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)
(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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