Wagamama serves up a variety of simple Japanese dishes in a canteen-style, sociable environment.

The Venue
Unless you stumble upon this branch of Wagamama during a stroll around the City or work nearby, you’ll need an A to Z to find it. Head across London Wall from Liverpool Street towards Tower 42 and tucked in behind it, in an alleyway, is the perfectly formed Wagamama. Designed to fit into a long narrow space, the architect has taken inspiration for the building from the Japanese love of sleek straight lines, and it works well.

The Atmosphere,br> If you’ve ever visited one of these highly-popular Japanese chains, you’ll know what to expect – something akin to a pleasant conveyer belt experience. The staff are congenial, and in this restaurant, quite playful (although it may have had something to do with it almost being closing time). Canteen-style tables induce a relaxed vibe but aren’t the best option if you want privacy, so choose somewhere else for a romantic liaison.

The Food
The menu is typically Japanese, minus the sushi, and ordering is a quick affair, if somewhat rushed by staff. Offerings include a good mix of vegetarian, meat and fish dishes along with a decent mix of starters. Duck gyoza – deep fired duck dumplings – are like miniature crispy duck pancakes and come accompanied with hoi sin dipping sauce. For mains, the katsu curries are very popular – the vegetarian option comes with four or five slices of tempura fried sweet potato, aubergine, courgette or carrot, served with a mound of sticky rice covered in a thick Japanese style curry sauce; think chip shop curry. Chicken katsu curry is a breast of chicken sliced in two, breaded and fried, also served with a mound of rice and curry sauce.

If you’re ravenous try one of their ramen noodle soups; a miso based egg noodle soup with your choice of meat or veg served in a huge bowl, you’ll have room for nothing else. The specials menu changes once in a while, though rarely excites and the dessert menu is in desperate need of a revamp as it must be at least a few years old but overall, although the mango and lychee sorbet is always a zesty palate cleanser. They must be doing something right though because many return time and time again.

The Drink
Asahi, Kirin and Tiger are just a few of the Japanese or Asian beers on offer, all of which are sometimes difficult to find in London bars. They’re generally light and easy to drink so accompany Wagamama’s food well. There are good handful of reasonably priced wines such as, a Spanish Tempranillo from the Navarro region at just under £16.00 and a Chardonnay-Pinot Grigio Italian white at about £13.00. If you choose to venture to any Wagamama chain, try their fresh fruit juices; the apple juice is especially good and marries with the flavours of the east surprisingly well. And, of course, as with any Japanese restaurant you’ll find their traditional home-brew, sake.

The Last Word
If it’s healthy quick chow you’re after at prices that won’t make a Samurai swoon, then Wagamama is the place to come. There are branches all over London serving the same menu with pretty much the same ambience, so don’t expect anything too special. Look out for their frequent two meals for the price of one offers too.

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