Goro + Gun — Restaurant in Calgary

You know, I've been going to this place for years and stepped foot inside before the doors officially opened; by chance. I still remember it to this day. I walked in and asked, "who designed this place?", as a designer wishing it was myself.

It's a beautiful, unique, and well thought out establishment that still holds true to its personality until now, and it goes beyond just the decor. The televisions show us classic and modern anime. The washrooms teach us Japanese without blaring more of the same like typical bars. And the sound levels have never gotten to a point where I considered it too loud to leave, a rarity today in a lot of eatery establishments. It's one of the few places, and I mean less than a handful, that have given me that like home feeling, and yet I am not even of the culture the food pays respect to. That's special, and I mean really special in my book.

How many years later and I'm still a regular today, when I can be. I hold this place in such a high regard that not only have I become friends with much of the staff and join in on their customary greetings and goodbyes for patrons as they come and go, it also is a reason I legitimately moved into downtown Calgary a few years ago now. I recommend it to all my friends try, to my guests passing through the city, to people I meet in AND EVEN out of town. Heck, my first trip out of the country to the Caribbean and it's name came up. It has become a staple to me and cemented itself in my memory. It has had a such a strong impact on me that I plan on going to Japan itself because of how much I have enjoyed my time just BEING in THIS place.

This is probably sounding like some glorified promotional review. It's not. There's no honour in that. They've earned this praise. Every single hard worker and friend there who has put in the energy to bless me with a meal I've never been disappointed in. I compare all other places I go to eat based on the bar Goro + Gun has set for me, and all I want to say now is simply...

Thank you. Thank all of you. I honestly wish this place those there the best, always. And if you haven't tried them out yet, you should; whether it be on your own, with a group, or even just with a...

Irrashaimase! That’s how it begins. A hearty greeting that’s repeated by everyone. Now you’re a part of the family. You have to try dining here five different ways. The bar seats are fun and a good way to meet strangers. The sushi bar is a fun experience of it own with giant slabs of blue fin being carved. The long shared tables are a must especially at lunch time for ramen. There are booths for the comfy long haul. And there’s the standing bar that faces the busy corridor for fun people watching.

I still think the marketing is wrong. Yes they serve Ramen. But people think it’s a Ramen bar. This is a top shelf Japanese restaurant. They serve Japanese street food, world class sashimi and Ramen. Don’t be fooled, it’s not just “soup”.

Chefs Tomo and May are always tinkering and coming up with great meals. Chef Tomo goes back to Japan every six months or so to keep his skills at a world class level. When back in Japan he keeps up his skills at Michelin start sushi bars. I make sure I’m always dining a few times right after he’s back as that’s when he starts hardcore tinkering.

Who else to know? Kelly is often greeting you at the front. Amane is the GM and a sake aficionado. Hana, Christina, Kelly and Eliza are great people who just make the experience so personal and you want to come back. And don’t forget Jason, friendliest manager.

What to order? Ramen - the spicy lamb ramen is the best. Add a smoked egg for the full experience.

Sashimi/Sushi - I don’t mess around. I always get the Chef selection and put my fate in the hands of the chefs. “Surprise me” is all we ever say.

Appies - Saté prawns, gyoza and tokoyaki. All three are different than anywhere else.

Drinks - you must try the hakkaisan 8 peaks sake. Try their yuzu beer on tap. And of course they have hitochino beers.

Not feeling boozy? Try their chilled green tea. So darn good!

Please come in. Thank you, I mean...

Every once in a while, a local deal stands out.

The Goro and Gun Japanese restaurant Happy Hour deal, in effect on weekdays from 2;00 PM to 7:00 PM, is one of those.

For movie trivia fans, Goro and Gun are the names of two protagonists in the 1985 Japanese comedy Tampopo, a show I highly recommend, as it is both funny and it celebrates good, simple food, namely ramen noodles.

I visited G&G for dinner as a guest. This is a larger than average place for a +15 level restaurant. It was late in the day and not very full.

We shared various sushi, sashimi and tempura fried shrimps, all of which were fresh and good.

The item I preferred however, was the Tonkotsu ramen noodle soup. Our waiter, Mitchell, asked if I would have an optional "Aji Tama" [$3 option soya sauce marinated boiled] egg, which I tried, and it was, all by its simple self, the star of my meal.

The broth, speckled with floating spots of a black garlic sauce, was tasty and hot. The pork was tender and the noodles had kept the intended al dente crunch. Seldom $13 was better spent!

One element to note is that the 7:00 closing time. Lingering passed that point is not much of an option. The soup special alone however, makes it worth a detour for a quick, satisfying and affordable bite.

I cannot say for sure if G&G has, as their eponymous movie characters, truly achieved the aim of serving the paragon of ramen noodles. From this taster's experience, I would say they took a good shot at...