighborhood, so make sure you leave extra time. It's a beautiful, contemporary space. I came with a group of people who mostly shared items, but I don't really like spicy food so I got my own thing and they were nice enough to give me my own separate bill. I had the leafing knife cocktail which was delicious and also the crab Rangoons. I tried a few of the other dishes my friends got that were less spicy, and they were all very good as well. They do put a 20% automatic gratuity on the bill. My friends have gone there multiple times and consider it one of their favorites. read more

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When I planned my trip to Denver from LA, I had this spot saved for a month and was looking forward to finally trying it! First of all, the ambiance and the design of the restaurant was amazing. The cozy and earthy aesthetic of whole place was giving me a lot of inspiration for my next home project. We headed over for dinner and forgot to reserve a table, but luckily there were spots at the bar for us. Starting off with drinks we got the pearing knife and the binchotan baby. The pearing knife was elegant and refreshingly fruity! However, I didn't get a buzz like I do from a glass of wine or a beer. It felt more like a mocktail. 6.5/10 would've been 10/10 if it was stronger. The Binchotan Baby was stronger and typically I'm not a fan of mezcal, but this one was well done. The balance of the grapefruit, peppercorn, and sesame all worked out! I was impressed by the flavor combination of this drink. 9/10 For food, we ordered the Kung Pao karaage, Crab Fried Rice, Cucumbers, Pork and Garlic Ramen, and for dessert the Matcha Tiramisu. The cucumbers were great for sharing and I enjoyed the crunch of sunflower seeds. The kelp garnish was great for texture as well, but the taste was not my favorite. It's a bit on the sour side 6.5/10 I saw lots of photos of the Kung Pao Karaage, so I had to try it for myself! 7/10 pretty solid and reminiscent of orange chicken The crab fried rice was filling and the pork belly was crispy. I wish there was more crab and pork belly in the fried rice. I tasted ginger- which I like, but some folks don't. It did get a bit repetitive at the end and a little salty. 6.8/10 The pork and ramen garlic I can't say much since I only had a few bites, but it hit the spot. The broth and noodles were everything I could ask for 8/10 Alright, now the Matcha Tiramisu - the whole reason why I wanted to come here. It is heavy on the cream/pudding side and could use a bit more cake, but overall still really good and I loved it. Not too bitter and not too sweet. Definitely share this! The service was so nice and while visiting we learned that most restaurants we went to in Denver add on a service charge to give to the staff. Plenty of street parking! read more

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10/10 no notes. I usually do not leave reviews, but this place was amazing and I can not wait to go back. My family was treated so warmly, and the food was amazing. Not pictured were the CRAB FRIED RICE, PORK + GARLIC Ramen, and the MATCHA TIRAMISU. Everything was soooo good, dimly lit with amazing music (first time hearing Mac Miller in a restaurant- I loved!), staff was doing their best even on a Friday night, being personable and suggesting their menu favorites. Thank you for providing amazing food on my bday. read more

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The service and the ambiance were both spot on. Friendly without being over bearing, and the decor was very modern and warm. We came without a reservation right at opening on a Friday night, and were able to get seats on the patio or take the last seats at the bar. We ended up sitting on the patio, luckily the weather was perfect. Definitely recommend getting a reservation. We ordered the pork and garlic ramen off the happy hour menu as well as the spam bao bun. I was not expecting the bao bun to be my favorite item of the meal! They make the spam in house, so it does not taste like the canned stuff. The garlic ramen was good, with lots of fresh ingredients and broth that rose the edge of salty. The crab fried rice had little slivers of real crab in it, with fresh cilantro and roasted corn. The roasted corn added a little smoky flavor that was interesting. We also had the sesame ice cream sandwich, which was interesting but not my favorite. For a dessert, it was surprisingly savory. The bun was heavier than I expected, and just overall didn't work for me. I recommend, but would probably try different items, especially more of their bao buns. read more

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So SO bummed to be leaving a 3-star review. But I hope to go back and give it another chance and update to 5 stars! The AMAZING first: Ambience is a 10/10. This place is super cute and perfect for a date night, girls night, really any occasion. Service is 10/10. Right away from the friendly greeting to the attentive and funny serving staff. This spot has fantastic people working there! And now for the main event: the food. Unfortunately, I'm wondering if we just ordered the wrong items. I'd love to go back and try some other things to find where they really excel because given the glowing reviews this place has, I think I just need to find the good stuff. I went with my husband on a Saturday night and it was bustling. But we still got plenty of friendly attention from the staff. We started with the crab rangoons. The ginger sauce it came with was fantastic. But there was an odd taste to the filling of the rangoons. Many other reviewers rave about the real crab, so maybe this was an off night because ours tasted fishy and not super fresh. For our entrees we ordered ramen. I ordered the veggie ramen and my husband got the 50/50 ramen. I wish I had looked at the reviews here that said the veggie ramen was on the bland side. When I got mine, the broth was pretty flavorless. I had to add some chili oil and soy sauce to give it some flavor. But they were really generous with the mushroom portions in the ramen. And the noodles were delicious! My husband's 50/50 ramen was much more flavorful. I liked the spicy kick to it. But they went a bit overboard with the saltiness. Unfortunately, it was too salty for him to finish and as a broth lover, I wasn't able to finish it for him either. Again, I'd love to come back and give some other dishes a try because the experience, atmosphere and service here are top notch! I think we just need to try some other items. Definitely worth checking out if you've been wanting to try, I just recommend trying some dishes other than the ramen read more

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We got super lucky getting to try this place. We got there right when it opened and managed to get seats at the bar. If you want a table, you'll definitely need to make a reservation for weekends. The servers were super nice and attentive. They automatically add 20% gratuity to every check, but the service is very good. The dumplings were pretty spicy but I liked that, the texture was perfect. The sauce for the karaage bowl is really sweet. I got both sauces on the side so it wasn't overpowering. I was a big fan of the spicy mayo sauce that comes with it! The chicken was perfectly crispy, not greasy at all. The pickled vegetable salad makes it so light and balanced, I loved it. Honestly the bowl is pretty deep, it comes with a lot! read more

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10/10 Food, drinks, ambiance and service! I wish I took photos of everything we ordered but after the first bite Mapo Tofu, anytime a plate hit the table we went for it. Best bites: Mapo Tofu (this comes with crackers, next time I'd ask for rice) Scallop Temaki Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Kung Pao Karaage Crab Fried Rice Cold sesame noodles Cabbage Drinks: Whiskey High Ball on TAP!! The yuzu lime Recommend going with a group so you can order more. read more

Kawa Ni - Scallop - Izakaya Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Kawa Ni is popular for a reason, it's nested in a beautiful Denver suburban neighborhood with refreshing seasonal and traditional Japanese dishes. Service was nice and quick, we tried to show up early for our reservation but didn't get to be seated early unfortunately. Very busy even on weekday nights! The Matcha Tiramisu is bigger than it looks in pictures and I highly recommend it, it's creamy and strong in its matcha flavors, I'll be dreaming about it and missing it for awhile. The miso salmon Ochazuke is a special, warm, and cozy dish. I also highly recommend it, the yuzu was balanced well with the miso. The addictive cabbage is ACTUALLY addicting, the texture and flavor were really good. This is coming from someone who doesn't normally order veggie dishes at restaurants but did so at my friends insisting haha I would order it again! Scallop Temaki was fun to put together; the scallops tasted fresh, the wasabi peas added a nice crunch. There was also yuzu in this dish, adding to the refreshing taste. I would pass on the pork and garlic ramen as it didn't taste anything special compared to other places, but still a decent bowl of ramen with generous servings. The black garlic does not come across very strongly and overall the broth and ingredients were alright. It's still satisfying though and would appease any ramen cravings. I enjoyed the unique traditional dishes like the Ochazuke here. Out of the restaurants in Denver that we tried, this one stood out in a good way. read more

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After all the spectacular reviews on Yelp, I really wanted to like this place, but it was just okay, kinda fell short for me. The place is clean and modern, with a great patio. Our server was nice and friendly enough and mostly got everything right for us. For appetizers we got the Addictive Cabbage, which was great. It was the best dish we had. The Shaved Broccoli kinda missed the mark, although the broccoli was crunchy, you can't quite dig into it. The raw foods were fresh and okay, just not delicious. Both the Hamachi Sashimi and the Three-Piece Sashimi were more like regular sashimi added with some mediocre sauce/dressing. The Szechuan Dumplings was the worst dish, too salty, too spicy, and yet no flavor. The Pork & Garlic Ramen was pretty decent, but nothing spectacular. And the Crab Fried Rice was disappointing. We could see it had bits of imitation crab, but it wasn't tasteful. Someone at our table mentioned they should've infused the rice with crab/seafood stock to make it more flavorful (don't know if that's standard practice with this kind of dish). I just feel like for the food, everything was more expensive than it needs to be. We can get the same/similar food elsewhere but better and still not cost so much. Everything was just okay, but for the price we wanted it to be great. There's an automatic 20% service charge added to all checks. read more

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The Skinny: Overall solid food and yummy cocktails. Great ambiance. Food/Drinks: We came here with 3 people during HH and ordered way too much food - but it also meant we got to try a lot. From HH menu: 1. Cocktails: The cocktails from the HH menu were all standouts. Refreshing, a bit unique, and yummy. Cool as a... and Karai me a river were both great. 2. Sunakku: We got one each of the small 'baos' just so we could all have a bite. Tofu pocket was simple yet really well balanced and flavorful. The spam bao fell short of expectations, the spam itself was thick without much flavor. The sauce was a bit overpowering - I would skip this one. Kimichi onigiri - crispy and overall solid. But nothing that blew me away. 3. Kimchi udon: This was one of the faves. Even though it is a less broth dish - the broth that was there was creamy and packed with flavor. Bonus - its a full order which was a good deal from the HH menu. Regular menu: 1. Hamachi: This was decent but not our favorite compared to other places we've had hamachi at. The cut is much thicker than I've had - which wasn't a bad thing, but didn't have as much flavor. 2. Creamy Spicy Tuna: This was a standout dish. Think spicy tuna on top of crispy rice - but deconstructed. The tuna was delicious and the fried rice cakes were crispy and the perfect balance. 3. Scallop temaki: We were excited about this one but it missed the mark for me. The flavors were a bit overpowering so you couldn't taste much of the scallop. The scallop itself was a bit mushy together which was a texture that was a bit strange making it taste not as fresh to me. 4. Szechuan pork dumplings: This was a yes for us - great to share, not overall spicy, but you still got a bit of that mala kick flavor. 5. Colorado mushrooms: This was the surprise winner of the evening. A medley of mushrooms cooked in the most divine brown butter sauce. We literally kept the sauce and put it on everythingggg. 6. Match tiramisu: A bit more thick than I expected but overall delicious. We were SO full but decided we had to get it and we were not at all sad about it. 7. Mochi: This was a little surprise from the staff because we were here for a celebration. Was a very nice gesture that we really appreciated - and the perfect light finisher for our meal. Mango, matcha, and strawberry. Service/Ambiance: Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. The spot itself is in a great area and super cute. A japanese izakaya vibe with outdoor seating as well. Would I come back: yes! HH is a pretty solid deal and overall the food and drinks were good. I'd love to come back and try their ramen. read more

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Loved this restaurant! The food was so delicious and really hit the spot with all of the wonderful flavors. We visited late on a busy night which was still quite busy until after close. We ordered a few different drinks/mocktails and a variety of small plates, all of which were so good! My favorites were the red curry onigiri and spicy tuna rice. All dishes were very good and I would order all of it again! Overall, it was a fun experience with great food and service and I will definitely be back! read more

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Amazing food, everything was so fresh with unique and yummy flavors! Our server, Mike did an excellent job with modifications due to a gluten sensitivity! All his suggestions were spot on and the service was amazing. Our favorites were the Hamachi Nama, Beef Curry Udon, and Crab Fried Rice with real crab, sooo so good!! read more

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There is a very strong likelihood that I have eaten at more restaurants than you have this year, fine reader; I eat out once, sometimes twice, every day and I travel extensively for work. My personal tagline: "no one eats better than me", and I try my best to uphold that standard wherever I can. This is all to say that three dishes into my experience at Kawa Ni last week, I knew what I still believe a week later: Kawa Ni is the best dinner I've had at a "new to me" restaurant this year. We came in late, maybe 8:30 PM, for dinner and grabbed a booth for two. For the uninitiated, Kawa Ni is a Japanese pub-style restaurant. In fact, the most alarming thing about Kawa Ni is the severe lack of Japanese people working there. (I am most at home at restaurants serving international cuisine when some measure of the staff represents that cuisine.) I walked in and saw a sea of...well, not Japanese people. I looked at my friend wondering if he knew what he was talking about when he picked this place. Those fears went away quickly. I don't actually remember everything that we tried; I believe that the "Tofu Pockets" were on the dance card, along with a red coconut dish that was magic. We got noodles, we had dumplings, we laughed, we cried. The point is that our cruise director, Cam, guided us to what appeared to be some of his favorites and that turned into a nice mix of flavors, textures, and a few "wow" moments that pushed us through a 90-minute experience that made me wish Kawa Ni lived a little closer to Chicago. (It does not.) One miss--the "Toki Tower" highballs. A bartender at another establishment told us to try them, so we did...and I won't make that mistake again. We were better off with still water; the flavors from the Tower just weren't very interesting, at least compared to the stellar cuisine. Kawa Ni and I will meet again...in this life, or the next! read more

This place has become our new favorite happy hour spot! Some of the happy hour portions are small but the kimchu udon can be enough for two people! The place is very authentic looking and clean. You are definitely close to the people next to you but enough space to enjoy your meal! The staff is great and always asking what you need. Lastly the dessert was incredible, we still talk about it and hope to come back for it. Recommend going during Happy Hour to try out different items at a cheaper rate. read more

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We went all out on appetizers and drinks and it did not disappoint. The edamame, the addictive cabbage dish, and the broccoli was a standout. Also the red curry onigiri was incredible. The cocktails were equally impressive. Our server was attentive, warm and made the experience wonderful. I can't wait to go back! read more

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WOW everything here is so incredibly delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented. First off: the Hamachi was thick (but not fishy at all), and the sauce was sweet and tangy. Second: the crab rangoons were fried to perfection. And third: the tofu bao buns were a great balance of flavors and textures. I highly recommend the happy hour service... awesome deals on sake bombs! Ambiance-wise: a lovely place with plenty of bar and table seating, cool/calm decor, and in the heart of Highland, Denver. read more

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Cute Japanese restaurant! The space is very modern and trendy. Perfect for a casual night out. We ordered quite a few dishes, but the tuna temaki roll was definitely our favorite. Some of the other dishes were a bit on the salty side, but still tasty overall. The staff were friendly and nice, and the atmosphere was laid-back and inviting. read more

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11/10!! Slam dunk, go to spot! I lived across the street and we would go multiple times a month. Multiple dishes, the second it hits your mouth you know its a 10. Must order spicy broccoli and macha tiramisu. Service is great we love the staff. Be sure to book ahead, tough to walk in. read more

Food was awesome. Sat at bar and Drew bartender was friendly and informative made the experience great. The place was busy and parking is not ideal. I recommend you park in parking lot by little man Ice cream and walk over. You'll thank me later. A must try if you're in town. read more

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Really awesome Izakaya spot with lots of variety. Went right around 5 on a Saturday without a reservation and was able to sit outside without wait with three adults and a 2 year old. There's generally always someone walking around so if you need something, you're not waiting forever. They suggest about 2-3 dishes per person and everything is designed to share, even the noodle dishes. Highlights from my lasted trips were the dumplings and the spicy tuna crispy rice. With the rotating menu I've been going every few months and love to try something new! read more

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I've been hearing great things about Kawa Ni for ages and finally had the chance to check it out. Even with a reservation, we had to wait 10 minutes for our table to open up, so definitely would need a reservation to eat here. The space is super cute and aesthetic, and they have a nice outdoor patio that would be lovely with good weather. I went with a group of four, and we did family style meal. Together we ordered quite a few dishes: Miso broccoli - super refreshing and a great way to start the meal Tuna temaki - I loved the concept they did with this; where you get to self make your own handroll. It comes as a plate of rice w tuna and a few nori sheets and shiso leaves. Was enough to make about 4-5 handrolls, probably one of my favorites of the night Sichuan pork dumplings - my friends loved this, but I thought this was just okay. The dumpling itself is tasty, but the sauce didn't taste too much like a true Sichuan sauce. Sesame noodles - really tasty and a great vegetarian option Pork and garlic ramen - great broth snd chewy noodles Salmon rice bowl - this was my favorite of the entrees we ordered, came with a tea dashi broth that you pour into your portions. This broth was so good! Overall had a great experience and I thought it was worth the hype! read more

A local must to check out. Spectacular food, great service, and the venue itself is nice. Tuesday to Friday 4-5pm is happy hour, which includes several appetizers for $5 and entries for $12. Totally worth it, but you'll want to come back for more. This week they are also part of Denver Restaurant Week of you want to try them, absolutely go for it. Tried the kimchi ramen (which has some Italian flavour notes) and the garlic pork (with roasted corn felt a little hispanic). No complains, both phenomenal. read more

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Absolutely loved this spot! It's the perfect little neighborhood spot in LoHi. I walked in without a res on a Friday and pulled up to the bar, Johnny and Brennan were working and took amazing care of us! I really appreciated all the recommendations! Johnny's honesty is refreshing, when we ordered the crab fried rice, he was like try this instead. Glad we listened!!! What we had: -Addictive cabbage salad: Truly addicting and I'm not a huge cabbage girl. Def would order again. -Hamachi: 10/10 I would get 2 orders next time!! Refreshing, unique, and beautiful -Szechuan Pork Dumplings: these would have been an amazing if they were 50% less spicy. I'm sensitive to spice and friend I was with loves spice but we both agreed they could be less spicy. Flavor was great, but spicyyyy -Biang Biang Chicken Bao: good but I've had better. Not bad nothing special, I'll be trying a different bao next time -Cold sesame noodles: yummy but again a little too spicy! I didn't eat much They also had an amazing looking dessert menu! Matcha tiramisu and mochi, will be on my list to try with all the amazing teas they have! I also got a half pot of caramel tea, but they had a great list of teas to choose from too. Overall will be back for more! read more

This is, hands down, my new favorite restaurant in Denver! I knew it was a popular spot from the socials, so I booked as far in advance as I could for a Saturday night. Parking was hellacious- as to be expected in that neighborhood, but just keep in mind. We should have given ourselves more time or took a ride share- which I will absolutely do next time because I want to try the lychee cocktail! We were seated right away, and given water and met our waitress, who was amazing. The food was a bit slow to come out but we didn't mind. We had a salad (so good), dumplings, the tofu bao bun, and a noodle dish. All were incredible. We were celebrating a birthday, so we were comped a dessert of choice (so kind), and we will absolutely return for the matcha tiramisu, and we were comped a pot of tea for the slower than expected service, again so kind. Every single dish was a show stopper. I am not kidding, from the salad to the matcha tiramisu, our taste buds could not have been happier. Can't wait to come back!! read more

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I regret only coming for the happy hour - but WOW this place is stellar. Incredibly inventive flavors and concepts, every bite blew me away! I absolutely have to come back, it's already on my calendar -- plus they had brunch posters?? Count me in!!! Service was above and beyond! read more

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