I love Wagamama’s. It’s no secret, and my favourite dish by far is Katsu Curry. But when Voice Communications invited me to a VIP event at Intu Lakeside to sample the new dishes on the menu and a few of the most popular dishes, I just couldn’t resist…
Wagamama’s at Intu Lakeside has recently been refurbished. The restaurant is now open planned and welcoming with long tables with stools, fit for a couple eating out or a big family gathering. The main feature wall is covered in a gigantic rose gold mirror, and the kitchen has been opened up so that you can now see chefs freshly preparing your food. A VIP table has also be installed central to the kitchen; The table and chairs are higher up and made of better quality oak. The table is designed for chefs to be able to cook at the table for you, making it a more intermit and engaging experience.
For those who aren’t familiar with Wagamama, it’s a restaurant chain that serves pan-Asian food in the style of a modern Japanese ramen bar.
The manager Roger talked us through Wagamama’s new packaging, (sturdy carrier bags for your leftovers and sturdy microwavable and recyclable bowls – check) and a new takeaway service! The head chef, (whom I cannot remember the name of even if my life depended on it, but he was super lovely and had worked for Wagamama’s for a whopping 20 years!) gave us a run down of all the dishes he was treating us too and boy were we spoilt!
Duck Gyoza
Duck Gyoza are fried duck dumplings served with a plum sauce. The duck was succulent and flavoursome, whilst the dumplings were soft with crunchy sealed sections. The sticky plum sauce worked so well with the dumplings, I think it’s fair to say this dish was devoured in seconds.
Pulled Pork Steamed Gyoza
Pulled Pork Steamed Gyoza are steamed and grilled pork dumplings served with a sweet sticky sauce. When I first looked at them they instantly reminded me of brains… but the pastry was soft and packed with flavoursome hand-torn pork. The sweet dipping sauce rounded off the dish perfectly. Another dish done and dusted!
Ebi Katsu
Ebi Katsu is crispy fried prawns in light panco breadcrumbs, served with a spicy chilli and garlic sauce and a splash of lime. The prawns were fresh and bursting with taste, and the crispy outer breadcrumb sealed them perfectly. The dipping sauce had a lovely kick at the end to our surprise!
Chilli Squid
The Chilli Squid was made by crispy fried squid dusted in shichimi, with a punchy chilli coriander dipping sauce to accompany it. Sadly this was my least favourite dish, but that’s down to personal preference. I really didn’t enjoy the rubbery/chewy texture of the squid, but the seasoning however was incredible.
Short Rib Ramen
A new dish to the Wagamama menu, Short Rib Ramen is a slow cooked 6 hour rib, on a bed of fresh noodles, vegetables and broth. I love love loved this dish; the meat was so tender and fell off the bone so easily. The noodles were cooked to perfection and the vegetables crunchy and packed with flavour.
Seafood Ramen
The Seafood Ramen is packed with sea bream, grilled tiger prawns and breaded tilapia on top of a bed of noodles in a vegetable broth, garnished with pea shoots, wakame and samphire. Don’t get me wrong I do like fish, but I found this dish way too fishy for my liking. I did however really enjoy the breaded tilapia – it was tasty and meaty, and had a similar taste to cod so I’d definitely eat that again!
Sirloin and Shitake Salad
Sirloin and Shitake salad is a 35 day aged sirloin steak with grilled shitake mushrooms, carrots, mangetout, red onions, baby plum tomatoes. It’s sat on a bed of mixed leaves in a pea and herb dressing with a sprinkling of red amaranth. PHEW. I loved this dish, it was so fresh and light. The meat was cooked perfectly, slightly pink in the middle, and melted in my mouth. The salad was crunchy and sweet and the tomatoes perfectly juicy. I loved this dish, perfect for a light lunch!
Wok-Fried Greens
And last but not least, we were served up Wok-fried greens; a sizzling plate of tender stem broccoli and bok choi, stir fried in a garlic and soy sauce. I’ve tried this side before and I love it; the vegetables are crunchy and soaked in a gorgeous garlic-butter like sauce. I love garlic so this dish is a total winner in my eyes!
As you can imagine, we all left the restaurant well and truly stuffed! Thank you to VoiceCommunications for inviting me, and thank you to Roger and the team at Wagamama Lakeside for an amazing evening!
This post has left me feeling very hungry indeed – all that food looks so yummy! I've only ever tried the Katsu Curry so I'm definitely going to have to go back and experiment with the menu a little! x
http://www.marfmallow.com
I'd only tried katsu curry before, but i thoroughly enjoyed all of these dishes! minus the fish ramen one x
oh wow the looks soooo good! I just ate, but now I want to eat again!
lifeisashoe
it really was amazing! 🙂 x
I've never tried Wagamama's but oh boy their food looks delicious, I'm drooling!
Yousra | Mystic Tales
I'd 100% recommend giving them a go! x
I can't believe I have never tried Wagamama's but this post makes me want to go – love your description of the dishes you write like a true food critic!
Also Lakeside is only a 15 minute drive away from me!
London Beauty Blog
Aww haha, thanks so much! I'd 100% recommend giving them a go. Ah not far at all then! x
Everything looks so yummy, especially the crispy prawns 🙂
Velvet Blush
drooling! x
Love Wagamamas! This looks so delicious. x
Tiffany Tales – A British Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
it's amazing isn't it! x
Oh my this is making me hungry! It all looks lovely! 😀
http://www.gingerbreadsmiles.co.uk
xox
ah, sorry not sorry! Haha x
Looks really good! –Hanna Lei
it really was 🙂 x
and now I'm hungry! love your pictures
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
thanks lovely! x
Oh my goodness I am so jealous! A massive wagamama's fan and would love to do this! Hope you had a fab time.
Charlotte x
I really did, thank you! x
I have never been before but I'm going to have to go now!! All the food looks amazing and the photos are stunning! I'm glad you had a lovely day!Fix Me In Forty Five – A Beauty & Lifestyle BlogBlog Lovin' // Instagramxx
thank you so much! 🙂 the food was incredible x
I would have loved, loved, loved to have gone to this! Looks fab!
it really was amazing! x
Oh goood this seriously made my mouth water! I love the intu shopping centres too – always spend too much though!
Musings & More
it's making mine water too! haha. Ah same here! x
I absolutely love their ebi katsu <3 Yumm how amazing does the event sound 😀
Serene | I Am Serene L
I can't wait to go back! x
I absolutely love their ebi katsu <3 Yumm how amazing does the event sound 😀
Serene | I Am Serene L
Such an amazing event. Gemma xx
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
It was so nice to be invited! x
Looks absolutely amazing, what gorgeous food!! 🙂 xxx
http://www.stylapetite.com
It really was super delicious! x
Lovely photos! The food looks amazing! Ahh, so hungry now! XOCourtney | Courtselizabeth | Instagram
thanks so much! 🙂 it really was amazing x
Wow this event sounds absolutely amazing and all of this food looks delectable!
Rae of Love from Berlin
Bloglovin' // instagram
it really was! I can't wait to go back 🙂 x
Stop, Wagamamma is my favourite place EVER! I'm very jealous – my favourite will forever be chilli squid however!
http://www.stylerehearsal.com
Ahhh it's soon becoming my favourite place too! I'd have to say the squid was my least favourite – I couldn't get past the texture! x
So nice that you got to see the new restaurant relaunch & sample all these amazing dishes. All the food pics have definitely made me want to visit Wagamamas x
Beauty with charm
Ahh I'm craving it again too! x
yummy post. Food is looking so tasty.
http://weirdthoughts13.blogspot.in/
thank you! 🙂 it really was x
yummy post. Food is looking so tasty.
http://weirdthoughts13.blogspot.in/
WHERE is our Chelmsford Wagamama? I'm telling you I need it. This looks really fun – hope you're well lovely xxx
http://www.fashionnomads.com
I know right??? We're missing out! Although I've heard rumours that we may be getting one… xxx
I've never tried Wagamamas, mainly because I'm quite a fussy eater but some of these dishes look absolutely delicious!!
http://www.ohsobecky.com
I'm a fairly fussy eater too but there's something for everyone! 🙂 x