SHIMIZU KITCHEN — Restaurant in Calgary

The service is fine. The environment is uninspiring but mostly clean. They have a TV that plays random Japanese television cooking shows that are irrelevant to the restaurant. Also they play Japanese songs that don't contribute to the dining experience. Of course, musical taste is personal. So some people might like it.

The food. Right. One of the other reviews on Google maps describes their food as "glorified instant ramen". I don't think I can put it any better myself. The owner of the restaurant actually commented on that review, saying that they don't sell instant ramen and they use pork bone to make their broth. I highlight this specific comment as it amazes me. If they didn't exaggerate their product, that means they managed to use authentic pork bones to create a broth which tastes pretty much just like an instant ramen broth.

It's not my intention to make this a harsh review. Not one bit. Especially when I feel like they try to deliver food within a reasonable price range. But the thing is, at least based on my personal and humble opinion, when I finished my ramen which I paid $14 for, I felt like I found less than $14 worth of quality from what I just had. I honestly felt like I had a bowl of instant ramen. And it's sad. This is the kind of sadness which cannot be compensated by having the owner of the restaurant saying sorry to lower score reviews on Google maps.

The Tonkatsu was much better than the ramen. The pork was nicely fried. However the rice was too mushy. Overall, I would say the Tonkatsu is the more "recommended" pick if you decide to give them a try.

One last note, they offer a small bowl of ice cream (they give you strawberry ice cream without asking) after you finish your order. That usually should be a nice gesture or service. But in this case, they neglected the fundamental needs of the customers, which is literally what the customers want. Not everyone wants to have ice cream after having a bowl of hot noodles and certainly not everyone wants to have strawberry ice cream. I know I do not like strawberry ice cream. Yet I was served with strawberry ice cream without being asked. Again, it's sad because they turn a nice gesture into pressure on the customers and potential food waste. I would really appreciate it if they ask whether I want the ice cream. I would gracefully say no but appreciate the offer none the less, instead of being forced to have a small bowl of ice cream (as I don't want to waste food) that I didn't feel like having. I gave a 4 stars to their services anyway as I feel like this is where they did best despite the flaws I mentioned.

As a closing, I want to mention that the owner of this restaurant likes to reply to Google maps reviews, especially on the lower score reviews. Usually I appreciate this kind of replies but in this case, the problem is their mediocrity. And when mediocrity is the problem, then nothing helps unless one starts improving the products. Otherwise it would simply feel like they always have some sort of reasons (or excuses as some may say) for the bad experience some people had when the bad experience mostly comes from mediocre food. Truly, no excuse can explain mediocrity. On one of the replies, they expressed that they are "deeply sorry" about someone's bad experience and they always try to make authentic Hokkaido ramen. I personally had been to Hokkaido more than once and I don't recall having ramen that tastes like instant ramen. Sometimes, saying sorry doesn't help. Plus saying sorry too often will dilute the...

It has been about ~4 years since I last visited, I'm sorry to say so I'm revising the review I left last time.

It's to say that the place remains the nice neighborly ramen place you can take your family to when you don't feel like cooking.

Edit: tried tantanmen this time. Nice! Little bit spicy but good stuff. still pleasant service and neighborly restaurant. 4 thumbs up.

I tried chili goma this time, wife had regular tonkotsu and although you can probably find better chili goma elsewhere, I still liked it, and I didn't have to endure ear splitting music and over priced menu at new hipster ramen places to get it.

Soup was still savory, smooth, and not too overly salted.

If you want fancy ramen experience, go to those new/fashionable places with blaring music. I'm not knocking those places at all, they serve good food and they charge correspondingly( I mean a lot) for the young and rich atmosphere.

This place isn't those places. It's homey, friendly place that provides solid ramen at great price in quiet neighborhoods.

Overall, I am very happy they stayed open past pandemic, and I'll make sure to visit when I have a craving for nice simple japanese ramen.

Below is from my review 4 years ago- Tonkotsu ramen soup felt like it's home made stock. Normally I don't drink the soup for Japanese ramen as they tend to be heavily salted, but this one didn't feel too salty and had relatively mild and clean aftertaste.

Service was quick and friendly.

I would...

We were looking for a ramen place to eat at on the way home from picking up the kids from summer camp. Didn't feel like cooking... lol. I looked for Ramen places on google and came across this restaurant. They have been around for a few years but I had never noticed them before.

When we went in we were greeted and told that we could sit anywhere. My son wanted to sit at the sushi bar side but we elected to sit at a table. The restaurant is not very big with seating for maybe 20.

Menus were already on the table. Not an extensive menu. A selection of ramen, Rice dishes, sides, and beverages. We ordered 2 Tonkotsu Ramen with extra noodles and a Tonkatsu (Pork cutlets with rice). We also had a side order of salmon sashimi. Everyone had waters and I ordered a tea.

The ramen was really good. Broth not too salty. Not as layered flavour that we have tasted from other places but still very good. Noodles are the curly ones and picked up the flavour of the broth nicely.

The Tonkatsu was good. A little dry - had to use the sauce extensively.

The salmon sashimi appy was good. It came with a home made wasabi dressing/sauce.

To end the meal they gave us complimentary ice cream. Nice touch. Staff were really friendly and appreciative that we came by.

My son needed to use the washroom a couple of times and it was clean.

Will definitely come back again for the ramen. Family...