32 Best Japanese Restaurants in Denver

“Uchi was recommended by a couple of our friends and it did not disappoint. Uchi was such an experience. The food was absolutely delicious! We loved everything. By far, the wagyu beef tartare was my favorite. The sake was top notch too. I highly recommend Uchi! It is worth the wait and price. We're already talking about our next visit.”

“Our experience was amazing except the service. We are used to go in this restaurant for birthday because we love their food. The waitress did not told us what fish they have like they usually do, she just handed us the menus. She came back for our drink just after we were seated and she just gave us water. She did not read what we wrote on our paper order, maybe had difficulty to understand English. We reminded her that I was allergic to salmon. The persons who delivered the food were great. The waitress was coming every 10 minutes to ask us if everything were fine... Also, I don't under why she did not offer the dessert my husband chose and gave us a complimentary Yuzu ice cream that we did not ordered.”

“Growing up in California and Hawaii I am no stranger to good seafood. Therefore I am shocked that this dining experience in Denver, Colorado was hands down the best sushi I have ever had in my life. We got the 8 course special and nothing was anything less than great. I did have my favorite courses, but nothing tasted bad or was disappointing at all. The som on staff really enhanced our experience by pairing our experience with the perfect wine - a white that we would have never picked ourselves. This was hands down the best sushi experience of my life. Thank you!”

“I've officially been ruined for all other sushi bars.Art and taste, that's why people go out for sushi. It's all about the food, the presentation, the beauty and the flavor. Trust and believe, the photos don't do these plates justice. Amazing sushi would be enough of a reason to go to a particular place, but no, we're not stopping there. If you want an experience, you want to have fun, you want great food, you need to come see Jonny! Until recently of LoHi, soon to be at Congress Park, do yourself a favor, sit at the bar and let him make the decisions (although if you don't like eel sauce, be prepared for some hard core taunting) and order a gin martini. You won't regret it.”

“went with my partner, and we ordered 5 menu items, thanks to the help of the kind and friendly staff member at the register. all were incredible! my partner isn't vegan and said it's the BEST sushi he's ever had. it was affordable, too! even the leftovers were delicious the next day. Updated from previous review on 2023-10-25”

“The sushi here is out of this world! Would highly recommend!! I’m from Detroit and I would literally like to pick this sushi restaurant up and move it to Michigan - that’s how good it is!!!! The fish is perfection and the service was incredible. The servers have been so kind and the sushi came out incredibly fast. Can’t hype this place up enough!”

“Hidden gem. Wouldn't have known it since it's amongst a strip of other stores and restaurants but this is a great Sushi restaurant! The service was prompt and attentive. The sushi specialty roles were delicious and the sashimi portions were huge! A+ for presentation! Would definitely return if in the area again.”

“A wonderful place. It honestly touched my heart with how down to earth it was. The server does not put on a show like they do at so many American restaurants. No fake enthusiasm. This is a matter of taste, but I personally find it very comforting when a server just serves you without any false display of emotion. The service itself was prompt and thorough. The restaurant itself is very cozy. It's not trying to be something it is not. It is super casual and super Japanese. I really felt like I was in Japan again, but even if you don't share in this personal fixation, you're sure to love this place.My wife and I had an appetizer of takoyaki and both had the sukiyaki with raw egg. Pure comfort food. We also had 3 beers between us, which were all different variations on that crisp yellow beer which is so common to Japan. There is a great variety of food and drink(sake selection is great). The prices are absolutely right on the money. If the raw egg in sukiyaki doesn't appeal to you, I would bet that they make a great katsu or curry.Everything from the food to the music and atmosphere warmed my heart. I wish there was a place like this in Colorado Springs. I would make a habit of studying there. The server made some nice casual conversation at the end, which was appreciated. I look forward to coming here again. It was a great pleasure and I'm glad I made it my birthday meal. There is a time for Sushi Den and there is a time for Kiki's. I hate to get philosophical in a Google review, but it is a precious thing to deny the sterile American attitude that tells you that price and worth have anything to do with each other. Both sorts of restaurants can be an equally satisfying experience. Come here and try some things you have never had before. For that, I suggest the traditional diner food section of the menu. You might think me overly sentimental, but in a country where many restaurants remind me more of a pharmacy than a kitchen, this place is a thing of great beauty to me.”

“Stopped in Denver for the night on the way to SLC and had a craving for Ramen. This place was really good, but not the best ramen we’ve ever had. We went on a Friday night at dinner time and the place was packed out. One downside I noticed was that they had the front door propped open, so it was rather warm and flies were coming inside. I ordered the curry tonkotsu ramen. The flavor was good, but felt like it was lacking something. They didn’t shy away from the toppings, though! Mine came with a fried chicken cutlet, naruto, menma, half a soft boiled egg, bean sprouts, pickled ginger, and green onion. The first few bites of the chicken were great. Had a decent crunch and awesome flavor. However, you need to eat the chicken really quickly or else the breading gets soggy fast, making it not as pleasant. Overall though, it definitely satisfied that ramen craving and we’d definitely give it another shot if we’re ever back in town!”

“It was a Friday night, which we usually avoid, due to how busy banzai can get. But it had been some time since we had been and wanted too. So we mentally prepared ourselves for the Friday night experience. As always the food was amazing! Service was a little slow, but when every seat in the house is full and two more tables of patrons are waiting what else do you expect? I'll wait for Banzai sushi any day. This is why we use open table- so we know we will have a table for us! If it wasn't busy (especially on a weekend) I would be concerned. Thank you Banzai!”

“Sushi Sasa is a long-time favorite for a reason: the food is always - ALWAYS! - stellar. And the service is now every bit as good. Hard to imagine the management will find ways to improve the experience, but I'm pretty sure they will!!”

“If you’re like me, you moved here from California and have been searching for a good chicken teriyaki bowl since you got here. Look no further. I can’t speak to the rest of the menu cuz I’ve been getting the same thing for 2 years lol, but please believe when I tell you the white meat chicken teriyaki (ask for extra veggies and extra sauce), the crunchy California roll, the miso soup, & the chicken katsu are all FIRE. It’s cheap. It’s quick. It’s really good. What more you need to know?”

“Super tasty food and fun atmosphere, albeit about half way through our dinner it seemed like they cranked the music up like double, and it was already loud to begin with. We were basically almost yelling at each other and still struggled to hear our convo. Our dinner seating was around 6ish or so so it’s not like it was party time yet.”

“My wife and I visited Hapa Sushi in downtown Denver while on our honeymoon. We were seated upstairs in a booth. The lighting and atmosphere was nice and we didn’t have a lot of people in our immediate area. Our waitress did a fantastic job throughout the meal. She went over and beyond getting to know us and giving us tips about our trip. We ordered a couple of mocktails which were quite good though they had strong flavors. The food was very good. We ordered the dragon roll and the rock-n-roll with a pork pot stickers appetizer. I loved the rock-n-roll and the pot stickers. The dragon roll was okay and wasn’t my favorite. Since we were on our honeymoon, the waitress brought out a complimentary banana tempura sundae. It was amazing! We could still see the steam rising from the hot banana while eating it. It was a nice dinner stop!”

“We had a hard day, came in an hour before closing... yet, they were completely accommodating with amazing food. The plum wine, hot sake, cucumber sunomono, sushi and hot tea were all delectable, scrumptious, and appreciated.Definitely a great place to eat!Dietary restrictions: They have vegan options (more than just "veggie rolls"!)I have celiac. I appreciated that they have a gluten free menu. Additionally, they were very careful with preparation and made sure no sushi rolls with gluten were on the plate with my sushi. I felt I could trust them :)”

“Met some friends here per their recommendation for dinner this weekend. Parking was a little tough - a busier/more popular area. But I did eventually find a spot down the road.My friends said we should get there before 6 to make use of the happy hour specials - was more than happy with my glass of wine for $5.50 (and it was good!) I would have preferred prosecco but they only sell that in bottles.We all ordered a mix of sushi (though we weren't actually sharing) and it came out all on one dish but they clearly pointed out which was which. I ordered the spicy tuna, spicy scallop and spicy shrimp. None of them were spicy - definitely need to add some of that spicy roe on top or something to add a kick cause the kick was definitely not there. The flavors were really good - I enjoyed the scallop and shrimp rolls quite a bit. Around 6:30/7 the place got completely packed so coming on the earlier side is probably a good call as it is not a massive place. The staff was friendly and came over frequently to refill our water glasses and see if we need anything else. Our waitress had even asked if I wanted a drink before the happy hour ended at 6 which I appreciated. Overall fairly happy with the drinks, meal and service, just wanted a little more heat to the spicy rolls. I would come back though - very reasonable prices.”

“Ototo - We enjoyed sitting at the chefs counter (Nov 2023). It was moderate sound that we could still have conversation. The happy hour kushi yaki bites were incredible. Great selection of wine and cocktails. The small plates and skewers were all tasty as well, will def come back.”

“Yum!!! We loved all four of the rolls we ordered; Drunken tiger, chillin shrimp and **Super Lava <--THIS WAS OUR FAV. Our kiddo got the Happy Meal Transformer- (it isn't prepared with seaweed) and they said, "it was delicious"It is very reasonably priced, service was quick and the staff was nice and helpful.We'll be back!Kid-friendliness: 3 kid friendly optionsParking: Plenty of parkingDietary restrictions: Gluten free options available”

“If you are looking for stellar sushi beyond hamachi, ahi and salmon then come to Sushi Ronin. They have all kinds of fish like sea bream, snapper and scallop and my gosh - THE SCALLOP. It was melt in your mouth. They also some of the most creative rolls I've ever had. Highly recommend the M-Kay and Oh Snap. Both were heavenly. Also - sit at the sushi bar, the chefs are warm and friendly and you get to see their expertise! Can't wait to go back!”

“Move over Sushi Den, there is another exceptional restaurant on the hot corner of 41st and Tejon. We discovered this gem looking for a new sushi joint in the Highlands area and couldn't be more impressed.First off, get the smoked salmon sushi, and then order twice as much as you think because it's legendary. Then, go crazy and get anything else because we have yet to find a dish we didn't like. Spicy Crunchy Tuna, gimme that. Moderately priced toro, get in my belly.”

“Hidden gem!! Excellent lunch specials. Reasonable dinner prices. High quality fish. This is comparable to the sushi I would have in Japan during my trips over the years. The interior style is classy and intimate. Employees are friendly and knowledgeable. Can’t wait to come back and try the toro and wagyu!”

“The staff here is so friendly! I was promptly greeted by my host sylvia with a kind an warm smile she then set me up with a table and a menu. Helping me navagate it by explaining where everything located before I was promptly attended by my server. The food came out shortly after overall it was a very pleasant experience and I would definitely return again!”

“Great sushi, for a reasonable price. Staff were so kind and welcoming, and even surprised us with a piece of birthday cake without even mentioning it! Based on the menu, it also looked like they have a very good lunch special, which we will be back to check out.”

“Consistently delicious, I love the food here. The sushi always is fresh, and the Thai options are extremely good too. The peanut curry here is one of the best in all of Denver. The lunch options are so affordable that every time I am in the neighborhood, I want to stop by for some takeout! Many of the rolls are super creative, but you can't go wrong with the unagi. The employees here are so nice. Parking can be difficult but there are streets around it to park on instead.”

“This is not exactly a traditional sukiyaki/Shaun shabu but it’s still darn tasty. The sukiyaki broth is delicious and the meat selection (even for the cheaper all you can eat choice) is very juicy and flavorful. It’s a great option if you are craving sukiyaki but I wouldn’t put it among my top favorites . It’s still very good and you won’t get disappointed .The veggies are cut a big too thick and chunky and it’s makes it a bit unpleasant to eat. The combination of ingredients are a bit unusual and I’ve never seen that before.”

“I recently moved to the Denver area looking for my new favorite ramen restaurant and I found it!The interior is beautiful and the staff were friendly. I'm a vegetarian so I ordered the creamy vegan ramen and it was delicious. Full of rich flavor!.The only downside to this restaurant is that the table we sat at wasn't clean. Granted, we did arrive at a busy time, so maybe that was the reason.”

“This is our favorite restaurant in Denver. Getting to have tempura is such a treat! This is a very gluten friendly restaurant, as most of their items, including their tempura, are gluten-free. We come here many times a year and love taking out of town guests. Their signature rolls are excellent! The green machine is our favorite, although we like them all. We love the cauliflower appetizer. Chelsea has been our server several times and she is wonderful. This place is a hidden gem of Denver!Dietary restrictions: I am gluten-free and can eat almost everything on the menu.”

“Just a block off Colorado and easy to access. Plenty of parking. Osaka delivered innovative sushi at reasonable prices. Friendly staff and prompt service. All our rolls were fresh and delicious. I highly recommend Osaka Sushi. We will be back.”

“I stepped in for a simple dinner I was greeted by the gentlemen behind the counter and sat at the bar which I enjoyed since I spent the night talking to the wonderful sushi rollers the have great talent and the food is fresh and prepped in a timely manner the udon was also”

“The sushi is fresh and flavorful. Great to sit at sushi bar and see the chefs put so much into each piece. Very friendly and talented. The service is friendly and quick! Great local business that should be embraced by the community! Best all around sushi experience in Denver! Ask for the specials, they are the best???”

“My wife and I love Fontana Sushi. We live in the neighborhood, and it is our go-to restaurant when we have a sitter and date night. This place doesn't need to put a bunch of fancy light fixtures or artsy chairs and tables to give you the impression of a great meal; the great meal is earned from the excellent sushi and wonderful customer service- from the lady that greets us at the door, to the servers and the sushi chefs behind the small counter. Their friendliness is contagious, my wife and I can go here and reliably relax and enjoy the moment without so much fuss. The sushi is outstanding- from the real wasabi and anything they recommend for the week, it is always fresh and flavorful, with a lot of options for a variety of tastes.We chuckle when we pass restaurants with lines nearby- they're missing out on great people and great food. Even on a Friday night, we rarely have to wait. Whether you're on a first date, or a night with the family give it a shot if in the neighborhood (unless you're a j**** then find a reservation-only place with a line and don't ruin this place's vibe!)Kid-friendliness: We would definitely consider bringing our kids- the gigantic fish tanks with goldfish are sure to keep the interest of any youngster!”

“Good restaurant overall, went for lunch on a Saturday. Had the takoyaki and tonkatsu ramen. Takoyaki were a good size, could’ve maybe been cooked a tad more, but was still super good. The tonkatsu was also super good, meat was delicious, I would’ve personally opted for a spicy version if they have one because the regular could’ve used a little something something. Restaurant could use a little updating but for the price of the food you can’t complain. They do not sell alcohol of any sort. Also make sure to check out the market/grocery store for unique drinks and snacks.”