I found this restaurant randomly on Yelp when driving through Brisbane on my way to Costco a few months ago. They had great reviews and I was hungry for lunch so it definitely made sense to give them a shot. From the outside it didn't seem that big, however once you get inside you notice a huge dining room with many different sections. Also there was a wait to get seated as they are quite popular so I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Once seated, we were presented with an ipad that you do all the ordering from. They have a huge selection of items ranging from meats to seafood. I was craving sushi so that's what I ended up ordering. The food took quite some time, however they were pretty busy so that's understandable. The qualify was fantastic and I enjoyed each dish that was presented. Will definitely be back. read more

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Order through the app on the table and you can check the progress of your food. We had gyoza, sushi, chicken curry, ramen, fried rice (scallop and fish). So good we came back again read more

On a whim, after a long study day, I was seriously craving Japanese food. After considering my options and what petty choices I had in Brisbane, I decided to finally try out the ever so popular Wagaya. Upon arriving at Wagaya, we were greeted with friendly staff that accommodated us even without a reservation, and led us to one of the many booths that they had. I was rather impressed by their interior, as it seemed quite large, and was a meld between traditional Japanese architecture and a trendy tavern. I was impressed by the menu and ordering process which was all electronic, which makes the service much quicker - which definitely could be a limiting factor in a venue as large as Wagaya seemed to be. Though the electronic ordering was a bit foreign to me, I'm sold by the fact that the menu can be read in four different languages (possibly the most common ones used by the target customers) and that the orders come very quickly. I had the salmon+scallop box sushi roll (13.5) to myself (non-seafood eaters totally missing out!), which was probably the first sashimi I had in Brisbane all year - and I was impressed! I hate calling myself a snob about food, but I am a bit of a sushi snob [because Asia has the best sushi ever], and the roll was not bad at all! We agreed that the takoyaki (5.5) was the best that we've had in Brisbane, and the agedashi tofu (6.2) was not bad either. We had other items, and it came up to be about $20 per person, without much seafood other than the roll - but with sashimi, it could have easily been more. I'm impressed by how everything tasted, even if it isn't saying much for what i expected, but I think it's enough to say that I would definitely recommend this place and return sometime. It's not the cheapest Japanese food, but I would have to say that the food is decent for its price, and is a perfect place for a slightly larger group [with reservations made a week ahead]. read more

Wagaya - Salmon+Scallop Box Sushi Roll - Japanese Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

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Bro I didn't even get to go because the hours were wrong, it said open till 10 but it's 6:38 and the place is closed??? Yelp, get ur times right. read more

On entering Wagaya and being shown to our little private cosy booth I'm thinking this is something new and fun for me. It's a large venue broken up into traditional looking rooms and booths and it is how I imagine restaurants in Japan may be. The seating and tables have that authentic feel, especially in the larger rooms suitable for bigger groups. We are transported to Tokyo. The booths have touch screen ordering and we have fun perusing the huge menu and figuring out the easy to use system. The restaurant has at least ten Karaoke booths attached so we check out those prices on our touch screen also. Of course a restaurant of this size is fully licensed but Wagaya has the option of BYO wine also. I order an Asahi Dry Black beer. There is red but no white wine available by the glass. We peruse the extensive menu for food and most of the options are smaller tasting plates, which suits us fine as we want to taste it all. We decide on Lotus Root Chips and Vegetable Tempura to start and, after ordering via our touch screen, the service is efficient, unobtrusive and friendly. The Lotus root chips taste a bit like potato crisps and are great with my beer. The Tempura is well prepared with crispy batter as expected and not too oily. Next up we order some more adventurous dishes, Sea Urchin Sushi, Octopus Korean Pancake and Tuna sashimi. I find the Tuna sashimi to be a bit bland, however the Sea Urchin Roe Sushi is lovely. The smooth texture of the sea urchin is topped with fish roe that pops on the tongue. Better without soy or wasabi as to enjoy the subtle sea flavours. The octopus Korean Pancake has small pieces of Octopus in the pancake with a tangy ponzu dressing. The octopus is tender and the dressing compliments the pancake very well. Yum! With more room left in our bellies we order Agedashi Tofu. The tofu comes in its own sauce, sprinkled with spring onions and is deliciously silky with a crispy exterior. The sauce and spring onions accompany the tofu perfectly. The restaurant is busy for a Thursday night and I get the impression it is still being enjoyed by Brisbanites, despite being open for a few years now. The wooden bench seating is a bit hard for a mature chappie accustomed to comfort, however good times are being had as indicated by the popping of corks from the $25 per bottle Jacobs Creek Sparkling. Cocktails are also inexpensive here priced from $8 to $10. We don't really need to eat more food but the menu is very tempting. At between $7 - $12 for most plates we order one last dish, an old favourite, Chicken Karaage. Perfectly cooked tender moist chicken and we enjoy it with mayonnaise and soy/wasabi. Great comfort food to end a very fun evening. read more

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The pictures may suggest otherwise but this was a very disappointing dinner. The rainbow roll was pretty decent and fresh (the mayonnaise was just the basic fat stuff without any spiciness or flavour to it). All else was below par. The wagyu steak was overcooked and had no tenderness (left); it also was prepared with an overly sweet sauce. The fried squid was terrible; I've had bad squid in the past but this was nearly inedible. Look, the place looks nice and the staff is friendly, but in 2014 a touch screen feels quite 5 years ago (as a novelty at least). It may not exist in Brisbane but one-touchscreen-per-customer (that also isn't fixed to the wall) restaurants do already exist. To me the Wagaya setup is mostly a way to cut down on staffing costs. Even worse is that it is used to displays ads. For me this was a one-time visit. read more

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Maybe it's the touch-screen ordering, maybe it's the butter miso ramen, the fresh to your table sashimi or booth dining - either way, just as the four stars say, "I'm a fan." Wagaya has treated my Japanese-loving stomach and I well on several occasions from take-away to late night eats with friends. It's not strictly traditional with some menu inspiration taken from Korean and Western cuisines, but it still makes for a fun night dining in a group. The ramen bowls are some of the largest I've eaten in Brisbane and I'm yet to finish a whole one. Paired with a small side of sashimi and you've got yourself a heart-warming meal for under $20. Pro Tip: keep a close eye on your bill tally via the touch-screen. It's a little too easy to get trigger happy and over order! read more

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Food: Tasty, huge range, modern and experimental. Portions are large and designed to share. A mix of traditional but mainly modern Japanese dishes. They have some strange experimental dishes too (e.g. hot cheese and chilli on sushi) which are suprisingly tasty. The desserts are nothing to write home about. Drinks: Beer on tap and bottled, some wine, some spirits and some Japanese drinks. Service: Efficient. You order everything via a touch screen and it gets brought to you once it's made. The only that isn't are condiments but you can ask for those after buzzing a waiter. Price: Very reasonable for everything. Venue: Booths! Every group is assigned a booth with its own touch screen. A regular booth seats up to 4 and larger booths for up to 8. There are also even larger private rooms which you have to pay a deposit for. Bookings: Yes and is highly recommended during peak dinner time. Other: There is rewards program you can sign up to. Worth it. There is a sushi roulette where 1 in 6 nigiri is stuffed with wasabi. Hilarious. Also open until midnight every night. Hooray! Context: Have had lunch and dinner here over a dozen times. read more

Wagaya - Dragon Roll - Japanese Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

Dangerously awesome. I've been here about 6 times now and each time we seem to order such a massive array of things from the mammoth menu that we can barely fit the dishes on the table. It becomes a race to finish dishes to make room for the new ones to arrive. I have to have a serious talk with myself before I sit down for dinner here, it goes something like this; "Now, Michelle, just because it is SUPER EASY to order things off that magical touch screen, WHENEVER you like, DOESN'T mean you should, okay? Now settle down or I'm turning this car around" It's also great because you get your own little private booth, or if you want to pay an extra $20 on the busy nights you can get a whole room for your party of 10 or more. My favourite's are the Sashimi Boat, lotus chips, edamame, Agedashi tofu and the (OMFG!!) crispy chicken wings, we always end up ordering several serves of this. So fun, so good and I love the sleek Japanese style fit out. read more

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I have not been here for a long time. I believe the last visit was with my partner a number of years ago for a date. We enjoyed dining here and would come back. Our only issue has been that the open hours, but I would willingly line up to love the food they have here. read more

One of my favourite Japanese haunts. From the touch screen ordering to the yummy little plates that come out of the open planned kitchen it's the place to go for a cheap bite before heading out of or even a function like a hens night. Best part is that you can see how much your bill is right at your table in the touch screen. Very handy on a night out with friends to keep a track of spending. The atmosphere is wonderful with private booths of various sizes and good sized function rooms as well. This place boasts karaoke but I've not dare enter the den for fear of shattering glass. The cocktails are quite affordable and all their food is more for sharing so you can order a stack of variety to share. The only reason this place didn't get a five star was because of the dessert selection (not for me) and the time limits they seem to have on bookings and time slots. You will have to book if you want to go during peak times as this place is popular. read more

Wagaya - Sashimi yum - Japanese Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

The touch screen ordering system is really efficient and a lot of fun. It is pretty easy to go crazy and order a shitload of dishes, but you can always check on your balance to see how much you have ordered. As soon as you place your order, it's sent back to the kitchen or the bar, and the only time you see staff is when they are delivering your food and drinks. Very smart system! The menu is really extensive, but is categorised to make it easy for searching what style of food you want - nibbles and salad, deep-fried, grilled, sushi and sashimi, noodles etc. For entrees and nibbles, I highly recommend the Takoyaki (octopus balls), Seaweed salad, Edamame and Renkon chips (which are lotus root, thinly sliced and deep-fried. Highly addictive!) The Hot Pots are fantastic value - the small size is about $12-14 and it is enough to split between 2-4 people if you are sharing dishes. The Beef Curry Hot Pot is always our favourite. There is a dish on the menu I've been longing to try, but my friends are lame. It's Sushi Roulette - 6 pieces of sushi, one is stuffed full of hot, hot wasabi. But you won't know until you all pop your piece into your mouth and chew. Hilarious! For drinks, order a hot green tea ($2.50) and then enjoy free refills all night. They have a huge range of non-alcoholic cocktails, including one for each month of the year. If it's your birthday you will get a free cocktail of your birthday month. Most of these drinks feature Calpis, which might be unfamiliar to you but is really good! Give it a go. There's also a huge range of beers and Sake, Shochu and mixed drinks. The menus here are really huge! They are also open for lunch, and there is a limited menu that features Bento Box set meals ($12.90-$14.50), as well as rice and noodle dishes and many of the entrees/nibbles. read more

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Walking into Wagaya is like walking into another world. This is a world where your touch screen is a god and your food appears at your table like magic. A world where you can eat an entrée, eat a main, and then eat another entrée if you so desire. In this world, your crazy food fetishes can be realised without having to explain yourself to a sceptical waiter. The experience of Wagaya is almost enough fun to outweigh the prices, which are quite high for the size of the servings. The style is similar to tapas, and I usually order several small dishes and share with the people I am eating with. Because you order your food and drinks with the touchscreen and you can constantly add to your orders, the bill can skyrocket very fast without you noticing. If you keep this in mind, you can keep things economical and fun. Most of the food is excellent, especially the salmon skewers, sashimi, and sushi. I found the agedashi tofu a little bland, and the wagyu skewers sounded better than they tasted. The décor is simple yet effective, and a beautiful full size bonsai tree has pride of place near the centre of the restaurant. Couples and smaller groups sit in booths while dining rooms are available for larger groups. These group dining rooms feature traditional sunken tables and shoes are removed outside. The group dining experience is a lot of fun, but keep track of what you order to minimise the stress and pain of sorting out the bill. read more

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Yeah Japanese stuff is all awesome. Wagaya is proof. Here's the thing, each booth has a iPad-like ordering touch screen. You select what you want and how much, and within about 2 minutes they'll bring it out to you. It's a system that works fairly well. On the one occasion a waitress did mess up our order, but at the touch of a button another waitress came out and fixed it all up. It's also interesting seeing how much you've spent as you order. Definitely a great way to ensure you aren't bothered by waiters wanting to know what you want. The dishes range in price, style and serving style but it's an incredible place to bring friends. No BYO though, which sucks, but they've got some pretty unique beers that are reasonably priced. read more

Wagaya - Japanese Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

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Hmm. So here's the thing... It doesn't matter how novel in-booth touch screen ordering is, or how quickly food comes out, or how amazing prices are, or how fun the venue theme may be... when the food - the entire reason you come to dinner in the first place - just isn't very good, it's just not a concept I can get behind. And that's been my experience each time I've come to Wagaya. Like everyone else I adore the touch screen. I mean, who wouldn't? And when I saw the prices I most definitely let out an audible squeal. But each time my food arrives, I'm slapped in the face with over-cooked rice, rubbery sushi, and more char-than-grilled chicken. And the sadness, oh the sadness, becomes oh so real - accentuated by the remarkably rapid dissipation of the aforementioned excitement, squeals, etc. I love touch screens and fast service and cheap prices as much as the next yelper. But I like tasty food even more. read more

Every time I dine here I leave completely and utterly satisfied. I am slowly working my way through the menu and so far I am yet to come across anything which does not live up to expectations. The seafood is fresh, the portions are perfect and all the food is seasoned perfectly. Seriously, even the miso is awesome compared to others I have tried in Brisbane. While some people may not like the touch screens, I find they are excellent when lunching over a book or report and don't want to be bothered, or when out with a date and don't want conversations to be interrupted by well meaning wait staff. The prices are high, but only compared to the sub par, mall sushi stores you can find just about everywhere. I am more than happy to pay more, the freshness of the ingredients alone warrants the extra cash. I have absolutely no complaints or criticism for Wagaya and I will definitely continue to dine here! read more

Hrrrmmm, I'm going to have a think about this one. Whilst the food was okay: Lotus Chips - Okay Potato Salad - Not enough potato salad on the actual salad Gyoza - Okay Agedashi Tofu -Yum I had the chicken with tartare sauce and salad for a main, which wasn't the greatest. El-small-o portion and a little bit of salad, bit oily, I wasn't sure a bit of the chicken was cooked through (ate it anyway, didn't get sick so I guess it was okay?). I glorious 1.5 stars for this dish. They brought us a plate of salad sushi we never ordered as well which I guess was good, because we didn't realise this until we were on the last piece of sushi... oops! So here goes. The restaurant is beautiful, it's well designed and you need to book days in advance and rightly so. While the food is at best 3.5 stars, the atmosphere, the service, the ordering system and ambience should be praised from rooftops. Why aren't all restaurants like this! It's so easy to order, which we did... but after a whole bunch of entrées and mains and a nice booth to have a girly catch up which wasn't too noisy at all.... the bill came up to about $25 each... which ain't so bad for a Japanese restaurant you need to book days in advance for. They have this 1-800-WA-GA-YA number which after 3 days of calling non stop was always engaged... so I ended up ringing the restaurant number 3252 8888 many times over a couple of days until someone actually picked up and I was able to book the night before for a Sunday. Too much technology and I think that booking side of it has let them down, and me as well. What happened to the old fashioned ringing up and booking! They have an electronic booking form online but it only started from March so I was unable to make a booking for Feb on there. Not sure if it's a new thing or not. So I will be back for the ambience, prices and I definitely want to try the array of sukiyaki and shabu shabu they have on their menu. Shabu Shabaaaaaaam I'll be back at a later date, and this place can impress me more then. While I mark this place down for tasty food, I mark it up for ambience. Therefore, I remain hopeful! read more

This place is great to go if you like your privacy for whatever reason. The booths are a comfortable setting for an unashamed laugh with some friends or date night. The touch screen menus are an excellent addition for ordering food whenever you want and it also saves on waiting times hugely. And most importantly the food is absolutely delicious. I have a massive appetite every time i go but always take home leftovers. Everything is high quality and flavoursome. My favourite dishes are the japanese curry and bento boxes at lunch time. Just remember to bring cash since they don't split bills. read more

Wagaya - Wagaya dessert - Japanese Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

You've visited Japan and got jiggy with it at their izakayas. You're now in withdrawal for the Japanese pub grub and atmosphere until you've saved enough pennies to grab your plane tickets at the next Jetstar 2-for-1 deal. Don't fret in the meantime - hit up Wagaya. Its consistent crowd and lack of tables is a testament to how awesome this joint is. Whether you are visiting with one person or ten, Wagaya will have a bench, booth or room for you... as long as you think to book in advance to beat the crowd. Once you're seated, peruse the menu old-school with paper or on the touchscreens. And yes, you can order whatever you like from said touchscreens and even monitor their progress from kitchen to being delivered to your table. But watch out, it's very easy to allow the euphoria of electronic ordering run away with your wallet. My menu favorites: the gyoza, ox tongue, renkon chips (a healthier alternative to chips) and the grilled fish. Oh, and the sake. Definitely have some sake when you visit Wagaya. read more

I've had Wagaya on my list of places I want to try for quite some time now. Finally we made it for a Thursday dinner after work. We didn't have a booking, but we arrived quite early (around 6pm) and it's lucky we did because they only just managed to fit us in, and we had to be out by 7:15pm. By the time we left they were turning people away if they didn't have a booking. Next time we will book to make sure we get a table! The restaurant itself is laid out almost like a maze. Each table is a booth, with curtains hanging up to screen out the next table. It's a little bit surreal the first time, and would be easy to get lost, but gives each table a great sense of privacy. The menu is extensive, I thought the prices were reasonable (we rolled out of there for just under $20 each) but I freaking LOVED the ordering system. So much fun! Each table has a touchscreen with menu items and a photo for each item. Some of the items have a brief description, and although some descriptions were a bit lacking this made the ordering even more fun. Mystery! You can order at any time and the food and drinks are brought out to you. We had tempura cheese (basically deep-fried camembert with a light tempura batter), vegie gyoza (5pcs, brought out on a sizzling plate), and ramen noodle soup (the wagaya version and the tonkotsu version). We really enjoyed all of the dishes. I'd say the vegie gyoza were maybe slightly bland, but I still liked it. I did ask for chilli oil to be brought out at one point, because I like to add it to my ramen, and I think I'd like to see either more condiments on the table to start with or the ability to order these (chilli, mayo, etc) through the ordering system. We very much enjoyed Wagaya, and it's likely to become a regular for us for dinner dates. read more

Only gotten take away (so far) but sushi was moderately priced, service was very friendly and fast and the sushi was very good. The place was a bit hard to find. Lots of renovating in that area. The first thing I noticed though was that the hostess and the servers were actually Japanese. Not very common. Will definitely have to try eating in next time. read more

The fiance and I have dined here countless times. It's a special place to us. I took a bare bones, meat and potatoes Aussie girl who was disgusted by the idea of sushi. I mean, seaweed AND raw fish? You must be out of your mind, right? And proceeded to turn that girl into a passionate, flag waving lover of Japanese food. Seeing the enjoyment she gets out of a chicken katsu hand roll after an extended absence from Wagaya is always one of the proudest feelings for me. I knew, in the broadening of Jessica to the different tastes of the world, Wagaya would be the best representation for Japan. Not just the food (which is generally above average & certainly light years ahead of the stuff you get in the food court) but the famous Wagaya touch screen ordering system. It's divided into catagories (sushi, rice & noodles, grilled, deep fried ect...), from there you select what you want, the quantity and give "Order" a poke and the usually polite and courteous wait staff will bring it to you quick smart. The food almost always comes out quick. Believe me when I say, it's mighty easy to fill your table and inflate your bill in no time at all. Wagaya is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself. Your belly and bank will thank you. Although Jess and I both stand by the awesomeness that is Wagaya proudly, they can be darn inconsistent with their numerous offerings. Sometimes the raw sushi is sensational. Sometimes it's thickly cut and way too cold. Sometimes the tempura prawn hand roll is perfectly assembled. Sometimes the prawn seems like it was cooked with a flame thrower and the food seldom looks like the picture on the touch screen, this is especially true in regards to their a la carte selection. But from our experience (a damn lot of it in the past year or so!) Wagaya hits more than it misses. It's worth calling ahead to make reservations. Especially for Tuesdays and Fridays. The atmosphere is busy, but the booths mitigate this and you rarely feel intruded on, unless you've got a loud table of obnoxious blowhards opposite you. The range is beyond varied and generous. As long as you don't go there expecting a great range of desserts. Asians aren't mad about desserts, so the most interesting selections end up being the black sesame or green tea ice cream, which are both nice, but will do little to blow your socks off. They supplement the limited after dinner range with a very dense and slightly dry chocolate cake and a serviceable creme brulee. Like any Asian restaurant worth their salt, there's no pretensions that dinner is the main event. There really is a little of everything from the totally safe and undaunting chicken karage (think Japan's answer to KFC) and the crispy pork sausages (I still can't believe that's on the menu, it looks so outta place!) to the more out there whole grilled scampi & fish, or maybe some chicken gizzards on a skewer. The rice dishes are among my favorite Wagaya selections. Especially the kimchi fried rice with pork which ticks all the right boxes. A little heat from the kimchi, a little understated sweetness from the pork and plenty filling thanks to the rice. But, the hand rolls are the number one reason Jess and I love the place. 2nd only to the nearby Oyama, Wagaya does a mean hand roll more often than not. It's the kind of food you catch yourself day dreaming about when you're on a late night Macca's run 'cause everywhere good is closed. Hell, I was daydreaming about hand rolls at my cousin's wedding! Point is, they're damn good. And so is Wagaya. For the most part, atleast. But even when they're below their own standards, they're still preferable to the food court, and even some sushi trains. But when they're at their best, I have no doubt that you'll be in for a night that can only be described as a Japanese foodie heaven, a feeling that won't diminish until it comes time to waddle back to the car. But at least they validate if you park after 5pm. read more

Come for the gimmick of using a fancy touch screen to order your food and stay for the deliciousness! I was surprised by how big Wagaya was, probably at least 40 booths I could see, but the waiters popped up really quickly with your food/drinks. We went on a Friday night and it was pretty loud, but being in a booth means the sound doesn't get through too much. I reaaaally loved the chicken katsu crunch roll and orishi chicken katsu, with special mention to the pork okonomiyaki pancake! My better half says the lunch menu is even better than the dinner one. The one downside I can think of is they need better descriptions of their food when you order it on the screen, but the pictures are pretty good so it didn't matter too much. I'll be back to try the lunch menu and the $9 cocktails! read more

This place is perfect for somewhere for groups, the booths really make it feel like everyone had their own private space. The food is really good and also very quick service. Prices are very reasonable. The karage chicken, gyoza, the chicken and the tuna sushi are some of my favourites read more

I had always introduced Wagaya as the best karaoke venue in Brisbane. Now, I have completely changed my mind. A group of 5 arrived on a busy Friday night without a reservation. Upon arrival, we were informed that karaoke rooms with Chinese system installed were fully booked. A real bummer! But we were totally fine with it and then stayed for dinner. When we were about to leave, they stopped us. Apparently, the people who booked the rooms did not show up and we could do karaoke if we wished. Once we got into the room, I noticed that it was a 'Japanese' room. Controller was in Japanese and the music sounded like monophonic ringtones from really really old Nokia phones. I immediately checked with the staff and they confirmed that the system installed was indeed the Chinese version. I requested to switch to the room located just opposite our room (I knew the room had Chinese system installed) but it was quickly denied, saying that it was booked and it was all Japanese. So, we stayed in the original room. I felt really uncomfortable with the controller and weird music for the next one hour. Then, I went to check the room located just opposite - they lied, it was not in Japanese but Chinese and English! When I approached the staff hoping to switch room, they said that we chose the Japanese room and if we would like to switch room, we would have to pay a surcharge - that was to multiply the total by three times. The whole scenario was absolutely ridiculous - (1) we requested for rooms with Chinese system installed; (2) they insisted that the room we were in had Chinese system but later said a totally different thing; (3) the unreasonable surcharge. Would I go there again? No. Do yourself a favour to look for a cheaper karaoke in the city please. On a side note: the food was quite good, but not the best Japanese food you can find in Brisbane. read more

Food was good. We really enjoy our experience here. Admittedly isn't wasn't to busy, but the food came out promptly and was tasty. Cost was moderate. Definitely worth a try, the computer screens or ordering system was fun. Well done read more

The thing that keeps me coming back to Wagaya is their lunch specials. Specifically, $13.90 for a ramen, rice and 2 gyoza. If it weren't for this special, I'm honestly not sure how often I would come to visit. The ramen is seriously tasty, but easily comprable to other ramen joints around town. I find the gyoza to be quite average. The salads are fairly average, though the lotus chips are very nice and crispy while still maintaining their flavour! I tend to just ignore their sushi menu as the hot food options definitely outshine it. The atmosphere is pretty nice, relaxing, and the staff are always friendly. Each booth is equipped with a touchscreen menu and you can order at your own convenience (which can be both awesome and dangerous). It can be pretty easy to end up with an expensive bill though. read more

Usually I'm a nanna and get a bit wary of technology interfering to closely with my life. (SELF CHECKOUT AT COLES, WHY DO YOU SUSPICIOUSLY MALFUNCTION WHEN I HAVE MY CREDIT CARD IN YOU?) ...BUT! Wagaya has come up with a brilliant system of making you place your order on a touch screen (That instantly gets zapped into the kitchen) eliminating any need for dithering and awkward waitstaff encounters. From the scallop and garlic fried rice to sashimi, sushi and Kimchi Ramen The food here is diverse, fresh and very very delicious. Having come here only a couple of times, I am pretty impressed with the prices ($10-20 for a main) and am definitely keen to sample more of their extensive and eclectic menu. (I'm looking at you Sea Urchin Cream Spaghetti!) Complete with attentive friendly staff (and unlimited water and tea refills!) this valley spot gets my seal of approval. read more

Wagaya is my favourite place to go for dinner, bar Trangs Vietnamese in West End. If you're socially awkward or indecisive, of which I am both, this place is the bomb. You order everything on a touch screen and waiters pop up magically at your booth and serve you food so delicious and fresh you'll never want to leave. The interior is also gorgeous, and massive. There are huge booths in the back for birthday celebrations, corporate dinners, and the like, where you're asked to remove your shoes. You'll also see Japanese people eating here, especially Japanese businessmen on work trips winding down with a shared bottle of sake. That's always a good sign. You know a restaurant is good if foreigners are visiting it for a taste of home. If you're eating with a group, the bill will rack up quickly. You'll be so busy getting boozed on cocktails (or, for designated drivers, good mocktails) that you may lose track of who's eaten what, so I'd recommend going with a budget in mind. Wagaya is constantly booked out. If you want to secure a table on a Friday night or during the weekends, call a few days in advance. Otherwise they'll give you a small window of opportunity - I've called last minute on a Friday afternoon and been told I'll have to be in by 6pm and out by 8pm. read more

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I think the other reviewers provide ample description of this place, so I won't belabour it. Great atmosphere, timely service, awesomely convenient ordering from the little touch screen. Food was tasty, portions were small as in all izakaya places, and I would have to disagree regarding value for money. If you're really hungry, you'll probably need to spend $40, sans drinks. 3.5 stars from me, because for $40, I expect something bordering on excellent. Wagaya is GOOD, but for $25.99, you can probably find most of the same stuff in unlimited quantities at any all-you-can-eat sushi place. read more

Definitely our favourite Japanese restaurant in Brisbane. Great food and beverage menus, lunch specials and neat little booths or private rooms to dine almost privately with your friends and family. You order via a touch screen - super easy to navigate and use. I recommend the iced matcha latte - delicious! And takoyaki balls! read more

Fast service and great technology. Friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. No waiting staff no worries just order through touch of the screen food are good and plenty to choose from. Nice and clean toilets too. Price okay for may be twice a week treat. read more

Amazing modern Japanese, very efficient service and brilliant atmosphere. The touchscreens make it awesome. The good quality is awesome!! read more

What's the fun of a gimmick if the food is overpriced and not that great? Whatever you're coming here for, there is better version of it within a block. read more

Great food and drinks. The ordering process is very innovative and works well. The service was excellent. The restaurant is a little hard to find but well worth the effort......look upstairs. read more

Was very disappointed with the quality of service and food from this highly rated place. Went there and was greeted by a japanese gal Reika who ZERO smile on her face. I asked her, is the restaurant open and she gave me the MOST UNWELCOMING LOOK on her face with a cold response YAH? i was taken aback and still maintain a nice attitude and i ask for a table. Her response to me is "Can you finish the food by 6pm" Which is 1 hour from then. This is the worst attitude i have seen in my years of going around the world. So i have to pay pricey food and eat as fast as i could to satisfy her. And for the record, the place is very empty at that time. Only two tables occupied. I really felt very unwelcome in this place. They gave me a "you cannot afford to eat here" look. I didnt want to make a big fuss. I order a bento box and gosh, its one of the worst bento box i have tried. The grill chix is hard like rock and the prawn and overcook. Rice is a small tiny portion. And worst of all, no water is serve????? Then came the bill, another lady with a smile on her face left the bill on my table and walk away. Assuming, someone is going to pick up the bill again like any other restaurant? Guess what, no one came for 15 mins. until i call the server and she told me i have to pay at the counter. This will be my first and last time to this restaurant. There are much more better choices in Brisbane then this. Beware.... read more

After reading reviews and considering the vast amount of options at Chinatown in Fortitude Valley I was glad I chose here to eat on Saturday night. It was hidden away and very modern with a buzzing environment. Decorated with beautiful cherry blossom trees and dim lighting it was a perfect date night. We were lucky we could just walk in and they had a spare table for an hour and a half. All the staff were extremely friendly! When seated at our booth there was one large physical menu and on the wall, a touchscreen menu with photos, description and prices of the items available. Ordering was pleasant as we could order multiple things separately, view the status of items ordered and the bill total (no split bills). We ordered the Teriyaki Chicken, Pork Ramen, Chicken skewers and chicken and avocado sushi pieces. The teriyaki chicken came with delicious sautéed mushrooms and a sauce that was magical! The pork ramen was very large and unfortunately I could not finish it. It was also delicious (albeit a bit salty) but very satisfying. The skewers were so good we ordered more and the sushi was fresh and tasty. Prices were reasonable and I look forward to coming again! read more

Wagaya - Pork Ramen, Teriyaki Chicken and Chicken Skewers; delicious! - Japanese Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

For Yelp being so underutilized in Australia, it truly is a wonder when you find a restaurant with 23 whole reviews associated with it. And then you wonder what kind of a joint attracts all these reviews?? So for that reason alone, I went to Wagaya. As other reviewers have all mentioned, obviously the main attraction is the order-off-the-screen factor. Yes, its a bit overwhelming, yes you do end up ordering more than you actually need, and yes it does come to your table freakishly fast. It is the tastiest Japanese in town? Not by far. And on top of that, its pricier than the tastier Japanese restaurants around town. And that's not cool in my book. Buuuuuut, it is a hell of a lot of fun, and it is worth a try, if not to say you're the 25th reviewer. read more

I came here once before and ordered a lot of tapas-type stuff, which I found underwhelming. Today came back for ramen and am currently shoveling tantan ramen into my gob. It's rich, tasty and cooked perfectly. Just what I needed. read more

Love this place. Good range of top quality Japanese food. Select what you want from the electronic menu on your table and it is brought to your table in a very reasonable time frame. This allows you to graze and order more you're still hungry after your first few dishes. read more