Key Points
- wagamama has launched a new vegan ‘chicken’ kare lomen dish for Veganuary, featuring udon noodles in coconut broth topped with vegan teriyaki ‘chicken’, coriander, beansprouts and cucumber.
- The restaurant chain committed to making half its menu meat-free by 2022 and now offers more than 50 percent plant-based options.
- This Veganuary exclusive supports a partnership with food charity The Bread and Butter Thing, aiding low-income families across over 80 locations.
- The dish saw a 144 percent increase in guest participation compared to the previous year’s Veganuary exclusive.
North Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 8, 2026 – wagamama has introduced a fresh vegan take on its iconic kare lomen dish as part of its ongoing commitment to expand meat-free and vegetarian options on the menu.
The nourishing bowl combines udon noodles in a coconut broth with a chilli kick, topped with vegan teriyaki ‘chicken’, coriander, beansprouts and cucumber, available in all wagamama restaurants and on Deliveroo for Veganuary only.
What New Vegan Dish Has wagamama Launched?
According to reporting by The NEN – North Edinburgh News, wagamama’s vegan ‘chicken’ kare lomen builds on the chain’s mission to inspire plant-based eating, following its October 2021 pledge to make half its menu plant-based.
As reported by The NEN – North Edinburgh News, the dish was one of the highest-selling vegan mains during January 2022, with a 144 percent increase in guest participation over the prior Veganuary exclusive.
How Is wagamama Supporting Communities Through This Initiative?
The new dish launches alongside a charity partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing, a food charity set up in 2016 that provides low-cost groceries to low-income communities.
What Does The Bread and Butter Thing Do?
The charity supports over 40,000 members and redistributes food to more than 5,000 families weekly, with those in need paying around £7.50 for £35 worth of groceries sourced directly from manufacturers and retailers.
What Other Meat-Free Efforts Has wagamama Made?
wagamama has developed vegan versions of popular dishes, collaborated with vegan chef Gaz Oakley on the world’s first vegan ‘egg’, created watermelon ‘tuna’ and removed red meat from its test kitchen menu in Old Street, London.
These steps reflect a broader push towards vegetarian and vegan options amid growing demand for plant-based dining in areas like North Edinburgh.
