In 2010, Executive Chef/Owner Lon Symensma moved from New York to Denver looking for new adventures and launched a project that became ChoLon Modern Asian. ChoLon, which means “big market” and refers to the largest Chinese-influenced market in Saigon, Vietnam, is Symensma’s homage to southeast Asia and the years he spent traveling and living in that region. It was through this restaurant that Denver became familiar with Symensma’s keen ability to translate the flavors, textures, colors, and stories of the Far East. Since opening ChoLon in Downtown Denver, ChoLon Restaurant Concepts has continued to expand its brand. 

Located on the corner of Blake St & 16th Street, we are honored to contribute to the vibrant and diverse dining scene of downtown Denver.

In addition to our downtown location, we have another ChoLon restaurant in Sloan’s Lake, right next door to our first ever Italian concept, Gusto. Our newest location, YumCha, is Symensma’s modern take on Asian street food, also in LoDo, inside Denver Milk Market. In November 2024 we opened a ChoLon location at the Denver International airport—you can find us in Terminal C. Also, keep an eye out for us this football season at Empower Field at Mile High!