Wagamama is a London institution. In fact, I should say it's a European institution since I've also seen locations in Amsterdam and Dublin.

For a quick meal at a good price, Wagamama can't be beat. But this also means there are often lines out the door. Fortunately, with the cafeteria-style tables and quick service, the lines move fairly quickly.

When you come in, you'll be directed to a place at one of the long tables, usually sitting next to people you don't know. But there's still plenty of space, and room underneath the table for your bags.

Waiters use a little machine to type in your order and write the number of what you ordered right on your placemat.

A lot of the menu consists of soups, but there's also the cha han (rice with vegetables) and my favorite, the soba (7 or 8 pounds), which comes with those Japanese noodles. My husband always opts for the soup with pieces of steak since it seems like one of the few places in London where you can get a decent piece of meat! Wagamama also offers smoothies which look really interesting.

Wagamama is a great place to go with friends if you want something quick—or a great place to go before the theater given locations in Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Just be prepared to feel like you're back in your high school cafeteria!

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