Wagaya Japan Onigiri – A New Spot for Onigiri Lovers in Amsterdam
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the latest food spots in Amsterdam, you might have already come across Wagaya Japan Onigiri. This brand-new onigiri shop has recently opened its doors, bringing a taste of Japan to the bustling city. Conveniently located at the Wibautstraat metro station, this spot is perfect for students and professionals looking for a quick yet satisfying takeaway meal.
A Great Location for On-the-Go Eats:
One of the biggest advantages of Wagaya Japan Onigiri is its prime location. Situated right at the metro station, it’s an ideal stop for those heading to work, university, or just passing through. Onigiri, a traditional Japanese rice ball often wrapped in crispy seaweed, makes for a convenient and mess-free snack, making this a smart addition to Amsterdam’s growing food scene.
The Onigiri Experience:
Wagaya offers a variety of onigiri flavors, catering to different tastes. One notable feature is that they serve the nori (seaweed) separately, allowing customers to wrap it themselves. This ensures the seaweed remains crispy instead of becoming soggy—a thoughtful touch that enhances the overall experience.
While the concept is promising, the onigiri itself left a mixed impression. The flavors were tasty, but the way they were prepared differed from what I’ve experienced at other places. Typically, onigiri has a balanced filling-to-rice ratio, where you get a bite of filling in every mouthful. However, at Wagaya, the toppings were placed mostly on the outside rather than inside. This meant that after the first few bites, you were mostly left with plain rice, making it feel less flavorful than expected.
For example, one of the onigiri options featured a thin slice of roast beef on top, but the rest of the onigiri contained just rice, which felt a bit underwhelming. Other varieties followed the same approach, lacking the expected generous fillings that usually make onigiri such a delightful treat.
Affordable and Convenient, But Could Improve:
One of the best aspects of Wagaya is its affordability. The prices are reasonable, making it an accessible option for a quick snack. However, considering how much of the onigiri was just rice, I feel that the overall value for money could be improved by adding more fillings inside.
That said, the concept is great, and it’s a welcome addition to Amsterdam’s food scene. With a few tweaks—such as incorporating more fillings and balancing the flavors—this place could truly stand out as a must-visit onigiri spot in the city.
Final Thoughts:
Would I go back? Maybe. The convenience and affordability make Wagaya Japan Onigiri a good option for a quick bite, but I’d love to see some adjustments to the way they prepare their onigiri. If they manage to enhance their filling-to-rice ratio, I can see this place becoming a favorite for Japanese food lovers in Amsterdam.
If you’re in the area and curious to try it for yourself, it’s definitely worth a visit—just don’t expect the same experience as traditional, fully-filled onigiri.
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Review: 8.6/10
Price / Quality: 7.5 | Service: 8 | Originality: 8 | Freshness: 10 | Choice: 9.5
