As someone who lived in London in the late 2000s, when Asian food was not as popular, accessible or unburdened by tradition as it is now, Wagamama was one of the early options for a little taste of Japan.
Founded in 1992 by Hong Kong-born British restaurateur Alan Yau Tak-wai, the Tokyo ramen bar-inspired restaurant quickly ballooned into a nationwide chain – despite the liberties it would take with flavour.
I had forgotten about this brand until recently, when a little storm in a teacup began...