Wagamama Cheltenham Preview Night

We were kindly given an invite to an exclusive preview of Cheltenham’s own Wagamama. A few days ahead of officially opening, we were given the chance to try a selection of the menu (including craft beers and juices!) plus spend time with executive chef Steve Mangleshot and manager Sam Mckay. We’ve visited Wagamamas across the UK many times, but have tended to only stick to the Chicken Katsu Curry – cue an eye-roll from Steve for not seeing past their #1 dish.

Upon taking our seats (opposite the lovely Roseann and Kingsley from Honeybourne Line), staff served a range of classic and new Wagamama juices, and a selection of their new pale ale duo. Kansho is the lighter of the two, and bended with ginger and lime, while Kikko gives a richer taste with hint of spice.

The team then served a range of sides and starters – Chilli Squid, Beef Tataki, Ebi Katsu, Raw Salad and Chicken Gyoza.

This selection alone would have left us full and happy, but we were then presented with new main dishes from the menu – Sticky Pork Belly, Seared Nuoc Cham Tuna, Pad Thai Salad, Raisukaree and Prawn Firecracker (with additional spice on Kingsley’s request).

We’d pressed on, leaving every plate clear as the team made sure drinks were constantly flowing. Freshness glows in every single dish, as does a care and attention to make everything look and taste perfect every time.

Back to the evening, and one comment (perhaps inspired by one-too-many Kanshos) about whether we’d taste the famous Chicken Katsu Curry was met by good humour… and within 5 minutes we’d been gifted one for the table.

Feeling suitably spoilt as Steve once again took to the floor; we assumed he was about to wrap up and send us on our merry way. Not so. We are each presented with an OFF MENU desert… Coconut Ice Cream & Katsu Curry Sauce. Yes, you read that correctly… curry sauce on ice cream.

As weird as this sounds (and looks) it actually works. Similar to a salty caramel, the curry sauce savoury favours compliments the coconut ice cream. How they discovered this, we’ll never know.

With bellies full, beer consumed and applauses all-round, the night came to an end. Wagamama will certainly be a welcome addition to Cheltenham’s expanding roster of restaurants, bringing a fresh fusion of oriental flavours to compliment some of our other greats like Kibou and Bar n’ Wok. We’ve always found Wagamama consistently fantastic in any branch (Birmingham has 3), and Sam and the team have created an amazing atmosphere even on the first ever night. Finally we can say the words we never thought we’d be able to…

Cheltenham has a Wagamama!