The food was great! They had some classics and some very unique dishes. It was fun to try a bit of…read moreboth. They had the best tuna crispy rice. The service was good the server was patient and kind The ambiance was bustling at dinner on a Friday night. Fun place!

Absolutely love this place! Came here as a party of two on a…read moreweeknight, which was lucky because we didn't have a reservation and if it was just a little busier, we wouldn't have been sat at all. We got a cute high top table by the window, their seating is comfortable, even the hightop chairs have backs. The drinks here are delicious, I got the lychee margarita and it was perfect, not too sweet and comes with a real lychee on a skewer, which is a lovely pairing. To eat, I got my favorite aburi tuna, which I always make sure to try if a place has them. It was so good, I love the seared flavor and the fish was so fresh, the texture was perfect. We also got the fried rice, it is served with the staff, mixing the yolk of an egg into the dish at the table in front of you. This made it so rich and delicious, and felt like a show. I was really impressed by the rice itself too, nothing simple about it. The flavors were so dynamic, and everything was cooked to perfection. We also had the black miso cod, this might have been the highlight dish. It was so tender and supple, melting at the touch of a fork and even better in your mouth. The flavors were unbelievable, and it leaves you wanting more. The area is pretty central to wash park, a quick five or 10 minute walk over to Broadway after dinner is easy and accessible too. Totally will be back

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.

good place for date night! the ambience and lighting is intimate, especially the upstairs patio…read more the best bite of the night is the osaka style nigiri. sometimes seared fish can taste too fishy for me, but that wasn't the case here. so soft and the rice didn't overpower the fish at all the bento box was probably the best value, with a miso soup (stellar btw had chunks of mushroom in there that offered a good bite) and side salad. the salmon and beef were both okay; i thought the steak was a bit tough and could have done without the sauce. the tempura and truffle mashed potatoes were both phenomenal. california roll was standard the chirashi bowl also came with soup and salad. all of the fish was pretty good, with the tuna being the standout bite. the octopus was tough to me. the amount of rice that came with it was truly comical. it probably could've fed 4 people. all of the drinks were strong, but the ruby red was probably the best. the citrus cut through the alcohol well! they also have a free scoop of ice cream for the bday! the lychee sorbet was insane. it wasn't icey, but instead was thick. almost like italian ice and the lychee flavor was fantastic

This is not a review of Sushi Den as a whole, but instead a review of the Chef Table run by chef…read moreYasu Kizaki. The experience truly begins with the reservation, where you are asked a series of questions from your familiarity with sushi, fish preference, appetite level, and so on. This truly is an in-depth questionnaire so that the chef Yasu could source fish from Nagahama fish market for your meal. It's an incredibly personal, curated meal. On the date of, you are led to a private room in the back, Denchu Den, which is a simple, private sushi bar for up to 4 guests. Then, Chef Yasu comes out for a truly intimate experience, one that is extremely rare to come by, even in Japan. It is truly just your party and the chef as he prepares some truly epic bite. And the menu is not set, it really depends on your personal taste, and the food continues basically until you tap out. As such, there is no set price, though typically we run up about $150-200 a person. It's a 2 hour experience during which you get to experience that Japanese hospitality with chef Yasu. We talked with him about his home, learned about his experience in Denver, and he provided some fun facts about sushi and Japanese in culture in general. I cannot praise this truly unique experience enough, and, in fact, we have been back here every single year. The cherry on top is that as you return, Chef Yasu starts to remember your preference and even past conversation. And it does not end there. Based on our conversation where I discussed my next Japan trip, Chef Yasu even took time to send us an email with his recommendations. The Chef Table at Sushi Den is truly a one of a kind experience here in Denver.

The appetizers and sushi we got were definitely good, but some of the fish was a bit too fishy for…read morehow fresh it's supposed to be, the wagyu was chewier than it should've been, and the ambience felt less warm and welcoming than other restaurants of this refinement. What we ordered: Wagyu kushiyaki - flavor and char was great, but had to chew a good amount more than you would want with wagyu. The little side of truffle mashed potatoes is amazing. Toro nigiri - on the "fresh from Japan" menu. Kinda fell flat - not bad, but didn't have much of that melt your mouth, buttery flavor. Mikan himachi nigiri - on the "fresh from Japan" menu. This was the nigiri that was fishier than expected. Deluxe sushi platter - great option to get more food for your buck. 4 nigiri, 6 sashimi, 2 hand rolls, and 1 california roll. Salad + miso soup.

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.

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

Tatsu Izakaya is the kind of place you go when you want Japanese food that feels intentional…read morewithout being precious about it. The menu leans classic izakaya--small plates meant for sharing--but everything comes out with care and confidence. Skewers are grilled properly, not rushed, with just enough char to matter. The ramen is rich without being heavy, and the broth tastes like someone actually paid attention to it for hours. Even the simpler dishes feel deliberate, which isn't always the case with izakaya-style menus. The atmosphere hits a nice balance: lively without being chaotic, cozy without feeling cramped. It works just as well for a casual dinner as it does for lingering over drinks. Speaking of drinks, the sake and Japanese whiskey selection is thoughtful and well-paired to the food. Tatsu doesn't try to reinvent Japanese cuisine--it just executes it well.

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.

Having been to practically all the other omakase experience in Denver, including the private-fish…read moreChef Table at Sushi Den, as well as having the opportunity to eat at many kaiseki and omakase restaurant in Japan I was undoubtedly excited for Kizaki, and the experience did not disappoint. For those not in the know, Chef Toshi Kizaki is one of the OG sushi chef in Denver, responsible for many great restaurants such as Sushi Den, Izakaya Den, Ototo Den, and Temaki Den. Both him and his brother, Yasu Kizaki, serves some of the best nigiri in Denver, and Kizaki has received a Michelin star in the past. The service at Kizaki is impeccable, starting with some pre-dinner drink at the bar, which they share with Margot, another Michelin darling. Once our table was ready, we were led back to our sushi counter in the back, which has been beautiful decorated with the fresh catch straight from Japan. From there, we were served some of the best bites in Denver. The dishes were expertly crafted and beautiful served. The chef even asked about our preferences and replace my wife's uni nigiri with a lobster nigiri, which was wonderful. Each nigiri bite was divine, and given the nature of service, I did not want to disrupt them with pictures and chose to just enjoy the moment. Honestly, this is the best omakase experience in Denver. It is expensive, no doubt, but it's the closest I've had in Denver to a true Japanese omakase experience. I would highly recommend Kizaki for any special occasion, though I would note that the place is frequently booked out so advance planning is a must!

5 stars for a reason. Michelin Star for a reason…read more Kizaki is an experience to behold. Chef Toshi and his staff did an amazing job. This was my first time going, and I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. I've had kaiseki in the past, and my all time favorite was Otoko in Austin. Note, I used past tense here. If all sushi were of this quality in Denver, Denver would be a true foodie haven for Japanese food, but sadly, no one but Kizaki can offer this experience. Quiet, charming dining room, cozy seating arrangement, and they even mark each seat for you with your name. Chef explains the experience to you, explains the sourcing of the fish. The what, and the why. If you want to have a truly outstanding time, and travel to Japan, this is your one stop shop for that experience. You won't be disappointed.

this is the best ramen ive ate and ive eaten alot of ramen!. from los angeles to pheonix to…read morecolorado.... this is the best one yet! the pork is delicious!! the broth! it is all fire! always get my ramen here!

very nice restaurant with quick service. serves an important role on pearl street as the more…read morecasual, chill japanese restaurant. i felt like trying the chashu rice bowl this time. quite good, though there was maybe a little too much mayo. the miso soup was way too salty!!! i was really bummed out by this. i hope this was just a one off.

Came in on a Friday night with a reservation. It was louder than I expected, but happy hour was…read morewinding down. The waitress was great and everyone was friendly. The menu was a little hard to read with some printing issues and dim lighting. I went outside my comfort zone and got a different roll then I normally would eat. It was delicious! Large rolls! The draft beer was flat and not that great and I felt like the hot saki was like warm. I don't do spicy and even though my table ordered spicy edamame, I could enjoy it, it was flavorful. If you are looking for spice, not the place. I left full and satisfied.

The wife and I were visiting CO for a few days while my mother has hip replacement surgery. We…read moreflew into Denver and needed a place to have lunch and Sushi is always on the menu. I grew up in California and I've been to Japan so I know good Sushi. Unfortunately this place isn't it. We started off with Gyoza and Croquettes. They were both OK. I had a cocktail with Empress Gin, Creme de Violette, Blue Matcha and Agave. The drink was creative and tasty. After that I had their spicy, crunchy roll with tuna along with a Tempura Bento with Shrimp. The Bento came with soup or salad. I went with the salad which was supposed to have Ginger dressing. However the dressing was a deep orange color and really tasted weird. I had the wife taste it and she also thought it was weird. The Tempura was decent but nothing special. All of the dishes we had were served on modern plates to give the dishes a modern flair. Our server was very friendly and attentive and the food was decent enough. So why the 2 star review? Well a couple of hours later my stomach felt upset and I ended up on the toilet the rest of the night. As this was my only meal of the day since breakfast, I'm pretty sure that Go Fish gave me food poisoning. Had this not happened I would have given this place 3 or maybe even 4 stars. I'm not sure what did it as the wife had some of the same roll I did and didn't get sick. I'm thinking it was that weird tasting salad dressing.

5 star food and service at Mizu Izakaya! Our experience made for a perfect, fun Friday Date night…read more I came for the crispy spicy tuna and it was easily the best I've had. We also really enjoyed the chili wontons, pork belly skewers, and Kobe beef buns - all were super high quality and packed with flavor. We didn't care for the cucumber salad - the large chunks just didn't take on any flavor and felt like eating plain cucumber. The ambiance is very high energy and can be loud (there's a live DJ), but we had a wonderful experience on the patio.

I stopped by this spot after catching a candlelight orchestra performance nearby and was craving…read moresome sushi--and this place definitely delivered, just not in the way I expected. When I walked in, it felt more like a club than a traditional restaurant. The music was loud, the energy was high, and the crowd was definitely on the younger side. Honestly, I've never really experienced anything quite like it--part restaurant, part nightlife vibe--but it was kind of cool in its own way. I grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered sushi along with a seaweed salad and an Old Fashioned. The food was actually really good--fresh, flavorful, and hit the spot after the show. That said, if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing dinner, this probably isn't your place. But if you're open to a lively atmosphere and something a little different, it's a fun experience. I enjoyed my food, soaked in the vibe, and left glad I gave it a try.