Izumi Sushi Castle Rock — What We Tried, Menu, and What to Know Before You Go
By Connor Tien, DougCo Social
Izumi Sushi opened on 115 Third Street in downtown Castle Rock on May 11, 2026 with a friends-and-family invite night. We went on Thursday, May 14. Here's everything you should know before you go: the room, what to order, what's in the bottle, and the full menu in photos.
Update — June 27: six weeks in
Six weeks after opening, Izumi Sushi is sitting at 4.2 stars across 16 Yelp reviews and 53 photos on its Yelp profile — a healthy spread of feedback for a restaurant still in its soft-open phase. A few things worth knowing if you're planning a visit:
- They take reservations. Call (720) 749-6172 to book a table; walk-ins are still welcome. Worth a call for weekend dinners.
- Omakase reservation tiers. The restaurant requires 3 days advance reservation for omakase orders above $100, and a full week's advance reservation for omakase orders above $200 — so the sushi chefs can source the right fish. Fish is ordered three times per week to keep what's served fresh.
- Still soft-open. As of late June 2026, the official grand opening has not yet been held and no date has been announced. The full menu, sushi bar, and bar service are all up and running in the meantime.
The original article below documents our May 14 visit; the practical info above reflects what's changed since.
One thing worth knowing first
Izumi leans authentic Japanese, not Americanized sushi. If your favorite roll is built around spicy mayo, eel sauce, cream cheese, and crunchy bits — none of which appear in the menu's ingredient lists — this isn't quite that. It's just a different room.
The flip side: if you love the fish itself — the texture, the cut, the soy that gets paired with it — this is going to land really well.
Owner Manna Pan also runs the Izumi Sushi in Littleton that serves the more American-style menu. Castle Rock is the authentic-leaning concept.
The room
The interior is properly high-end. Marble aesthetic on the walls and tables, dark hardwood floors, exposed industrial ceiling beams, and a long marble waterfall counter at the back where the sushi chefs work. Plateware, cutlery, and chairs all match the elevated feel.
The room layout is roughly: three booths-of-four in the back, a row of mixed-size tables along the side wall (4-tops, 6-tops, 2-tops), a center floor of two 6-tops plus eight 4-tops, and four distinctive curved-booth 2-tops up front by the entrance.
The bar runs along one side of the room with eight seats on the left, an open pass-through in the middle for staff to move between the bar and the floor, and another twelve seats on the right — twenty seats total. Quieter spot if you want to roll up solo for a few pieces of nigiri and a pour of whiskey.
A patio is in the works — at least six 4-tops planned outside — but not open yet.
What we tried
We ordered a mix of sushi, a roll-heavy spread, and the salmon fried rice. Honest take: every plate landed.
📸 All ten photos in one swipe: our Izumi Sushi carousel on Instagram.
Salmon fried rice — solid order.
Castle Rock Roll — must-order for obvious reasons. Spicy tuna and cucumber inside, topped with spicy scallops. Plated on a gold textured plate.
Izumi Roll + Toro Uni Roll — the namesake Izumi sits in the middle of the multi-roll platter: tempura shrimp, cucumber, and avocado, topped with seared mentaiko salmon. The two rolls flanking it are the Toro Uni rolls — cucumber, avocado, and crab inside, topped with fresh toro, uni, and caviar. Came recommended, both lived up to it.
Kobe Beef Truffle Roll — every bit as good as the rest. Asparagus and lettuce inside, topped with kobe beef and fresh truffle. Smoky from the beef, real crunch from the asparagus.
A theme worth calling out: the food doesn't sit heavy. Even after a roll-heavy meal, you walk out feeling light.
The little things they get right
A handful of details that make the room feel intentional:
- Never frozen fish. They told us straight up.
- Bluefin tuna only — never yellowfin. Quality choice that actually matters.
- Real crab in the California Rolls — and they're still $10, which is honest pricing for what you're getting.
- Their own twist on the soy sauce. Subtle, but you notice it.
- Fresh bouquets of flowers on the bar — they cut individual stems and place them on plates as garnish. Adds a real touch.
The miso soup leans more fish-forward than most American versions — consistent with the authentic positioning.
Beverage program
The whiskey shelf is the standout: we spotted Macallan 12, Macallan Rare Cask, Macallan Harmony Collection, and Yamazaki 12 — those are real pours. Don Julio 1942 is on the tequila side.
Cold sake (confirmed with owner Manna Pan, 5/19/2026): Dassai 45, Kubota Black Label, Sakari Yuzu or Sakari Matcha, and Hakkaisan 3-year snow-aged. Hot sake also available.
Beer (current draft list): Asahi and Sapporo. Manna noted they're considering adding Kirin and others later but haven't locked it in.
Wine: list is still being built — Manna and the supplier are running tastings now. Planned varietals: sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot gris, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and merlot. What we saw on the wall during our 5/14 visit was Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Non-alcoholic: Pepsi products.
If you're going for the bar, settle in.
The dessert situation
The dessert menu as of May 19, 2026 is green tea ice cream and vanilla bean ice cream (confirmed with Manna). The full menu is still being decided. When we visited on 5/14, the chef sent out a few off-menu plates on the house — a rice cake with mango and matcha ice cream, strawberries and cream, and a round of honey cake and matcha honey cake.
We'll update once the full dessert menu lands.
Branding details
The branding throughout is restrained and well-executed — IZUMI on the napkins, on the chopstick sleeves, on the ceramic dishes, and embossed on a wood check presenter that arrives with the bill.
Practical info
- Address: 115 Third Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104
- Phone: (720) 749-6172
- Hours: Closed Mondays. Tue–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri 11am–10:30pm; Sat 12pm–10:30pm; Sun 12pm–9pm. Closed daily 3–5pm between lunch and dinner service.
- Website: They're still working on it (and waiting on Google Business Profile claim/approval — explains why the listing currently shows "Claim this business").
- Reservations: Accepted — call (720) 749-6172 to book a table; walk-ins also welcome. Omakase requires at least 3 days advance notice (a full week for $200+ orders).
- Patio seating: Coming soon, not yet open.
- Sister location: Izumi Sushi at 12652 W Ken Caryl Avenue in Littleton — same owner, more American-style menu (Yelp listing).
- Instagram: @izumisushi_castlerock
Pricing snapshot
| Category | Price range |
|---|---|
| Hand rolls | $7–$20 (Uni at the top) |
| Sushi rolls | $7–$11 (California $10 with real crab) |
| Specialty rolls | $15–$29 (Kobe Beef Truffle $29, Toro Uni $23, Castle Rock $17, Izumi $19) |
| Nigiri / Sashimi a la carte | $7–$21 (Wagyu Beef $21) |
| Sushi Entrees | $40–$80 (multi-piece chef sashimi sets) |
| Omakase (chef's tasting) | $150 and up — reservation required at least 3 days ahead |
| Lunch sets (with salad + soup + side) | $14–$38 |
| Kitchen apps + grill + noodle/rice | $9–$30 |
| Soup | $5–$10 (Miso $5) |
Full menu — photos and highlights
The full physical menu is below in photos. A few highlights worth flagging if you don't want to scroll through the whole thing:
Value plays under $20: California Roll ($10) with real crab, Spicy Tuna Roll ($10), Salmon Fried Rice ($19), Salmon Hand Roll ($8), Avocado/Cucumber Hand Rolls ($7).
Specialty rolls worth the splurge: Castle Rock ($17), Izumi ($19), Toro Uni ($23), Kobe Beef Truffle ($29).
For the chef-experience crowd: Trio Sashimi 9pc ($29), Chef's Special Sashimi 15pc ($50), Izumi Sashimi 24pc ($80), full Omakase ($150+).
Non-fish options: Grill section (Soft-Grilled Mackerel, Hamachi Kama, Toro Kama, Miso Black Cod, Grilled Pork Jowl with Miso) — $14–$22. Kitchen apps: Hiroshima Fried Oysters, Stir-fried Pork/Beef with Kimchi, Cheese Potato Croquettes, Vegetable Tempura.
Lunch: Kitchen lunch sets with salad + soup + side ($14–$23) and sushi lunch sets ($20–$38).
Menu photos
Architecture detail
Full Directory Listing
Hours, address, photos, and updates: Izumi Sushi on DougCo Social.
Frequently asked questions
When did Izumi Sushi Castle Rock open?
Izumi Sushi opened with a friends-and-family invite night on Monday, May 11, 2026, then quietly soft-opened to the public the same week. As of late June 2026 it is still running as a soft open and has not yet held its official grand opening — a date has not been announced.
Where is Izumi Sushi located in Castle Rock?
115 Third Street, in downtown Castle Rock (zip 80104). It's a multi-year buildout that finally opened May 2026.
Is Izumi Sushi open for lunch?
Yes — lunch service runs 11am–3pm Tuesday through Friday and 12pm–3pm on weekends (closed Mondays). The restaurant then closes between 3pm and 5pm daily before reopening for dinner.
Why is Izumi Sushi closed 3–5pm?
It's a split-shift schedule between lunch and dinner service — common in authentic Japanese restaurants but unusual for Castle Rock. A 4pm walk-in won't work; plan around the break.
Does Izumi Sushi take reservations?
Yes — Izumi accepts reservations. Call (720) 749-6172 to book a table; walk-ins are also welcome. The full Omakase tasting (chef's selection, $150 and up) requires a reservation at least three days in advance, and omakase orders above $200 need a full week's notice so the sushi chefs can source the right fish.
Who owns Izumi Sushi Castle Rock?
Owner Manna Pan, who also runs the Izumi Sushi in Littleton. Confirmed by Manna 5/19/2026.
Is Izumi Sushi Castle Rock the same owner as Izumi Sushi in Littleton?
Yes — both locations are owned by Manna Pan. The Castle Rock location and the Izumi Sushi at 12652 W Ken Caryl Avenue in Littleton share the same owner. Castle Rock is the authentic-Japanese concept; Littleton runs the more American-style menu.
What's the price range at Izumi Sushi Castle Rock?
- Hand rolls: $7–$20
- Sushi rolls: $7–$11 (California $10 with real crab)
- Specialty rolls: $15–$29 (Kobe Beef Truffle $29 is the top)
- Lunch sets: $14–$38
- Omakase tasting: $150 and up (advance reservation required)
Does Izumi Sushi have a patio?
A patio is in the works — at least six 4-tops planned outside. Not open yet as of May 2026; expected with or shortly after the grand opening.
Does Izumi Sushi Castle Rock have a website?
Not yet. They're still in the website + Google Business Profile setup phase. For updates, follow @izumisushi_castlerock on Instagram.
What kind of sushi does Izumi Sushi serve?
Authentic Japanese, fish-forward sushi — never-frozen fish, bluefin tuna only, real crab in the California rolls. The menu features an Omakase tasting, specialty rolls (Kobe Beef Truffle, Toro Uni, Castle Rock, Izumi), nigiri, sashimi, and a kitchen menu with grilled items, noodles, and rice bowls.
More new restaurants in Castle Rock
Other recent openings worth knowing about:
- Champagne Velvet Proper Kitchen & Bar — opens Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2355 Mercantile St (the I.C. Brewhouse rebrand from Upland Brewing)
- Griddled Crêpes & Paninis — opened May 8, 2026 at the Outlets at Castle Rock
- Bar Hummingbird — upscale cocktail bar at the Promenade, next to The Brinkerhoff
- Starbird Chicken — opened April 27, 2026 at the Promenade at Castle Rock
- Badger & Bloom Boba — boba shop at the Outlets at Castle Rock
Sources
- Google Business Profile listing for Izumi Sushi (place_id ChIJIfdWCACZbIcRL7RQX0tX-DY) — newly-listed phone (720) 749-6172 + Thursday split-shift hours visible; profile still unclaimed by the business
- State of Colorado liquor license database — license #03-19183 to SU SUSHI, INC. d/b/a IZUMI SUSHI at 115 Third Street
- Town of Castle Rock Business Directory: crgov.com
- Castle Rock News-Press, June 15, 2023 — public notice naming SU SUSHI, INC. at 115 Third Street: issuu.com/coloradocommunitymedia
- Sister location reference: Izumi Sushi at 12652 W Ken Caryl Avenue, Littleton (per on-site confirmation, same owner)
Izumi Sushi is located at 115 Third Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Phone (720) 749-6172. Owner Manna Pan. Updated 5/19/2026 with owner-confirmed beer, wine, sake, and dessert details. We'll update again when the website launches, the full dessert menu lands, and the grand opening date is confirmed.
Want a heads-up on every new Castle Rock opening like this one? Subscribe to Castle Rock Crew — our free weekly newsletter covering food, events, and what's new in town.