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V Rating: VV Come 7pm the business district in Sydney’s city becomes a dining wasteland. You can wander down to the beautiful Circular Quay, however the view adds a significant premium to restaurant prices. Alternatively, you can eat at Wagamama on Bridge Street. Wagamama is a fine place for veggies and vegans to eat. The Wagamama menu is divided into sections (ramen, katsu, teriyaki etc.). Each section has at least one vegetarian option, helpfully marked by a V. I went for the moyashi soba, a vegetable soup with noodles and tofu.
The ingredients were all fresh. I’m sure that it was genuinely vegetarian because the soup base was relatively tasteless, suggesting that it hadn’t be seasoned (where’s the msg when you need it?) Unfortunately, some of the vegetables were chopped in large chunks that weren’t quite cooked. I ended up drowning my dish in soy sauce, which helped. Wagamama is certainly better than your average chain restaurant. There are some things I really like about Wagamama, such as their communal tables and well-presented food in large clay bowls with helpful Asian style soup spoons. However, I think the concept behind Wagamama is outdated. For example, as soon as you’re seated the waiting staff come over and ask if you’ve eaten there before. If you say you haven’t, they proceed to explain how the menu works. It’s not rocket science. Wagamama don’t have entrees. They have sides, which you can share. The mains and sides will come out at different times because they are cooked fresh. Just in case you miss the initial explanation, it’s written on the placement. Maybe the didactic approach makes sense for people who’ve never eaten at a Japanese, or other Asian, restaurant. However, this is Sydney. We have an abundance of Japanese and Asian restaurants. I’d venture a guess that most Wagamama customers have eaten at one these and they get how the menu works. I don’t mean to be overly critical - it’s just this is approach is a bit patronising because it assumes Japanese food is exotic and needs to be interpreted for the average customer. Approach aside, Wagamama represents reasonable value for money, and is probably the most reliable option if you find yourself stranded in the business district of an evening. Reviewed 20 March 2006.
Comments:
4 Comments posted on "Wagamama - Japanese, City, VV"
The Editor on March 24th, 2006 at 10:29 am #
I was a reasonable Wagamama fan in the UK but it hasn’t impressed me here for some reason — I’m not sure why. It could be that the food is different, the portions are smaller, or that it doesn’t represent the same kind of value for money in Aussie Pesos. I think, as you say, it’s an option best saved for an emergency as in the CBDs of most capital cities a better and more authentic asian choice is usually available.
Phil on April 4th, 2006 at 10:36 am #
A few weeks ago I visted the Wagamama’s in The Galeries Victoria in Sydney. The Wok chef was out so I had a very limited choice of mains. When the main arrived there was a PRAWN in my rice! I complained, in a nice way, and ended up with 1 juice, 2 sides (I didn’t order them) and 1 main for free =)
L on June 22nd, 2006 at 2:30 pm #
Last night I had a very average Yaki Soba at Wagamama in Circular Quay. To be honest the only thing that suprised me was that I was silly enough to be back their given I’d previously had some average meals there….. ohh well look forward to some more reviews of veggie options in the area.
Natalie McMahon on August 13th, 2007 at 9:33 pm #
I enjoy the Yasai Cha Han without the egg (vegan) and it is a bit like a fried rice with tofu. It comes with miso soup and pickles. The tofu katsu is also yummy but small. The edamame are good (soy beans in chilli or salt). The meat eater with us usually complains about the food and making him feel sick. Used to be more funky, but now it’s just lost it’s charm. Post a comment
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