After launching two years ago, Mile High Asian Food Week is back for number three. This time there’s 80 participating vendors located all the way from Loveland to Colorado Springs. Over half are in Denver, and every single participant is AANHPI (Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) owned.
The week-long festivities kick off April 27 to May 3. Look for vendors showcasing special deals, unique items, and secret menus. There’s no wrong answers when choosing where to go, and you can find the full list here. The best part is trying new foods, learning about various cultures, indulging in favorite dishes, and supporting AANHPI businesses.
That said, here are some highlights to look forward to, though there are so many more coffee shops, boba shops, restaurants, bars, and other delicious venues participating. Start planning your calendar now.
Coffeegraph
Launched in October of last year, Coffeegraph is one of the best coffee shops in the West Highland area. The focus is on great Indonesian coffee, often with added spices and flavors found in Southeast Asia. Go during MHAFW and mention the event, then the owners will give you a free cake pop to go with your beverage. 3800 N. Julian St., Denver, no website
Kokoro Restaurant
Since 1986 Kokoro has served quick, healthy, and tasty Japanese food to locals, and during MHAFW you can get 25% off your bill by mentioning the event. The deal is available at both the Denver and Arvada locations. Look for homemade beef bowls, teriyaki chicken, and miso ramen, among other things. 2390 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver and 5535 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, kokororestaurants.com
Kuluka
Founded in 2022 by Bao Phommatha and Julia Vang, daughters of Southeast Asian immigrants, Kuluka is a family-owned boba tea and mochi donut shop. When there for MHAFWl ask for the secret menu, which features the Nava Drink and a Dubai Chocolate Mochi Donut. 6030 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster, kulukaboba.com
3456tea
Head to this energetic Korean spot in Aurora for soju, karaoke, and Korean bar food. For MHAFW the venue offers two galbi and kimchi sliders with two BTS drinks and a jar of cucumber kimchi, all for $30. 15775 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora, no website
Magna Kainan
Chef Carlo Lamagna opened Magna Kainan with chef Max Mackissock last year. Kainan means “eatery” in Tagalog and offers the RiNo neighborhood a wood-fired approach to Filipino comfort food. Get a true taste of the cuisine during MHAFW with a $45 prix fixed menu. Reservations recommended, but walk-ins welcome. 1350 40th St., Suite 120, Denver, magnadenver.com
Sesame Sandwiches
Opened by Kim Le in December 2023, the quaint cafe serves Vietnamese fare including banh mi, Vietnamese coffee, salads, rice bowls, and more. It’s located in the Whittier neighborhood. For MHAFW look for an eggroll and coffee combo for $6 and banh mi fries with protein for $8. Also, Sesame Sandwiches is launching a new dish in tandem with the event, a Crackling Pork Banh Mi, or bowl. 1432 E. 22nd Ave., Denver, welovesesame.com
Cakeheads Bakery
Cakeheads Bakery is a Filipino-American owned bakery that Cherrie and Bradley Isroff launched in 2007. While you can find some of the goods at various Whole Foods, Natural Grocers and other retailers, you can also visit the retail shop in Littleton. At the bakery, mention MHAFW and get discounted specials including a $12 flight of the sponge cake called mamon, flavored with ube, pandan, mocha, and butter. There’s also a $30,12-count pandesal combo, which is a classic Filipino morning bread. 7530 S. University Blvd., Littleton, cakeheadsbakery.com
Chi Lin Asian Eatery
Go get a free boba by mentioning MHAFW when ordering your meal at Chi Lin Asian Eatery, located at the Stanley Marketplace. The regular menu features a variety of Asian comfort food such as ramen, dumplings, and Chinese wok dishes. 2501 Dallas St., Aurora, chilindenver.com
Rocky Mountain Momo
Rocky Mountain Momo is a Nepalese women-led and locally owned restaurant serving momo and other Kathmandu street food. The spot opened on International Women’s Day 2024, and for MHAFW you can get a vegetarian or chicken platter for $20.99. 9678 E. Arapahoe Rd., Greenwood Village, rmmomo.com
TropiTai Delights
Owner Trajan Pei wanted to open the Taiwanese and Hawaiian fusion shop last month in order to showcase dessert from both his father’s and mother’s side of the family. Signature drinks include Passionfruit Guava and Strawberry Dragonfruit Green Tea, Rose and Lavender Green Milk Tea, and Mango Yogurt Green Tea. Also try the shaved ice in flavors such as winter melon, milk tea, and passionfruit guava. Enjoy 25% off your bill during MHAFW. 98 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, no website
CôNu’s Corner
Go for the banh mi at this convenience store and sandwich shop, and stay for the MHAFW special, a homemade dessert and Flavor of Dubai chocolate. Owner Nhu Hoang also serves pho, noodle bowls, rice plates, and one of the best Vietnamese iced coffees. 4400 W. 29th Ave., Denver, conuscorner.com
Special Events
Get ready for a special one-night collaboration for Mile High Asian Food Week on Sunday, April 27. Dubbed Authentic Me: Little Ogre Bar x The Block Distilling Co., the event runs from 12 to 8 p.m. at the distillery (2990 Larimer St., Denver). Think five Thai-influenced cocktails, a shooter, and two mocktails, all by Chottip Nimla, who is using spirits from The Block. Find more information here.
Sweet Rice Flour will be popping up, selling its gluten-free choux puffs, mochi, taro pudding, and Asian desserts. The flavor combinations blend the owner’s Laotian heritage with her American upbringing, a true work of love after baking became the therapy that helped heal after tragedy. During MHAFW Sweet Rice Flour will offer a buy one choux, get one mochi free.
Find the bakery at Die Die Must Try on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 6 p.m. (250 Steel St., #108, Denver); Comrade Brewing Company on Thursday, May 1 from 3:30 to 8 p.m. (7667 E. Iliff Ave., Denver); Sapor Coffee & Concept on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2795 Speer Blvd., Unit 17, Denver); and Coffee Sarap on Sunday May 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (3460 Larimer St., Denver).
Tum Yumz, a food truck that launched in August, 2024, has a lot of stops planned for MHAFW. The $20 Lao sample platter special will be available, and includes Lao sausage, papaya salad, crispy wings, crab rangoon, sticky rice, cucumber, and Tum Yumz sauce.
Find the goodies on Sunday, April 27 at Amber Creek Park HOA (open to everyone) from 12 to 4 p.m. (13345 Newport Way, Thornton); Monday, April 28 at Adobo from 5 to 9 p.m. (3109 N. Federal Blvd., Denver); Tuesday, April 29 at Zuni Street Brewing Company‘s trivia night from 4 to 8 p.m. (2355 W. 29th Ave., Denver); Thursday, May 1 at North Hill HOA (open to everyone) from 4 to 8 p.m. (14133 Kearney Loop, Thornton); Friday, May 2 at Cerebral Brewing Congress Park from 2 to 9 p.m. (1477 Monroe St., Denver), and on Saturday, May 3 at Denver Beer Co. LoHi from 12 to 8 p.m. (1695 Platte St., Denver).
