Wagamama’s first chose Boston over New York to host a Wagamama’s. Why? I have no idea, but I can now attest it’s pretty consistent. My sister wanted to eat here since she’s trying to get to all of the ones around London and thought it’d be interesting to see how different the American counterparts were. Like all Wagamama’s, the one located in Quincy Market, looks like any other one with a fairly open kitchen, and rows of large communal dining benches with paper placemats hosting the menu.

Everything is eerily done pretty much on par, with the only notable exception for this particular joint being three staff serving all of the tables when all of the London one’s I’m used to, there seemed to be a fair number more. We noted that nothing on the menu seemed particularly different, or localised, even some of the specials we recognised from back home. Given that Boston is well known for its seafood, I had expected a number of different dishes, but I guess they have favoured consistency over branch uniqueness which I don’t really mind.

I had the Ebi (prawn) chilli men (noodles) and they had the same slightly tangy tomato sauce that I was used to. I can’t say that I was a big fan of the dish, but I think it’s the dish more so than the execution since I didn’t really like the chicken chilli men last time I had it. As you can see, the prawns here aren’t the giant shrimp you might sometimes see, but at least they were plenty full of flavour.

If you’re in Boston and haven’t made the leap across the pond, then I think you get a good idea about what the Wagamama’s experience is like from the one located in Quincy Market. The do have some decent dishes, and the service will always depend on the wait staff, who seemed adequately trained at this location as well. I think prices are reasonable (comparable to London prices) and even though the portions aren’t American super-sized, it’s plenty enough for a meal.

Name: Wagamama’s
Location: Wagamama, Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Website: http://www.wagamama.us/
The good: Consistency in another country is a good thing when it comes to chains, and Wagamama’s seems to have executed that perfectly well. Good quality food at reasonable prices.
The not so good: This is more of a reflection on the location more than anything but Wagamama’s doesn’t have their own restrooms, and you have to use the communal market ones.