home cooked japanese meals for those you call family.
about watanabe kitchen
Hi! I’m Niki of Watanabe Kitchen—a Denver-based small business specializing in postpartum meals and catering. Drawing from my bicultural background, I alchemize my love through cooking and am particularly passionate about how food plays a role in storytelling and cultural preservation.
I’ve had the privilege of sharing precious moments with my grandmother and mother in the kitchen—memorizing their hand movements and sneaking tastes of their umami-packed dishes, just as previous generations did. I leverage local produce and family recipes to challenge narrow mindsets around health and wellness. Rather than viewing food simply as sustenance, I believe in the power of communal dining and connecting people through the comforting, nourishing flavors of Japanese cuisine.
Postpartum meals, get-well-soon meals, or “major life event” meals
Want to give a new mom of two a few nights off from cooking? Is a loved one sitting Shiva? Co-worker recovering from surgery? This option is for you.
I price by the meal—an entree and a side—which feeds two. Each meal is $100, and includes delivery in the Denver Metro area. This option requires a two-meal minimum, and I’m happy to offer longer-term, consistent drop-offs.
These meals are highly customized—I’ll talk to you (and/or your recipient, if applicable) about dietary restrictions, aversions, and recovery points (i.e. blood or hair loss, supporting chest/breast-feeding, etc.) and will curate your menu accordingly. I prioritize local ingredients whenever possible, and include a detailed PDF of menu dishes + ingredients.
Services
Customized Meals
Dinner parties, intimate family gatherings, birthdays—small to medium-sized event catering is my jam.
Let’s feed your people, reach out here.
Private Events
people say…
“My wife has been recovering from surgery, so a friend gave us a week's worth of meals from WK. Not only were the meals delicious, they couldn't have been easier to prepare—plus, Niki was able to create a menu that worked for everyone (veggie + meat eaters).”
— DF
"Niki's cooking is flavorful, creatively combined, and delicious. I am definitely going to order again, and will gift her meals to friends and family - especially during times when they need extra care and support. Dare I say that this concept she organically came to is the future of Denver dining?"
— MS
“Words cannot even begin to describe how supportive Niki and her food have been to my healing process. She not only cooks incredibly delicious meals, but she’s also able to accommodate all of my dietary needs and goes above and beyond in times when I am not able to walk. I would recommend Niki over and over again!!”
— EG
"WK was so amazing in my postpartum period. Niki crafted such a beautiful menu with food tailored to my recovery needs (healing after a third-degree tear). The food was so delicious and nourishing. Will absolutely do it again if I ever have another!"
— AZ
“It was so lovely to have a meal that wasn’t heavy after giving birth—usually people bring casseroles and rich options, but Niki created the perfect combo of hearty + light. The flavors were amazing and the detailed menu was so cool—can’t wait to send this to my fellow pregnant and postpartum friends.”
— CH
“Watanabe Kitchen will revivify your soul. It's like your nostalgic comfort food, but good for you and made with love, so when you're spooning mouthful after mouthful, literal tears are running down your cheeks with sweet relief from the world’s woes.”
