Shiki Menya

My Calgary: Shiki Menya

From spaghetti to vermicelli, noodles have always held a special place in my heart and my stomach. I could eat noodles every day and not grow tired of them. Ramen has always been a favourite of mine, but I never realized how amazing this Japanese soup could be until I tried Shiki Menya. This ain’t no Sapporo Ichiban, my friends. This is the real deal.

2016-04-19-04.46.19-2.jpg.jpegShiki MenyaDon’t get me wrong, I’m not above giving in to that instant ramen craving every once in a while, but if you want to experience ramen the way it’s supposed to be made, check out Shiki Menya. This little Bridgeland spot has been serving noodle bowls to ravenous crowds for two years, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. From Monday to Saturday they open their doors at 11am, and close up shop whenever their soup kettle runs dry. Because their hours mostly fall during the time when most of us are at work, and there’s typically a significant lineup at the traditional 12:00 lunch hour, Shiki Menya isn’t the easiest place to get in to, but I promise you it’s worth the effort and the wait!

Shiki Menya Shiki MenyaI’ve never eaten a bad bowl of soup at Shiki Menya, so whether you choose a classic or a new school option, you can’t go wrong. My all time favourite, and the one I just can’t stop ordering, is the goma mazamen. With just a small pool of rich, peanuty broth in the bottom of the bowl, the noodles really shine. The pork belly melts in your mouth, and the mound of spring greens provide a welcome relief from the richness of the dish. The chili goma is another favourite and has been popular since it was introduced at Shiki Menya’s sister restaurant, Shikiji. Ramen isn’t the easiest option for Zevi because he doesn’t eat pork, but Shiki Menya’s veggie option is much better than most! Each variety of broth has its merits, but to me it’s the noodles that put Shiki Menya in a class of its own. Perfectly chewy but still soft enough for easy slurping, they’re barely a distant cousin to the instant ramen we know and love. They make my noodle-loving heart sing!

2016-04-19-04.44.49-2.jpg.jpegYou can’t make an online reservation or show up for a late dinner, but the ramen at Shiki Menya is well worth rearranging your schedule for. If you can, go for an early or a late lunch, and you’ll avoid the rush. When you do get in, admire the simple but beautiful room, pull up your chair, and be prepared to slurp away at some life-changing ramen as you groove along to some classic hip hop tunes. You won’t regret it!
Shiki Menya Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

8 Comments

      1. I’m not above the 99 cent variety by any means, but this is so much better!

    1. I just tried the chili goma last week & it was SO good. I was really hesitant to order ramen without pork belly, but the pork in that one is so good. N always gets the New School Miso & I used to be all about the tonkotsu black, but I think I need the goma mazeman next time. We literally went last week & I would go again this week. I’m not even a big noodle person, but these ones are so good! I literally compare every other bowl of ramen to theirs & am usually not as impressed.

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