Wagamama Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs | Sweet Spicy BBQ Ribs

Wagamama Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs

The Wagamama Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs are a bold and flavorful small-plate dish that blends sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. Slow-cooked tender pork ribs are coated in a rich, sticky sauce made with Korean gochujang chili paste and tangy tamarind, creating a deep umami flavor. Topped with crispy onions and fresh coriander cress, this dish delivers a delicious balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch in every bite. Perfect for sharing or enjoying as a savory starter.

Price: £9.90

Ingredients

Nutritional Information

The Wagamama gochujang tamarind pork ribs feature tender pork ribs coated in a sticky gochujang tamarind sauce, topped with crispy onions and fresh coriander cress for a balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours. With its rich glaze and layered toppings, reviewing the nutritional information below helps you understand how this dish fits into your daily calorie and nutrient intake.

ValuesPer ServingPer 100 g
Per Unit43
energy2767 kJ / 599 kCal953 kJ / 206 kCal
fat36.20 g12.50 g
Saturated Fat11.30 g3.90 g
Carbohydrates35.50 g12.20 g
of which sugars26.60 g9.20 g
Protein30.70 g10.60 g
Salt3.60 g1.20 g
Fibre2.10 g0.70 g
sodium1.4 g0.5 g

Allergens

Contains:
Sesame | Soya | Sulphites

May Contain Allergens

Cereals containing gluten (barley, wheat) | Crustaceans | Eggs | Fish | Molluscs

Adults and youth aged 13 and older typically require an average of 2,000 calories per day to meet their energy needs. Children between the ages of 4 and 12 generally need around 1,500 calories daily. However, these are only averages, and individual calorie needs may vary depending on various factors.

Extras Available

You can add a drink?

  • Coke (vg) (139 kcal) – £2.80
  • Diet Coke (vg) (1 kcal) – £2.80
  • Coke Zero (vg) (1 kcal) – £2.80

End on something sweet

  • Raspberry Snow Cake (v) (579 kcal) – £5.80
  • Chocolate Brownie (422 kcal) – £4.90
  • Lemon Yuzu Muffin (v) (452 kcal) – £4.50

Is It a Healthy Choice?

Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs are a moderate choice rather than one of the healthiest options on the Wagamama sides menu. At 599 calories per serving, this is a relatively heavy side that can contribute a significant share of your meal’s total calories. While it delivers plenty of protein, it also comes with higher amounts of fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt than lighter vegetable-based sides.

One of its biggest nutritional strengths is the 30.7 g of protein, making it a satisfying option that supports muscle maintenance and helps keep you full. However, those benefits are balanced by 36.2 g of fat, including 11.3 g of saturated fat, making it a richer, more indulgent choice. The 26.6 g of sugar largely comes from the sweet and sticky gochujang-tamarind glaze, while the 2.1 g of fiber is relatively low, so it does not provide the same digestive benefits as vegetable-focused sides.

The 3.6 g of salt is also high for a side dish. Anyone following a low-sodium, heart-conscious, or lower saturated fat eating plan should enjoy this item only occasionally or pair it with lighter, lower-salt dishes.

This side is best suited for active diners or those looking for a protein-rich indulgence with bold Korean-inspired flavors. It works well as a shared starter or alongside lighter mains and vegetable sides rather than richer dishes. If you enjoy it, balance the rest of your meal with fresh vegetables and lighter choices to keep your overall intake more moderate.

What Does It Taste Like?

Wagamama Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs are bold, sticky, and packed with layers of flavor. The first bite is sweet and tangy from the tamarind glaze, followed by the deep, savory richness of slow-cooked pork. Gochujang adds a warm chilli heat that builds gradually instead of hitting all at once. Garlic and soy bring extra umami, while the caramelized glaze leaves a smoky, slightly charred finish that lingers after every bite. The balance of sweet, spicy, and savory makes the ribs rich without feeling one-dimensional.

The texture is just as satisfying as the flavor. The pork is incredibly tender and pulls away from the bone with very little effort. Each piece feels juicy and succulent, while the sticky glaze lightly coats the meat without becoming overly thick. The caramelized edges add a subtle chew and a touch of crispness, creating a nice contrast with the soft interior. Every bite is rich, messy in the best way, and full of melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

For anyone who enjoys food that’s fresh, bold, and full of flavor, Wagamama is always worth a visit. Each dish is made with care, using high-quality ingredients that bring out the best in every bite. If you’re ready to explore more delicious options, check out Wagamama full menu and find your next favorite dish!

FAQs

Yes, Wagamama offers Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs as a starter or side dish on their main menu. They are a permanent menu item known for their sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze.

It is a starter dish at Wagamama consisting of tender pork ribs coated in a thick, sticky glaze made from gochujang (a Korean fermented red chili paste) and tamarind, which provides a balance of heat, sweetness, and tang. The ribs are typically served with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh red chilli, and often accompanied by a small portion of pickled radish to cut through the richness.

The Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs are priced at £9.90.

A single serving contains 599 kcal (2767 kJ).

A single serving contains 35.50 grams of carbohydrates, of which 26.60 grams are sugars.

Yes, they are widely considered one of the better starter options at Wagamama. Reviews consistently praise the balance of flavors—the ribs are noted for being fall-off-the-bone tender with a glaze that successfully combines the spicy, savory depth of gochujang with the sour-sweet brightness of tamarind. While they are sticky and can be messy to eat, they are frequently recommended for sharing or as a flavorful appetizer.

No, the Gochujang Tamarind Pork Ribs are not listed as gluten-free on the Wagamama allergen menu. The gochujang and tamarind sauce typically contain gluten ingredients such as soy sauce (wheat) or barley-based fermented components.

While officially listed as a starter, many guests order two portions to enjoy as a main course. Wagamama does not currently offer a larger “main” portion size of this specific dish.

Yes, the ribs are slow-cooked until the meat is very tender, meaning the meat typically pulls away from the bone easily with little effort, making them relatively easy to eat despite being a sticky dish.

Menu information on this site is sourced directly from official Wagamama menus only. Prices and availability may differ by location.

Scroll to Top