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
OMO Teppan & Kitchen
OMO serves a tasty array of appetizers 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 if you want to elevate an already premium experience even further, you can also add authentic Japanese wagyu steak to your meal.
5222 Macleod Tr. S.W., 403-764-3222, omoyyc.com, @omoyyc
Shokunin
Shokunin’s inventive dishes and drinks have been inspiring guests 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
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 snacks here, not to mention the extensive drink menu featuring 39 sake and 43 Japanese whisky 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., 403-261-1777 (text only), lonelymouthbar.com, @lonelymouthbar
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
Kinjo Sushi & Grill
Kinjo Sushi & Grill is an excellent spot for families, and with multiple locations around the city, there’s always a spot close by. The restaurant’s attention to customer service and quality Japanese fare has made this sushi spot a popular casual eatery. Stop in to try the grilled scallops, ramen or the Kiss Dragon Roll made with unagi, tempura shrimp and salmon.
Multiple Calgary locations, kinjosushiandgrill.com, @kinjo_sushi
Sukiyaki House
This modern Japanese restaurant in downtown Calgary is known for its intricate and beautifully plated dishes that showcase the talented culinary team. Choose from appetizers like tuna, beef or wagyu beef tataki, a selection of tempura and mains ranging from miso sablefish to nigiri or sashimi dinners.
207 9 Ave. S.W., 403-263-3003, sukiyakihouse.com, @sukiyakihouseyyc
Sushi Bar Zipang
For the past 15 years, Sushi Bar Zipang has been a reliable source for tasty sushi and a variety of interesting appetizers and entrees. The Bridgeland restaurant offers dishes like tonkatsu (breaded pork loin), kaki ponzu (deep fried oysters with ponzu sauce), assorted sashimi, noodle dishes and more.
1010 1 Ave. N.E., 403-262-1888, zipang.ca, @sushi.barzipang
Nupo
Nupo pairs an inventive menu of plant and seafood dishes with high-quality service. The a la carte menu uses fresh and flavourful ingredients to create vegetable plates like the binchotan roasted leeks, the vegan wild mushroom roll and seafood dishes like the barbecue Hokkaido scallops. You can also leave your dining experience up to the chef by reserving one of the six seats at the omakase sushi bar, where you’ll be expertly guided through a 17-course omakase experience.
631 Confluence Way S.E., 587-353-1388, nupo.ca, @nupoyyc
Ari Sushi
Inglewood is home to Ari Sushi, a casual sushi restaurant with a focus on quality ingredients. Head chef Mike Hakjin Kim has crafted an impressive menu of fresh Japanese dishes that’s largely focused around sushi, sashimi and rolls, as well as a handful of appetizers and other dishes. Be sure to make a reservation to secure your table ahead of time.
1201 9 Ave. S.E., 403-262-2220, arisushi.ca, @ari_sushi_calgaryÂ