WHEN you see the Christmas lights go up and the jingle bells start ringing, we all know what we want next…Japanese food.
For a limited time only, the pan-Asian restaurant has plucked a popular Christmas fruit, typically served with Turkey, and immersed it within its famous katsu curry.
Picture crispy panko chicken covered in silky katsu curry sauce, with small yet mighty bursts of sweet cranberry that melt on your tongue.
If you’re beginning to worry this is another pineapple on pizza controversy, think again.
Cranberry is a classic when it comes to Christmas pairings, not only is it vibrant with a tart-sweet flavour, it’s now a festive staple.
Now let’s take the katsu sauce, it’s already warmly spiced with aromatic blends such as turmeric, ginger, onion and garlic but there is an element of sweetness to it too.
As stated on Wagamama’s website, to create their signature katsu sauce, a teaspoon of sugar is required. Soy sauce, another ingredient, is also known for being on the sweeter side too.
So, adding flakes of cranberry to an already relatively sweet sauce just gives it that extra Christmassy punch. The chicken, rice, and salad balance everything out nicely. In my opinion anyway.
I think this meal worked really well because it didn’t taste like two polar opposites colliding, it just brought a sweet and fruity festive kick to an already comforting dish.
For any non-chicken lovers, there’s also a vegan yasai cranberry katsu option, so everyone can enjoy this fresh alternative that is still distinctly Wagamama’s.
Given its Christmas party season, everyone is making group bookings and so does Wagamama.
It meant that as a group of 16, we were able to book out a table to all sit together and enjoy our Christmas celebration.
And it’s not just London that has the festive Katsu – it’s gone nationwide.
Global Executive Chef at Wagamama, Steve Mangleshot says, “For our first-ever seasonal dish, we’ve made a festive play on our classic katsu by adding a cranberry twist.
“The cranberry katsu is comforting, packed with flavour, and set to be the trending dish of the holiday season.”
So what are you waiting for?
