The Japanese Pret a Manger (Wagamama)

Member Name: Gaffer

Product:	Wagamama
Date:	18/09/01 (1493 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good dry noodles, Nice setting

Disadvantages: Ramen not authentic, Gyoza not authentic, In danger of becoming a McDonalds

Da da daaaaaaaaahhhh

*Gaffer breaks the mould...

I should, and will, put my tuppence in here. I have eaten many times at Wagamama. And I have enjoyed what I have eaten. As long as I stick to the dishes they do well with, which is namely their dry noodle dishes. If you are looking for a snack during a vigorous mid-soho slouching session, then Waggamama's noodles will do the job admirably. It's even a nice looking venue to eat in; canteen eating has always been a favourite of mine, and Wagamama set the course for this.

But you have to be aware of one thing - this is not as good as you can get at authentic Japanese Ramen houses. And there is one in the square mile that is every bit as schlurping good as a decent Ramen house in Tokyo.

The comparisons start with Ramen noodles themselves. A good soup needs a good stock. There is no feasible condradiction to this. And I don't think Wagamama has it. The roots should be chewy, the beansprouts crispy, the seaweed soppy and tangy, the noodles hot and steaming and juicy. The pork should be dry, smoky, and complementary to the noodle. Wagamama get some parts right, but the sum of the parts should exceed the whole, and Wagamama's don't.

The gyoza are disappointing. Sometime good, sometimes sloppy. A little soy sauce, vinegar, and chilli oil is the traditional way to dip, but all were missing the last time I was there.

I still go back every so often, as my preferred Ramen house is closed at the weekend, and I still enjoy the noodles. But PLEASE do yourselves a favour: try Noto Ramen, Bow Bells House, off Cheapside. They import their ingredients from Japan. It has a real Ramen house atmosphere, and you will deeply regret that there are not more around the UK.

There is also a Ramen house at the West side of Brewer street (near Arigato Japanese supermarket). I haven't been yet, but it looks decent.

I hope none of the other posters to the W
agamama thread feel that I am being patronising here - I only speak from experience as I am married into a Japanese family. This is just another building block to me trying to tell people that they do NOT have to put up with some of the lamer Japanese food available in London (Pret a Manger, Sainsburies, Tescos - stand up and be judged) - there are alternatives if you look for them.

G

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