Wagamama virgin - what do you recommend?

[BracedlnEndIessJanuary]

2 meat eaters
1 vegetarian
2 kiddies, one will probably have ramen off kiddies menu (portion size?)
Have never been before. Is a birthday treat.
Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance

I have the chicken raisukaree which is lovely. The Firecracker is great but it is SPICY.

There is a ginger (and something?) cheesecake which is amazing.

I really hate wagamama's ramen but maybe I've been unlucky (went to Japan on my honeymoon and it tastes nothing like the ramen we got there). I enjoyed the gyoza though. Can't really go wrong with katsu curry. If you can I'd try to go to a non-chain Japanese restaurant instead if your son wants proper ramen.

hamayuu.co.uk/menu this place looks like a better bet in Chester and prices don't look much different to wagamama. I'd recommend trying the pork broth ramen. :)

A friend took me last year and it was lovely. I had a lovely pork belly ramen dish, it had slightly too much of a kick for me and I can't for the life of me remember the name but it was lovely until I couldn't handle anymore xD

Ooooh yea the firecracker chicken is 😍😍 but you have to LOVE spice! 🔥

I’m vegetarian and a bit of a picky eater (I know MN hates picky eaters ) and I like the yasai yaki soba and the tempura vegetables. Enjoy, OP

@BracedlnEndIessJanuary we are now all eagerly awaiting your update of what you had and what you thought of it!

Two of my kids get the kids katsu, one gets the kids yaki soba.
I find katsu a bit boring and usually get a raisukaree or other curry, or a ramen soup. Wok fried greens rock as a side dish.
If you've not been before you should be warned that food comes when it's ready not all at the same time for group.

I love the salmon with the squid ink noodles. And the Nasi Goreng.
I love everything they serve really. It's gorgeous.

Kare buruso ramen for the veggie. Wok fried greens to start. Bloody delish. Best. Meal. Ever.

Firecracker chicken. Delicious!
My DD loves the chicken Katsu.

Beef brisket donburi
The buns with duck in
Bang bang cauliflower

Basically all good except the chicken ramen is quite boring in my opinion.

Big portions, very filling

Duck don buri
Yaki udon
Pad thai
Any ramen

Katsu curry is the one dish neither the teen or I like. It's like a Birds Eye chicken burger with chip shop curry sauce over the top.

Just can't anymore when their pizzas are often £2.50 in Tesco.

@MintyMoocow my thoughts too.

Went once with DH. I hated the "we bring it when its ready" thing. DH got his first while I sat there hungry and he had finished before mine came. I didn't like what DH had ordered so couldn't even have a nibble. And then we realised that the sides hadn't even been brought.

I love wagamama, when the kids were small and DH used to travel loads it was one of the places I used to feel confident taking two preschoolers to eat. My favourite is the ginger chicken udon. The kids like the kids noodles but it’s whichever isn’t all mixed up. We used to really like the veg gyoza but they’ve changed them and they’re rubbish now. Green tea is free which is a bonus.

Thanks all. I will report back pottering but we have not been yet! I was just trying to be organised yesterday and sort everything out in advance, which is not like me at all!

Starters-
Wok fried greens
Cauliflower
Lollipop prawns
Chilli squid

Tip order your starter first, then order your mains when the starter are coming out! (otherwise it all arrives together!)

(we would normally order 3-5 starters for 4 depending on how hungry we were)
Chicken Gyoza (veggie option too)
chilli squid
teriyaki chicken skewers
bao buns
either of the prawn starters
the cauliflower thingy
edamame beans

Mains - I think they are all pretty good!
ramen if you like soupy noodles
pad thai, or ginger chicken udon
the duck donburi is very big but amazing
the firecracker curry is very spicy
if calorie counting: shu shock chicken or naked katsu (and avoid the squid starter!)