Ever tried making ramen at home—no, not that instant ramen—I mean legit ramen reminiscent of being in downtown Tokyo?
You meticulously simmered the broth for hours, painstakingly crafted the perfect soft-boiled egg, and yet…it just wasn’t quite there. It’s happened to me the past few times I tried making ramen.
Thankfully, you don’t need a plane ticket to Japan (unless you want to go) to experience ramen because I found a few ramen places here in Calgary that do it right. Here are all my favourite ramen places in Calgary for a bowl that soothes my soul.
Table of Contents
1. JINYA Ramen Bar
Website
Address: 1800 4 St SW #180
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Phone: +1 587-356-0721
Price: $$
Jinya Ramen Bar simmers their broths for a full 20 hours in-house. That slow-cooked process really builds a depth of flavor that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Whether you’re a die-hard pork broth (Tonkotsu) fan or are looking for a solid vegan option, Jinya’s menu has you covered.
Personally, I’m a big fan of their birria ramen. The rich, savory broth of Mexican birria meets the slurp-worthy goodness of ramen noodles. The taste is just phenomenal—a comforting warmth with a slight spicy kick that really wakes up your palate.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip their Matcha Mochi Ice Cream. It’s got a subtly sweet matcha flavor and that wonderfully chewy mochi texture.
2. Wakado Ramen
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Website
Address: 907 10 Ave SW
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM, 5 to 9 PM
Phone: +1 403-457-8828
Price: $$
Wakado Ramen makes their noodles in-house daily with Japanese machinery and carefully chosen flour. Knowing they skip preservatives for a healthier bowl is what keeps me coming here.
I also appreciate their open kitchen. It’s not just for show; you can see the care and attention that goes into each bowl.
When it comes to their ramen, I like their Chili Goma Ramen. The chashu is deeply flavorful and incredibly tender. They marinate it for hours in their house-made sauce, and it really pays off with each melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Pro Tip: If you want the ramen flavours but minus the broth, get their Goma Mazemen. It’s a soupless ramen tossed in the same delicious sesame chili sauce and loaded with chopped chashu, egg, corn, seaweed, and veggies.
3. Shiki Menya
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Website
Address: 824 1 Ave NE
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 3 PM
Phone: +1 403-454-2722
Price: $$
Shiki Menya Ramen has a rich and deeply flavorful 20+ hour pork bone broth that they pair perfectly with their house-made noodles.
I always gravitate towards their Kara Miso Garlic Ramen. I love how their spicy miso broth has a satisfying kick, balanced by the savory pork belly.
But I appreciate being able to add extra toppings to my ramen. My favourite is adding that hard-to-resist comforting cheesy curry jiro goodness.
Pro Tip: For those with younger ramen fans in tow, they have a kids’ menu called Yung Bowls. So even the little ones can enjoy quality ramen.
4. Globefish Ramen and Izakaya
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Website
Address: 326 14 St NW
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 4:30 PM to 8 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +1 403-283-6555
Price: $$
What I consistently come back for is their namesake, the Globefish Ramen. The broth is their famous creamy white chicken soup, deeply flavorful with umami soy.
They use plenty of toppings, too: bright scallions, a perfectly cooked egg, sweet corn, and tender cha shu pork. There’s also fragrant garlic oil and sesame seeds for nuttiness, and the exciting kick of taberu rayu and chili oil for a spicy depth that isn’t overwhelming.
But the real star might be their special homemade noodles – they have a wonderful texture that holds up perfectly in the broth.
Beyond the ramen, they also offer tasty appetizers like squid and dumplings. And for a sweet finish, their matcha ice cream is a refreshing choice.
Pro Tip: If you’re vegan, get their Vegan Creamy Ramen. The creamy soybean soup is incredibly rich and flavorful, packed with tofu, menma, and mushrooms. It also comes with a medley of vegetables like beansprouts, scallions, spinach, and corn.
5. Ramen Ichinen
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Address: 3132 26 St NE #349
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 3 PM,5 PM to 8 PM
Phone: +1 403-454-2646
Price: $$
Ramen Ichinen’s Tonkotsu broth is made in-house daily through a meticulous four-step process, simmering pork bones for a solid 12 hours. It’s rich, creamy, and intensely porky in the best way possible.
For those of us who appreciate clean eating, they skip the MSG and focus on pure, honest Japanese flavors.
Their ten levels of heat are also no joke, topping out with Carolina Reaper peppers. Beyond spice, they offer a range of toppings and noodle choices, so you can really build your ideal bowl of ramen.
Pro Tip: Their Tonkotsu Red Ramen pork broth base, amped up with spicy oil and miso, is just incredible. I always ask for their homemade garlic oil on the side – a drizzle of that takes the whole thing to another level.
6. Ramen Taka Calgary
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Website
Address: 843 17 Ave SW
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +1 403-453-6755
Price: $$
Ramen Taka Notsume is a must-visit, especially if you’re seeking an authentic taste of Asahikawa Ramen. It stands out because it’s one of the few places truly dedicated to this style, which hails from Hokkaido, Japan.
Here, they’re meticulous about skimming off excess fat. This results in an intensely flavorful and surprisingly clean broth, with a gelatinous texture from all that collagen.
I always get their Asahikawa Shoyu Ramen. I love their toppings – the bamboo shoots add a nice crunch, the black fungus a subtle earthiness, and the seaweed for a hint of the sea.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling particularly brave (and hungry!), they have this “Giga Dragon Challenge” – finish a massive ramen in under 30 minutes, and it’s free.
7. Ramen Arashi Calgary
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Website
Address: 1240 Kensington Rd NW #103
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +1 403-270-2076
Price: $$
Ramen Arashi manages to stay true to the original regional ramen classics while adding their own touch.
For example, their Tan Tan Ramen that’s inspired by the Yokohama classic has a rich tonkotsu broth, their signature Arashi sesame base, and generous and well-chosen toppings.
I like how the pork belly is tender and the marinated egg is perfectly jammy. Plus, the mix of spinach, bamboo shoots, peanuts, and chili oil adds layers of texture and flavor.
Pro Tip: For those who like a bit of heat, I highly recommend their “Devil’s Arashi.” It’s a spicy twist on their tonkotsu that kicks things up a notch without sacrificing the depth of flavor.
8. SHIMIZU KITCHEN
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Address: 1918 37 Street SW
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +1 403-455-3380
Price: $
Shimizu Kitchen consistently delivers delicious, affordable bowls that punch way above their weight.
My personal go-to here is the Shimizu Miso Ramen. The broth has this deeply savory and comforting flavor that just hits the spot. The pork belly chasu is tender and flavorful, and the boiled egg and stir-fried vegetables add a nice textural contrast and freshness.
Pro Tip: Try their delicious Mazesoba. It’s a brothless ramen, tossed with fried ground pork, a creamy sesame dressing, and a raw egg yolk that enriches everything. It also comes with a drizzle of shrimp oil that adds this subtle seafood umami.
9. Chicking.YYC RAMEN & ONIGIRI SHOP
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Website
Address: 1817 Centre St N
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
Phone: +14034605091
Price: $
Chicking YYC Kitchen has an adorable mascot, Mr. Chick, who really adds to the restaurant’s welcoming vibe. But beyond the cute factor, what truly sets them apart is their Chicking Ramen, a Nagasaki-inspired creation that’s become my go-to order.
The tomato-based broth is a delicious twist, striking a perfect balance between rich pork and savory chicken. Every spoonful is complemented by the freshness of spinach and green onion, the sweetness of corn, and the earthy kikurage.
The toppings are generous and well-executed – tender pork chasu, a perfectly seasoned egg, and crispy fried chicken that adds a satisfying crunch.
Pro Tip: Don’t even think about leaving without trying their scrumptious Drowning Taiyaki. It’s a sweet explosion of ice cream, mochi, taiyaki, and more.
10. Fuji Ramen and Sushi
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Website
Address: 12100 Macleod Trail #111
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +15873525595
Price: $$
Fuji Ramen and Sushi is a spot that consistently delivers. While their menu extends to sushi and bentos, it’s the ramen that keeps me coming back.
In particular, the Black Fuji Tonkotsu Ramen has an incredibly rich pork flavor that’s amplified by the distinct black garlic oil they use.
The garlic chips add a pleasant crunch. Meanwhile, the medley of other toppings, such as mushrooms and bamboo shoots, provides textural variety and earthy notes.
Pro Tip: I love their mochis. Their strawberry mochi is soft and chewy, with a subtle strawberry sweetness and red bean filling that is not too heavy for dessert.
11. Tokyo Station
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Website
Address: 1505 15 Ave SW
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +14037192288
Price: $$
Tokyo Station Market draws inspiration from Tokyo’s street markets. They’ve got a solid menu beyond just noodles, including Japanese pasta and donburi, but the ramen is where it’s at.
What I appreciate here is that they are a restaurant that gets the importance of maintaining good value. The food comes with good portions, and they don’t skimp on flavor, so you really get what you pay for.
Speaking of flavor, you’ve got six different ramen options. Their Red Ramen kimchi base hits the spot for me – it’s tangy and incredibly satisfying.
Pro Tip: If you’re really hungry, go for the deluxe version of any ramen. You get a noticeable upgrade – extra chashu, an egg, and more noodles.
12. Samurai Ramen & Sushi
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Website
Address: 920 36 St NE
Hours: Wednesday to Thursday, Monday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +15874700808
Price: $$
Samurai Ramen & Sushi doesn’t skimp on options, offering a diverse range of broths to explore.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of their Samurai Ramen. That creamy soy sauce base, enriched with sesame and peanuts, is rich and savory with a subtle nutty sweetness.
Then you have the roasted pork, the salty seaweed, and that soft boiled egg, all brought together with their house-made chili sauce.
Pro Tip: If you like sushi with your ramen, try the Samurai Special Roll. The combination of prawn and salmon tempura with avocado, topped with seared tuna, is just fantastic.
13. Gagana Ramen
Website
Address: 2020 32 Ave NE Bay F
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Monday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 4 PM
Phone: +14032740726
Price: $$
What sets Gagana Ramen apart is their dedication to the core elements of a truly great bowl.
Their Tonkotsu ramen broth, for example, strikes that perfect balance of sweetness with a subtle spicy kick that keeps you coming back for more.
And they don’t skimp on portions, so you’ll find yourself satisfied with a generously sized bowl.
Their commitment to quality extends to their handmade egg noodles; even their bamboo shoots are softer and more flavorful than you often find.
Pro Tip: Try their tsukemen, or dipping ramen. It’s served with a special broth base and a separate plate of dipping noodles topped with lemon, char siu, and cabbage. It also comes with classic roping like green onions, bamboo pea shoots, and seaweed slices.
14. Tokaido Ramen & Bar
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Address: 8888 Country Hills Blvd NW #327
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +14037642577
Price: $$
What makes Tokaido Ramen stand out, for me at least, is their “Create Your Own Ramen” option. You can choose your broth – whether you’re in the mood for a light chicken or a hearty pork.
Then comes the noodle selection – thick, regular, or thin. And the soup bases? The possibilities are vast, from classic traditional to bold black garlic and savory shoyu.
Finally, you get to load up on extras like seaweed and bamboo shoots, making each visit a chance to craft your ultimate ramen bowl.
Pro Tip: If you don’t want to make your own bowl, get their Tonkotsu Black Garlic Ramen. I love the generous toppings! It comes with tender chashu pork, a flawlessly soft-boiled egg, and more!
