WA-RA — Restaurant in Kaohsiung

The ambience and interior of the restaurant were lovely. When our group arrived, we were seated right away, and things started off fine.

However, the experience went downhill once we started ordering drinks. We initially ordered two mocktails, only to be told they were out. So we reordered different ones, and once again were told after some time, that those were also unavailable. It felt like they didn’t check stock before taking our order, and instead waited until we had chosen replacements again, which just wasted our time.

The first drink that finally came was literally just a canned soda, and the rest of the drinks didn’t arrive until more than 20 minutes later.

To make things worse, the service was inattentive. Our server never came to check in, didn’t bring the extra crackers we asked for, and spent more time chatting with another table, who happened to be a foreigner. Meanwhile, we felt like we were being completely ignored. Maybe it was just coincidence, but as a group of Taiwanese diners, it honestly felt like we weren’t given the same attention or care. We even ordered a drink that came with a flavor guessing game, but the server was so distant and unresponsive that we gave up on it entirely.

Overall, while the food might be worth trying based on other reviews, our visit was ruined by poor service, long delays, and unnecessary back and forth over simple...

If you’re looking for a Japanese meal on tatami mats, seated on the floor, and very quiet, this is not the place. WA-RU is 100% BETTER!

The decor is mildly dark and nice for just relaxing. The music seemed to be a mix of different genres and this is nice. You can’t get bored with the background music.

In the evening, the light show on the interior of the building is breathtaking and a very nice way to suddenly slow down the dining experience for a short break.

As for the food, everything I ate was hot (if it was supposed to be hot), had exquisite flavor, and was meticulously presented. Chef Kudoh knows exactly what he is doing! The precious care in preparing, cooking, and presenting, I think, made the delicate food more flavorful and enjoyable to eat.

I give WA-RU, InterContinental Kaohsiung, and Chef Kudoh a full 100% out of 100%. I can’t wait to visit again! It was a memorable experience with excellent quality...

Truly fantastic dining experience in this lovely city! Everything here was totally impeccable, from its trendy decor and delicate & creative cuisine, to its hospitable & considerate attendants and professional service. Each course was amazing for its great taste and adorable food presentation, reflecting the diligence and earnest from all members of this restaurant. The attendants were also very friendly with big smiles on face always, really professional to introduce each course in detail, and definitely glad to help anytime! My iPhone happened to run out of battery there and the attendants quickly gave me a power bank for recharging! That’s truly what a 5 star international hotel should be! This restaurant is absolutely a must-visit when I travel...