Uoki isn't a 5 star restaurant, but it is a cozy neighborhood restaurant that has fast and friendly service, delicious food and reasonable prices = 5 Yelp stars. I personally love their kimchi fried rice (sorry traditional Korean food lovers) and pork bulgolgi. As others have noted, this is not a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant (what gave it away, the half Japanese menu?), but they serve GOOD food! Good enough for me.
(5)
Robin M.
I'm tempted to give this place five stars because our unadventurous friend loved his bul-go-gi -- hooray! He'd never tried Korean food and now is willing. But I'll stick with four for now and see what future visits bring. The menu offers a bit more variety in Japanese food than many of our local sushi restaurants and features quite passable sushi too. Having a Korean menu beside it adds to the fun. No barbecue grill on the table, but they have be-bim-bob, soups, meats, quite a variety. We started with a California roll to test the sushi since the reviews were mixed. Quite nice. My son spotted fried goon-man-du dumplings on the appetizer menu so we had to try those -- we are dumpling junkies! I'm glad he spotted them because they were delicious and quite different from Chinese dumplings in filling, featuring beef, napa cabbage, and spices. For dinner, we all tried our friend's bul-go-gi; very very good. Son's girlfriend had sushi including a Fame and Fortune roll, a roll with eel, and salmon nigiri that looked like it should model in a magazine and matched the appearance with great taste, texture, and freshness. She loved that. Son had dak-jim, described as fall-off-the-bone-tender chicken marinated in soy, ginger, garlic, and onions. It was served with a delectable dipping sauce and was indeed tender and delicious. I had a giant bowl of duk-mandu-cook, beef brisket broth with more of the Korean dumplings, boiled this time; shredded beef; and sliced rice cake -- a very interesting texture, almost meaty. We enjoyed our varied choices, the price was an excellent value, and the service was friendly and faultless. There's an outdoor seating area too.
(4)
Luke H.
Great mom and pop sushi. Best sushi in town for the price. Highly recommend. Say hi to mark the owner he's very friendly and accommodating. My favorite rolls are typically the specials.
(5)
Devon B.
Very blan flavorless soup. Sushi is chewy and small. Waitress has very little knowledge about the menu. Owner is Alex and he is not very personable. Very expensive for below average quality food and service.
(2)
Jb H.
Awesome dinner. Great for kids and families. Pleasantly surprised by sushi quality and portion. This place is a great neighborhood ethnic option.
(4)
Lindsay B.
My boyfriend an I come here often for the Kimchi soup. This local restaurant has a lot of culture and class and is well deserving of its customers. I highly recommend this place. If you're in the mood for Japanese or Korean, you will find yourself at home.
(5)
Todd B.
I'm sort of a regular here since we live so close. And even though I've been here probably 30 times now, I usually order the same thing. The sushi is OK but not worth going of your way for. I come here for the Japanese and Korean entrees, which are good. One unusual thing about this place: they have metal chopsticks, not wood or plastic. I love the salad dressing they use on their basic green salad, too.
(4)
Angela A.
My friend and I tried to come here on a Sunday for lunch, they were closed. I was really upset because it looked so good. This is one of her and her husbands favorite places, and they both lived in Korea, she's actually Korean so I know when she says it's good, it's good. I do want to go with them some day to explore the menu a bit more. When I did make it for lunch my friend I was with was not that into trying new dishes and experimenting. We mostly got sushi and shared some kim-chi fried rice. The kim-chi is made in house and it was fantastic. I had actually been craving that dish for weeks and was about to make it on my own, with store bought kim-chi. My friend really liked it and boy, so did I! We found some very creative rolls on the menu that we enjoyed. The one that stands out the most and was both of our favorites was a roll with spicy tuna topped with seaweed salad. Our server said it was her favorite roll too. There were a lot of rolls to choose from. It didn't seem like we ordered a lot but when the server brought out our plate it was huge. Each roll had so many pieces but they were on the small side. The prices were reasonable. I really hope to get back and try out some more of the Korean dishes. If you are going to try this place out, go with an open mind, or a friend who has an open mind!
(4)
Rob L.
I love going to thus local neighborhood restaurant. It has amazing Bulgogi. It always has great Korean beer, so just and even sake. It is a great place to enjoy a meal and a night out.
(5)
Sara C.
As you walk up to the restaurant you'll see "Seoul Food" on the window. I have been here a few times and really enjoy the sushi and Korean food here. The service is great and the prices are amazing. Took away 2 stars because the sashimi pieces are rather small compared to other sushi places I have been to, but the fish are super fresh!! Even though pricing is good the some of the pieces are half the size I get elsewhere with similar pricing and thinner too. One great thing is that you get a variety of Japanese and Korean dishes that you can totally mix it up, can't say that about other Japanese restaurants. I would come back but maybe not for their sashimi.
(3)
Amanda D.
A few years back I was a teacher in South Korea. I never become fluent in the language, so I was hungry for the first few weeks I was there. Then I learned how to order the traditional Korean foods I came to love such as kimchi chigae and bibimbap. Now that I am back in Denver I get some serious cravings. I was delighted to find this great place very close to home and with the same flavors I came to love. Plus everything is better with Saki!
(5)
adam a.
We live just up the street and have been here a few times. We love the pork pork bulgogi and chicken udong.
(4)
Rachel B.
Went here with the parents. My father, who's half Korean, loved it! Although the kimchi wasn't quite as good as his mom's, it was pretty close. Great short ribs. Definitely coming back with friends.
(4)
Lisa G.
Don't bother going if you're looking for good Korean food. I was very disappointed in my Bulgogi and my husband's sushi wasn't that great either. I was very bummed because I had been trying to find a good Korean restaurant since moving here from San Francisco. I guess I'll have to keep looking.
(2)
Richard R.
Everything about this place is A-OK. The service can be a bit slow even if it's not a super busy time of day. But, the employees are still nice so I can't bag on them too much. The sushi is decent although I can't give too high of a rating. It seems a bit expensive for standard sushi but at least the Unagi was tasty. Always go with Unagi and you'll know if the place is worth your time. There are some pretty good beers available. I would like to try some of the fusion dishes but I usually stick to the sushi. Maybe on the next try I'll be more experimental. I find the space to be a bit cramped, especially if you sit at the bar. There's not a lot of counter/bar space so with dishes, drinks, and utensils there's hardly room left for anything else. Let's just call it "intimate." Location is tops and really convenient for those of us on the hill. Parking is best when found on the street and then you can always hop over to Don's for a few strong drinks for dessert :-)
(3)
Lauren B.
OMG....Tempura Cheesecake!! It's one of the best desserts that I have ever had! Honestly, the food is always excellent. I had chicken fried rice, which I'm usually really picky about, for the first time at Uoki last night, and it was quite savory. It's true....The place is a little bit small (and sometimes gets crowded), but even when that happens, the food is still excellent. I lived in South Korea for a year and the Korean food at Uoki (I often order the bulgogi) tastes exactly like the food in Korea, which is delicious. Did I mention Tempura Cheesecake? The cheesecake simply melts in your mouth. Four layers of fatty heaven-filled goodness: 1st layer = chocolate syrup. 2nd layer=whipped cream. 3rd layer=fried tempura awesomeness. 4th layer=creamy vanilla cheesecake. Worth. Every. Calorie.
(5)
Marilee F.
Best sushi I've ever had!! Mark is the greatest! The service is also great, very attentive! Thanks Mark!!
(5)
Rick S.
Bottom Line - The food was so awful that I don't think I could bring myself to come back to give them a second chance... I normally would give 1 star, but most of what we ordered was edible, so I'll give 2. The quality of the food was something I'd expect from a Korean food stand in the mall food court. If you want Korean, I recommend checking out one of the places in Aurora. I came on Tuesday, 12 July 2011 for dinner with a friend because I was in a rice mood. We ordered the following: Bulgogi ($9.95) - My friend liked this but I did not. The marinade was off, and the quality of the meat was definitely shitty, imo. Pork bulgogi ($9.95) - I liked this more than the bulgoi. If I *had* to come here again, I'd probably just order this again, though it's not the best spicy pork I've had, it's edible. Volcano roll ($11.00) - The description was basically a California roll with hotate (scallop) and spicy may, which sounded good. When it came, it came piping hot direct from a microwave oven and was totally not what I thought it would be. We only ate a few pieces. It was pretty disgusting. Tea ($1.89 x 2) - They charge per person, but it's all one teapot (with one bag of tea leaves). I was hugely annoyed by this. Extra Rice ($1.50) - We actually did not order extra rice, just a bowl to put our existing rice (that came with the two meals) in. I don't like eating rice off a plate, so I asked for a bowl. The server brought us a bowl with rice in it, then charged us for it. I didn't say anything because the meal had already been an awful experience. Our bill came to 36.18 + 2.95 tax + 7.00 tip = 46.13 total for the two of us. Service was not too attentive, and the ambiance was okay. The star rating is solely on the quality of the food.
(2)
Jake B.
There are two things that I have tried here and they are both outstanding. The Bibimbap (stone) and the Kim Chi Soup. Both outstanding dishes. I have not tried the sushi but based on how it looks coming out, I will pry pass. Doesn't look bad but looks like average sushi while they have amazing Korean. No reason to stray from either of those two menu items! Place could use some updating of decor but I usually only go when I am craving their food. Not on a nice date.
(4)
Dallas L.
Best ever!! Mark is Awesome!!! We only come here! Great prices and amazing specials! Tempura cheesecake!
(5)
Chris C.
I love Uoki. The owner is amazing and makes you feel like you're eating in his home. The salad dressing is a secret recipe and I could drink it plain. So yummy. The Korean dishes are delicious, the roles are so fresh and served at the perfect temperature. Don't miss this great neighborhood gem!
(5)
Steve H.
Stone Bowl Be-bim-bob was sooo good! Best cold weather meal ever! Thanks for taking such good care of our party of 7!
(5)
Sara G.
Although this good restaurant is now called Uoki, it will always be Seoul Food to me. I've been eating here forever, although not so much in recent years. We recently went back as we had a hankering for Bul Go Gi, Bi Bim Bop and Goon Man Du, and we weren't disappointed. Hubby tried the Bi Bim Bop in a stone bowl (and extra $1.50) and it was so good! The bowl really did caramelize the onions and veggies, and it certainly kept the yummy food hot. My pork Bul Go Gi was tender and spicy and so delicious. Both entrees came with your choice of soup or salad, which is a good deal for approximately $10.00. We both chose the chicken curry soup, and loved the addition of the Korean sirracha to kick it up a notch. The Goon Man Du were also good, pork and cabbage dumplings with a yummy spicy vinegar sauce. Overall it was a great meal. Uoki also serves Japanese food and sushi. I know we've tried the terryaki before (for our kid) and thought it was good. I would have tried the soy-miso salmon, but I was craving Korean. You really should try this gem of a restaurant.
(4)
Julio T.
When I recently ate here, I had a conversation with my girlfriend about why this place does both Japanese and Korean. I thought it was because the cuisines were similar, but as my girlfriend pointed out, they really aren't that similar and it's most likely because people in Denver aren't super familiar with Korean cuisine so they try to expand the palette to have more customers. Makes sense to me. And it's definitely true that Korean food is quite a bit different than Japanese. I haven't experienced much of the former, but was glad that Uoki was able to provide a decent tutorial in peninsular cuisine. I had the bi bim bop which was rice and veggies cooked up in a hot stone pot so that the rice became kind of crispy and everything is kept nice and hot, enough to cook a raw egg that they put in the bowl right before they serve it. It was definitely a dish you wanted to eat slowly. The food is quite hot, especially as you get closer to the bottom of the bowl. It was quite tasty though the tofu I got with mine was a bit bland. I preferred the bite of shrimp I stole from my girlfriend. Dinner was served with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the simple salad dressed with a wonderful sesame vinaigrette, one of my favorite types of dressings, done very well. My girlfriend said that she had better Korean elsewhere, but that Uoki was still pretty good. For me, it was an excellent primer to an unfamiliar food, and I'll definitely be back to check it out.
(4)
Lynsey S.
Very good sushi, creative menu, and the friendliest sushi chef! They have a different roll that's on special every day that isn't on the regular menu... One time it had green chilies in it which turned out to be amazing!
(4)
Mishell S.
This place has the best sushi I've ever had. I formerly waited tables here, and although I don't think the female staff is always treated adequately, the food is excellent. If you like Seafood, I highly recommend the Soon Tofu Soup. Another tasty soup is the Kimchi. Whether or not you've tried Kimchi, I think it's worth trying. In terms of sushi, I love the popeye roll (deep-fried sweet potato and spinach topped with ginger dressing) another tasty roll is the Cherry Blossom. Topped with lemon slices, it is great for a citrus-freak like me. It's a bit of a bummer that I left on poor terms, otherwise I would go to this place every pay check!
(4)
Dr S.
The lady and I needed a quick dinner, so we sauntered up two blocks from my house and went to Uoki. We both ordered veggie noodle dishes, udon and soba, and this came with soup or salad. We each got the chicken curry soup. The curry soup was ok at best, rather bland with no real curry kick. When the food came the veggie soba noodle dish that we ordered came with chicken instead of being veggie. We were in a rush so instead of re-cooking it, we just cancelled the order and split the udon dish. It was fair. It was over-sauced, salty and didn't bring that much to the party. When we received the bill the soba noodle dish was not on there, but they charged for the second soup. This seemed wrong to me. When I piped up about it the waitress simply said I have to charge you for it. Since we were only talking about $3 or so I did not put up a fight, but unfortunately for them they lost a customer who lives within walking distance. The deal left a bad taste in my mouth and I will not be going back. I have been there a few times before and the food was always fine. Nothing exceptional, but a nice change in the neighborhood.
(2)
Taylor S.
I recently visited Uoki and was not impressed. I ordered bulgogi, and it came out with one scoop rice, and blanched broccoli and carrots. I was required to pay extra for kimchee. If you are used to a tradition Korean restaurant where you get cucumber kimchee, fish cake, etc this is not the place to go. There is also not much parking.
(2)
Christy L.
Definitely our new favorite, inexpensive sushi joint. Our favorite roll of the night was the HalCal. But be warned it has a tiny sting to it for those sensitive to spice. Can't wait to go back and try the Korean dishes like Sang-choo-sam or Bi-bim-bob. We tried out the hot saki and found it a great accompaniment to our sushi. We started our meal with the "lightly salted" edamame. It did have quite a bit of salt on it but we like it that way. With the appetizer, I had the ginger tea. Absolutely amazing. So full of a fruity, flowery, ginger flavor. But not too much ginger to make it spicy hot. We will most certainly be going back soon!
(4)
Tiffany N.
After reading the rest of the reviews for this place I'm going to have to go back and try the Korean food here. I went last night and had sushi and I was way less than impressed with the food. It wasn't terrible, but my spicy tuna roll had something I couldn't really identify mixed in there. It had the consistency of onions (which I hate), but there wasn't a strong flavor. I've been pondering this mystery all day. Was it cucumbers? Jicama? Just really bland onions? I may never know. The point is it threw the whole roll off for me. I didn't like that it was crunchy. And I didn't like the small bit of flavor it did add to the roll. The restaurant itself is small and cozy with super friendly staff and a very laid back atmosphere. There is a small sushi bar that would probably seat about 8 people I'm guessing. And the patio is probably nice to take advantage of in the summertime. So, I guess when this summer rolls around I'll have to go back and try something from the Korean portion of their menu.
(3)
paul s.
Maybe I caught em on an off day. The food and service were okay, just nothing outstanding
(3)
Matt F.
I went here the other day with my wife and in-laws. The experience overall was just okay. The server was somewhat rude, and the food was very mixed. The seaweed on my sushi roll was falling off, and very dry. My main dish was extremely bland, which maybe is what I should have expected from a "vegetarian" dish? Not sure. I say "vegetarian" in quotation marks, because it wasn't really (see below for more details). The biggest problem was that my wife is allergic to shrimp and when we told our server this he seemed cognizant enough to understand what we were saying, but then proceeded to give her a dish of food with fried shrimp in it. When we told him she couldn't eat it, he told us to pick out the shrimp. He refused to have the dish made again, and argued with us for about 2 or 3 minutes, until out of frustration I suggested my wife and I switch food. He agreed this was a good idea and walked away. What he failed to tell either of us when we were ordering my supposed vegetarian entree, or during our argument, was that my food had shrimp sauce in it as well. This became obvious after eating some of it, so fortunely my wife didn't go into anaphylactic shock and die as she only had a couple of bites. I might attribute this to a possible language barrier, but the server seemed well versed in english, and regardless of whether or not a barrier was present, every restaurant should be prepared for allergen situations, even if that situation is, "You probably shouldn't eat here, sorry." Instead we recieved vague answers and stubborn rudeness. Hopefully this review doesn't come across as embittered as a result of a near-death experience, as I've been here by myself on two other seperate occasions (due to convenience) and wasn't overly impressed any of the times. It's okay sushi for Colorado, and not really worth your time if you've had really good sushi or Korean food. You're better off going down the block to Mt. Fuji. The food is good and the owner is amazing.
(2)
Michael S.
How much would you hate the chef telling you it's your imagination when you complain the salmon skin is soggy, not crisp, but as you leave after paying he says: "next time salmon skin crisp." He might was well have said "haha...you pay me good money to eat this crap...hahaha." There won't be a next time.
(2)
Michelle S.
Went here for dinner. I had the hot stone dish and hubby had something else that I can't remember. It was good, nothing to write home about. I thought it was overly salty and I like salt. I'm glad that we remembered to stop in here as it had been on our "to eat at" list for a while. I could possibly be persuaded to come back in and give it a second chance...possibly.
(3)
Sarah M.
This place is fine, but I have to say I am a bit stumped by the glowing reviews. I had the bi bim bop and it was SO boring. I am not a Korean food aficionado, but I would expect all the ingredients to at least be hot. The carrots tasted like they had been cooked, then refrigerated, and then not reheated. I had the chicken with the brown rice and there was not a single distinguishing feature.... As in no flavor. It tasted like chicken, brown rice and vegetables I could get at home. My partner got the beef bulgogi and that at least had some flavor, but the side of veggies that came with it looked like something you would serve yourself from the cafeteria line. All in all there was nothing drastically wrong, but when we only go out once a week I would rather spend my money elsewhere.
(3)
Terry B.
Went with a buddy last night after seeing Seoul Food on the door. This is a small, neighborhood joint "specializing" in Korean and Japanese food. We started with the Goon-Man-Du, beef and cabbage stuffed dumplings. These were pretty solid. Next up my buddy got the Bulgogi while I opted for the Sang-Choo-Sam. We both liked each other's a bit better, but this is a pretty good value as you get a salad or soup, a scoop of rice and a good sized portion of the meat along with some lettuce to wrap and a nice sauce with some kick. This was my first foray into Korean food and it was pretty good at a decent price. My friend has a bit more experience with Korean over in Aurora and said he preferred many of the Aurora restaurants, but it was certainly solid. The service was pretty quick and good as well. Overall, I'm sure I'll be back at some point.
(3)
Tyler W.
Best pork bul goi goi in this state! My goodness.. The food is authentic and the chef is fantastic. This food is so good I actually made this account just to share the word.
(5)
Johanna K.
let me just start by saying that this is my first yelp review and I created a profile JUST FOR THIS restaurant. there are several reasons why... I am a huge fan of both korean and japanese cuisine and usually have to trek out to aurora for korean or wait in long lines for good japanese. that being said this place is literally heaven for someone like me. first off their bulgogi is amazing. on the lunch menu it comes with a green salad with a ginger dressing thats um, to die for. yeah. even the salad dressing is good. next up the sushi. it's butter. like den butter at 1/3 of the cost. for real. I highly suggest the 6th ave. roll although its not listed on their menu. it's tuna, cream cheese and jalapeño. lastly I have a soft spot for locally owned business and this guy (mark I believe is his name?) is one hard worker. every single time I come in there he is working at the sushi bar. he is kind, friendly and his restaurant is a true gem here in Denver.
(5)
Abel F.
There aren't many Korean Restaurants in Denver proper. And I think that there are better places out in Aurora, but this place has some good food. Mark, the owner and sushi chef is a nice guy and the wait staff work hard to get you your food. I come here pretty often for some food and to play go with Mark.
(4)
Casey T.
Not good. Very low quality fish for sushi, nothing special on entrees... Not worth all the hype, that is for sure!
(1)
Andrea P.
This place has kind of become my little local sushi place. I wouldn't say I love it, but I go here enough I must at least really like it. Prices are pretty reasonable, service is decent and typically there's always a place to sit despite the smallness of the building. My only real gripe is it should be almost mandatory to put avocado in spicy tuna rolls, w/out it...it's just wrong!
(4)
Andrew G.
Excellent! The wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Food was DELICIOUS and came out super fast. It was a bit quiet in the restaurant but overall it does have a good atmosphere. Menu was simple and not overwhelming but has the basic Korean entrees. Interesting sushi rolls make great appetizers. Highly recommend!
(5)
Bryan V.
Super yummy! Moderately priced.
(4)
Nick C.
With all of the restaurants that I was hopeful to go to for Valentine's Day already booked, my resort was to go to a restaurant recommended by my friend who lives in the Congress Park neighborhood. She recommended Uoki as a good place for Korean and Sushi. Knowing that I wouldn't need reservations and that my date was big open for anything, we settled here. Just as we assumed, the place was not busy, and even had Valentine's Day drink specials. Walking into the place we felt like we were walking into a tropical jungle as it was so humid that moisture built up on the tables. Having had my fix of sushi in the past few days I was intrigued to try some of the Korean items on the menu. My dad and I decided to share one of their specialty rolls to begin. Couldn't tell you the name of the roll, but it was to have avocado and unagi on the top with tempura shrimp in the middle. One of the most disappointing sushi rolls that I have ever had. For one, it was poorly made to say the least as it was practically falling apart. I believe only two of the pieces had a trace of any unagi on the top, and I believe they tempura consisted of just batter with no shrimp. Our entrees soon followed as my date ordered the chicken udong and based off the recommendation of the waitress I went with the pork bul-go-gi. Upon both our first bites, we were overwhelmed with sodium. Talk about a sodium fix. I resorted to stirring in my side rice and broccoli in with every bite to reduce the amount of salt that encompassed each piece of pork. Unable to finish either of our meals, we chose not to take any of the left overs. The remainder of our evening consisted of us complaining of the odor that had stuck to us from the humid stench of overly salted food.
(2)
Y. P.
Japanese sushi place and Korean food. Even though there are no banchan that come with the Korean food, you can always just enjoy your favorite Korean with a roll of sushi, fair game. And being Korean myself, who wants to adhere to banchan all the time. From what I see, people don't even finish their banchan when it comes to Korean food (they just focus on the main meal naturally).
(5)
Dominic A.
Thought the bi bim bob was bland, but it's a spot I'd try again. One of my buddies does swear by the place and I tend to agree with him about food. The staff was very friendly and seemed to know quite a few people that walked in. I usually take that as a good sign to the quality of an establishment. Why else would they be coming back?
(3)
Lazy G.
Most delicious food in some time. FREE SHOTS!!! Supper attentive staff and very friendly.
(5)
Larren M.
Never had a bad meal here. My one and only complaint would be that after leaving you will continue to smell like Japanese/Korean food for the rest of the night. I'd advise taking a shower and doing laundry following dinner...lol. The Korean food is solid and so is the Japanese fair. I really dig on their sushi and their wasabi mayo is freakin' awesome. I always have a hard time deciding what to eat when we go here. It usually ends up being an assortment of things. Nice neighborhood eatery.
(4)
Kat A.
Stopped in here with some friends for lunch last week and was pleasantly surprised. We all had a hankering (that's right - I used the word 'hankering') for sushi, and Uoki delivered. For $10 each we got a really decent sushi lunch - california roll, a spicy tuna handroll (not so much on that one), and two pieces of sashimi. On top of that, we each got either a soup or salad. I tried the curry chicken soup and fell in love just a little bit. The sushi was fair - they drizzled this wasabi mayo concoction over the california rolls that was delicious. The server assisting us was so genuine and friendly and just really happy to be working there that I felt totally comfortable. It was a surprise that the place was so empty when we stopped in, given what a nice experience we had; I'm more than happy to keep this my little workday lunch secret as long as I can. Except, you know, for posting it here on Yelp for everyone to read. Dammit! I suck at secrets! And next time I am all over the Korean food.
(3)
Leza F.
We decided to try this place after wanting to find a good Korean joint in the Denver area. Meh. I've had better. My partner and I ordered a combination trio deciding on the beef teriyaki, the beef and pork Korean dishes (can't remember the names, basically just the meats and some rice). The beef teriyaki was cold when we got it, the Korean meats were just "okay". I've had Korean in another city I used to live in and it was way better than this. We both thought it was expensive for what it was ($21 for the trio served with a single salad) and about $2.50 each for our beverages. We split the trio b/c I have a very small stomach and can't eat much. The server was nice enough and did check in on us a few times during our meal, so there wasn't any real issues with the service. I've had better, I've had WAY worse! We probably WON'T return since the food was only so-so and it was pretty pricey for what we got....still looking for a good Korean place!!
(2)
Michelle p.
Coming from the Hawaiian Islands where you can get Japanese/Korean/Philipino food everywhere I feel my tastebuds a little discriminating. Either way we attended Uoki on a late Thursday evening, and with the prices for dinner set at a standard price we expected standard fare. We ordered two drinks, only one came at first we had to ask for the 2nd one. We ordered an appetizer and ordered our meal just shy of the kitchen closing. We ended up getting our soup first, drinks second, as I stated the 2nd drink thereafter upon requesting it, our full meal, and then our appetizer. I am sorry but this is not a 3.5 star place. If the service is poor, the atmosphere is poor, and the food is poor then it has no redeeming qualities. My sashimi appetizer was sad at best, and at 10 dollars for 7 (half pieces) of pre-frozen flavorless sashimi I was disappointed. Our main course was Sang-Choo-Sam which was okay, and the other was the Bul-Gal-Bi i which just tasted like teriyaki to me...with no Korean pear flavoring to it loads of fat and grease on the plate and no sear on the edges. I would expect this and accept it if the prices were comparable but they are not. I would only go here for lunch again, if I go at all. The waitress looked too consumed with her side work to pay attention to the customers, the sushi-chef (manager i assume) was too consumed in a game of GO, and the cooks were too busy trying to prep to leave. Yes the food is edible, yes our food came out free of hairs or bugs but what it really comes down to is the price for value. You can't charge standard prices and give sub-standard service/ food. There are a lot of other better places in Denver that are actually WORTH the money. Sorry.
(2)
Heather C.
I am seriously shocked to see any low ratings here ... this is our date night place and we absolutely love it! To be fair, we only come for the nigiri, but the appetizers we have had have been spot on. The sushi / sashimi is amazing - delicate, fresh, well prepared ... I am literally drooling a little just thinking about it! They always go out of their way to put special touches on the dish - a couple extra chucks of tuna, a special soup added on the house, etc. The chef, Mark, is a blast to talk with (sit at the bar and watch him work - worth it!) and he puts out a good plate of nigiri. We order from the sushi list, not the menu ... cheaper and we get exactly what we want. We did the sashimi platters several times and Mark was willing to sub out pieces that we don't like (I will NOT eat mackeral, sorry!). The service is generally slow - they usually only have 1-2 people in there at any given time as it is a small place. We don't go for the speed of their service, though, and we have gotten to know the waitresses and enjoy the family atmosphere. We like Hapa, Sushi Den, Izakaya, Sushi Sasa ... but when we want a nice night out to reconnect and stuff ourselves on mouth-watering food without having to take out a loan, we come to Uoki!
(5)
Alan W.
After Nohana (formerly known as Sushi Heights) sadly closed down on Colfax, I have been on a search for a solid, inexpensive, honest sushi restaurant near downtown. I have found it here at Uoki. The restaurant is small, simple and unassuming. Nothing trendy or pretensious here, just quality simple traditional Japanese food and sushi. The service is personable and friendly. I love sitting at the albeit small stretch of sushi bar. They are rarely very busy, when when they do it is not for very long (I hate the rediculous wait at some of the trendy sushi restaurants). Disappointingly they do not have a happy hour, which I have been trying to get them to do, but their menu is very reasonably priced so I am not complaining. One minor fault is that their Hamachi (Yellowtail) roll uses chopped green onion from the top green part of the onion rather than the whites, so the onion has very little taste and feels dry and chewy. Being a big Hamachi fan I have learned to order it as Nigiri rather than in a roll. I haven't tried their Korean menu, but one day I will -- I just gorge myself on sushi.
(4)
Carlos M.
Really good yuk ke jang.
(4)
Jennifer H.
I've been here twice. The quality between the first time and this last time has declined substantially! I will not be giving this place another try. I'm no sushi expert, but I've had enough to spot horrible sushi when I see it. A sushi roll should not fall apart when you attempt to pick it up. It also shouldn't be made with ridiculous amounts of rice and fish that doesn't seem very fresh (even by Denver standards). Definitely overpriced for the quality you get. And I ended up with a stomach ache which also sucked. I will give them one star for the house salad dressing. That stuff is really good, even though it's served on iceberg lettuce. Maybe I've just been ordering wrong? But if you're going to try this place don't come for the sushi. You're better off going to Whole Foods or Tokyo Joe's quite honestly.
(1)
Andrew A.
Japanese and Korean food are my favorite. I found out about this place while walking to Safeway one rainy morning. Unfortunately they weren't open at the time and I never had the chance to go there till now. At the time I discovered this place, they had an assortment of donburi dishes which I love and always had this place in mind if I wanted to get that fix. This time around, they only had unagi don, which I also love but I wasn't going to pay $18 for it. Menu pricing from lunch to dinner is an average of $7 difference in price increase which I find very odd. I'm assuming that they serve the same portions also.... But anyway, I stopped by for dinner and ordered edamame and a tempura app and some sushi rolls. Edamame arrived hot but not evenly salted. Tempura was crispy but something was off with the shrimp and the tempura sauce lacked something. The sushi rolls were mediocre. They have a nice sushi menu which is quite expansive and ordered their volcano, super spicy, softshell crab, a unagi and shrimp tempura roll. They tasted fine but find it humorous that they add imitation crab to the softshell crab roll. Volcano roll is too rich and so is the super spicy, which I thought was mild in heat. I had quite a but of leftover pieces of sushi so I asked my server if she could box it up for me so I could give it to a homeless personon my way home. I may return here for some bul go gi but not for the sushi.
(2)
Lena S.
Was not impressed with the Korean dishes here. Honestly, I was excited to be near a Korean restaurant and not have to drive all the way out to Aurora or make it myself. But, after trying the dishes here, I will unfortunately have to continue to drive out to Aurora if I dont feel up to cooking. If you are going to serve Korean here, at least make it comparable. I remember calling and asking if they had japchae, and neither of the staff even knew what I was talking about. Kinda disappointing.
(1)
Mary Jo S.
It was neighbor Sam's birthday and the husband and I wanted to take him out for dinner. Neighbor Sam was adopted from Korea and is special; the husband and I are now his family and guardians. I told him we were going to a new place that was getting good reviews (from Yelp). As we pulled up he said, "I am not going in there; I do not like it." I had to explain that it is a different place than Seoul Food. I was so hoping that Uoki would please him as he is tough to please. Uoki, you came through with flying colors. We all ordered Korean: Bi-Bim-Bob, Kim-chi Fried rice, and Soo-Tofu Soup (with seafood). We also had OB Korean beer, SoJu Korean Sake, and a Korean Wine. Everything was presented nicely and the taste was just wonderful. Neighbor Sam started to smile and we were pleased. Uoki, we will be back on a regular basis now and I will be trying one of your sushi on a bridge specials as that is what everyone else was eating. And neighbor Sam is already planning his next meal; Bul-Gal-Bi (kai bi, a special dish they served at his orphanage) Thanks for making a great birthday surprise.
(4)
Jess W.
This is a 2.5 star place (serious yelp, when are you going to let us do 1/2 stars?). I am a huge bibimbap fan (although it's called bibimbob here...joke, typo, regional spelling...who knows), and have given this place a couple shots to fulfill my craving. So far, my overall experience is a resounding 'Meh...'. I also seriously dislike that they charge an extra 2 dollars for the hot version...which has exactly the same ingredients. Maybe the extra charge because the pot is heavier? And there are health risks involved in carrying it to our table? The sauce is blander than I like, and the ingredients are not as fresh or interesting as 'baps I've had in the past. I do, however, like the cozy vibe of the place, and the service has been fairly solid. I guess this is more of a bibimbap review than an Uoki review. Anyone know a better place to go for bibimbap?? I'm dying here, people.
(2)
Joshua T.
Excellent sushi but try the Korean food...its is awesome!
(4)
Lauren R.
This place is on the better side of OK bu not quite good. The food was good, no taste problems, fish was pretty fresh. But the rolls are a bit expensive for what you are actually getting. Only a few rolls are complex, using multiple types of fish, different mixes of ingredients BUT the prices of all the rolls act as if they are complex rolls. I liked how everything tasted, but I felt like I was over paying for what I got. No problems with service but I did not want to order an adult drink because they were quite expensive.
(3)
Kmberly B.
Yumm, wish I could give 3.5 stars, but I'll round up! I eat here weekly. Okay, I mostly get it to go, but either way I consume it weekly. Not only is it wicked close to my house, but the sushi is always very fresh. The restaurant is right on the corner of Washington and 6th and the outdoor patio in the Summer is relaxing. The interior is comfortable and casual, and although there's always people in there, it never seems full or crowded. Miso soup is something so simple, that it's easy to mess up. Based on that I judge every restaurant by it. Uoki's miso soup is simple and exactly on spot. I eat the sushi regularly (mostly due to convenience) I love the Bronco roll (Salmon and Lemon) and the Dragon (Eel and Avocado)! This is a hidden gem.
(4)
Crystal N.
I love love love the Bi-Bim-Bob. I love it so much I get it every single time and don't even look at the menu. (Usually takout because I don't love the atmosphere.) Tell me if I'm missing something that's better on the menu. I dare you...
(4)
Jonny D.
Uoki doesn't get nearly enough love. The bibimbap is absolutely fantastic--lust-inducing, even--and the sushi is uniformly excellent--better than almost any I've found in Denver, even. The service is outstanding even though, as far as I can tell, there is only one waitress most nights (she's a pro!). The food gets to you quickly. The location is incredible. The beers are great. The sake is great. Sheesh, just go there already. I can't even think of anything else to compliment about this place.
(5)
Kris M.
A good place to go for Korean food if you don't feel like driving all the way out to Aurora. Actually, possibly the only place I've found if you want Korean food outside of Aurora. Having a craving and being nearby one day, I stopped into Uoki for dinner on a weeknight. I ordered Korean bbq beef and some kimchi. The kimchi was well done, with a good amount of kick but not too much. The bbq beef was a bit chewy, but still delicious. However, the rice was a bit dry, and the vegetables seemed to have barely been steamed at all. In short, it was a decent meal at a decent price. I can't comment on the sushi, except to say that it certainly looked good from where I was sitting and the chefs seemed to know what they were doing. The service was excellent and paid attention without being overbearing. I would probably return in a pinch.
(3)
T R.
Had the sushi. I regret that. I know its hard to do sushi this far inland, but for the prices they were charging thought it would be a safe bet. Server made us feel like we were a bother, even though the place was empty.
(2)
Sarah M.
When I Ray and I try to decide on food one in a while we have some very opposite ideas of what will satisfy our hunger. Last night was nothing different. He wanted meat, and in particular some bulgogi. He used to get this in Guam and always is excited at the chance to get something that reminds him of his childhood. I wanted Sushi.... and we found this place on Yelp! Lauren D writes .... "This restaurant is the perfect hybrid for my relationship with my BF. I can mow lots of different kinds of yummy sushi til my hearts content and he can get his bulgogi and kimchee!" HA!!!! We were sold!!! We came in and it was not too busy. The dumplings were tasty and we ordered the curry soup and some wine in addition to our entrees. The soup came fast and the wine did not show up for about 20 minutes when my sushi came. No biggie. Ray's bulgogi took a while longer but came out without the little sides ray was used to at other places, so he ordered a side of Kimche with it. It was very tender and flavorful and the kimche was a little different than we were used to but good. My rolls were good but not amazing. The meal was nice and the place got a little full after a while. A little tough i would bet for one server. She was nice : ) I look forward to trying some other items on their menu! We had a good meal
(4)
Lauren D.
Score on finding this restaurant. Why don't I live closer to these fabulous places? Maybe soon... anyhow. This restaurant is the perfect hybrid for my relationship with my BF. I can mow lots of different kinds of yummy sushi til my hearts content and he can get his bulgogi and kimchee! The rainbow roll was great and I have no idea what kind of sauce they drizzle on it but it's awesomely tasty. My one complaint was that they have weird skinny metal chopsticks. I'm already kind of "challenged" when it comes to using chopsticks so this almost pushed me over the edge. However, the service was fantastic! Our waitress was quick, friendly, helpful, everything we could have asked for AND she said she can give us wooden chopsticks or a fork even if we wanted. And wasn't judgy about it - 5 stars Uoki!
(5)
Celia S.
While heading through town to grab K-food in Aurora we happened upon this unexpected neon-light Seoul-food diner--after not much thought we said wth--bring it on! So we walked in and were immediatly greeted by an American waitress and sat at the sushi bar. It was quite full and seemed promising- The menu is quite extensive- including alot of Korean and Japanese faire and alot of my fav dishes. +number 1 After alot of deliberation and a few minutes we happened to catch the hispanic cook out of the kitchen-- after making eye contact with my friend- we decided to go ahead and just get sushi- :) I think I may want to go back just to check out the jjigae and such but will venture out to Aurora and back first.
(3)
Lisa J.
Is there a zero star option? I would not go here again. The salad was ok. I felt like the fish was not fresh. The rolls were falling apart and bleh. Tokyo Joes would have been a better choice and much cheaper. The soda was 2.25 and they only offered one refill, I was a bit annoyed by this. Maybe the other dishes are fine I would not go back to test it out!
(1)
Jonathan K.
I am Korean and I go here about twice a month. They do have a lot of Japanese items on the menu but to tell you the truth I have never tried them (not even the sushi). Mark, the owner who is usually behind the sushi bar, is from the same region of Korea as my mother and his food reminds me of my mother's cooking, particularly the Kimchi Soup, Sang-Choo-Sam, Bi-Bim-Bop and Bul-Go-Gi. I go here when I need my fix for Kimchi Soup (some of the best in the city and much better than Korea House's in my opinion). I do wish they had more Korean items on the menu, but what they have definitely satisfies my cravings. Mark is incredibly nice as well. Even greets me by name and stops by my table every time I am in there. Worth checking out but order Korean, not Japanese.
(5)
Jenny S.
Note *** I smelled like Korean food until I took a shower, washed my hair and did my laundry. I also had to Fa-breeze my car since I brought leftovers home. So just a heads up, you will probably stink like Korean food after you leave here. I really like the Seoul Food neon light in the window, every time I drive down 6th Ave, it jumps out at me. I tried the Bi Bom Bim and it was good, enough to share with a second person. It was very quiet in there, only 1 other table being served. The waitress was very pleasant and helpful with the menu. I thought it was a cute place and did have a good dining experience, except for the whole smell thing.
(4)
Dale A.
For some reason, I've lived in captial hill since 1995 and never made it to Uoki this year. What a shame to think I've been missing out all this time. While I'm no authority on Korean food, my first exposure to the cuisine here was thoroughly delicious. On the Korean side,the bul go gi was a big favorite and the Kimchi was very spicy (side note: be sure your date eats this as well so you both will have the same, erm, aroma). On the Japanese side, I have to say that they do pretty good Nigiri and Sushi and that the teriyaki chicken was perfect. All served up in a cozy, casual setting with well-informed staff. Nice!
(4)
Katie C.
I recently dined here with a friend, we both were feeling in the mood for a much needed "sushi fix." We ordered 3 rolls in total which, I will say were a decent size. Two of the rolls were very satisfactory. One was a tempura roll with avocado, with a few other things added in. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with any sort of tempura combo, had a nice crunch and we were pleased. The other, was a tuna roll topped with seaweed salad. I am a huge fan of seaweed salad, so we were both pleased with this one as well. However, the last roll, which sounded very appetizing on the menu, is very deceiving. It consisted of tuna, yellowtail, and salmon, and what was said to be a garlic sauce on top. What it in fact was, was Velveeta cheese with garlic mixed in, and layered around all of the seaweed. On top of that, the pieces of fish seemed to be just rolled into 1 giant monstrosity, so large, that it is hard to maneuver into your mouth. Never had I had such a disgusting roll in my life. Shocked, when we asked the waitress what this strange, gelatinous, overpowering substance on the roll was, that they would even dream up something so unappetizing to pair with sushi. Seemed pretty faux pas of classic Japanese sushi preparation. That, also, is where our service dropped off from our waitress. Whether she sensed our unpleasant reaction, and it upset her, I'm not sure. We were simply asking questions about how this particular roll was prepared, and perhaps, it didn't sit well with her, or she personally took offense. The atmosphere all around, and the service both left a lot to be desired. I would not dine here again...
(2)
Heidi S.
This is my first time here since the demise of Seoul Food. I had the kimchi soup and the ball-n-chain had a tempura and shredded beef combo that he enjoyed. The kimchi soup was served molten, sizzling hot in a cast iron bowl - seriously - it was boiling. It is served with a cute little shiny silver bowl filled with rice. I enjoyed the broth - once it cooled down - word to the wise - take the spoon out of the soup and let it cool down before you shovel it into your face. I loved the broth - very good, not too spicy. I wasn't however, a fan of the small pieces of pork- it just seemed dry to me (I know it was swimming in liquid) but it just didn't appeal. I guess I didn't expect it to have meat - shows you what I know. Had two Sapporo beers which were properly cold and delish. The place was clean and the service was quick and efficient. I do wish they had a bigger Korean menu. Parking is tight and if you can't score a spot right in front then it is the side streets. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Alden C.
I have been here a few times over the years and have always enjoyed whatever I ordered. A fine place to go if you are on 6th Ave and are trying to decide where to eat. :)
(4)
Andrew T.
Mark the chef is so awesome. Go here at least once a week for lunch. Best prok bul goi goi around. A few weeks ago tried the sushi as well and A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Do yourself a favor and get it with the salad.
(5)
Sasha H.
Went with my 2 young boys and they gave us extra miso soup and also made special rolls for them on the house. That I definitely appreciate and would go back just for that! The sushi was decent, but the wasabi was tasteless. I have a high pain tolerance so maybe that's the problem, but i used the whole bowl of wasabi and didn't taste anything!
(3)
Katrina A.
They're definitely trying to bring up the quality here. Last time I ate at Uoki, I was not impressed. As I love bibimbap, and hate driving (down right refuse to drive to Aurora), Uoki got our business for another try. The bibim"bob" was delicious. Last time we came I assumed that only the stone bibimbap came with egg on top, because it's the only one that said so in the description. However, the waitress corrected me tonight; both styles come with egg. Good to know if you don't feel like paying the two dollars extra for a different bowl. (Yes, I know the hot stone bowl changes it, but sometimes I just don't care.) The sushi list is impressive, though we didn't have any tonight, I was amazed with the selection. They have a huge list of rolls. All in all, the only thing missing is the array of sides that most Korean restaurants seem to bring at the start of the meal (mmmm, fish cake.) I'm still stuffed and already looking forward to my left overs.
(4)
Susie T.
Best kimchee broth in town hands down. The best. Mark the owner is a sweetheart! Try the "tofu soup" on the menu.
(4)
Rob K.
I've never had a bad meal here, the stone Bi-Bim-Bob is always filling. Snag a salad, the dressing is insane or try some of their Kimchi. The Popeye sushi rolls are tasty and a good choice for vegetarians. Share a slice of their Tempura Cheese Cake with dabs of whipcream and drizzled chocolate to finish off your meal. Try this place you'll like it.
(5)
Cassie S.
Offering an escape from stupidly cliched "Fusion" cafes and overpriced sushi hotspots, Uoki is a groovy middle ground for both trendy Korean food and good, moderately-priced sushi. There's not a ton of Korean on the menu, mostly staples and newer inventions dressed up with some Kim Chi. But the Japanese cuisine is quick and good, and their sushi, while not toe-curling, is good for the price. They also have some killer Korean spirits and make for a great neighborhood takeout joint.
(3)
Yvonne C.
Considering what they were charging for things, I half expected the food to be a little better. It wasn't that the flavor was bad, but the food was over salted. We down glasses of water just to compensate for our thirst. The curry chicken soup was good but nothing phenomenal. I wouldn't mind going back to try the Japanese food, I only had the Korean dishes this time. I am still drinking water...
(3)
Nicolette T.
We have been frequenting this place for years. The owner is the most gracious host we've experienced in a long time! This place should be full with people who aren't impressed by decor, but want good quality food that is at a very reasonable price. I have tried their sushi, their udon, and their bibimbob that is second to none! I realize the location can be a bit funky, but the food is great and quick, and very reasonable. Pop in sometimes, and you won't regret it!
(4)
Lauren B.
This place is awful. Worst sushi in Denver, hands down. The rice is weird, the fish doesn't seem as fresh, and the service is horrible. My friends and I even dubbed one waiter, "The Sushi Nazi" if that's any indication of the service. Like seriously, he just throws down our plates (yes, throws), and walks off. Funny story, but probably not what you're looking for in a dining out experience.
(1)
Peter K.
The location is quaint and the service is ok, I am assuming the sushi chef is also the owner. Menu - If you are new to Korean cuisine then you will find the selections to be ok. For Koreans its a bit limited. Food - I ordered the Yu-Kae-Jang. Which is a spicy beef stew which you eat with rice. Similar to pepper pot stew. The soup was good, filled with vegetables, beef and spicyness was just right. The major drawback to this place is its emphasis is on Japanese Food. To be a true Korean Restaurant you need to have good side dishes, pan-chan. This is the soul of Korean cuisine. If you are already familiar with Korean cuisine and looking for a quick fix, I can heartily recommend this place. If you are new to the genre I suggest you first try a Korean BBQ Restaurant like Korea House.
(3)
Ben S.
We love this place. On a cold day, the yoo kae jang and soon tofu are great. Very friendly owner.
(4)
Taj M.
I keep going back again and again for the kimchi soup because I love it so. This is a great place to be a regular, so I'm excited to be moving only a few blocks away!
(5)
Jeff S.
This place is fantastic. It's small, easy to get to, and great food. My wife is Korean, and we've been searching for great mandoo, bul go gi, kimchi, and bi bim bob, and we found it here. The owner, Mark Park, is friendly and engaging. His sushi rolls kick Sushi Den's butt. Cheers!
(5)
heather j.
Just moved to the neighborhood and wanted some Friday night take out and learned that this place was not really the place for good sushi. It was probably the worst presentation of sushi and looked like it had been sitting out for hours. It wasn't fresh or appealing. Also ordered the soba noodles and was disappointed with that as well. For $10 I got a to go box half full of dry noodles with a few onions. So NOT worth the $50 I spent.
(2)
r h.
The bi bim bob was uninspired, but not bad. Wish they had A/C, it was very warm inside at lunchtime.
(3)
Connie W.
Not really memorable.
(2)
Pete S.
Uoki or Seoul Food is good, but not great sushi and Korean food. Good for the price, nice atmosphere and great location. There are some reviews here complaining about the saltiness and smell and spice of this restaurant's food, and as someone who lived in Korea for two years, I can tell you those are hallmarks of good Korean food. Keep in mind that there, people eat kimchi for breakfast! To say the packed subway ride to work in the morning was a five sense overload would be an understatement. After Korean food, you should smell, your clothes should smell, your hair should smell! So some of these reviews are like saying "my sashimi was undercooked" or "my steak was too meaty." Korean food *is* salty and smelly and it should be. Understandably, this turns many Americans off. I once asked a Korean couple running a noodle shop near DU if they would get some authentic bibimbap instead of their bland "Japanese" dishes, and they said the smell drove away all the American college students. So keep that in mind in regarding this restaurant on 6th Avenue; if you want authentic you must travel to Aurora, or better, Seattle, or better yet, to Seoul. You haven't lived until you've had Kimchi Chigae for breakfast and then get shoved into an already packed subway car by two dudes with a huge bar; it is hot, sweaty, packed tighter than you thought possible and every single one of the 12 people within six inches of your face smell like they just ate a spicy wad of pepper and garlic, because, well, they just did. Allright, I suppose some of you can live just fine without experiencing that. So, as far as Korean food goes, in Korea you will traditionally get at least 5 little side dishes of tiny pickled fish, varieties of kimchi, spinach, etc. It is always an odd number of side dishes. They all smell and are all salty and most are spicy. The more side dishes, the more exotic, the better the restaurant. The chef at Uoki knows this, and has calculated that you don't want it, because if that were your priority, you'd be in Aurora, or Seattle, or Seoul. So do not expect that at Uoki; it is intentionally not traditional and trying to appeal to people who aren't crazy enough to move to Korea for two years. Dulsut Bibimbap (in the crockpot) is good, Bulgogi decent, but the soups, Kimchi Chigae or Yookgae Jang or even the blander Dukgook will soothe your chilled bones on a snowy commute home, or, oddly enough, cool you down on a hot summer night. For being where it is, it is exellent Korean food. I can safely say that it is the best Korean food for miles. Dinner comes with a salad, which is not at all traditional, but the dressing is really good and I've asked to buy extra to bring home. If you don't want to go to the H-Mart and buy your own miso and keep it in your own fridge, have the miso soup; it's not fantastic but miso soup never is. The sushi is American sushi; you can pay more elsewhere but it won't be much better and the nigiri is well-sized. Unagi is good and the Spider Roll is good and the spicy tuna handroll squarely above average and better than the tonier Sushi Den. To screw up sushi you can either not roll well or give small pieces or give old fish; that doesn't happen here. That said, don't expect to get fugu (poison-puffer fish) san nachi (squirming octopus) or live skinned eel (I forgot the word). I suspect you are fine with that, since you are going to a restaurant on 6th Avenue in Denver, Colorado, USA. It's a small joint, so don't go there with your 20 closest friends. But if you are going out with your squeeze or your buddies and you don't know what kind of food to get, and you find yourself saying "OK let's pick a continent and choose from there" then go to Uoki, and get yourself something you've never had before, preferably something you can't pronounce, and definitely buy a side dish of kimchi. If you can handle Sriracha or Tapatio heat, you'll be fine; Korean food is not as spicy as Tabasco. If you already like Korean food, it's a good place; but if you want a 50 minute exotic vacation, go to Aurora. Then go home and brush your teeth, because you will smell!
(4)
Chrissy B.
What I wouldn't do for something, ANYTHING with that wasabi mayo on it right now. They say you shouldn't go to the grocery store on an empty stomach, but I'm thinking that I probably shouldn't write a food review on one either as it's going to likely be slightly biased. Haha! Anyway, this place has such a good atmosphere, and I've never had a bad roll for the price. The owner, Mark, is so nice that I'm sure if "Tiffany C." had asked what was in her spicy tuna roll and mentioned that she didn't like it, he most certainly would have made her new one, sans mystery flavor.... Aside from that, I love the quirky roll names and the kimchi soup is DELICIOUS! I can't wait to eat on the patio this summer.
(4)
Shiho F.
I haven't tried there Japanese food but there Korean food was pretty good. Had the Bi Bim Bop with beef but it had a Japanese twist and not necessarily in a good way. There was a 7 inch piece of shrimp tempura on mine. An added bonus I guess... I recommend asking for a side of kimchee and throwing it in your bowl before mixing up your goods. Gives it more of a Korean flare if you will. Also, it was interesting that they served the Bi Bim Bop with a choice of side salad or soup. The salad dressing was a ginger-soy (very Japanese) and it was quite delcious and the soup was miso soup. You would think that with a Korean dish they would serve you a little Korean soup. I would have prepared a kimchee tofu soup to go with the rice bowl. It just makes more sense to me.
(4)
Clarissa D.
If you're looking for the full Korean Dinner experience, go somewhere else. I had the Bi Bim Bap and when the egg arrived, it was cooked all the way through. In the end the food was good, but I've definitely had better elsewhere.
(2)
Matt M.
Been there over 20 times and was never disappointed. Always impressed with the Korean dishes and the Japanese sushi rolls. The atmosphere is very nice and relaxing, so it's top notch on every front. Great place to kick back, drink up, and enjoy the food, which has always been consistent.
(5)
M w.
I am not Korean, but pretty well versed in how the dishes should taste as I have had many home cooked Korean meals. I would consider this okay but not stellar - I thought it was rather bland. But they do have kimchee and the wait staff was very nice. Menu was limited and there is too much Japanese food on it.
(3)
Liz D.
In town to visit family and stopped by. I am from NYC and have a high standard for sushi - they totally made the mark!!! They also made some of my rolls with cucumber instead of rice upon request which is great for the Paleo diet! The tuna and salmon sashimi was melt in your mouth. I tried a new Korean app and can't remember the the name but was like a egg pancake with veggies and a delicious sauce. Totally recommend it! Great for family or date night and has an outside patio.
(5)
Sam D.
Absolutely, without question, my go-to sushi place in Denver. Service is phenomenal, the fish is spectacular, and the environment is comfortable and quiet. Mark, the owner, is friendly and always knows my name when I walk in. The perfect place for a date or a night with friends. Highly recommended. PS: try the Tiger Eye Roll and Triple Spicy Roll. Spectacular.
(5)
Michael C.
If you're looking for a relaxing, easy place to have some quality sushi or Korean food, this is a great place to check out. Service is extremely warm, friendly and attentive. Pricing is extremely fair for the quantity and quality of food (the quality is above average, in my opinion. ) Atmosphere is very easy going, plenty of seating; always very relaxed. And finally, arguably the most important facet: the food. It's great. Above average sushi in Denver. Never had a bad meal here. Honestly, no complaints! Five stars!
(5)
RL L.
We have been going here for years. It is always delicious. Not only is the Korean food amazing, the sushi is great as well. They have some really unique rolls and we usually order a couple rolls in addition to Korean dishes. The owner and staff are so kind and helpful. It is usually just the owner and one server when we go, they do it all and work really hard. I prefer Uoki to any all you can eat Korean Bbq place. I have noticed a few people complain about parking. Yes, if you drive there you will likely have to park a block or two away, but that it just part of dining in the city so it's nothing to complain about and no reason to deter you from little gem on 6th Avenue. I love you Uoki, I wish we still lived down the street so we could come more often!
(5)
Jennifer M.
After passing by this place and wanting to try it out for many months, my husband and I finally popped in for lunch on a warm afternoon. The inside is fairly warm, so I feel like unless they have A/C it may be kind of uncomfortable in the summer months. That is literally my only complaint about Uoki though. The service was wonderful and we enjoyed everything we had. We ended up sharing their special roll of the day, 2 maguro sashimi pieces, and the kimchi jiggae. Even though they are trying to do two different things I think they are doing them pretty well. We'll be back!
(4)
Ada S.
Just walk in and sit! Service is quick and place is relatively small so it feels cozy and definitely like a neighborhood business. Sushi rolls are tasty and the Seoul food is also delicious. 3 rolls here are more than enough for two people! Come here for casual dining plus oriental food. Fair warning-Hardly any parking around so try to find a spot on Washington or Clarkson!
(4)
Jessica C.
Uoki is hands down my favorite sushi place in Denver, well maybe my favorite sushi ever. Seriously. I've never tried a better spicy tuna than the Triple Spicy Roll and I often ask Mark if he'd just move his restaurant to Austin already. Every time I visit Uoki the staff is friendly and Mark is dedicated to his craft and customers. He constantly switches up the weekly special roll, but is hard for me to stray from my favorites. My top 5 favorite sushi rolls at Uoki are: Triple Spicy, Broncos, Super Dynamite, Holiday and Hopping Cal. Beyond the phenomenal sushi, I also love a handful of Korean dishes and of course the house salad with top secret salad dressing (which Mark will sell you if you're nice)! In regards to Korean dishes you can't go wrong with the Kim-Chi Soup, Stone Bi-Bim Bob or Spicy Ramen. All in all, Uoki is a neighborhood staple to enjoy a beer on the patio during the summer and hot soup in the winter. Mark recently started Happy Hour as well, so there's always that... Stop by today and tell Mark I sent you, he loves getting to know his customers. Enjoy!
(5)
Steve S.
The place I always thought was called Seoul Food is excellent no matter what the name is. Fresh sushi, delicious Korean comfort food and a great owner named Bruce. To top it all off, there is no line out of the door, so you can get a seat and enjoy your meal in comfort. My recommendation is to get a couple sushi rolls, of which all are good, and then some bulgolgi to share. What is it you ask? It's a dreamy plate of beef, smoky and sweet. Try it, you can't go wrong. Give this place a shot Yelpers, just be aware that you'll be parking on the street, which could be a challenge in that neighborhood.
(4)
Romain V.
Great family owned Korean place. Simple but super authentic. Thanks so much for a good meal and friendly service Uoki.
(5)
Brian H.
Best salads in the world the homemade dressing is top notch- the consistency in this place is on point By far my favorite restauraunt in Colorado and I eat out every meal and have tried probley 90% of the restaurants in Denver
(5)
Robert L.
The sushi I had was a little sub-par. I'll bet they do fine with more traditional rolls but as a side, I wanted to taste their more creative side. Flavors were off. For my money I'd go down the street to Mt. Fuji. The Korean dishes like the Bul-go-gi are better and I think they are the reason to come here. I've gone a few times and I think this could be bordering on a 4 star place for me but I'd need to have a truly fantastic special roll before it makes the leap.
(3)
Phillip C.
Ah Seoul food. Uoki is a great ethnic joint on an unassuming corner. I've been nearly a half dozen times and it's never been very busy. The word really needs to get out about this place: it's great Korean food! The stone bibimbap will pass the test for Korean food aficionados and also impress newbies. Make sure to mix up that fried egg so everyone gets some! I'm a huge fan of their kimchi, especially in their kimchi fried rice. It's so good and spicy! I haven't tried the sushi yet, but plan to on my next visit. Finally, get the barley tea. It's delightful, especially on a chilly, rainy day. Make sure to let it steep a bit before pouring!
(4)
Frances G.
It was about damn time I ventured along my neck of the woods on 6th Avenue. After admiring Uoki from afar and always saying "We really need to go there" - I finally made my appearance...solo. Not one to usually eat by myself, I felt very comfortable and welcome as I plopped down at the sushi bar in this cozy nook of a restaurant. I will say, the parking was tough. Only street parking with only one way streets around does not an seamless parking situation make; however once you're in and sipping on a Korean or Japanese beer - all things get better. I enjoyed the white tuna sashimi and the classic Korean dish - Sang-Choo-Sam. A traditional dish from the Korean countryside, served after a full day of work under the hot sun. Delectable pieces of marinated beef, onion, and rice. Wrap it yourself in lettuce leaves and season w/ spicy Go-Choo-Jang sauce. It was delicious and I couldn't get enough of it. A generous plate of beef that you pile into a lettuce wrap with zesty and savory sauces...yep, I'll be back for that.
(4)
Jason C.
The service is fantastic and the food is delicious. The staff is always friendly. The atmosphere is comfortable and cozy. One of my favorite haunts.
(5)
Tessa C.
Great local place! Loved all our food. If you live in Cap Hill do yourself a favor and make this your regular spot.
(5)
Carlyn S.
The food was not only savory and spicy at all the right times... but the tempura fried cheesecake (for my birthday) was out of this world. Everyone that works here was nice -- wasn't crowded so we got all the service we needed!
(5)
Diana K.
Nothing fantastic to review... Pretty decent bibimbap and udon. Staff was super friendly.
(3)
Savy P.
Love this place! The owner is a great guy and he makes great sushi. The creamy cal rolls are always my favorite. Its a cozy little restaurant. One of my favorite places in Denver!
(5)
Valerie M.
The Tiger Eye roll was fantastic - lightly breaded tempura salmon with cream cheese and jalapenos topped with creamy avocado slices was enough to make me do the happy dance. Our table ordered a second roll! The bulgogi was seasoned well and reminded me of my Grandma's teriyaki steak - she's gone now, so I will have to go here for some taste bud tickles.
(4)
Nancy P.
i always get the bul go gi beef and a special crab, avocado and pepper sushi that the owner makes. it is good value for money and i love it especially for lunch.
(5)
Christopher C.
I really enjoyed this place, there is a bunch of stuff to choose from but I stuck with the clay pot Bi-Bim-Bob. I didn't try the sushi and I'm not an expert, but everything was very good. Also the yelpers are correct and your clothes will smell like the place.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
David D.
Uoki isn't a 5 star restaurant, but it is a cozy neighborhood restaurant that has fast and friendly service, delicious food and reasonable prices = 5 Yelp stars. I personally love their kimchi fried rice (sorry traditional Korean food lovers) and pork bulgolgi. As others have noted, this is not a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant (what gave it away, the half Japanese menu?), but they serve GOOD food! Good enough for me.
(5)Robin M.
I'm tempted to give this place five stars because our unadventurous friend loved his bul-go-gi -- hooray! He'd never tried Korean food and now is willing. But I'll stick with four for now and see what future visits bring. The menu offers a bit more variety in Japanese food than many of our local sushi restaurants and features quite passable sushi too. Having a Korean menu beside it adds to the fun. No barbecue grill on the table, but they have be-bim-bob, soups, meats, quite a variety. We started with a California roll to test the sushi since the reviews were mixed. Quite nice. My son spotted fried goon-man-du dumplings on the appetizer menu so we had to try those -- we are dumpling junkies! I'm glad he spotted them because they were delicious and quite different from Chinese dumplings in filling, featuring beef, napa cabbage, and spices. For dinner, we all tried our friend's bul-go-gi; very very good. Son's girlfriend had sushi including a Fame and Fortune roll, a roll with eel, and salmon nigiri that looked like it should model in a magazine and matched the appearance with great taste, texture, and freshness. She loved that. Son had dak-jim, described as fall-off-the-bone-tender chicken marinated in soy, ginger, garlic, and onions. It was served with a delectable dipping sauce and was indeed tender and delicious. I had a giant bowl of duk-mandu-cook, beef brisket broth with more of the Korean dumplings, boiled this time; shredded beef; and sliced rice cake -- a very interesting texture, almost meaty. We enjoyed our varied choices, the price was an excellent value, and the service was friendly and faultless. There's an outdoor seating area too.
(4)Luke H.
Great mom and pop sushi. Best sushi in town for the price. Highly recommend. Say hi to mark the owner he's very friendly and accommodating. My favorite rolls are typically the specials.
(5)Devon B.
Very blan flavorless soup. Sushi is chewy and small. Waitress has very little knowledge about the menu. Owner is Alex and he is not very personable. Very expensive for below average quality food and service.
(2)Jb H.
Awesome dinner. Great for kids and families. Pleasantly surprised by sushi quality and portion. This place is a great neighborhood ethnic option.
(4)Lindsay B.
My boyfriend an I come here often for the Kimchi soup. This local restaurant has a lot of culture and class and is well deserving of its customers. I highly recommend this place. If you're in the mood for Japanese or Korean, you will find yourself at home.
(5)Todd B.
I'm sort of a regular here since we live so close. And even though I've been here probably 30 times now, I usually order the same thing. The sushi is OK but not worth going of your way for. I come here for the Japanese and Korean entrees, which are good. One unusual thing about this place: they have metal chopsticks, not wood or plastic. I love the salad dressing they use on their basic green salad, too.
(4)Angela A.
My friend and I tried to come here on a Sunday for lunch, they were closed. I was really upset because it looked so good. This is one of her and her husbands favorite places, and they both lived in Korea, she's actually Korean so I know when she says it's good, it's good. I do want to go with them some day to explore the menu a bit more. When I did make it for lunch my friend I was with was not that into trying new dishes and experimenting. We mostly got sushi and shared some kim-chi fried rice. The kim-chi is made in house and it was fantastic. I had actually been craving that dish for weeks and was about to make it on my own, with store bought kim-chi. My friend really liked it and boy, so did I! We found some very creative rolls on the menu that we enjoyed. The one that stands out the most and was both of our favorites was a roll with spicy tuna topped with seaweed salad. Our server said it was her favorite roll too. There were a lot of rolls to choose from. It didn't seem like we ordered a lot but when the server brought out our plate it was huge. Each roll had so many pieces but they were on the small side. The prices were reasonable. I really hope to get back and try out some more of the Korean dishes. If you are going to try this place out, go with an open mind, or a friend who has an open mind!
(4)Rob L.
I love going to thus local neighborhood restaurant. It has amazing Bulgogi. It always has great Korean beer, so just and even sake. It is a great place to enjoy a meal and a night out.
(5)Sara C.
As you walk up to the restaurant you'll see "Seoul Food" on the window. I have been here a few times and really enjoy the sushi and Korean food here. The service is great and the prices are amazing. Took away 2 stars because the sashimi pieces are rather small compared to other sushi places I have been to, but the fish are super fresh!! Even though pricing is good the some of the pieces are half the size I get elsewhere with similar pricing and thinner too. One great thing is that you get a variety of Japanese and Korean dishes that you can totally mix it up, can't say that about other Japanese restaurants. I would come back but maybe not for their sashimi.
(3)Amanda D.
A few years back I was a teacher in South Korea. I never become fluent in the language, so I was hungry for the first few weeks I was there. Then I learned how to order the traditional Korean foods I came to love such as kimchi chigae and bibimbap. Now that I am back in Denver I get some serious cravings. I was delighted to find this great place very close to home and with the same flavors I came to love. Plus everything is better with Saki!
(5)adam a.
We live just up the street and have been here a few times. We love the pork pork bulgogi and chicken udong.
(4)Rachel B.
Went here with the parents. My father, who's half Korean, loved it! Although the kimchi wasn't quite as good as his mom's, it was pretty close. Great short ribs. Definitely coming back with friends.
(4)Lisa G.
Don't bother going if you're looking for good Korean food. I was very disappointed in my Bulgogi and my husband's sushi wasn't that great either. I was very bummed because I had been trying to find a good Korean restaurant since moving here from San Francisco. I guess I'll have to keep looking.
(2)Richard R.
Everything about this place is A-OK. The service can be a bit slow even if it's not a super busy time of day. But, the employees are still nice so I can't bag on them too much. The sushi is decent although I can't give too high of a rating. It seems a bit expensive for standard sushi but at least the Unagi was tasty. Always go with Unagi and you'll know if the place is worth your time. There are some pretty good beers available. I would like to try some of the fusion dishes but I usually stick to the sushi. Maybe on the next try I'll be more experimental. I find the space to be a bit cramped, especially if you sit at the bar. There's not a lot of counter/bar space so with dishes, drinks, and utensils there's hardly room left for anything else. Let's just call it "intimate." Location is tops and really convenient for those of us on the hill. Parking is best when found on the street and then you can always hop over to Don's for a few strong drinks for dessert :-)
(3)Lauren B.
OMG....Tempura Cheesecake!! It's one of the best desserts that I have ever had! Honestly, the food is always excellent. I had chicken fried rice, which I'm usually really picky about, for the first time at Uoki last night, and it was quite savory. It's true....The place is a little bit small (and sometimes gets crowded), but even when that happens, the food is still excellent. I lived in South Korea for a year and the Korean food at Uoki (I often order the bulgogi) tastes exactly like the food in Korea, which is delicious. Did I mention Tempura Cheesecake? The cheesecake simply melts in your mouth. Four layers of fatty heaven-filled goodness: 1st layer = chocolate syrup. 2nd layer=whipped cream. 3rd layer=fried tempura awesomeness. 4th layer=creamy vanilla cheesecake. Worth. Every. Calorie.
(5)Marilee F.
Best sushi I've ever had!! Mark is the greatest! The service is also great, very attentive! Thanks Mark!!
(5)Rick S.
Bottom Line - The food was so awful that I don't think I could bring myself to come back to give them a second chance... I normally would give 1 star, but most of what we ordered was edible, so I'll give 2. The quality of the food was something I'd expect from a Korean food stand in the mall food court. If you want Korean, I recommend checking out one of the places in Aurora. I came on Tuesday, 12 July 2011 for dinner with a friend because I was in a rice mood. We ordered the following: Bulgogi ($9.95) - My friend liked this but I did not. The marinade was off, and the quality of the meat was definitely shitty, imo. Pork bulgogi ($9.95) - I liked this more than the bulgoi. If I *had* to come here again, I'd probably just order this again, though it's not the best spicy pork I've had, it's edible. Volcano roll ($11.00) - The description was basically a California roll with hotate (scallop) and spicy may, which sounded good. When it came, it came piping hot direct from a microwave oven and was totally not what I thought it would be. We only ate a few pieces. It was pretty disgusting. Tea ($1.89 x 2) - They charge per person, but it's all one teapot (with one bag of tea leaves). I was hugely annoyed by this. Extra Rice ($1.50) - We actually did not order extra rice, just a bowl to put our existing rice (that came with the two meals) in. I don't like eating rice off a plate, so I asked for a bowl. The server brought us a bowl with rice in it, then charged us for it. I didn't say anything because the meal had already been an awful experience. Our bill came to 36.18 + 2.95 tax + 7.00 tip = 46.13 total for the two of us. Service was not too attentive, and the ambiance was okay. The star rating is solely on the quality of the food.
(2)Jake B.
There are two things that I have tried here and they are both outstanding. The Bibimbap (stone) and the Kim Chi Soup. Both outstanding dishes. I have not tried the sushi but based on how it looks coming out, I will pry pass. Doesn't look bad but looks like average sushi while they have amazing Korean. No reason to stray from either of those two menu items! Place could use some updating of decor but I usually only go when I am craving their food. Not on a nice date.
(4)Dallas L.
Best ever!! Mark is Awesome!!! We only come here! Great prices and amazing specials! Tempura cheesecake!
(5)Chris C.
I love Uoki. The owner is amazing and makes you feel like you're eating in his home. The salad dressing is a secret recipe and I could drink it plain. So yummy. The Korean dishes are delicious, the roles are so fresh and served at the perfect temperature. Don't miss this great neighborhood gem!
(5)Steve H.
Stone Bowl Be-bim-bob was sooo good! Best cold weather meal ever! Thanks for taking such good care of our party of 7!
(5)Sara G.
Although this good restaurant is now called Uoki, it will always be Seoul Food to me. I've been eating here forever, although not so much in recent years. We recently went back as we had a hankering for Bul Go Gi, Bi Bim Bop and Goon Man Du, and we weren't disappointed. Hubby tried the Bi Bim Bop in a stone bowl (and extra $1.50) and it was so good! The bowl really did caramelize the onions and veggies, and it certainly kept the yummy food hot. My pork Bul Go Gi was tender and spicy and so delicious. Both entrees came with your choice of soup or salad, which is a good deal for approximately $10.00. We both chose the chicken curry soup, and loved the addition of the Korean sirracha to kick it up a notch. The Goon Man Du were also good, pork and cabbage dumplings with a yummy spicy vinegar sauce. Overall it was a great meal. Uoki also serves Japanese food and sushi. I know we've tried the terryaki before (for our kid) and thought it was good. I would have tried the soy-miso salmon, but I was craving Korean. You really should try this gem of a restaurant.
(4)Julio T.
When I recently ate here, I had a conversation with my girlfriend about why this place does both Japanese and Korean. I thought it was because the cuisines were similar, but as my girlfriend pointed out, they really aren't that similar and it's most likely because people in Denver aren't super familiar with Korean cuisine so they try to expand the palette to have more customers. Makes sense to me. And it's definitely true that Korean food is quite a bit different than Japanese. I haven't experienced much of the former, but was glad that Uoki was able to provide a decent tutorial in peninsular cuisine. I had the bi bim bop which was rice and veggies cooked up in a hot stone pot so that the rice became kind of crispy and everything is kept nice and hot, enough to cook a raw egg that they put in the bowl right before they serve it. It was definitely a dish you wanted to eat slowly. The food is quite hot, especially as you get closer to the bottom of the bowl. It was quite tasty though the tofu I got with mine was a bit bland. I preferred the bite of shrimp I stole from my girlfriend. Dinner was served with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the simple salad dressed with a wonderful sesame vinaigrette, one of my favorite types of dressings, done very well. My girlfriend said that she had better Korean elsewhere, but that Uoki was still pretty good. For me, it was an excellent primer to an unfamiliar food, and I'll definitely be back to check it out.
(4)Lynsey S.
Very good sushi, creative menu, and the friendliest sushi chef! They have a different roll that's on special every day that isn't on the regular menu... One time it had green chilies in it which turned out to be amazing!
(4)Mishell S.
This place has the best sushi I've ever had. I formerly waited tables here, and although I don't think the female staff is always treated adequately, the food is excellent. If you like Seafood, I highly recommend the Soon Tofu Soup. Another tasty soup is the Kimchi. Whether or not you've tried Kimchi, I think it's worth trying. In terms of sushi, I love the popeye roll (deep-fried sweet potato and spinach topped with ginger dressing) another tasty roll is the Cherry Blossom. Topped with lemon slices, it is great for a citrus-freak like me. It's a bit of a bummer that I left on poor terms, otherwise I would go to this place every pay check!
(4)Dr S.
The lady and I needed a quick dinner, so we sauntered up two blocks from my house and went to Uoki. We both ordered veggie noodle dishes, udon and soba, and this came with soup or salad. We each got the chicken curry soup. The curry soup was ok at best, rather bland with no real curry kick. When the food came the veggie soba noodle dish that we ordered came with chicken instead of being veggie. We were in a rush so instead of re-cooking it, we just cancelled the order and split the udon dish. It was fair. It was over-sauced, salty and didn't bring that much to the party. When we received the bill the soba noodle dish was not on there, but they charged for the second soup. This seemed wrong to me. When I piped up about it the waitress simply said I have to charge you for it. Since we were only talking about $3 or so I did not put up a fight, but unfortunately for them they lost a customer who lives within walking distance. The deal left a bad taste in my mouth and I will not be going back. I have been there a few times before and the food was always fine. Nothing exceptional, but a nice change in the neighborhood.
(2)Taylor S.
I recently visited Uoki and was not impressed. I ordered bulgogi, and it came out with one scoop rice, and blanched broccoli and carrots. I was required to pay extra for kimchee. If you are used to a tradition Korean restaurant where you get cucumber kimchee, fish cake, etc this is not the place to go. There is also not much parking.
(2)Christy L.
Definitely our new favorite, inexpensive sushi joint. Our favorite roll of the night was the HalCal. But be warned it has a tiny sting to it for those sensitive to spice. Can't wait to go back and try the Korean dishes like Sang-choo-sam or Bi-bim-bob. We tried out the hot saki and found it a great accompaniment to our sushi. We started our meal with the "lightly salted" edamame. It did have quite a bit of salt on it but we like it that way. With the appetizer, I had the ginger tea. Absolutely amazing. So full of a fruity, flowery, ginger flavor. But not too much ginger to make it spicy hot. We will most certainly be going back soon!
(4)Tiffany N.
After reading the rest of the reviews for this place I'm going to have to go back and try the Korean food here. I went last night and had sushi and I was way less than impressed with the food. It wasn't terrible, but my spicy tuna roll had something I couldn't really identify mixed in there. It had the consistency of onions (which I hate), but there wasn't a strong flavor. I've been pondering this mystery all day. Was it cucumbers? Jicama? Just really bland onions? I may never know. The point is it threw the whole roll off for me. I didn't like that it was crunchy. And I didn't like the small bit of flavor it did add to the roll. The restaurant itself is small and cozy with super friendly staff and a very laid back atmosphere. There is a small sushi bar that would probably seat about 8 people I'm guessing. And the patio is probably nice to take advantage of in the summertime. So, I guess when this summer rolls around I'll have to go back and try something from the Korean portion of their menu.
(3)paul s.
Maybe I caught em on an off day. The food and service were okay, just nothing outstanding
(3)Matt F.
I went here the other day with my wife and in-laws. The experience overall was just okay. The server was somewhat rude, and the food was very mixed. The seaweed on my sushi roll was falling off, and very dry. My main dish was extremely bland, which maybe is what I should have expected from a "vegetarian" dish? Not sure. I say "vegetarian" in quotation marks, because it wasn't really (see below for more details). The biggest problem was that my wife is allergic to shrimp and when we told our server this he seemed cognizant enough to understand what we were saying, but then proceeded to give her a dish of food with fried shrimp in it. When we told him she couldn't eat it, he told us to pick out the shrimp. He refused to have the dish made again, and argued with us for about 2 or 3 minutes, until out of frustration I suggested my wife and I switch food. He agreed this was a good idea and walked away. What he failed to tell either of us when we were ordering my supposed vegetarian entree, or during our argument, was that my food had shrimp sauce in it as well. This became obvious after eating some of it, so fortunely my wife didn't go into anaphylactic shock and die as she only had a couple of bites. I might attribute this to a possible language barrier, but the server seemed well versed in english, and regardless of whether or not a barrier was present, every restaurant should be prepared for allergen situations, even if that situation is, "You probably shouldn't eat here, sorry." Instead we recieved vague answers and stubborn rudeness. Hopefully this review doesn't come across as embittered as a result of a near-death experience, as I've been here by myself on two other seperate occasions (due to convenience) and wasn't overly impressed any of the times. It's okay sushi for Colorado, and not really worth your time if you've had really good sushi or Korean food. You're better off going down the block to Mt. Fuji. The food is good and the owner is amazing.
(2)Michael S.
How much would you hate the chef telling you it's your imagination when you complain the salmon skin is soggy, not crisp, but as you leave after paying he says: "next time salmon skin crisp." He might was well have said "haha...you pay me good money to eat this crap...hahaha." There won't be a next time.
(2)Michelle S.
Went here for dinner. I had the hot stone dish and hubby had something else that I can't remember. It was good, nothing to write home about. I thought it was overly salty and I like salt. I'm glad that we remembered to stop in here as it had been on our "to eat at" list for a while. I could possibly be persuaded to come back in and give it a second chance...possibly.
(3)Sarah M.
This place is fine, but I have to say I am a bit stumped by the glowing reviews. I had the bi bim bop and it was SO boring. I am not a Korean food aficionado, but I would expect all the ingredients to at least be hot. The carrots tasted like they had been cooked, then refrigerated, and then not reheated. I had the chicken with the brown rice and there was not a single distinguishing feature.... As in no flavor. It tasted like chicken, brown rice and vegetables I could get at home. My partner got the beef bulgogi and that at least had some flavor, but the side of veggies that came with it looked like something you would serve yourself from the cafeteria line. All in all there was nothing drastically wrong, but when we only go out once a week I would rather spend my money elsewhere.
(3)Terry B.
Went with a buddy last night after seeing Seoul Food on the door. This is a small, neighborhood joint "specializing" in Korean and Japanese food. We started with the Goon-Man-Du, beef and cabbage stuffed dumplings. These were pretty solid. Next up my buddy got the Bulgogi while I opted for the Sang-Choo-Sam. We both liked each other's a bit better, but this is a pretty good value as you get a salad or soup, a scoop of rice and a good sized portion of the meat along with some lettuce to wrap and a nice sauce with some kick. This was my first foray into Korean food and it was pretty good at a decent price. My friend has a bit more experience with Korean over in Aurora and said he preferred many of the Aurora restaurants, but it was certainly solid. The service was pretty quick and good as well. Overall, I'm sure I'll be back at some point.
(3)Tyler W.
Best pork bul goi goi in this state! My goodness.. The food is authentic and the chef is fantastic. This food is so good I actually made this account just to share the word.
(5)Johanna K.
let me just start by saying that this is my first yelp review and I created a profile JUST FOR THIS restaurant. there are several reasons why... I am a huge fan of both korean and japanese cuisine and usually have to trek out to aurora for korean or wait in long lines for good japanese. that being said this place is literally heaven for someone like me. first off their bulgogi is amazing. on the lunch menu it comes with a green salad with a ginger dressing thats um, to die for. yeah. even the salad dressing is good. next up the sushi. it's butter. like den butter at 1/3 of the cost. for real. I highly suggest the 6th ave. roll although its not listed on their menu. it's tuna, cream cheese and jalapeño. lastly I have a soft spot for locally owned business and this guy (mark I believe is his name?) is one hard worker. every single time I come in there he is working at the sushi bar. he is kind, friendly and his restaurant is a true gem here in Denver.
(5)Abel F.
There aren't many Korean Restaurants in Denver proper. And I think that there are better places out in Aurora, but this place has some good food. Mark, the owner and sushi chef is a nice guy and the wait staff work hard to get you your food. I come here pretty often for some food and to play go with Mark.
(4)Casey T.
Not good. Very low quality fish for sushi, nothing special on entrees... Not worth all the hype, that is for sure!
(1)Andrea P.
This place has kind of become my little local sushi place. I wouldn't say I love it, but I go here enough I must at least really like it. Prices are pretty reasonable, service is decent and typically there's always a place to sit despite the smallness of the building. My only real gripe is it should be almost mandatory to put avocado in spicy tuna rolls, w/out it...it's just wrong!
(4)Andrew G.
Excellent! The wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Food was DELICIOUS and came out super fast. It was a bit quiet in the restaurant but overall it does have a good atmosphere. Menu was simple and not overwhelming but has the basic Korean entrees. Interesting sushi rolls make great appetizers. Highly recommend!
(5)Bryan V.
Super yummy! Moderately priced.
(4)Nick C.
With all of the restaurants that I was hopeful to go to for Valentine's Day already booked, my resort was to go to a restaurant recommended by my friend who lives in the Congress Park neighborhood. She recommended Uoki as a good place for Korean and Sushi. Knowing that I wouldn't need reservations and that my date was big open for anything, we settled here. Just as we assumed, the place was not busy, and even had Valentine's Day drink specials. Walking into the place we felt like we were walking into a tropical jungle as it was so humid that moisture built up on the tables. Having had my fix of sushi in the past few days I was intrigued to try some of the Korean items on the menu. My dad and I decided to share one of their specialty rolls to begin. Couldn't tell you the name of the roll, but it was to have avocado and unagi on the top with tempura shrimp in the middle. One of the most disappointing sushi rolls that I have ever had. For one, it was poorly made to say the least as it was practically falling apart. I believe only two of the pieces had a trace of any unagi on the top, and I believe they tempura consisted of just batter with no shrimp. Our entrees soon followed as my date ordered the chicken udong and based off the recommendation of the waitress I went with the pork bul-go-gi. Upon both our first bites, we were overwhelmed with sodium. Talk about a sodium fix. I resorted to stirring in my side rice and broccoli in with every bite to reduce the amount of salt that encompassed each piece of pork. Unable to finish either of our meals, we chose not to take any of the left overs. The remainder of our evening consisted of us complaining of the odor that had stuck to us from the humid stench of overly salted food.
(2)Y. P.
Japanese sushi place and Korean food. Even though there are no banchan that come with the Korean food, you can always just enjoy your favorite Korean with a roll of sushi, fair game. And being Korean myself, who wants to adhere to banchan all the time. From what I see, people don't even finish their banchan when it comes to Korean food (they just focus on the main meal naturally).
(5)Dominic A.
Thought the bi bim bob was bland, but it's a spot I'd try again. One of my buddies does swear by the place and I tend to agree with him about food. The staff was very friendly and seemed to know quite a few people that walked in. I usually take that as a good sign to the quality of an establishment. Why else would they be coming back?
(3)Lazy G.
Most delicious food in some time. FREE SHOTS!!! Supper attentive staff and very friendly.
(5)Larren M.
Never had a bad meal here. My one and only complaint would be that after leaving you will continue to smell like Japanese/Korean food for the rest of the night. I'd advise taking a shower and doing laundry following dinner...lol. The Korean food is solid and so is the Japanese fair. I really dig on their sushi and their wasabi mayo is freakin' awesome. I always have a hard time deciding what to eat when we go here. It usually ends up being an assortment of things. Nice neighborhood eatery.
(4)Kat A.
Stopped in here with some friends for lunch last week and was pleasantly surprised. We all had a hankering (that's right - I used the word 'hankering') for sushi, and Uoki delivered. For $10 each we got a really decent sushi lunch - california roll, a spicy tuna handroll (not so much on that one), and two pieces of sashimi. On top of that, we each got either a soup or salad. I tried the curry chicken soup and fell in love just a little bit. The sushi was fair - they drizzled this wasabi mayo concoction over the california rolls that was delicious. The server assisting us was so genuine and friendly and just really happy to be working there that I felt totally comfortable. It was a surprise that the place was so empty when we stopped in, given what a nice experience we had; I'm more than happy to keep this my little workday lunch secret as long as I can. Except, you know, for posting it here on Yelp for everyone to read. Dammit! I suck at secrets! And next time I am all over the Korean food.
(3)Leza F.
We decided to try this place after wanting to find a good Korean joint in the Denver area. Meh. I've had better. My partner and I ordered a combination trio deciding on the beef teriyaki, the beef and pork Korean dishes (can't remember the names, basically just the meats and some rice). The beef teriyaki was cold when we got it, the Korean meats were just "okay". I've had Korean in another city I used to live in and it was way better than this. We both thought it was expensive for what it was ($21 for the trio served with a single salad) and about $2.50 each for our beverages. We split the trio b/c I have a very small stomach and can't eat much. The server was nice enough and did check in on us a few times during our meal, so there wasn't any real issues with the service. I've had better, I've had WAY worse! We probably WON'T return since the food was only so-so and it was pretty pricey for what we got....still looking for a good Korean place!!
(2)Michelle p.
Coming from the Hawaiian Islands where you can get Japanese/Korean/Philipino food everywhere I feel my tastebuds a little discriminating. Either way we attended Uoki on a late Thursday evening, and with the prices for dinner set at a standard price we expected standard fare. We ordered two drinks, only one came at first we had to ask for the 2nd one. We ordered an appetizer and ordered our meal just shy of the kitchen closing. We ended up getting our soup first, drinks second, as I stated the 2nd drink thereafter upon requesting it, our full meal, and then our appetizer. I am sorry but this is not a 3.5 star place. If the service is poor, the atmosphere is poor, and the food is poor then it has no redeeming qualities. My sashimi appetizer was sad at best, and at 10 dollars for 7 (half pieces) of pre-frozen flavorless sashimi I was disappointed. Our main course was Sang-Choo-Sam which was okay, and the other was the Bul-Gal-Bi i which just tasted like teriyaki to me...with no Korean pear flavoring to it loads of fat and grease on the plate and no sear on the edges. I would expect this and accept it if the prices were comparable but they are not. I would only go here for lunch again, if I go at all. The waitress looked too consumed with her side work to pay attention to the customers, the sushi-chef (manager i assume) was too consumed in a game of GO, and the cooks were too busy trying to prep to leave. Yes the food is edible, yes our food came out free of hairs or bugs but what it really comes down to is the price for value. You can't charge standard prices and give sub-standard service/ food. There are a lot of other better places in Denver that are actually WORTH the money. Sorry.
(2)Heather C.
I am seriously shocked to see any low ratings here ... this is our date night place and we absolutely love it! To be fair, we only come for the nigiri, but the appetizers we have had have been spot on. The sushi / sashimi is amazing - delicate, fresh, well prepared ... I am literally drooling a little just thinking about it! They always go out of their way to put special touches on the dish - a couple extra chucks of tuna, a special soup added on the house, etc. The chef, Mark, is a blast to talk with (sit at the bar and watch him work - worth it!) and he puts out a good plate of nigiri. We order from the sushi list, not the menu ... cheaper and we get exactly what we want. We did the sashimi platters several times and Mark was willing to sub out pieces that we don't like (I will NOT eat mackeral, sorry!). The service is generally slow - they usually only have 1-2 people in there at any given time as it is a small place. We don't go for the speed of their service, though, and we have gotten to know the waitresses and enjoy the family atmosphere. We like Hapa, Sushi Den, Izakaya, Sushi Sasa ... but when we want a nice night out to reconnect and stuff ourselves on mouth-watering food without having to take out a loan, we come to Uoki!
(5)Alan W.
After Nohana (formerly known as Sushi Heights) sadly closed down on Colfax, I have been on a search for a solid, inexpensive, honest sushi restaurant near downtown. I have found it here at Uoki. The restaurant is small, simple and unassuming. Nothing trendy or pretensious here, just quality simple traditional Japanese food and sushi. The service is personable and friendly. I love sitting at the albeit small stretch of sushi bar. They are rarely very busy, when when they do it is not for very long (I hate the rediculous wait at some of the trendy sushi restaurants). Disappointingly they do not have a happy hour, which I have been trying to get them to do, but their menu is very reasonably priced so I am not complaining. One minor fault is that their Hamachi (Yellowtail) roll uses chopped green onion from the top green part of the onion rather than the whites, so the onion has very little taste and feels dry and chewy. Being a big Hamachi fan I have learned to order it as Nigiri rather than in a roll. I haven't tried their Korean menu, but one day I will -- I just gorge myself on sushi.
(4)Carlos M.
Really good yuk ke jang.
(4)Jennifer H.
I've been here twice. The quality between the first time and this last time has declined substantially! I will not be giving this place another try. I'm no sushi expert, but I've had enough to spot horrible sushi when I see it. A sushi roll should not fall apart when you attempt to pick it up. It also shouldn't be made with ridiculous amounts of rice and fish that doesn't seem very fresh (even by Denver standards). Definitely overpriced for the quality you get. And I ended up with a stomach ache which also sucked. I will give them one star for the house salad dressing. That stuff is really good, even though it's served on iceberg lettuce. Maybe I've just been ordering wrong? But if you're going to try this place don't come for the sushi. You're better off going to Whole Foods or Tokyo Joe's quite honestly.
(1)Andrew A.
Japanese and Korean food are my favorite. I found out about this place while walking to Safeway one rainy morning. Unfortunately they weren't open at the time and I never had the chance to go there till now. At the time I discovered this place, they had an assortment of donburi dishes which I love and always had this place in mind if I wanted to get that fix. This time around, they only had unagi don, which I also love but I wasn't going to pay $18 for it. Menu pricing from lunch to dinner is an average of $7 difference in price increase which I find very odd. I'm assuming that they serve the same portions also.... But anyway, I stopped by for dinner and ordered edamame and a tempura app and some sushi rolls. Edamame arrived hot but not evenly salted. Tempura was crispy but something was off with the shrimp and the tempura sauce lacked something. The sushi rolls were mediocre. They have a nice sushi menu which is quite expansive and ordered their volcano, super spicy, softshell crab, a unagi and shrimp tempura roll. They tasted fine but find it humorous that they add imitation crab to the softshell crab roll. Volcano roll is too rich and so is the super spicy, which I thought was mild in heat. I had quite a but of leftover pieces of sushi so I asked my server if she could box it up for me so I could give it to a homeless personon my way home. I may return here for some bul go gi but not for the sushi.
(2)Lena S.
Was not impressed with the Korean dishes here. Honestly, I was excited to be near a Korean restaurant and not have to drive all the way out to Aurora or make it myself. But, after trying the dishes here, I will unfortunately have to continue to drive out to Aurora if I dont feel up to cooking. If you are going to serve Korean here, at least make it comparable. I remember calling and asking if they had japchae, and neither of the staff even knew what I was talking about. Kinda disappointing.
(1)Mary Jo S.
It was neighbor Sam's birthday and the husband and I wanted to take him out for dinner. Neighbor Sam was adopted from Korea and is special; the husband and I are now his family and guardians. I told him we were going to a new place that was getting good reviews (from Yelp). As we pulled up he said, "I am not going in there; I do not like it." I had to explain that it is a different place than Seoul Food. I was so hoping that Uoki would please him as he is tough to please. Uoki, you came through with flying colors. We all ordered Korean: Bi-Bim-Bob, Kim-chi Fried rice, and Soo-Tofu Soup (with seafood). We also had OB Korean beer, SoJu Korean Sake, and a Korean Wine. Everything was presented nicely and the taste was just wonderful. Neighbor Sam started to smile and we were pleased. Uoki, we will be back on a regular basis now and I will be trying one of your sushi on a bridge specials as that is what everyone else was eating. And neighbor Sam is already planning his next meal; Bul-Gal-Bi (kai bi, a special dish they served at his orphanage) Thanks for making a great birthday surprise.
(4)Jess W.
This is a 2.5 star place (serious yelp, when are you going to let us do 1/2 stars?). I am a huge bibimbap fan (although it's called bibimbob here...joke, typo, regional spelling...who knows), and have given this place a couple shots to fulfill my craving. So far, my overall experience is a resounding 'Meh...'. I also seriously dislike that they charge an extra 2 dollars for the hot version...which has exactly the same ingredients. Maybe the extra charge because the pot is heavier? And there are health risks involved in carrying it to our table? The sauce is blander than I like, and the ingredients are not as fresh or interesting as 'baps I've had in the past. I do, however, like the cozy vibe of the place, and the service has been fairly solid. I guess this is more of a bibimbap review than an Uoki review. Anyone know a better place to go for bibimbap?? I'm dying here, people.
(2)Joshua T.
Excellent sushi but try the Korean food...its is awesome!
(4)Lauren R.
This place is on the better side of OK bu not quite good. The food was good, no taste problems, fish was pretty fresh. But the rolls are a bit expensive for what you are actually getting. Only a few rolls are complex, using multiple types of fish, different mixes of ingredients BUT the prices of all the rolls act as if they are complex rolls. I liked how everything tasted, but I felt like I was over paying for what I got. No problems with service but I did not want to order an adult drink because they were quite expensive.
(3)Kmberly B.
Yumm, wish I could give 3.5 stars, but I'll round up! I eat here weekly. Okay, I mostly get it to go, but either way I consume it weekly. Not only is it wicked close to my house, but the sushi is always very fresh. The restaurant is right on the corner of Washington and 6th and the outdoor patio in the Summer is relaxing. The interior is comfortable and casual, and although there's always people in there, it never seems full or crowded. Miso soup is something so simple, that it's easy to mess up. Based on that I judge every restaurant by it. Uoki's miso soup is simple and exactly on spot. I eat the sushi regularly (mostly due to convenience) I love the Bronco roll (Salmon and Lemon) and the Dragon (Eel and Avocado)! This is a hidden gem.
(4)Crystal N.
I love love love the Bi-Bim-Bob. I love it so much I get it every single time and don't even look at the menu. (Usually takout because I don't love the atmosphere.) Tell me if I'm missing something that's better on the menu. I dare you...
(4)Jonny D.
Uoki doesn't get nearly enough love. The bibimbap is absolutely fantastic--lust-inducing, even--and the sushi is uniformly excellent--better than almost any I've found in Denver, even. The service is outstanding even though, as far as I can tell, there is only one waitress most nights (she's a pro!). The food gets to you quickly. The location is incredible. The beers are great. The sake is great. Sheesh, just go there already. I can't even think of anything else to compliment about this place.
(5)Kris M.
A good place to go for Korean food if you don't feel like driving all the way out to Aurora. Actually, possibly the only place I've found if you want Korean food outside of Aurora. Having a craving and being nearby one day, I stopped into Uoki for dinner on a weeknight. I ordered Korean bbq beef and some kimchi. The kimchi was well done, with a good amount of kick but not too much. The bbq beef was a bit chewy, but still delicious. However, the rice was a bit dry, and the vegetables seemed to have barely been steamed at all. In short, it was a decent meal at a decent price. I can't comment on the sushi, except to say that it certainly looked good from where I was sitting and the chefs seemed to know what they were doing. The service was excellent and paid attention without being overbearing. I would probably return in a pinch.
(3)T R.
Had the sushi. I regret that. I know its hard to do sushi this far inland, but for the prices they were charging thought it would be a safe bet. Server made us feel like we were a bother, even though the place was empty.
(2)Sarah M.
When I Ray and I try to decide on food one in a while we have some very opposite ideas of what will satisfy our hunger. Last night was nothing different. He wanted meat, and in particular some bulgogi. He used to get this in Guam and always is excited at the chance to get something that reminds him of his childhood. I wanted Sushi.... and we found this place on Yelp! Lauren D writes .... "This restaurant is the perfect hybrid for my relationship with my BF. I can mow lots of different kinds of yummy sushi til my hearts content and he can get his bulgogi and kimchee!" HA!!!! We were sold!!! We came in and it was not too busy. The dumplings were tasty and we ordered the curry soup and some wine in addition to our entrees. The soup came fast and the wine did not show up for about 20 minutes when my sushi came. No biggie. Ray's bulgogi took a while longer but came out without the little sides ray was used to at other places, so he ordered a side of Kimche with it. It was very tender and flavorful and the kimche was a little different than we were used to but good. My rolls were good but not amazing. The meal was nice and the place got a little full after a while. A little tough i would bet for one server. She was nice : ) I look forward to trying some other items on their menu! We had a good meal
(4)Lauren D.
Score on finding this restaurant. Why don't I live closer to these fabulous places? Maybe soon... anyhow. This restaurant is the perfect hybrid for my relationship with my BF. I can mow lots of different kinds of yummy sushi til my hearts content and he can get his bulgogi and kimchee! The rainbow roll was great and I have no idea what kind of sauce they drizzle on it but it's awesomely tasty. My one complaint was that they have weird skinny metal chopsticks. I'm already kind of "challenged" when it comes to using chopsticks so this almost pushed me over the edge. However, the service was fantastic! Our waitress was quick, friendly, helpful, everything we could have asked for AND she said she can give us wooden chopsticks or a fork even if we wanted. And wasn't judgy about it - 5 stars Uoki!
(5)Celia S.
While heading through town to grab K-food in Aurora we happened upon this unexpected neon-light Seoul-food diner--after not much thought we said wth--bring it on! So we walked in and were immediatly greeted by an American waitress and sat at the sushi bar. It was quite full and seemed promising- The menu is quite extensive- including alot of Korean and Japanese faire and alot of my fav dishes. +number 1 After alot of deliberation and a few minutes we happened to catch the hispanic cook out of the kitchen-- after making eye contact with my friend- we decided to go ahead and just get sushi- :) I think I may want to go back just to check out the jjigae and such but will venture out to Aurora and back first.
(3)Lisa J.
Is there a zero star option? I would not go here again. The salad was ok. I felt like the fish was not fresh. The rolls were falling apart and bleh. Tokyo Joes would have been a better choice and much cheaper. The soda was 2.25 and they only offered one refill, I was a bit annoyed by this. Maybe the other dishes are fine I would not go back to test it out!
(1)Jonathan K.
I am Korean and I go here about twice a month. They do have a lot of Japanese items on the menu but to tell you the truth I have never tried them (not even the sushi). Mark, the owner who is usually behind the sushi bar, is from the same region of Korea as my mother and his food reminds me of my mother's cooking, particularly the Kimchi Soup, Sang-Choo-Sam, Bi-Bim-Bop and Bul-Go-Gi. I go here when I need my fix for Kimchi Soup (some of the best in the city and much better than Korea House's in my opinion). I do wish they had more Korean items on the menu, but what they have definitely satisfies my cravings. Mark is incredibly nice as well. Even greets me by name and stops by my table every time I am in there. Worth checking out but order Korean, not Japanese.
(5)Jenny S.
Note *** I smelled like Korean food until I took a shower, washed my hair and did my laundry. I also had to Fa-breeze my car since I brought leftovers home. So just a heads up, you will probably stink like Korean food after you leave here. I really like the Seoul Food neon light in the window, every time I drive down 6th Ave, it jumps out at me. I tried the Bi Bom Bim and it was good, enough to share with a second person. It was very quiet in there, only 1 other table being served. The waitress was very pleasant and helpful with the menu. I thought it was a cute place and did have a good dining experience, except for the whole smell thing.
(4)Dale A.
For some reason, I've lived in captial hill since 1995 and never made it to Uoki this year. What a shame to think I've been missing out all this time. While I'm no authority on Korean food, my first exposure to the cuisine here was thoroughly delicious. On the Korean side,the bul go gi was a big favorite and the Kimchi was very spicy (side note: be sure your date eats this as well so you both will have the same, erm, aroma). On the Japanese side, I have to say that they do pretty good Nigiri and Sushi and that the teriyaki chicken was perfect. All served up in a cozy, casual setting with well-informed staff. Nice!
(4)Katie C.
I recently dined here with a friend, we both were feeling in the mood for a much needed "sushi fix." We ordered 3 rolls in total which, I will say were a decent size. Two of the rolls were very satisfactory. One was a tempura roll with avocado, with a few other things added in. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with any sort of tempura combo, had a nice crunch and we were pleased. The other, was a tuna roll topped with seaweed salad. I am a huge fan of seaweed salad, so we were both pleased with this one as well. However, the last roll, which sounded very appetizing on the menu, is very deceiving. It consisted of tuna, yellowtail, and salmon, and what was said to be a garlic sauce on top. What it in fact was, was Velveeta cheese with garlic mixed in, and layered around all of the seaweed. On top of that, the pieces of fish seemed to be just rolled into 1 giant monstrosity, so large, that it is hard to maneuver into your mouth. Never had I had such a disgusting roll in my life. Shocked, when we asked the waitress what this strange, gelatinous, overpowering substance on the roll was, that they would even dream up something so unappetizing to pair with sushi. Seemed pretty faux pas of classic Japanese sushi preparation. That, also, is where our service dropped off from our waitress. Whether she sensed our unpleasant reaction, and it upset her, I'm not sure. We were simply asking questions about how this particular roll was prepared, and perhaps, it didn't sit well with her, or she personally took offense. The atmosphere all around, and the service both left a lot to be desired. I would not dine here again...
(2)Heidi S.
This is my first time here since the demise of Seoul Food. I had the kimchi soup and the ball-n-chain had a tempura and shredded beef combo that he enjoyed. The kimchi soup was served molten, sizzling hot in a cast iron bowl - seriously - it was boiling. It is served with a cute little shiny silver bowl filled with rice. I enjoyed the broth - once it cooled down - word to the wise - take the spoon out of the soup and let it cool down before you shovel it into your face. I loved the broth - very good, not too spicy. I wasn't however, a fan of the small pieces of pork- it just seemed dry to me (I know it was swimming in liquid) but it just didn't appeal. I guess I didn't expect it to have meat - shows you what I know. Had two Sapporo beers which were properly cold and delish. The place was clean and the service was quick and efficient. I do wish they had a bigger Korean menu. Parking is tight and if you can't score a spot right in front then it is the side streets. We will definitely go back.
(4)Alden C.
I have been here a few times over the years and have always enjoyed whatever I ordered. A fine place to go if you are on 6th Ave and are trying to decide where to eat. :)
(4)Andrew T.
Mark the chef is so awesome. Go here at least once a week for lunch. Best prok bul goi goi around. A few weeks ago tried the sushi as well and A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Do yourself a favor and get it with the salad.
(5)Sasha H.
Went with my 2 young boys and they gave us extra miso soup and also made special rolls for them on the house. That I definitely appreciate and would go back just for that! The sushi was decent, but the wasabi was tasteless. I have a high pain tolerance so maybe that's the problem, but i used the whole bowl of wasabi and didn't taste anything!
(3)Katrina A.
They're definitely trying to bring up the quality here. Last time I ate at Uoki, I was not impressed. As I love bibimbap, and hate driving (down right refuse to drive to Aurora), Uoki got our business for another try. The bibim"bob" was delicious. Last time we came I assumed that only the stone bibimbap came with egg on top, because it's the only one that said so in the description. However, the waitress corrected me tonight; both styles come with egg. Good to know if you don't feel like paying the two dollars extra for a different bowl. (Yes, I know the hot stone bowl changes it, but sometimes I just don't care.) The sushi list is impressive, though we didn't have any tonight, I was amazed with the selection. They have a huge list of rolls. All in all, the only thing missing is the array of sides that most Korean restaurants seem to bring at the start of the meal (mmmm, fish cake.) I'm still stuffed and already looking forward to my left overs.
(4)Susie T.
Best kimchee broth in town hands down. The best. Mark the owner is a sweetheart! Try the "tofu soup" on the menu.
(4)Rob K.
I've never had a bad meal here, the stone Bi-Bim-Bob is always filling. Snag a salad, the dressing is insane or try some of their Kimchi. The Popeye sushi rolls are tasty and a good choice for vegetarians. Share a slice of their Tempura Cheese Cake with dabs of whipcream and drizzled chocolate to finish off your meal. Try this place you'll like it.
(5)Cassie S.
Offering an escape from stupidly cliched "Fusion" cafes and overpriced sushi hotspots, Uoki is a groovy middle ground for both trendy Korean food and good, moderately-priced sushi. There's not a ton of Korean on the menu, mostly staples and newer inventions dressed up with some Kim Chi. But the Japanese cuisine is quick and good, and their sushi, while not toe-curling, is good for the price. They also have some killer Korean spirits and make for a great neighborhood takeout joint.
(3)Yvonne C.
Considering what they were charging for things, I half expected the food to be a little better. It wasn't that the flavor was bad, but the food was over salted. We down glasses of water just to compensate for our thirst. The curry chicken soup was good but nothing phenomenal. I wouldn't mind going back to try the Japanese food, I only had the Korean dishes this time. I am still drinking water...
(3)Nicolette T.
We have been frequenting this place for years. The owner is the most gracious host we've experienced in a long time! This place should be full with people who aren't impressed by decor, but want good quality food that is at a very reasonable price. I have tried their sushi, their udon, and their bibimbob that is second to none! I realize the location can be a bit funky, but the food is great and quick, and very reasonable. Pop in sometimes, and you won't regret it!
(4)Lauren B.
This place is awful. Worst sushi in Denver, hands down. The rice is weird, the fish doesn't seem as fresh, and the service is horrible. My friends and I even dubbed one waiter, "The Sushi Nazi" if that's any indication of the service. Like seriously, he just throws down our plates (yes, throws), and walks off. Funny story, but probably not what you're looking for in a dining out experience.
(1)Peter K.
The location is quaint and the service is ok, I am assuming the sushi chef is also the owner. Menu - If you are new to Korean cuisine then you will find the selections to be ok. For Koreans its a bit limited. Food - I ordered the Yu-Kae-Jang. Which is a spicy beef stew which you eat with rice. Similar to pepper pot stew. The soup was good, filled with vegetables, beef and spicyness was just right. The major drawback to this place is its emphasis is on Japanese Food. To be a true Korean Restaurant you need to have good side dishes, pan-chan. This is the soul of Korean cuisine. If you are already familiar with Korean cuisine and looking for a quick fix, I can heartily recommend this place. If you are new to the genre I suggest you first try a Korean BBQ Restaurant like Korea House.
(3)Ben S.
We love this place. On a cold day, the yoo kae jang and soon tofu are great. Very friendly owner.
(4)Taj M.
I keep going back again and again for the kimchi soup because I love it so. This is a great place to be a regular, so I'm excited to be moving only a few blocks away!
(5)Jeff S.
This place is fantastic. It's small, easy to get to, and great food. My wife is Korean, and we've been searching for great mandoo, bul go gi, kimchi, and bi bim bob, and we found it here. The owner, Mark Park, is friendly and engaging. His sushi rolls kick Sushi Den's butt. Cheers!
(5)heather j.
Just moved to the neighborhood and wanted some Friday night take out and learned that this place was not really the place for good sushi. It was probably the worst presentation of sushi and looked like it had been sitting out for hours. It wasn't fresh or appealing. Also ordered the soba noodles and was disappointed with that as well. For $10 I got a to go box half full of dry noodles with a few onions. So NOT worth the $50 I spent.
(2)r h.
The bi bim bob was uninspired, but not bad. Wish they had A/C, it was very warm inside at lunchtime.
(3)Connie W.
Not really memorable.
(2)Pete S.
Uoki or Seoul Food is good, but not great sushi and Korean food. Good for the price, nice atmosphere and great location. There are some reviews here complaining about the saltiness and smell and spice of this restaurant's food, and as someone who lived in Korea for two years, I can tell you those are hallmarks of good Korean food. Keep in mind that there, people eat kimchi for breakfast! To say the packed subway ride to work in the morning was a five sense overload would be an understatement. After Korean food, you should smell, your clothes should smell, your hair should smell! So some of these reviews are like saying "my sashimi was undercooked" or "my steak was too meaty." Korean food *is* salty and smelly and it should be. Understandably, this turns many Americans off. I once asked a Korean couple running a noodle shop near DU if they would get some authentic bibimbap instead of their bland "Japanese" dishes, and they said the smell drove away all the American college students. So keep that in mind in regarding this restaurant on 6th Avenue; if you want authentic you must travel to Aurora, or better, Seattle, or better yet, to Seoul. You haven't lived until you've had Kimchi Chigae for breakfast and then get shoved into an already packed subway car by two dudes with a huge bar; it is hot, sweaty, packed tighter than you thought possible and every single one of the 12 people within six inches of your face smell like they just ate a spicy wad of pepper and garlic, because, well, they just did. Allright, I suppose some of you can live just fine without experiencing that. So, as far as Korean food goes, in Korea you will traditionally get at least 5 little side dishes of tiny pickled fish, varieties of kimchi, spinach, etc. It is always an odd number of side dishes. They all smell and are all salty and most are spicy. The more side dishes, the more exotic, the better the restaurant. The chef at Uoki knows this, and has calculated that you don't want it, because if that were your priority, you'd be in Aurora, or Seattle, or Seoul. So do not expect that at Uoki; it is intentionally not traditional and trying to appeal to people who aren't crazy enough to move to Korea for two years. Dulsut Bibimbap (in the crockpot) is good, Bulgogi decent, but the soups, Kimchi Chigae or Yookgae Jang or even the blander Dukgook will soothe your chilled bones on a snowy commute home, or, oddly enough, cool you down on a hot summer night. For being where it is, it is exellent Korean food. I can safely say that it is the best Korean food for miles. Dinner comes with a salad, which is not at all traditional, but the dressing is really good and I've asked to buy extra to bring home. If you don't want to go to the H-Mart and buy your own miso and keep it in your own fridge, have the miso soup; it's not fantastic but miso soup never is. The sushi is American sushi; you can pay more elsewhere but it won't be much better and the nigiri is well-sized. Unagi is good and the Spider Roll is good and the spicy tuna handroll squarely above average and better than the tonier Sushi Den. To screw up sushi you can either not roll well or give small pieces or give old fish; that doesn't happen here. That said, don't expect to get fugu (poison-puffer fish) san nachi (squirming octopus) or live skinned eel (I forgot the word). I suspect you are fine with that, since you are going to a restaurant on 6th Avenue in Denver, Colorado, USA. It's a small joint, so don't go there with your 20 closest friends. But if you are going out with your squeeze or your buddies and you don't know what kind of food to get, and you find yourself saying "OK let's pick a continent and choose from there" then go to Uoki, and get yourself something you've never had before, preferably something you can't pronounce, and definitely buy a side dish of kimchi. If you can handle Sriracha or Tapatio heat, you'll be fine; Korean food is not as spicy as Tabasco. If you already like Korean food, it's a good place; but if you want a 50 minute exotic vacation, go to Aurora. Then go home and brush your teeth, because you will smell!
(4)Chrissy B.
What I wouldn't do for something, ANYTHING with that wasabi mayo on it right now. They say you shouldn't go to the grocery store on an empty stomach, but I'm thinking that I probably shouldn't write a food review on one either as it's going to likely be slightly biased. Haha! Anyway, this place has such a good atmosphere, and I've never had a bad roll for the price. The owner, Mark, is so nice that I'm sure if "Tiffany C." had asked what was in her spicy tuna roll and mentioned that she didn't like it, he most certainly would have made her new one, sans mystery flavor.... Aside from that, I love the quirky roll names and the kimchi soup is DELICIOUS! I can't wait to eat on the patio this summer.
(4)Shiho F.
I haven't tried there Japanese food but there Korean food was pretty good. Had the Bi Bim Bop with beef but it had a Japanese twist and not necessarily in a good way. There was a 7 inch piece of shrimp tempura on mine. An added bonus I guess... I recommend asking for a side of kimchee and throwing it in your bowl before mixing up your goods. Gives it more of a Korean flare if you will. Also, it was interesting that they served the Bi Bim Bop with a choice of side salad or soup. The salad dressing was a ginger-soy (very Japanese) and it was quite delcious and the soup was miso soup. You would think that with a Korean dish they would serve you a little Korean soup. I would have prepared a kimchee tofu soup to go with the rice bowl. It just makes more sense to me.
(4)Clarissa D.
If you're looking for the full Korean Dinner experience, go somewhere else. I had the Bi Bim Bap and when the egg arrived, it was cooked all the way through. In the end the food was good, but I've definitely had better elsewhere.
(2)Matt M.
Been there over 20 times and was never disappointed. Always impressed with the Korean dishes and the Japanese sushi rolls. The atmosphere is very nice and relaxing, so it's top notch on every front. Great place to kick back, drink up, and enjoy the food, which has always been consistent.
(5)M w.
I am not Korean, but pretty well versed in how the dishes should taste as I have had many home cooked Korean meals. I would consider this okay but not stellar - I thought it was rather bland. But they do have kimchee and the wait staff was very nice. Menu was limited and there is too much Japanese food on it.
(3)Liz D.
In town to visit family and stopped by. I am from NYC and have a high standard for sushi - they totally made the mark!!! They also made some of my rolls with cucumber instead of rice upon request which is great for the Paleo diet! The tuna and salmon sashimi was melt in your mouth. I tried a new Korean app and can't remember the the name but was like a egg pancake with veggies and a delicious sauce. Totally recommend it! Great for family or date night and has an outside patio.
(5)Sam D.
Absolutely, without question, my go-to sushi place in Denver. Service is phenomenal, the fish is spectacular, and the environment is comfortable and quiet. Mark, the owner, is friendly and always knows my name when I walk in. The perfect place for a date or a night with friends. Highly recommended. PS: try the Tiger Eye Roll and Triple Spicy Roll. Spectacular.
(5)Michael C.
If you're looking for a relaxing, easy place to have some quality sushi or Korean food, this is a great place to check out. Service is extremely warm, friendly and attentive. Pricing is extremely fair for the quantity and quality of food (the quality is above average, in my opinion. ) Atmosphere is very easy going, plenty of seating; always very relaxed. And finally, arguably the most important facet: the food. It's great. Above average sushi in Denver. Never had a bad meal here. Honestly, no complaints! Five stars!
(5)RL L.
We have been going here for years. It is always delicious. Not only is the Korean food amazing, the sushi is great as well. They have some really unique rolls and we usually order a couple rolls in addition to Korean dishes. The owner and staff are so kind and helpful. It is usually just the owner and one server when we go, they do it all and work really hard. I prefer Uoki to any all you can eat Korean Bbq place. I have noticed a few people complain about parking. Yes, if you drive there you will likely have to park a block or two away, but that it just part of dining in the city so it's nothing to complain about and no reason to deter you from little gem on 6th Avenue. I love you Uoki, I wish we still lived down the street so we could come more often!
(5)Jennifer M.
After passing by this place and wanting to try it out for many months, my husband and I finally popped in for lunch on a warm afternoon. The inside is fairly warm, so I feel like unless they have A/C it may be kind of uncomfortable in the summer months. That is literally my only complaint about Uoki though. The service was wonderful and we enjoyed everything we had. We ended up sharing their special roll of the day, 2 maguro sashimi pieces, and the kimchi jiggae. Even though they are trying to do two different things I think they are doing them pretty well. We'll be back!
(4)Ada S.
Just walk in and sit! Service is quick and place is relatively small so it feels cozy and definitely like a neighborhood business. Sushi rolls are tasty and the Seoul food is also delicious. 3 rolls here are more than enough for two people! Come here for casual dining plus oriental food. Fair warning-Hardly any parking around so try to find a spot on Washington or Clarkson!
(4)Jessica C.
Uoki is hands down my favorite sushi place in Denver, well maybe my favorite sushi ever. Seriously. I've never tried a better spicy tuna than the Triple Spicy Roll and I often ask Mark if he'd just move his restaurant to Austin already. Every time I visit Uoki the staff is friendly and Mark is dedicated to his craft and customers. He constantly switches up the weekly special roll, but is hard for me to stray from my favorites. My top 5 favorite sushi rolls at Uoki are: Triple Spicy, Broncos, Super Dynamite, Holiday and Hopping Cal. Beyond the phenomenal sushi, I also love a handful of Korean dishes and of course the house salad with top secret salad dressing (which Mark will sell you if you're nice)! In regards to Korean dishes you can't go wrong with the Kim-Chi Soup, Stone Bi-Bim Bob or Spicy Ramen. All in all, Uoki is a neighborhood staple to enjoy a beer on the patio during the summer and hot soup in the winter. Mark recently started Happy Hour as well, so there's always that... Stop by today and tell Mark I sent you, he loves getting to know his customers. Enjoy!
(5)Steve S.
The place I always thought was called Seoul Food is excellent no matter what the name is. Fresh sushi, delicious Korean comfort food and a great owner named Bruce. To top it all off, there is no line out of the door, so you can get a seat and enjoy your meal in comfort. My recommendation is to get a couple sushi rolls, of which all are good, and then some bulgolgi to share. What is it you ask? It's a dreamy plate of beef, smoky and sweet. Try it, you can't go wrong. Give this place a shot Yelpers, just be aware that you'll be parking on the street, which could be a challenge in that neighborhood.
(4)Romain V.
Great family owned Korean place. Simple but super authentic. Thanks so much for a good meal and friendly service Uoki.
(5)Brian H.
Best salads in the world the homemade dressing is top notch- the consistency in this place is on point By far my favorite restauraunt in Colorado and I eat out every meal and have tried probley 90% of the restaurants in Denver
(5)Robert L.
The sushi I had was a little sub-par. I'll bet they do fine with more traditional rolls but as a side, I wanted to taste their more creative side. Flavors were off. For my money I'd go down the street to Mt. Fuji. The Korean dishes like the Bul-go-gi are better and I think they are the reason to come here. I've gone a few times and I think this could be bordering on a 4 star place for me but I'd need to have a truly fantastic special roll before it makes the leap.
(3)Phillip C.
Ah Seoul food. Uoki is a great ethnic joint on an unassuming corner. I've been nearly a half dozen times and it's never been very busy. The word really needs to get out about this place: it's great Korean food! The stone bibimbap will pass the test for Korean food aficionados and also impress newbies. Make sure to mix up that fried egg so everyone gets some! I'm a huge fan of their kimchi, especially in their kimchi fried rice. It's so good and spicy! I haven't tried the sushi yet, but plan to on my next visit. Finally, get the barley tea. It's delightful, especially on a chilly, rainy day. Make sure to let it steep a bit before pouring!
(4)Frances G.
It was about damn time I ventured along my neck of the woods on 6th Avenue. After admiring Uoki from afar and always saying "We really need to go there" - I finally made my appearance...solo. Not one to usually eat by myself, I felt very comfortable and welcome as I plopped down at the sushi bar in this cozy nook of a restaurant. I will say, the parking was tough. Only street parking with only one way streets around does not an seamless parking situation make; however once you're in and sipping on a Korean or Japanese beer - all things get better. I enjoyed the white tuna sashimi and the classic Korean dish - Sang-Choo-Sam. A traditional dish from the Korean countryside, served after a full day of work under the hot sun. Delectable pieces of marinated beef, onion, and rice. Wrap it yourself in lettuce leaves and season w/ spicy Go-Choo-Jang sauce. It was delicious and I couldn't get enough of it. A generous plate of beef that you pile into a lettuce wrap with zesty and savory sauces...yep, I'll be back for that.
(4)Jason C.
The service is fantastic and the food is delicious. The staff is always friendly. The atmosphere is comfortable and cozy. One of my favorite haunts.
(5)Tessa C.
Great local place! Loved all our food. If you live in Cap Hill do yourself a favor and make this your regular spot.
(5)Carlyn S.
The food was not only savory and spicy at all the right times... but the tempura fried cheesecake (for my birthday) was out of this world. Everyone that works here was nice -- wasn't crowded so we got all the service we needed!
(5)Diana K.
Nothing fantastic to review... Pretty decent bibimbap and udon. Staff was super friendly.
(3)Savy P.
Love this place! The owner is a great guy and he makes great sushi. The creamy cal rolls are always my favorite. Its a cozy little restaurant. One of my favorite places in Denver!
(5)Valerie M.
The Tiger Eye roll was fantastic - lightly breaded tempura salmon with cream cheese and jalapenos topped with creamy avocado slices was enough to make me do the happy dance. Our table ordered a second roll! The bulgogi was seasoned well and reminded me of my Grandma's teriyaki steak - she's gone now, so I will have to go here for some taste bud tickles.
(4)Nancy P.
i always get the bul go gi beef and a special crab, avocado and pepper sushi that the owner makes. it is good value for money and i love it especially for lunch.
(5)Christopher C.
I really enjoyed this place, there is a bunch of stuff to choose from but I stuck with the clay pot Bi-Bim-Bob. I didn't try the sushi and I'm not an expert, but everything was very good. Also the yelpers are correct and your clothes will smell like the place.
(4)