Lon Symensma
Founder, Executive Chef | ChoLon | Denver, Colorado
Chef Lon Symensma discovered his passion for cooking at a young age, starting as a dishwasher at a local diner before quickly working his way onto the line. What began as a way to get a car soon evolved into a lifelong passion, spanning more than three decades of dedication to the craft of cooking.
At just 19, he earned a silver medal as part of Team USA at the 1996 Culinary Olympics, and in 1997 was named National Junior Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation.
Originally from Iowa, Chef Lon graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in 1999 before training in Michelin-starred kitchens in France and continuing his development through stages in Italy and Spain, including time at the renowned Arzak in San Sebastián.
He later joined acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten in New York, where he spent a year traveling throughout Southeast Asia and China, training in regional techniques. During this time, he participated in the opening of Jean-Georges Shanghai and worked at the Royal Garden Hotel in Hong Kong and the five-star Datai resort in Malaysia. He went on to hold key roles in New York, including opening sous chef at Spice Market and executive chef at Buddakan.
In 2010, Chef Lon moved to Denver to open ChoLon Modern Asian. Named after the “big market” in Saigon, Vietnam, the concept reflects his deep connection to Southeast Asian flavors and his ability to translate them into dishes that feel both refined and approachable.
As founder and executive chef of ChoLon Restaurant Concepts, Chef Lon is guided by a philosophy of minimizing waste, maximizing flavor, and honoring the origins of each ingredient, bringing a globally influenced perspective to Denver’s dining scene.
Make Chef Lon Symensma’s Larb Salad Lettuce Cups.
ChoLon Modern Asian
ChoLon Modern Asian is Chef Lon Symensma’s tribute to the vibrant flavors, textures, and stories of Southeast Asia. The name “ChoLon,” meaning “big market” in Vietnamese, references the bustling Chinese-influenced market in Saigon that inspired the concept, while also nodding to Chef Lon himself.
Since opening in 2010, ChoLon has become one of Denver’s most celebrated dining destinations, known for its bold flavors and creative interpretations of Southeast Asian cuisine. Inspired by Chef Lon’s time backpacking across Asia, the menu reimagines traditional dishes through his creative lens, with subtle influence from his classical European training.
From its iconic soup dumplings to its shareable plates, ChoLon highlights a playful, vibrant approach to flavor, where familiar comfort meets global technique.
The restaurant quickly gained national recognition, earning a James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant in 2011, along with accolades from Food & Wine, Eater, and 5280 Magazine. Today, ChoLon remains a cornerstone of Denver’s dining scene, with locations downtown, Sloan Lake, and Denver International Airport.
With a polished yet welcoming atmosphere, ChoLon offers an experience equally suited for a lively night out or an elevated everyday meal, bringing the energy of Southeast Asia to the heart of Denver.
www.cholonconcepts.com/locations/cholon-downtown/
1555 Blake St #101, Denver, CO 80202
1691 N Raleigh St, Denver, CO 80204
Photography by Alexis Reaves.
