Our Story — A Chef, a Cat & a 12-Hour Broth

NEKO Ramen & Rice opened in 2023 at 4030 Colorado Blvd in Denver's Park Hill neighborhood. Chef and founder Vincent Yu is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and Michelin-trained chef with more than 15 years in kitchens across New York, Las Vegas, Sydney, and Seoul — including L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Bar Masa in Las Vegas. He started NEKO with a simple idea: serve rich, slow-simmered chicken broth ramen in a room that doesn't take itself too seriously.

“Neko” is Japanese for cat, and the maneki-neko — the beckoning cat — is the keeper of our broth. Our signature bowls are built on tori paitan, a rich chicken broth simmered for 12 hours, from the Miso Hot and Black Garlic Ramen to the Corn Butter Ramen. The Creamy Vegan Ramen is fully vegan, noodles and plant-based broth included, and the menu rounds out with rice bowls and small plates like Bang Bang Shrimp.

NEKO is a quick-service, counter-order restaurant — order at the counter or for pickup, stay late with us (until midnight Friday through Sunday), and come as you are.

NEKO has been featured in Westword's and DiningOut Denver's ramen coverage.