Wagamama TGV

We haven't been to Wagamama for awhile. I always feel that this place is way overpriced for the food it serves, and only ever go there for free meals or 2 for 1 meals. Well, I won another TGV prize, so yes, another FREE MEAL was offered up, so that's how we found ourselves dining there again.

Food

We've tried just about every dish on the menu. Being a very hot day, we decided to forgo the soup noodles and order some summer friendly dishes instead. Our "entree" (as we all know by now, the dishes at Wagamama appears in random order, so this arrived after one of our mains) was from the special Spring Menu, the Crab Korroke - lightly crumbed spicy crab cakes served with Japanese mayonnaise ($8). It arrived at our table golden brown and piping out. The filling was kinda like eating raw dough. I couldn't taste any crabs and they were not spicy. Some vegetables as well as the golden outer gave it crunch. The "Japanese" mayo was just mayo with herbs added, but was nice enough.

The Ginger Chicken Udon - teppan-fried udon noodles and chicken marinated in ginger, garlic and lemongrass. served with snowpeas, red onion, beansprouts, chilli, egg and spring onion. Garnished with pickled ginger and fresh coriander ($16.50) - was a poor choice. There was hardly any chicken and the ginger seem to dominate the whole dish. What's more, the onions weren't chopped properly and came in strips that were still attached together at the end, that is just so poor attention to details.

The hit of the day was the Gyokai Mango Salad - shredded crabstick, prawns, rocket, bean shoots, kamaboko, snow peas, yaki chikuwa,daikon and carrots tossed with a sweet soy Asian dressed and served with a mango salsa ($15.50). The ingredients were fresh. The rocket added bite while the daikon and carrots added sweetness and texture. They were a bit skimpy on the seafood, with only little bits of prawns and very little crab. The kamaboko and yaki chikuwa are actually fish balls/sticks things, and was quite pleasant. I liked the dressing best, the nutty sweetness really conveying the feel of spring. I don't know what the mango salsa added though... it was put to the side and I kinda just mixed it a little with the salad. It was pretty tasteless, only the added chilli in it lifted it through.

Rating - 5

Atmosphere

Well, with a chain, at least you know what you get. Long timber communal tables, with my favourite feature, the handy handbag rest under each table. It's very casual, with a no booking policy, the wait staff dressed in their Wagamama t-shirt uniform, and the order written on placemats, this place is aimed at the trendy crowd. If you want "real" Japanese food, don't eat here, but if you want a casual and relaxed setting, with reasonable food with some friends, this is a great place.

I really like the location of this Wagamama. On this occasion, we were seated near the window. You can sit and observe the hustle and bustle of shoppers below.

Rating - 2

Service

Even for a franchise, the quality of service is always hit and miss. On this occasion, the restaurant was busy but not overly busy, and the waiters served us in good time. They also clear all our dishes AND bought us water, plus the meals came out at a reasonable time. The bill was also worked out quickly. I know I know, this is what you would expect from a typical restaurant but believe me, you don't always get it.

Rating - 3.5

C-factor

Like I said before, Wagamama is normally a rip-off, but if you use their 2 for 1 vouchers or look out for free meals, it's a good experience.

Rating - 1

Brownie Points - 11.5

Info

level 1,
TGV
500 George St
Sydney
NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9264 9155
Website