ginger chicken udon december 2008

 I love Wagamama! Having spent a lot of time in Japan and South East Asia, I am fussy with Asian cuisine, but Wagamama just does it fine and with the bonus of being fast yet healthy! The kitchen is open and woks and pans are always on the go, with the chefs cooking up fresh delights. They have a main menu, with some Japanese dishes like stir fries, noodles, noodle soups, rice dishes and Japanese curries. They also do dumplings and many other appetiser/side dishes. This is a very popular chain of restaurants and it is no wonder why. It is not the cheapest, with a noodle soup at around £8 to £9 or so, but it is the quality of the vegetables, meat or seafood used that warrants it. It is wooden bench seating, yet it’s not uncomfortable and there is a good buzz in there. I have some favourites which are Chicken Kare Loman soup (chicken in a spicy coconut soup), Ebi Raisukaree (prawns in a coconut and lime curry sauce) and the chicken chilli ramen (in a spicy clear soup), but the specials can be a good try –winter 2008/9 they had had the red snapper in a chu chee curry sauce, which was been a delight!

I have also tried the one in Camden Town and it is just as good, so I reckon they are a good bet for a chain restaurant if you like Asian food.

Restaurant name

Wagamama

Restaurant address

The Boardwalk, Lakeside shopping centre, West Thurrock way, Grays, Essex RM20 2ZP

Restaurant telephone

01708 861 570

Website address

www.wagamama.com

Date of visit

August 2009 and various before (and since during 2010 and its just as good)

Average price per person for 3 course meal, excluding drinks

inexpensive (under £20)

How many dined?

2

Service Charge included?

No

Service Quality rating?

9/10

Food Quality rating

9/10

Value for money rating?

9/10

Atmosphere Quality rating?

9/10

Fujiyama japanese restaurant interior

This is the main Japanese restaurant in the Southend on Sea corner of Essex, so it does not have much competition. However, the food is really good and the venue smart and in keeping with the Japanese style.

We have been a few times now and the service is polite and efficient and the food is fresh and varied.

They serve sushi and sashimi (made to order), udon/soba noodles, tempura, grilled meat dishes (Yaki niku) and Tepanyaki as well as a lovely range of starters.

Our favourite dishes are:

(Sake) Salmon Teriyaki, Udon noodles and Tempura are our favourites, but there are plenty of delicious (Oishii) things

(click on the photos to enlarge and use the back button on your web browser to come back to this property page)

on the menu! And finish with the green tea ice cream – it is much nicer than it sounds!

Restaurant name

Fujiyama Japanese Restaurant

Date of visit

17th May 2009

Website address

http://fujiyama.co.uk

Restaurant telephone

01702 331666

Restaurant address

126, Hamlet Court Rd, Westcliff-On-Sea, Essex SS0 7LP

Average price per person for 3 course meal, excluding drinks

moderate (£20-£30)

How many dined?

2

Value for money rating?

8/10

Atmosphere Quality rating?

7/10

Service Quality rating?

7/10

Food Quality rating

8/10