Oh, mama — you’re gonna love this place.
Wagamama Clarendon opened in August, the newest rendition of the global restaurant brand offering modern Asian cuisine. Set in the heart of bustling Clarendon, the vibrant, 5,100-square-foot eatery delivers made-to-order food from wok to table.
This UK-based chain has more than 250 locations worldwide. Its arrival in the DC area has been long awaited ever since the initial plans to open a location in the area were scrapped in 2012, Eater DC reported.
The Arlington spot opened in early August, with affordable options and plenty to share with friends. Try the fluffy bao dishes, which come in pork, chicken, duck, or vegetarian varieties. Our party chose the Korean fried chicken version, which quickly disappeared. The tangy, scallion-topped crunchy chicken, enveloped by the puffy bao, made for an intriguing start.
The menu also offers chicken or pork gyoza, calamari, edamame, and more fun starters. We dug into some bang bang cauliflower, which lived up to its name: Crispy cauliflower dressed in a zesty firecracker sauce, scallions, fresh ginger, and cilantro joined forces to pack a tasty punch.
With so many entree options, it can be hard to choose. Our server helped narrow down the final decision, and we settled on the chicken pad Thai and spicy pork Szechuan ramen. They didn’t disappoint. The plates arrived at a nice pace, finishing one dish and the next magically appearing. The Pad Thai came in a generous portion, with a delightful mélange of poultry, noodles, chili, and peanuts.
Ramen fans will rejoice with Wagamama’s many options, which include grilled duck, chili shrimp and kimchi, and tantanmen beef brisket. Flavor, freshness, and fun called a meeting and came up with Wagamama.
As we dined al fresco, we gazed at the mass of young hipsters zipping along the sidewalks, carrying yoga mats for workouts, walking dogs, or pushing strollers. Surely, locals in search of an elevated Asian dining experience will find just the perfect fit with Wagamama — we know we did.
Wagamama: 2950 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Feature image by Dawn Klavon
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