We’re always here to help you navigate your way through the best noodles, dumplings, rice bowls, and other Asian dishes in Denver and beyond. Mile High Asian Food Week, founded in 2023 to help support the Colorado Asian Culture & Education Network, dives deep into longstanding culinary traditions and new ideas in Colorado’s Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

This year, the event offers great values and exclusive dining experiences from more than 70 restaurants, bars, food trucks, pop-ups, and other vendors from April 26 through May 3. To kick off the week, the organizers are throwing a preview party from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the Clayton Quad (3840 York St.). There will be food and drinks for sale from from Adobo, Bowl Society, Colorado Cocoa Pod, Mama Kim Malaysian Fusion, Now Pho, Onto Coffee, Red Bus Coffee, Sweet Thu’th Desserts, and WongWayVeg, plus arts and culture booths from Denver high school students. After that, here are 12 of the best ways to enjoy Mile High Asian Food Week.

Chaatwala

A tray of food from Chaatwala with cups of sauces beside it
Photo courtesy of Chaatwala

Pradyut Bansal was missing the Indian comfort food he grew up with—and, as it turned out, so were a lot of his compatriots living on the Front Range. So in 2023, Bansal launched Chaatwala—a combination of the word “chaat,” which are tangy Indian street snacks, and “wala,” meaning “expert”—a mobile street-food concept that has since gained a cult following. Consider Bansal your new wala, and check out his pop-ups happening during Asian Food Week.

First up: Bansal is cooking up something special at BearLeek (2611 Walnut St.) on April 26, when he’ll serve a Sapad, a traditional South Indian feast of 15 to 30 dishes spread out on banana leaves, family style. Tickets are $85 per person, and reservations are required. Then, on April 29, it’s the Tangra Take Over at MAKfam (39 W. First Ave.), where Bansal will serve pani puri (a crispy sphere filled with spiced potato and sauces) and other Indo-Chinese dishes alongside MAKfam chef Kenneth Wan from 4 to 9 p.m. Finally, indulge in dosa and other classic South Indian breakfast items at the City Park Farmer’s Market on May 2 and kati rolls (grilled meats and veggies served in flatbread wraps) at Die Die Must Try (250 Steele St.) on May 3.

Dae Bak Korean Restaurant

Korean fried chicken, japchae, and tteokbokki at Dae Bak. Photo by Sahale Greenwood
  • Where: 2648 S. Parker Road, Unit 11, Aurora
  • Cuisine: Korean

If Dae Bak Korean Restaurant isn’t on your radar yet, consider this your gentle nudge to bring your appetite to the graffiti-decorated Aurora eatery. The modest exterior opens into a cozy, K-pub–inspired space, where tables are outfitted with built-in burners for hot pot (aprons included if you commit), and string lights cast a low, night-market glow. For Asian Food Week, chef Kyung Soon Song, better known as Momma Song, is whipping up japchae, a popular Korean dish made with warm glass noodles tossed with carrots, mushrooms, thin ribbons of beef, and a sesame-based umami sauce. For $20, Daebak’s japchae comes as part of a trio along with a small order of cheesy tteokbokki—spicy, chewy rice cakes blanketed in fiery sauce and melty mozzarella—and six seriously crunchy fried chicken wings. The deal also includes a soda or other nonalcoholic drink, making this one of the better bangs for your buck this week.

Red Line Station

Outside Red Line Station, which includes Red Bus Coffee and Metro Pie Pizza. Photo by Sahale Greenwood
  • Where: 890 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood
  • Cuisine: Hong Kong–style pizza and beverages

During Mile High Asian Food Week, sample offerings from both Alice Choi’s Red Bus Coffee and her folks Ricky and Anna’s Metro Pie Pizza at this new dual concept—known collectively as Red Line Station—in Lakewood. For $25, get the Kowloon Express pizza (hoisin sauce, grilled chicken, green and red onion, and mozzarella), a cheesecakelike tofu pie, and a drink from Red Bus Coffee. For your beverage, choose from lychee-mint soda, yuenyeung latte (a blend of coffee, tea, and milk), and jasmine tea, among other options. Stop in for a visit with the charming owners or take advantage of the drive-thru if you’re short on time.

Yuan Wonton

Yuan Wonton Chili Wonton Popup at Bar Dough
Chile wontons. Courtesy of Yuan Wonton
  • Where: 2878 Fairfax St., Denver (North Park Hill)
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Chef Penelope Wong doesn’t play by the regular restaurant rules—like being open for dinner. Or on weekends. But that also means many Denverites outside of Yuan Wonton’s North Park Hill environs have never had the chance to stop in for lunch to enjoy her delicious menu of rotating dumplings and other dishes inspired by her Chinese and Thai roots. But during Asian Food Week, the restaurant will be open for dinner on Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1. Dinner will be Cantonese-themed—think: the house favorite chili oil wontons alongside specialties like Hong Kong–style “squirrel” fish, honey walnut prawns, cha siu pork, and Mongolian beef—with reservations available from 5 to 9 p.m. both nights. There will also be lunch specials such as black bean chicken dumplings, Singapore noodles, and Wong’s father’s blistered egg rolls and egg drop soup. (Also fun: On Tuesday, April 28, taste Vietnamese egg rolls based on a recipe from sous chef Ngoc Nguyen’s mom.)

Chopstix Asian Fusion

Clay pot stew
Bubbling clay pot stew at Chopstix Fusion. Photo by Mark Antonation
  • Where: 2020 S. Parker Rd., Denver (Four Square Mile)
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Tiny Chopstix houses both a Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine (with a few Sichuan specialties) and a bakery where you can order custom cakes. This is a great week to round up a group of up to six people for a six-course dinner for $88 per person that includes a scallion pancake, beef chow fun (the restaurant’s signature dish), seafood and tofu clay pot, hot and spicy chicken, fried rice with dried scallop and egg white, and dessert, which, if you’re lucky, will be owner Wendy Tong’s pandan chiffon cake. The dining room is modern but tiny, so call ahead (303-568-9852) or be prepared for a wait if you go during peak dinner hours.

Coffee Sarap

Filipino-inspired eats and drinks at Coffee Sarap. Photo by Mark Antonation
  • Where: 3460 Larimer St., Denver (RiNo)
  • Cuisine: Filipino

The colors and flavors of the Philippines come alive at this inviting cafe where the aroma of coffee mingles with pandesal (sweet buns) and savory empanadas. Beyond espresso drinks, Coffee Sarap stirs up a rainbow array of hot and cold beverages made with ube (purple sweet potato), pandan, matcha, lavender, and other bold and bright flavors. Owners Chelsey Solemsaas and Hannah Cambronero work with local Filipino ghost kitchen Paborito to serve chicken, beef, and longganisa (spicy pork sausage) breakfast burritos. This week, Paborito will also be making breakfast sandwiches on English muffins with longganisa, egg, and cheese, along with several off-menu specialty drinks. If you’re passionate about purple, there’s also an $8 special that includes a hot or cold ube latte and ube pandesal.

Dân Dã

Thao and An Nguyen at Dân Dã. Photo by Sarah Banks
  • Where: 9945 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
  • Cuisine: Vietnamese

An Nguyen, Chef of the Year winner at the Colorado Restaurant Association’s 2026 Hospy Awards, is cooking up a handful of Asian Food Week–only dishes at Dân Dã that all ring in at $24 or less. We’re most excited about the banana blossom salad (the julienned blossom looks similar to purple cabbage slaw and the flavor is indescribable but decidedly un-bananalike) and the Hanoi-style cha (grilled pork patty) banh mi, but the menu will also include charred lemongrass pork, flame-grilled five-spice chicken, and wok-seared pork noodles.

Kokoro

  • Where: 2390 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver (University Hills); 5535 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
  • Cuisine: Japanese

One of Denver’s longest running Japanese eateries is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. To match the theme, Kokoro owner Masaru “Mas” Torito is offering you 40 percent off your entire tab if you mention Mile High Asian Food Week when you place your order. The fast-casual favorite is known for its teriyaki bowls and noodle soups like the Splash—ramen-style broth and toppings over udon noodles—and stir fries like the Sobaghetti, a saucy bowl with bouncy yakisoba noodles. At this week’s prices, why not get both?

Mecha Noodle Bar

The fried chicken bao at Mecha Noodle Bar. Photo by Mark Antonation
  • Where: 2801 Walnut St., Denver (RiNo)
  • Cuisine: Southeast Asian

Two-year-old Mecha’s deep list of noodle bowls draws customers with the steamy aromas of pho and ramen, but the Connecticut-based eatery also offers a tempting lineup of other dishes. The deal this week is a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $25. Choose from four starters and five mains and then end with Bonnie’s Banana Pudding, a creamy blend of vanilla pudding, ube, banana chips, and vanilla wafers. Our recommendation: Start with the Korean fried chicken bao and then dig into the mala (numbing heat) stir fry, made with ground beef, broad rice noodles, cumin peanut sauce, and Chinese broccoli. Better grab a Mecha Mule or a strawberry matcha milk tea with that one.

Pig and Tiger

Inside Pig and Tiger. Photo courtesy of Pig and Tiger
  • Where: 2200 California St., Denver (Five Points)
  • Cuisine: Taiwanese

Pig and Tiger chef-owners Darren Chang and Travis Massar are keeping the doors open late at their hip Five Points Taiwanese eatery. From 9 p.m. to midnight April 23 through May 3, they’re hosting P & T Night Market with five exclusive dishes. You’ll find lamb or mushroom skewers, the Small Sausage in Big Sausage (Taiwanese pork sausage inside a cylinder of rice), mapo tofu walking tacos (yes, that means Fritos), and a sloppy Joe with zhajiang (spicy fermented black bean sauce) ragu and pickled mustard greens. If that’s not tempting enough, May 3 will also be Industry Night with beer-and-shot deals, specialty cocktails, and a TBA all-night happy hour menu.

Saigon Noodle Club

Samples of Saigon Noodle Club’s sinigang at the Mile High Asian Food Week preview. Photo by Mark Antonation
  • Where: Edgewater Public Market, 5505 W. 20th Ave., Edgewater
  • Cuisine: Vietnamese

Pho King Rapidos founders Long Nguyen and Shauna Seaman swapped out their Avanti Food & Beverage stall for a new concept at Edgewater Public Market last year, with pho as the star. But for Mile High Asian Food Week, they’re highlighting Filipino cuisine to let their kitchen staff shine. During Asian Food Week, try the Sinigang Sizzle, a wok-fried version of a Filipino soup made with flat noodles, beef, and a tangy tamarind-based sauce. Also look for Seaman’s creative desserts, which might include gluten-free banh bo (like a springy bundt cake) or rainbow butter mochi.

Yong Gung

Korean fried chicken at Yong Gung. Photo by Mark Antonation
  • Where: 2040 S. Havana St., Aurora
  • Cuisine: Korean-Chinese

Yong Gung stands out among Aurora’s many Korean restaurants for specializing in Chinese dishes as they evolved in Korea. Our favorites include jajangmyeon, thick wheat noodles in inky black bean sauce, and jjampong, a fiery seafood noodle soup. But the Korean fried chicken here is among the best in town, and familiar dishes like lo mein and sweet and sour pork taste distinct from their Chinese-American counterparts. This week, get 10 percent off your tab when you mention Mile High Asian Food Week.