Business Journal: Wagamama On The Way

Wagamama, the popular UK-based noodle bar, is on the way to DC, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Business Journal writer Tierney Plumb wrote in a Tuesday story: "U.K.-based noodle house Wagamama will enter the region with its 5,800-square-foot location on Seventh St. NW late this year or early next."

The international chain opened its first US shop in Boston in April 2007. Rumors of a DC outpost have been swirling for some time. The Business Journal also reports that Wagamama wants to open more locations around the metro area.

As a pence-pinching student in London one summer, I fell hard for the affordable noodle joint. And I can't wait to see how it's received in DC.

Eaten at a Wagamama? What did you think?

(Image from wagamama.com.)

Comments

Anonymous said…
Get OUT! We have been waiting for this to happen. It's fantastic news and a much needed place in DC!!
3/12/2008 12:16 PM
Jeff said…
I ate at Wagamama in London back in 2002 or so. It was okay. The most interesting thing about it was that the waiters had wireless PDAs.

In DC, we already have an embarrassment of Pan-Asian restaurants. I'd be much more interested to see a local Yauatcha.
3/12/2008 1:03 PM
Amanda said…
I agree about the pan-Asian plethora, but I like the noodle-centric angle of Wagamama.
3/12/2008 1:06 PM
Arlene said…
I'm assuming it will be adjusted to our American palate? Because the Wagamama I had two months ago in London was so...bland. The British have one seasoning: salt. And they don't even use it that often. Either way, it'll definitely be better than gawdawful Noodles & Co.
3/12/2008 2:15 PM
Sarah Meyer Walsh said…
NO WAY!!! I ate Wagamama almost daily while living in Australia!

I can't wait!
3/12/2008 2:45 PM
Anonymous said…
I used to live in London and always thought it was overrated. It's you and a hundred of your closest friends at a huge table.

I was in the minority though. Everyone else seemed to love this place.
3/12/2008 2:59 PM
Anonymous said…
excellent! it's a fun spot and affordable! i also like the communal style bench seatings too. HOORAY! I remember eating there in the late 90s/early 2000s and loved the concept and kept wondering WHEN OH WHEN would they ever arrive to our shores? I'm impressed to hear they're coming to DC!

I hope they open up along the Green Line - Like at the PETWORTH or Columbia Heights Metro stations!!!
3/12/2008 3:20 PM
Anonymous said…
Now if only Abrakebabra would make it across the ocean...
3/12/2008 3:28 PM
Anonymous said…
I can still taste the slurpy, slippery noodles I had at the funky cafeteria-style Wagamama in London, and that was 10 years ago. Can't wait to get it here!
3/12/2008 3:32 PM
Susie said…
I ate at one this January after arriving too late to enter the Tower of London. Of course it was rainy and cold, so the bowl of chicken ramen was perfect! I haven't had good ramen in the area, so am looking forward to this.
3/12/2008 4:24 PM
Anonymous said…
yay!!!!!
3/13/2008 7:52 AM
monkeyrotica said…
I also tried them in London and didn't get what the big deal was. No better or worse than Oodles Noodles. Then again I didn't much care for Pret a Manger either, so there it is. The one takeaway that I really liked was Tiffin; that's some fast and tasty Indian takeout.
3/13/2008 9:46 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi Amanda,

My name is Shannon and I'm the editorial assistant at Foodbuzz.com. Following up on a recent email invitation to be a part of our newly launched Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I just want to reiterate that I am very impressed with the quality of your posts. I would love to send you more details about the program, so if you are interested, please email me at Shannon@foodbuzz.com.

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shannon@foodbuzz.com
3/13/2008 3:11 PM
Anonymous said…
This is fantastic! I loved Wagamama when I studied abroad. I'm just moving into Penn Quarter so this is the best news. My brother in law is Thai and really loved it when he studied abroad too. The tables are like the Hoffbrauhouse in Munich - very social atmosphere. Its so much fun!
3/14/2008 9:44 AM
Anonymous said…
I ate at Wagamama in London in 2006 and LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was in London for three week and discovered it on my last week there. wish I found it on week one. I cannot wait to go back to London to get more! The food was not bland at all. It is simply amazing. I can't wait for it to come out to California!
3/14/2008 5:36 PM
Betty Bleu said…
Sure it may be a chain, but it will be more authentic than a lot of others places in the 7th Street corrider. I'm excited for it.
3/17/2008 7:52 PM
Anonymous said…
While studying in the UK, all my friends raved about Wagamam. Having also spent a good deal of time in provincial Japanese areas where locals are really purist about their noodles, as well as in Singapore, the fusion capital of the continent, I was really excited to try it.

What a disappointment. There's nothing on the menu that is at all creative, on the one hand, or purist on the other. I went several times and every time it was a big let down. I didn't think it was all that much cheaper, either, quite frankly.

7th Street, with all the other trendy chains, is perfect for this place. I'll probably go with friends after movies and stuff anyways.
3/17/2008 8:53 PM
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