I've been a customer since their first opening day and I still come here to eat. It has improved a lot over the years with new menu items to restaurant renovations and expansions (I still remember the time it was half the size as it was today that was shared with a flower shop). The owner is one of the friendliest person I have ever met, and still surprisingly remembers me. As for food, I always order their Bubble Tea (Avocado), BBQ squid, Hot Beef Rolls, and Ramen if I crave for it. There are a lot of foods that are great and I highly recommend to try them all. This is one of the few places I would keep coming back. Keep up the good work~! read more

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Everything about this place is amazing. Staff are so wonderful, food portions are huge, fresh and delicious and overall ambiance is clean and welcoming. Definitely recommended for any setting, friends, date night or family outing !! read more

Presentable and tasty sushi. Very prompt service Nice and quaint Saki came to table at perfect temperature read more

I crave sushi like a pregnant woman craves peanut butter and pickles lol. I've been going to Li-Ao since the day they opened and I know good sushi and they never disappoint. Highly recommended! read more

Read the reviews and I was super hungry so we ordered lots. The highlight was the agedashi tofu. They didn't have to load up the sauce until it was drowned though. But it was still super delicious. The low was the assorted sushi platter. Some of those prices such as the egg sushi was not edible, I actually spit it out. Kind of a mixed bag here. The tempura squid was good. The menu needs work, they have one menu per table and didn't bring additional menus, the picture menu had no descriptions. Why don't they combine the written with the picture menu? Overall I think it was overrated. read more

Li-Ao Sushi - That egg sushi in the picture is not edible. I had to spit it out immediately. The squid tempura was good though. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

I think Li Ao stands out as the only decent sushi place with fair prices in the deep south. I ordered takeout a few times and the last time was for two sushi/sashimi platters on Thanksgiving weekend for a quick lunch. It didn't come with any miso soups or salads, but it was more than enough for our group of 6. We picked it up within half an hour of ordering, which was pretty quick. They gave us a generous amount of condiments and even 10% off our order. I'm not sure if that's because it's pick up or if the order met a threshold, but a discount's a discount! We devoured the food and were sufficiently stuffed until dinner time. I haven't tried them for dine in, but this is the best option in the deep south for quality sushi. read more

Li-Ao Sushi - Platter deals - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

We needed to grab lunch before heading out for a group hike. I stumbled upon Li-Ao Sushi, which had some good reviews and ratings so we decided to check them out on a late Saturday afternoon. The restaurant is located deep south (Bridlewood neighbourhood) in a random strip mall area but they make up for it with the sweetest staff and dirt cheap prices. Seriously, dirt cheap. We were starved from not eating anything so we went to town on ordering. Li-Ao have a couple monthly specials (see chalkboard) while the rest of the menu is pretty standard Japanese fare. What I don't get is how the front page lets you check off what you want but the back doesn't. So odd...easily fixable but I doubt it'll be changed. The staff are friendly, attentive and go above and beyond to please you (think that kind, endearing Japanese quality). - 3x Green tea ($1.50 each) - standard fare. - Deep fried tuna gyozas - not many restaurants give you free appetizers to start your meal but Li-Ao do! They dropped these off while we were perusing the menu. Crispy fried outside, tasty inside. Good way to start our meal off! - Negi toro roll (#49) ($2.95) and spicy salmon roll (#45) ($2.75) - belly tuna chopped with green onion for the negi toro roll. Salmon, cucumber and spicy sauce for the spicy salmon roll. Simple but good. - Avocado roll (#52) ($2.95), salmon roll (#54) ($2.95) and tuna roll (#55) ($2.95) - 6 pieces of avocado/sesame seeds, salmon and tuna. These were standard maki rolls. Nothing special but these were cheeeeeeeeeap. At least my sis can eat these without all the fancy drizzled sauces on top. - Sunomono salad (#82) ($3.95) - a traditional Japanese vinegar salad with noodles. I think this is the first time I've had this. The octopus was fresh and the noodles were soaked in a sweet, soup style broth. - Seaweed salad (#84) ($4.95) - seaweed salad is always a winner in my books. Chewy, crunchy texture with each mouthful. I could eat this all the time. - Tempura yam (#90) ($4.25) - crisp yam, battered and fried. The tempura was light, not greasy and pretty reasonable for the price. - Tataki (#111) ($8.95) - briefly seared beef, sliced thinly and seasoned with ginger. We forgot to order this originally so we flagged our waitress down and had it near the end of our meal. Light, thinly sliced, tender beef with a sweet ponzu sauce. Good stuff. - Assorted sashimi (#113) ($18.95) - 15 pieces of sashimi. You get six types of sashimi (salmon, tuna, scallops, tako, red snapper and red tuna) and egg (think they threw these in as extras). $18.95 for 15 pieces of sashimi is a GOOD deal. Everything tasted fresh and for the price, you can't really complain (too much). However, the salmon and tuna were cut quite thickly. If you're into quantity, you'll be a happy camper. My favourite were the scallops and tako. - Salmon mango roll (#63) ($9.95) - tempura shrimp, mayo, avocado, salmon and mango. Pretty standard fare roll wise. - King salmon crunch roll ($12.95) - this was one of their May special rolls. We tried ordering another of their specials (black cod) but they were already out of it so we went with the king salmon roll instead. The waitress that served us was a real gem. She gave our whole group each a pack of Pocky at the end of our meal (I think she said they usually only give them out to girls). If you want a cheap place to grab sushi, check out Li-Ao Sushi! read more

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Great food the sushi is awesome! Been a few times and will always go back, when I want anything from something small or a good feed of sushi, read more

Has anyone heard of Kinjo? I remember years ago when the first Kinjo opened on MacLeod Trail- the owner of this restaurant was one of the chefs at Kinjo. He quit and started this restaurant. Therefore, I find the menu to be much of the same. At the time he went and saw everything that was wrong with the Macleod Kinjo such as not enough table space. Having the sushi boats that took up a lot of room was a bad choice and he knew not to do that for his restaurant. I just see it too much of a copy cat from Kinjo, unfortunately. So if I think it is like Kinjo but more expensive I might as well just go to Kinjo! read more

Henry and his team provide excellent fare at reasonable prices, and with exemplary service.

Had a hankering for sushi, Li-Ao had a good rating so came here to try it. Strip mall, lots of parking, deep SW, lots of tables, not busy at all. Service was great and prices were reasonable. We were given a complimentary appetizer of fried wonton. The Wonton wrapper wasn't particularly conducive to frying, however the sauce was great and for the price of free it can't be beat. The hiyashi udon was on special. Essentially a cold udon dish with tempura. This dish is simple and perfect. The portion was a bit small, but the udon was cooked perfectly (retains a good bite/bounce), the sweet and salty soy base had grated daikon which added freshness and the wasabi on the side added a great kick. The tempura was crunchy and good as well, but the highlight were the udon noodles. We also ordered the inside out combo (dynamite roll, california roll and volcano roll) and the winter soldier special roll. The inside out combo was OK but nothing special. The winter soldier roll was a mixed bag. The sushi was great, especially the sauce and the scallop with the mayo. However the salmon had an odd color and texture without the usual oiliness. As other reviewers have mentioned, they give out free Pocky (chocolate or strawberry) after your meal which is definitely a plus. Overall, good place for solid sushi in the SW at reasonable prices. Will need to return to try sashimi at some point to determine fish quality. read more

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The menu has good variety and quality. I always leave full and satisfied. The atmosphere of the restaurant is welcoming and it is clean. The owners and staff are a friendly bunch. You also get a choice of Pocky at the end of your meal. Bonus! I like that they also offer delivery. Not usually common for restaurants. It's a good option to have. read more

Li-Ao Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

Didn't have the best experience here this afternoon. First off, we had to ask for our Gyoza appetizers. You usually get them, but since we ordered some we didn't get them. When I asked about the free appetizers, our waitress looked at me and said "You still want them" ? All we ordered today. -Miso soup -Tamago sushi -Spicy California roll -Teriyaki beef -Ginger beef -Tempura shrimp -Steak bites, with a side of whi0te rice -Ramen All was relatively tasty except for the Ramen. It was tasteless, with small pieces of Chinese flavoured pork. Topped with a mesculin mix ? The ginger beef was rock hard. The Teriyaki beef was stringy. All the food came out sporadically. The service was also on the slow side All this for $70 dollars. Not even a goodbye when departing. Also when being here in the past, all people dining would receive POCKY'S. Today only the women and children. I use to enjoy coming to this place. I even came here for my birthday lunch at the beggining of March. It's funny how a bad experience can leave a bad taste In your mouth. Sorry Lio's I think this may be my last visit. read more

Li-Ao Sushi - Open kitchen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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My kids love this place so I love this place. The staff are friendly and quick, great with kids. The food.. Oh the food is so good!! My kids love the Miso Soup, they had 2 bowls in one sitting. The dumplings are unlike any I've tried, so crispy and the sauce is delicious and tangy. We ordered the Maki combo plate. We got 1 salmon, 1 tuna and 2 California rolls. They were fresh and tasted great. My son thought the California rolls has to much mayo on the crab. But I thought they were great. We also had an order of Prawn tempura - Crispy on the outside and plump prawn on the inside. Yum!! Thank you for being so close to home, we will be back again! read more

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Really great sushi for the value! Not to mention the service was impeccable. I've never met a more friendly and happy, smiling server before. She greeted us and took us promptly to our table. We were given complimentary dumplings to start and our sushi and sashimi platter was really fresh and tasty. Thick generous portions, fresh fish. The smoked salmon sushi was unusual but awesome. End of the meal, we got a pack of pockys which was a really nice touch. Overall highly recommended! Four stars for food, +1 from the service. Good value, tasty, fresh fish, amazing service. Bam! Five star performance, bravo. read more

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Li-Ao Sushi, located in the Shoppes of Bridlewood, offers fresh sushi and authentic Japanese dishes. With their second location found in Nolan Hill Blvd NW, you really got to try Li-Ao if you haven't done so already! Li-Ao Sushi is not new to me, I used to be a regular customer a couple years back and now I occasionally drop by from time to time. I've notice a lot of changes with Li-Ao over the years and the biggest change that caught my eye was their logo out in front. I'm not sure when they changed it but it does look fresher than before! Yes the prices are cheap but the plating, the portion and the flavour packs a punch. Upon seating at a booth you'll receive complementary deep fried tuna gyoza, where else can you get a complementary sample? No where! Make sure you can finish what you ordered, I accidentally went a little overboard but hey it was actually worth it. Now I can describe in detail every single dish that was ordered but I rather not and let the pictures do all the talking, all I can say is the plating, portion and flavour does make a big difference. If I were to criticize a particular dish it would be the AAA Steak Combo, why? My only concern is the meat to rice ratio is waay off. Lots of rice but not enough steak to have per serving unless the ratio balances so it would me an equal of rice to meat to vegetable but nevertheless it is still a good dish either way! I would recommend Li-Ao to everyone and would differently come back again in the near future. Li-Ao is the number one go to for a non AYCE sushi restaurant in the Deep South. read more

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This place unfortunately sits a bit in the shadow of Kinjo which is not too far from this location. I see that a few other reviewers mentioned that the chef used to work with Peter Kinjo, which explains the similarities with the pocky and menu as well. Having said that, this place is worth checking out if you're in the area. Prices are reasonable and the food is quite delicious. I love getting the tokoyaki for appetizers, and their iced matcha is amazing during summer. If you're in the area and considering stopping by, I would highly recommend! read more

I've been a regular customer here for a few years and not once have I been let down. It's a good environment for families, friends, and dates with the bae. Their sushi is always good, they're efficient and hella friendly as well. S/o to Rainbow for always stepping up her game! She practically runs the joint and she's always smiling and always happy to serve. read more

Li-Ao Sushi - Winter Soldier roll, lol! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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I normally don't write reviews unless the service was outstanding. As for my experience at Li Aos, it was one of the worst I have experienced. On Google, it states that this restaurant was opened until 10pm. Came in at 8:45, and the waitress at the front informed us that they close in 15min and told me and my wife that they cannot serve us. So we asked them if we could order something to go as we respected their uninformed closing time . While we're waiting for our food (3min before closing), 2 other customers came in and the waitress told the customers that they would be closing within 3 mins but after a brief chat with the staff in the back, they were told they could grab a table. When asked about the situation, the waitress unapologetically explained to us that the staff in the back told her to serve them. This is totally unacceptable. We would never come back to this place and would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

This is not the place to stuff your mouth like in an all you can it, it's about flavour and quality, and last but no least, the impecable and fun service that makes this the place with the best vibe in Calgary, wait, did I mention how welcoming are they with kids??? Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive sushi in the city, but believe me, this place is worth every penny from the moment you walk in and Henry greets you! I'm not a fan of dining out with my very young children, excepting for this place! read more

Li-Ao Sushi - Does your child need more motivation to eat and behave? Not mine! Best charm ever! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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Liao sushi is the best sushi in my city. I eat here all the time and the workers and chiefs are amazing. Strongly recommend please try them out! read more

Li-Ao Sushi - Volcano rolls, shrimp sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

This place really is a hidden gem waaaaaay down south. We'd been at Spruce Meadows for an event and needed something quick to take the edge off before dinner in a few hours. Yelped it up, found this place and headed over. It's nestled between the British Chippy and a Chinese restaurant. Quite open and airy, the staff are friendly. We got seated right away and had drinks brought promptly. Bonus points for a tea pot that doesn't spill/leak when you pour! We were brought a complimentary sample of the tuna potstickers (I think that's what they were!), which were excellent. I'm not a huge fan of tuna but I really enjoyed it. We also ordered miso soup, a couple of slices of red tuna sashimi (nice and large for a good price) and a couple of rolls. Personally, I think the rice was lacking something, but otherwise really good sushi for a great price. They did something reminiscent of another sushi restaurant in Calgary and gave us Pocky at the end of the meal (not one, but two!) We didn't have any sake but I noticed that if you ordered the large (10oz) vs regular (5oz) there's actually a price break, whereas most places just charge double for the large size (and then it's like... why offer the "large" option at all?). They also have bubble tea, but only two flavours and it's the milk kind so I couldn't partake due to my dairy allergy. All in all, if I were ever in the area I'd definitely make my way back down. read more

Passed by the neighbourhood, very hungry and checked the review saying it's good, so my husband and I decided to try. It's a very typical Chines sushi, not Japanese. Lack of plating and not elegant. But the price was reasonable, food was um...just okay. The waiter was nice, and the place gives ladies / kids a box of Pocky just like what the other Japanese restaurants do. But the day I was there, the floor was sticky and bugs & flies were everywhere, and there was a bug actually landed on our sushi when we were eating!!!!! Gross! read more

Wow...this place is legit! If it were somewhere closer to civilization then I'm sure it would be jammed 24/7. First off, when I walked into the place and every single employee shouts something in Japanese to you....totally reminded me of every restaurant I went to in Japan. Then when I noticed that no one really speaks great English then I knew this place was gonna be good. Huge portions of fish served nigiri or sashimi and it was sooooo fresh.....and cheap! I like how there is a variety of tuna to choose from and a variety of different cuts aswell.The sake was actually a brand I recognize and was nice a smooth. All in all it was a hit....not the absolute best sushi I've ever had, but definitely a sweet score for the price. If I can find an excuse to be in that neighborhood then I'll definitely be stopping in again! read more

yum...need I say more? Of course I'll say more...these guys deliver...to Marda Loop. Prices are very competitive for Calgary. Food was amazing - not a crap load of rice on the rolls like most sushi joints in this city. Fresh and amazing. The delivery guy...driving a BMW and in his kitchen whites...not the usual kind of driver who shows up. Very impressed - will DEFINITELY order from them again. I can't wait to actually go in this place. read more

I really like the recently-renovated Li-Ao, and it is honestly my favourite sushi place in town. While other sushi places may have similar quality, the value is incredibly impressive. So the quality of the food for the price is particularly good. Their rolls are the best thing on the menu. I have a particular soft spot for their Dynamite rolls. I also appreciate it when a sushi restaurant gives me Pocky sticks after my meal. This is what they always do. read more

Do you love overeating? Then Li-Ao is for you! I don't think I've ever had an item I didn't enjoy, and my eyes & imagination are always bigger than my stomach. Li-Ao is the real deal for sushi in Calgary. It seems to me that as most sushi places meet with success, their portion sizes, especially when it comes to sashimi, start to reduce - I am looking directly at you Globefish. Henry and the team at Li-Ao are fantastic. They are always looking to find new and interesting things to create, and their food is very consistent (I've been there 30+ times). read more

I eat a lot of sushi and this is my favourite spot in Calgary. They have a great selection of traditional and modern takes. Their seasonal creations are interesting and tasty. The staff are wonderful and always send us on our way each with a box of Pocky. My only suggestion would be to offer Sapporo (or another Japanese beer) on tap. read more

OMG I just want to say that this is my go-to sushi place now. Our meal started with a free sample of gyoza that was delicious. The place is clean and nicely furnished, prices were reasonable, and the food is DELICIOUS. My favorite has to be the mango rolls, which were about $9 for 8 pieces. It was absolutely delicious, and the service was SPECTACULAR. I was also delighted when they gave me a box of pocky afterwards. A super convenient location and super reasonable prices for very good food and service! Definetly reccomend!!! read more

Li-Ao Sushi - the DELICIOUS mango rolls!! MUST TRY! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

Excellent food and service. By far the best place in south Calgary. The good: -The portion sizes on sashimi are VERY generous -The staff are always friendly and the owner is always running around helping -Significant free samples are given as an appetizer every time I have been there -They give each person a whole box of chocolate or strawberry Pocky after every meal -They are licensed and the sake they carry is excellent -Prices are competitive compared to even most grocery stores The bad: -Hard to get into/get a really fast delivery if you go during prime hours. This is just because of how crazy popular it is. Quick tip: Order the calamari. It is incredible. The tentacle bits are crispy, the rings and head thing are extremely tender, and the sauces are absolutely to die for. read more

Super tasty sushi! The service was fast, attentive and friendly. The portions were huge too. The prices were reasonable especially for what we got and the waitstaff treated us like they really wanted us to be there. I honestly can't wait to go back! read more

I have been here soooo many times and have spent several special occasions here for birthdays and anniversaries. This sushi restaurant is my favourite to go to by far. The customer service is spectacular, food is phenomenal, and they are very reasonably priced. Everyone I know that has been to this restaurant also says the same. This is the best in Calgary by far. I highly recommend trying their Male Dragon and Yam Tempura special rolls. They are fantastic. read more

Big Portions for their late night special! I was able to share it with a friend and we were so full afterwards! This restaurant serves fresh sushi even late at night! This is probably the best sushi restaurant for Calgary (big bang for your buck!) read more

Li-Ao Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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Sushi. Simplified. Good, friendly service. I was surprised that this popular and highly-rated place appeared so normal. No fancy decorations or fishtanks. Just good, fresh, affordable sushi, etc. And good service. The rolls were tasty and well-executed, the cones were new to me but a nice handheld twist. The black sesame mochi was really good so save room. It was not something trying to be what it is not. If you want fancy, go elsewhere. If you want food in a friendly atmosphere... And a lot of it for reasonable prices, go here! read more

Amazing take out, super fresh, really friendly service, one of the best sushi spots in the NW

Probably one of the best, if not the best sushi place in Calgary. My colleagues and I regularly come to Li-ao to have our monthly meetings over Sushi. The Sashimi has always been fresh, sushi always good. Chicken Katsu is also good. I haven't had anything that was un-palatable. Service is excellent and value is unbeatable. The only thing i don't really like is their bubble tea. That, however, is not a problem since I always get their hot tea. If my girlfriend or I are craving sushi, Li-ao is our go-to destination. You won't get any better value for your money when it comes to sushi. read more

Very good appetizers (lobster taco, tatoyaki) and very yummy rolls (winter soldier). I have been here only once but would love to visit again. read more

I'll come to realize that all sushi places have small portions of sushi! We like it here because it's Quality! I don't know why we stop coming but now we're coming back again! So many places to choose from! Honestly it's very good to hear! I like the owners here they are very friendly!They try to keep your customers very happy read more

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This is the greatest sushi place in the universe, please don't go, I want there to be room for me always. The service is awesome. Love feZ read more

I and my daughter really loves it! Sushi are prefect and fresh.