Ikusa Izakaya & Tokyo Market

TL;DR - Hollow hype This place has a ton of great reviews, but they seem unfounded. It was packed when we went, but that meant the overworked server helping us was barely around. When we eventually got our food, the sushi was unplesantly dry (and unagi was cold), the skewers were cold and flavorless, and the ramen was akin to overcooked Mr. Noodles with frozen pork cutlets. Save your money, go somewhere else.

Update January 2024 Ikusa keeps on getting better and exploring more of their menu is blowing-up my taste buds. All wait staff and management set the standard in hospitality, professionalism and attentiveness. The chef's really put out a quality, tasty product and if you get the chance to sit at their kitchen-side seating, they will also put on a show of professionalism and art in motion, preparing meals. Original review... Thank you for letting me order a take - out soup with extra noodles at closing time. Staff were very accommodating. The soup was delicious, the noodles cooked to perfection and the spicy broth is really awesome. It's not my first time there and I'll continue to visit because of this. Blessings to you all who work there 🙏 It's approximately one month since my first review and because of the original service, I have returned repeatedly. Nothing has changed other than me now being addicted to all of the menu and the continued exceptional service. The Manager, wait staff and kitchen staff are all amazing. Thank you 👍

As you enter the restaurant, you are greeted with a mini grocery section with different types of ramen, soups, sauces, ingredients, candy, cookies and kitchenware. As for the sushi, it was beautifully displayed and breathtakingly fresh. The rolls were a perfect size to eat in one mouthful. The best part was the hot stone grilling of the wagu and triple AAA steaks. The texture of the miso ramen, with the chasu, egg, onions, bamboo shoots, corn and dried seaweed brought out the sweet and salty taste int the soup base. Topping the experience is the personal service by the server, cooking our fried rice on the hotplate, explaining each step and how each ingredient is added to enhance the flavour in the rice. The daily specials encouraged us to introduce our friends and family to try Ikusa's renowned dishes throughout the month of July.

A very cozy corner in the Bridgeland area. There is parking right outside of the restaurant, very convenient location. Was meeting a few friends for lunch and we ordered a 10-piece sushi, a spicy crunch roll, grilled squid, some skewers and a ramen to share. Food was decent and I especially enjoyed the pork belly skewer the most! Their lunch ramen is also a good deal as well! It was $10 for a bowl of tonkotsu black ramen with 3 slices of chasiu. It’s a cool place for friends to hang out!

This izakaya has a unique interior that I really like, especially the area near the entrance filled with a variety of Japanese snacks, seasonings, and food items, which is very soothing. They offer a "Build-Your-Own Ramen Lunch" with 3⃣️soup bases, 2⃣️types of noodles (regular, thin), customizable spiciness, and seven additional meat options. I chose the spiciest option, but it wasn't spicy at all, quite mild. Surprisingly, the ramen was the least satisfying item I ordered. They also serve grilled skewers, sushi, and chicken balls. The grilled chicken skin is delicious.

The service was good. The salmon and oysters were fresh. But the beef tongue yakitori was cold by the time it was served. The other six yakitori were also just warm that we didn't have time to finish them before they turned cold. The lady said the manager could offer a 20 percent off on the beef tongue yakitori, yes, 80 cents off. I'd prefer your sincere apology to 80 cents. I guess I'm not in the deli section of the supermarket but the yakitori restaurant. 80 cents off is more like an offense to me.