Ajisen Ramen
Opening its doors just a week ago on Forest Road in Hurstville, Ajisen Ramen is a restaurant franchise founded in Kumamoto, Japan. It has a chain of restaurants throughout the world and it's first outlet opened in World Square a few years back.
I worked just around the corner from Ajisen Ramen in World Square and have only ever managed to have it once. The flavours didn't appeal to me back then. I still however prefer the ramen from Menya Noodle Bar.
Walking past this restaurant, seeing the 'Opening Soon' signs grabbed my attention and I found the desire to try it again.
It opens at 12pm which I think is fairly late for lunch but I arrive a few minutes after and people are starting to come in groups and seating reaches full capacity with a few tables remaining on the outside due to the crazy, windy weather outside.
The interior is nicely furnished with a wooden look. It is spacious and doesn't have that cramped feeling I experience in a few Japanese restaurants.
As the name suggests, Ramen is their speciality. They specialise in pork bone soup which is also known as tonkotsu soup. I couldn't decide between the ramen or the curry rice.
I ended up with the 'Ajisen Ramen ($8.95)' which came with two pieces of chasu (pork), half an egg and vegetables. I added heaps of the dried garlic as that gave it more flavour. The soup was rich and the noodles were al dente. The egg was precooked leaving it to be cold and lacking that running yolk texture which was the only negative.
M had the 'Tempura Prawns with Udon ($11.95)' in which the prawns were requested to be put separate. For it's price, two little pieces of tempura wasn't enough. M found it bland and would probably avoid this dish next time around.
Overall, a decent ramen place that's close by and won't require that long drive to the City.
Where?
270 Forest Road
Hurstville NSW 2220
Australia
Phone no: 02 8065 9588
Opening Hours
12pm till Late
Website
I went to Ajisen's city restaurant a while back and had an awful experience, the food was pricey and bland. I went to the Hurstville chain a week back, it wasn't AS bad, but the broth was quite oily and the spring onion wasn't fresh. I've heard good reviews for another little japanese joint up forest road - I can't think of the name at the moment... but it's near Tara Travel Agent.
ReplyDeleteHey Lilly,
DeleteI agree with you. The Hurstville one isn't as busy anymore so the ingredients wouldn't be as fresh. It's not very good compared to the real 'Japanese' restaurants cause they're a franchise chain. The one on the other side of the station is pretty good. It's called 'Manmaruya: Japanese Noodle'. Thanks for the recommendation! Will have a look for that little Japanese joint :)