About
Welcome to Gagana Ramen, a culinary gem nestled within a billiard hall at 2020 32 Ave NE Bay F, Calgary, AB. Often, the best finds are tucked away in unexpected places, and this ramen haven is no exception. Here, authentic Japanese flavors meet a relaxed, casual atmosphere, making it a delightful destination for ramen enthusiasts.
Every bowl of ramen at Gagana tells a story of craftsmanship and tradition. The secret lies in their broth—crafted with care, whether it’s the rich Tonkotsu Ramen or the bold Spicy Miso Ramen. Enjoy a steaming bowl that features 2xchar siu, fresh green onions, and aromatic toppings such as chili sesame oil and sesame powder, all for just CA$14.50. You're not just savoring a meal; you're indulging in a slice of Japan, thanks to the owner’s training in Tokyo.
The reviews speak for themselves. Diners rave about the chewy noodles that perfectly dance in the flavorful broth. One customer, Matthew Ziriada, declared it the 'best dipping ramen in Calgary,' praising the fast service and delightful texture. Meanwhile, David Yuan shared a sentiment echoed by many: Gagana's ramen is 'the closest to what I’ve tasted in Japan'. This praise doesn’t come lightly, especially with Gagana being a spinoff of the esteemed Gagana Ramen outlets in Tokyo.
Beyond ramen, the menu offers delectable sides like Pork Gyoza and Takoyaki, making it an excellent choice for a full meal experience. Their 99 Full Meal Set features a satisfying combo of ramen, pork gyoza, and a random pop, ensuring you leave completely satiated.
Visiting Gagana Ramen is more than just a dinner—it's an experience. The cozy yet vibrant environment, combined with dishes that burst with flavors and freshness, beckons both ramen connoisseurs and those curious to explore Japanese cuisine. Don’t let its location deter you; this is a destination worth discovering. Whether you’re after a comforting bowl of ramen after a long day or looking to indulge in something new, Gagana Ramen promises satisfaction with every slurp!
“ Best dipping ramen (tsukemen) in Calgary! Fast service and love those chewy noodles! Staple in my ramen diet. Pictures is spicy miso and regular tsukemen, can’t wait to come back. Dine in the give dashi broth for the leftover broth, good stuff! ”
“ Amazing tsukemen (dipping ramen) and lobster ramen, hard to find but this one is comparable to Japan.. No MSG in the broth, great flavour, nice piece of pork belly.. All ingredients were fresh. They moved inside Mike's due to COVID, but it doesn't take away from the food quality at all. The head chef was very friendly and passionate about the food quality so definitely drop by for a bowl! ”
“ Very good service and food, operated out of a billiard hall right now but that doesn't impact my review at all since the food was great. I've never had tokotsu so tender and the broth was perfect. ”
“ You probably wouldn't expect a place like this inside the Billiards hall, but this place is genuine. The ramen here is probably the closest that I've tasted to the ones I've had in Japan. Makes sense considering that according to the owner this place is a spinoff of the Gagana Ramen stores in Tokyo and he was also trained in Tokyo. The broth here is delicious and full of flavor. The noodles are big and somewhat chewy. The char siu and other toppings are good. Portion size is reasonable. Would definitely recommend. The non-spicy miso and tonkotsu are great. Aug 2024 update: Came here again and still impressed as always. Broth remains very flavorful and the noodles are excellent. Had the small chicken karaage side and the shrimp shoyu. The chicken was served with Japanese style mayo. Juicy and flavorful. Ramen remains excellent. Highly reminiscent of the Tokyo shoyu style ramens given the owner's experience in Japan. ”
“ It was a surprising good ramen shop located within a billiard. The best ramen I had in Calgary, and among the top ten even included Hong Kong and Japan. ”
“ Small restaurant inside a Billiards business. Very friendly and welcoming owner who serves very flavorful ramen. My 9 and 11 year old daughters devoured their bowls and were even able to try and sink a few balls as well. ”
“ Gagana Ramen is a franchise from Tokyo and a hidden gem totally worth checking out! I've been here once probably 7 years ago and had the Tsukemen dipping ramen. I loved it but I never got a chance to go back again. We decided to check them out recently and I regret not going back sooner!! Featuring: - Tonkotsu Ramen - Gyoza The ramen was so rich in flavor and the chashu pork was super tender (they cook it for 12 hours!). I could tell that they use high quality ingredients to make their broth. The ramen chef trains in Japan to make their special ramen. It takes 17 hours to make a big pot of broth! They also use special egg noodles which have a very bouncy texture. Because it takes a lot of time to make their ramen, they only serve about 20 bowls (or whenever they sell out) at lunch time. I was also very impressed with their gyoza. It was the bounciest gyoza I've ever had and so juicy! I highly recommend getting gyoza with your choice of ramen. They are located inside Mike's Family Billiards, which is quite random. If you don't see the sign for Gagana outside, that means they sold out for the day. The ramen chef told us that he is thinking of retiring in 2 years so make sure you check them out before they close! ”
“ Awesome Ramen, among the best in town. It’s a hidden gem, the kitchen and pool hall looks like it could use a serious cleaning but the food is exceptional and the owner is an absolute gem! He only makes 20 bowls a day, sources many of his ingredients from Japan and doesn’t use added salt. If you like ramen it’s a MUST try. Let’s get this place busy! ”