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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Business
Naomi Ackerman

Would you try it? Wagamama launches katsu flavour smoothie

Wagamama’s new smoothie contains cats curry sauce along with fruit juices

(Picture: Wagamama’s new smoothie contains cats curry sauce along with fruit juices)

Wagamama has launched a new limited edition katsu-flavoured smoothie in what the chain hopes will be an “eyebrow raising” and conversation-starting move. 

The restaurant said the new blended drink contains an “eclectic combination of katsu curry sauce, apple, banana and pineapple”.  

The smoothie will be available on the click + collect menu of twenty Wagamama sites based in major university cities around the country from March 24 until April 7.

The idea behind the smoothie launch is for it to be an easy subject for students and other young people to mention, starting what could potentially be a much-needed conversation. All proceeds from sales of the smoothie will go to mental health charity, YoungMinds.

The charity’s Not All On You campaign offers advice on how to respond to a friend when they open-up about their mental health.

A recent survey for the charity found 67% of young people with experience of mental health problems believe that the pandemic will have a long-term negative effect on their mental health.

Young Minds campaign director, Tom Madders, said: “The Katsu Smoothie will certainly get people talking! We hope that as they walk and talk, our ‘Not All On You’ campaign will give them the tools to really help them to support each other.”

The chain’s global executive chef,Steve Mangleshot, said: “We have seen our Katsu Curry being ordered as the ultimate comfort food during lockdown.

“So our challenge was how can we take our most iconic dish and create something that young people can enjoy on-the-go with a friend whilst we can’t welcome guests onto our benches.

“The Katsu Smoothie aims to spark everyone’s attention with something unexpected, and then deliver YoungMinds meaningful purpose to back it up.”

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