It is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world when you accidentally stumble upon something truly amazing. At Japoix Restaurant and Lounge, it happened.
The initial reason to visit Japoix was because of it’s convenient location and to see how it has changed from the 975 Restaurant that operated in the same building before. Also, I was very curious to see if a Japanese-French Steakhouse could actually have good Japanese food. The outcome was outstanding. Ramen.
From a guy who spent a week in Japan, searching every nook and cranny for an even better bowl of ramen than the last one, this was the first time that a bowl of ramen in Denver has replicated the countless ones that were slurped on the streets of Kobe and Osaka, Japan. It can now be said with confidence that Japoix serves up the best bowl of ramen in Denver.
The dinner menu of Japoix opens up with the obligatory sushi menu. A small selection of rolls that wont surprise anyone, but every Japanese restaurant has to have. After that, though, it gets interesting. There are several small plate appetizers to choose from including Crispy Frog Legs, Kobe Sliders, Petit Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches, Tempura Shrimp, and soy-marinated short ribs rolled up in Deconstructed Street Tacos. Most appetizers range from $9 to $15. The Petit Chicken Sandwiches were excellent. They had a generous portion of grilled teriyaki chicken, pineapple, crispy lotus root, served in a warm steamed bun.
The next section of the menu is something unique called “Social Hot Rock”. These square cooking stones are designed to be shared with your dining partners and come with fries, pineapple, peppers and a trio of sauces. You get your choice of meat to grill on the stones from New York Strip, Filet Mignon, Lamb Tenderloin and American Kobe Ribeye. These plates start at $28 for the New York Strip and cap out at $45 for the Kobe Ribeye.
The entree section of the menu has a true Japanese-French fusion feel. Entrees are Japanese classics like Chicken Yakisoba listed right above French staples like French Dip, a Croque sandwich and “Le Duck”. Entrees range from $12 for French Dip to $26 for Samurai Seabass. Although they were a very diverse mix of items, everything on the entree list looked delicious.
Just below the entrees, highlighted to show their importance to the chef, are the Duck Ramen and Lobster Udon. The Lobster Udon is udon noodles, lobster, snap peas and chili oil in a miso-butter broth. Very French-Japanese. The Duck Ramen has roasted duck, crispy pork belly (the absolute highlight of the Japoix dining experience), snap peas and egg noodles swimming in a light duck broth. From the moment it arrived to the table to the last slurp of broth, it was a celestial experience. All the flavors of Japan exploded on your palate as you had pork belly, duck and snap peas all in the same bite. The egg noodles also had amazing texture and you could tell were homemade. The Duck Ramen is $16 and the Lobster Udon is $18.
If you can somehow manage the will power to not over-indulge on the appetizers and entrees, Japoix has a very eclectic dessert menu too. You have your choices ranging from Japanese ice creams to the ever-popular French Creme Brulee.
If for no other reason, visit Japoix to have a bowl of Duck Ramen. Yes, there are several other restaurants in Denver that serve ramen, and are less than $16, but they can’t compare. This is the real deal.
Japoix Restaurant and Lounge is located at 975 Lincoln St in Denver.
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