Shokunin in Calgary

OUTSTANDING. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. This place deserves a Michelin star. Incredible.

If its your first time dining here and youre unsure of what to order, I HIGHLY recommend ordering the gindara sablefish and the cold shucked scallops. Every single person Ive dined with has fallen in love with these dishes. The gindara sablefish is nigiri and its flavoured with miso. Its so buttery soft yet has a nice subtle smokiness to it. OBSESSED. The cold shucked scallops are presented on the half shell with nuoc cham (Vietnamese sauce), which is to die for btw it has the perfect amount of tang and citrus flavours. And course if you come here you have to try the yakitori! The yakitori is served with a soy egg yolk dip thats made with A5 Japanese wagyu fat and trim. My favourite skewer to get is beef tongue. Just keep in mind that the later you come in the day, there will usually be 3-4 types of skewers sold out. Today I decided to try a new dish which was the ebi french toast. Simply delicious. The prawns were cooked perfectly, they tasted sweet and juicy. The bisque was so flavourful and the french toast itself was soft and creamy. I thought the flavours and textures paired so well with each other. This dish is perfect to have during these colder days. Ive honestly never had a negative dining experience at Shokunin and Ive been coming since the day they opened their doors. This restaurant is one of the safe spots in my group of friends where everyone is always down to dine at. The servers are enthusiastic and we always feel well taken care of. I look forward to the next time Ill get to eat here again.

The food was actually pretty good but never in our lives have we been forced to share family style and must split bill in exactly half our sever was weirdly judgemental about stuff like not getting vegetables with our skewers and keep on insisting family style so many times like we were all weirded out

Its a nice place to try a variety of chicken skewers and beef tongue skewers. The daily offcut looks fantastic with various seasoning options.

Good/recommend: grilled rice ball, yakitori (chicken skewers), chicken karaage. Everything else we tried were overpriced for the flavour and quantity. We would not return. Food : 3/5

We did the Omakase experience with the added drink pairing and Japanese A5 Wagyu. All we could say the whole time was wow! This was an amazing and educational experience. The food was beyond incredible and perfectly prepared and presented. Irene was a lovely hostess and explained each dish and drink pairing with knowledgeable detail. The chefs, led by Chef Kaku (I hope I spelt it right), were wonderful. Chef Kaku took the time to chat with us and explain the process behind their food preparations as well as the time it takes to make the items we were curious about. Everyone working there was exceptionally friendly and welcoming. We will absolutely be back to try more dishes on the regular menu and cannot thank Irene and the Chefs enough for the amazing night. Thank you!

Absolutely fantastic. Hard to compare to anything else in the city.

Was very excited to dine in here for the first time as I ve heard the atmosphere was really nice. But I was highly disappointed at the service. We had two different waiters and I could tell that the first waiter was ready to clock out as he was extremely rude to my friend when she asked about clarifying our order and felt like we were being rushed. Never once did the first waiter or the second waiter introduce themselves. The second waiter then started impatiently taking away our plates as we were still not finished with our food. When we got our bill, our group wanted to split the bill by 3 hence we labelled the receipt of how we wanted it to be split. The second waiter then rudely told us to add it up ourselves and stormed off. I ve never had a restaurant experience that left such a bad taste in my mouth like this one. Will not be back and wouldn t recommend it to anyone.

Found this place while walking by, the food was outstanding! Atmosphere is very well curated, although the music was a bit loud at times but 2000s hip hop was awesome! We sat facing the bar as it was the only spot available and we got lucky. The bartenders thoroughly explained the vast menu that gives you a sample of Japanese dining culture. Our server recommended the wagyu sando which was to die for. We also had the French toast that was amazing. We were served by numerous staff who explained the ingredients as our dishes were delivered and kept our spot clean and tidy from finished plates. The whole atmosphere was very enjoyable and I have already recommended this spot to our friends.

Love this place, lots of great dishes but I have to say the ramen was a big disappointment for a very steep price. Since they only have one on the menu I though it must be great, but that was not the case. Definitely go check this place out but dont order the ramen.

One of my favorite places in Calgary. Went multiple times during a multi-month work trip. Definitely a great spot for food. Didn t get a 5 star though because only about half the dishes were amazing (Best gyoza ever!) but the other half were just an average good. Nothing bad though. Some of the portions were a little small though as well.

Amazing flavours! So unique. Best chicken ever.

Starting to believe their own hype. Really disappointing. Over priced, over hyped. Want sushi? Cochrane is now better. Want chicken? Try JINBAR in Bridgeland. Want cocktails? Try Cannibale.

Amazing food, great atmosphere and excellent service.

My hubby took us here for date night last night, I don t think he really knew what he signed us up for but Yakitori Omakase Experience was the most fun I ve had dining in years. We booked the beverage pairing as well which I highly recommend. It was 2 hours of trying amazing high quality food, with new flavors and delicious sips. You get to watch them prepare your food in front of you, which added to the experience. And don t forget the 90s hip hop, we laughed when Eminem came on because we were surprised by how much we enjoyed singing along, making the place unpretentious. We left happy and full. I would highly recommend going here, thank you Shokunin we will see you again.

Everything was awesome! Food was fantastic Food

Was good but nothing so special about it.

Like most of you we saw Chef Darren on Final Table. We went for my Girlfriends birthday. The server was very knowledgeable and walked us through the menu, offering different paths for a well balanced line up of courses. The sashimi was perfect cuts of fish, not just any cut, the right cut. It was mouthwatering. What makes this place special is the balance of the fresh ingredients, exact cuts of those ingredients proportional for maximum flavor, and cooked, when the dish requires it, with the upmost respect for my tastebuds. The chef had a moment to take a selfie and was very personable and even complemented one of his new chefs on the squid tempura as he was just learning and it was my personal favorite. Great experience, the best Japanese food I have ever had across 10 provinces and 39 states. Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs, assessable restrooms.

Went for the yyc experience menu with my wife last year and had a pretty good experience, but our server that time was so-so. Maybe an off night. We were contacted by the manager, came back in and had a great experience. The fact that they went over and above to have us come back in and really knock it out of the park was great. Top notch food and service. We always planned on going back, but will definitely be going back more regularly in the future.

Absolutely incredible food and service. The owner reviewed the majority of the dishes leaving the kitchen, which was very nice to see some quality control, especially when youre paying these prices. The waiter was attentive. I always had water or a drink in front of me without having to ask, and plates came and went without being interrupted. Havent seen this level of professionalism in a very long time. We will definitely be coming back

Excellent Japanese restaurant. The quality is unarguably impeccable. Yes, the price point is high but the careful preparation and quality make it a nice fine dining experience.

Honestly I am so disappointed by this experience. We had been here about 5 years ago, so when going for a special anniversary coming down Calgary this was supposed to be the highlight of our trip. I could tell it was extremely busy, but we are paying top dollar for this experience. I accidentally spilled my drink after one sip. I wasnt expecting another drink for free, but after the spill not one person came and asked me if I wanted another drink for the entire next hour we were there. Celebrating a special occasion with just tap water coming around was very lacklustre. The service felt rushed and chaotic which if the service is slowed down and people are taken care of would of been a part of the magic like it was when we went 5 years ago. You could tell they focused on the bigger tables and a 2 top would get ignored for drink top ups and just check ins. As well it took extremely long to get our food.. just overall disappointed. Food portions were extremely small for the price.. the saving grace is how amazing the food is cooked. Just really feeling quite upset about how poor the service has gotten here.

most amazing scallops i ve ever eaten!

We went there in a rather large group and shared the food, tasting a bit of most stuff. Sushi was simple yet amazing tasting. Yakitoris were perfectly cooked and well portioned. The beef tataki was not everyones favourite, but I liked it not so much to order again though. Its matter of taste I suppose. Missed on chicken ass.

Every bite was a joy except for the Sichuanese Chicken. They need to just remove this item, its not good Chinese, Japanese, or Fusion dish. Wont gush about this place because theres plenty of people doing it that already. Great restaurant.

Had a few items from the yakitori, the grilled rice ball and sichuan chicken. All were middle of the road good. While adequate, I would not go out of my way to eat there again. Service was actually the best part of the evening. Our waiter was quite attentive.

We were extremely disappointed with our dining experience here. The prices were outrageously high for the quantity, quality, and taste provided $200 for two people at a very casual dining establishment is simply unacceptable. To make matters worse, we had to order from SKIP afterward because we left still hungry. For that price tag, we expected a premium, upscale experience, but what we got was far from it. The menu seemed intentionally confusing, making it easy to order items without fully understanding what you re getting. Oh, and the light was so uncomfortably dark everyone had to use their phone lights to even read the menu. Sushi pieces ranged from $6 $15 each, and sashimi was $5 per slice, tasting no better than something you d pick up from Costco. Shockingly, the sashimi was served without any ice underneath to keep it fresh. Having dined at many Japanese restaurants over the years, this place sadly stands out as the worst by far. It s baffling how it has garnered so many positive reviews. Additionally, we ve since learned that the original chef and owner, who were known for their expertise, have already left the business. Save your money and go elsewhere this is not worth the hype or the hefty price tag. Let me know if you d like to tweak it further! Oh, they dont even have ice under expensive sashimi at all!

Ive been here numerous times and the food is good but for some reason last night it was slightly cold. The Chicken we ordered (Sichuan) wasnt as good as before. However everything else was amazing. The service and atmosphere are amazing. They do run out of things from time to time which is disappointing but what can you do. We werent informed of some of the items being sold out only until we ordered. The chicken neck, the shoulder and the sushi were really good. I hope it was just an off night for them because this place has a good reputation and hopefully it stays that way.

I dont think Ive ever received such entitled service anywhere in Calgary. The waitress did not seem like she wanted to be there in the least. When we asked for soy sauce for a couple people in our group she told us the sushi is seasoned perfectly as is and walked away when someone was halfway through asking for some more soy sauce. Guess what - it wasnt seasoned perfectly. Everyone has different tastes! She also lectured us on ordering things in a certain order telling us we cant do it how we would like to. Ill never go back here, the food is okay but for the price it is not at that level. Stay away honestly there are plenty of other much better Japanese food options in Calgary...

Really tasty food. Can get quite loud so harder to have conversations. The food is really great though. The place is pretty small and the seating isnt really private, ie no booths so maybe not a top-pick for date night but fun if you want somewhere lively.

Adam was amazing. He catered to our needs and was knowledgeable to the menu and friendly to our table. Thank you Adam!

First time eating here, and Jan patiently explained the menu for us. The food is fresh and delicious, but the most surprising thing was the dessert Tiramisu!

This place was awesome! Great choices for food and super delicious!

Carefully curated local organic ingredients excellently delivered and presented, resulting in a very tasty experience. Fun, energetic yet unpretentious casual atmosphere.

Absolutely spectacular Japanese food, in a refined yet playful setting. The sashimi was top-notch, the tempura squid was tender and flavourful in ways that defy description, and the escargot with bone marrow was simply incredible. To finish off our meal, the tiramisu redefined what I thought was even possible with such a dessert. My girlfriend and I found ourselves unable to even think about anything but the mind-blowing meal we enjoyed for almost the entire journey home. This place is an absolutely must-visit, world-class destination, and I cant think of a better date night location if you and your partner are fans of Japanese food.

Very pricey!! Food is amazing here, just a little over priced.

The chicken ramen was excellent. The various chicken skewers were tasty but definitely overpriced.

Service and food was amazing! Always going back for the yakitori and seared salmon belly. The sichuan chicken is also a must try! The vibes and drinks were awesome as well. We will definitely be back for more.

Came on my birthday.... was not happy. The service was the slowest Ive ever been at any restaurant in Calgary or anywhere. The food was super pricey for what it was. Got sat on the patio and there were wasps, flies at our table, and then it rained on us and they didnt even move us inside or say anything until we tried to complain about it. The server said she was going to find a table, but never came back. The servers took almost an hour to get 3 skewers to our table after we ordered. Paid for 1 or 2 appies and a beer. And the bill was $150 with an 18% tip. Never again. Would not recommend. Terrible birthday experience with my family.

Hits and misses but overall I would go back. The broth of the ramen was so rich and the beef tongue gyoza was amazing. Best two dishes on the menu! Special mention would be the karaage very moist and yummy. Interesting take on tiramisu, loved the sake caramel sauce. The sashimi platter was very average, only the salmon stood out and the wagyu chili oil was quite disappointing not spicy at all for me. Drinks were ok. The skewers were mid. Parking: Parking voucher for restaurants guest

Excellent experience here. Walked in and sat at the bar. Fantastic service. The food was wonderful and innovative. The presentation was great. One of the top spots I ve been to in Alberta.

Just WoW. I recently visited Shokunin, a cozy yet refined Japanese restaurant known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients. Must try has to be The Cold Shucked Scallops, Sea Bass Belly and their Yakitora s and the best way to end the meal would be with their simple yet elegant Sake Kasu Tiramisu. While the above dishes itself was simple in concept, the quality of the seafood made it feel like a luxurious treat. My server was attentive without being overbearing, striking the perfect balance between being helpful and giving me space to enjoy my meal. She had a deep knowledge of the menu, offering insightful recommendations based on my preferences and dietary restrictions. When I had questions about the wine pairing, she confidently suggested an option that perfectly complemented my meal, showing a real understanding of the flavours. One of the must try restaurants in Calgary.

Yakitoris were fairly good, but everything was way overpriced. Its not authentic Japanese izakaya where you can simply drop by for a glass of cold beer, but more like fancy small canadian bar with yakitoris and some Japanese foods. You will need reservation on weekend for sure if you want to give it a shot. Dont expect a variety of Japanese izakaya items or Japanese beers at reasonable price...

Had the yakitori omakase last week and it was excellent. We enjoyed the scallop, shiitake mushrooms, hand roll cone, and the waygu skewer (I forgot to take a picture before diving in)

A bit expensive, but one of the best places to eat in Calgary.

Words cannot describe how impressed I was with everything at Shokunin. Went for our 10 year anniversary as a surprise and I couldnt believe how happy my wife was with the food and experience.

Our server Jiwon knew it was our first visit and could not have been better at explaining the menu and best choices. She made our family night special which is so rare and was a rock star server in every way. Food

One of my favourite places in Calgary. The food is really good, the omakase experience is great. They re good with allergies too which is a huge plus.

Really outstanding omakase experience with great service from waitress and chef alike. Probably the best value omakase/ tasting menu we ve ever had. Highly recommend.

Great date night spot :)

10/10

Food were delicious and the service was great. We really enjoyed the skewer and sushi there. Some fruit flies were also very welcoming and visited our table often, which is why I took of a star for atmosphere.

Scallop is the must!!!

We celebrated our 28th anniversary on this day. Our server was friendly and did a great job in picking foods for us. It seems when chef Darren is there the food is just a notch higher then when he s not

The food was amazing , we also had a bowl of soup but didn t have enough time to make a pic as it was way too delicious

Probably wanted to mimic Hapa in Vancouver but...especially service... what happened Alberta?

I never leave unsatisfied comments, but this time I really cant stand it... My understanding in such an expensive restaurant, the service, environment, atmosphere, food quality, portion size, at least as good to match the price. And regrettably this restaurant in my opinion did not reach one. The environment and atmosphere, the restaurant is very crowded, very noisy, not suitable for family gatherings and couples dating and talking. The waiter who served us from beginning to end didnt smile, didnt thank us. In terms of food quality, my family and I love sashimi very much. I have never eaten such stale salmon. The salmon is at room temperature, and the taste is the taste of the refrigerator for a long time. Very not new, first of all, as a professional Japanese restaurant, there should be ice under the salmon is the most basic common sense. The portions are small, the taste is mediocre, and a skewer of beef 25 is ridiculous. We got diarrhea after the meal . Food was not fresh and clean

If I could give it 10 stars I would. Delicious food presented to perfection. Excellent service - knowledgeable and friendly staff. Food

Everything I have eaten here has been amazing, and somehow all the staff are even better! 11/10, come and experience it for yourself!

Overpriced and overhyped. Prepare to eat some fast-food before or after your meal to feel satisfied.

Stopped in for a drink after our dinner to try some sake and whisky and had the best service we ve had in Calgary in years!

This place was so mid it s not even funny. All the chicken was dry. The fried rice ball appetizer was plain. The avocado dish was pretty good though. Not sure what the hype is about. It was overpriced and the portions were small. They say the plates are meant to be shareable but then they served us dishes fit for a family of ants.

Wow! What an experience. It was my first time going to Shokunin last night, and it was amazing. We were thinking about doing the omikase but we ended up opting for a la carte. It was delicious! The scallop was so refreshing, the salmon belly melts in your mouth, spot shrimp is so sweet, gindara was warm and meaty, skewers were great and the ramen was delicious with nice noodles and rich broth. I also had the cosmo and it was delicious and a good accompaniment to the meal. Its worth every dollar! Ill definitely be back

Overall, I found the food at this place pretty good! However, for the price point, Im not sure if it was totally worth the price.

The food was amazing! Thank you Adam for a fabulous service!

Food was good. However, they brought us a dish we didnt order, so we sent it back and they brought the proper dish. When we got home my wife reviewed the receipt and found they charged us $14 for the dish they sent us in error. The bill came to over $400 with tip, so it is disappointing they were so cavalier and sloppy with both order entry and billing. I wish I had caught it because I left a solid tip, which clearly was not deserved. The waiter was Yi Hong, as per my bill. It was a bit pricey for what you get but the food was good. However, in light of these 2 errors Id be surprised if I went back. Also. they do not have air conditioning.

REVIEW UPDATE: Our server was very knowledgeable. Went through the menu, had recommendations and was charismatic. We have been to Shokunin a few times and service is always top notch. The food... No words. Its incredible. Scallops, potato salad, sable fish, and anything Wagyu... Just nuts. So good! Atmosphere is very, very cool. Unapologetic. We are big fans and will continue to repeat. You should too! Dietary restrictions: Im celiac - lots of options and nothing made me sick!

Have you ever watched a documentary on Yakitori or religiously followed what I can only call Yakitori influencers, and then you worry that the real experience could never live up to the hype? Well that will never be an issue with Shokunin. The food exceeded all of my wildest expectations, from the delicate char on items and the aroma of the binchotan charcoal grill to the side dishes and accompanying egg yolk in soy sauce, every bite was better than the last. Having ultra friendly and helpful service staff caps off a super premium experience that we will be back for! Parking: You can scan a code for free 2 hour parking at the hostess station

We very much enjoyed our Yakitori Omakase tasting. Despite the deep flavours of the grilled meats it was actually the bone broth that was my favorite. The richness and texture of this clear broth was so unexpected. Its odd to refer to texture in this context but it really has an almost gelatinous quality that shows just how powerful it is. Full disclosure, Im writing this review long after having visited but the experience has stayed with me. It seems like the small portions wouldnt be enough if you arrive hungry but it was plenty for us, especially when we added the Wagyu as a supplement. A single star loss for atmosphere. The restaurant itself is fine but with the Yakitori tasting you are seated in a row of four, high bar stools, facing the grill. Great for viewing the prep of food, but not good for conversation or worse, if bar stools arent a good fit for you. I spent the last half of the meal standing. They could invest in some more comfortable and back supported seating here. Otherwise, amazing. Well be coming back. Im interested to see (shortly) how Eight compares.

I visited this restaurant last week and found the food to be exceptionally tasty. However, the service was disappointing. Our server, Josh, seemed exhausted and uninterested in providing good service. He was in a rush, didnt offer any recommendations, and was not a friendly server. This was my first time at the restaurant, and we felt unwelcome and uncomfortable. There was a lady server who I dont remember her name, but she was really nice and helpful the one time we requested her assistance. I stayed because I had heard good things about the food, but the service definitely lessened our experience. I gave two stars because of the food, but the service is also a big part of the experience..

It was ok

Great food and nice experience

Great sushi, the Wagyu skewers are amazing!

Unreal food and our server, Jordan, was amazing!

It was ok. Seating is crowded. Ordered asparagus, the server said that it was a small amount for $7. Im not sure if he was implying we didnt have money or if he thought it wasnt worth it. Inappropriate either way. Ramen was not good, it was oddly sweet. The server asked if I didnt like it because I ate little. Of course I didnt, but what would I say? I believe they intended it to taste that way, it just wasnt my taste. Then he marched over and made a comment to the kitchen. Unnecessary. Chicken was great tho!

One of the best restaurants I ve ever eaten at. Great service and atmosphere as well!

My wife and I were very excited to try Shokunin after reading about it so many times in Avenue Magazine, and seeing Chef Darren on Netflix. Even though we are frugal at fancier restaurants, we were able to enjoy our time and experience. Over 2 hours we were guided through the menu and left full, with favourite dishes, and hopes to come back again to try other items we passed over. Would recommend! Vegetarian options: There are not a ton of vegetarian options to choose from. If you are pescatarian you have lots of options. Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs or barriers and the tables can be moved easily. The bar area will be too high unfortunately.

Great service and amazing food, loved everything I tried. The cost was really reasonable for the amazing quality.

This is an excellent place if youre looking for Japanese done differently. This is a yakitoria where the menu focuses on meat skewers using all the different parts of the chicken. There is a catch though: they only butcher a certain amount of chickens each day so some skewers will run out. The menu also features A5 wagyu beef, if youre looking for something to make the night really special. The A5 wagyu almost melted in your mouth, and the flavor was rich and smoky. The skewers were also all incredibly tasty, and even though you only got a couple per serving, trying all of the different parts became filling really quickly. I also tried the Shokunin Tori Ramen, which was unlike any Ive had in Calgary. The broth was rich and flavorful, and mixing in the gochujang miso paste made it spicy without detracting from the rest of the meal. The chashu was tender and light, but overall still filling. Lastly we tried both desserts, the kiso creme brulee and sake kasu tiramisu. Between the two I prefer the tiramisu, which was light but packed with flavor. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and even made recommendations for sake that would pair with the meal. It really made the meal so much better.

everything in here are very tasty and the server Yi is very nice and patient.

Really great experience. Service was very good and the food was even better. We got the sashimi platter and an assortment of sushi(picture is of a sable fish sushi that melts in your mouth), along with a cold shucked scallop and some goat cheese filled eggplant tempura.

The food was amazing! The server was so lovely we bonded over dogs! She was so sweet and respectful! Loved the dishes and this place in general! Forever my fav sushi place!

Expensive kabobs, but damn they are good. Not a place for a conversation or quiet meal, though. The music regularly clocks in around 83 decibels, which is loud enough to give the wait staff hearing damage. I would go more often if it werent so unnecessarily loud.

My first visit to Shokunin was amazing. The wait staff were cheerful and attentive, and the food was a feast for the tastebuds. Who would have thought that French toast with prawn in a savory sauce would be one of the standout dishes? Then came the A5 wagyu, which literally melted on my tongue. The sashimi was also delicious. I highly recommend Shokunin!

It almost pains me to write this review, but Shokunin was a huge let down. We had been wanting to try Chef Darrens restaurants and we started the weekend off right by visiting Nupo. Shokunin was our next stop a couple of nights later. We ordered cocktails, a broccolini starter, a variety of yakitori (Sweetbreads aka thyroid; Kawa aka chicken skin; and Oyster), as well as the beef tongue, a couple of nigiri off their a la carte menu, and the bone marrow and escargot. I love the idea of using as much of the chicken as possible, but, the yakitori was just okay. The oyster was certainly my favorite but nothing I would crave or come back for. I was quite disappointed by the chicken skin. It was not crispy and as a result, just fatty. The beef tongue was okay but the portion was miniscule. The sushi was good but expensive, and, having just been at Nupo, I certainly rather have seafood from there with a more unique preparation. We order bone marrow most times we see it on a menu, but it was just okay. It was quite dark in the back of the restaurant (hence no photos to share). Service was good, but that does not make up for the disappointing (yet expensive) food. I didnt come here hungry and Im glad I didnt. Again, great concept but poor execution. I dont think Ill be returning.

An unforgettable culinary experience: the food was simply amazing, matched by impeccable service and a charming atmosphere that together created a perfect dining symphony.

Amazing food across the board, and the cocktails were a surprise favorite. They re known for yakitori but the sushi is also fantastic!

Chef Darren has established the coolest, tastiest, friendliest dinning experience my wife and I have had in our lives. I have run out of superlatives to describe the experience. Chef Darren promised we will take care of you at the door and he delivered with a jaw dropping experience. I have eaten at hundreds if not thousands of restaurants around North America and around the world. But no experience has quite blown away the expectation like this one You enter the restaurant and the ambient/energy is visible. The staff is nothing shy of outstanding. All of them work as one. The demand to excellent service is nothing you will have seen. Once you figure what you want which can be a bit tricky you will not regret your choice. Start with the seared salmon belly and tuna sushi. The sushi is the silkiest, the meat the most tender and the scallops, perhaps the best and finest touch of food I have ever had in my life. Be prepared for a firework concert in your mouth. Mic dropping experience. Well done Chef Darren and team. Thank you for the experience.

Yesterday my family and I go to have dinner in Shokunin we have a wonderful time, the food was great and the people work there was amazing. Definitely we recomended and we are going back there.

Hi! I actually love Shokunin and have been there a handful of times. The food and atmosphere is amazing. I do want to say it was extremely disappointing tonight when I went. Seems as though our server Christian was more interested in flirting with these two pretty ladies at the bar than serving us. We sat at the our table for 10 minutes with no menus. Took him forever to take our food orders. Then when it came to our drinks, he served two of our guests their drinks and said he was coming back with the third. It took a while, again maybe 10 minutes. When we looked over to the bar he was again chatting with these two ladies and making them them multiple cocktails before finishing ours. To be fair I m sure these two ladies had the best server experience of their lives, but it would have been nice to have gotten a bit of that ourselves. Other than that our drinks sat empty for probably 15 minutes at a time. He forgot to put in not 1, not 2 but 3 food orders. There was even a point where he was holding my food in his hand while taking shots with these girls at the bar haha! And too finish it off, instead of taking care of any of our items (which honestly he didn t even have to do) he brought us a round of shots that he took a part of, which to us was just very weird honestly! Was tough to swallow a $400 bill with service like that. Again, I love this restaurant and will be back again, but hopefully will not be served by Christian.

Went over the weekend with my family to have a birthday dinner in Shokunin. The food, service, and atmosphere were amazing! Will definitely go back in the future and recommend anyone to go and experience themselves!

Delicious food, well trained staff and nostalgia jams but a little too expensive for what it is honestly. If the prices were 10 percent lower across the board this would be a five star review. I just cant justify going back to shokunin on my budget but I bet there are plenty of people who can and should.

The Japanese street food restaurant during the YCC Experience offers an unforgettable culinary journey, with each dish cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. From the tender yakitori skewers to the artfully crafted sushi platter, every bite is a delight. The energetic yet comfortably vibrant atmosphere sets the stage for an enjoyable dining experience, where conversation flows effortlessly amidst the buzz of satisfied diners. With impeccable food, a lively atmosphere, and attentive service, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Japans bustling streets.

The food was great! Definitely recommend the squid tempura. Wasabi was great as well. Music choices were great! Definitely recommend this restaurant and will be returning.

We went with the Omakase experience, and it was wonderful! The pairings and the selection were definitely on the higher end of the quality spectrum, with tasty morsels and a few laughs. Will definitely return!

This place was amazing with their great food! Everything tastes great! And their price is reasonable. Their waiters are all friendly and explain all the food you order in some detail. I would love to come back again

Love this place nice food and service. Will come back!

Come from the UK due to the final table, absolutely amazing food.

We made reservations for the YYC EXP and overall things were pretty good. The sushi and the scallop were absolutely to die for (as expected) the fixed menu really took us out of our comfort zone. It was a great amount of food, and well presented. I do wish that everything wasnt served with a side of spicy.

This place is legit! One of the best restaurants in Calgary!

We love this place! The food is absolutely delicious. Some must try s: gyoza, grilled napa cabbage, skin on breast, skin on thigh and of course the Gindara Sablefish Aburi, Salmon belly Aburi and the tiramisu! Service is great as well and you never feel rushed. 5 star experience!

Really enjoyed dinner here with my partner. All the dishes were delicious and well balaced flavourwise (even the Miso soup was elevated!) Also the food was brought out at a pace that really allowed us to settle in and enjoy the experience. Servers friendly and knowledgeable.

Amazing food, amazing staff, and amazing cocktails. I can t wait to go back.

Dinned here last night and had to sit on if I even wanted to leave a review. I would never come back to this restaurant ever again. The food was barely edible. My friends did say they had good sushi and a good crème brûlée. I however found the dessert gross. Putting aside the barely edible food the service was appalling! He over heard that I have an onion allergy and immediately started saying what I could and couldn t eat. When I tried to explain that it s a mild allergy I just have to pick it off or remove the onion parts myself I ll be fine. But I didn t even get the chance to say so. Only one girl there over heard and showed concern and when I explained to her she left it alone. This woman deserves a raise! It really sucks getting your hopes up about a restaurant only to have it be crushed. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

Food was great but would have appreciated it if the manager would not curse out employees in front of customers.

Great food and a great atmosphere. I had a great time eating chicken. Vegetarian menu is limited but the mushrooms are great. I like the music level and the wine menu has some solid picks. Definitely order the dessert. Also if you part downstairs remember to keep your receipt if you want back in . The code is printed on the front of it and the elevator is in Blaze Pizza.

I have to say everything about our dinner was exceptional !!! So beautifully presented and absolutely the yummiest !!! Thank you for making my mother in law s birthday dinner so spectacular and special!!!

The food was alright, but the experience was not what it was expected to be. I decided to try this restaurant out after watching the series on Netflix with the head chef being from Calgary. I love to support local and his passion for japanese cuisine got me extremely excited about trying Shokunin, however I was let down. Our server seemed uninterested in serving us and more interested in chatting with the young ladies seated a couple of tables over. I had finished my drink and waited at least 20 minutes to even get asked for another one, and another 15 minutes to receive the drink. When our drink arrived, I mentioned we were pretty much ready to go by the time it arrived the reply I got was My bad. I was still charged for the drink. In the future I will be sure to look at reviews before going to a high end restaurant like this - it seems as though Im not the only one who has experienced poor service from this server. Disappointed!

Just say yes. Dont worry, there is something on the menu for almost everyone. We had excellent service, some truly amazing bites, and great cocktails. This place is a touch on the pricey side but you are definitely getting some serious quality. I spent some time living in Japan and this place is pushing modern ideas but with respectful nod to the traditional methodology behind Japanese food. Japan is the Foodie Nation and this place does it. Update 2024: Omakase experience is lovely with a direct view of the kitchen and with a chance to chat with the chef and learn more about the ingredients presented. Also recommend if youre looking for a fun experience!

Such a cool experience. Always look forward to the next time I m in Calgary and can visit. The menu is amazing and the portions make it a super fun tasting experience!

A fairly luxurious Japanese sushi restaurant. The atmosphere is nice and the sushi is great. The miso creme brûlée was also delicious.

I have been to Shokunin now a couple of times and have not been disappointed! Their dishes are expertly crafted and worth the price. In addition to the chicken skewers, I recommend the cold shucked scallop and daily sashimi. It is hard to find better quality seafood in the city.

Absolutely my favourite restaurant in town! Try all the skewers!

SLAM DUNK! A brilliant meal and service, by far one of our best fine restaurant experiences in town and from our global travels. Knowledgable staff were very helpful in guiding us through a robust menu. They helped us set up a world class tasting menu with highlights including exquisite salmon and sable fish. Greatly appreciated the advise on how to pair the various sake wines to complete a very memorable meal. Dietary restrictions: Did an excellent job of working around an allergy.

YI was our server and he was fantastic, attentive yet let us enjoy our meals. The French toast was to die for and all their cocktails were top notch. 10/10 would recommend for a unique dining experience.

OK so I went to the restaurant due to the fact that the chef was on Netflix and was one of the last finals in the show The restaurant is amazing . Amazing atmosphere , amazing food and I got to meet the chef and he was amazing and just seeing his way of cooking is superb. So, if you do get a chance to go to Calgary hit up his restaurant, he will not be disappointed:)

As always the food is spectacular and service is amazing! I throughly enjoyed my birthday supper there! I highly recommend this restaurant!

Ive been here 3 times now and every time has been excellent. The staff are very accommodating to dietary restrictions (and preferences!). I brought a few coworkers from south of the border last year and they couldnt believe Calgary had such an authentic Japanese restaurant.

If you come here ask for Kristy she set us up with the best course. She also gave us the best drink pairings. She goes above and beyond she even tucked me into bed

Hey everyone, I wanted to drop in and chat about my experience at Shokunin Calgary. You ve probably heard of it, right? Its been in the top 50 restaurants in Canada for the past 7 years, so youd think its a surefire hit. My crew and I were all geared up for a mind-blowing meal, especially after forking over $120. For that price in Calgary, youd typically expect to leave satisfied, maybe even a little full. But, oh boy, were we in for a surprise. First off, the portions. We had some Yakitori, Karaage, Gyoza and, let me tell you, they were laughably small. Seriously, three bites and youre done. Couldn t help but feel a bit shortchanged. Taste-wise? It was just meh. Pretty average and nothing to write home about. Kinda makes you wonder what the fuss is all about. So here s the scoop for anyone thinking about hitting up Shokunin: temper those expectations. It feels more like a pre-game spot than the main event. Maybe grab a bite before you go or plan for a second round of eats afterward. Just a heads up from someone who s been there. Its always good to know what youre walking into, especially with a place thats got as much hype as Shokunin.

Food was amazing I would recommend a great place for a date night.

Best

A mixed experience. The server was great and the bbq chicken skewers were great as always. Very expertly cut chicken pieces. Also enjoyed the sushi. But after $60 of individual food I was still hungry due to small portion sizes including for the short rib. I ordered a Ramen soup which was a good size and tasty. Both of us woke up in the night very thirsty from massive salt in the food. Likely the Ramen since we both had that. Not sure if I ever have had so much sodium and both us had no alcohol.

The food was good sashimi, sushi, fried rice balls, chicken skewers, and the Wagyu Sando were all wonderful. Great drinks and service too plus the cozy space. Overall, a fantastic experience!

Nice atmosphere and service. The sushi is really nice and the food over all is good. It is a bit on priceier side, but over all was a fun night and would go again. Thanks. Food

It was a great omakase experience. The team was engaging, attentive and the foods tasted so unique. Lee-Roy was so busy getting foods out. The restaurant was packed. Yet he found time to chat about the unique foods and items they offer to us with ease. Foods had much depth and flavours! Definitely worth it. The atmosphere is like a yakitori shop in Japan.

One of my top 5 meals in Calgary. It should be on everyones must try restaurants.

Stepping into Shokunin for the first time was like entering a culinary sanctuary. The sleek, minimalist decor created a sense of calm, setting the stage for what would be an unforgettable dining experience. Our server, Adam, greeted us with a warm smile and led us to our table with genuine enthusiasm. Adams knowledge of the menu was impressive, and he patiently explained each dish, making recommendations that perfectly suited our tastes. His passion for the cuisine was evident, adding an extra layer of excitement to our meal. The food at Shokunin was nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. From the delicate nigiri to the expertly grilled yakitori, every bite was a revelation. What truly stood out, however, was the impeccable service. Adams attentiveness and genuine care made us feel like valued guests, adding a personal touch to our dining experience. Overall, our first visit to Shokunin was a truly magical experience. The combination of exquisite food, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance made it a night to remember. We cant wait to return and explore more of what this incredible restaurant has to offer.

My wife and I decided to visit Shokunin, enticed by its numerous positive reviews and the allure of its celebrity chef. We ventured there for a weekend dinner, eager to sample the renowned Yakitori (chicken skewers) that had garnered much acclaim. To fully immerse ourselves in the experience, we ordered every Yakitori item on the menu. Service: The ambiance at Shokunin struck a balance between dimly lit intimacy and spacious comfort, creating a pleasant dining environment. Our server was exceptionally attentive, providing clear explanations of the menu offerings and ensuring our glasses were never empty. Food: Our culinary journey included all the Yakitori and beef skewers available. While the charcoal-grilled flavor was a highlight, we found the seasoning on many items to be overly salty for our palate. The chicken skewers, although varied in parts, shared a similar taste profile. The chicken thighs and wings stood out as our favorites. However, the more exotic parts like hearts, knees, wing tips, and thyroid didn t resonate with us, either due to their familiar chicken taste or less appealing smell and texture. Unfortunately, the beef skewers did not meet our expectations and we chose not to reorder them. Value: Shokunin is worth a visit for those looking to tick off the celebrity chef restaurant from their list. However, considering the $200+ price tag for two, we believe the value for money is lacking, especially for a meal centered around chicken. Disclaim: this review was written in a pretentious tone on purpose. LOL.

We went to Shokunin for the Omakase experience on Christmas Eve and it was hands down one of the top 3 best meals I ve ever had. Food and drinks were incredible and service was impeccable. Thanks for making the holidays special!

I went with my friends here for the first time. The skewers were pretty good but very small and a bit too salty for my liking. The only one I absolutely loved was the Wagyu skewer which was fantastic! The miso soup was very very rich. The chicken karaage was really nice but once again, a bit too salty. The food portions are very small for how much you pay but that is to be expected.

Dined here back in August when we were in Calgary (late on the review). Had contacted the restaurant prior inquiring about gluten-free (Celiac) options when making a reservation. Seemed like it was no issue as they can season the yakitori with salt. Upon arriving I informed the server of my allergies (nuts/gluten) and he informed there was chance of cross-contact with the soy containing sauces on the charcoal grill. After checking with the kitchen, they informed they could remove the grate and cook my skewers on the far end of the grill. Perfect, I had no issues after dining here. Im glad we made a reservation, this place was pretty packed when we went. Our server was very attentive and friendly. When he served the dishes he let me know which were safe to eat. Cant say the same for the other runner who dropped off the sashimi plate with two small bowls of soy sauce, I asked if they were both GF he wasnt sure and never came back to inform if it was or not. Thats ok, our server made up for it. Everything we ordered from the drinks, to the fresh fish, to the skewers were great, albeit lacking in size. Dietary restrictions: Can accommodate gluten/nut-allergies. Menu is clearly marked; however, I recommend confirming if dishes are Celiac-safe as the grilled onigiri was marked as GF but grilled on a shared surface with gluten-containing items (same with the skewers).

From 10 to 0. I ve dined here many times and referred many friends to Shokunin for 7 years but I will never go back. First time I ve not tipped (I always tip 20-25%) that s how bad it was. How many other 1star reviewers have to reference the tall, young man with dreadlocks who s apparently worked there since 2017 or other rude dude servers which, surprisingly, was my first time encountering them. OMG, where to start? Loud, bad rap music (and we love rap) dropping f bombs every 2nd word is not cool in this style of restaurant. Neither is loudly smashing wine bottles and martini shakers into the sink 1 in front of us (we were bar seated) - it s like they were ill behaved teenage boys trying to show off and had just watched Tom Cruise in Cocktail. They kept coughing, not covering their coughs and definitely did not wash their hands before touching our glassware and plates. It got worse as the night progressed as obviously trying to politely ignore them didn t work. The topper for me was when one balding dude server came and propped his body against my bar stool to yuk it up with a young patron and I couldn t sit back in my stool without touching him. Creepy. Invasive. I got up immediately at which point, unbelievably, he down sat in my barstool. So we immediately paid and left. After snapping a pic of said server having taken over my stool. What a shame as it was an incredibly special night (we had picked up engagement rings and wanted to celebrate at the restaurant we met at and have returned to often). I politely told the hostess this and requested to be relocated to one of the many empty tables where we normally sit. 3 times I politely asked her to be relocated. Nope. So, nope, never coming back. One dish was good; 4-5 were okay; 1 was inedible. Never seen it before at Shokunin but the presentation on a few dishes was thoughtless and the order of service bad (sorry, I don t want my only carb, an overcharred, dry, rice ball with literally a handful of chopped green onions tossed on top served as the last dish when I ve eaten everything else and am almost full). We ordered many of the same dishes we always do and someone has modified what was once excellent food. Clearly, management has left, the chef has left and Shokunkin needs to be removed from top restaurant charts for foodies.

Food - Sushi - good Karaage - very grisly meat; breading and sauce were ok Ramen - noodles and broth were ok; pork slices were very thin; doesnt compare to jinya, menyatai, or shiki menya. Cocktails - good Service - Bartender was very standoffish; kept asking if I wanted anything else (felt rushed) but never asked how the food was. Then tried small talk at the end while paying the bill. Person who dropped off my food had a friendlier and inviting vibe. Atmosphere - Chef at the pass was a jerk to a his staff. Gordon ramsay wannabe?? Mistakes happen, and corrections are needed, but theres a good way and a demeaning way; never argue and berate in front of guests.

The omakase experience was incredible. Will be back for sure.

Came for the Yakitori Omakase experience and paired it with the suggested 5 drink course. Overall an exciting experience trying new dishes. The meal started strong with the cold shucked scallops, a tasty hand cone, and shiitake skewer. The Kiiro drink was excellent. We were less a fan of the sake tiramisu and nitro martini. Despite many warnings to be on time because the dinner starts promptly at 7:30pm, we were actually seated 15-20min late.

The worst. We were super excited to return to one of our favourite restaurants to celebrate a special occasion and for the first time in 6 years, the experience was horrible, if not surreal. Every place has an off night, where one thing or two is not quite right or the same, but who cares, you love the place. Last night, however, Shokunin was impossibly bad, from a shaky start to worse and worse. A calamitous gong show from the moment we arrived. Of the 6 dishes we ordered, and had previously loved and looked forward to, only two - 5 pieces of sushi and the kale salad (with baby spinach, not kale) was passable. The chicken karaage was inedible - pure gristle. The dry rice balls (served last) a mess. We were starving and tried to make the best of it, attempting to distract ourselves with each other s company, but the service and setting so bad, it remained a constant agitating unshakeable intrusion. Staff were rude, obnoxious, and loud, with more care and attention to their own conversation and each other, while pouring and sipping their own drinks huddled behind the bar. There was no chef, leader, host, or service. The battle for most unprofessional - a tie between an abrupt aloof bartender and a bullish dish server, neither with any sense of self, space, or the ability to make others feel welcome or present. I am an easy going, no fuss, food loving diner, and could not wait to get out. We didn t want to make a big deal, we didn t want to complain or skip out, but by the end of it, we were done, and angry to have paid for the experience. We will never go back. If you wanted to lose a long-time loyal customer, you magically succeeded, and we will be sure to tell everyone.

We did the yakitori omakase and it was incredible! We were both super full and so happy with the meal. Very cool experience. We loved every second of it, but my favourite was the scallop and chicken oyster! We shared the drink pairing and it was a great touch! Food

The food was, quite frankly, exquisite! We had the sashimi, sushi, fried rice ball (YUMMY!) Chicken skewers and the waygu Sando. Everything was wonderful as were the drinks and service. Its a little loud in there, given its a small space. Make reservations to make sure you can get a table. We were first through the door at open and had to sit at the bar but it was an excellent experience nonetheless.

We came here for the first time specifically for the chicken ramen as pork doesnt sit well with my stomach. The ramen blew me away and everything else matched the ramen in both quality and taste. The daily sashimi board was excellent. Nice cuts of fresh fish in an excellent presentation. We had a few yakitori options which were quite good and came with perfect sauce accompaniments. The ramen was excellent. Pretty decent serving size and tons of meat in the bowl. Taste wise it was incredible. Service was great. Our waitress walked us through everything as it was our first visit. She ensured we ordered enough food and made great recommendations. We will absolutely be back to try all the items we missed on our first trip through! Parking: Plenty of paid underground parking under the building if theres no space on the street.

We did the omakase with drink pairing and added the wagyu. The whole experience was excellent. The food was phenomenal. I would do it again without hesitation.

We had a fantastic experience. Love the unique menu. The quality of the ingredients was exceptional. Appreciated that the restaurant has an energetic atmosphere without being so loud that you can t talk. We will certainly come back!

Food was good, but portions were small. Skewers were a bit heavy with the charcoal flavor, but the sashimi and nigiri were good. Matcha green tea was amazing! Came out to about $180 for two people.

The yakitori was pretty tasty. I like the grilled rice balls to be a little more crispy on the outside. Ramen is expensive. It didnt taste like much umami. Since this is a restaurant that mainly serves yakitori, I wanted the soup to take advantage of the chicken. I was expecting a ramen with a refreshing soup, so I was disappointed in the heavy soup.

This place has top notch flavour, service and atmosphere. (Sake too!) Sandrine was our server & she made the experience that much better. Highly recommend the Gyoza & Ebi French toast!

The Yakitori Omakase Experience was the best dinner I have had in Calgary. The excitement of the staff to explain what you are eating and how they are preparing it is second to none. The dining experience rivals the Michelin Star restaurants I have been too.

I went there for my anniversary and it was absolutely amazing, we decided to book the yakitori experience and the food was amazing ! The chef shred some really cool insights into the food while we ate. Overall amazing, thank you very much for making our special dinner that much better.

Flavor profile is great (the highlight of the night is the shiitake mushroom stewer, I didnt know mushroom can taste so savory), the ingredient combination is creative, and the service is lovely. However, the omakase experience ultimately falls short of expectations. Majority of the items on the omakase menu are just off the regular menu, there is certainly no reason why only two seatings are offered per day. The wagyu pastrami, while is tender and flavorful, begs the question if prolonged smoking and intense pastrami seasoning are the best utilization of wagyu beef. The sake kasu tiramisu is an interesting idea, but kasu is too weak and not at all noticeable when combined with rich caramel. The cake base also has a weird grainy texture, which offers too much contrast from the creamy and fluffy texture of the mousse. Overall, I would suggest foregoing the omakase and choose regular menu instead. I saw some interesting dishes on the regular menu that I would like to try in the future.

Horrible dinning experience with first time visit this restaurant, the tall guy with dreadlocks has ruined the entire dinning experience. In the first place when he seat us to the table his actions was quite rude but we didn t mind on that it was nothing tbh, and he did point out what was not available on the menu with the same attitude, what was quite weird is when he served the table beside us he was being pretty nice, when it comes to ordering food, we order about 10 yakitori and 2 ramen, when we re done with the ramen, we were expecting for the rest part of the yakitori to come up, he take away the ramen and bring us the bill without asking, we question him where is the rest part of the order and he said he only place 4 yakitori on the order with that same attitude, we were really mad and have no interest ordering anymore food, when we were having the food, no water refill, no checking, and we couldn t found him it was quite funny, it is also the first time i didn t tip at all. Overall the food was pretty good just the ramen was bit salty but horrible experience on the service part.

Best sushi, drinks and ambiance highly recommend

This is one of our favourite restaurants and we love going there :)

A friend of Darren recommended this restaurant to us. So we decided to book a table for 5 to try it out. Sat down, got water and teas still waiting on the other friends. Maybe because we just ordered the normal tap water and not the fancy sparkling water ( which we re not gonna touch anyways, we re all gonna order our drinks separately). Server gave us a very uncomfortable vibe after that, himself seemed very unfriendly. Shove tea on with the here you go . Also saw him went to the back and maybe said something about us to other staff members after our water and tea ordered..? This supposed to be hot tea itself was nothing we expected, on a cooler temperature and very strong bitter taste, in giant tea cups. Which is understandable, everywhere is different. When tried to ask server about the tea and its presentation in kinda big cup for little tea out of curiosity. He said perhaps he can pour more water to fill the cup or bring his manager to answer our questions as this is the way it s always been. So we paid for our teas, Shokunin lost their 400$ and some bill to a nearby restaurant. Hopefully we ll give it another try in a nearby future with a better experience!

This is a special birthday experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Youre not going to get your typical sushi and Izakaya here. My one complaint is that the portions were a bit small that turned out okay as I couldnt eat it all of it anyway. Service was excellent and the drinks were inventive and delicious.

Amazing experience! Definitely worth it when visiting Calgary! Chef Leroy for the win!!

Very interesting menu, loved the style of the restaurant. Food took a while, my gyoza was the last thing to come out and arrived about 30 min after every other dish.

Got food poisoning. Food was delicious though

Everything was so good. My partner doesnt eat sushi unless hes in Vancouver, but he really enjoyed the sushi here.

Me and my friend went there for dinner and the waiter with the dreadlock and the manager gave us a negative vibe. I don t know why, maybe because we didn t dress fancy and we just look ordinary. Anyways, the food was overall good however the whole experience was not. I totally agree to other people s review with low rating s here. If you really want an honest review of the restaurant, you must read the reviews with low ratings.

Well . as an Asian, I don t recommend to have the ramen. The chashu is very dry (you can think as a boiled pork with almost no flavour in it) , the egg is too salty and the broth is made of chicken bone. If you are searching for an authentic ramen, this is not a place you should try. However, the beef tongue tastes really great!

We learned about Shokunin through The Final Table. Alex,my partner, chose The SHOKUNIN YAKITORI OMAKASE EXPERIENCE tonight, on his birthday! We were seated at the Chefs Bar located right in front of the grill. This restaurant offers a Japanese-influenced cuisine. Alex is a very good chef himself and he thinks the restaurant offers excellent service and fabulous food. We would like to thank Chef Leroy and Adam for making this special day more special. We give 5 stars to Chef Leroy and Adam for being the hospitable hosts, such delicious food and beautiful presentation! We will be back!

Lovely restaurant with the best Japanese food I have ever eaten. The service is incredible! It can be a bit difficult to get a table on busy nights and parking is hard to find, but it is worth the hassle!

We are first time dinning at here but we already heard of Shokunin over Facebook and some TV show about their chef went on and compete with other chef around the world. It s recommend to book in advance when we walk in there have some people waiting. Their signature yakitori is sooo nice you get the chance to try almost every part of the chicken. The scallop is fresh and good taste as well. The Sichuan chicken is another dish we love that little spicy is the spotlight. We love the skin on breast, kawa, wing flap, sweetbread. Also the hand made sushi is great it s fresh and changed daily depends on the kind of fish they get. The server is very helpful as we ll explain the menu and always come and asking about the experience. Definitely the best Japanese food overall in Calgary!

One of the most dynamic meals I ve had in a long time, These guys are working hard to do something original and vibrant- crushing it on multiple levels. Nice to see something unique in cgy, kinda get board with steak a la Alberta that most places offer in the city

I was really excited to finally try this place after hearing so much good things about it. The whole experience, however, fell below my expectations. We ordered a variety of yakitori and kushiyaki - most of them were pretty good but on the smaller side. The wings were unexpectedly spicy from the seasoning powder sprinkled on top (not mentioned on the menu), and the hearts were a bit chewy and gamey tasting. The broccolini was good, though a tad bitter. The napa cabbage was unfortunately overly charred and quite black. The sablefish sushi was good, and I would definitely get it again. Their bone marrow was ok. Their gyoza was tender and I liked the crispy wheel on top, but didnt expect the chili oil to be added into the dish instead of served on the side. We both found the sake in their ramen broth to be overpowering. The chicken chashu was pretty tender though. Dessert was one of the highlights of our dinner. The sake tiramisu was light, soft, and not too sweet. Unfortunately, we didnt realize until afterwards that our waiter had over charged us by almost $20. She didnt let us see our bill and took it with her after we paid. We only found out when we went through the prices of everything we ate.

Coming from the show Chefs Table and still a fan. Highly recommend ! Loving their fusions

Went for the omakase. Food was good and service was exceptional. The chef himself explained all the ingredients and how they cooked it to perfection. Will come to try the a la carte menu next time. Giving 4 stars because it is pricey.

The staff was super friendly, the food was to die for, everything was fantastic. Couldn t have asked for a better experience

Place was full, ended up at the bar. Went for the ramen, wasn t disappointed, best ramen I ve ever had. Beef tongue gyoza were amazing. Good beer, amazing service from the bar; gentleman with the dreads, best service.