Obsessed with ramen? Good. So are we.
Hai Hai is looking for a culinary leader who can take our obsession with ramen & izakaya and drive it to the next level.
As Head Chef, you'll be the engine behind our flagship West End kitchen - leading the team, pushing creativity, and setting the standards that make HaiHai a cult-fave. This is your chance to build, innovate, and scale a brand that's serious about growth.
What You'll Do
* Run the flagship kitchen - own the pass, own the standards, own the systems.
* Champion quality - every broth, every tare, every topping consistent, from our 24-hour tonkotsu to vegan bowls.
* Lead & mentor - train and grow a passionate kitchen crew who live for ramen like you do.
* Innovate with freedom - create specials, evolve izakaya dishes, test ideas in our "West End lab."
* Build for scale - refine processes, recipes, and costings so we're ready for multi-venue growth.
Why HaiHai? (aka What's In It For You)
We know top chefs have options. Here's why this role stands out:
Serious Pay - $90K–$110K + profit share + $10K retention bonus (12mnth).
Creative Playground - real autonomy with izakaya & ramen specials.
Growth Stage Role - shape systems + standards as we expand beyond West End.
Legacy Opportunity - build a brand, not just a kitchen.
Culture That Cares - no ego, no pretence, just soul food and soul people.
Sponsorship Available - for the right chef, we'll back you all the way.
Who We're After
* Ramen master. You've run a ramen kitchen and know broth, tare, and toppings inside out.
* Business brain. You get COGs, wages, and how to run a profitable kitchen.
* Creative edge. You're excited by freedom to push izakaya beyond "side dishes."
* Natural leader. You train, mentor, and inspire - not just manage.
* Growth mindset. You want to step into an executive role as HaiHai scales.
Non-Negotiables
Don't apply if:
* You've never run a ramen kitchen at a high standard.
* You don't care about process, quality, or consistency.
* You want to just "hold a job," not help build a brand.
About HaiHai
We're a Brisbane ramen brand with cult status, born in Paddington in 2016 and expanded to our flagship in West End.
* Our ethos? Flavour without the fuss
* Our bowls are crafted, never copied
* Our izakaya dishes are built to stand alone, not just sides.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 – $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Employee discount
* Profit sharing
* Visa sponsorship
Work Authorisation:
* Australia (Preferred)
Work Location: In person