
Japango
A lively, modern Japanese restaurant on Pearl Street, renowned for its exceptional sushi, creative cocktails, and vibrant late-night scene.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Japango

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A lively, modern Japanese restaurant on Pearl Street, renowned for its exceptional sushi, creative cocktails, and vibrant late-night scene.
Sushi Bar Seating
Reserve a spot at the sushi bar to watch chefs at work and get personalized recommendations.
Happy Hour Fun
Visit Friday/Saturday nights for late-night happy hour with deals, DJ music, and a lively scene.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Artful Sushi Bar Experience
Witness the culinary artistry of talented sushi chefs like Ghana Gurung, creating a visually stunning and delicious experience.

Award-Winning Cocktails
Savor inventive and original cocktails crafted by skilled bartenders, complemented by a vast selection of Japanese whiskeys.

Lively Late-Night Happy Hour
Enjoy a bustling atmosphere with DJ music and great deals on food and drinks every Friday and Saturday night starting at 10 PM.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Sushi Bar Seating
Reserve a spot at the sushi bar to watch chefs at work and get personalized recommendations.
Happy Hour Fun
Visit Friday/Saturday nights for late-night happy hour with deals, DJ music, and a lively scene.
Order Strategically
Start with lighter rolls and progress to more flavorful fish to fully appreciate the taste.
Be Prepared for Waits
Busy times can mean delays; consider visiting during off-peak hours if time is a concern.
Tips
from all over the internet
Sushi Bar Seating
Reserve a spot at the sushi bar to watch chefs at work and get personalized recommendations.
Happy Hour Fun
Visit Friday/Saturday nights for late-night happy hour with deals, DJ music, and a lively scene.
Order Strategically
Start with lighter rolls and progress to more flavorful fish to fully appreciate the taste.
Be Prepared for Waits
Busy times can mean delays; consider visiting during off-peak hours if time is a concern.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Japango offers a vibrant dining experience with exceptionally fresh and artfully presented sushi, praised for its quality and creativity. Reviewers often highlight the award-winning cocktails and attentive service, making it a popular spot on Pearl Street. However, some diners have noted inconsistencies in quality and value, with occasional concerns about hygiene and preparation.
"Really lovely sushi spot! Amazing service, cool vibe, and great fish. Good variety of classic and unique rolls. We also did the quail egg oyster shooter which was sick. Our waiter was so awesome."
Ava Johns
"Our server, Juanita, was the sweetest and most attentive person. Her recommendations were spot on. Everything we ate was delicious. We had the Sakai roll and the Kitsune's Kiss (pictured). The Sakura Cherry Blossom tea was perfect."
Meagan Rodriguez
"It is perfectly fine. Happy hour all-day Mondays (although nothing happy about $8 well drinks.) I have been here a few times over the years. I do not think the quality and price match. The two of us recently spent over a hundred on happy hour for a few hand rolls, hamachi, two drinks, and some potstickers. Oh, and one oyster shot. We understand we aren’t necessarily filling up on small bites like this and are paying for speciality food, but I’ve paid less for more and better fish. The ‘specialty roll’ was the most underwhelming of all. Drinks are always yum."
Katherine D
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Japango is known for its exceptional sushi and sashimi, creative specialty rolls, and award-winning cocktails. Signature appetizers like Lobster Potstickers are also popular.
Yes, Japango has a lively late-night happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 10 PM with deals on food and drinks.
Yes, reserving a spot at the sushi bar is highly recommended to witness the chefs' artistry and receive personalized service.
Diners suggest starting with lighter rolls and progressing to more flavorful fish to best appreciate the taste of each dish.
Yes, Japango is accommodating to food allergies and dietary needs, with options for vegetarian and gluten-free diners.
Absolutely! Friday and Saturday nights feature a bustling atmosphere with a DJ, making it a popular spot for late-night dining and dancing.
Japango boasts award-winning bartenders, a large selection of Japanese whiskeys, and a variety of creative cocktails.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Getting the best out of Boulder on a budget
Mountain Sub Pub & Brewery has a happy hour that includes $5 pizzas and $3.50 flagship beers, while T/ACO offers $2.50 street tacos, $3.50 draft beers and $4.50 house margaritas, and Japango offers $2 off special sushi rolls and $4 to $8 off bar menu items. Check out this list of all the downtown happy hours for more options!
Best Doughnuts at a Non-Doughnut Shop 2016 | My Wife's Donuts | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver
Cheerful, bright and comfortably modern, Japango is one of the most inviting Japanese joints around, partly because the fifteen-year-old eatery has been on the Pearl Street Mall long enough to get it right. The staff could not be more accommodating (for instance, if you have a food allergy, no one makes you feel like a criminal), and if you're not a sushi fan, the eatery has a large enough selection of non-fish foods (including a beautifully grilled eight-ounce filet served with yuzu asparagus and a toothsome teriyaki chicken) that a variety of palates feel welcome. The sushi is always expertly carved and presented, and our favorite of the tapas-style appetizers here is the miso-marinated black cod, one lushly textured and intensely flavored snack.
The 6 Best Places to Dance in Boulder
Japango serves some of the best sushi Boulder has to offer (and we’ve got quite a bit), with award-winning bartenders concocting delicious and original cocktails round the clock, as well as the largest selection of Japanese whiskeys you’ll find around. And on Friday and Saturday nights, they’ve got a bustling late-night happy hour, with deals on food and drinks, as well as a different DJ each night to spin the tunes you can dance that fish off to. Starting at 10 pm both nights each week, Japango becomes a hot spot for cutting a rug till the wee hours.
Best Japanese Restaurants and cuisines in Boulder Colorado
Japango, located on the iconic Pearl Street in Boulder, offers a modern Japanese dining experience that includes a wide range of options from sushi and sashimi to Japanese tapas. The restaurant features a lively atmosphere with a variety of seating options including a front bar, a sushi bar where guests can watch chefs at work, and a cozy lounge area. With a commitment to fresh ingredients and creative culinary techniques, Japango invites diners to explore a menu that blends traditional Japanese dishes with contemporary flavors.
Best of Boulder 2019 — Food
Sitting at the sushi bar at a Japanese restaurant is most often the result of a long wait for a table. But since discovering Ghana Gurung, we have started reserving our favorite spot at the north end of Japango’s sushi bar so we can witness up-close Ghana’s artistry as a sushi chef, enjoy the extraordinary service he provides and hear stories of his native Nepal. Ghana is not only a world-class sushi chef, but once you get to know him, you may find your sushi order arriving before you’ve had a chance to fill out the form.
Boulder Restaurants with Patios, Rooftops and Views
The ornate, jewel-box-like Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse was hand-carved and painted in Tajikistan and presented as a gift to Boulder. Its front patio is as spectacular as the teahouse itself, fragrant with blooming rose bushes in summer and accompanied by the murmurs of Boulder Creek, and their menu was celebrated by the MICHELIN Guide. River and Woods extends their concept of elevated family favorites to the backyard, where heavy log furniture invites guests to settle in and enjoy.
Top Boulder Sushi Restaurants
Japango is a local Boulder restaurant that specializes in sushi and sake. The restaurant strives to provide its patrons with an authentic sushi experience and is known for providing unique tips and tricks for making the sushi meal more enjoyable. For example, Japango recommends that its diners start with lighter rolls then move progressively toward more flavorful fish, so as not to overpower the taste buds too early.
The 8 Best Lunch Specials in Boulder
You’ll wish all lunch was served in boxes after tasting Japango’s $14 bento—one of the best deals on Pearl Street. Only available from noon to 2 p.m., it features a daily entrée like Japanese shrimp dumplings with a four-piece California sushi roll, mound of vegetable tempura, miso soup, green salad, and a cup of white rice. For only $2 to $3 more, you can swap the main for a meat or salmon teriyaki.
Taste of Pearl Celebrates Seven Years Highlighting Boulder Restaurants, Colorado Wineries and Downtown Boulder Boutiques
Attendees will savor bite size samples from participating restaurants: Aji Latin American Restaurant, Centro Latin Kitchen, Flagstaff House, Frasca Food & Wine, Japango, Jax Fish House, Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro, Leaf Vegetarian, OAK at Fourteenth, Pizzeria Locale, Riffs Urban Fare, SALT the Bistro, Spruce Farm & Fish, West End Tavern and Wild Standard.
These are the 10 best restaurants in Boulder, ranked by local expert
Enjoy fine sushi and Japanese cuisine in contemporary-styled Asian surroundings. Appetizers include salmon kasuzuke marinated in miso, green lip mussels, New Zealand mussels served with the chef's special sauce, and lobster pot stickers with a pesto cream sauce. Entrees include beef, chicken and vegetable tempura, salmon teriyaki, sushi, and sashimi.
Paleo, Gluten-Free, or Vegan? These Boulder, CO Restaurants Have You Covered
Japango is a Japanese staple in Boulder, and their impressive sushi menu means lots of options for guests who are gluten-free. Not just a great choice for special diets, Japango also provides some of the most authentic Japanese cuisine in the area. Their sake bar imports some of Japan’s top brands, and their outdoor patio is a nice change of pace.
8 Beautiful Restaurants in Boulder with Stunning Views
So popular is Japango that there are now two locations in Colorado – one in Boulder and one in Fort Collins. And once you’ve paid a visit, it’s easy to understand why. The lively atmosphere combined with expertly crafted sushi, served in truly eye-catching presentations, makes this the ideal destination for dates and large groups alike.
11 Best Japanese Restaurants in Boulder Colorado
Situated in the bustling heart of Boulder, Japango is a melting pot of flavors and experiences. With its modern decor and lively ambiance, it invites guests to dive deep into a contemporary Japanese dining spectacle. At the helm of the kitchen is a team of expert chefs who craft dishes with both flair and authenticity.
Kate’s gluten-free guide!
When I come here, I can't resist starting with their gluten-free Miso soup and edamame. After enjoying these appetizers, I dive into their sushi selection, always choosing the California Roll and the New Orleans Roll, both gluten-free friendly and obviously paired with a side of Tamari (gluten-free soy sauce).
The Absolute Best Sushi in Boulder [Updated 2025]
Japango is truly a gem among the sushi restaurants in Boulder. It offers an impressive selection of sushi options that are nothing short of fantastic. From the moment I entered the restaurant, I was greeted warmly by the friendly staff and was immediately drawn to the enticing aromas wafting from the kitchen.
Local Restaurants in Boulder, CO
Whether you’re familiar with Japanese food or trying it for the first time, Japango has something delicious for you. With lots of variety and fun flavors, we recommend bento boxes for takeout lunches. The daily special bentos have a featured entree, 4-piece California roll, and vegetable tempura.
Top 10 Places to Eat Around CU Boulder
Located on Pearl Street, Japango has some of the best sushi you can find. When you walk in, you’re greeted with a modernly elegant atmosphere by friendly and outgoing staff. Equipped with jellyfish tanks around the room, the incredible ambiance is met by extraordinary and unique food.
Experience the Nightlife in Boulder – A Guide
Japango combines the best of both worlds with its fusion of Asian cuisine and creative cocktails. This trendy lounge offers a variety of sushi rolls, small plates, and handcrafted drinks. Be sure to try their signature cocktails, such as the Lychee Martini or the Sake Mojito.
Ideas for fun dates in Boulder : boulder
Ku-Cha has a better selection of tea than Dushanbe Teahouse. The food at Dushanbe is mediocre at best. The nicest thing about that place is how it is painted.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit