Pan-Asian restaurant chain Wagamama has ushered in the new year with a daring culinary move, launching two entirely plant-based fusion dishes that blend global flavours. Available across the UK from 5th January 2026, the udonara and tacomama are direct responses to consumer insight showing a growing appetite for adventurous, internationally-inspired tastes.
A Japanese-Italian Carbonara Reinvented
The star of the new menu is the udonara, a playful mashup that reimagines classic Italian carbonara through a Japanese lens. This trend, which originated in Japanese noodle bars and gained viral fame on TikTok, receives a distinctive Wagamama twist. The dish features thick, chewy udon noodles smothered in a rich and creamy sauce. It is topped with crispy vegan bacon, savoury king oyster mushrooms, and a garnish of fresh coriander cress for a complete plant-based experience.
The Tacomama: A Mexican-Asian Side Dish
Accompanying the main is the inventive tacomama, a side dish that introduces a Mexican-inspired twist to the Wagamama bench. Departing from a traditional taco shell, the hero ingredient is a crispy, open gyoza wrapper. This vessel is generously loaded with teriyaki-glazed mushrooms, a sweet and spicy Korean-style sweet potato mash, mixed leaves, vegan mayonnaise, and a scattering of juicy pomegranate seeds for a burst of freshness.
Chef's Vision and Development
Global Executive Chef Steve Mangleshot explained the thinking behind the new creations. "We wanted to take our fusion journey further, exploring bold flavours that surprise our guests and meet their evolving tastes," he said. Mangleshot revealed that the dishes are the result of extensive development, with the team working on them for eight to ten months prior to launch. He described the offerings as a "playful and unexpected twist" ideal for customers seeking something novel this January.
This launch continues Wagamama's established history of innovative fusion food, which includes past hits like the cranberry katsu and vegan fish and chips. The brand states this new chapter aims to push boundaries even further by introducing unexpected global flavour profiles, while remaining faithful to its core ethos of soulful, pan-Asian inspired cuisine.
Both the udonara and tacomama are available at Wagamama restaurants nationwide from 5th January 2026, while stocks last.
