Aurie Jarrell
Updated review 1:
Another great meal here! The spicy cabbage salad was a new dish to me and I really loved it!! My husband really enjoyed the new sweet potato dish. The tuna crudo is always good and a must have as well as the pork shoulder.
The drinks melona high ball & dad jokes were delicious! The server was lacking in charisma but it was a busy sat so I’ll give her a pass. I was happy to meet the owner Ni, he was so genuine and kind, the hype for this restaurant is well deserved, you can tell this is a labor of love.
First review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Came in with my husband for a birthday dinner on a sat night with reservations, we were greeted so kindly and sat promptly. Our server Johnny, was very well informed on the dishes and suggested sake that paired well with our dishes.
We had the tuna crudo, corn ribs, tomato toast, fried chicken, pork shoulder, larb tostada and the french fries all of which were amazing! My favs were the crudo, corn ribs and the pork shoulder. The flavors are so bold and satisfying. We also got drinks, the shochu highball and the black mamba and both were so yummy! We loved being able to see the kitchen and the chill vibes of this place. My husband and I can’t stop talking about how delicious everything was, we are both dyinggg to come back. Hands down the best restaurant we’ve been to in Denver.
… moreSydney Wikstrom
So glad I finally got to try this place! Brought in a friend from out of town and it was a great place to reconnect. Definitely in both of our top 3 meals we’ve ever had. Hannah took amazing care of us, and talked to is just enough to be engaging but not overbearing.
Absolutely a menu meant to be sampled and eaten together, rather than going at one dish at a time. The spiciness from the eggplant dish broke up the richness from the amazing scrambled egg dish. Can’t wait to go back and raid the Saturday morning bakery!
… moreMusic Sonata
From the moment we walked in, this restaurant made our anniversary feel truly special. The ambiance was romantic and welcoming, the service was attentive and every detail felt thoughtfully curated.
The staff went above and beyond to celebrate our occasion, which meant more to us than we can express. Each dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious—clearly made with care and passion.
Thank you for creating an unforgettable evening and for being a part of a milestone we’ll cherish forever. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to celebrate our anniversary and will definitely be back.
… moreMaha Kamal
Chefs Anna and Ni pour their heart and soul into this place and have turned this little corner of Colfax into a foodie dream. I watched over the years as different restaurants tried and tested the area, eventually shuttering their doors (The Goods, Goodson). But then these two came along, with intention, creativity, and big hearts. And Sap Sua was born.
I’ve been to Hanoi. There is a warmth there, despite the country’s trials and tribulations. The Vietnamese love you with their cuisine – a bold, brilliant mix of savory (especially that fish sauce), sweet, sour (limes and tamarind), spicy (chili), and a little bitter. Now Denver has a little part of Vietnam in it. And that’s special. It’s worth the reservation and a little waiting.
Sap Sua’s food is the type you’ll think of later because you’ll miss it dearly (do not miss the Trúng Và Trúng or shrimp cakes, under any circumstances). The same staff are always there to greet you, a nod to the owners intent to take care of those who come to work for them. (They’re even listed on the menu alongside the owners).
I am disappointed to learn that others in the restaurant community are keen on attacking Sap Sua. The industry is not kind to those who are bold, creative, and their peoples having endured the brutalities of war and colonialism. But I love that Sap Sua is here, glowing in that Congress Park corner and serving up such beautiful, savory dishes night after night. After a while, the noise around a beloved joint fades and all you can hear is the loud laughter, clinking of empty bowls, and joy.
Even writing all of this makes me think I should return sooner rather that later.
… moreJoseph “Firecrunch1” Smith
This was the heighlight of my trip to denver. Everything from the drinks to the desserts were extremely well composed to fit well with the menu. I got the endive salad, the 5 spice duck cassoulet as well as both desserts everything was delicious and went together. Highly recommended
… moreJayde Le
I agree with Casey’s review. Staff were 100/10 great but the dishes were a miss. We came here to celebrate our anniversary and everyone was so kind and attentive. However, i’m not sure if it was the day we went but everything tasted like it was drenched in fish sauce. It was so salty and unbalanced. We spent $100+ on food that was almost inedible. The fries were the best thing we had.
… moreAlvin Pastrana
Food was surprisingly good and tasty… came in for my birthday and it was a great place to celebrate with fine food and casual atmosphere. We recommend the Tuna tostada, eggplant, soft scramble egg & pork shoulder. The eggs ciuld use less butter and less salt on the pork shoulder dish. We would come back to try the other items on the menu. I am attaching the menu for lactose sensitive patrons (menu items with X should be avoided by lactose intolerant individuals).
… moreJacqueline Roeder
I thought some of the dishes I tried here were of the very best I have ever had. Incredibly interesting combinations of flavors and textures that really make this restaurant special and not just another small plates restaurant. I was alone and therefore was limited as to what I could consume by myself, so I went with the three dishes I had heard the most about: the shrimp cake, the soft scrambled egg, the charred cabbage, and the banana pudding. I loved all three that if I were to go back again, it would be hard not to do the same order over! I loved the browned butter with the soft egg and the salty rice (if you aren’t really into butter, it may be a lot of butter for you, but it was just right for this butter lover). I would have NEVER thought to combine beurre blanc with shrimp, but that flavor combination on the shrimp cake was out of this world. The only thing I was not as into with this dish is the mint because I often find it overpowering, but I was able to choose how much of the mint I wanted to eat, so I wasn’t bothered. The charred cabbage was perfectly cooked, and it sits on an egg yolk mixture that essentially tastes like deviled egg filling. The anchovy croutons were the perfect finisher. Finally, I wish all banana puddings tasted like this one! Salt crystals, peanuts, subtle coconut (seemed like mini tapioca pearls?) and Nilla wafers make it incredibly dynamic. I absolutely loved the texture. Casey at the bar was wonderful, and the team was very responsive to my emails when I last minute had to move my reservation later in the evening due to a delayed flight. I would recommend anyone visiting Denver to come here!
… moreMrinalini Loew
Food was delicious – highly recommend the tuna tostada, the shrimp cake, the charred cabbage and the eggplant main. The beef tartar was just ok and I’d probably skip next time. Vibe was pleasant, not loud so good for friends catching up over dinner. Fyi they do have a wine bottle list if you ask and some very reasonably priced bottles which paired well with the food.
… moreJoshua Pitruzzella
We had a wonderful experience here! Our server Evan was great—he gave excellent recommendations and was very attentive. The scrambled egg was absolutely delicious, the spicy cabbage salad had amazing Vietnamese flavors, and the pork shoulder reminded us of barbecue we had in Ho Chi Minh City. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because, at about $250 for two, a few dishes felt more average than expected. Still, the overall meal, service, and atmosphere made it a memorable and worthwhile night!
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