Denver's Asian American Culture

The Mile High City’s Asian community is small but mighty. While there are only about 260,000 Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian (AAPINH) individuals living in Colorado, the cultures of Vietnam, Japan, Thailand and other countries across Asia are a major part of Denver’s rich international tapestry. Here’s where and how to celebrate the history, culture and food of the city’s AAPINH communities.

Events

Each May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated with local events and festivities. See our events calendar to find out what's happening.

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is one of the city's most popular events of the year. More than 200,000 gather annually at Sloan’s Lake to watch dragon boat races and a packed lineup of entertainment. Plus, local vendors provide delicious cuisine. You'll also see stunning skyline and mountain views from this idyllic setting on the water. The festival provides lots of fun learning experiences for the whole family.

Other events include Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn festivals at the Far East Center; Sakura Square’s Denver Cherry Blossom Festival; and the Colorado Korean Culture Festival.

Arts & Culture

After the fall of Saigon in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War, about 10,000 Vietnamese refugees settled in Denver.

Many of them opened businesses on South Federal Boulevard — including the Luong family, who founded the Far East Center in 1986 as a hub for Asian communities and cultures. Stop at the shopping and dining plaza, which was placed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties by the History Colorado Center in 2024, to browse for products and trinkets imported from across Asia at Truong An Gifts. Then pop next door to grab a banh mi sandwich at Vinh Xuong Bakery and some Chinese-style egg tarts and sesame balls from Celestial Bakery.

To dig into the Mile High City’s Japanese history, venture to Sakura Square in the heart of Lower Downtown (LoDo), which was once a thriving Japantown until the 1950s. Denver was a popular destination for Japanese Americans during and after World War II, thanks to the reputation of the state’s governor, Ralph Carr, who welcomed them to Colorado. While most of LoDo’s Japanese-owned businesses were displaced as a result of the redevelopment of the city’s center in 1967, some of them relocated to Sakura Square, which became an important place for Colorado’s Japanese community. The complex still encompasses the 78-year-old Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, Tamai Tower Apartments, a garden and Pacific Mercantile (the plaza’s only remaining original tenant).

Visitors can also view temporary and permanent exhibits related to AAPINH culture and history at History Colorado Center and the Denver Art Museum. Also check out Konbini Denver, an immersive Japanese convenience store experience at the Source Hotel.

Bars, Restaurants & More

Gain appreciation for the flavors and dining traditions of countries across Asia — and satisfy your appetite — at one of Denver’s many stellar restaurants.

If you’re craving Japanese, Sushi Den, Ototo and Izakaya Den on South Pearl Street serve sushi and sashimi made with fish flown in daily from Japan and a variety of hot and cold small plates and entrées. Or head to Daughter Thai Kitchen and Bar to dig into beautifully plated versions of takeout favorites and other rarer-in-Denver Thai specialities.

For Chinese, venture to Star Kitchen or Super Star Asian Cuisine for dim sum and other share-worthy plates (don’t miss the seafood dishes) on South Federal Boulevard.

A Vietnamese meal (or two) is also a must when you’re in town. Sap Sua on East Colfax is a great option if you’re looking for a more high-end take on the cuisine of Vietnam, while Pho Duy, Viet’s and New Saigon Bakery & Deli are locals’ favorite casual options.

Get a taste of Korean bar fare at Mono Mono KFC, a hot spot to pair brews or soju with crispy fried chicken and other Korean-style pub grub. Need a pick-me-up?

Pop into Tí Cafe on North Broadway, Denver’s only dedicated Vietnamese coffee shop. Or if you’re a fan of boba, Tea Street on South Colorado Boulevard or Die Die Must Try are both family-owned tea and juice shops.