I’ve always believed that ramen is a food that truly exemplifies America as being a melting pot of cultures. Think about it; ramen came about 200 years ago from half a world away (China and Japan), yet it has become a food staple for a majority of Americans for decades.

Whether you are a ramen fiend who loves the comfort brought about by the noodly-broth, or are like me and lived on it for a while when I moved out for the first time as a young adult, I have never met anyone who doesn’t have a story tied to this humble dish.

Keeping this in mind, it seems that an entire festival dedicated to ramen should be a no-brainer. Luckily for us in Denver, someone put on their thinking cap a few years ago and created this exact kind of event.

With the Denver Ramen Festival coming to the Stockyards Event Center on April 5th, I reached out to co-creator and organizer Lacey Spruce about the history of the festival, and what ramen fans (and first-timer’s) like myself can expect.

I have to admit that by only having learned of the Denver Ramen Festival over the last nine months, I’ve been missing out on A LOT. According to Spruce, “[The] Denver Ramen Festival started in 2019 with the goal of celebrating the city’s diverse and growing ramen scene. We wanted to bring together ramen lovers, foodies, and local chefs under one roof for a fun, flavor-packed experience. Our first event sold out and the response was incredible—we knew we were onto something.”

Though the festival began in 2019, this is only the 3rd official event. Spruce admits this was due to the fest taking time off like everything else in the world during Covid, but assures attendees they are back at full effect. “It started in 2019, went on hiatus during Covid, and came back for the 2nd event last year in March 2024.” She continued, “Since then, we’ve grown the lineup, added more entertainment, and expanded the experience beyond ramen to include drinks, desserts, and cultural performances.”

And what an experience it will be.

Said Spruce, “The variety is wild; you’ll find everything from traditional tonkotsu to Korean-inspired ramen, birria ramen, vegan options, and some unexpected fusion flavors that totally work.” Of course, all of this is going to lead to a mighty thirsty crowd. But don’t fret, they’ve got that aspect covered as well: “There will be more than 30 food vendors plus other vendors like Heavensake, House of Suntory, Upslope, and others serving cocktails, mocktails, beer, and more.”

Between these vendors and other local businesses like B Fresh Gear and Lux & Luca, there will be over 60 vendors in all. When discussing the amount of food available for ticket holders, Spruce made it clear to “come hungry. With over 30 vendors serving unlimited tastings, you’re going to leave very full and very happy. Your ticket includes all the food and drinks: ramen, small bites, sake, whiskey, beer, and cocktails, so there’s no nickel-and-diming once you’re inside.”

Though the levels of food and drinks available are bordering on the absurd—in a good way—this is really only half of what the festival will offer. “This isn’t just a food event; it’s a full experience. We’re celebrating community, creativity, and culture through food.” She explained that there will be a “JDM car showcase, live music, and a performance from the Denver Taiko drummers, which adds an incredible energy to the event. It’s a super fun, high-vibe atmosphere where you can hang out with friends, try a ton of great food, and experience something totally unique to Denver.”

Being the creator of the event, I needed to know if there were any restaurants I should check out specifically. “It’s so hard to pick just one, but I’m really excited about some of the new additions this year, like I Heart Mac & Cheese, which is doing something totally unexpected at a ramen fest, and Heavenly Tacos with their birria ramen fusion. I also always love seeing what the local ramen staples like Menya and Ramen Star come up with; they never disappoint.”

Before ending the interview, I wanted to know if there was one final, important message that Spruce felt everyone should know about the Denver Ramen Festival. “Just show up, bring your appetite, and get ready for a great time. But don’t wait too long, tickets are going fast, and we do expect to sell out!”

As I mentioned earlier, all of us have memories associated with ramen to one degree or another. Because of this, I see the Denver Ramen Festival as the perfect vehicle to add a new—and guaranteed delicious—memory to your personal history book.

I’ll definitely be adding it to mine.

For tickets, click here