For those familiar with the word Wagamama at first glance, you knew it is a name of a noodle bar.
If you are about the same age as me, you would probably remember back in 1992 when the first ever Wagamama was opened in London's Gower Street, how it fast became "the hippest place" to be. Back then, if we got a bit home-sick and all we craved for was some pan-fried noodles, we'd forget about heading to China Town. Wagamama became the logical place to land ourselves in during our half-term breaks.
If you are about the same age as me, you would probably remember back in 1992 when the first ever Wagamama was opened in London's Gower Street, how it fast became "the hippest place" to be. Back then, if we got a bit home-sick and all we craved for was some pan-fried noodles, we'd forget about heading to China Town. Wagamama became the logical place to land ourselves in during our half-term breaks.
We loved the buzz of the long tables, the nice decor and the refreshing fruit juices. Did I mention it is a noodle bar? Yes I did and yes, their noodles weren't the best at the time, but I considered the most impressive wow factor from them had to be the speed of service and their innovative use of wireless PDAs in taking orders. The fact that our order references were jotted down on the paper menus was also in a way - quite unique.
All that was in 1992 by the way and they have carried on with that lively tradition ever since.
The man behind Wagamama is Alan Yau, who subsequently created the Michelin-starred Chinese restaurants Hakkasan and Yauatcha in London.
In 2011, I am wowed once again by reading about his remarkable success, not only have they got a total of 71 of Wagamama all over London and growing, Alan's first baby in Hong Kong - Bettys Kitschen is officially up and running. I can't wait to go check it out.
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