Lovely weekend outing with friends or date. Excellent food
Not sure how long it’s going to be at this location. The building is scheduled to be torn down. They are the last tenant
Had a fantastic experience. Went for Lunch, had a few great choices, great sharing plates. The Tiger Prawn was amazing, the Poke bowl a great experience. The ribs had a great flavour but were a bit tough. Tuesday was spicey Salmon Taco's for the special, great day to go. Each day they have a special, today's was great.
What a fantastic restaurant! The food was exceptional, exciting, and quick. Our server Linda was amazing and helped enhance our meal with great suggestions, as well as helpful soju etiquette and games! We will definitely be back!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
I would actually give 3.5 starts. We had two successful dishes and two not so successful. We ordered sweet potato truffle fries, Brussels sprouts, lamb potstickers and alberta lamb.
The truffle potato fries were our favorite , they had perfect truffle flavor , sweet and salty , it was perfect.
The Brussels sprouts were also good, fried Brussels sprouts always taste great, these also had a nice sweet sauce and fried rice cakes which tasted great.
The lamb potsticker looked good, there was crispy wing lattice bottom which was good but the actual filling was too dry and flavorless. I make lamb dumplings at home and mine always come out juicy so such a popular restaurant having such dry pot stickers was disappointing.
The most disappointing dish of the day was Alberta lamb rack. It was cooked well but that was it. It was just bland. It had no flavor what so ever, I doubt that they even salted the lamb. I know a-lot of people like to taste the pure flavors but I personally want some flavor. The salad that came with it was also bland. It was just such a waste.
Other than truffle fries nothing stood out to us and hence the low stars from us.
Classy place with really good and creative way of displaying the food items. The braise pork is really tender and tasty! I can eat this everyday! The portions are smaller for the price but the taste is definitely worth it. The need to have better beer selection though.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Overall a great experience! The waitress was amazing and offered suggestions and her personal favorites and checked on us throughout the meal. The oxtail tortellini was the best thing we tried, it was just a bite of pure happiness. The yam fries weren't salty so they were perfect with the dipping sauce, really a match made in heaven. The lamb chops were delicious but small portions. Their Greek/asian fusion tofu side salad was sooo good I wanted to just take a huge helping of it home! One thing I would say that it is pricey for the quantity and sharing between three people we had to add more to each dish. The chicken sliders were ordered additionally as we were still hungry and they were perfection. Hot steamy chicken with the crispy skin just falling off and the hot sauce wasn't too spicy and worked perfectly with the dish. The decor is gorgeous and overall the whole place has a really nice vibe. I would go again and maybe get an entree with noodles or rice to fill us up as we were still hungry after 5 shared plates.
The staff are very accomodating and friendly. The restaurant is a bit fancy for us. Their KFC sliders is sooo good! We’ve waited for quite awhile for the rice hot stone bowl but it’s worth it! Also, plum sake is good for a first timer. Take note that this place is serving small platters- hence ANJU in korean. Annyeong!
Came in to anju early on Tuesday evening (around 6:00pm) and we were seated immediately. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and was able to make some great recommendations. The food, cocktails and atmosphere were really great. If you are seated in Christopher’s section you will be well taken care of. The KFC sliders were excellent!
During my weekend in Calgary, there were so places that I wanted to go to, but so little time. Anju was on my list, along with Ten Foot Henry, and Pigeon Hole. After some debate, we opted to go with Anju. We had already eaten a couple times in the last few hours (See Tubby Dog and Village Ice Cream) for reviews. We were pretty sold on a Tapas place so we could still pound out multiple dishes.
Anju is a great Korean-fusion Tapa house on 17th ave. Make a reservation in order to get a nice semi-private booth. Ambiance was great, not too pretentious. The service was fast, attentive and friendly.
Food was hit or miss. The oxtail ravioli and the chicken sliders were bold in flavour and are MUST tries. We had the chum churum ("like the first time") soju - went down so smooth! Alcohol makes any meal that much better!
I didn't enjoy the much-hyped brussel sprouts, poke, or fried tofu dishes as much as I'd hoped.
Good place for a date night or a special occasion :)
The server was so helpful and attentive. Wish I could remember her name. The food was awesome too. I great mix of fusion dishes. Went there to celebrate a girlfriends birthday and had a great night. I will definitely be back
I loved the Korean fusion dishes! We ordered the Fried Tofu with Kimchi and the Brussel Sprouts. Both dishes were phenomenal! Great balance of flavours with gorgeous presentation! Anju is a breath of fresh air. We sat on their patio which was great for people watching being located on the corner of 17ave and 4th st SW. The service was quite friendly and attentive :) I'll definitely be back to try some more dishes!!
Anju is a very modern Korean restaurant. The elegant and sophisticated ambiance adds to the modern take on food. Going for brunch on a Sunday was quite nice the restaurant was not busy at all the food came out quickly. Our waitress was excellent and very friendly. I ordered the salmon on a bed of rice, with a sunny side up egg. The salmon was very large and cooked to perfection (did not have a fishy smell), the egg was very tasty and not over done, the rice a tasty and pleasant addition. The portion size was great for a bunch menu. Although Anju is on the pricier side, it is worth to visit once. I recommend this place for the service, food, quality, and atmosphere.
*Only down fall is when we asked a gentleman who I assume was the manager or a leader to spilt the bill, he gave off a very rude, unhappy, and arrogant attitude.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Anju gives a modern take on Korean food and does it impeccably (at least till the point we reached the large plates which were ok). We started with the beef tataki which was a beautifully tender cut of beef in truffle oil and spices, awesome stuff. The sashimi salad with salmon, tuna and hamachi with gochujang sauce and vinaigrette was also brilliant as was the lamb bulgogi.
The mains weren't at the same level though, the hot stone rice bowl (dolsot bibimbap)-which is my favourite Korean dish - was good if not the best I've had but the fish tacos were plain weird. What we got was not a conventional taco but a full steamed fish with head et al along with seaweed sushi wrap used in maki rolls so one has to cut the fish and wrap it and eat. A complete hit or miss dish, and it was a miss for everyone on the table. Simply not what one was expecting when a dish is called a taco!
The seafood ramen was also so so. But given the quality of the small plates and the beautiful ambience I loved eating here. One of the most memorable meals I had in calgary.
The food was pretty good in general but was quite expensive. They rotate the menu which is nice but can also be disappointing when you return and the dishes you enjoyed aren't offered anymore
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Taking classic comfort Korean dishes and putting a modern unique spin, Anju brings the liveliness of classic Korean dining with an upscale approach. Planted on the corner of 4th St on 17th, the mod detail of the exterior is as simplistic as it can get, but once you walk through those doors you’re welcomed into an exceptional space. Meticulous detailing from wall to wall, I’m glad we came for brunch and was able to admire the space with all the natural light flooding in.
Brunch menu is only available Saturday and Sunday from 11-3.
Tonkatsu - ($17) - ⅘ - I’m going to get so much hate for ordering this but listen, I was craving rice and deep fried anything; AND IT WAS GOOD. This came with deep fried breaded pork drizzled with a sweet savory sauce, side of rice, salad and miso soup. Pork was crispy and crunchy and oh-so very satisfying, the salad had a light dressing but the miso soup was overly salty. Way too salty. Good portion size over all.
Breakfast Hashstone Bowl - ($18) - 5/5 - *opted for the kabayaki chicken. Served in a hot clay bowl, veggies with a mix of protein piled onto potatoes with 2 eggs, the best part of this dish? KIMCHI HOLLANDAISE. ‘Nough said.
Service was hands off but friendly, made sure to be by to take plates away or to top up drinks but the atmosphere itself tied in with the service, very casual and relaxed.
Brunch was definitely on the heavier side and we only got a taste of what Anju offers.. This will not be our last time visiting, can’t wait to try out their dinner menu!
I have been to Anju a few times, but this most recent time was a disappointment. We went for brunch on a Sunday and were seated by the open kitchen. After ordering, it was evident that the kitchen staff were struggling to put out orders and the waitstaff were feeling pressured and impatient. We waited over half an hour for our meals and not once did our waitress or the manager/expediter come to acknowledge the delay or apologize. I've historically overlooked the high price tag of this restaurant because of the food and the ambience. After this experience, however, I am far less impressed by Anju.
Fresh, innovative, delicious Korean fusion menu. Have been a few times and have never been disappointed! On the pricier side but have always left full and satisfied. Nice to go with a group and try a bunch of items. Knowledgeable and helpful servers. Kitchen staff was very accommodating of dietary restrictions as well. Will absolutely return.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Located just up the street from Model Milk, an area passed through frequently both for dining and en route to downtown Calgary, Chef Roy Oh’s Anju played host to a Sunday dinner that will go down as one of the most memorable in Western Canada, the modern Korean concept based on “food consumed with Alcohol” requiring none of the latter to be as delicious as it was intriguing.
Open now for dinner and late-nights seven days a week, Brunch on weekends also a popular event, Anju was originally placed on my agenda thanks to a story about Chef Oh’s roundabout path to a career in the kitchen, a non-traditional route that includes no formal culinary education, but rather the influence of his Mother plus a whole lot of tenacity and good fortune.
Furthering my interest reading the accolades achieved since opening, a perennial slot on several “Best of” lists suggesting that the combination of boldly flavored cuisine and an upscale space has continued to evolve and impress over time, it was just after 6:45 that I was sat between two groups of four, their orders at first giving me pause considering the portion sizes, the server also offering warning that “two-to-four” plates per person was reasonable, though a total of nine including Dessert proved well-worth testing my stomach’s resolve.
Well designed with mixed-woods, white walls, upward shining lights and an open kitchen, those born prior to 1996 also likely to appreciate a soundtrack featuring the likes of TLC and Blackstreet playing overhead, it was in five well-paced courses that the evening progressed over the course of approximately 130 minutes, an opening plate of mixed Mushrooms lightly battered and exceedingly flavorful even before dipping in Ponzu, a rare occasion where Truffle Oil was well-utilized to accentuate the flavor rather than masquerade as something justifying a substantial price-hike.
More than a little well-known for their Korean Fried Chicken, available as a large sharable plate but far more accessible for solo diners as Wings, Anju’s product from Maple Hill Farms covers all the bases for what a great Bird should be by coming across plump with a thick and crispy coating lacquered in Sauce, a total of four available with the housemade smoked Sablefish Kabayaki and Sesame outperforming David Chang’s Octo-Vinaigrette as relates to both sticky-thickness and umami.
Impressed to this point, but happy to have expectations exceeded, Anju’s “Foie Gras & Tofu” arrived next to achieve the rare feat of redefining a luxury ingredient, the Mousse thick yet light with Plums draped over and ready to be smeared on seared Steam Buns with a bit of smoke and salinity added by shaved Marrow and Soy.
Pressing onward to two completely different types of ‘Noodles,’ the springy nuggets of glutinous Rice an adept backdrop for tender Short Rib and Cabbage while the Potstickers came connected by a delicate lattice with a lot of funk and medium heat, it was actually Anju’s seasonal Kobacha Squash that made quite an impact by way of Soy-infused-Butter, Cashews and bright top-notes of Citrus and Ginger.
Taking a strong Double Espresso to refresh the palate and invigorate, all three desserts proving as irresistible as reviews suggest, one would be hard-pressed to decide which to omit if forced to do so, the Sweet Potato Trifle without a doubt the lightest and sweetest thanks to Cereal Milk Ice Cream and an airy Sponge Cake while the Fuyu Persimmon Cheesecake ate like one made with Ricotta amidst well-balanced Citrus and minty notes, the “Dark Chocolate White Truffle Pate” another undeniable umami-bomb that may not suit everyone’s palate, but proved defiantly delectable with the acidity playing off sweetness and a lingering bit of heat from the Red Chili paste.
Used to be better when they were just a small quaint restaurant in West DT. Somehow, expanding and bringing their flavors to the masses of 17th Ave lost their unique touch. The experience is not the same, as their new 17 Ave location feels more like a hip spot, rather than a place to get good fusion Korean food.
I've loved Anju since their first location in the little house. Drinks are delicious, the appetizers are wonderful, tasting menu is awesome. Have never had a bad meal here. It is an awesome place to share lots of different plates of food with friends. Servers are always excited to tell you what is new and answer questions about the ingredients. I love it. I Recommend any drink with Soju in it and the crispy tofu (I have dreams about this dish and the candied kimchi).
We went to Anju for the first time this week, and it was a delight to go to. I went there with my girlfriend for our 1 year anniversary and they greeted us with free flutes of champagne. The waitress was very helpful and gave us good suggestions for how many plates to order (as it's tapa style meals). It was the perfect amount and the food was delicious. Would definitely go again!
Hungry Hungry Hippos
+4.5
Stopped in for an appy and drinks. I had the chips and guacamole dip. Very yummy and they make it right in front of you. I also tried 2 of the "last virgin" cocktails. I thought it was delicious.
As all four of us are fans of tapas/sharing style meals, we decided to try Anju. Great choice. Greeted and seated, we met our server and after talking and choosing some beverages (from a good sake and beer list), felt we could trust him enough to "bring us food." 😉 Another great choice! All of the dishes were spot on. Everything; shucked oysters, hanger steak tataki, tortellini, brussels sprouts, bibimbap and beef ribs were excellent. We enjoyed two and half hours chatting and sampling great food and drink. Doesn't get much better than that! Many thanks team Anju.
Fantastic restaurant with fresh tastes and interesting fusion food. I went for the 4th time tonight and my husband and we were blown away with the food and our amazing server, Ty. He was fantastic :)
They have a new happy hour from 3-6 daily and we each had 4 glasses of a delicious sparkling rosé at $5 a glass. We ordered the truffle fries from the happy hour menu....so calories worthy! We viewed it as Korean fusion poutine...so yumm! It was our #2 favourite for the evening.
However, our #1 favourite was their version of steak tartar...The best we've had in Calgary. It was incredible and we want to go back next week for that alone. Tied for third and forth spot was the fried tofu with pork belly & the poke salmon. The meal and service was fantastic and we really enjoyed the patio. Looking forward to going back in the near future.
I was really excited to try this restaurant after hearing numerous positive reviews. Finally we had the chance to do so for my brother's birthday. The service was phenomenal and our server was extremely patient with our children. As for the food, it was good, but not mind blowing. The dishes seemed very one dimensional. The oxtail tortellini seemed overpowered by the truffle oil such that you couldn't really taste the oxtail. I feel like it could have used another flavour component like sweet or sour. We also tried the tofu with kimchi, the KFC sliders, fish tacos, lettuce wraps and the braised chicken. Once again all of the dishes seemed monotone and didn't have a lot of depth. Also, the braised chicken didn't seem fusion to me, it tasted almost like goulash with glass noddles. The only dish that really stood out for me was the brussel sprouts. I'm glad I was able to try this place out, but I don't think I'll return again as it seemed expensive for what you get.
Very impressive. Let's get the one negative out of the way, the bathrooms are embarassing. The rest of the resturaunt is beautiful. Service was excellent. We took all of our server's suggestions and he was bang on. Our group shared a bunch of appetizers and everybody loved each of them. Crispy tofu, brussel sprouts, fried chicken sliders, lettuce wraps and ox tail dumplings. We finished off with some sort of delicious pie stuffed with banana's and caramel topped with whipped cream and chocolate covered toffee. I'd definitely recommend this place.
Went here last night and my boyfriend and I just loved the food there. It was really nice that the kitchen was able to make accommodations for our allergies too since we both have food allergies. Totally would go again and we will definitely be ordering the eggplant and tofu again too! I strongly recommend it! The eggplant practically melts in your mouth, it was phenomenal!
Impressive fusion cooking, however its nearly impossible to get a walkup table. Of the non-reserved seating, there is a single bench by the door. The food portions are what you would expect for a 3 star experience in Calgary. If you want to make a night out experience or impress a date, this is a good place by brand name recognition alone with white collar Calgarians. Beyond the Korean fusion dishes there is very little Asian content to either the wine list or drinking experience. For those hoping for a Los Angles or true Tokyo/Korean "night out" experience, plan to be disappointed. I'll be shocked if this concept is around in 4 years.
I had been wanting to go here quite a while and it was worth the wait! Some dishes impressed me more than others, but the dinner was a great overall experience. The restaurant itself is really nicely designed and has a pleasant atmosphere. Don't leave without trying the shishito peppers and the Brussels sprouts!
Great atmosphere, delicious and very creative food. First time having oxtail, the oxtail tortellini was amazing and full of flavour. Forgot the name of the chicken dish.... 😕 but it was very well flavoured and most important part was how moist it was, not many places can cook Chicken breast in full and not be dry. The bimbap was also a good fusion, the beef was tender. Just wish the bowl was a little hotter as the rice didn't really crisp up. Overall I would totally come back and recommend!
This is a great restaurant to go to with groups who want to make a night out of their dining experience. With four friends sharing 4 items and a dessert (plus drinks of course) we were more than satisfied and the price point was a lot less than I was expecting. The atmosphere is really enjoyable - we felt like we were in our own little world just a foot away from the kitchen. My only recommendation is that the staff could be a bit more professional/attentive, although we were in on Saturday night so I am sure it was a busy period.
I recommend the Koren Fried Chicken dish - it was absolutely delicious and a fun addition to our meal. We were at the restaurant for nearly three hours, but I wouldn't have known it. Trendy and different food items made sure I would return to this place soon! I can't wait to check out the patio.
Food's ok, creative combination of Korean/Japanese and Western taste...no surprise though..outside dining area is a nice place to do some people watching...if you come after 7, expect long wait time...
If you’ve been following me for some time, you’ll have likely seen a post or two about Anju. And yet, a year after my first visit, and much longer since its grand re-opening, it’s still jam packed with foodies, serving up mouth-wateringly good Korean Tapas eats. Perhaps it keeps its flare by constantly changing the dishes, or perhaps it’s because good food at a good price just can’t be beat. Almost monthly, Anju rolls out a new menu, combined with old staples and new creations, begging you to stop on in.
My boyfriend and I ate from the tasting menu and were a little disappointed with the long wait time (30 minutes between each course). I had heard SUCH good things about Anju that maybe my expectations were too high? Our food was good, but nothing special which was unfortunate. I really thought we would be getting one of the best meals we've had in Calgary, and that wasn't the case. I would totally go back, but would be hoping for a bit of a do-over on the overall experience.
Came here during the big taste but did not eat from the big taste menu) and so I add that as a disclaimer because I am sure part of the service we received was due to a number of people participating in their feature offerings.
The place is beautiful. Modern and has a nice late night and weekend vibe for a place to get dressed up and go for a bite.
Had a brown'n'bitter cocktail which was very well made. Lots of care and attention went into it. We ordered shortly after we came in but our food took a very long time to come to our table. The waitress was apologetic and we were given the brussels sprout appetizer as a sorry. The appy was unbelievably delicious. For mains I had the pork rib chop and the bf had the Heritage angus burger. No complaints about the food at all, our meals were incredible. Presented well and cooked to perfection. Will certainly go back.
Anju food quality was definitely a 5/5, as well as their service. However the value for the food served is only 2/5. Which averages out to be 3.5/5. I won't be going again.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
I was in Calgary for the weekend and oddly I've been on a binge fest for Korean food. So my girlfriend heard about Anju and off we went. It's tucked away on the corner of 17ave so parking was a little hard on a Saturday evening. Luckily when we arrived they had 2 tables left so we got a comfy window seat. Our server was very nice and informative. But anyways to the food!
They offer quite a extensive selection, everything from small bites, tapas, and big plates if you don't like sharing. But sharing is the best when it comes to Asian food. Their hand cones ($10) are amazing, so amazing we had to get another order! The feature for the night was spiced tuna, rice of course and avocado mousse, simply delicious. We also got their skirt steak carpaccio. Everything on the plate worked well in a subtle way. The coolest part of the dish was the egg yolk noodle, molecular gastronomy at its finest. Next was some of their assorted banchan; pickled radish, daikon and of course kimchi. For the main my girlfriend and I got their Soft Tofu Seafood Stew to share each with a bowl of rice. Flavours were amazing, just like a Korean mom would make. Would have like to see a bit more pork but the seafood was plentiful. The broth wasn't too spicy so heat wimps have no fear. All in all, a great meal to finish off a weekend getaway to Calgary.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Tonight my boyfriend and I went to Anju for the first time and wow! Were we ever impressed!
The atmosphere in Anju is very chic! Lots of different textures and natural colors used. There were a lot of servers around so we never felt as though we were unattended or forgotten about. Our waiter, Ty, was great! Since this was our first time, he gave us some great recommendations on food and even recommended a great beer to pair with the mains.
We started with the Spicy Salmon Tacos - you get four tacos on a crispy deep fried wonton. Man were those tasty!
Second we ordered the Brussels Sprouts, Shrimp Dumplings and the Crispy Tofu. All of these were amazing. The brussels sprouts were roasted to perfection and the sauce they were dressed with made them by far the best I've ever had! The shrimp dumplings were equally as tasty - the spicy sauce was highly complimentary - I almost wish we got the bread just to scoop up the extra! And I am not a fan of Tofu usually - but that was very good! The texture was similar to a chicken nugget and the Kim Chi rounded out the dish nicely.
Lastly, we split the Ramen Carbonara and the Pork Chop. By this point in the meal, my boyfriend and I were stuffed but these dishes were both very tasty! The ramen was cooked very well and the sauce was rich and garlicy. The Pork chop was juicy and smothered in a great sauce.
For two people, next time I would likely only order one of the "Provisions" to share. Those plates were a normal dinner portion - not tapas so they were a lot more food than we expected. I'd love to try one of the desserts next time. I will definitely come back to Anju again!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
I asked a number of friends where I should go for a good meal with my wife and Anju was mentioned more than once. The service was very good and the food was also very good. I struggle to find any negatives with the evening.
Along with the recommendation to go to Anju, I was told to for sure try the tofu and pork belly as well as the wings. If I had room, the Wagyu burger should be a part of my meal as well.
I read a number of the reviews on Zomato and Google, focusing mostly on negative reviews so I could avoid any dishes that were not well received.
Upon visiting Anju’s website and revising the menu, it was clear that Anju was taking the negative reviews to heart and making adjustments. This was evident when we arrived at the restaurant. Very welcoming staff, and the decor was not nearly as sparse as we were expecting.
Our server Dana was very helpful, providing honest feedback of what she liked and what other customers liked or disliked. We ordered:
Spicy Salmon Tacos (Yuneo Tako)
Crispy Tofu (Dubu Kimchi)
Maple Hill Chicken Wings (Dak Nalgae) - Buffalo Gochujang
Mushroom Ramen Carbonara
BL Wagyu Bacon Crispy Cheese Burger
Togarashi Peanut Butter Pot De Crème
Dana said this would likely be enough and it was really too much - we ended up taking some of the wings home as well as half of the ramen. We almost ordered a sixth dish but Dana said to wait so we decided against it.
The Salmon tacos were not spicy, but we would describe them as rather bright! Excellent layering of flavours that slowly reveal themselves. They were awkward to eat and if it's your first date with someone, probably avoid these but come back soon because they were excellent.
The Crispy Tofu was amazing. If you are weary of tofu, don't worry, just imagine it's cheese. This was probably our favorite. Just order this dish.
The wings were excellent. I usually avoid wings at any establishment so I felt like I was going out on a limb on this one. High quality chicken wings, great sauce which was a hint above medium heat. When I come back, I am going to order each flavour of wings.
My wife really liked the ramen carbonara, but it was nothing special to me. It wasn't really a tapas dish though, it was more like a mains dish.
The Wagyu burger was the best burger I've had in recent memory. My wife agreed. That burger was so satisfying. I could wax on and on but I won't. Plan to save room for the burger. The fries are good too, but we had no room left for those.
The Togarashi Peanut Butter Pot De Crème was delicious. In fact, while I was reviewing the photos I took, my wife was feeding me small spoonfuls of the dessert. After the fifth or sixth spoon, I asked if she had ordered more than one dessert! There were many different textures and flavours with this dish.
The cocktails were great - I had two Roman’s Revenge (crazy delicious), but between them I had something that was a Lock, stock & smoking barrell’s (the cocktail menu we had that night does not match the one on the website sorry) and the barrell’s cocktail was meh. My wife could not get enough of the one with pineapple foam and ended up ordering two.
There were two minor “issues” with the evening but in no way did I leave with any sentiment other than “that was a great place to eat”. 1) They brought out the wings, ramen, and burger all at the same time and it crowded the table. It would have been nice to have the wings come out alone before the ramen and burger. 2) Right before they brought out those three dishes, the lights were turned way down abruptly. I was enjoying the soft lighting, it was actually perfect, and then it they turned the lights down further.
So with 5 dishes + dessert, 5 cocktails and a latte, plus tip, we spent $208. We would do it all over again. You could easily only have 4 dishes and a drink each between two people and pay much less. We treated ourselves and hope that Anju sticks around so we can return.
We recommend Anju for a special occasion, ideally for a party of four so you can really take advantage of the tapas concept.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Anju - Review for you
4.1/5
I was very excited to try Anju as I had heard so much about it and also because it is the first fusion type cuisine that we have tried on the blog! It is located on 17th Avenue so you know you are in for a treat, plus it is Tapas style and you all know that Mike and I love nothing more than to be able to try multiple different things and call it a meal.
The ambiance inside was nice. It definitely has an upscale and modern vibe with dark colors and sleek textures, nothing to out of the ordinary.
Now, we decided that we needed to try the Soju to drink because we worked hard and that was something you don’t see every day. Apparently Soju was the largest selling Korean liquor in 2014 (according to Wikipedia). The Soju is a distilled beverage containing ethanol and water. You can have it on it’s own or you can have it with aloe or the liquid yogurt. We of course tried it all three ways because how else my fellow readers would we be able to tell you the best combination. I personally liked the aloe best and the yogurt was a close second, but on it’s own…I think it is an acquired taste.
For the food we all took a shot at picking some items to share. We ended up with the following dishes; the featured sushi roll, the spicy salmon tacos, the braised pig ears, the lemongrass gochujang brussels sprouts, the crispy prawn dumplings, the oxtail tortellini and kimchi ramen.
I have to say that I they brought everything out at a great pace that allowed us to enjoy the food as it was served. I really liked everything but was not a huge fan of the pig ears. But at least I tried them! The sauce on them was lovely but the ears themselves were fatty and rubbery and not quite my thing. The brussels sprouts were delightful and cooked really well as was the kimchi ramen.. I am on a bit of a ramen rampage so that may have only been me who was obsessed with it but if you like ramen you have to get it. Another winner was the spicy salmon tacos. Wow is all I can say about those. The oxtail ravioli was also delicious but it only came with 4 pieces so you don’t get much bang for your buck there.
I would definitely check out Anju again, especially if I am in one of my “I don’t know what I want to eat” moods since they have a nice variety of tapas to fulfill my needs. We had a ton of fun with Manisha and Rajen, it was laughs all night long! This is also really fun if you have people who like sharing as you can try more dishes in one sitting, or you can just go back a whole bunch, you do you.
Visit our blog at the link below for additional reviews!
Booked in for dinner here on Wednesday night. Nice restuarant very modern appeal. Food is family share style which the group enjoyed. Great variety of cocktails, service was on point with great menu knowledge. Food was on pat the chicken wings here are a big must and the kimchi ramen was delicious and had good spice. Good meal would recommend.
I first discovered Anju many years ago when it still occupied its former, out-of-the-way location on the west side of Downtown Calgary. From the first time I went in and tried the amazing Korean fusion dishes by mastermind chef Roy Oh, I knew that this was a spot I wouldn’t soon forget! Since then, I’ve introduced countless friends to Anju, and I’ve yet to take anyone who hasn’t left the restaurant in love with the ultra-creative, mega-delicious food.
great little restaurant for a good priced meal quick and casual.. service is good but typical of these sort of restaurants.. no frills sot of thing.. i will be back
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Came here for the big taste menu this week. This 65$ menu is normally to showcase the restaurants specialities. However I was disappointed that the ox tail tortellini or the spicy tacos weren't part of the menu, which were recommended by our server. The ambiance is friendly but at times it got too loud and conversations were getting difficult. As this is a tapa/bar setting that's normally expected.
Nevertheless, we proceeded to the big taste experience. The first dish oysters was appetizing, the sweeter apple sauce was a great paring for the oysters, the tofu caprese was not as enjoyable, the mild packaged tofu taste did not go well with tomatoes and balsamic, it simply was "mild" as our waitress referred it to.
Their truffle oil ramen was very intuitive, although the ramen was typical ones you get at the supermarket, the combination of flavours is what increased my appreciation. The Arctic char and the spicy pork was OK, pork tasted like BBQ cha siu, while the fish was put into a spicy dashi aka powdered soup stock, along with Asian veggies, I guess eating many years of Asian cuisine numbs all flavours and took the element of surprise away .
The dessert was probably the main highlight. The peanut butter pot de creme was I felt better than the soy sauce cake. peanuts were mixed into a creme custard layered with 7flavor powered chocolate fondant. Then a coconut sorbet with a biscuit and passion fruit jelly as the cherry. The deconstructed soy cake was a little dry, and the various salty soy sauce jelly and salted mint leaves paste was not as satisfying due to the lack of sweetness in the overall dessert.
Overall it's a positive experience and I recommend this place as an intermediate step towards training yourself to full blown authentic Asian cuisine.
Anju restaurant is a new member of the Concorde group, having moved from its home-styled restaurant to a bigger location on 17th Ave. Having been to both locations, it was nice to see that Anju has been able to keep its quality dishes, while adding more interesting things to the menu. I popped in for brunch, as I had heard good things about their kimchi eggs benny, and I was not disappointed. I was worried that the strong flavour of kimchi would have overpowered the dish, but it seemed to be a good balance with the tender pork belly and toasted bun, offering a flavourful experience with each bite. The presentation of the dish was also well put together, and I thought that the Anju version of hash browns were delicious and crispy. I also thought that the service was quite friendly, and the pricing fair based on the quality of food offered. Overall, a new favourite place for brunch!
Went to Anju last night for a nice date night and the food was pretty great. We had an awesome and helpful server. We got the feature which was bulgogi and it was delicious. Got quite a few appies and they were all delicious. portions are pretty small, and a bit pricey for the amount of food. Crispy tofu was the best I've tried, however seemed pretty expensive for so little. The one thing I wasn't a fan of which was recommended to us was the oxtail tortellini.
What an amazing dining experience this was. Each dish that came out was better than the last. Everything we ate was perfect. Truly a gem of a restaurant. We'll definitely be back.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
We came here on a weekday night and we got a table fairly quickly.
Right off the bat, anju means "food you eat with alcohol" so that was an excellent start...
Just FYI at places like this ("tapa-style" i.e. small portions) I try to pick items that are of good value (i.e. will actually be full at the end of it)
We had:
1. Crispy tofu - the pork belly was necessary for these. Great combo with the mayo but once the pork belly slices were gone it was pretty sad. Could skip.
2. Spicy salmon tacos - great flavours but difficult to eat.
3. Lemongrass gochujang brussels sprouts - GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is like brussels sprouts' naughty naughty cuz. The rice sticks are actually delicious amazing pieces of mochi - the way they fried these was brilliant. GET IT!
4. Braised beef tendon - really filling; good value if you aren't afraid of beef tendon. We actually found the seaweed that accompanied this was not the best vehicle as the tendon would melt the seaweed into a goopy mess. We ended up using the chips that came with the KFC sliders and it was a much better pairing - crunchy + gooey.
5. KFC sliders - these were good enough. I personally like food like I like my humans (saucy AF). Others may enjoy this with the amount of sauce provided but I was frowny.
6. Lettuce wraps (chicken) - standard, could be found at a traditional Korean restaurant. Not sure what the fusion aspect was. Personally felt it would have been better with gochujang over the ssamjang (or at least a choice of the two).
Overall this was a fun evening - the server was fun and provided good recommendations. Great ambience and decor - very "masculine Asian chic." In terms of the food, more misses and mehs over hits but the highlights were definitely notable (I still think about that mochi).
As an aficionado of Korean cooking and Asian fusion cuisine, Anju had long been on my list of places to eat. The only reason I held off from dining there was Kev’s low tolerance for spicy food. Last month, when he finally suggested for us to eat there, I was ravished with delight!. Opening its doors in downtown Calgary, in between 12 Ave and 4 St SW, Anju has received praises and recognition for its take on modern Korean tapas. As noted in its name (‘Anju’), everything there is prepared in small plates, meant to be shared with friends and eaten with alcohol.
WOW! everything here was scrumptious. The service was fantastic! The food was inspired and unique. One of the best places to eat in Calgary and they stay open late! Great prices too considering the quality you're getting.
Anju is a perfect balance between "old school" Korean dishes and contemporary style. The drinks tend to send your bill soaring high, but the food is "moderately" priced for a more upscale restaurant. Great spot for a date, client dinner before a game, or just a good time out with friends. Love this spot!
The restaurant is actually kind of easy to miss in the dark; somewhat nondescript from the outside. Inside, the ambiance is warm, lively, and friendly. We were seated in the dining area, at a round table in the middle of the room. It was somewhat dark, but still open because of the windows. Unfortunately, they turned down the already low lights part way through the meal and it then felt like we were eating in a cave. The only way for us to really get a good look at the food we were served was when I took photos of it – we used the flash from the camera like a flashlight. We mentioned the inappropriate darkness to 2 servers, but apparently the manager didn’t think it was too dark because the lighting didn’t change. Even the table beside us mentioned the darkness to their server. The booths had spotlights above the tables so it wouldn’t have felt so dark at a booth.
By far the best meal and service I have had. Several blow your mind dishes! Absolute must is the oxtail tagliatelle, the wings with chilli sauce and the squid. Im amazed and stuffed with satisfaction. Our waitress May was amazing and gave excellent suggestions and pairings! Super happy, which happens rarely!
I had dinner back at the end of the summer so this is quite long overdue. Anyways, I heard a lot about this place and, to be frank, my experience was exactly like what I was expecting. We had a delightful server who had just the right amount of attentiveness and knowledge, the food was delicious, and the price was high. We ordered the jap chae, KFC (Korean Fried Chicken), the Bibimbap and some baked oysters (which were the special that night) and they all tasted super yummy. If you're looking for that perfect casual fine-dining, I would highly recommend you check this place out!
Opening its doors in downtown Calgary, in between 12 Ave and 4 St SW, Anju has received praises and recognition for its take on modern Korean tapas. As noted in its name (‘Anju’), everything there is prepared in small plates, meant to be shared with friends and eaten with alcohol.
Anju is definitely one of my favourite places to eat in Calgary. Whether you have a big appetite, or looking for some snacks with a pint, Chef Oh has it locked down.
I've always been a fan of his Gochujang wings, the crisp tofu, and the oxtail tortellini. I always recommend the tasting menu if you've never been. Let him take care of your dining experience. You won't be sorry.
Went to Anju recently for dinner. The place we sat at was really dark and it's really loud because the room echoes. We ordered 8 different tapas. Most were of good. This place does use quality ingredients but I just feel the portion/price/quality ratio just isn't worth it to me. I'm going to give their brunch menu a try soon but aside from that I won't return for dinner. I'd rather spend that money trying a new place.
If you've ever watched collegehumour's "Everything Wrong with Trendy Restaurants", come here for the same experience.
Not that it's a bad place. Very nice for catching up with friends over a beer. Don't come here if you're starving though, it's all small plates to share. Oh, and dress nice.
Food is decent. Not the authentic korean, but clean and fancy. The only thing I liked out of all my plates was the stone bowl. Full of veggies and not too heavy. Water is also $1 per bottle (which we didn't know), so it'd be more worth it to try out one of their drinks.
My boyfriend and I were very eager to try this because we heard it was good. Everything was pretty decent tasting. The service and environment is really good. I liked the stone bowl. The appetizers were a bit pricey. It was worth the try though!
Had initial issues making a reservation, which is a deterrent, but they were addressed and resolved.
Brought a friend in for lunch who had never been and our eyes were way bigger than our tummy's but we still ordered four dishes (smaller plates) to share. It was a lot of food but we did our best to finish it all.
We had dolsot bibimbap, crispy tofu with pork belly, lemongrass brussels sprouts, and spicy salmon tacos. I loved it all but right now I am on a caramelized brussels sprouts kick so they were my favourite of this meal. I need to get back there soon to try some more good eats.
The decor is spacious and lovely. Our waitress helpful and friendly. I recommend Anju to any out of towners looking for a great Korean food experience.
Loved the fusion tapas there! Crispy tofu was a must try. The spicy salmon tacos were great too except that it fell apart too easily. Great place to bring a group of friends. We will definitely come back again for dinner!
I'm generally all about the service, which was was clean but it could have been terrible and I would still rave about the restaurant- it lived up to the hype! Amazing innovative cuisine, very creative- even the cocktails impress. My wife loved it here and she "thanked me" for diner after!!! Five stars!!
This Korean fusion restaurant is lovely! The menu items are intriguing and stay close to their roots. The Bibimbap and Dorisak are hearty and delicious.
Food was top notch and so was the service. Had the dolsot bibimbap with beef and the meat was good quality w/ nice searing from the grill. Oxtail tortellini and the brussels sprouts were highlights. Atmosphere is suitable for gatherings with friends and family.
Brought a large group about a month ago. Food was excellent, waitress was great and accommodated eating issues. The experience was fun and lively. Such a great place to go with a group, highly recommend.
The food here was really great. The most memorable dish of the meal was the spicy salmon tacos. I've never had anything like it and found it really enjoyable. Although the food was great, the service was lacking.
The last time I was Anju was in its old location on the backside of downtown, and ever since it took over the old petite location I had really hoped it was still as good as I remembered.
IT WAS! My husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary with dinner here, and we were not disappointed. Don't let the "tasting" menu fool you; these plates are enough to fill anyone. We each had the tasting menu each($50/pp) plus an assorted kimchi platter and a couple drinks each. I was stuffed by the sushi/sashimi platter coming through, and I still managed to stuff down the delicious short ribs and barley risotto. Make sure you come hungry and take your time!
Anju's is an excellent example of a fusion cuisine done right. Maintaining it's cultural background both in its image and its food alike. This restaurant delicately balances Western and Eastern to bring a rare and exciting middle ground for family & friends. The restaurant has high quality food that is delicious and creative. The service here is also friendly and efficient, with a spacious modern interior to top it off. The prices for food is high but also very reasonable for what you get. The only thing I thought was the prices for cocktails (in comparison to their size) is quite underwhelming. Other than that, this restaurant is definitely one to experience.
We’ve been meaning to try Anju for quite some time – but it’s either too busy for reservations or we get distracted by another new restaurant in the area. The fact that it’s so busy seemed to be a testament to its quality, and the other night we were able to snag a reso for dinner.
I really enjoyed the food at Anju! I didn't have high expectations as I'm not usually an Asian-fusion fan - but the food here was excellent. It was full of flavour and the portions are large. We ordered two "small" plates and two larger dishes to share, which was more than enough for two people. The sweet and sour ribs were my absolute favourite and I highly recommend them. The prices were reasonable to a bit high, but the experience was worth it and I felt the meals were worth their value. It is a nice place to meet a group of friends or to have a dinner date.
Overall, a welcoming atmosphere and interesting fusion of flavors, and techniques traditional and modern for tasty tapas and vino. Will be back later to try their tasting menu and their much talked about pork belly wrapped with steamed buns!
Went here for brunch on a Saturday morning, and we were very happy with the food. They managed to include a Korean twist to the brunch which was a pleasant surprise. I definitely go back here again.
A beautiful Saturday where Kim did not have to work! We took full advantage of this situation by visiting Anju to try out their Brunch menu!. Omu- rice- Kimchi fried rice, prawns, egg crepe, ketchup, nori, hash browns. Love the canopy of egg on top! The hash browns provides a great crunchy texture with a hint of sweetness. Only thing in our opinion, was that the rice was a tad under with some harder grains here and there. Overall, a lovely dish.
A beautiful Saturday where Kim did not have to work! We took full advantage of this situation by visiting Anju to try out their Brunch menu!. Omu- rice- Kimchi fried rice, prawns, egg crepe, ketchup, nori, hash browns. Love the canopy of egg on top! The hash browns provides a great crunchy texture with a hint of sweetness. Only thing in our opinion, was that the rice was a tad under with some harder grains here and there. Overall, a lovely dish.
Finally had a Saturday off and wanted to try out the brunch menu here! The food was presented beautifully and had different flavour profiles for brunch then every where else in YYC (other then Gachi ;)). The eggs benny was oozing with beautifully poached eggs and the Pork belly was deeeeeelicious! Melted in your mouth. The omu-rice was so flavourful and made my taste buds do a little dance. The house made hash browns were definitely on the saltier side, but were fantastic and addicting. The plating was done beautifully and will definitely bring some more friends next time (so we can try a little bit of everything haha).
The beef was absolutely delicious! Overall the food was great, but we found that the Banchan Kimchi was on the salty side. Really recommend the mussels too! :)
Anju was a hidden gem back when they were located a small house on the edge of downtown. I'm so glad they opened a bigger location on 17th so that more people can try the food! last thanksgiving I tried to replicate their brussel sprouts and I just can't do it justice. Their take on the bento box is a delicious and affordable lunch option. I love it so much that I bought the Calgary Cooks book just to try a couple more recipes!
Anju has been a standout ever since their old location in that charming house. Even though they've moved and upgraded their digs, the food is just as good as ever. You really cannot go wrong with what you order. At all. If you're planning to go with a larger party, reserve ahead and request the Bo Ssam - it takes 48 hours to prep this amazing pork shoulder, 'nuff said. You can thank me for the recommendation later.
Had an exceptional time at Anju's. Walked by it with few friends and remembered that it was rated on Canada's Top 50 Restaurent. We walked in, and they gladly accommodated our party of 7. We our quite the group of food lovers and we all work in the industry so we tend to get very frantic, epically when it's tapas style. We ordered everything once, then had a second round with our top 10. So of dishes such as the Brussel Sprouts were on the salty side, but most of the dishes were great, well balanced, simply yet elegant presentation. The crispy tofu and pork belly, the Salmon Tacos, Shashimi Salad, The roasted peppers, The grilled salmon, the halibut, the seafood boil, and the oyster Mushrooms were fantastic! The cocktail list is great with some interesting twists on classics and the wine menu is great for whites but lacking in the reds (which is fine, whites usually pair much better with korean). Great Job Anju! 7 Servers, Chefs, Somms, and Bartenders were very satisfied.
Great Asian Fusion food, and good drinks and beer list. Anju is a great restaurant for sharing foods, and there is lots of variety on the menu, and it has a great set up on 17th. Portions are a little small, but definitely still a worthwhile restaurant with a great atmosphere.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes