Tansen Izakaya Edmonton

11044 Whyte Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 0W9, Canada
+1 780-249-8889
$$$ Japanese restaurant , Authentic Japanese restaurant , Izakaya restaurant
(383 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Tansen Izakaya Edmonton sits on a lively stretch of Whyte Avenue, carving out a niche for those seeking authentic Japanese izakaya dining beyond the usual sushi bars. This spot blends a casual yet culturally grounded atmosphere with a practical layout that caters well to both quick lunches and late-night meals, making it a flexible option for students, locals, and anyone in between.

The interior reflects traditional izakaya inspirations, with a mix of bar seating and cozy tables that channel an intimate, convivial vibe common in Japan’s after-work hangouts. It’s noticeably different from typical sushi chains—here, the atmosphere feels more intentional and bustling without being chaotic, especially as the evening crowd rolls in.

Food-wise, Tansen Izakaya earns recognition for its ramen options, particularly highlighting affordable lunch specials where you can enjoy bowls like the Red Ramen or rich Goma Ramen without stretching your wallet. These bowls have drawn in families and groups looking for filling, flavorful meals that don’t sacrifice quality. The ramen's balance of broth, noodles, and toppings offers a satisfying experience that locals appreciate for both comfort and authenticity.

But the menu extends well beyond ramen: selections like Beef Tataki, Hamachi Carpaccio, assorted sushi platters, and a variety of yakitori skewers provide enough breadth for those interested in exploring more of Japanese izakaya culture. Items like the Aburi Salmon Roll and the Chicken Cheese Yakitori skewers stand out for their depth of flavor and fresh preparation, often highlighted in customer conversations. For those seeking something heartier or sharing plates, the Wagyu Beef Hot Stone Grill or fried squid tentacles offer a more indulgent route.

Service at Tansen Izakaya is another notable element—staff tend to be efficient and attentive, especially during busy hours when the place moves at a brisk pace. This efficiency supports the spot’s popularity among patrons who may be on tight schedules, like university students cramming late into the night or diners stopping in for a quick but quality meal. However, during peak times, expect a fairly swift turnover; the lunchtime ramen specials often mean a quick in-and-out experience rather than a lingering meal.

If you’re looking to unwind late or grab a low-key dinner close to Whyte Ave, Tansen Izakaya offers open hours till midnight, addressing those late-night cravings with genuine Japanese flavors in a welcoming environment. Whether it’s a solitary bowl of chicken udon or sharing a round of takoyaki and pressed sushi with friends, this restaurant suits those who value authentic, straightforward Japanese food with a local Edmonton twist.

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

383 Reviews
Kateryna Syrotenko

05 Jan 2026

Delicious ramen and special sushi! Excellent service by Hao, he is definitely a professional! The food was served almost immediately! Especially when we were in a rush to come back to Calgary. Thank you! 5 stars! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

L M

01 Jan 2026

I was honestly amazed! This is the best salmon roll called Aburi on the menu and ramen I’ve ever tasted. The ramen was also the most affordable I’ve had, and I can’t wait to try their Miso Ramen next. Everything was perfect. My only suggestion would be to add just a little salt and pepper to the Chicken Karaage, but overall it was soft, crispy on the outside, and so delicious. The customer service was also excellent, especially to the guy Filipino staff member. My partner and I will definitely be visiting again!

S C

08 Dec 2025

Seriously, $5 Ramen lunch specials. You order and eat and they boot you out. It’s awesome. I went there with my kids and we each ordered a ramen (2 for me) and it was super delicious. The Black, the Red, and the Goma. I liked the Red the best as it had a nice twang to it. 4 bowls of Ramen for $20. Okay I felt bad and ordered Chicken karaage. Totally fell for their marketing genius. Still, for a ramen lunch for 3 and includes chicken karaage and tips for $36. Damn good deal. And I don’t like loitering and appreciate that they need to feed the next customers. I’ll definitely be back. Forget that, I’ll see you next week.

Sofina

25 Nov 2025

This is a hidden gem by the Univeristy area just close to Whyte Ave. They are open until midnight to serve all the late-night cravings or up for a snack while cramming for school. The inside of the restaurant is inspired by its culture and can be seen in the arrangement of the bar and the seated sections as it's different from other sushi places and serves an authentic vibe. It's quite a busy spot for the night as there was some walk in traffic upon on our first visit here too. We tried a variety of items from the menu including the Miso soup, Tuna Sashimi, Veggie Gyoza, Beef Tataki and Chicken thigh skewers all included in the pictures below. The food was inexpensive compared to other restaurants and the service was quick and efficient. The servers are polite and work alongside others to take care of the all guests at each table. The soup was so comforting and flavorful and a must try if you haven't had it before. The sashimi was fresh n smooth like butter melting in your mouth with each bite. The Tataki was also very flavorful and the crispy onions on top lent another layer to the dish. I loved the vegetable gyoza as the dumplings themselves were perfectly made with some great stuffing on the inside and were so yummy. All in all, we enjoyed a great bite of food and would definitely visit again!!

dimitra russell

30 Oct 2025

Food is really good and the 5$ ramen is a great deal however because of the increase in popularity they maybe give you 15 min to order, eat and pay and then ask you to leave during that rush hour. Besides that it’s a great place to eat!

Rosanne Lori Malowany

16 Oct 2025

First time being here. So happy I stopped in for lunch. This Izakaya is fantastic for shareable and drinks. The daily half priced lunchtime ramen is amazingly good. Hand pulled noodles and great broth. The place is packed with people now. Waiter told me the owners ran Ramen Misoya downtown but sold it and now just focus on this place. 2 Chefs are trained in authentic Japanese Ramen soup n Japan. Takoyaki was creamy and piping hot. Yum! I’m going back here for sure!

Enrique Zenteno

03 Oct 2025

This is a nice restaurant near to University of Alberta. They offer a variety of tasty Japanese food. We had spicy tuna and Black Ramen soup.

Nick R

25 Sep 2025

Amazing food and great atmosphere. Can’t go wrong with the ramen at $10, and the sushi is delicious. Drinks are delicious as well, I had the Osaka. Hao is a great waiter that gives great insight on the menu. I did not catch the name of my other waitresses in the past, but always excellent service and an inviting atmosphere. One of my favourite restaurants in the city

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