wagamama today announces the launch of a new ground-breaking plant-based vegan fish and chips dish.
This dish makes wagamama the first high street restaurant to offer a vegan take on the classic meal and is yet another vegan innovation to be added to the wagamama menu which is 50 per cent plant-based.
The trailblazing dish is called Tempura F-ish + Bang Bang Yaki-imo and is a flavour packed Japanese inspired take on the British classic, Fish and Chips, created as only wagamama can.
Beer battered fish is replaced with lightly tempura coated ‘f-ish’, made from a mix of soy, rice and pea protein, replicating the taste and flaky texture of fish.
wagamama brings its version of ‘chips’ to the bench with roasted sweet potato chunks and red onion, coated in wagamama’s famous firecracker sauce, bringing the ‘bang bang’ element of the dish description.
All the traditional trimmings are also included but in a uniquely wagamama way, as smashed minty edamame beans make for wagamama’s take on mushy peas, accompanied by katsu curry sauce, waga tartare with Japanese pickles, chilli, and a lemon wedge.
wagamama CEO, Thomas Heier, said: “We’re so proud of our 50% plant-based menu and we’re committed to encouraging more people to experience our plant-based options for themselves to help make a sustainable difference for our planet.
“Which is why we’re focusing on offering dishes that are so delicious, they might even tempt the most uncompromising meat-eater to eat more plants, even if it’s just about making one sustainable swap a week”.
In October 2021 wagamama made half its menu plant-based and their new veganuary dish is part of their mission to continue inspiring and empowering Brits to give plants a go, one bowl at a time.
Adopting a plant-based diet has been increasingly recognised as a key choice we can all make to help the climate crisis, as research shows it could reduce the amount of land used for agriculture by 76% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food by up to 49%. (Schiermeier, eat less meat, 2019 & IPCC, Special Report on Climate Change & Land, 2019).
wagamama has led in making delicious plant-based food accessible and full of flavour after being the first multi-site UK restaurant business to offer a vegan menu on the high street.
Since then, wagamama has made vegan versions of all their most popular dishes, collaborated with vegan chef Gaz Oakley to bring guests a vegan ‘egg’, turned watermelon into ‘tuna’ and eliminated red meat from their test kitchen menu in Old Street, London.
Every year, wagamama sees an increasing number of people giving vegan dishes a go and now just under 20% of their guests choose to go plant-based.
About their new dish, wagamama’s global head-chef Steve Mangleshot said: “Tempura F-ish and Bang Bang Yaki Imo brings the vibrant flavours of Asia to a classic every Brit knows and loves.
We wanted to both surprise and delight our vegan fans, while also empowering our meat-loving guests to give plants a go this Veganuary.
“For us, it will always be about creating incredible soulful dishes, which happen to be plant-based – meaning, we aim for our vegan dishes to excite every guest no matter their dietary preferences.”
wagamama’s new dish Tempura F-ish + Bang Bang Yaki-imo” is £12.95 and available in restaurant, on Deliveroo and through click and collect for just one month only at all UK restaurants (excluding Northern Ireland).
wagamama: our story and our food ‘kaizen’, meaning ‘good change’ is the philosophy that sits right at our heart. It shapes every dish we create, and pushes us to find better ways in all that we do. We’re restless spirits, forever creating and making things better.
We’ve been practising kaizen since 1992, when we opened our first doors in London’s Bloomsbury. Inspired by fast-paced, Japanese ramen bars and a celebration of Asian food, wagamama burst into life. We set out to create a unique way of eating; bringing the fresh, nourishing, flavours of Asia to all.
A warming bowl of bold ramen, teppan dishes griddled to perfection or if you would rather rice, you’re in luck – our menu features many Japanese favourites. Fresh, authentic menus that are updated seasonally. wagamama is a staple of modern Asian cuisine
In the name of kaizen, our standards are high. Our ingredients are cooked fresh, served fresh. Every bowl and plate that we fill with them is served as soon as it’s ready. The colours and aromas, flavours and spices are always at their best when they touch your table.