5 AAPI-Owned Restaurants You Need to Try in Aurora
From comforting bowls of pho to fresh sushi and sizzling Korean barbecue, Aurora’s AAPI-owned restaurants offer unforgettable meals and stories behind every dish.
Monsoon Cuisine Of India
24107 E. Commons Ave | get directions
Located at Southlands Lifestyle Center, Monsoon Cuisine of India combines traditional Indian cooking techniques with a modern dining experience in Aurora’s Southlands area. The butter chicken is
one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce, served generously so you’re likely to have leftovers. Guests also love pairing their meal with freshly baked garlic naan and flavorful biryani dishes.
Tofu Story
2060 S. Havana St. | Get Directions
Tofu Story stands out in Colorado for its in-house tofu production, making fresh batches daily and building much of its menu around it. You can even watch tofu being made in their Tofu Lab, which is viewable from the dining area. The menu features a wide range of comforting Korean dishes, but the spicy soondubu tofu soup is the must-try order, arriving bubbling hot and packed with rich flavor. Adventurous diners should also try the Soy Sauce Marinated Crab.
Báhn & Butter Bakery Café
9935 E. Colfax Ave | get directions
This Asian Fusion Bakery Café beautifully blends Vietnamese flavors with French pastry traditions in a bright and modern café setting. Their pastries often change depending on the season, but be sure to try the ube croissant if available, which combines flaky pastry with vibrant flavor and eye-catching presentation. Guests also rave about the Vietnamese iced coffee and beautifully crafted desserts that rotate seasonally throughout the year. Don't miss our podcast episode featuring this unique cafe.
Mr. Kim Korean BBQ
12201 E Mississippi Ave | get directions
Mr. Kim Korean BBQ keeps things so traditional you might find yourself quietly googling half the menu mid-meal, but you really can’t go wrong. The bulgogi (marinated grilled beef), japchae (sweet potato noodles), kimchi jjigae (spicy kimchi stew), and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) all land with that steady, home-style confidence. It’s earned its spot in Westword’s Best of Denver for Korean food, and honestly, it tastes like it didn’t need convincing.
Japon Sushi & Asian Cuisine
6775 S Cornerstar Way Unit A | get directions
One of the newer additions to Aurora, Japon Sushi & Asian Cuisine brings together Japanese, Korean, and Asian-inspired dishes in a warm, family-owned setting. The restaurant is especially known for its fresh sushi and housemade sauces. One of the must-try dishes is the Cornerstar Roll, packed with fresh fish and bold flavor, while the lobster roll and chirashi bowl have also become customer favorites. Whether you’re stopping in for sushi night or ordering comforting Korean dishes like galbi (marinated short ribs!), Japon offers a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere with something for everyone. Watch the video below for an inside look at Japon and their offerings.
If you want to keep exploring Aurora’s AAPI food scene beyond restaurants, the Havana Street Night Market on the last Saturday of May is worth adding to your calendar. It brings together local AAPI food vendors, desserts, small businesses, and live entertainment, all with the same community-driven energy that makes this part of Aurora such a standout food destination.
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