Ajisen Ramen Opens in Hamilton! A Review of Kumamoto Tonkotsu Ramen
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- 3 min read
Exciting news for ramen lovers in Hamilton!
Ajisen Ramen, the famous Kumamoto-style tonkotsu ramen chain from Japan, has finally opened a store in Hamilton, New Zealand!
I had previously visited their Henderson location in Auckland, and I still remembered how much I enjoyed the slightly spicy flavour and that perfect punch of garlic.
Until recently, Ajisen Ramen’s New Zealand locations were all in Auckland, so I was very excited to hear that they had finally opened a restaurant here in Hamilton!
What is Ajisen Ramen?
Ajisen Ramen is a tonkotsu ramen brand that originated in Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan. It was founded in 1968 by Koji Shigemitsu.
Since its beginnings, Ajisen Ramen has embraced the Japanese concept of 「医食同源：ishoku dogen,」 which is based on the idea that food and health are closely connected.
This philosophy is reflected in its approach to creating ramen that is not only delicious but also made with health and well-being in mind.
Although Ajisen is known for its tonkotsu pork-bone broth, I find it rich and flavourful without being overly heavy.
One of its signature features is senmiyu, a fragrant seasoning oil made with sesame oil and garlic, which gives the broth its distinctive aroma and flavour.
Today, Ajisen Ramen has expanded to more than 600 locations overseas across 15 countries, showing just how popular Japanese ramen has become around the world.
Ajisen Ramen Locations in New Zealand
As of 2026, Ajisen Ramen has five locations in New Zealand: four in Auckland and one in Hamilton.
New Market
Takapuna
West Auckland
Botany
Hamilton
You can find the latest location information on the Ajisen Ramen New Zealand website.
Ajisen Ramen Hamilton Review
This time, I visited the newly opened Ajisen Ramen in Hamilton.
The restaurant is located at The Base, a large shopping centre with plenty of parking.
It’s a very convenient spot, with a cinema, outlet stores, pharmacies, banks, and a supermarket all nearby.
Ajisen Ramen is located next to a café and has its own entrance from outside the shopping centre.
There’s also a menu displayed outside, so you can have a look before going in!
The restaurant itself isn’t particularly large, but there’s enough space for customers with prams.
I visited around lunchtime on a weekday, and it was already quite lively, with groups of friends and couples enjoying their meals.
Ajisen Ramen Hamilton Menu
I think the menu is mostly the same as at the Auckland locations, although a few items were still marked as coming soon when I visited.
As well as their signature Ajisen Ramen, there are plenty of other options, including Black Tonkotsu Ramen and Dry Ramen.
If you’re after something spicy, there’s even a Kaibutsu (means Monster) Ramen (!?).
For those who prefer something without meat, there are options such as kakiage and Vegetable Shoyu Ramen.
Another dish I often see at Japanese restaurants overseas, including here in New Zealand, is Katsu Ramen... Even just looking at the photo, it looks pretty impressive!
It’s not all about ramen either. They also have a selection of rice bowls, and the portions look very generous.
I also spotted an interesting dish called Yaki Ramen.
Unfortunately, it was still marked as coming soon when I visited. I wonder how different the texture is from yakisoba? I’d definitely like to try it sometime.
For sides, you’ll find Japanese favourites such as takoyaki, edamame, and karaage. It might be a good option to share if you’re visiting with three or four people.
Ajisen Ramen Review
I decided to go with their signature dish, the Ajisen Ramen.
Ordering is self-service, with a large touchscreen kiosk near the counter, similar to the ones you see at McDonald’s.
The Ajisen Ramen costs NZ$21.
It comes with toppings including chashu pork and a seasoned egg.
I ordered my noodles firm.
The subtle aroma of senmiyu, Ajisen’s signature sesame oil, immediately made me hungry.
There was a generous amount of chashu too, and it was delicious!
The tonkotsu broth is rich and full of flavour, but it doesn’t feel overly heavy.
I also really like the slight spicy kick.
There’s a good hit of garlic as well. It had been a while since I’d had a proper bowl of Japanese tonkotsu ramen, and this one definitely hit the spot!
Try Ajisen Ramen, Japenese Tonkotsu ramen in Hamilton
That wraps up my review of the new Ajisen Ramen in Hamilton! The Base is always a busy area with plenty of people around, so I hope Ajisen will become a popular local spot and stay in Hamilton for many years to come.
Ajisen Ramen Hamilton is currently open from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week.
Takeaway is also available, so if you’re craving Japanese tonkotsu ramen in Hamilton, it’s definitely worth giving it a try!
