into changing their eating habits and making healthy choices, which supported eating sushi. These commercials emphasized light beer and less calories. He also accredited the ease of today’s climate in the shipping business. Back when he started, after the restaurant was closed for the night, Sonoda would drive to Stapleton International Airport to pick up daily fish shipment. Today, more shipping companies are accessible in delivery, coming straight to his restaurant’s doors. In 1995, Denver Interational Airport also replaced Stapleton. Sonoda lived in New York when he first immigrated to the United States in August 1969. When his boss in New York asked him to oversee the construction of the first Japanese hibachi restaurant to the area currently known as the Tech Center, he could not resist the beauty of Colorado, deciding to make it his home. When asked about the secrets of his success, Sonoda shares “service is key.” He also attributes that a successful operation is one that gives back to the community. Retirement years Sonoda considers working as a greeter with a cowboy hat at Denver International Airport, a volunteer position for those assisting travelers, who are curious about Denver tourism and need more information. He loves how there is a direct flight between Denver and Tokyo and wants to be the first to greet for those passengers. He also wants to travel, a chance to see more places on his bucket list, which includes revisiting Japan and paying respect to his family. Or maybe he will volunteer at a history museum. This is a chance for him to explore his heritage and step in time in Colorado. SONODA’S SUSHI IN Aurora CONTINueS Fast forward to 2014, Sonoda leaves the Aurora restaurant to his trusted chef and long-time friend Makoto Kawafune. At 51, Kawafune doesn’t believe Sonoda will leave the restaurant entirely. He shares that his friend’s workaholic style will keep him around the Aurora location. “He might take off for three month, then come back,” said Kawafune, adding that it is hard to retire. Masaaki Kawafune, son of Makoto Kawafune, shares great enthusiasm of his father’s ownership of the established Sonoda’s Restaurant. “His cuisine has taken a different path over the past few years since he’s taken on ownership,” Kawafune’s son said. “The cuisine more or less serves the traditional side of Japanese cuisine.” Kawafune has created a fan base, faithful sushi lovers who will visit the Aurora restaurant for his traditional food items. “For instance, we have many customers from Japan who always make it a point to come in and have my father’s food and request traditional items that are not on our menus,” said Masaaki Kawafune. In addition to the loyal base of customers of Kawafune, faithful diners of sushi chef Jutaro (Jimmy) Tajima will drive to Aurora for “Jutaro-san’s sushi and culinary ability.” Tajima has worked in the industry for the last ten years. Loyal customers expressed their dismay of the closure of Sonoda’s in downtown Denver. “I enjoyed the flavorful tofu dishes offered there; I never felt these dishes were dismissive add-ons to placate a vegetarian,” said Carolyn Linville, a resident of Wheat Ridge, who frequented the downtown Sonoda’s. “Still, I equally enjoyed the presentation of the sushi dishes ordered by my lunch companion.” Sonoda’s will always continue the tradition of providing its customers with Japanese food from the heart—the food that different generations of Japanese native and Americans alike have enjoyed over the past 26 years. For more information about Sonoda’s Sushi and Seafood, visit its website at www.sonodassushi.com. Mary Jeneverre Schultz shared her first Colorado Valentine’s dinner with then-boyfriend, now-husband Frank 15 years ago at Sonoda’s in Aurora. Follow her on Twitter @Jeneverre.
“
Kenny Sonoda with his daughter, Maki, and wife, Midori
I was one of the first to introduce the cuisine to Denver when the concept of sushi and sashimi was still unknown. I worked hard to teach Denver about a tradition and a delicacy that I love so very much. Makoto Kawafune, owner of Sonoda’s in Aurora, Colo.
1969
Kenny Sonoda immigrates from Japan and begins his U.S. journey in New York
into a woman, Midori, he had met on his plane 1971 Runs trip to New York in 1969; she later becomes his wife the grand opening of Gasho in Denver, 1973 Oversees a Japanese hibachi-style steak house at 1627 Curtis Street
a free-standing replica of a 400-year-old 1976 Builds Gasho farm house modeled after one in Japan’s
Takayama City, sister city to Denver; it was built in Denver Tech Center, where Shanahan’s Steakhouse now stands
the first Sonoda’s in Aurora, Colorado, 1988 Establishes the first of four sites second location at 1620 Market Street in 1995 Opens Downtown Denver
2014 Closes downtown location and Sonoda retires Kenny Sonoda | asian avenue magazine
9