Introducing the udon’ara – fresh fusion dish inspired by insight showing rising demand for more global flavours
wagamama is kicking off 2026 with a bold new dish that pushes the boundaries of pan-Asian fusion cuisine. Available in wagamama’s Belfast restaurant from today, the new udon’ara has been created in response to insight*, which shows that consumers are increasingly drawn to flavours inspired by cuisines from around the world. The pan-asian brand has developed this playful creation bringing together unexpected global flavour profiles.
The new udon’ara (£14.90) is the new main on offer, a Japanese-Italian inspired mashup that reimagines classic carbonara. This trend started in Japanese noodle bars and has taken TikTok by a storm over the past few years. wagamama’s version offers a vegan twist with thick udon noodles, coated in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with crispy vegan bacon, king oyster mushrooms and fresh coriander cress.
Global Executive Chef Steve Mangleshot said; “We wanted to take our fusion journey further, exploring bold flavours that surprise our guests and meet their evolving tastes. That’s why we’ve been developing this dish over the last eight to ten months. It offers a playful and unexpected twist that’s perfect for all of our guests looking for something new and exciting this January.”
wagamama’s history with playful fusion food began with twists like the much-loved cranberry katsu for Christmas. This next chapter pushes fusion even further, introducing unexpected flavours, through this new vegan creation while staying true to the spirit of wagamama’s pan-Asian, soulful cuisine.
The udon’ara is available in wagamama, Belfast, Victoria Square restaurant from today, until stock lasts. Visit wagamama.com for more information and follow @wagamama_ni for the latest updates.
