Ryuko South - Japanese Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in Calgary

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ryuko, and it was an experience to remember. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance. Here's a breakdown of our lunch experience:

Spicy Goma Ramen - The Spicy Goma Ramen was a standout dish, perfectly balancing rich flavours and just the right amount of heat. The extended simmered tonkotsu, cow, and chicken broth was a testament to the chef's dedication to quality and depth of flavour. The chili paste added a delightful kick, while the doubanjiang minced pork elevated the dish. Topped with sesame seeds, scallions, and a perfectly cooked egg. Beautiful presentation with vibrant rich colours.

Chef Premium Sashimi - We opted for The Chef Premium Sashimi GF was a celebration of the ocean's bounty. Each slice of fresh fish and seafood was expertly selected and showcased the chef's keen eye for quality. Each piece boasted remarkable freshness, allowing the exceptional quality of the ingredients to shine through vividly, leaving me yearning for another taste.

Gyu-Tako Tartare - The Gyu-Tako Tartare GF was a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. The Wagyu beef tartare melted in my mouth, complemented perfectly by the tako wasabi and crisp Asian pear. The edible flower egg yolk added a touch of elegance, while the house taro chips provided a satisfying crunch. It was a true delight for the senses.

Pressed Scallop Sushi Roll - While the majority of our dining experience at Ryuko was exceptional, the Pressed Sushi Roll with Scallop fell short of expectations. Unfortunately, the roll had an excess of rice, resulting in a mushy texture that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the dish.

Hojicha Tea - To conclude the meal, I enjoyed a comforting pot of Hojicha tea. The caramel notes and soothing warmth of the tea provided the perfect ending to a memorable dining experience. It was the ideal accompaniment to cleanse the palate.

In conclusion, Ryuko is a culinary gem that offers an exceptional dining experience. From the exquisite flavours of the Spicy Goma Ramen to the expertly curated Chef Premium Sashimi, each dish showcased the chef's talent and dedication to quality. While the Pressed Sushi Roll with Scallop left something to be desired, it was a minor flaw in an otherwise...

I had a reservation for two at Ryuko at 7:30 p.m. We arrived a few minutes early and were finally seated around 7:40. The table we were given was extremely small and cramped. I actually had to move it just to get into my seat, and I am an average sized person. To make matters worse, the table had not even been cleaned, so we had to step aside while the waitress prepared it.

Our server took our order quickly, but after that she was nowhere to be found. We tried to wave her down several times, even making eye contact, but she deliberately turned away and stood elsewhere. The restaurant was not busy, and every other table seemed to be receiving attentive service except for ours. We ended up waiting two full hours without proper service. Eventually we asked a busboy for help, and he flagged her down, but she still did not come over for another twenty minutes.

When we were ready to leave and asked for the check, the ordeal continued. It took us multiple attempts to get her attention, and she did not bring the bill until thirty minutes later. During this time we saw her standing off to the side using her phone or talking and laughing with coworkers instead of serving guests.

On a positive note, compliments to the chef. The food was phenomenal, especially the pork katsu. Most of the staff appeared polite and professional, but our server’s behavior ruined what could have been a great evening. I strongly recommend that this employee receive proper training or that management reconsider her position.

In addition, the tables for two are far too small. We could barely fit our main dishes alongside our drinks, which made the dining experience even...

2023-02-14 Overall, this is a good place for Korean fusion sushi. I would go back, to try the kaiseki ( must order a day ahead) and the yakitori set. Was looking forward to dining here after reading all the rave reviews. On Valentine's Day 2023, the experience was below expectation. We ordered: miso soup (CAD$3.50, the nigiri set ($40), the premium nigiri set ($50) and the tobiko bibimbap ($25). I asked what fish came with the premium nigiri set because the menu only indicated a selection of freshest fish from Japan's Tsujiki/ Toyosu Market. The server asked the sushi chef and came back with this: amaebi (sweet shrimp), saba (mackerel), chu toro (med fatty bluefin tuna belly) and Hokkaido uni. Well, when the plate arrived, the amaebi was not there ("sold out" at 7:00 pm), the saba was on the regular sushi set, the chu toro was good, not great and the other was a tough piece of white flesh fish. They did offer me another piece, to their credit. The tobiko bibimbap was an interesting dish, beautifully served with 4 different colors of tobiko, salmon poké and vegetables, topped with a fried egg. I love tobiko, but the combined taste was just okay. Several servers delivered our food to our seating. Server traffic seemed busy and disorganized. Witnessed several close call collisions. The setting is minimalist, modern and clean ambiance. Seating is spacious. Point of improvement: Keep the inside double doors closed when the outdoor temperature is cold. That night, it was about -10C. Each time guests entered or left the restaurant, a cold freeze hit us at...