Wagamama Seaport (Boston, MA)

Wagamama is a chain of restaurants serving Asian food - primarily Japanese - which started in UK. I wasn't familiar until I moved to Boston 3 years ago, and I actually only tried it for the first time recently. Wagamama had opened a new location in the Boston Seaport district and invited some bloggers and instagrammers to try them out.

We started with a plate of Chili squid (crispy fried squid, shichimi, chili cilantro dipping sauce, $9)

For calamari lovers, this squid dish is a great variation. It's crispy but tasted light and spiced just right. I couldn't start eating them.

We also had some dumplings, both steamed and fried. Our favorite was the fried duck gyoza ($8)


The drinks at Wagamama are better than I would've expected from a chain restaurant. While a lot of them tended on the sweet and fruity side, they're not overly sweet and fairly well balanced. What I like most is the fact that they use spirits from Asia as much as possible.

For example, the Wagamama Mai Tai is made with Tanduay rum which is from the Philippines. They also use Iwai Whisky from Japan


There are also some nice Japanese craft beers, like this Hitachino Nest Red Rice ale.

More appetizers came. They have a good vegetarian version of Steamed buns - with crispy fried eggplant and mushrooms

Chicken curry rice (raisukaree, $14) - this is one of their most popular dishes

Chicken katsu curry ($14) - I prefer this to the raisukare because it's fried, of course.

Grilled duck donburi (shredded duck leg in spicy teriyaki sauce, carrots, snow peas, sweet potato, red onion on rice, fried egg, shredded cucumber ,scallion, and a side of kimchi - $16)

The donburi reminded me of bibimbap with the kimchi and vegetables. It's got a bit of heat and very flavorful.

Yaki soba (soba noodles with peppers, bean sprouts, egg - $10 with mushroom and vegetable)


Though I'm normally skeptical of chain food, the food at Wagamama actually tasted pretty good even if not 100% authentic and I like that it tastes lighter, less greasy, and thus healthier.

Which just means more room for dessert. Like the Banana katsu (fried banana in panko breadcrumbs, salted caramel ice cream, $7)

Fried banana with ice cream, come on. Of course, it's a very popular dessert.

Being a chocolate fiend, though, I think I preferred the Chocolate layer cake, drizzled with chocolate and wasabi sauce, coconut ice cream ($8)


I was pleasantly surprised by the food and drinks at Wagamama and I like that they make the effort to showcase Asian spirits.

Wagamama Seaport
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA
617 933 9304
https://www.wagamama.us/restaurants/boston-seaport