Denver: Osaka Ramen


 When your best friend opens a restaurant, 
you say congratulations.  
When he opens two restaurants in a short period, 
you say Wow, congratulations!
When you know it's going to be really good, 
you hop on a plane and congratulate him in person!

Chef / Owner Jeff Osaka of Osaka Ramen 
and I have been friends for a long long time. 
I've been looking forward to checking
out his latest restaurant opening.
 Or should I say two restaurant openings? 

Both restaurants located in Denver.  It was good
to see him, his family, and a few friends
to catch up and have some good eats... 

The space at the RiNo location is underground,
just like some of the ramen shops in Japan.
It's a very cool space with seating options;
long table, bar, and smaller tables.

See What Jay Eats...

 Green Beans
chilled green beans, fresh ground sesame seeds, 
and shoyu-sesame dressing.

It had that familiar taste that we grew up with...


 Okonomiyaki Fries
shoestring french fries with yak sauce, kewpie mayo,
furikake, and bonito flakes.

Okonomiyaki is an Osaka-style (as in Osaka, Japan)
pancake filled with shrimp, squid, green onions, etc.
 and grilled.  It's topped with a sweet Worcestershire-type
sauce, Japanese kewpie mayo, and bonito flakes. 

The flavor of this reminded me of Japanese summer
festivals, I could've eaten the whole plate...


 Oysters
panko dusted oysters with a yuzu tartar sauce
and greens in a lettuce cup.

The oyster was juicy and served with dressed greens
in a lettuce cup, which made it easy to eat.

Another must order is the Chicken Kara Age
(Japanese fried chicken), a citrus-shoyu marinated
fried chicken with ginger, garlic, scallion, and served
with a spicy mayo.  This dish has been listed on
many articles and I do agree it should be a must try!
(I just figured to highlight other menu items).


 Osaka Ramen has 5 different ramen on the menu
(shio, shoyu, vegetable, spicy miso, and tonkotsu).
I opted for the "Special" with a chicken and pork broth,
served with pork, a soft egg, local corn, and butter.

Aside from being one of my best friends,
this is one of the best balanced ramen's that
I've had in a long time.  Besides being flavorful,
the addition of local summer corn and butter
made the dish even better.

If ramen isn't your thing...
Osaka Ramen has bento boxes too.
(but I was here for ramen)


 My Wife's Donuts
mochi donuts with kinako sugar and served
with salted butter.

A nice donut twist with mochi
and another must order menu item.


I do agree, it was Oishii.

When in Denver, checkout Osaka Ramen!


Osaka Ramen
(Two Denver Locations)

RiNo
2611 Walnut Street
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 955-7938

Cherry Creek
2817 East 3rd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206 
(303) 524-9229


For a additional info, menu, hours, etc.


Menus may vary per location



Thank You!



NOTE:  I was a guest of Osaka Ramen.
I thank them for the invitation and hospitality.
All comments and opinions are strictly my own.



Photos by Jay Terauchi
Jay Eats Worldwide
©Jay Terauchi

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