wagamama kingston upon thames

£10 - £25 / Japanese, Asian, Vegetarian options

16-18 High St, London

Opening hours

11AM-11PM

Sunday 11AM-10PM
Monday 11AM-10PM
Tuesday 11AM-10PM
Wednesday 11AM-10PM
Thursday 11AM-11PM
Friday 11AM-11PM
Saturday 11AM-11PM

Exceptional Staff Make Every Meal Special

Upon visiting Wagamama in Kingston, I was chiefly struck by the infectious fragrance of their ever-popular Chicken Katsu Curry drifting through the bustling room. The familiar Asian chain exuded its signature lively atmosphere, filled with happy diners tucking into steaming bowls, all amidst servers weaving expertly amongst tables as if performing an intricate dance routine. My meal began with a chili squid starter, a crispy, fiery reminder of why people rave about this dish from the get-go. Parneet at the juice bar crafted delightful beverages, swiftly swapped them when asked, showcasing both personal flair and professionalism.

While my casting call-worthy waitstaff — including the likes of Giovanni and Izzy whose charm knew boundless depths — starred brilliantly in making the meal satisfying, not everything made the final cut perfectly. Namely, a penchant for hastily cleared plates left me longing for Gentility Lost in Dining Spaces Past. Meanwhile, despite a few unapologetically slow spells between courses, the kitchen delivered impressively vibrant flavors much closer to genius than mediocrity, particularly the coconut-y curry concoctions punching above their weight. So, did glitches leave an indelible mark? Maybe. But like a well-edited cinematic release, Wagamama wins more through taste triumphs and vibrant service than the odd inconsistency, encouraging a return engagement for another script rewrite dining experience. — Milo Tastemaker