Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen

The passion for Japanese cuisine led Chef Tan-San to start Hajime in 2016. Hajime is the Japanese word for "beginning" (初め) and the short form for “Hajimemashite”, which means “Nice to meet you”. It represents our philosophy of going back to food’s beginning and our warm welcome to all patrons. Bringing over 25 years of experience to the kitchen, Chef Tan-San’s journey began after a stint in Japan, where he mastered the art of Tonkatsu and returned in 1993 to helm the kitchen of Tonkichi - making him the first Tonkatsu chef in Singapore. In 2004, he took on the challenge of starting up Tampopo which has since become a household name for authentic Japanese cuisine in Singapore. With a dedication to perfection and serving quality food to his customers, Chef Tan-San is famed for various creations such as Kurobuta Pork Tonkatsu and Tonkatsu Ramen. Today, at Hajime, Chef Tan-san and his team share their passion for Japanese food by bringing you authentic Japanese cuisine in a modern setting and at affordable prices.