Best Sushi in Calgary
I will be in Calgary this weekend and would like to take my parents out for sushi. Seeing as I come from VancouverI have found the sushi to be a lot fresher and much better quality out here in Vancouver. Is there anywhere in the Calgary area that can compare to some of the nicer sushi places out here? Price isn't an issue as long as the quality is there. I will be staying in the SW (17th/4th street area so would rather it be somewhere near by, but if it is worth the drive, then the drive I will take!!! Thanks in advance.
By JWh
on Jul 20, 2004 02:27 PM
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First I don't know how you can say the sushi in Van is "much fresher and of much better quality" than in Calgary if you don't know of the better sushi places in Calgary. The fish in Van sushi places are not line-caught in Stanley Park; tuna comes from the same sources for Van, Calgary, Toronto, wherever; in Van you benefit from volume, but you'll be amazed at the number of sushi restos in Calgary; as that volume has increased, the quality has skyrocketed. It cannot yet match Van but there is some outstanding sushi in Calgary, and my favourite sushi place in Calgary is better, to my taste, than anything I have had in Van. Where Van really excels is in price; with increased choice and volume, sushi in Calgart has become much more cost effective, but you will not find a spicy combo for $7.99 as I did last month at a place on Broadway in Van... and it was, I must admit, delicious. But sushi abounds in Calgary, and my faves are as follows:
1. Towa Sushi, on 4th St SW and about 22nd Ave. This is my fave. Huge succulent roles, the best spicy tuna roll I have ever had (and I've had it all over North America), MASSIVE, MOIST unagi nigiri- $3 each but twice the size as others that chage $2.50. All the sushi, maki and nigiri, is massive and that means you can feast for less since the pieces are so generous. Very cool space too with a nice patio.
2. Hana Sushi. Also on 4th St but around 19th Ave. I ate there for the first time last week (hey no reason to when Towa is a minute's walk from there) and was impressed; very competent, and many bento boxes for the sushi non-lover.
3. Sushi Hiro, on 4th Ave downtown; this one is for the purist. Good trad sushi, very pretty too. Too popular at lunch but try it (or any place in the core outside stephen ave, like Glory of India) for dinner; you can walk right in and grab seats.
4. Kyoto 17, 17Ave and 8 St SW: used to love this place but they have some very creative giant rolls that are, to me, much too expensive, so I avoid it for the really cost-effective...
5. Japanese Noodle House. This is a hole in the wall at 13 St and 12 Ave SW in the Ravenswood Condos. They make sublime noodle dishes but I go there for great value sushi. I always get two spicy tuna rolls, one dynamuite roll and two pieces of unagi, you have to roll me out after that and it is about $16. I have never been disappointed there; it reminds me of the little family run places in mt pleasant and such in Vancouver; no pretension, friendly service and very dependably good if not great sushi.
Since I cannot review the dozens of places in chinatown, north of the river, and all over downtown, I will just add that I suggest you avoid Sumo in Eau Claire Market... it is smoky, horrible for a sushi place, and I don't see the value there and the last time I was there the sushi was, frankly, terrible. I would also urge you to go to Towa or Hana on 4th St and cannot recomment Sushi Kawa. I went there for lunch, got a combo that was less food and more money than at Towa (barely across the street), and the sushi was very unmemorable.
So there is a start!
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Kyoto 17 has terrible sushi, you could go to safeway and get something much the same.
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Japanese Noodle House appeared to have all of the makings of a nice mom and pop joint, but that's where it stopped. The food is mediocre at best. Starting with a miso soup and sunomono salad...The taste of frozen shrimp and the wrong kind of noodles did not fare well. Hopefully, the shrimp tempura will make up for it...c'mon deep fry...wrong. Undercooked with the lingering raw batter. And the gyoza...hmm these taste like potstickers to me with extra carcinogens. Then the overly riced maki sushi...a dynamite and unagi. As well, nothing in it but rice and the shrimp or the rice and the eel. Not impressed. Was it at least cheap?...no!
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You dug up a FOUR YEAR OLD thread to post this?
Anyway I agree, haven't been back to JNH for YEARS now, too many bones in the tuna, and agreed 100%, too much rice in maki.
I will thank you, though, for posting to show how much the offerings in Calgary and our individual tastes (mine at least) have changed.
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Zombie thread resurrection! :)
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Some additions to John's list: I like the Sukiyaki House on 10th Ave and 4th St, for traditional sushi; I agree that SUshi Hiro is best at night but it's great.
Zen 8, in Penny Lane, has ok sushi, but the portions are huge. I've heard the Sushi Club in Kensington is excellent.
Also, try Sushi Yoko, on the 2nd floor of the big Chinese market on 16th ave and Centre St North. It's excellent.
There's also a new place on Centre St just north of 16th by the Regal Beagle which is apparently excellent.
Good luck.
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I can't add much to what John has already done, but here's a few tidbits:
Based on where you are, Towa is the best bet. The quality of the fish, the decor, and the value are all tremendous. The rice for their nigiri is packed a bit loose (like most places, they use a rice machine, but i think it's configured poorly or the size required to accomodate the monster pieces are too large) and often has a tendency to fall apart on you (a personal pet peeve), but the Sashimi is excellent, as are the creativity with the rolls. When my only complaint is i wish the portion sizes were smaller, you know it's a good place. As a bonus, they don't charge for Japanese Tea (the powdered variety) unlike most other places in town. No free Miso though. Grrr...
In the district you are staying (Mission) there are two other conveniently located Sushi joints - Hana Sushi and Sushi Kawa. Unlike Miles and John, im not a huge fan of Hana Sushi. I much prefer Sushi Hiro (which is downtown), as I've found the service to be overly slow at lunch, and the value to be lacking. And definitely steer clear of Sushi Kawa -- breaking my own two-strike rule, i've managed to have 3 bad experiences there.
Other restaurants that are decent in case you end up in another part of town include:
Wa's (this is the one Miles was referring to on Centre and 17th Ave N). The quality is excellent, i've heard it's owned by the same people as Sakana Grill, but have no confirmation on that.
In the NE, i'd recommend Misai. The sushi quality has definitely gone down hill over the past 3 years, but their Salmon Sashimi is still amazing, the selection of Japanese dishes is the largest in town, and a great place to sample many non-western type dishes (grilled and fried). Try the Hamachi Head.. the cheeks are amazing.
In the NW, i used to like Yamato, but i've found it's become average at best. They (like Misai), have the Lobster 3 course meal (Sashimi, Soup, and one other course), and are pretty reasonable. Very busy though.
Lastly, if you ever find yourself in Canmore, you should try Chef Studio Japan (behind the Bank of Montreal on main street). This *used* to be the best Japanese restaurant in Alberta, though most people didnt realize it existed. While it's still right up there with the best, I've been mildly disappointed the past two times i've been -- the quality is still excellent, the creativity the best in the province, and the quantity being very reasonable. Try the Portabella Mushroom Nigiri if you go. It used to be worth the hour drive, but with the rise in quality in town, combined with a slight drop in portion size and quality out in Canmore, i think it's excellent, but not superb.
Hope that helps! Enjoy!
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Just wanted to say thanks for all the feedback. Went to Towa Sushi tonight and it was OUTSTANDING!!! Towa is a contemporary twist on traditional sushi with an emphasis on presentation, healthy options and, best of all, freshness. The pieces are large 8 rolls in one (think large California rolls-rice on the outside) but the chioces are endless. To name a few we had the 'Towa Roll' which consisted of Tuna,Salmon,Cucumber,Tobiko wrapped with rice & topped with red tuna and salmon (insane good) we also had thier version of a 'Dynamite Roll' but this time it was wrapped in a thin egg crepe (just as good). The tempura (which consisted of Spinich,Avocado, Shrip,Green Bean & Yam) was nice an light. The sushi menu is large with an excellent variety of items. For your non sushi lover they have udon, chicken, and a few salad options. I can't wait to go back and try out a few other combinations. One warning...go hungry and with at least one other person becuase the rolls are HUGE! Thanks again.
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Ya see?! There is great sushi in Calgary! Thrilled that we could impress a Vancouverite! Ah, validation!
Say as you are arounf 4 St and 17 Ave, for a quick and delicious meal check out the brand new Thai Tai Vietnamese subs place, it's on the south side across the street (to the east) from the high school. The bar for banh mi keeps getting raised in Calgary; I am waiting for a viet sub place here to make En Route's top ten new restos list!
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Glad you liked it :)
If you happen to go again, i'd recommend their Firecracker roll (smoked salmon and jalapeno tempura). Im also a big fan of their spicy salmon roll.
Happy eating!
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