Ten Amazing Bento Boxes to Rock Your Lunch in Denver

One of the best ways to do lunch in the Mile High City

by Gigi Sukin Nov 11, 2016, 9:30am MST

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Sushi Sasa

by Gigi Sukin Nov 11, 2016, 9:30am MST

The bento box – complete with miniature lacquered compartments artfully arranged atop a tray – is a time-honored tradition, affordable and organized, maximizing the opportunity for options in a single meal. Often filled with miso soup, California rolls, and other hearty but delicate culinary staples, these convenient lunchtime spreads can be made at home or purchased in expansive underground food emporiums in Japan.

Americans like their bentos too. They not only provide variety in a single seating but also expedience during the work day. In Denver, new hot spots like Departure and Matsuhisa and what are now staples like Ace and Sushi Sasa and Linger offer their own version of the fun lunches. These ten options should be on everyone's to-try lunch list.

Note: The restaurants featured here are listed in alphabetical order. If we missed your favorite, leave a comment below or send us a message down the tipline.

Ace Eat Serve

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The bento boxes at this Uptown spot include seared spicy tuna tataki, ponzu grilled shrimp or grilled chicken with No. 11 sauce. Each box also comes equipped with pickled cucumber salad and a choice of rice or rice noodles.

501 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

(303) 800-7705

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Fontana Sushi

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This Wash Park staple since 1999 brings Japanese and Chinese cuisine to the neighborhood. With lunch specials and all-day deals on sushi, beer and wine, Fontana's bentos come with salmon teriyaki yakitori and a California roll, while there are two combos including tempura with shumai and chicken teriyaki with gyoza.

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534 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80209

(303) 778-8818

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Izakaya Den

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This elegant and modern sister to Sushi Den has, amidst its supremely delicious and creative sushi, a bento box on its lunch menu with a choice of choice of teriyaki chicken, teriyaki salmon,grilled ginger calamari steak, or ginger tofu, + California roll, + shrimp and vegetable tempura.

1487 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210

(303) 777-0691

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Linger

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Linger's lunchtime-only bento box came to the kitchen team after a journey to Japan. The traditional boxes with individual bins come with a variety of fillings. Each bento includes arugula and carrot salad with ginger miso dressing, roasted edamame and mushrooms, multigrain rice and to end the meal with sweetness, a ginger-coconut macaroon. Diners get a choice of proteins as well, ranging from Korean barbecue beef tender to katsu tofu.

2030 W 30th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

(303) 993-3120

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matsuhisa

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This fabulous addition to Denver's culinary scene this year brings with it a bountiful bento box selections, available for to-go orders during lunch and packed in bamboo. Served with miso soup, the options all start with a salad, varieties of tempura and proteins ranging from grilled beef anticucho, black cod with sweet miso, seared scallop jalapeño, and more.

98 Steele St, Denver, CO 80206

(303) 329-6628

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Mt Fuji Hibachi & Sushi Bar

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This casual establishment provides Japanese fare, à la carte sushi options, and happy hour specials. Called a lunch box here, the bentos come with soup, salad, cream cheese wonton, rice & California roll (4 pieces), plus beef, salmon, chicken or scallop teriyaki.

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601 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203

(303) 860-8088

Obento

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On Denver's 16th Street Mall, Obento has a wide variety of bento boxes, including chicken, beef tofu, salmon teriyaki, katsudon with pork cutlet, and more.

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709 16th St, Denver, CO 80202

(720) 974-1777

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Red Ginger

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Red Ginger serves a variety of Asian-fusion dishes and also has a fresh sushi bar on South Broadway. Their dine-in-only bento boxes are served for both lunch and dinner and come with salad, tempura, California roll and white rice, as well as protein of your choosing.

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550 Broadway, Ste E, Denver, CO 80203

(720) 627-5762

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Sushi Sasa

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If you find yourself in the LoHi neighborhood, there's an assortment of bento boxes that have landed on Sushi Sasa's menu, all served with soup, salad, rice, seasonal vegetables and a choice of tempura or a California roll. Prices vary between lunch and dinner.

2401 15th St, Denver, CO 80202

(303) 433-7272

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15 Sushi Spots to Crawl in Denver

Sushi Den

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Denver's most lauded sushi restaurant has a bento box on the dinner menu, with four pieces of California roll, shrimp and veggie tempura, miso salmon and beef teriyaki.