Wagamama launches new 'udonara' fusion dish inspired by Italian cuisine

Wagamama is kicking off 2026 with two bold new dishes that push the boundaries of pan-Asian fusion cuisine.

Available nationwide from 5th January 2026, the new udonara and tacomama have 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 these playful creations bringing together unexpected global flavour profiles.

The new udonara 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 plant-based twist with thick udon noodles, coated in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with crispy vegan bacon, king oyster mushrooms and fresh coriander cress.

As for side dishes, the tacomama brings a Mexican inspired twist to wagamama’s benches, built around an unexpected hero – a crispy open gyoza wrapper in place of a traditional taco shell. Loaded with teriyaki mushrooms, korean-style sweet potato mash, mixed leaves, vegan mayo and pomegranate, it’s a playful dish that pushes the boundaries of traditional Asian ingredients.

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 these dishes over the last eight to ten months. They offer 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 and vegan fish + chips in 2022. This next chapter pushes fusion even further, introducing unexpected flavours, through these two new plant-based creations while staying true to the spirit of wagamama’s pan-Asian, soulful cuisine.

Both the udonara and tacomama are available from 5th January, while stocks last.** For more information, visit: https://www.wagamama.com/