Y93 Sushi Crave Japanese Cafe (Ramen & Curry house) — Restaurant in Calgary

One of my best dining experiences in recent memory. Everything is done with attention to detail, care, and artistry. This is a very small location, I think there's only 4-5 tables inside, and a few out on the patio. We were just a party of two, which was good because all of the tables inside were already occupied, one of which was a reservation.

We were offered a pair of seats at the dining bar, which could take maybe 5-6 people in total. We arrived just before 6pm, and the tables remained occupied for our entire stay. Very intimate setting, so it reminded me a little of a izakaya in that you're basically rubbing elbows with your neighbors.

We were seated quickly and within a minute or two we were addressed by service staff and asked for our drink order. I ordered a genmaicha and my dining partner ordered a milk and mango drink with lychee. I also ordered the Chicken Yakitori which comes with two skewers, as I wasn't sure how quick the kitchen would be (it being our first time here.)

The menu didn't have any alcohol on it, but a few minutes later I realized that they had a couple beer options as well as some cocktails, plum wine, etc.

Drinks came quickly, even the beer that I added after the fact. Wait staff was very welcoming and attentive, and both of the servers were active in making sure that every need was quickly attended to.

The milk drink and tea were much fancier than I expected, I provided a close up of my genmaicha because I was so impressed with the presentation and flavor.

The yakitori came out shortly thereafter and I must say it was some of the best I've ever had, the chicken was very tender and moist and was glazed perfectly. It was so good I even ate some of the lettuce that was on the plate because the sauce was amazing.

My main interest in Y93 was their Tonkatsu Curry, and I was not disappointed. The curry menu is customizable with 3 spice levels, vegetarian and beef curry and a good variety of protein options and additional add-ins. I opted for the Level 2 spice and it was a very well-rounded flavor with just enough heat that I was glad to have a craft beer (Two Pillars, a light lager and strong dark dunkle style, in can) to help mitigate the heat.

The curry included some pickled daikon, a small amount of a simple salad with a very tasty ginger dressing, rice and three tonkatsu cutlets that were lightly breaded (it was not like the typical heavy panko breading), thinly pounded and perfectly tender. There was also a very special seasoning that I was informed to mix into my rice to enhance the flavor. It was really amazing. The curry had thinly sliced beef and perfectly cooked carrots, and it was a generous serving, I'll be eating those leftovers tomorrow.

My dining partner selected the Tonkotsu Ramen, which I also tried. It was a perfect milky consistency, with chewy noodles, two good sized charshu slices, a creamy soy marinated egg and your expected sides. The egg was $1 dollar extra if I remember correctly.

Next we we'll be coming back for the sushi, because the rolls and sushi that were being made were absolute works of art and were unique in the offerings I've seen in Calgary.

Honestly, I'm not sure if giving this review is a good idea, because I'm afraid it might make it even harder to get a table at this absolute gem of a restaurant. Oh well, a promise is a promise

Vibe checks for atmosphere: Anime soundtrack playlist, anime and manga figures on the shelves, Astroboy artwork on the wall and the whole place just dripping with personality, with staff that clearly love their job and were smiling and happily listening to me gush over the whole experience. Also, kudos on the unique plates and serving platters that included natural wood and other traditional Japanese motifs.

Can't wait for our next visit!!! Probably will get a reservation if at...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a delightful Japanese restaurant that features an intimate setting with only four tables and a six-seat bar. We visited on a Wednesday afternoon around 4 PM, and despite being somewhat early, the restaurant was bustling with customers, indicating its popularity. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance, especially for the dinner service. Sashimi Salad: 10/10 The sashimi salad is a standout dish, presented in a generous portion and featuring a delightful variety of fresh fish, including salmon, tuna, squid, and ebi shrimp. The freshness and quality of the seafood truly elevate this dish, making it a must-try for sashimi lovers. Bento D: 8/10 The Bento D is a well-rounded meal that includes ebi and a flavorful Y93 sushi roll, accompanied by two rice balls and two side salads. The 紫苏 leaves (perilla) in the sushi roll enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a richness that complements the other components beautifully, offers an excellent array of tastes and textures. However the rice ball does taste as good. Unagi Don: 100/100 My personal favorite was the unagi don, which, despite its smaller portion size, is satisfying enough for one person. The unagi tasted incredibly fresh and was generously coated in a delectable sauce that prevented the rice from being bland. I also mixed in corn and lettuce, a surprisingly successful combination that added an interesting twist. Shoyu Tonkotsu: 9/10 The shoyu tonkotsu is a rich and flavorful pork bone broth that is sure to please those who enjoy hearty soups. For those who prefer a saltier flavor, I suggest adding a bit of soy sauce. The bowl is generously topped with bean sprouts, wood ear mushrooms, corn, chashu pork, and a soft-boiled egg, making for a satisfying dish overall. Hojicha Tiramisu: 7/10 For dessert, we chose the hojicha tiramisu. While it was pleasant, I found the hojicha flavor to be quite subtle, similar to other tiramisus I have encountered. The texture was exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth, but those looking for bolder flavors might prefer the matcha option instead. Pink Matcha: 8/10The pink matcha beverage, a blend of strawberry and matcha milk, was enjoyable and well-balanced. It offered a refreshing taste that complemented the meal perfectly. In summary, my experience at this restaurant was delightful, with fresh ingredients and a range of flavorful dishes. I would rate this establishment an 8 out of 10 for its quality and dining experience, making it a fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy authentic...

A nice albeit somewhat hidden (unless you are actively looking for it) little cafe in the Midnapore area, which is convenient to visit if you live in the far south of Calgary. The place is small, but cozy for my tastes. Although it might make some folks feel like the place is too cramped. It doesn't take a lot of people to fill up the place depending on the time of day.

The staff are friendly and welcoming. I really appreciated that they were accommodating on taking a reservation for a group of 7 people. Although service speed varied during my visits, so make sure to take that into consideration when you dine in. Best to go when you are not in a rush. Keep in mind that the cafe closes early at 07:30 PM in the evening, and closed on Sundays and holidays. These hours can be a bit of damper for those who want to eat later in the evening, so make sure to arrive early when planning to have dinner.

For appetizers, the deep fried squid leg skewer is my favorite. Even without the sauce that comes with it, the squid was still tasty. For entree, my favorites were the Chirashi Don and the Japanese Style Curry Katsu Chicken. The Chirashi Don was refreshing with a generous amount of sashimi in proportion to the rice. The Curry was hearty and the chicken was tender. For drinks, their bubble tea and pour over coffee are great. The black sugar pearls had just the right chewy texture and the bubble tea had just the right amount of sweetness. As for the pour over coffee, I'm amazed that it is $3 (usually I see them priced at over $5) for the quality you are receiving. The coffee is smooth and has no sour aftertaste.

I visited in July and November, and the only difference I noticed is that the Banana Loaf with Sweet Red Bean is no longer in the menu. Not sure if this will return like a seasonal item.

Despite the small space, varying service speed, and limited evening hours, I would highly recommend this cafe, especially if you like Japanese food and live in...