Each year, we ask Avenue readers to vote for their favourite restaurants in Calgary in our Best Restaurants readers’ choice ballot. These are some of their favourite places in the city.
Winner
Fuji Ramen and Sushi
If you’re craving ramen or sushi, this is the place to go. Warm up with a hot bowl of spicy miso ramen or dig into plates of sashimi, nigiri and feature rolls like the mango paradise roll. Fuji also offers a great space to enjoy it all in, with a custom red and black mural featuring scenes of Calgary intermingling with ramen, sushi and the Ang family, who own the eatery.
111, 12100 Macleod Tr. S.E., 587-352-5595, fujiramenandsushi.com, @fujiramenandsushi
Runners-up
Ryuko
Ryuko is an innovative restaurant showcasing high-quality ingredients through traditional Japanese cuisine. At all three locations, you’ll find a variety of dishes including soups like ramen and udon; raw and cooked starters like magurocamole or ebi tempura; or sashimi sets and sushi rolls. A standout, though, is the lunch and dinner omakase menus available at the west and south locations — leave the decisions up to the chef with these tasting menus.
Multiple locations, ryuko.ca, @ryuko.yyc
Lonely Mouth Bar
The name Lonely Mouth references the Japanese concept of kuchisabishii: when you’re not hungry, but you eat because your mouth is lonely. Whether you’re hungry or not, your tastebuds will enjoy the sushi hand rolls, house-made udon, fresh tempura and other snacks here, not to mention the extensive drink menu featuring an array of sake and Japanese whiskey options. All this can be enjoyed in the minimalist dining room that features mid-century wood panels, corduroy upholstery and low lighting courtesy of Frank Architecture and Interiors.
528 17 Ave. S.W., 403-990-5094, lonelymouthbar.com, @lonelymouthbar
Shokunin
Shokunin’s inventive dishes and drinks have been inspiring guests since 2016. Chicken is the star here — expect yakitori offerings with daily-butchered chickens — but other standouts include the wagyu pastrami sando, buttermilk chicken karaage and more. Pair your meal with the Okami Kasu, a sake-infused beer collaboration with Ol’ Beautiful Brewing made with rice koji and beer yeast, or a glass from one of the best sake menus in the city.
2016 4 St. S.W., 403-229-3444, shokuninyyc.ca, @shokuninyyc
Sukiyaki House
Sukiyaki House has been serving Calgarians authentic Japanese cuisine since 1976. Professionally trained in kaiseki (a form of Japanese fine dining), head chef Koji Kobayashi pairs passion with seasonality to create a menu of delicious and impeccably plated dishes. Try a signature sake, dig into fresh hosomaki rolls or try mains like the misosable fish.
207 9 Ave. S.W., 403-263-3003, sukiyakihouse.com, @sukiyakihouseyyc
Nupo
This East Village restaurant is known for its sushi offerings and creative vegetarian and vegan fare. Don’t miss the counter service omakase sushi experience, where you’ll be treated to three seasonal dishes, a sashimi tasting and 12 nigiri courses. The regular menu includes dishes like the wild mushroom roll, sweet potato and kimchi gyoza, tan tan daikon steak and more.
631 Confluence Way, 587-353-1388, nupo.ca, @nupoyyc
