AJISAI Ramen shop, Kurenai, Hakodate Bay Bishoku Club — Restaurant in Hakodate

This is a tough review. When in Hakodate, Sapporo and smaller cities, everything on the menu is in Japanese with some (few) places having an American/English menu. Hey, I get it..when in Japan… But, even Google Translate struggles at times. For my review, we felt rushed by the host (first time for this in 20 meals) to order despite no one behind us in line. I think the ordering process is a bad example of using technology when it isn’t necessary. Note - simplify when appropriate, especially dining. We ordered the white and red miso ramen and the initial taste for me was outstanding. The bowls looked amazing, (see pics) but within 3 bites, my son felt the symptoms of an allergic reaction to peanut Pīnattsuarerugī. I went to the kitchen to ask if they had anything peanut and was told, none in the ramen, but the salad dressing has some peanut. So, he was a victim of cross contamination and we left the 2 bowls of ramen to get his Benadryl. Within 30 minutes, he was flush, skin rashed and swollen. We drove to a 24 hour hospital (believe it’s the only one in Hakodate). After an hour wait, the nurse informed us the wait was another 1.5 hour. In another half hour, his reaction slowed and we were able to return to our Airbnb. Note for people, ask even in bad Japanese or English the potential for peanut. It’s not used often in Japanese cooking, but obviously a big lesson learned. This could have been a complete disaster. BTW, hospitals in smaller cities in Japan seem ill prepared for an adverse food allergic reaction. There is significantly less of food allergies in Japan. So, I hope this restaurant reads this review and takes the appropriate action. Cross contamination can kill someone ill prepared. I want to add that I just read about Michael Chiarello. Be...

Ramen was mid.

Despite reading everywhere that AJISAI is raved about and they have great ramen and is a must visit in Hakodate, can't help but feel the hour and ¥1050 I spent on this venture coming here and dining in could have been better spent on a Nissin Roah at the Famima near my hotel.

They say when in Hakodate, try Shio ramen. If AJISAI was supposed to be an ambassador, I'd have them waterboarded for the fun of it.

Pros: Ordering process was streamlined. No stern ojisan rushing customers to order and eat. Waitstaff are young, hip, and nice folk. Yoasobi on the playlist. Comes with good amount of negi for us onion fetishists. Noodles have a good texture and bite. Cool spoon. Free WiFi.

Cons: Ramen. Chashu lacks flavour. Price did not equate food I received.

If you're here for all the bells and whistles unrelated to ramen, good for you. If you're here for ramen, I'd say walk further down the road...

Ajisai Ramen in Hakodate was tasty! To say it's "par for the course" in terms of Japanese food is a testament to the quality of the dishes you'll find anywhere you enter here in Japan. Anyways.. Ajisai's claim to fame is their shio ramen- delightfully light yet full of flavor, it comes with a generous portion of char siu pork, bamboo, a half-boiled egg, and, for lack of a better word, "croutons" (first time I have seen that implemented in ramen). Their gyoza were huge and yummy as well. Definitely get them to accompany your ramen. And if you're feeling hungry (read: gluttonous) as I was, order their char-mayo-don (Char siu pork and seaweed topped over rice with mayonnaise drizzled on top), it was delicious as well. All the dishes were prepared and served reasonably quick with little wait. Definitely visit if you're a fan...