ToyMedical Co., Ltd., which works to solve excess salt intake, and Shigemitsu Industry Co., Ltd., the operator of 'Ajisen Ramen,' announced that their jointly developed 'Salt Offset Noodles' were launched simultaneously across 10 locations in Kumamoto Prefecture, including the main Ajisen Ramen store, on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Customers can now choose these noodles as a new option for eligible ramen dishes for an additional 50 yen (tax included). A media event was held on the morning of the launch at the main branch to showcase this innovation.

Unlike traditional low-sodium approaches, 'Salt Offset Noodles' offer a new way to support a healthy lifestyle without compromising the authentic flavor of the ramen.

The key feature lies in the proprietary 'Salt Offset Technology.' The noodles are enriched with 'alginates,' a type of dietary fiber derived from seaweed. These alginates have the unique property of adsorbing some of the sodium in the meal, converting it into a form that is less easily absorbed by the body.

During the three-year development period, over 20 prototypes were created and refined to overcome potential texture issues such as grit or loss of firmness associated with alginates. The result is a highly perfected noodle that retains the traditional taste of Ajisen Ramen while providing a 'smooth and easy-to-eat' texture. In stakeholder tasting sessions, over 87% of participants reported that the taste was 'indistinguishable from regular ramen.'

Regarding the development, Etsue Shigemitsu, Vice President of Shigemitsu Industry, stated, 'We hope that the fusion of our traditional noodle-making heritage and cutting-edge technology will bring smiles to many people.' ToyMedical CEO Hidenori Takeshita added, 'We aim to realize a well-being-oriented society where people do not have to compromise on taste or health.'

Initial customer feedback has been positive, with diners expressing surprise that they could not tell the difference and appreciation for the new healthy choice. Looking ahead, the companies aim to expand the offering across the entire Ajisen Ramen network following this initial local rollout in Kumamoto.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: New Product