wagamama Reviews 

Well I’m a big fan of Wagamama I ordered my ramen a lot from Basingstoke brunch, few times already was really bad but I never complained well today it’s the day I have enough, I love Wagamama after hard day working in the hospice it’s my thing, today I waited 2 hours well that is fine it’s Friday just to get warm soup with so soft pasta that is just melt in the mouth plus some grey bits in it🤢🤢 well my beans were not soggy as always so point for it so I had something to eat…. 22£ for shit great

Stevenage. Okay so if I'm being completely honest, it can be a bit expensive for the whole family to go but that's true for most restaurants these days. I miss the pre-pandemic days when prices were more reasonable. Then again, the food is always great and the service is fast and excellent. Can't complain at all.

It's a lot of money for an under-seasoned bowl of rice. We spent about £50 between us and left hungry. Meat and sauce portions are laughably small. Most of your meal will be un-seasoned rice or noodles.

I didn’t realise Wagamama used my details when I paid my bill by QR code at table - and sell on to third parties. The cold calls started ….

I have emailed them asking for my data details to me removed . Still waiting for a response.

Pros

1. Consistently good service across most branches.
2. Excellent app experience. I only wish this feature had arrived sooner, but better late than never.
3. Strong hygiene standards — open kitchens, cooks wearing hats, and no eating while cooking.
4. Clean dining environment. Some locations even wipe menus and oil bottles before closing, which is a relief because sticky menus are the worst.
5. Menu flexibility with solid options for vegans, vegetarians, and different dietary needs.
6. Minimal use of MSG compared to many other places. Most ramen elsewhere contains MSG (E621), which can cause bloating or discomfort for some people. I still need to double‑check whether their chicken katsu sauce contains any.
7. Reasonable portion sizes that feel balanced rather than overwhelming.
8. Good variety of flavours across the menu.
9. Complimentary green tea if you ask for it.
10. Communal seating works well, though it may not suit everyone — especially during busy times or for people who need back support.

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Cons

1. Service at the North Finchley branch can be slow, especially with the nearby cinema increasing footfall.
2. Some favourite dishes have been removed, particularly fish‑based ones.
3. Inconsistent menu decisions. They’ve changed gyoza styles and chilli squid suppliers a few times — sometimes but revert back so listen. The deep fried gyoza change was horrible but customers agreed to they want back to steamed and slightly dried. So much better - and healthier
4. MSG still appears in some dishes, so it’s worth asking. They also use sulfites in certain sauces, which can cause issues like heartburn for some people.
5. Some new dishes miss the mark. The Udonora, for example, felt underwhelming, and the bacon was burnt enough to leave dark flecks in the sauce. Honestly, it might be better removed from the menu.
6. Prices have risen noticeably since Covid, making it less accessible for some customers.
7. Smoothies rely heavily on apple juice, which means a lot of fructose. They used to offer options like carrot juice, but those have disappeared — understandable if demand was low, but still a shame.
8. Paper placemats are a mixed bag — good for promoting new dishes and recyclable, but they do use a lot of ink.
9. Takeaway packaging is still plastic-heavy. They’ve moved from black to cream containers, which is an improvement, but I’d like to see more progress toward cardboard or other alternatives.
10. Takeaway ramen often lacks enough water based broth. I’ve had orders arrive with so little liquid that I wondered if the container had leaked, but it’s happened multiple times.

Hi!

We just had the worst booking experience ever at Wagamama Sheffield(by Utilita arena) We have travelled from Bristol for European figure skating championship and booked our table on Opentable app the way in advance, booking was for 6people with a message saying there might be 3people at 17.15.when we arrived blonde lady(apparently manager) told us she is not going to have a table for us and she doesn't care that we had a confirmation, noone called us regarding cancellation or anything, customer service at 0 level, if there was a problem being 3 people they should call and cancel , but obviously manager is trained only for maximum covers, many thanks for disappointment

Awful, overpriced, small portions, moody staff and overall the brand has gone completely down hill for profit and greed. Customers should eat elsewhere, plenty of choice.

Just returned from a Trafford Centre Resturant and the experience was great we have visited many Resturants and this was the best we had a waiter called Harvey who was excellent

Well done to you on a busy Saturday afternoon

I’ve enjoyed the chicken Katsu curry for many years. The Katsu sauce seems to have changed colour, consistency and flavour since I last visited and now has a gloopy thickened texture, is yellow and fairly tasteless. The portion is smaller and the price has gone up. Not something I’d look forward to anymore if this is the how it’s going to be from now on. The chicken is much reduced too and the salad seems to have evolved into a garnish leaving the rice the main component. It’s the only dish that used to make me head for Wagamama.

Every year I am given a £40 Wagamama gift card, as I used to enjoy dining there. Unfortunately, my most recent experience at the Norwich branch raised serious concerns.

I attempted to pay using my gift card and cover the remaining balance with my bank card. The waiter took my gift card away from the table, stating that it could not be processed in front of me. When he returned, I was told that only £20 remained on the card.

This was very surprising, as I had not visited Wagamama previously and was not informed of any terms under which the gift card value could be partially deducted or reduced. There was no clear information provided about any expiry, partial deduction, or reduction in value of the gift card. I requested a balance check and was given a ValueLink Enquiry receipt confirming a £20 balance.

This raises a serious issue of transparency. Consumers are entitled to clear and accurate information regarding gift card balances and usage, and gift cards should retain their full stated value unless clearly explained otherwise.

What made the situation more concerning was that the gift card was taken out of my sight, and the payment process was not transparent. Additionally, my bank card was also taken away and returned later with a receipt. For security reasons, payment cards should not be taken out of the customer’s sight, and this practice does not align with what most UK consumers would reasonably expect in terms of payment security.

The lack of transparency around the gift card balance, combined with payment cards being removed from the customer’s view, raises legitimate consumer protection and payment security concerns.

I still have the physical gift card and the balance enquiry receipt from that visit. Unfortunately, I no longer have the original purchase receipt, only the bank transaction confirming the gift card purchase.

My advice to other customers: always keep gift card receipts and insist that all payments are processed in front of you. After this experience, I no longer feel confident using Wagamama gift cards.

Do not take allergies seriously!! Disgusting. Ordered via deliveroo and called them immediately to ask them to adapt my daughters dish ( as per deliveroo app instructions) and they refused. When I then tried to cancel the order - as it couldn’t be eaten - they refused and sent it anyway. Absolutely disgraceful and have wasted my money. Tried to call them numerous times but they now won’t answer.

My sister and I drove 100 miles to see our Mum retire ( at 77 !!) We took her to Wagamamma in Hatfield Galleria.
To say it was beyond anything I have ever come across is an understatement.
We received such hostility , aggression and intimidation from the 2 managers. Staff were amusing them by slamming cutlery on the table. They were talking about us so we could hear. Our meals were just slammed down half on the paper mat.
When I asked to talk to the manager , she said she will have to see what the staff say about it ,implying we were lying. If you do have cameras , please watch them. It ruined a special day.

The quarity of ingredients has been going down for a number of years, but it is now touching rock bottom. There is no longer any doubt that the chickens the meat came from have never seen the light of day. It's like eating jelly. Even the beef was noticeably cheaper with more nerves in the meat.

Increasing prices for clients and cutting down on costs rarely ends well for restaurant chains.

We've been going to the wagamama in Watford woodside since it opened a year ago. We have always taken bowls back and redeemed a free side at the time of our visit. This is over 15 to 20 visits. Today we came to the same branch on my sons 6th birthday for a celebratory birthday dinner and we were told suddenly the bowl bank voucher cannot be used at the same visit. This is very deceptive and not forthcoming of wagamamas at all. Plus the attitude of the junior manager Misha was exactly that. That of a Junior manager and clearly displaying zero management skills. Very poor service...some serious training is required and frankly terms and conditions of offers should be adhered to from the offset not when it suits the staff

My family (2 adults + 11-year-old child) visited the Wagamama at Livingston Designer Outlet yesterday after shopping. We were tired and hungry, and we often eat at Wagamama branches in Glasgow, so we expected a nice meal.

There were two couples already waiting inside. We joined the queue behind them. The entrance area isn’t designed for waiting customers, so the waitress had to walk around us to reach menus. She asked us to wait outside between the two doors. It was cold, but she told us we could close the outer door, so we agreed and stepped outside.

After one couple was seated, we came back inside and stood behind the remaining waiting couple — now completely out of the staff’s way. Another couple walked in behind us and stood at the door.

The same waitress came over again and asked only us to go back outside, even though we weren’t blocking anything this time and the couple behind us wasn’t asked to move. I politely objected, explaining that it was cold and we weren’t in the way, but she insisted with a very unfriendly attitude. Another staff member then backed her up.

I felt completely singled out. The restaurant was half empty, and there were two large empty tables right in front of us. Instead of seating us, the focus seemed to be getting us out of the restaurant.

We decided to leave, and I spoke to the manager before going. All he could offer was, “Can I sit you down now?” but by then the whole situation had already ruined our experience. We still never received an explanation why we were repeatedly asked to leave the entrance while others weren’t.

I’ve always loved Wagamama, but this experience was disappointing, confusing, and genuinely upsetting for my family — especially because it felt like we were being treated differently from other customers without any clear reason.

I was sick and this was the only meal that I ate. Also the food is amazing

Manager poor. Let everyone stand outside. Not impressed. Been a customer since they started nearly 30 years ago. Oxford.

Food was OK but seemed like just a collection or warmed vegetables. Service was good at the start but, on reflection, too sharp witted for me as my group got loaded up with stuff we didn't really order but got coerced into buying like prawn crackers and expensive bottled water. Frankly I could have eaten at a higher class outlet for less money and we wouldn’t have been on bench seats sat next to noisy strangers. Won’t be visiting again in a hurry. Also once service agent had taken all they could we felt of no further relevance or worthy of attention.

Bedford. Slowest service ever. Atrocious

I remember going to the fantastic Wagamama’s in Bond Street 30 yrs ago and being a regular customer in various branches across the Uk. 13 yrs ago I had my child who fell in love with Wagamama too, choosing it as a venue for all her bday party meals etc. We’re now in 2025 and over the past few years I have slowly watched the quality and QUANTITY especially, go down tremendously. The Bao buns used to be stuffed to the brim with crunchy aubergine and overflow with mushrooms..we used to all order our own portions because they were too good to share! Now they give you half a slice of aubergine and 2 sorry little slices of mushrooms! I had to wash the empty, COLD bao bun down with my juice. Oh they even got rid of the carrot and ginger juice..something I loved so much. The duck donburi bowl used to be my favourite but now they give you a tonne of rice and a few pitiful pieces of meat. I’ve tried many dishes over the yrs.. the portions are becoming smaller, the veggies fewer the amount of protein..minuscule..ridiculous, extortionate prices..what a huge huge shame. The last meal we had by the O2 was the worst one yet. A kilo of rice with hardly any veg or protein..they have clearly been told to put less of everything but sadly they don’t realise they are losing their loyal customers. We have spending power but want quality and adult portions of protein and vegetables. Our new favourite is Tombo. Never going back to Wagamama unless the greedy person in charge who made these changes for the worse gets replaced with someone who actually likes food and knows what people expect when they go out for a meal. So sad. Sort it out before it’s too late!