FLATIRON — The popular pan-Asian restaurant chain Wagamama is bringing its customizable noodle dishes to New York City for the first time this week.
Wagamama will open its doors on Wednesday at 210 Fifth Ave., across from Madison Square Park, where diners will be able to choose from a wide range of ramen and other Japanese dishes, along with curries, appetizers, and drinks inspired by Asian cuisines.
The two-level eatery, with entrances on Fifth Avenue and Broadway, is decked out with exposed-brick walls, pendant lamps, and wood accents. Visitors have the option to dine at individual tables or chow down with strangers at one of Wagamama's 36-seat family-style tables, which it became known for during its early days in London.
Diners can also grab a spot at the marble-topped bar or in the mezzanine seating overlooking the restaurant on the second level.
The menu features standard noodle and pan-Asian dishes including ramen, teriyaki soba noodles, ginger chicken udon noodles and Thai-inspired curries, but diners can also customize their bowls, with entrees running between $12 and $17.
Appetizers include edamame, fried squid with chili sauce, and prawn skewers marinated in lemongrass and lime. They range in price from $5 to $8.
Wagamama is also introducing a new drinks menu, which includes cocktails made with Japanese whiskey and a laundry list of Japanese beers. Cocktails are $12 across the board, and include the Ume Royal made with prosecco and plum wine, the Yuzu Mojito made with Tanduay rum, yuzu citrus liqueur, and fresh mint, among others.
Fresh vegetable and fruit juices will also be available, including the Positive, made with pineapple, lime, spinach, cucumber, and apple, and the Super Green, with apple, mint, celery, and lime.
The restaurant started slinging noodles at its first spot in London in 1992 and has since grown into an international behemoth, with more than 140 locations across Europe and Middle East and outposts as far afield as New Zealand and Boston.
Wagamama already has designs on a second location in the East Village, and plans to open more restaurants in the city, with the Flatiron location serving as its New York flagship.
The chain is hailing its first New York restaurant as a landmark, and in 2010, Wagamama announced plans to open 650 locations across the United States, according to a report in Eater.
In 2011, the chain was bought by investment firm Duke Street Capital for $350 million, and until the opening of the New York location, the only toeholds in North America have been Wagamama’s three restaurants in the Boston area.
