We recently heard about an izakaya-like restaurant in Dubai called Wawa Dining and decided to give it a try. Located in a less commercialized area, we were curious to see if their offerings were worth the trip.
First Impressions
Upon entering Wawa Dining, the space felt small, which is typical for izakayas, but it didn’t quite capture the authentic izakaya atmosphere. However, it did have a cozy, informal vibe that made it a good spot for conversations.
The Food
Bulgogi Shoyu Ramen (AED 78, approx. $22)
Our first dish was the Bulgogi Shoyu Ramen. Unfortunately, the beef was quite tough, making it hard to chew. The broth lacked the balanced, rich flavor we expected; instead, it tasted more like a salty soup. Overall, we were disappointed with this dish.
Spicy Salmon Maki (AED 55, $15)
Next, we tried the Spicy Salmon Maki. While the salmon was fresh, it was rolled with crispy bits, though we couldn’t quite identify what they were. The dish was okay but didn’t meet our expectations.
Final Thoughts
These were the only dishes we tried during our visit. Based on this experience, we’re unsure if the other items on the menu would make a visit worthwhile. This is just our personal review, and unfortunately, it’s unlikely we’ll return for a second visit.
If you’ve been to Wawa Dining and had a different experience, we’d love to hear your thoughts!