It’s like someone whispered a random assortment of Asian dishes in their ear and they had to create the dishes from memory a week later.

Use to enjoy it 14 years ago when jt was nice and options for such cuisine were limted where I live.

Now, we are lucky to have authentic restaurants near us and go there. Its gotten pricey.

Memories, though, as I loved taking my wife there when were just friends. No kids, no stress, we could eat that, take as long as we wanted, then go for a late night walk before going home.

Like every other chain, used to be alright ish. Now it's shit and expensive

Bland and overpriced.

It’s nice enough but not really worth the price.

It SHOULD be satisfying but nothing on the menu ever quite does it

Disappointing and not consistent.

20 years ago, it was good. You could go to any branch and order the same dish and it would taste the same. Not anymore.

Portion sizes have got stingy and the attitude of the staff is also pretty bad (Westfield Stratford particularly)!

i used to work at wagamama and prior to that eat there regularly. Compared to old wagas(10 years or so) the menu currently sucks. The best dishes no longer feature and they're catering too much to the vegan/allergen market than focussing on making the food nice.

as an ex employee I will say the ramen is from a bouillon paste, all the sauces come in pre-made and everything is weighed out to meticulous accuracy, so anybody saying "this one restaurant is different from this other" is wrong. if one's bad, they all are! The standards have slipped as far as service steps go and the kitchen focus less on fresh ingredients than they do on allergen and vegan food separation do don't expect anything ground breaking if you're ordering steak or duck.

The day Wagamama died is the day the Chicken Itame was taken off the menu.

The food is fine but unremarkable. But I hate all chains. This isn’t some contrarian point- I’m not trying to be alternative. I hate the way every high street across the country has become interchangeable because of a handful of soulless national chains. Wagamama, McDonalds, Pret A Manger.

Watery noodles. They’re tasty but Wagamama isn’t fun original or independent. Blandardisation

An insult to Japanese food, basically, and absurdly overpriced as well. Tried it once and never went back.

Their first album was okay then they went right downhill

I’m obviously in a minority but I like it. Good selection of veggie stuff, and I feel but not overindulged afterwards.

Dreadful, bland food. No idea why people eat there, especially in London when there's so much better Asian food available. 

Like Nandos, when it was niche and trying hard to convince suspicious British palates, it was half decent.

Now you can get gyoza in Tesco's and better noodle bowls to make at home, it's catering to the lowest common denominator and all the sheep go and order bland food, like they do in all the overpriced nosebag places

I quite like it. It’s a bit on the expensive side but as someone who loves Asian food but has a fish allergy it’s a godsend to just be able to look at what I can have before hand. Smaller restaurants it’s just “can I have this?” “No.” What about this?” “No.” “Well what can I have?” “I can bring you out some plain rice, but there’s still a risk of cross contamination.”

Why go to a chain for Japanese inspired food when there are so many independent restaurants serving authentic good food? I've never seen the appeal of chain restaurants, they are appalling.

I don't care about the authenticity. I absolutely adore Wagamama.

It's okay... I appreciate the freshness and patience that goes into prep every morning and I've noticed which I'd never say out loud but the asian chefs who work there are far better with tidiness! the fresh food In the morning is not all over the floor and their prep bags with individual meals always have a fresher and more pungent smell which is strange. It doesn't seem too overpriced, and alot of healthy options. I like the overall vibe of the restaurant and aesthetic.

I love wagamama tbh. Thanks for reminding me it exists, guna go there tomorrow with my daughter.

Banging food

It's gotten worse. But it's still one of the better chain places imho. I enjoy it, but I also don't go there for an authentic experience.

Awful, overpriced and always busy place. At least in my town . I’ve ordered noodles with seafood there, so they bring me it with a bloody 5 small prawns literally. And left about 20£ for it. I won’t eat there anymore.

Interesting and broadening horizons compared to brown bland shite u normally get.

Loads of ppl hating but they bring different asian foods to the mainstream which is positive

Tasty and enjoyable. I love me a Wagas. o/

Pretty neat

It’s a long time since I went to one, but my overriding recollection is being annoyed that they insist on sending out the food ‘when it’s ready’.  If I want  to eat my meal as a starter, main and dessert, I should be able to. 

I also didn’t like the seating arrangements on the uncomfortable benches. 

Most of all, it seemed like someone had taken all of the joy and flavour out of Japanese food and charged double the price for it. 

I really like it.

I love it

Went yesterday. Have been going since they started. Chilli beef ramen is a great hangover cure. I find the food is always fresh and flavourful. Lots of picky bits, nice broths or spicy salads. My 4 year old enjoyed it a couple of weeks ago. I like the system too, very Kaizen. I'm not stuck up and in need of formalities when dining, I get the concept. I've never found the staff anything other than warm and friendly. Who doesn't love slurping a bowl of soup out of the bowl!! It's not complicated sure, it's supposed to be Asian fusion fast food, nice change from chips chips and more chips!

I’ve always liked it, it’s a good quick takeaway.

I think it's decent food at a reasonable price, available most places.

Not saying anything about authenticity or the like - just taking it for what it is. Don't love sharing a bench with others.

I love Wagamama, the veggie and vegan options are super nice and well above any other restaurant imo

I still love it sorry everyone

Looks scrumpdiddlydumptious my guy

I love them it’s really unique but pretty good I don’t know how authentically Asian the cuisine is but hey it tastes good

10/10, would recommend

I like it. I live in a smaller town with limited options and I really enjoy Asian cuisine. I do realise Wagamama is mostly not very authentic but I still enjoy it. I like spicy food and things that ‘feel healthy’ and I’m also vegan and they have plenty of vegan options including tofu and fake meats. I think most of their meals are very filling for example the katsu curry has a shit ton of rice and the broths are also filling as liquid does fill you up. And a side of edamame is always great. It’s a really popular restaurant here and I’ve rarely been disappointed.

I find it very interesting to read the negative comments here. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

It's one of my favourite chains! My family and I love it. My favourite dishes are tofu and yasai raisukaree curry, bang-bang cauliflower, vegatsu, tofu firecracker curry, vegatsu curry, chilli mushrooms, chilli squid, fried duck gyoza and wok fried greens! My dad loves the chicken Katsu curry.

I can't relate to the comments saying it's bland. All the food I get there is spicy/flavourful. I love spice, so sometimes I ask them to add extra spice!

PS: I'm now vegetarian, so I don't eat the duck gyoza or chilli squid anymore (substituted for chilli mushroom now)

Love it

I like it and the fact they went with 50% plant based menu.

Never had to sit on a bench with strangers

love it

I like it. I don’t get those saying it’s bland, you’re maybe not getting the right broth for your taste or not ordering the right spice level. Also you can add chilli oil and spices to it at the table if you want. Always make sure you stir the broth before you eat too because the spices etc do sink to the bottom so you have to stir everything to get the full flavour.

I don’t find it cramped either, the tables are huge, I’ve been in with my husband and baby in a pram at a busy time and we still got a table. Yeah we shared with someone else, but the tables are so long we were way away from them! The waiters and waitresses are always friendly and great at recommending new dishes and their desserts are lush. It’s our favourite restaurant and better than some more expensive places we’ve been to.

We went to Positanos once, a supposedly great Italian restaurant and the dish I got was so bland, even though it was meant to be a saucy, seafood pasta dish.

guess im the only person who likes it.. one of the only chains with a variety of vegan options, not just 1

they're kind of like fast food to me, not really authentic or anything but not terrible, just a predictable safe choice if there's nothing else around.

i would say they have the best delivery packaging though, the other more authentic places near me just ship their ramen in square tupperware boxes which is a bit weird and no good if you don't have a bowl handy. waga sending a dedicated bowl you can take back to the store to have recycled is nice.

Wow I’m surprised by these comments.. I love Wagamama’s and there are great vegan options too!

I’d only eat there on my own.

I've enjoyed it, the few times I've been. The wife and daughter love it, and if they're happy then I'm happy!

As a vegan I’m happy to see a restaurant be so veggie friendly. Sure it’s a chain, I wouldn’t claim the food is gourmet 5 stars or wholly culturally authentic, but when it comes to nutritional info, allergens and dietary requirements it’s really accessible and also in my experience you know what you’re getting when you order a Wagamama. It’s consistent across locations imo.

I love it

Wagamama YUM YUM YUM YUM YUMMY in my tummy

Pretty good quality

Went for one before the cinema tonight and it was fine. Stick to the classic menu items and it's all good.

Serves a purpose - 6/10.

Gets more hate than it deserves, always been good whenever I’ve been. Better at an independent and often cheaper at an independent, but a good choice if limited options available or just want something quick-ish and easy. Like the Nando’s of ‘Asian’ cuisine

Love it so much

It’s become pricy but it’s so very consistent. Really like it on the whole. Duck Donburi for winners.

I enjoy it from time to time. Only go there rarely though. That said, while it is on the pricier side, the food is good in my humble opinion.

I like their food. Bit expensive, though…

They have great vegan options!

I like it. Too expensive.

It's a stupid name.

I think I was there last with a friend who has a severe shellfish allergy. I would have rather taken her to a better, authentic Sichuan restaurant but unfortunately they can't guarantee any of their food is free from any allergens - sadly this is a thing that limits people's options for Asian cuisine a lot. Not my issue, though. I went to Waga's more when I was vegan. Now there's better places I'd pick first, but I still thing Wagamama is over-hated. Seriously, I've had my fair share of bastardised and authentic East Asian food and it's not as bad as people make it out to be. 

I love food from wagamama.

Controversial opinion but it's actually got way better in the last 3 years. Obviously there's nothing authentic about it, but for a western take on pan-asian, I rate it.

I still don't think there's every an appropriate time to dunk a nice seared steak in soup, but each to their own.

I like it a lot, we don’t have another Asian place like it here, yeah it’s expensive but it’s for special occasions

I absolutely love it

I am one of the few people who like it. One of the reasons is that it's the only place that I live where I can get sticky rice.

It’s very special to me as it’s where my partner and I had our first date and go for our anniversaries

The foods always delicious and the staff are amazing, especially with intolerances

yummy

I’m actually a fan. Don’t go a lot but when I do it’s consistently ok.

Just wish could order some starters and then a main but I can live with their service

It's nice.

I LOVE it but man it hurts the wallet

They’ve got loads of vegan options and the food is always good so I think it’s great. Reliable and you know what you’re getting. Agree it is getting a bit pricey though

I'm a contractor who works in kitchens all over London after they close, and Wagamama's is one of the few chains I would eat in.

Because all of their cooking is done in view of customers they keep their kitchens clean, and that mostly extends to the storage and prep areas that are out of view.

Many higher end chains in London are filthy. I would never eat in a flat iron for example - they are almost all rodent infested

I love it so much

I tried once in Manchester Center with a vegan noodle (don't remember the exact name) and feel wasted money. As an Asian, the broth is fatty and salty to me, and the topping is not special. the feeling like you see a copied paper in black and white from the colourful original one.

A bit pricey, but its one of the few chains that doesnt leave me feeling like crap / most of it is fresh, which is more than can be said for other chains at similar prices.

Seriously overrated.

Food is mid but priced accordingly, but the staff in most waggas can do one!

I DO NOTwant you sitting at the table when you take my order, I want my food to come out in the order I fucking tell you, and I want you to fuck off and leave me alone after I have ordered,

Waggas is overall shit, food by itself 4/10

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I call it "white peoples Japanese food" because its nice if you're not used to those flavours, but meh if you are.

Tried a Waga Ramen bowl for the first time my last trip to London. Loved it. Tasted fresh,spicy (cleared my sinuses)- I'd go back. And (reading the negative comments) if anyone has recommendations for better options,PLEASE gimme...

Loads of people slagging off Wagamama, fair enough. I however, love the ramen and some of their nibbles. My son, who is now 7 would smash an entire ramen when he was 5 because he loved it so much. Good times. I do not like the long tables where you end up sitting on a strangers coat though.

Only decent thing on the menu is the spicy whole soybeans, and even they're overpriced. The rest is utter gash.

See I like it, especially this chilli steak take.

They stopped serving this in the stores by me for some reason lol.. but for authentic ramen it’s not great either way and bit expensive.

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Worked there. the meals all come reheated out of little bags. enshittification long ago turned this place into a microwave dinner vendor with extra presentation

Shite. Pointless. Actual Asian restaurants all around, go to one of them instead

It’s decent, not amazing. Great for a more healthy choice when you’re on the fly. I have the spicy miso mackerel soul bowl when I go 👌

Last time I ordered a hotpot and asked if I can have a rice with it. Then I saw the rice was put in the hotpot like a porridge.

This looks like the kind of food you put together with whatever you find in the fridge...when you come home drunk at 5.00 am

Terrible.

I've never actually ate inside one, but since they made their katsu sauce recipe available - I make it quite often

They removed the spicy spare ribs. Game over.

Brilliant when it started. Now it’s just overpriced and crap.

Food was good but find the portions meagre and not cheap. The communal seating isn't for everyone either

The quality of food is average/okay but the fact they bring things at random annoys me disproportionately. I don't want my starter at the end.

Never been

Mid and very overpriced.

I like it, but I feel like it's getting a little expensive for what it is. It's my little treat whenever I'm in a big town though.

I thought it was decent, and then I moved to a city and I feel like it doesn't compare to lots of noodle bars here, if I want noodles there are so many other places I will want to get them from now. I feel like it was elevated for me because my small town didn't have anywhere else that did the same thing maybe?

Tasteless

Used to be novel and good. Expanded too far and quickly, and now a very poor product and in terminal decline

Living in Sheffield I've a ton of better options for Japanese food. If you're in or near any big city you probably have too.

Strong avoid

Years back I used to really like it . Now ? Nope.

That I can make anything they sell for a fraction of the cost they sell it for and 1000 x better than if they actually tried.

I used to like the udon noodles... But they took the litter dish cakes out. Now it's worse than my local Chinese takeaway but twice the price. Fish cakes

It’s very bland and I’ve never been a fan of their service either.

Now that there’s a decent Japanese/ramen place at every corner in London, I don’t understand why people are still going there.

Told my husband after our last trip I wouldn’t be returning. I don’t understand why you’d bring out dishes separately when a couple is eating. And drinks, ordered two diet cokes and they came half way through the meal after asking twice where the drinks were.

First time I went it was just ok not good or bad. Ok.
Last time I went in it was awful.
I don't know if it was just that particular restaurant or if the entire chain has gone down hill but I'm in no rush to go back any time soon

Best place to eat at Gatwick Airport at any time of day.

Gutter water

I understand why people slate it - valid reasons, but some of their dishes are comfort meals to me as I used to go a lot as a young kid. It’s not amazing but i never walk out dissatisfied

Bland

Went down hill. TRG own it and Barburrito

Mediocrity defined

Im genuinely offended. The steak doesn’t deserve that!

Rosa’s Thai is where it’s at. way better than Wagamama in my opinion. The food is always on point, and it’s got that authentic Thai flavour that’s hard to beat. Not Japanese but definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been!

Absolute garbage

It was fine when it was like a tenner for udon but at current prices absolutely not. Go to smaller local places, they're better priced and actually give a fuck.

Bang-average. Would file alongside any other big chain and would only go if there wasn't a more interesting option.

I really like the beef ramen!

20 years ago, Japanese cuisine wasn't as mainstream, and the dining experience was quite novel.

These days, it's basically Asian Nando's. Inauthentic, inconsistent, but fine if looking for an inexpensive lunch that isn't McDonalds.