wagamama announces an evolution of its guest experience across its 157 restaurants, where customers can expect to see fresh, soulful bowls, new drinks with a twist and a buzzing new vibe designed to hit guests’ souls with a bang.
The evolution builds on the wagamama philosophy of kaizen, meaning ‘good change’, which it has been practicing since it first opened its doors in 1992. This news comes as current consumer insight suggests guests are actively seeking something new and desirable in the pursuit of moments of escapism and pleasure, aka ‘itsuraku’.
The study commissioned by wagamama revealed that eating out with friends and family is how most (37 per cent) like to spend their money once they’ve paid for bills and expenses, 61 per cent say they seek pleasure through eating delicious food and 41 per cent through trying new restaurants and dining experiences. Consumers are seeking pleasure through dining with one in six people saying they regularly look for a restaurant that goes beyond the traditional eating out experience.
In response to the latest trends, wagamama’s new menu features three bright koyo bowls (koyo, meaning colourful leaves) including a choice of salmon, chicken or aubergine with delicious, caramelised onion marinated in a sticky red chilli and miso sauce, served on a bed of mixed leaves, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, mooli, red radish and classic edamame beans. the menu also brings back the iconic vegan ‘chicken’ kare lomen and several delicious new sides, such as crispy chilli mushrooms, refreshed wok-fried greens, asian peppers, prawn nori rolls, hirata steamed hoisin pulled duck buns and a refreshing tropical and power sorbet for dessert.
“Our guests are telling us that more than ever they are in the pursuit of pleasure and moments of joy. our philosophy of kaizen, meaning good change, sits right at the heart of what we do, and this pushes us to continually evolve our guest experience. expect new dishes on the menu and drinks with a twist but more than that, it’s about the whole experience which has been shaped to warm your soul and tease out delicious moments of pleasure.”
Kay Bartlett, Chief Marketing Officer
When asked what they look for when choosing a place to eat, 24 per cent want to try trending new menu items, 45 per cent of young people aged 18-30 want instagramable food and drinks, and 52 per cent say they want to eat out at a place where the overall vibe of the restaurant from the food, music to the décor is on point.
The study also revealed that now more than ever, 45 per cent are looking for simple pleasures and spontaneous nights out as more than two thirds (70 per cent) believe that the climate in the last few years has made them want to make up for lost time, with more than one in four saying they dine out at least once a week.
With 18 per cent of those surveyed saying they seek cocktails that pair well with the food when eating out, wagamama has also launched an exciting new drinks menu to complement and maximise flavour of its new mains and side dishes. serving up drinks in stylish new glassware, cocktails include a sparkling sake for the first time, a pandan colada, a twist on the classic pina colada with the addition of fragrant pandan. a refreshing sake spritz, and a thai chilli margarita for those that love some heat in their cocktails.
With testimonials from respondents saying a hedonistic dining experience equals an out of the ordinary experience that satisfies all the senses from a lively atmosphere, excellent service, to indulgent cocktails and amazing food, wagamama is bringing a fresh new playlist into restaurants for pleasure seekers around the UK as nearly one third (31 per cent) say they want music that suits the vibe of the restaurant. at their iconic in-restaurant benches, guests can enjoy new imagery with a photography takeover by renowned photographer, ewen spencer. his captivating and stylish photography captures the essence of how food can hit your soul with a bang. and finally, wagamama teams have been busy perfecting a fresh new hospitality experience that ensures service at the bench is met with personality that puts the guest’s experience first.
For more information about wagamama’s new menu, please visit: https://www.wagamama.com/our-menu
