Now Open: Chase Kojima's Ramen Omakase Restaurant Is Serving Up a Seven-Course Set Menu in Chatswood
Kojima has created four signature bowls of ramen featuring 12-hour pork broth, spicy miso butter and rare smoked duck, all served across a 90-minute dining experience.
Sydney's omakase options have skyrocketed in the past couple of months, with restaurants boasting impressive and extensive Japanese set menus popping up in The Rocks, The Star's Sokyo and now: Chatswood. Chase Kojima, one of Sydney's most renowned Japanese chefs and the mastermind behind Sokyo's new omakase menu has also just opened Senpai Ramen, a ramen omakase experience on Sydney's north shore.
The 20-seat restaurant invites visitors to experience ramen in a new way. Omakase is a Japanese dining tradition that loosely translates to 'leave it to the chef'. Senpai Ramen offers a 90-minute dining experience featuring a seven-course set menu that eases you in with entrees before building towards four signature ramen varieties.
"At Senpai Ramen diners will enjoy a fun and unique experience with our tasty seven-course degustation," Kojima says. "We use the best seafood and meats, and combine them with incredible Japanese and Australian flavours for a unique and absolutely exquisite experience."
The menu will set you back $65, but you can add additional courses and dishes if you fancy. Kicking things off is a mini Chirashi seafood experience featuring sashimi and Saikyo-style miso-marinated toothfish, while the main event is four varieties of ramen Kojima has crafted. The brothy bowls feature ingredients like 12-hour pork broth, spicy miso butter and rare smoked duck.
Located across from Chatswood Mall with Kojima's Saikyo and Butter Chatswood nearby, Senpai is easy to spot with its eye-catching neon lights. The bright blue and purple lights continue inside where diners are immersed in a futuristic sensory experience while they sample sashimi and ramen.
With the restaurant currently only open for dinner (lunch is coming soon), spots are filling up fast so it's best to jump online ASAP and book your place.
Senpai Ramen is located at G05/88 Archer Street, Chatswood. It's open 5–9pm Tuesday–Sunday.