AROMA Dim Sum — Restaurant in Calgary

Ever since Alberta opened up and indoor dining restrictions were lifted, Aroma Dim Sum restaurant has gotten quite busy - an indicator of its increasing popularity. I tried for about an hour to order take out by phone without success. I went to the almost fully-occupied restaurant (the tables are well distanced from each other) and ordered in person. The order-taker admitted that when they’re overwhelmed with orders, they disable their phone (you’ll hear a busy signal). I ordered 5 items which were ready in less than 20 minutes - a pleasant surprise considering how busy they were at dinner time. The Cilantro Egg Drop Soup with Beef comes with soft tofu and tender beef slices with just the right amount of citrusy flavor; just stir in the cilantro which the soup is topped with. (Aroma’s soups come in non-recyclable Styrofoam cups.) This is menu item number 1007 and well worth trying. The Deep Fried Spring Rolls (number 1102) are always crispy and evenly-fried. Many Asian restaurants offer spring rolls accompanied by a sauce. Aroma’s rolls stand on their own without the need for a sauce as they’re already savory. Item 2108, Stir Fried Egg Noodles with Seafood has a good mix of shrimp, scallops, fish, imitation crab, squid plus Chinese broccoli over well-cooked thin noodles. This is one of my favorites. Fish Fillet with Deep Fried Tofu Hotpot (# 1706) comes with mushrooms, cabbage and a few strips of green onions. I added a few drops of soy sauce to enhance the taste of the fish and fried tofu. 1105, Deep Fried Shrimp Dumplings (5 pieces) were probably as good as I can recall. My son wiped them out, leaving not even a crumb for me. There are a few other Chinese restaurants within a 5-kilometer radius of Aroma but Aroma has become my go-to resto because of its food variety, flavor, cooking consistency and polite service. Prices are higher than average but I know what quality to expect. Keep in mind that wait times increase the busier they get - 40 minutes at one of my attempts. I’ve seen 8 take-out bags waiting to be fetched on...

I'm extremely disappointed with our experience at Aroma Dim Sum, especially considering I brought my elderly parents (74 and 87) who were excited to enjoy a nice meal out after a long time. Unfortunately, the high prices ($8-10 per dish) didn't match the value, and the service was woefully inadequate. Despite having multiple servers on duty, they seemed completely unaware of our needs, and we had to wave to get their attention multiple times. The takeout order we placed midway through for 1 item took over 50 minutes to be ready, leaving my parents visibly uncomfortable in their seats having to wait so long without anyone proactively checking in or updating delays. To add insult to injury, there were errors with our bill and incorrect change. The woman at the front with glasses handling the bill seemed to have no grasp of basic math, fumbling with the calculation and providing incorrect change. It was shocking to see someone struggle so much with counting money. They didn't even use a calculator or the cash register properly. Given the poor service and incompetence with the bill, overpriced food , I wouldn't recommend Aroma Dim Sum to anyone, especially for seniors or those looking for attentive service. My parents deserved better, and so does anyone else who dines there. It's not just about the math; it's about providing basic, respectful service. Aroma Dim Sum failed miserably in providing a pleasant experience, and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

We're extremely disappointed with our experience at Aroma Dim Sum and won't be returning. We'll definitely share our experience with others to help them make...

Aroma Dim Sum in Calgary came highly recommended, and the crowds we saw when we arrived certainly indicated this was a popular spot. However, the overall dining experience left us feeling a bit underwhelmed, as the dim sum itself was only average compared to our expectations.

The service at Aroma was undoubtedly excellent - the staff was attentive, friendly, and efficient in delivering the various dishes to our table.

As for the dim sum itself, the selections were fairly standard - the usual array of dumplings, buns, and rice rolls. While everything was fresh and well-prepared, the flavors and presentation just didn't quite live up to the hype we had heard about this place. It was good, but not exceptional.

Given the crowds we witnessed, both upon arrival and during our meal, our expectations were set quite high. We were hoping for a truly standout dim sum experience that would justify the popularity. Unfortunately, Aroma Dim Sum, while perfectly decent, didn't provide that "wow" factor we were anticipating.

It's possible our palates have simply been spoiled by exceptional dim sum in other cities. Or maybe we caught Aroma on an off day. Regardless, the service was top-notch, but the dim sum itself was only average in our opinion.

If you're craving dim sum in Calgary and don't have sky-high expectations, Aroma is certainly a reliable option. But for those seeking a truly memorable, world-class dim sum experience, you may want to keep looking or try your luck on a...