‘I attempted Wagamama’s first Christmas dish and located cranberry and katsu do combine’
Popular Asian restaurant chain has come up with something unusual for its debut festive dish
Wagamama has launched its first-ever Christmas dish – the cranberry chicken katsu. Described as crispy panko chicken ‘layered with silky, savoury katsu curry sauce and finished with a burst of sweet cranberry’ the dish is offering a fresh take on a beloved Christmas condiment.
But would cranberries really work in a chicken katsu curry? As a huge fan of Wagamama’s original katsu curry, I was definitely sceptical before tasting it, but was pleasantly surprised.
The cranberry is mixed in with the katsu sauce, offering a slightly sweet twist on the Wagamama classic. It’s Christmassy without being just a gimmick and pairs nicely with the savoury panko fried chicken.
For those who might be bored of a classic roast dinner but still fancy a seasonal dish – this one might be for you. There is also a vegan yasai version available.
The cranberry katsu curry was launched at an even held at Wagamama’s Old Street location in London. Diners were treated to a performance from drag queen Snow White Trash, who serenaded everyone with a rendition of ‘All I Want for Christmas is Katsu’.
Speaking at the launch event for the dish, Steve Mangleshot, Wagamama’s global executive chef, told diners: “We’ve never done this before, it’s exciting, it’s fun – if this doesn’t put a smile on your face before Christmas I don’t know what will.”
Diners were also treated to the vegan koko ‘prawn crackers’, the yasai and beef brisket gyozas, hot honey fried chicken, and the delicious bao nuts for dessert.
The cranberry katsu will be available from November 17 for a limited time across all Wagamama locations.
For those looking to get their hands on a free cranberry katsu, the Wagamama truck will be going on a nationwide tour. Fans can try the new dish if they’re signed up to the restaurant’s Soul Club.
The Wagamama truck will be visiting:
- Saturday, November 22 – Cardiff city centre, 11am-4pm
- Tuesday, November 25 – Waterloo Station, 3pm-8pm
- Friday, December 5 – Liverpool Christmas Market, 3pm-8pm
- Saturday, December 6 – Leeds city centre, 11am-4pm
