Wagamama is a popular global restaurant chain known for its modern take on Japanese-inspired cuisine. The menu features a variety of dishes, including ramen, donburi, teppanyaki, and delicious sides like gyoza and edamame. Wagamama is my top choice for a restaurant chain because it consistently delivers a unique and satisfying dining experience. The fresh, high-quality ingredients and bold, flavourful dishes always hit the spot, whether I'm craving a hearty ramen or a light and refreshing salad.

REVIEW OF WAGAMAMA’S NEW MENU, EDINBURGH

I love the modern, minimalist design and communal dining setup, which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The diverse menu offers something for everyone, from comforting classics to innovative new creations. It's the perfect blend of great food, friendly helpful staff and ambiance, that keeps me coming back for more.

Wagamama have NEW items on their menu and I headed along to try them out. They recently collaborated with Rahel Stephanie, the talented Indonesian supper club chef known as Spoons, to create an exciting new dish, The Crispy Sambal Fry. This collaboration brings Rahel's popular dish to a wider audience, showcasing the rich flavours of Indonesian cuisine and adding a unique offering to Wagamama's menu.

The menu also introduces innovative dishes that blend traditional Japanese cuisine with contemporary twists, ensuring there's something to tantalise every palate. Highlights include the vibrant, chicken and plant-based additions of the Hot Honey Chicken and Hot Sweet Fried Vegan Chicken.

I feel the menu has a lot more options for vegans and vegetarians, and they have some new additions to their No and Low Drinks such as Spicey Mindful Mary and Spiced Plum and Orange.

We tried mostly NEW dishes and got tucked in straight away to

NEW Koko ‘prawn’ Crackers - Asian style crackers tossed in a coconut, chilli and lime salt served with a sweet chilli sauce. These carry the Pringle Effect, once you start you cant stop! - they are just a delightful fusion of flavours and textures. The Asian-style crackers are light and crispy, providing a satisfying crunch with every bite. Tossed in a mixture of coconut, chili, and lime salt, they offer a unique combination of tastes. The coconut imparts a subtle sweetness and creamy undertone, while the chili adds a gentle heat that tantalizes the taste buds. The lime salt brings a burst of zesty freshness, cutting through the richness and enhancing the overall flavour profile. Paired with a sweet chili sauce, the crackers are elevated to another level. The sauce is both sweet and tangy, with a hint of spiciness, creating a perfect balance that complements the savoury and aromatic seasoning on the crackers. Each mouthful is a delightful explosion of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavours, making it an irresistible snack.

SHAREABLES

• Hot Honey Fried Chicken - Yuzu. Chicken coated in hot honey and yuzu sauce topped with mixed pickles and served with a zesty mayo

• Hot Honey Fried Chicken - Teriyaki. Chicken coated in hot honey and teriyaki sauce topped with mixed pickles and served with a zesty mayo

• Hot Honey Fried Chicken - Firecracker. Chicken coated in hot honey and firecracker sauce topped with mixed pickles and served with a zesty mayo

Now as for the Hot Honey Fried Chicken - wow! These have made it onto my must-have list. You’ll bite into pieces of deep-fried chicken that's perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The hot honey adds a luscious, caramelized sweetness with a bit of a kick, while on top, a mix of pickles adds a refreshing crunch and a tangy acidity that further enhances the dish's complexity. The zesty mayo, creamy and slightly tart, ties everything together with its smooth texture and punchy flavour.

The coating of hot honey and yuzu sauce creates a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavours. The teriyaki sauce adds a rich, savoury depth with its slightly sweet and umami notes, creating a harmonious balance, while the firecracker sauce adds an intense kick of spiciness with its bold, tangy notes.

Which one would you choose?

I always have the Chicken Gyoza—it's a must-have for me. This time, we also ventured into trying the Tama Squid Balls, which were a delightful surprise but not for me. The real highlight of our meal was the collaboration with Spoons—The Crispy Tofu Sambal Fry. This dish features firm tofu coated in a flavourful blend of garlic and red pepper powder, served with a mild tomato sambal that perfectly balances the heat. Alongside, there's a vibrant pickled slaw, fragrant coconut rice, a chilled turmeric-stained egg, and a bowl of amai sauce to tie it all together.

You can choose between crispy fried chicken or crispy fried firm tofu for this dish. We tried the tofu, and I was pleasantly surprised. Having never tried tofu before, I found it to be somewhat like halloumi cheese but without the squeak. It's an excellent canvas for absorbing flavours, making it perfect for this dish. The tofu coating was wonderfully crispy on the outside leaving the tofu silky and tender on the inside, creating a satisfying contrast in textures. It's definitely a great option, even for those who haven't been fans of tofu in the past.

Wagamama strikes the perfect balance between fast food and quality cuisine. With its speedy service and fresh, high-quality ingredients, it offers a dining experience that's both convenient and satisfying. The menu features a wide variety of dishes, each bursting with bold flavours and thoughtfully crafted to please every palate. From their signature ramen bowls to innovative vegan options, there's something for everyone. I believe everyone should dine at Wagamama at least once to experience how delicious and nutritious fast food can be. It's a testament to the fact that quick meals don't have to compromise on taste or health.

THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT WAGAMAMA, CASTLE TERRACE , EDINBURGH

• They have vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options

• Food comes out when its ready

• No dogs allowed

• They have disabled access with a lift up to the restaurant (there is approx 10 steps) and disabled toilets are on the same level

• Free wi-fi

WAGAMAMA, CASTLE TERRACE/LOTHIAN ROAD, EDINBURGH, EH1 2DP www.wagamama.com

My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10

I was invited by Wagamama to review their menu.

Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.

TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.

Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk