Ajisen Ramen at Junction 8 Bishan
What Makes Ajisen Ramen Special
See all Singapore outlets → Ajisen Ramen chain page
About Ajisen Ramen at Junction 8 Bishan
Ajisen Ramen at Junction 8 holds a special place in Bishan's dining history — it is one of the longest-standing Japanese restaurant tenants at the mall. Located at #B1-19 in the basement, it has served generations of Bishan residents, students, and commuters. The brand originated in Kumamoto, Japan in 1968, and the Singapore operation was one of the earliest Japanese ramen chains to enter the market. Today, with 700+ outlets across 15 countries (including a massive presence in China with 600+ outlets), Ajisen is one of the world's largest ramen chains. The Junction 8 outlet maintains the classic Ajisen formula: a focused ramen menu with set meals, sides, and rice dishes, served in a casual dine-in environment.
The menu has evolved significantly from the ramen-only days. While ramen remains the core (Original Ajisen, Kumamoto, Spicy Chashu, Tom Yam fusion, Volcano), the restaurant now offers bento sets, rice sets (chicken teriyaki, salmon teriyaki, fried prawn), gyoza, karaage, tempura, and kids meals. Value sets combining ramen + side dish + drink at S$14-17 represent the best deal. The Tom Yam Ramen — a Singapore-exclusive fusion of Japanese ramen with Thai tom yam flavours — is surprisingly popular and reflects the brand's willingness to adapt to local tastes. The outlet uses iPad ordering at each table, which speeds up the process. The interior was recently refreshed but still shows some wear — the sofa seats in particular have received criticism in reviews for looking dated.
Recommended For
Menu Highlights
Before GST. Subject to change.
| Original Ajisen Ramen | ~S$10 |
| Kumamoto Ramen (garlic tonkotsu) | ~S$12 |
| Spicy Chashu Ramen | ~S$12 |
| Volcano Ramen (extra spicy) | ~S$13 |
| Tom Yam Karaage Ramen | ~S$14 |
| Ramen Value Set (ramen + side + drink) | S$14–17 |
| Fried Chicken Bento | ~S$12 |
| Gyoza (4 pcs) | S$3.90 |
| Karaage (fried chicken) | ~S$6 |
| Kid's Meal | ~S$8 |
Practical Info
- Daily: ~11am–10pm (check outlet for exact hours)
Dietary Info
Not halal. Halal Japanese at Junction 8: Milan Shokudo (☪️ JFH halal-certified).
The Ajisen Ramen Experience
Find Ajisen in B1
Bishan MRT into Junction 8 basement. Ajisen Ramen is at #B1-19 — in the basement dining area. The outlet has been here for years and is a familiar sight for Bishan regulars. During weekday dinner and weekend lunch, there may be a short wait of 5-10 minutes. Off-peak hours: immediate seating. The restaurant seats about 40-50 diners.
Order via iPad
Each table has an iPad for ordering. The menu is displayed with categories: Ramen, Value Sets, Bento, Rice, Sides, Drinks, Kids. For first-timers: the Original Ajisen Ramen (~S$10) gives you the baseline Kumamoto tonkotsu experience. For spice lovers: the Volcano Ramen delivers serious heat. The best value: a Ramen Value Set (S$14-17) combining ramen + side dish (gyoza or karaage) + drink. Submit order on iPad; food arrives in 10-15 minutes.
The Broth Experience
Ajisen's tonkotsu broth is simmered from pork bones for hours. The Kumamoto style is distinguished by ma-yu — a burnt garlic oil drizzled on top that adds a smoky, pungent aroma. The broth is rich and creamy but not as heavy as some competitor chains (Ippudo, Ichikokudo). The noodles are medium-thick and straight (not thin curly like Hakata-style). Customisation: you can request extra noodles (kae-dama) at some outlets, and specify preferred doneness. The gyoza (S$3.90 for 4 pieces) is a solid side — crispy-bottomed pan-fried dumplings with a well-seasoned filling.
Nostalgia Factor
For many Singaporeans, Ajisen Ramen carries a nostalgia factor — it was the ramen chain of their school days, before the wave of premium ramen shops arrived. While the broth may not match the depth of Ippudo or the intensity of Ramen Keisuke, Ajisen delivers a consistent, affordable bowl of ramen that satisfies the craving without breaking the bank. The Junction 8 outlet, with its long history in Bishan, is particularly sentimental for local residents. Average meal: S$12-18 per person including a set.
Kumamoto Ramen: The Fourth Style
Japan has four major regional ramen styles: Sapporo (miso-based, Hokkaido), Tokyo (soy sauce-based, shoyu), Hakata (thin tonkotsu, Fukuoka), and Kumamoto (thick tonkotsu with garlic, Kumamoto). Ajisen Ramen represents the Kumamoto style — a pork bone broth that is similar to Hakata tonkotsu but thicker, with the addition of ma-yu (burnt garlic oil) and often chicken broth blended in. The noodles are also different: Kumamoto ramen uses medium-thick straight noodles rather than the thin, springy noodles of Hakata. The garlic influence is the defining characteristic — the ma-yu drizzled on top provides a smoky, aromatic punch that distinguishes Kumamoto ramen from all other styles.
Ajisen Ramen's global expansion is one of the most remarkable in ramen history. From a single shop in Kumamoto in 1968, the brand grew to become one of the world's largest ramen chains with 700+ outlets in 15 countries. Its biggest market outside Japan is China, where it operates 600+ outlets. In Singapore, Ajisen was a pioneer — arriving before the current wave of premium ramen chains. While it has been somewhat overshadowed by newer, trendier competitors, Ajisen's strength lies in its affordability and consistency. A bowl of Original Ajisen Ramen at S$10 remains one of the cheapest sit-down ramen options in Singapore, and the quality, while not exceptional, is reliably satisfying.
Editor's Note
Ajisen Ramen at Junction 8 is the "reliable old friend" of Bishan's Japanese dining scene. It will never win awards for best ramen in Singapore — the broth is good but not deep, the noodles are adequate but not memorable, and the interior is showing its age. But Ajisen delivers on three things consistently: affordability (S$10 for a full bowl of ramen is hard to beat), convenience (iPad ordering, quick service, B1 basement location near MRT), and nostalgia (for the many Bishan residents who grew up eating here). The Value Sets at S$14-17 are genuinely good deals — ramen + gyoza + drink for under S$18 is competitive. The Tom Yam Ramen is a guilty pleasure — purists will scoff, but it is surprisingly tasty. The gyoza is reliably crispy. Where it genuinely falls short: the interior needs a full renovation (the sofas in particular), and the broth depth does not compare to specialist ramen shops. But for a quick, affordable, no-frills ramen lunch in Bishan — Ajisen has been doing this for years and continues to deliver.
Compare: Japanese at Junction 8
| Restaurant | Price | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajisen Ramen | S$10–18 | Kumamoto Ramen | Budget ramen · Nostalgia |
| Genki Sushi | S$15–25 | BYOD Sushi | Sushi · Families |
| Watami | S$15–25 | Izakaya | Groups · Drinks |
| Aburi-EN | S$15–22 | Wagyu Don | Wagyu · Quick |
| Yakiniku Like | S$8.80–18 | Solo BBQ | Solo · BBQ |
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