Ajisen Ramen: Pork Shabu Curry Ramen + Chijimi + Houjicha Set ($12.90++)!
Ajisen Ramen lunch set: pork shabu curry ramen with ajitama, chijimi (Korean savoury pancake), and houjicha tea. $12.90++.
Lunch set at Ajisen Ramen. Pork shabu curry ramen + chijimi + houjicha, $12.90++. 😋👍🏼
What was in the set:
- Pork shabu curry ramen bowl: orange-red curry-tinged broth, thin shabu-shabu pork slices, bean sprouts, scallion, half a soft-boiled ajitama (marinated egg) in the centre, ramen noodles underneath
- Chijimi (Korean savoury pancake): 2-3 pieces of crispy-edged scallion-flecked pancake on a small dish, that signature pajeon-style texture
- Cup of hot houjicha tea: the Japanese roasted green tea, in a black mug
- The classic Japanese lunch-set economy: noodle bowl + small side + tea, all bundled at one price
Ajisen Ramen (味千ラーメン) is the Kumamoto-founded Japanese ramen chain that opened in 1968 and now operates over 700 outlets across Asia. Their entry into Singapore (early 2000s) made them one of the first major-chain ramen options here, alongside Marutama and a handful of independent shops. Now competing against newer entrants like Ippudo, Menya Musashi, Konjiki Hototogisu, and Tsuta.
The Ajisen value proposition has always been:
- Accessible pricing: lunch sets in the $10-$15 range
- Tonkotsu-leaning broths: rich pork-bone base with multiple variants (curry, miso, spicy, original)
- Multiple outlets in malls: convenience over destination-dining
- Quick service: 10-15 minutes from order to bowl
- Lunch set bundles: ramen + small side + drink at one fixed price
The pork shabu curry ramen specifics:
- Curry-spiced tonkotsu base: the chain’s curry interpretation, lighter than Japanese curry rice version, more soup-forward
- Pork shabu slices: thin-cut pork (similar to shabu-shabu cuts), cooked just to set
- Ajitama (marinated soft egg): the standard ramen-topping treatment
- Bean sprouts + scallion: the textural and aromatic top
The chijimi side is the small-plate sampler the lunch set tradition uses to round out the meal. Chijimi (Korean: 부침개 / pajeon) is the savoury pancake from Korean cuisine, not Japanese, but the Singapore Japanese-Korean fusion menus regularly mix the two cuisines. The chijimi here looked like a scallion + seafood version.
Houjicha (焙じ茶) is the roasted Japanese green tea that’s milder and less caffeinated than standard sencha. The roasting reduces the bitterness and adds a smoky-sweet aroma. The default tea at most ramen lunch sets because it pairs well with rich broths.
At $12.90++ (around $14 after taxes), this lands in the value tier for chain ramen in Singapore. Below the $18-$25 specialist ramen tier and above the budget hawker noodle tier.
Overall: 4.1 / 5. 😋👍🏼 Solid value Ajisen lunch set. The pork shabu in curry broth was the comfort hit. Would re-order on a busy weekday.
