Rocked up to the joint and it was hectic! The restaurant was loud as there were a couple of functions going on and the lines were nasty as people were waiting to be seated. People passing decided to try their luck by asking for a table but were told the waiting time for a non-reserved table could be up to 2 hours *ouch*.

Waited a while for our table even though we made reservations but it’s all in good fun and it didn’t bother us at all as we were more than happy to wait plus we understood the hectic circumstances. Besides, it was a friday night, I was dieing for a cocktail and starving for food from the hectic meeting I had had that day.

AFFORDABILITY
Dishes in my mind were reasonable and cheap! Dishes range from $5-18. Anything higher could be sashimi platters, lobster etc. For 4 people it cost us just over $100 including cocktails.

AMBIANCE
Clever.. Clever.. Clever.. Clever! With its tech-savvy touch screen monitors and their interior designs. Dining in hear makes you feel like you’re somewhere lost in japan! It’s a contrast between different woods and dark stone. Walking up the stairs made me think twice if i was walking into a classy restaurant. The atmosphere is fairly dark but I enjoy it that way. It gives a nice japanese feeling to the place especially with the japanese decor. Very well matched apart from the disposable wooden take-away sushi chop-sticks. I think it would have made it nicer if the chopsticks were popper ones.

SERVICE
Speedy! it’s almost like watching coyote chase after road runner! Food comes out suprising quickly as the restaurant is packed! Staff are friendly and are definitely on the ball!

THE WOW FACTOR
I think Wagaya’s amazing innovative D.I.Y system could become a technology trend that restaurants could soon adopt in near future. On each table there is a touch screen TV embedded into the wall were you can process your orders by:

• reviewing the contents and price of a particular dish
• view enlargements of the dish you wish to order
• view your current order
• view the status of the preparation of your meals
• view the total bill and collect the bill once finished

If you ask me I think this is an amazing concept and very clever! Having this touch-screen menu makes your mouth drool at everything and even makes you want to order more because of how cool it is to just simply “touch the interactive screen”!

FOOD
All the foods we ate were freaking AWESOME! I can’t wait to go back and try the other dishes! Shall be back here very very soon with a post updated! All of us enjoyed it soo much!

Edame Beans
It’s a must dish when going to japanese restaurant

Lotus Roots?
As soon as I saw this on the menu I just had to order it. My dad uses this in a chinese soup that he makes in winter and I absolutely love it! Its like eating freshly fried potato chips with a sweet caramalised sauce and a sprinkle of chilli seasoning. OHH YEH!!

Wagyu Beef Skewers
Oh my god these were my favouriteeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! We ordered a million of theses because we just couldn’t get enough of em!!!! 2 words: SUPER TENDER!

Chicken Skewers
Deliciously sweet i could lick this plate clean! Chicken goodness!

Grilled Salmon sushi will mouth watering caviar
Talk about fresh! Stunning presentation. The caviar and the dressing takes it to a different level. Mm a sushi dish that can never go wrong!

Calamari (not sure if it’s salt and pepper)
Golden Goodness! I loved the golden crunchiness of the calamari. It was different the usual ones as your chinese restaurant. The batter was sooo niceeee and paper lite that it was all gone in 10 seconds *(&#$*&$.

Scallops with Mushrooms in butter
I find it very rare to still see the extra bits of a scallop presented on a dish. As Gordon Ramsey would say “These are F*&#$KING disgusting”. I think this part is the BEST PART. I’m not sure if its an asian thing but there is no way a chinese person would throw that away! Its filled with seafood goodness and its super tasty! As soon as I saw the photo had the extra membrane attached .. Just had to order it.

Crumbed Oysters
Quite disappointed because I couldn’t taste the oyster. I think it being fried killed the taste but hey it was still yum! and presented beautifully.

Japanese Chicken Pizza with Rice Balls?
Nadine recommended I try one of the japanese pizzas. It was quite nice and the glutenous balls added a weird chewy texture. Kinda felt like I was chewing on a big mochi or a big tapioca ball. I enjoyed it! it was different and the base was yummy and floppy. Reminded me of a mini version of American pizza / asian style presented on a hot grill.

Steamed Chicken Salad
I had to try this and compare it to Musashi’s steamed chicken salad. Unfortunately I couldn’t compare it as they were both completely different. My favourite part of this dish is the “Bean Sprouts” I usually dislike bean sprouts but boyyyy there was soo much flavour and the texture was soo different that it felt like I was eating noodles!

DESERT
The Yoh Assorted Desert ran out =( So we were all left with ice-cream choices. I got my favourite ice-cream flavour so it didn’t bother me…

Black Sesame Icecream – MY FAVOURITE

Vanilla Ice-Cream – Boring!

RELATED ENTRIES
30 Food Reviewers Unite! (click to read entry) or link (http://pigged-out.com/?p=1522)

Wagaya
Level 1, 78-86 Harbour Street,
Haymarket Chinatown, Sydney
P: +61 (02) 9212 6068
Open 7 days 5pm – 2am