Wagamama
Wagamama is not an authentic Japanese restaurant. It is a chain restaurant. Choice of table arrangements are interesting, using very simple lacquered wooden benches as seating and tables. Attitude to service, portion sizes and flavours are interesting.
It's always really quiet in here which I don't understand because Wagamamas is so good. I would usually get takeout from here when I work late and their number 40 is something I crave frequently. The food is really good and the service is fast. The restaurant is cute, aimed mainly at communal dining you sit on long benches and they have a semi-open kitchen so you can watch your food being made. It is a good experience, nicely priced and good food
After many years surviving the tough terrain of culinary competition, it is very sad to know that Wagamama at The Galeries is the only Wagamama store left in Sydney. Nothing seems to have changed though. I am seeing the same dcor, feeling the same ambiance, and getting the same standards service as throughout the years.
The store is still quite popular for lunch times, and even more so with the recent introduction of bento box special with drinks for only $14.95. I ordered chicken katsu curry bento box. It came with miso soup which arrived much earlier as the rest of the meal was being prepared. The chicken katsu curry had a very strong sauce, and even though the size of the main dish wasnt that large, there were plenty of side dishes in the bento box such as edamame, salad, and the sweet potato chips with mayonnaise sauce on the side which I liked the most.
Bo-ring. Don't come here for legit Japanese food. It is so westernised, bland and overpriced. Been here before and thought they'd maybe improved but unfortunately it was exactly the same. $6.60 for three gyozas and $22 for a bowl of ramen when the noodles looked like 2 minute Maggi-styles. Really disappointing. On the up-side, customer service is pretty good and they do warn you in their true local blurb that they are not a real Japanese restaurant.
Dined here on a Thursday night. Arrived early around 6pm, and the restaurant was already quite full. Judging by the queue of about 15 people after 6pm, it seems to be quite popular. However, I rate it quite average, since the price for one this is on the high side, at around $20 for a bowl of Ramen, and most dishes being over $20. The food is vaguely Japanese with added vegetable combinations etc.. which might appeal to "health" types. I couldn't find any pork on the menu (which is an essential Ramen or noodles item normally). Service was quite fast and staff helpful. Nothing to rave about, but will appeal to those who need sprouts and seaweed with every item.
