Wagamama first opened in 1992 and has since grown to over 130 restaurants in the UK alone. It takes its name from the Japanese word for ‘wilful’ and prides itself on following the Japanese practice of kaizen, continuously improving all functions in a business from the CEO to the kitchen. The brand’s take on Japanese cuisine is accessible and all-encompassing, and it routinely branches out into other areas of south east Asian cuisine. This approach has been the cornerstone of its popularity, with branches now a mainstay of high streets and shopping centres alike.
This branch is in Gunwharf Quays, a large shopping and dining complex in Portsmouth, Hampshire. As a result, it is the perfect place to unwind following a day touring the city’s world famous naval heritage, which includes Portsmouth Historic Dockyards, home to HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar.
The food menu is extensive and likely to offer something to suit most tastes. Dishes from the sides and sharing range work equally well as starters, with hoisin pulled duck buns, chicken gyozas, duck gyozas, bang bang cauliflower and chilli squid all on offer.
Ramen dishes headline the main course options. As well as old favourites like grilled chicken and shirodashi pork belly, you’ll also find yasai vegetable gyoza ramen, kare burosu ramen and tatanmen beef brisket ramen. Hot pots make for an equally comforting steaming bowl of warm broth. Chicken, beef or tofu are the three options for this relatively new menu item.
Three kinds of katsu curry (hot chicken, hot vegetables and hot vegatsu) are also on offer. Other curry options include the tofu firecracker and the prawn raisukaree. Teppanyaki dishes are equally well represented, such as the chicken and prawn yaki soba, yasai pad Thai and yaki udon. Soulful bowls make for a lighter main course alternative.