Each year, we ask our readers to weigh in on the best restaurants in Calgary with an online voting ballot. Here are the winners and runners-up for Best Japanese Restaurants in Calgary.
Winner
OMO Teppan & Kitchen
OMO serves a tasty array of hot and cold appetizers like kimchi and tempura, a variety of sushis and soups, and a healthy dose of fun with its teppanyaki meals. Choose from beef, chicken, shrimp, salmon or veggies to be grilled, broiled and fried right before your eyes by a skilled and enthusiastic chef. The teppanyaki meals come with all the fixings, but to really elevate an already premium experience, you can also dine on authentic Japanese wagyu steak from a six-selection wagyu menu.
5222 Macleod Tr. S.W., 403-764-3222, omoyyc.com, @omoyyc
Runners-up
Fuji Ramen and Sushi
The colourful and enticing sushi platters and party trays at Fuji Ramen and Sushi perfectly match its atmosphere. Check out the custom-made mural featuring scenes of Calgary painted in red and black intermingling with ramen, sushi and the Ang family, who own the eatery.
111, 12100 Macleod Tr. S.E., 587-352-5595, fujiramenandsushi.com, @fujiramenandsushi
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 hand-rolled sushi, house-made udon, fresh tempura and other sweet and salty snacks here, alongside an extensive drink menu featuring 39 sake and 43 Japanese whisky options. All this can be enjoyed amid the space’s minimalist design with mid-century wood panels, corduroy upholstery and low lighting, designed by Frank Architecture and Interiors.
528 17 Ave. S.W., 403-990-5094, (text only), lonelymouthbar.com, @lonelymouthbar
Shokunin
Shokunin’s inventive dishes and drinks have been inspiring diners for years. Expect daily butchered chickens for its yakitori offerings, bison tataki with fried garlic, pickled white onions and arugula, 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.
2016 4 St. S.W., 403-229-3444, shokuninyyc.ca, @shokuninyyc
Shiki Menya
You’ve likely seen lineups outside this Bridgeland institution. The folks at Shiki Menya take ramen seriously, offering up a variety of tonkotsu, chicken and veggie dishes made with hand-rolled noodles in three different thicknesses. Last call is 30 minutes before close or when the bowls sell out for the day.
824 1 Ave. N.E., 403-454-2722, shikimenya.ca, @shikimenya