wagamama launches new cook book ‘soul kitchen'

The recipes are inspired by ‘food heroes’ across Asia.

wagamama has announced the launch of their brand-new cookbook, Soul Kitchen, with 70 recipes accompanied by photography and storytelling.

“I’m thrilled to be able to share our experiences, memories, and importantly, these recipes with our guests,” said Steve Mangleshot, global executive chef of wagamama. “We hope that everyone feels inspired and fulfilled as they welcome us into their kitchen—or as we call it, the soul of the house.”

Journeying from wagamama’s own open kitchens, the team traveled from Tokyo, Japan, to Seoul, South Korea, and on to Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam, visiting eating houses, street food stalls, canteens, and fine dining spots.

The wagamama team also interviewed the cooks they met along the way.

For instance, Na Beom-Jun, the owner of Balladak, a chicken pub in Seoul, shared the secret behind his innovative chicken flavours.

Ngô Thanh Hòa, owner of Ho Chi Minh City’s contemporary Vietnamese restaurant, East, shared how traditional flavours and ingredients can be made into something entirely new.

These ‘food heroes’ and more shared their stories in Soul Kitchen, creating stories that accompany recipes inspired by their signature dishes.

With recipes created by the restaurant brand’s food team and the stories written by wagamama senior copy manager, Charlotte Ellis, the cookbook’s chapters span a full day.

Organised by mealtime, the recipes include kimchi hash browns and a creative spin on the traditional Vietnamese soup, called ‘break-phost’. There are also fresh glass noodle salads, crunchy banh mi, warming curries and stews, as well as cocktails and smaller snacks.

Moreover, it also include recipes such as the hot shichimi fried chicken, inspired by South Korea’s famous fried chicken, and spicy gochujang pork jjigae.

There is also a whole chapter dedicated to reducing kitchen waste, showing how to turn scraps into incredible dishes like leftover veggie ramen or the Korean rarebit.

Previous cookbooks from wagamama include The wagamama Cookbook (2005), wagamama Ways with Noodles (2006), wagamama Feed Your Soul (2019) and wagamama Your Way (2021).

The book is available at various retailers, all wagamama restaurants, and online for RRP £22.