Ho Won Chinese Food Restaurant in Calgary
115 2 Ave SE #2, Calgary, AB T2G 0B2, Canada
About
Ho Won Restaurant. Serving Calgary the best Chinese Food for over 30 years. Large portions and competitive prices. Famous for our Salt and Pepper Squid. Located in Chinatown.
Business Hours
Services
Photos
Reviews
Most Mentioned
Came to Ho Won for their breakfast combos. Upon being seated, there was a beetle/bug climbing the walls. The interior is quite dim and out dated. Food was flavourful and okay. It was awfully quiet on the weekend. The tall flight of stairs might be challenging for some people to climb.
Takeout via Uber Eats. Genuinely the worst Chinese takeout I have ever had, I don’t even know where to begin, think reheated food court leftovers only much worse. Got two bites in before throwing it all in the trash.
First time here but impressed with their food. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Chinese food. The servers are very nice and helpful. Will come back for sure.
Ho Won Chinese Food Restaurant in Calgary was a pleasant surprise - from the exceptional service to the absolutely delicious dishes, this place exceeded our expectations. To start, the salt and pepper fried squid was an absolute standout. The squid was cooked to perfection, with a wonderfully crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior. The seasoning was spot on, with just the right balance of saltiness and peppery heat. We couldn't get enough of this dish and quickly polished it off. Moving on to the mains, the roasted duck was succulent and packed with flavor, while the stir-fried mixed vegetables had that elusive "wok hei" (breath of the wok) that we crave in well-executed Chinese cuisine. The portion sizes were also very generous, making this a great value. But perhaps the most impressive aspect of our experience at Ho Won was the service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and went out of their way to ensure we had a great dining experience. They were knowledgeable about the menu and made helpful recommendations. Overall, Ho Won Chinese Food Restaurant is a real gem. The food is absolutely delicious, with standout dishes like the salt and pepper fried squid. The portions are large and the prices are reasonable, making it an excellent value. Combine that with the outstanding service, and you've got a Chinese restaurant that is well worth seeking out in Calgary. Whether you're craving authentic Cantonese flavors or just a satisfying, well-prepared Chinese meal, Ho Won should be at the top of your list. We'll definitely be returning the next time we're in the area.
I just wanted to drop a line. I recently decided to try their take out. I like the squid like many other reviews mentioned it. The squid was cooked to perfection, holding onto its sweet taste, and the batter was light, crispy, and had just the right kick of flavor. A little tip though - try to enjoy it while it's still warm. Like any fried goodness, it might lose a bit of its crispiness over time. But trust me, when it's fresh, it's a crispy, yummy delight that you won't want to miss. And can we talk about portion sizes! The servings were so generous, I was both surprised and pleased. The value for the price is simply excellent. There was more than enough to satiate my hunger, and I even had leftovers for the next day! So, if you're a fan of Chinese food, or you're just in the mood to try something new and tasty, you should definitely give Ho Won a go. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did.
3.5- 4 We had breakfast combos, which came with noodle soup and drinks, it was tasty. The soup was not in large portion but enough to get full. For $6, that’s very good deal. Staff were friendly. The whole experience, the food and the environment was authentic. I would like to try their dinner menu next time.
Today my wife, daughter and I went for lunch. This is a very good restaurant located in China town. Our servers name was Yan she was fast,efficient and knowledgeable about all items on the menu. Today we had calamari and beef chow mein with vegetables. Both dishes were absolutely great. We have been here many times and will continue going there whenever we are downtown.
One of the most iconic Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Been here for almost 20+ years. A true staple of what real Cantonese food can offer in the city. Famous for their salt and pepper squid, a taste like no others, the way it's made, thick batter, sprinkle with some intense umami... Out of this world flavor I can't describe. One of many great dishes that's offered. Their cream sauce over lobster, crab, noodles is on a league of its own!! I can not find this type of sauce anywhere in the city, the flavour of the rich, buttery, creamy, oniony sauce... Sooooo good!! And their homemade hot chilli paste, like, this is truely a hot sauce in a league of its own that you can not find anywhere. I believe it's made with a hint of rice wine which you can slightly smell it... The flavour is a slight sourness with some spicy heat. Can I have the recipe?? Many weddings, many lunches, and many dinners.. food has always been consistent and delicious!! Service has always been excellent, even knowing some of their staff by first names...lol !!👍
Disappointing
More than I paid for, food was hot. Love this place.
The best salt & pepper squid you will ever taste. The rest of the menu is solid. Food is always good here.
Our go to place whenever Im back in town, have been going here since the late eighties for their salt and pepper squid made better than anyone weve ever had. And of course Ginger beef.
The salt and pepper squid here is AMAZING. Seriously the best. There are so many good dishes on the menu! The fish is so good, love that it s cooked in a way you can even eat the bones. There was this one dish that was a leafy veggie fried in butter and garlic and it was delicious! Baby bok choy maybe idk but I highly recommend!
Best Chinese Restaurant Very Reasonable Food Price and the service is excellent
Amazing hidden gem for anyone looking for hearty Chinese food!
Ho Wons is the best.
Had the salt and pepper calamari, mapo tofu, veggies with mushroom, and a side of steamed rice. Veggies were done superbly and the mushrooms tasted so good! Mapo tofu was delicious and the texture was great. The squid was fried in good oil, so it tasted fresh. Great meal. It was busy, so service took a bit of time to accomodate everyone during Family day weekend. Would recommend. Vegetarian options: Tofu and vegetable options available. Wheelchair accessibility: Not accessible due to a long flight of stairs to access the restaurant.
REALLY delicious BUT extremely greasy. If you don t have a gallbladder, avoid this place. The chicken has a pork-like texture because of how fatty it is. We ordered the pork dumplings, sweet & sour chicken, won ton soup & Cantonese chow mein. If you don t have gallbladder issues, then the flavours were awesome! Just keep that in mind. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was pleasant.
Nearly perfect dining experience
As always. Best Hot and Sour soup and Salt and Pepper Squid in the city. Rounded that out with Peking Duck and Ginger Beef. Every dish was super tasty. We did take out tonight but have eaten there a number of times for a number of years (last 10 years). Havent found anything better.
They have amazing Chinese breakfast for a good price. Great service as well. Happy to have this place in Calgary!
Went with a group of friends, food was incredible, honestly I would say the best I have ever had in Calgary. Salt and Pepper Squid WOW. I will be going back without a doubt!!!
2023 New Years Eve family supper. 10out10. Will certainly be back again soon!!!
Have been waiting for the past hour and a half for our order to come
It s a beautiful place/restaurant, but very dusty, dirty. Such a shame. The potential is gone to waste. Chairs are most likely older than me; your butt will start to hurt after minutes of sitting. Nearly everything is outdated. Food was delicious. I just wished the place was cleaned, and had decent chairs. I had a very hard time breathing at this restaurant. Will not recommend dining in or ordering take out at the restaurant. Have the food delivered to your door, and save yourself an unpleasant experience, especially those who have asthma or prone to sickness..
Been coming here for more than 15 years. To this day, the food is just as good as day one
I really like it here. food is great! i always comeback to eat to this place. thank you!
Love this place, the staff is nice and the portions, very filling.
The best SALT and Pepper Squid by far!!
Best Chinese food downtown !
Great food!! Salt and pepper squid is to die for!! The waitress February 15th, 2023, was just amazing! Very attentive and polite, she made sure our tea was hot and full. It wasnt busy that day. We customized a dish for my girlfriend and made it perfect as she is vegan. Highly recommended for a quick lunch
Everything is great here!!! Strongly recommend! First time trying Chinese food and really liked it We tried salt and pepper squid and beef chow fun with rice and vegetables. The staff are supper friendly. We arrived there pretty late, ~ 9 pm, but they kindly let us dine in. Since it was my first time trying Chinese food I went by waitress suggestions and all of them were yummy!
Kid-friendliness: Great family restaurant. Best Chinese food in Calgary!! Food
Amazing food and great prices
Salt and pepper squid is always a hit with the kids. Ginger beef is the best in the city - crispy yet tender on the inside and not too sweet. Gai lan in garlic sauce is excellent -tastes so fresh. The crispy chicken and beef fried ho phan are also delicious. They always provide plentiful white rice. Service is fast and attentive, even for our large group of 11. Our favourite dinner place!
Food quality is still good. Price is still reasonable comparing with other places.
It was missed this time around. I ordered take-out. The restaurant had just opened with only 3 tables of customers dining in. I had ordered half Crispy Chicken after I had given my initial order. The chicken wasnt crispy and tasted bland; I also did not receive the shrimp crackers that come w/ the chicken. The house specialty is still the best in the city. No other Chinese restaurant could compare! We have been dining here for over 30 years.
Best chinese food in Calgary. If you dont agree, share your recommended spot
Place definitely needs an update. BUT the food is soo sooo sooo good and prices are very reasonable. The most surprising part? the service, is amazing! (Considering we all know how service goes for asian restaurants)
Never been disappointed
Ho Won is a Calgary institution in the restaurant scene. Childhood memories flood through your mind as soon as you walk in. The food is excellent as always even though I believe it is now under new ownership. The place is a bit run down in terms of decor and furnishings but the food is packed with flavour. If you havent tried it, go in and order the salt and pepper squid and lobster in cream sauce with fried noodles, youll thank me later.
ten times the price
The best quality Chinese breakfast I had in Calgary! If you want some authentic Chinese breakfast, this is a must visit place! Only CA$5.99
Be sure to try all of their menu. Delicious food!
Really tasty food! Good service But the definitely need new chairs!!!! Food : 5/5
Bad experience in the service, food took to long to be served. Order simple dishes.
This restaurant is one of TOP Chinese restaurant in Calgary I would highly highly recommended. The staffs are amazing, the price is pretty good too!
Good food, good service. No windows but we didnt come for a view or something fancy. It was pretty late (an hour before close), but we were hungry, and the food was fresh, and came out fast and there was a lot of it. Would definitely come back!
The salt and pepper squid was really good! Large portion and great value.
Ho Wons is one of the best Chinese spots in Calgary. Looking for delicious, affordable, huge portions of fresh food? Look no further. Somehow last month was the first time Ive eaten here and ever since Ive been looking for an excuse to bring new friends back. I was salivating over the S&P Squid & Ginger Beef. thin batter, tender crispy beef... Stop reading reviews and just go, youll not be disappointed. We pigged out on about 6-7 dishes, had leftovers and left paying ~$20 each before tip for 6 people. THAT IS VALUE! GOOOO
I went for breakfast. I had the beef brisket noodle soup + coffee for $5.99. Good value and great service.
Best salt and pepper squid in the city!!! Old school Cantonese classic food. Vegetarian options: Snowpea leaves with garlic Food : 5/5 |
Probably our favorite restaurant for Chinese food for big family gatherings. Have been going since I was a child so for likely 25 years+. Best salt and pepper squid and lobster/crab in cream sauce for sure, it s a must get every time. Pro tip is to add fried noodles to eat with the cream sauce, so worth it. Just not the same without. We also enjoy the crispy chicken, house special chow mein, sweet and sour pork, ginger beef, snow pea tips with dried scallop sauce, seafood potato nest. Takeout is just as good. Service has been great the last several times we have visited. Place is not fancy but comfortable, lots of room. Recently saw that they have very inexpensive breakfast available for $5.99, will have to try one day (see menu posted).
Outstanding Chinese restaurant with top-notch service. Servers are always friendly, attentive, and detail-oriented. Even though the prices are slightly higher, the menu is great and consistently excellent food. I keep coming back every week for a great experience.
Ho Won makes good food with generous portions at an affordable price. A real treat this Christmas eve for 9 on this cold winters night.
My friends parents own this restaurant and I love coming here. The food is great quality. My stomache does not get upset because the ingredients are fresh!
Been going here for years and I hope it will be there for a very long time.
My husband and I love eating in this restaurant. The special fried rice and the salt pepper squid are the best. Come and check out the reasonable price and you will leave the place with a smile.
Perfect place for those who arent very comfortable with Asian cuisine yet. Ho Won does great Western Chinese food.
If you want the best salt and pepper squid, Ho Wons has to be on your bucket list every time you go to Calgary. Weve been missing great Chinese food since moving out of Calgary, so we try to stop whenever we make a trip back. The squid is a must and by a must I mean, get 2 dishes worth as you will not want to share. The ginger beef is also crispy and sweet, but could use a little more heat and the almond sui gai is crispy and tender and the gravy adds another layer of flavour. The gravy could be a little more almondy (is that a word) flavour, but overall not bad. But the star of every meal at Ho Wons is the salt and pepper squid. Parking can be a bit of an issue during dinner service but if the weather is warm, you can find plenty parking at Eau Claire market a few blocks away.
Had a good supper . Their Peking Pork chops are to die for and the lobster with a cream sauce on noodles was excellent. The portions were huge and more than we could eat . Great meal .
A staple of Calgarys Chinese dining experiences. The stairs always bring up a fond nostalgia. Probably because I know Im about to eat some great food
I always love their salt and pepper squid.. the best!!
The food was so good and fresh.
Great service and excellent food!
Open for lunch again!
Attentive staff and large portions. Love the salt and pepper squid and the wonton soup has a great broth
Gone downhill. Salt and pepper squid was rubbery, chow funny was bland, service was slow. I had been wanting to go back there for quite sometime.wont be returning after the last experience. Friendly server at least.
Food and service were excellent. Thank you .
Great food however terrible service. Also notorious for canceling uber eats/door dash orders 30min-1hour after ordering. Not acceptable.
Food was exceptional, the portions were huge. Service was excellent. I will definitely return to this restaurant.
The food was excellent! Ample portions at a price that cant be beat. Great service, the place was clean and pretty. Overall, was an excellent experience. I highly recommend! If your in the neighborhood or visiting in town.
Best salt & pepper squid in all of Calgary, AB. Have been coming here for over 15 years. The portions are huge and the prices are still reasonable. We often do family and work events regularly. Give it a try, you wont be disappointed. YUM!
All of the chow main dishes are smaller serving but tasted great. The rest of the food, about 8 other dishes were great. Waitress was very good.
We eat here alot food is great best Salt and Pepper Squid ever food is great and you get what you pay for. Vegetarian options: They have vegetarian options and will accommodate you. Dietary restrictions: Can have many options gluten free,peanut,and egg free.
Have been coming here since high school in the 90s, and I love it so much. Food is always the best , service is great.
Niceeee food and great volume !! Vegetarian options: Different kinds of veggies
Nice food
The decor won t win any design awards but the food is truly authentic! Good wok hay and impeccably fresh ingredients. And sweet efficient service.
After 20+ years their food is still at such a high standard. Each time we go they dont disappoint. I definitely recommend their Salt and Pepper fried Squid, as well as their fried rices. 5 star review for a 5 star restaurant. Ho Won #1
..a..ma..zing. Such a wicked place and food! 10/10 recommend getting their deep-fried squid.
Salt and pepper squids and the ginger beef there is to die for!!!
Goodfood
Great food and reasonably priced. You have to try the spicy squid. And ginger beef.
This is my favorite place. You MUST try the salt and pepper squid. It is unbelievable!
I use to like coming here. They had broken glass pieces inside my rice rolls on two different occasions. The servers told me to keep quite. Im not going to get my mouth cut up or my insides from their mistakes. They need to be more careful.
Great service and even better food. I told them what kind of foods I liked and they brought me the most delicious feast! And the prices were excellent! I felt safe despite the pandemic as they were following all covid protocols. Cant wait to go back!
Been going to this restaurant for approximately 30 years. Ever since they were a tiny little restaurant in their other location. The food is impeccable, delicious and amazing. The service sometimes is not great and the food comes out very slow when they are busy but the food is great. So great we keep coming back.
Great food, big portions and great value. Best salt and pepper squid in the city.
I have been coming to this restaurant since I was a kid, and it s still just as good. Ho Wan is a consistent, delicious, fast, and traditional Chinese Restaurant - arguably the best in Calgary. Must try the Salt & Pepper Squid, Snow Pea Leaves with Garlic Sauce, Fish Maw Soup, and Salted Fish Fried Rice! I highly recommend this place.
The food is great but the customer service and wait times are horrendous. Only come here if you literally have 2 hours to spare. Every time I ve come to this restaurant for dine in with my family, we waited 1 hour for the food. Today, I ordered food for pick up and was told that I couldn t order at 5:30pm because it was busy. They said if I could push it back to 6:00pm, the food would be ready. Now, it s 6:30pm and I still have no food. My family pushed back our Father s Day dinner by one hour and we re all starving.
Best Salt and Pepper Squid in the World! My favorite restaurant in Calgary. We love every dish that we have tried at Ho Won, but cannot go without ordering at least one plate of squid! Great people, very kind. The building is old, but so is your Grandfather.
Must try Salt & Pepper Squid Absolutely perfect
Probably one of my favourite Chinese Restaurants in Calgary, been going since I was in high school, great food and great price, definitely would recommend. Shout out to the waitress that remembered me AND my order even after I havent gone for so long (years since ive been busy), made my day! :) thank you
Best Chinese food in Calgary.
This restaurant caters more toward western style Chinese food with salt and pepper squid as a signature dish.
Ho Won has been around in YYC for decades, truly an institution. I love the fact that its located in Chinatown and has been at the same spot since they opened. Ho Won has always been consistent with their food/dishes and the prices are quite reasonable, not to mention the really generous portions. It pains me to say this but the reason why I give them three-stars is the fact that their take-out service is simply horrendous. I occasionally get take-out from here 2-3x a month and the wait times have been unacceptable. I call in advance with as much time/notice as possible and on average i find myself waiting at the restaurant for my food 20-30 mins after the estimated time I was given by to be there for pickup. I understand restaurants can have challenges keeping up with demand/orders so I try to be sympathetic to that; but the fact is Ive consistently had to wait 20-30 mins over the promised time for pickup and its beyond frustrating. For the owners if you see this, please improve on your pick-up service. I love everything else about your restaurant and want to continue supporting your business but the wait times for pick-up orders are inexcusable.
The best food.
Foods are so amazing especially the fish!!!
Great service, price and seafood was fresh and tasty!!
Not much decorations inside but cheap good quality food.
We have been going to Ho Wons for over 30 years and two different locations. The food is always hot and delicious and the squid is perfection!
Food was amazing, I would highly recommend coming with a lot of people!!
My fav chinese spot. Best S and P squid you will ever have.
My family has been going here for over a decade. You can get the best salt and pepper squid here. The food is so tasty and the portions are very worth the price!
Awesome food..... Best ginger beef in western Canada!!!!!! Also the salt n pepper seafood is amazing.........get your butts over yo thus restaurant!!!!!!
This place is my favorite Chinese restaurant. Their salt and pepper squid is one of a kind. The seafood menu is excellent. Good portion, great price. Highly recommended.
Good food! great for big group lunches
Had Lobster with Cream Sauce on top of Egg Noodles and Chinese Greens in Garlic Sauce. Super yummy combo!
Best salt and pepper squid in town!
Have always loved going here. Great food, great price and the salt and pepper squid is second to none.
Great food and service! Big portions!
Love it and all the food are delicious
Best Chinese food Ive had in Calgary. Very tasty! Great value! Lovely staff too.
Food was good, but staff was pushy and rude.
A classic Calgary Chinese restaurant. The salt and pepper squid is to kill for!
Food is great and authentic. It does take some time.to prepare but always worth the wait.
Best salt and pepper squid in the city.
Very good food and very friendly staff I love the service
Well, customer service is usually bad here. But somehow it was worse than the norm. I asked the waitress for hot sauce, she said yeah later....omg, that was so rude. The only reason why I come here knowing the lack of service is for the salt and pepper squid. My brother ordered a set 10 course meal, and did not have the squid. So a very dissatisfied meal. Ive had many set dinners from other restaurants too, but this one has to top it for being the worse one of them all. I would just order the salt n pepper for take out, but its not good once you bring it home. So....I guess Ill just wait a long while b4 I go back here.
Best salt and pepper squid anywhere!
Dated and dirty. Dim sum was subpar. Do not recommend.
Best ginger beef in the city!
The Salt and pepper squid is great!
Use to be an awesome restaurant, their salt and pepper squid is the best We use to eat here at least 6 times a year But had a take out order yesterday for birthday and they are using MSG, first time we have had this problem will not recommend to anybody !!!!
Very disappointed! I used to go to Ho Won quite often for their Salt&Pepper squid, but I m shocked to see that they still serve shark fin soup. That supports a horrible fishing practice and I cannot continue to patronize them.
This was always our go to restaurant for salt and pepper quid and ginger beef, best in town. The reason we no longer support them is they sell Shark fin soup that supports a horrible fishing practice that needs to stop.
Service was slow and I didnt really find any of the food to be that spectacular. Not too pricey though it was around $100/table of 6 for around 6-7 dishes including lobster.
Consistently great food.
Love it
Fresh, delicious and very reasonably priced.
Ordered takeout, portions were HUGE. Tasted great. Will be coming back again!
Good too oily.
Been going here for over 30 years, good quality, big portions, great price. A hidden gem in Calgary!
I have been enjoying the Ho Won for 19 years having been introduced to their delicious food at a catered Christmas party held by a tenant in a building I managed. I was there to have a drink and leave as I was on my way to a formal dinner. Long story short the host said you must try this Chinese food its the best in Calgary, I had a plateful to be polite and I have been a faithful customer ever since.
Been going to this restaurant for over 10 years and the service and quality has remained top notch. The salt and pepper squid is the best in town and a must-try if you enjoy seafood. All the food is very delicious and staff are professional.
Authentic Chinese food and hands down the best Salt and Pepper Squid in Calgary
good value, food tasty and good portions
Old restaurant in Chinatown, order lobster and cod, the food is okay
Good authentic Chinese food. Polite staff, reasonable prices and clean restaurant
Fast and delicious
This is the Chinese restaurant in downtown with the best quality-to-price ratio I could ever find. Their 4-person meal and 6-person meal are very worth it. The lobster chow mein is superb!
Always an awesome experience!! Craving for Chinese food? This is our go to place!!
A good old school style chinese restaurant that is more authentic than westernized. Dont expect amazing or stand out decor as thats not the focus of this place. Pricing is good and food comes in large portions. Lots of food options and not too oily. Salt and pepper squid here is definitely their staple bc its freshly deep fried, large portioned and tastes fairly good.
Fantastic ordered dinner for two plus salt and pepper squid they kindly substituted noodles for the rice. It feed 3 if us and we have leftovers for lunch tomorrow
Very rude staff. Do not go for dim sum unless you know to order very quickly after barely having an opportunity to look at the food and dont mind staff who could not care less about providing even the most basic customer service.
Decent food, good value, service is very slow.
Best salt and pepper squid I have tried in Calgary
Best Chinese food in town.
Restaurant thats been here since at least the 80s. Well known for their signature salt and pepper squid and ginger beef,but also known for their traditional Chinese dishes as well. Prices have always been good. Ambience could use a little work, but its the food that will have you coming back!
The food and service is excellent
The food was great but ordered too much . Ordered a dinner for four but could have had less for the 4 people.
Very good food. Fried squids and fish are delicious. Also, not too expensive and got some food to bring home
Cheap prices. Must able to walk up to second floor.
Food was ok at best. The sizzling rice with tomatoe sauce (pictured) had no flavor and was very disappointing. Asked the server for alternatives and she flat out told me off. Washrooms were gross and very outdated and grimey. Ps pooped every like 30 minutes.
Best salt and pepper squid and cream sauce lobster Ive ever had from Vancouver to Montreal.
Quiet, clean, traditional feel
Fantastic salt and pepper squid. Best Ive have in Calgary.
The food was very fresh and tasty.
Good food. Good portions. Good price.
This is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Calgary. Good quality and generous portions.
Our favorite place for Chinese food and we think the best salt and pepper squid in town.
Generous servings, very tasty.
35 years I have been going to Ho Wons and I must say that it has always been the best, I have travelled all over and the food at Ho Wons is the best. My favorite place .
