Where Is Wagamama From? Its London Origins
Wagamama is from London, England. Its first restaurant opened in Bloomsbury in 1992.
The chain’s starting point
Wagamama’s official history names Alan Yau as its founder and places the first restaurant in Bloomsbury. The original idea drew on the energy and communal dining of Tokyo ramen bars. That is an influence on the concept, not a claim that the company began in Japan.
Why it is associated with Japan
The food and restaurant style have a strong Japanese influence. Visit London describes the cuisine as Japanese-inspired. For a fuller explanation of the menu, see is Wagamama Japanese? and what cuisine it serves.
Origin, opening date and owner
The place where a business began is different from who owns it today. Our opening-date article explains the 1992 date and the more precise secondary evidence. For its later corporate ownership, see who owns Wagamama.