Reading Roars!

Wagamama. Waga-what? Wagamama is, apparently, the Japanese word for “naughty child”. It’s also an international noodle bar chain. The first Wagamama was opened by super-restaurateur Alan Yau in London in 1992. Wagamama in Reading, the 38th restaurant to launch, opened in November 2004 at The Oracle’s Riverside. Like a naughty child, I hopskotched, tummy a-rumbling to The Oracle for some serious slurping of noodle nosh. I wasn’t disappointed. Find out in this restaurant review what food set my tail waga-ing.

I went with a friend, Steve, on a Sunday afternoon. We needed tantalising food served quickly.

We were placed by the window, with the river and House of Fraser in sight. It was a hot day and the air inside the restaurant was stuffy. I didn’t mind - I’d eaten noodles in Malaysia’s high humidity so I suppose it was a more authentic experience this way.

The restaurant’s box-like interior is elegantly clean and crisp, made up of no-nonsense straight lines. No curves in sight. I liked the minimalist design (my flat has a similar theme). Customers sit at benches, not tables (the restaurant seats 166). It allows for a more open, more human experience.

My dish was chilli chicken ramen (GB£ 7.35)

“spicy soup and noodles with grilled chicken, fresh chillies, red onion slices, beansprouts, coriander, spring onions and a wedge of lime“.

It was a little awkward raising the large wooden spoon to my mouth, especially as my left hand was still slightly trembling from drinks the night before, but the result was the best series of slurps had in a long time.

The soup flavour - its base included vinegar and chilli sauce - was intense, like a good bowl of Tom Yum. The chicken was chunky and highly chopstickable. Focused on the delicate operation of noodle-lifting, I didn’t converse much with my friend, who was grappling with his own noodles. I actually found the slurping a calming, Zen-like experience. Slurping should be done more often, I thought. It’s therapy.

My beverage was raw juice

“a mixture of carrot, cucumber, tomato, orange and apple“.

It was an orange-coloured smoothie designed to energise your body. It went down well with my Zen soup, which energised my soul with every slurp. Ok, enough of the slurps. We shared a bottle of mineral water, 750ml for GB£ 3.25.

For a side dish, Steve and I shared ebi katsu

“five deep-fried king prawns in crispy breadcrumbs, served with lime and a spicy red chilli and garlic sauce“

The sauce actually tasted like soy sauce to me. The crispy coating and soft prawn inside were great. Like scampi, but better. Scampi for the middle-classes, I guess.

Wanna go to Wagamama? Here are my 3 Top Tips: