LITERALLY translating to ‘the way of the noodle’, this Japanese noodle bar has made a niche for itself in the London cuisine scene. Starting off primarily as a student haunt, and then rapidly attracting a mainstream clientele, Wagamama has expanded from just the one branch on Streatham Street (just off New Oxford Street) to several others including branches in Camden Town, Wigmore Street (behind Selfridges) and Lexington Street in Soho.

The décor is simple and unassuming consisting of long wooden tables and benches akin to a university dining hall. The kitchen is in full view of the customers and in keeping with the hip, cutting edge image of the restaurant your order will be punched into an electronic notepad from where it is relayed immediately to the chefs so that work on your order can be started immediately. Normally your order will be with you within 10 minutes of your being waited upon.

The food itself has a distinctly fresh taste to it. The vegetables are not overcooked thereby imparting a wonderful subtle flavour to the dishes. The appetisers are a must particularly the deep fried prawns served with a slice of lime and chilli sauce (Ebi Katsu) or the chargrilled skeweres of beef in a rich barbecue sauce (Yaki Tori).

Generally, the main dishes are divided into three main categories. The Ramens are soup based noodles served with fresh coriander and grilled chicken, beef or seafood. The chilli chicken ramen is a particularly ‘hot’ seller. The teppan noodles are thicker and drier. Try, for example, the yaki soba which is a delicious combination of noodles garnished with fresh spring onions, mushrooms, green and red peppers, shrimps and shredded chicken. Or go for the Ebi Chilli Men: prawns in a rich tomato sauce, served on a bed of teppan fried noodles. The third category are the rice based dishes of which the Cha Han (fried rice with spring onions, mushrooms, sweetcorn, chicken and prawns and served with a bowl of miso soup) is outstanding.

Mention must also be made of the interesting selection of drinks ranging from chilled to perfection cokes to a mixture of freshly squeezed apple and orange juice to Ame White – an exotic blend of herbs, jasmine and elderflower.

Wagamama provides an extremely pleasurable eating experience and a healthy, wholesome one at the same time. Like most oriental food you are not likely to feel overly stuffed or heavy. Its also extremely reasonably priced and you can have a good meal – soft drinks included – for 10 pounds or less. Just one other piece of advice: the queues can be daunting but don’t be overwhelmed, the line moves very quickly and you’ll rarely have to wait for more than 20 minutes.