Ajitama Ramen Bistro - Saldanha — Restaurant in Lisbon

I usually review only for very positive experiences (as seen by my other reviews). Unfortunately, this is an exception, and I hope the owner takes notice. The food was ok, but the service was really almost comically terrible. Our visit was Sunday afternoon (Dec 3rd).

On arrival, despite the place being half empty, we were stood inside near the bar area for about 7-8 minutes before being acknowledged. (And no not greeted, I mean not even a look). Several waiting staff walked by without saying anything, and intentionally avoiding eye contact/looking at the floor. Then the guy (who I guess is supposed to greet customers) eventually came up stairs. It was quite silly, as we had to hover there while people ate, and other customers noticed the long delay and people standing around them, including others behind us.

This was just the start.

The order was then taken incorrectly. 2 out of 3 sides came after 10 minutes. Then there was a gap of 45 minutes. No check-in from our waitress with us in this time. After 45 mins we tried to get the attention of wait staff, who at certain points had congregated near the bar/kitchen and were just chatting and laughing among themselves (including the manager). My partner said hello and waved over to the slightly older guy on the floor who initially greeted us late (who I presume is the manager), and he ignored her. The youngish lady who took our order, and had a pretty dismissive attitude, didn't check in with us or respond. So I walked over to the till to ask about the food. The manager didn't acknowledge me and instead a (very nice) young waiter from the other side of the restaurant approached me (which was plainly not his job, but he was picking up the slack left by his female colleague who was assigned our table). I could see he asked about our meal and then we were just left alone again, no update.

I asked again about it (we're 1 hour in at this point), and I was told there was a mistake, that it would come. He re-asked me my order and we found out my partner's food wasn't taken down. The (again very nice) lad assured me it would all be ready in two minutes

In this time we noticed several plates of wrong orders being sent back plus 2 couples angrily complaining (about what I'm not sure).

A couple of minutes later my food arrived. I was then told that the chefs didn't have the ingredients to make my partner's meal (we're well over an hour in at this point). He offered to cut the 2 starters from the bill, for which I thanked him and said OK to. However, I thought it was very unfair to put this young man (who looked about 18) in this position, when he wasn't our waiter and the manager is stood right there having never said a word to us. The restaurant wasn't even that busy, half the tables were empty, and noone said anything to us for 45 mins.

And to top it off: my partner used the bathroom earlier as we waited. It's dark downstairs and a bin was being used to hold the women's door ajar. My partner sheepishly nudged the door (as the cleaner may have been cleaning it etc). The waitress who took our order came out of the staff room, noticed, and said: "go in, it's a normal bathroom". Then she eyerolls and loudly says: "Americans!".

We aren't American, in fact we're fellow Europeans who ordered in English. I mean, what is there to say about this hahaha.

I hope the owner sees this so he/she knows the kind of staff they have...

❗ Best Ramen 🍜 in Lisbon. Period.

Look. Let's cut to the chase. I love Ramen, and if you're reading this then you love it too.

Couple of days ago I went to Ajitama with my partner to celebrate an important anniversary to us, and we came out absolutely floored from the experience (except by ONE thing 😒, which I'll get to later).

To start, we ordered the... 🔸 Veggie Gyozas which, surprisingly, are handmade and so is the soy sauce that comes with it! 😳

Usually restaurants don't go through this trouble, as I'm sure you know, opting to use a cheap "KIKKOMAN" alternative for the soy sauce or microwaved gyozas. Not here.

Afterwards, for drinks..

🔸 Ajitama Kombu Biru 🍺 (5€) a stronger-than-usual craft beer which I liked; 🔸 Passion fruit Lemonade 🍋(3.8€) which was initially sour when first came to the table, but with time got progressively sweeter and pleasant to sip from.

But the main dish... My people, the main dish. 😌

🔸 RED TONKOTSU 🍜 (with hot paste) 🔸 HAKATA TONKOTSU 🍜 both (15.5€)

The broths were packed with flavor, the noodles absorbed it successfully, but carried their subtlety as well, the kikurage mushrooms, cut into matchsticks as tradition in a Ramen, brought the an important "crunch" element to the dish, with the pork belly adding that necessary and delicious protein. However, the star of the dish, and also the name of the restaurant, were the Ajitama eggs 🥚. I had never tasted eggs so soft and creamy in my life before.

Hot tip! 🔥 If you order the hot paste, ask for it in a seperate small plate, so you can season your ramen to your liking. The spicy is REALLY spicy, so be careful! However, I am happy to say it is of good quality, because despite feeling my mouth and lips burning, my taste buds could still pick up everything described up there. Amazing.

Desserts:

🔸 Matcha Bavaroise (5.9€) 🔸 Oreo and Lime Cheesecake (5.3€)

... Were delicious and carried their intended signature flavor.

The Bavaroise was a lighter dessert, optimal for those who want sweet, but not too sweet, as the Matcha flavoring is delicate by nature, so too did the rest lf the elements need to be delicate as well.

The cheesecake was more gluttonous, carrying a larger and sweeter flavor, with each element sporting it's own distinct taste, from the lime to the oreo crumble, it all played wonderfully together.

So you might be thinking "Just what is the ONE thing you didn't like?" Well...

When you make the reservation online you're given options to choose: is it a birthday, anniversary, casual, with options to write notes down, etc. We took advantage of this, and wrote that it was our anniversary and that it was the first time we went to Ajitama.

While all the staff was nice and welcoming, there was absolutely no attention paid to the reservation details we noted down, which made us wonder, obviously, why have that option in the first place. We didn't want the red carpet thrown to us, but at the very least a "Thank you for choosing Ajitama and congratulations on this and that" or something, which would've meant they took note. This is why the service is 4 🌟 and not 5.

Still. When all is said and done, it's a minor nitpick specific to us, because the gastronomic experience was in no way affected by it.

Ajitama is THE place for a Ramen experience. Let no one tell you...

Ajitama Ramen Bistro is a haven for ramen aficionados and casual noodle enthusiasts alike. From the moment you step through the doors, you're enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere, with sleek wooden accents and a cozy ambiance that instantly puts you at ease. The restaurant was bustling with activity when I visited, a testament to its popularity among Lisbon's ramen lovers.

My reservation ensured that I was seated promptly, and within minutes, I was immersed in a culinary adventure that would tantalize my taste buds. The ramen, the star of the show, was nothing short of exceptional. The broth was rich and flavorful, perfectly balanced between savory and umami, while the noodles were cooked to a delightful al dente. The toppings, added layers of texture and taste that sent my taste buds into overdrive.

The other dishes on the menu did not disappoint either. The gyozas, with their delicate wrappers and savory filling, were a delightful appetizer.

As I savored the last slurp of my ramen, I knew Ajitama Ramen Bistro had earned its place among my favorite restaurants in Lisbon. The combination of impeccable food, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it an absolute must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. I can't wait to return soon and indulge in another ramen feast that will leave me...