Wagamama founder shares saucy joke that inspired restaurant name

The founder of Wagamama relates how he got the name from a cheeky joke among friends many years ago after his enormously successful noodle bar chain.

A native of Wagamama, Alan Yau, later named the chain in his honor in reference to an affectionate nickname that his fellow students would refer to because he grew up in Wagamama, which means "spoiled"

Alan only became concerned when his sister's roommate, a 19-year-old Japanese student, said he missed her hometown of Ramen.

The 60-year-old billionaire businessman has long dreamed of starting a Chinese fast food restaurant opposite McDonald's.

But with almost no idea how to speed up wok-based cooking, Alan ran into a stumbling block.

"I was in my late 20s and I grew up around Chinese restaurants. I really wanted to do a Chinese restaurant or takeaway but more ambitious. I wanted to create a Chinese McDonalds, fast food." - Alan Yau

Speaking to The Sun, Alan said: 'I was in my late 20s and I grew up around Chinese restaurants. I really wanted to do a Chinese restaurant or takeaway but more ambitious. I wanted to create a Chinese McDonalds, fast food.'