Ajisen

At Ajisen's request, trading of its shares was suspended Aug. 5.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

Ajisen on Friday extended its "most sincere apologies" and said it would comply with all relevant Chinese laws and regulations.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

Ajisen responded that its soup-base concentrate is made at a centralized food factory, not at individual noodle shops.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

UBS AG wrote on Aug. 5 that the allegations have affected Ajisen's revenue but said that as long as none of the issues are related to food safety, the negative impact could fade in a year.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

Whether Ajisen's website made that statement couldn't be determined for this article.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

That contradicted, according to a subsequent China Daily article, a statement on Ajisen's website that its soup base was made from "a broth of pork bones simmered to perfection."

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

The Ajisen Ramen noodle chain is based in Kyushu, Japan.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

Its price/earnings ratio of 18 for 2011 is roughly in line with Yum's own but is far short of, say, Ajisen, a chain of Japanese-style restaurants on the mainland trading at 27 times.

The Colonel Dives Into China's Hot Pot Tom Orlik 2011

Rather, Ajisen's woes revolve around its marketing.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011

An Ajisen representative acknowledged that sales were affected by the negative reports but said business has been improving since, without elaborating.

Noodle Affair Simmers Isabella Steger 2011