About Ajisen Group
Group Story
Ajisen (China) Holdings Ltd. was founded in 1996 by Ms. Wai Poon. Since its establishment, the group has been serving Japanese-style ramen and dishes in Mainland China and Hong Kong under the Ajisen brand.
We have also developed hundreds of new dishes suitable for local tastes by integrating Chinese eating habits and culinary essence. At the same time, the Japanese central kitchen technology of producing pork bone broth was introduced in Mainland China to ensure consistent quality. No matter where you are, you can always walk into an Ajisen restaurant and enjoy a bowl of authentic Japanese pork bone broth ramen.
On March 30, 2007, Ajisen (China) Holdings Ltd (No. 0538.HK) was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong becoming the first Mainland Chinese F&B chain company to be listed in Hong Kong. Ajisen Ramen, a representative of Japanese ramen, has become popular with Chinese consumers, and its restaurants are located in prime locations in Hong Kong and in major cities in Mainland China, making it a well-known brand in the food and beverage industry.
With more than 50 years of history as well as generations of ingenuity and dedication, Ajisen Ramen has more than 800 branches worldwide. The pork bone broth ramen is loved by customers of all ages and sells around 70 million servings per year.
Beyond developing the flagship brand "Ajisen Ramen" regionally and internationally, we also operate a number of well-known Japanese chain restaurants in Hong Kong, such as "Domon", "Kanzan Menya", "Kamiyama Kamiya", “Ramen House Konjiki Hototogisu”, and “Ramen House Hototogisu” as licensee, while "Sandaime" and "Sancha" being wholly developed by the group.
Timeline
The founder, Mr. Takaharu Shigemitsu, opened the first Ajisen Ramen store in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Hoping to share this delicious and rich “Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth ramen” with thousands of people, he named it "Ajisen Ramen".
The first Ajisen Ramen restaurant opened in Hong Kong, pioneering Japanese ramen in China. The Japanese central kitchen technology of producing bone broth was introduced in China to ensure consistent quality. No matter where you are, you can always walk into an Ajisen Ramen restaurant and enjoy a bowl of authentic Japanese pork bone broth ramen.
Ajisen (China) Holdings Ltd. listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("SEHK"), the group’s expansion effort was revitalised with a fresh injection of substantial capital. Ajisen Ramen has become popular with Chinese consumers as a representative of Japanese ramen, with restaurants located in prime locations in Hong Kong and major cities in Mainland China, making it a well-known brand in the food and beverage industry.
Ajisen group has built four central kitchen production bases in Shanghai, Chengdu, Dongguan and Tianjin since 2012, with a total area of 66,000 square metres and a total investment of approximately US$100 million. The four bases cover Eastern, Northern, Southern and Central China, they can support the production, logistics, central kitchen operations and education & training for the group. Their full operational capacity can potentially support up to 1,800 restaurants nationwide.
With more than 50 years of history as well as generations of ingenuity and dedication, Ajisen Ramen has reached 800 branches worldwide. The pork bone broth ramen is loved by customers of all ages and sells around 70 million servings a year.
The founder, Mr. Takaharu Shigemitsu, opened the first Ajisen Ramen store in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Hoping to share this delicious and rich “Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth ramen” with thousands of people, he named it "Ajisen Ramen".
The first Ajisen Ramen restaurant opened in Hong Kong, pioneering Japanese ramen in China. The Japanese central kitchen technology of producing bone broth was introduced in China to ensure consistent quality. No matter where you are, you can always walk into an Ajisen Ramen restaurant and enjoy a bowl of authentic Japanese pork bone broth ramen.
Ajisen (China) Holdings Ltd. listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("SEHK"), the group’s expansion effort was revitalised with a fresh injection of substantial capital. Ajisen Ramen has become popular with Chinese consumers as a representative of Japanese ramen, with restaurants located in prime locations in Hong Kong and major cities in Mainland China, making it a well-known brand in the food and beverage industry.
Ajisen group has built four central kitchen production bases in Shanghai, Chengdu, Dongguan and Tianjin since 2012, with a total area of 66,000 square metres and a total investment of approximately US$100 million. The four bases cover Eastern, Northern, Southern and Central China, they can support the production, logistics, central kitchen operations and education & training for the group. Their full operational capacity can potentially support up to 1,800 restaurants nationwide.
With more than 50 years of history as well as generations of ingenuity and dedication, Ajisen Ramen has reached 800 branches worldwide. The pork bone broth ramen is loved by customers of all ages and sells around 70 million servings a year.
Vision
Bring healthy and tasty culinary experience for everyone.
Mission
Create a world-class food production system and promote the heritage of Oriental cuisine globally.
Worldwide Network
"Ajisen Ramen" brand has entered more than 120 cities in Mainland China, as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other overseas regions and international airports in Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada, Italy and the United States.
In Hong Kong, we have introduced seven Japanese catering brands and opened more than 20 outlets on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Depending on the location and food traffic, we choose suitable locations to open branches for different brands in response to market demand and according to the respective brand development strategy. We also hope to provide high quality food and elegant dining environments to all food lovers through its wide network of restaurants.
In the future, we will continue to look for suitable locations to expand its restaurant network while developing new and healthier meals to introduce to foodies!
Board of Directors
Wai Poon
Ms. Wai Poon is the founder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Ajisen (China) Holdings Ltd., and is responsible for the overall management of the group, including the decision-making and planning of major strategies of the group. As the founder of the company, Ms. Poon has played a pivotal role in the development of the group since the opening of its first restaurant in 1995. Ms. Poon is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the F&B industry. She has previously worked in the Asian food trade in the US and Hong Kong, with particular expertise in the cuisine of northern and southern China.
Ms. Poon currently serves as the vice-chairman of China Central Kitchen Catering Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance, and the director of China Entrepreneur Directors Association. She is also the vice-president of Shanghai Catering and Cooking Industry Association and the vice-chairman of Shanghai Commercial Enterprise Management Association. In October 2007, Ms. Poon was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and in 2010, she received the “China Business Leader Award"- Best Talent Management Award. In 2011, she became a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference's (CPPCC) Minhang District, Shanghai.
Ka Man Poon
Mr. Ka Man Poon is the Marketing Director and Executive Director of the group. Mr. Poon has been an executive director of the group since March 8, 2007, responsible for the marketing of the "Ajisen" brand and the design of the Group's restaurant chain. Mr. Poon has over 20 years of experience in the architecture and design industry and owns his own outsourcing and design company in Hong Kong, specialising in the design and decoration of offices, commercial retail spaces, factories and residential properties. Mr. Poon is the younger brother of Ms. Wai Poon.
Minna Ng
Ms. Minna Ng has been an executive director of the Group since 20 August 2019, and concurrently serves as the director of the new business unit and the executive officer of Hong Kong and Macau business operations, responsible for managing the Group's business operations in Hong Kong, overseas business development and new brand restaurants. Since joining the Group in 2011, Ms. Ng has held various management positions within the group, including restaurant operations, research and development and business development. She graduated from Bentley University in Boston, USA with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance. Ms. Ng is the daughter of Ms. Wai Poon and the niece of Mr. Ka Man Poon.
Katsuaki Shigemitsu
Mr. Katsuaki Shigemitsu has been a non-executive director of the group since March 8, 2007. Mr. Shigemitsu is also a shareholder and director of the group's franchiser, Shigemitsu Industry Co.,Ltd. In addition, Mr. Shigemitsu has also been a non-executive director of Japan Food Holdings Limited (listed in Singapore) since November 2008. Mr. Shigemitsu has over 15 years of experience in the F&B industry and joined the family business Shigemitsu Industry Co.,Ltd after graduating in 1991. Mr. Shigemitsu started his career as a restaurant manager at an Ajisen Ramen restaurant in Japan, and subsequently held various senior management positions at Shigemitsu Industry. He was appointed as the vice chairman of Shigemitsu Industry in 1995 and the chairman in 1997. Mr. Shigemitsu holds a bachelor's degree in structural engineering from Kumamoto Institute of Technology.
Shek Voon Jen
Jen Shek Voon (任錫文), has been an independent non-executive Director since 8 March 2007. He was a sole proprietor of Jen Shek Voon, PAS, a Chartered Accountant and Public Accounting Singapore firm in Singapore that specializes in international and regional financial and business advisory services. Mr. Jen also sits as an independent nonexecutive director of the boards of directors of a number of non-publicly listed companies in Singapore and Hong Kong. Mr. Jen is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree (Hons) from the University of Singapore and a M Comm (Hons) degree from the University of New South Wales. He is a Life Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UK; the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and a member of the British Computer Society. He is a Forensic Financial Professional, an accreditation with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA).
Peter Lo
Mr. Peter Lo has been an independent non-executive director of the company since March 8, 2007. Mr. Lo is a director of China Enterprise Capital Limited and the chairman and executive director of Biodynamic Group Limited (stock code: 0039), a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Mr. Lo has over 15 years of business experience in China, including but not limited to trading and investing in various industries such as leather goods, power plants, automobile manufacturers, medical equipment and beer manufacturers. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Lo was the chief executive officer and executive director of Harbin Brewery Group Co., Ltd. From February 2005 to May 2008, Mr. Lo served as an independent non-executive director of China Lonking Holdings Limited (stock code: 3339), a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Mr. Lo is also an independent non-executive director of Uni-President China Holdings Limited (stock code: 0220), a company listed on the Stock Exchange. Mr Lo holds a BA in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Mr. Lu is a member of the CPPCC in Harbin, China.
Ho Pak Chuen Brian
Mr. Ho Pak Chuen Brian has been an independent non-executive Director of the company since 5 April 2024. Mr. Ho holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree, both from Monash University, Australia and a Master’s Degree of Business Administration from the University of Sydney, Australia and University of New South Wales, Australia. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the supreme court of Victoria, Australia in 1997 and a solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong in 2000. He became a Certified Practising Accountant of CPA Australia in 2004. Mr. Ho has over 23 years of experience in corporate finance and law. He is currently a partner of Howse Williams, a law firm in Hong Kong. He is an independent non-executive director of Get Nice Holdings Limited (stock code: 0064) since July 2023, a company listed on Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, he is also an independent non-executive director of Genes Tech Group Holdings Company Limited (stock code: 8257) since June 2017, a company listed on GEM of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Mr. Ho worked as a Vice President – Corporate Finance at Cazenove Asia Limited, which was subsequently acquired by Standard Chartered Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, between June 2007 and February 2009, as an Associate Director and subsequently as a Director of Equity Corporate Finance Department at Standard Chartered Securities (Hong Kong) Limited between February 2009 and February 2012. Prior to 2007, he worked in the corporate department of various international and local law firms in Hong Kong.
Yet Yat On
Mr. Yew Yat On has been a non-executive Director of the company since 7 June 2023. Mr Yew has near 30 years of experience in investment banking and finance. He held various senior positions in several international, Hong Kong and China investment banks and handled a number of initial public offering and merger and acquisition deals. He is the founder and managing director of Alliance Capital Partners Limited, a leading boutique corporate finance house carrying Type 1 and Type 6 regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. Mr. Yew holds an Executive Diploma in Organization Leadership from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and obtained a Master of Science degree in Investment Management from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Hong Kong. Mr. Yew is a chartered financial analyst. Mr. Yew is also an independent non-executive director of China Shineway Pharmaceutical Group Limited (stock code: 2877), a company listed on the Stock Exchange.
Wai Poon
Ms. Wai Poon is the founder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Ajisen (China) Holdings Ltd., and is responsible for the overall management of the group, including the decision-making and planning of major strategies of the group. As the founder of the company, Ms. Poon has played a pivotal role in the development of the group since the opening of its first restaurant in 1995. Ms. Poon is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the F&B industry. She has previously worked in the Asian food trade in the US and Hong Kong, with particular expertise in the cuisine of northern and southern China.
Ms. Poon currently serves as the vice-chairman of China Central Kitchen Catering Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance, and the director of China Entrepreneur Directors Association. She is also the vice-president of Shanghai Catering and Cooking Industry Association and the vice-chairman of Shanghai Commercial Enterprise Management Association. In October 2007, Ms. Poon was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and in 2010, she received the “China Business Leader Award"- Best Talent Management Award. In 2011, she became a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference's (CPPCC) Minhang District, Shanghai.
Minna Ng
Ms. Minna Ng has been an executive director of the Group since 20 August 2019, and concurrently serves as the director of the new business unit and the executive officer of Hong Kong and Macau business operations, responsible for managing the Group's business operations in Hong Kong, overseas business development and new brand restaurants. Since joining the Group in 2011, Ms. Ng has held various management positions within the group, including restaurant operations, research and development and business development. She graduated from Bentley University in Boston, USA with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance. Ms. Ng is the daughter of Ms. Wai Poon and the niece of Mr. Ka Man Poon.
Shek Voon Jen
Jen Shek Voon (任錫文), has been an independent non-executive Director since 8 March 2007. He was a sole proprietor of Jen Shek Voon, PAS, a Chartered Accountant and Public Accounting Singapore firm in Singapore that specializes in international and regional financial and business advisory services. Mr. Jen also sits as an independent nonexecutive director of the boards of directors of a number of non-publicly listed companies in Singapore and Hong Kong. Mr. Jen is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree (Hons) from the University of Singapore and a M Comm (Hons) degree from the University of New South Wales. He is a Life Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UK; the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and a member of the British Computer Society. He is a Forensic Financial Professional, an accreditation with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA).
Ho Pak Chuen Brian
Mr. Ho Pak Chuen Brian has been an independent non-executive Director of the company since 5 April 2024. Mr. Ho holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree, both from Monash University, Australia and a Master’s Degree of Business Administration from the University of Sydney, Australia and University of New South Wales, Australia. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the supreme court of Victoria, Australia in 1997 and a solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong in 2000. He became a Certified Practising Accountant of CPA Australia in 2004. Mr. Ho has over 23 years of experience in corporate finance and law. He is currently a partner of Howse Williams, a law firm in Hong Kong. He is an independent non-executive director of Get Nice Holdings Limited (stock code: 0064) since July 2023, a company listed on Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, he is also an independent non-executive director of Genes Tech Group Holdings Company Limited (stock code: 8257) since June 2017, a company listed on GEM of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Mr. Ho worked as a Vice President – Corporate Finance at Cazenove Asia Limited, which was subsequently acquired by Standard Chartered Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, between June 2007 and February 2009, as an Associate Director and subsequently as a Director of Equity Corporate Finance Department at Standard Chartered Securities (Hong Kong) Limited between February 2009 and February 2012. Prior to 2007, he worked in the corporate department of various international and local law firms in Hong Kong.
Awards & Recognition
Over 26 years Won60Awards
| Prize | Awarder | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 10+ Caring Company | Hong Kong Council of Social Service | 2010 - 2022 |
| Top 50 Chinese Noodle Catering Brands | China Hospitality Association | 2020 |
| Top 100 Chinese Catering Enterprises | China Cuisine Association | 2020 |
| Top 100 Chinese Catering Enterprises | China Cuisine Association | 2019 |
| Top 70 Fast Food Enterprises in China | China Cuisine Association | 2019 |
