The other day (I was in Zürich) I had a craving for Japanese food for lunch, so I went to my favorite reasonably priced Japanese restaurant...which, to my dismay, was closed for Easter holidays. Soo...since it was nearby, I went to the fairly new (opened last year) Wagamama. I think I've been to Wagamama in London before, but must have buried the experience in my mind. I ordered a chicken katsu curry, and my lunchmate ordered a chicken ramen. The chicken ramen was nothing like ramen. The soup was dashi based, which is all wrong, but beyond that, it was just bland and bad. The dashi didn't even taste right in any way. The noodles were just undercooked and bad. But the ramen was nothing compared to the awfulness of the chicken katsu curry. I understand that they are trying for 'healthy' versions of Japanese favorites, but you just do not make a fake, oddly sweet, curry sauce that has so much cornstarch in it that it's sort of gelatinous and stays in intact, greyish, quivering lumps on your spoon.

I was really starving, but I left more than half of it - I mostly had the plain rice, and the katsu bits (too salty, utterly flavorless chicken, but at least crispy) that I could scrape the sauce off of. The so-called hijiki salad was not too bad. The duck 'gyoza' was so different from what gyoza should be, that they were perversely edible. Sort of like expecting to get Swedish meatballs at Ikea and being served chopped liver instead, if that makes sense. However, the idea that neophytes might think that was real gyoza is quite disturbing.I've gotten over my antipathy towards 'Asian Fusion' cooking, but I do at least want food to Taste Good. Not this plasticky fake crap. Wagamama restaurants look really great and all, but the best interior design in the world will not kill the bad aftertaste of g-awful food. (Note, I ranted about this on Twitter - sorry if you follow me there and are hearing this again! But reallly it was that bad.) So, I'm placing Wagamama firmly into my Fake Japanese/Asian Restaurant Hall of Shame.

Unfortunately, there are other 'Asian' restaurants that belong there. What are your nominations? What to you makes a so-called Japanese or Asian restaurant just wrong? (My other big Fake Asian Restaurant Hall of Shame member is Yo! What's the deal with London and fake Japanese? (See also Loretta's comment here) - Wherever you go, there you are. * We offer an “Omakase” prix fixe menus only. umi sushi menu jacksonvilleOur a la carte menu (click HERE) is available only after the Omakase menu has been served. jiro dreams of sushi introYour understanding is appreciated.sushi grade fish columbus ohio Sushi in Kaiseki Style (“Omakase”)jiro dreams of sushi intro

made from dried Konbu and Katsuo-Bushi bluefin medium fatty tuna cured in soy sauce Two kinds of signature sushi of the day Chef’s two kinds of sashimi nestled in shaved ice with fresh Wasabi & Yuzu onion sauce Japanese oyster, Hako-Zushi of the day & Five kinds of Chef’s assorted Les petit plats Japanese Oyster served with French Daurenki Caviar with crispy monk fish & kabocha dango Three kinds of seasonal sushi of the day Chef’s sushi choice of the day Toro (bluefin fatty tuna) * All guests will be served with the same Omakase. * We always try to keep our online menu up-to-date, but depending upon seasonality and availability of ingredients, the menu and prices are subject to change without prior notice. Came here with a group of 5. It took a while to be seated but then it was a Friday night and the hostess had advised us of the wait time. Since this was our first visit we were not sure of how big the portions would be and were pleasantly surprised at how generous they were.

Great rolls great service. Bene is in my opinion one of the best sushi restaurants in the lower mainland. We came here wanting decent Japanese food and we got it! The sushi was very fresh and kudos to the staff for taking extra time to make the presentation look beautiful. I had the multi sushi roll combo for $12.95. The yam tempura roll was made in thin layers of tempura. All the size of the rolls... We have been going to Bene for a few years and have experienced gradual and consistent decline in the service, regardless of the server or evening of the week. To the point that we will not be back. Our last dinner was with lukewarm salmon teriyaki, bowl of white rice that took 30 minutes to arrive (seriously, we're talking about... I love getting together with my girlfriends and Bene Sushi provides the perfect venue. They have little rooms where we can eat and have a conversation and actually hear what is being said! Bene Sushi has great food and has menu items for those who don't care for Sushi.

I love Sushi and it is great here. Comfortable place to have sushi in west Vancouver, reasonable price and polite staff and lots of exotic roll choices and lovely avocado roll. Bene is a great sushi spot with great decor and comfortable seating. The food choices are excellent and very tasty. I have enjoyed several meals at Bene. The only downside is the service. Wait staff are almost too attentive and pressure you to end your meal. On more than one dinner occasion we have been presented with the bill before... Some of my local to the area friends rave about this place, so we go for lunch today - not busy. For $ 24.00 a person we received terrible reception met with a grim millennial looking waiter - 12 minute wait for service in a restaurant that is full staff and less than half full of customers. Stopped in here after a walk on the seawall and was surprised. The decor is very nice and higher end than most sushi restaurants. Service was swift and the food came quickly - they were not too busy as it was around 16:30.