New winter menu items at Wagamama means one thing: comfort food.

Steamed buns (some call them bao, Wagamama call them hirata) have to be one of my ideal comfort foods. You get squishy puffs of carbs with hot, flavourful filling and differing textures. Two bites and they’re gone and you get two in a serving which means you can order a couple of flavours as sides to share and still fit in a main course. 

Korean BBQ beef and red onion (above) had a hint of spice and plenty meat. The beef is tender which suggests it’s been cooked slow and low and the BBQ sauce is complimented by a Japanese mayo which even my mayo hating other half enjoyed.

The veggie option, mushrooms and aubergine was equally tasty. Aubergine is coated in panko crumbs so gives crunch to your mouthful, and the mushrooms add an extra flavour. To be honest, a bowl full of this filling with some brown rice or noodles would be a perfect meal in itself.
 

Shiitake donburi is another mushroom winner. Brown rice (so much tastier than a bowl of white rice in my opinion), teriyaki sauce and a shiitake and broccoli filled omelette. Lots of veg in the rice too so a properly filling and hearty dish.

Not a new dishes but Andrew went for the brisket donburi. Super tender beef in a teriyaki sauce but with sticky white rice rather than my brown. As you can see #ihavethisthingaboutmushrooms while he was having a brisket craving! 

The food is great value and I do like the communal seating in all the Wagamama sites. The staff ensure that everyone gets their own space if they want it while making the evening service buzzy and friendly. It makes my desire to see what everyone else is eating much easier!

Thanks to Wagamama for the invite.

Wagamama 
1 Spinningfield Square, Hardman Street, Manchester. M3 3AP

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