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Sushi Bar Zipang
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Sushi Bar Zipang
14 reviews in English
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Review from Al B.
Calgary, AB
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Having lived on the west coast of BC for many years I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to quality sushi. When Zipang was recommend to me as a place to check out(by another ex-vancouverite), I eagerly anticipated my visit.
The sashimi and sushi are excellently prepared, presented and the quality is unbeatable. Classic rolls along with a few of their own unique twists.
Don't miss out on trying their specials of the day usually listed on the chalk board as you walk in. If they have the braised black pork belly, order it. The first time I tried it, I actually had an emotional reaction it was so good and brought such pleasure to my senses. Had I not ordered the last serving they had, I would have ordered a second(shhh, don't tell my doctor, everything in moderation right? including moderation).
The service is fast, friendly and efficient too.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
5/30 -
Review from Jarett L.
Calgary, AB
5/14/2012
2 stars for this place, we only came here because Le Brezza and Le Dolce Vita were fully booked. The food is mediocre and VERY pricey, it's around the same price as Globefish, the service was pretty decent, can't complain much on that.
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Review from Katie M.
Calgary, AB
4/16/2012
Just had a really bad experience here. We were sat (2 of us) right away, but did not receive ANY service. We waited for 25+ minutes without drinks or even menus while other customers around us were served. We love sushi and love to linger over our Japanese meals, but 30 mins without so much as a menu? Brutal. We eat a lot of sushi, but will not be trying this place again.
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Review from Alex L.
Calgary, AB
It is in the name. "Sushi Bar". Zipang has some of the best sashimi & sushi this side of Vancouver & Toronto.
This is a traditional sushi restaurant, not a fusion place, not an izakaya. They have a large variety of fresh raw fish and that is what they are good at.
Please do not go to Zipang for tempura, donburi or other "normal" Japanese cooked dishes. It is the equivalent of going to a steak house and complaining that the chicken salad isn't good.
If you are willing to be a bit more adventurous, there are some less well known cooked dishes that are pretty good. The cold soba noodles are good, they have some grilled fish (i.e. mackerel) that are tasty and the daily specials all are a little off the beaten track for Calgary Japanese food.
The highlight for me (and many other patrons at zipang) has to be the heads on shrimp sushi. This is one of the few places in Alberta that I have found that serves fresh shrimp sushi with good flavor. To top it all off, the kitchen will take the left over heads and deep fry them to make a delicious dessert (think Asian shrimp chips).
The price is a little steep but considering that almost the entire restaurant was filled with Japanese families it appears that there are some people in Calgary who appreciate what Zipang is offering. -
Review from L M.
Calgary, AB
5/5/2010
Money Dish: Wild Salmon sashimi. The taste and look of it is unbelievable. For those of us who are used to and accepting of the pale pink salmon you get at most places, this dish will blow your mind. The color is a deep healthy pink, and the taste is sooo fresh. The price is a bit higher for this, but OMG, it's well worth it. If you have never tried wild salmon sashimi, this would be the place to do it (before it's all gone from the oceans).
Other dishes were well done in the traditional way, so they were also quite good, a bit above the average sushi in Calgary. Service is fast and pleasant, and the atmosphere is very relaxed.
I did take off one star for the higher prices, but that should not deter you if you want to experience authentic and very well-done Japanese food and sushi for a special occasion. -
Review from Jim G.
Calgary, AB
6/3/2010
For me this gets THE five star rating for Calgary, I used to have Globefish in that category, but I found their quality slipped when they expanded the 14th street location and even before that when they opened the Marda Loop location.
My favourite speciality is when either the head of the Botan Ebi is deep fried in salt oil or the body of the Aji when they have the special whole Aji sashimi dish (only occasionally on the specials menu). Eating these as kind of a between dinner and desert special snack is delightful.
There are many other wonderful items on the menu, and like many more traditional places they serve raw quail egg. I love having the Uzura over my fish roe sushi.
One last recommendation, save room for desert, their banana fritter with ice cream and strawberry is awesome too. -
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
10/8/2009 2 photos
So it's been a while since I last went to Sushi Bar Zipang. It must have had a reno since I was last there, because the inside was really, really nice. Everybody was very well dressed, so it felt like a super classy joint. It was pretty quiet, and good for conversation. The place was packed so we ended up sitting at the bar, and we had a nice little conversation with one of the chefs. His hands were like magic, he was moving so fast.
The large tempura we ordered was tasty, but took a while. I like mine a little more crispy, but it was definitely good. The salmon nigiri was tasty, nice and fresh and melted like butter in my mouth. The tamago and white tuna was also cut very nicely. I wasn't as crazy about their futomaki roll or any of the others. I'd like to back and try some of the tasty non-sushi items, as they had quite a selection of cooked japanese food. I was pretty disappointed as our food took a while (they did apologize) and it was hard when I was sitting there watching him make it!
My one fish with the joint is that it was much more expensive than some of my favourite sushi restaurants, and the price difference wasn't reflected in quality or quantity. -
Review from Trish L.
Calgary, AB
4/10/2009
If I could give half stars, this place would get 2.5 stars. I did find this place to be a little on the expensive side. The decor was very nice and the service was excellent but the food was just ok for the price.
We beef tataki was nicely done with a decent ponzu sauce and nicely presented. The agedashi tofu was good, although not the best I've had (my favourite is still the one from Wa's). We also ordered the grilled salmon belly and the black cod. The salmon belly was nice and crispy although not all that flavourful. I don't get what all the hype is about for the salmon belly. The grilled black cod was tasty with a slightly sweet glaze on it. The assorted tempura was pretty good - nice and flaky and light. We also had an order of assorted sushi and assorted sashimi. Both were ok.. the fish was fresh and the portions decent... but again, nothing spectacular.
The strangest dish of all was the ton katsu. One of my dining companions wasn't a big fan of raw stuff. So we ordered the ton katsu (breaded pork chop) for her. Traditionally it's normally served as a don (i.e. served in a bed of rice). Zipang chose to do something "fusion" with it. Instead of serving it on rice, it came with a side of COLD mashed potatoes and chilled blanched asparagus and a couple of wedges of tomatoes. The breaded pork chops were fine... tender and not overly dry. However, I just don't get the cold mashed potatoes. It's not like it was mixed with anything to be a potato salad. I haven't come across any culture that enjoys COLD mashed potatoes so far!
Given that the prices are a little higher than usual and the food is not all that impressive, I won't be going out of my way to go there any time soon. -
Review from Ryan A.
Calgary, AB
3/3/2011
Easily one of the best sushi restaurants anywhere (Van, San Fran, Seattle, San Diego). Immaculately clean sushi prep and very friendly staff. Make a reservation or ante up to the bar if there's room.
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Review from Jason K.
10/15/2010
i worked in calgary for about 6 months, and japanese food was extremely hard to come by. understandable considering that the nearest ocean was over a bunch of mountains called the rockies.
however, this gem of a spot is really really good. great sashimi. nice and tender karaage. smokey and delicious gyutan.
not a cream cheese filled roll in sight. heaven.
being completely owned and operated by japanese folks, it definately brings the right clientele. the staff are a little slow at times, but make up for it in japanese politeness and bowing. (not kidding). there is a reason that all the japanese business here in calgary flock here.
kampai! -
Review from Danger D.
Calgary, AB
10/16/2009
I'm a HUGE fan of Zipang... I'd give it 5 Stars if I hadn't been to Hump in Santa Monica (which was the most ridiculous sushi restaurant I've ever been to... almost worth flying to Santa Monica for...)
Zipang is small now often busy (took a long time for people to 'find' it and (VERY lucky for me...) just down the street from where I live. I've only ever been there for dinner and I've only ever had Omakase (trust the sushi chef to know what's good...)). Excellent quality... excellent presentation and often innovative. Service is very good. It can be pricey but well worth it. -
Review from Merry K.
9/23/2009 1 Check-in Here
I have been to Sushi Zipang many times b/c I used to live across the street. Since I've moved, I now mostly go there at lunch. It is quite small & usually busy so go early if you don't want to wait. The lunch specials are nice. You can pick two items from a list of about 10 for around $16. I usually get the sushi (3 pieces of nigir and 3 small pieces of roll) and tempura (2 shrimp & 3 veggies). This is served with miso soup and salad or rice. Everything was very tasty and quick. Definitely one of my favorite sushi lunches!
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Review from vanessa t.
Calgary, AB
3/20/2009
not the first place that will cross my mind when thinking about sushi.
this place is small and busy, make sure you have reservation if you're going with a party larger than 2
by the time we were seated, they didn't have a lot left.
the agedashi tofu portion is normal and more tradition, i likes
we ordered the seafood tempera, it was different and pretty good.
the rolls tastes good, but it's not that memorable.
i would go bad to sushi bar zipang, but it's not somewhere that i'll proposely go to
price wise(the more $, the more expensive): $$$
food quality: «««
services wise: CCC -
Review from Hiyasmin D.
3/22/2010
If you're looking for a traditional sushi then you're at the right place. The sushi is always fresh. They have a few rolls but nothing too fancy. There is a sushi bar with very knowledgeable sushi chefs. There are tables all around probably good for small groups. The decor is simple but classy and appealing. Its definitely one of my favorite sushi places here in Calgary!
