Wagamama goes vegan with new menu

Wagamama is the latest high street chain to create a dedicated vegan menu in response to growing demand for meat, egg and dairy-free dishes.

The 29-item menu, which launched this month, also features a range of vegan and vegetarian beers.

Dishes range from kare burosu ramen with tofu, mushrooms and udon noodles in a curried vegetable broth, to vegan pad thai, and a lemongrass and coconut curry.

Wagamama also offers a vegetarian twist on its famous katsu curry with sweet potato, butternut squash and aubergine.

The Vegan Society says the number of vegans in the UK has more than tripled to over half a million since 2006.

Big-name brands such as JD Wetherspoon, EAT and Zizzi have all extended their vegan options to cater to the rising demand, and Pret a Manger is to open its third vegetarian-only shop in London this month.

“When talking to vegan customers, what they want the most is inclusion," says Wagamama customer director Emma Woods.

"That is the same with our vegetarian fans. Our first ever dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu can be the starting point to support a vegan lifestyle choice. From its October launch, we will be listening to our fans to make sure we are constantly adapting and innovating to meet customer desires and a modern lifestyle.”

Upcoming vegan restaurant openings to watch include US chain By Chloe and crowdfunding success story Vurger Co, which are both planning to launch in London.