Cindy Ngo
If you’re looking for great sushi at a reasonable price, this spot is it! The vibe is super casual but still has that cozy izakaya feel. Their menu features plenty of unique items you won’t easily find elsewhere and the sushi is always fresh. I especially love that uni (sea urchin) is consistently on the menu. Add in a solid cocktail list and genuinely great service and it’s an easy win!
Highly recommend if you’re after good sushi and good vibes without the expectation of a premium or ultra high-end sushi experience.
… morefey
We had such a great dinner at Honjin Izakaya. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, with a relaxed yet refined izakaya vibe—perfect for a special night out or a slow, enjoyable meal.
The highlight of the night was definitely the uni dishes, especially Ocean Jewel. I had never seen this combination before: fresh oyster topped with uni, ikura, and egg yolk. It was rich, layered, and surprisingly well-balanced, with all the flavors coming together beautifully in one bite. A must-order for uni lovers.
Other uni dishes like the uni bluefin gunkan, wagyu uni sushi, and the chirashi were also very well executed, using high-quality, fresh ingredients. Everything tasted carefully prepared and indulgent without feeling overdone.
Service really stood out as well. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. Our dishes took a bit longer to come out (which was totally understandable), and they kindly brought us some Japanese snacks on the house, which was such a thoughtful and appreciated gesture.
Overall, great food, great atmosphere, and genuinely warm service.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a memorable Japanese dining experience in Calgary—especially if you love uni.
… moreZane Desjarlais
Amazing food, atmosphere & service. Everything I’ve had at Honjin Izakaya is absolutely delicious. The Japanese Uni is incredible and the seared Hokkaido scallop Oshizushi is a must have every time I visit. Definitely would reccomend for anyone who’s a fan of Japanese cuisine! 10/10
… moreSandra Grime
I recently visited Hojin Izakaya across from Chinook Mall, and it was such a great experience overall. The atmosphere is really neat – warm, modern, and a little more elevated than some of the other Kinjo spots around the city. The service was honestly amazing. We were looking for a gluten-free salad, and the staff went out of their way to walk through menu options, accommodate changes, and make sure we ordered something safe and delicious.
The highlight for me was how excellent the customer service was. When my salad arrived with bonito flakes – something not listed on the menu – they immediately swapped it out with no hesitation. I really appreciated how attentive and kind they were about it.
The menu is creative, and the vegetable roll was incredible – fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented. That said, the table setup has hard metal bars right where your knees sit, which makes it a bit uncomfortable, especially if you’re there for a longer visit.
I also wish the menu listed ingredients more clearly, especially for dietary preferences like vegetarian or gluten-free. Even though I’m not allergic to fish, I do avoid it, so a brief mention or staff reminder would have been helpful.
Still, the overall vibe, creativity, and excellent service make this a spot worth trying. With a few small adjustments, it could easily be a five-star experience.
… moreJeremiah Hunter
Came here for lunch. Service was thorough. Ordered ramen and a couple appetizers. Food was average. My girlfriend loved her sushi – but her avacado and cucumber salad was smothered in sesame oil. The ramen noodles were the standard pot noodle plastic type stuff – unimpressed. The beef that came in the ramen was old and unpleasant.
Atmosphere was great. Really fun place. But food was below average.
… moreDerrick C.
Honjin Izakaya delivers an excellent dining experience with exceptional food, attentive service, and a vibrant atmosphere. The menu offers a fresh and flavorful approach to sushi and rolls, blending modern creativity with quality ingredients and thoughtful presentation. The space has a stylish, contemporary feel while still being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal spot for gatherings and larger groups. Combined with friendly, efficient service, Honjin Izakaya is a great choice for both casual meals and social occasions.
… moreSandy Best
First time there and wow! Some of the best fish ever. Japanese sea bream that’s fed mandarin orange all its life.What a unique taste. Fresh oysters and amazing sushi! Oh and Spicy Ramon noodles with Albertan Angus beef.
… moreTrucie Nguyen
I drove down from Ed to Cal to visit my friends. They took me to this restaurant, good services, delicious food, fresh oysters. They have 2 types of oysters: east and west oysters. For those like big n fresh oysters choose western oysters, who like smaller and milky choose eastern oysters. Such a nice, cozy place to hang out. Definitely I will come back.
… moredavid pham
I ordered 2 angus beef bento boxes tonight. The meals do not look like the photos on door dash…. The angus beef was $24 per box the beef does not even look like real beef… the edamame is brown and the miso soup is a dark brown (never seen it like this before) . I thought this place would have fresh food given the prices … in my opinion… skip this place… DoorDash photos are misleading.
… moreR S
My husband and I went to Honjin Izakaya for our Valentine’s Day dinner, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The restaurant has a very authentic Japanese atmosphere, which makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a little piece of Japan. From the moment you’re seated, they do a special shout-out to welcome you, which adds such a fun and unique touch!
The service was outstanding—the waitstaff were incredibly attentive, always making sure every table had everything they needed. They were so friendly and made us feel truly special on our date night.
The food was just as impressive. The sushi was absolutely delicious, and the presentation of each dish was beautiful. Every plate looked like a work of art!
Overall, it was a perfect dining experience, and I would totally recommend Honjin Izakaya to anyone looking for great Japanese food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!
… more