Best Wagamama/ noodle bar for kids in London

[MerylSqueak]

We're visiting London next week and my children want to eat at Wagamama. They've just got into noodles (though nothing very adventurous) but they've only chosen this because I've got the cookbook.

I've looked at a few others like Inamo but I can't judge how welcoming and fun they'd be for children.

Kids are 11 and 14. Any recommendations for somewhere fun, maybe with a good view or something like that, I would be very grateful for.
I'm also taking some other family members, so something not too expensive would also be good.

Inamo is great fun but massively overpriced and the food is a bit shit.
There are loads of wagamamas about, don't know any with a view, the ones I go to are more cave like (eg carnaby street). All good though.

DD13 lives Yo Sushi for the conveyor belt, food is nice too.

Should say they do noodle dishes not just sushi!

Yes I think all the ones I've been in are cave like.

DD is not to be fobbed off with bad food in exchange for fun, so maybe not Inamo then.

Ah! That's a good idea. Do you end up paying a fortune in Yo Sushi?

There's a wagamuma by the tower of London which has big windows and upstairs

No, you order of your phone what dishes you want and you only get what you order.

Thank you. Just off to look up that Wagamama.

Although thinking To Sushi in Selfridges might be fun

Has anyone been to the Selfridges Yo Sushi? Has it got a good atmosphere?

Sometimes you walk into London places like this and they've got all the atmosphere of a hospital corridor.

Hai di Lao isn't exactly a noodle bar but it's good fun. You have a pot of soup in the middle of the table and then you order things to cook in it like slices of beef, noodles, tofu, vegetables.

The Wagamama on the South Bank h set the Royal Festival Hall is good, and a fun environment: check the street performers between there and the London Eye, walk along the S Bank, see the skateboarders, usually there is something free in the RFH, etc.

Wagamama is fab for older and younger kids and I second the one on the South Bank at Festival Hall. There's also one in Covent Garden in Bedford Street. I don't agree that it's too expensive or that the food is so-so – we eat there often and have never had a duff meal.

@MerylSqueak

Has anyone been to the Selfridges Yo Sushi? Has it got a good atmosphere?

Sometimes you walk into London places like this and they've got all the atmosphere of a hospital corridor.

Personally eating anywhere in the downstairs food court at Selfridges isn't much fun – it's so busy and cramped and people wallop you in the back with their shopping bags as they pass while you're trying to eat.

There is a Wagamama at the back of Selfridges too, in Wigmore Street.

Wagamama on the south bank is your best bet.

I can actually make the South Bank fit in with our plans.

Thank you for the tip off about Selfridges.

I'll look up Hai di Lao. Sounds interesting.

Yo Sushi Harvey Nicholls is a much better experience than Selfridges - however, I just realised it's closed. It would definitely be worth investigating what has taken over that space.

DD enjoys the wagamamas at Spitalfields Market, we sit overlooking the covered market below although that might be a bit chilly this time of year although there is indoor seating. Its walking distance from the hotel we stay in when in London so we go there midday before getting the train home from Liverpool Street in the pm.

Koya is a great noodle place. Much smaller menu that Wagamama but really nice noodles.
www.koya.co.uk

Also Marugame branches are popping up all over, they do noodles, tempura by the piece. It's quite fun and tasty.
marugame.co.uk

I’ve never been here myself but I’ve seen good things about this place online - marugame.co.uk/our-kitchens/

There are Wagamamas everywhere so it would be easier if you could identify the rough area you would be visiting and choose among the four or so in the local area. It's definitely going to cost less than Yo Sushi and is kid friendly in a wider sense.

My favourite one is the one in Hampstead near the station - it has just reopened after many months (if you are heading to the Heath/markets). Spitalfields was mentioned upthread but I think that one is closed

Don't go to the one inside the O2 ghost town on Finchley Road 0 that's my only red line. Then again, I doubt you would be taking the kids to the Freud Museum. There isn't much else around there for visitors!

Go to the Japan centre. It's not fancy - more like a cafe but the food is always excellent and the shop is just full of cool Japanese food. Best beer snacks in London.

Otherwise, I like shoryu ramen - doesn't have a great view but the food is reliably good. They hit the gong when people leave. And they do awesome octopus balls.

My DC love Yo Sushi but you do end up spending an arm and a leg so it's saved for very special treats.

Wagamama is reliable, affordable and healthy and will be novel for your DC even if Londoners are blasé about it.

Wagamama South Bank, Clink Street or Tower of London are all good locations - just pick whichever suits you, Tower of London is the nicest space IMO.

My personal fave noodle place is Koi Ramen, but that's all down South so will be out of your route.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll go through them properly in the morning with my cup of tea.

We're staying in-between Vauxhall and Oval, for @Soffit.

@MrsTrumpton

Wagamama is fab for older and younger kids and I second the one on the South Bank at Festival Hall. There's also one in Covent Garden in Bedford Street. I don't agree that it's too expensive or that the food is so-so – we eat there often and have never had a duff meal.

Literally no-one has said it is too expensive!