Chase Kojima, already one of Sydney's highest-profile Japanese chefs courtesy of the hatted Sokyo restaurant in Pyrmont, has added to his collection with the opening of Senpai Ramen in Chatswood on Thursday.

There are a number of reasons why he chose the suburb, but the fact it has a sprawling shopping centre named Chatswood Chase is just a happy coincidence.

"I always wanted to open something north and I eat in Chatswood all the time," Kojima says. "The space is really small, but suits what we're doing."

With just 20 seats, Senpai Ramen has a moody, neon-dashed interior in a neighbourhood not exactly known for its nightclub vibe.

"It's between the library and Chatswood Chase," the chef says.

Kojima is pioneering new turf with the restaurant, which straddles two disciplines: specialist ramen venue and omakase, where the chef dictates the multi-course menu of the day.

"I'll be playing around with toro [tuna belly] and sea urchin. Some things might be one or two bites, to bring up your appetite, then boom, ramen," he says.

He hasn't gone the full omakase route, where a meal in Sydney can cost more than $200. Senpai Ramen offers a seven-course meal for a bargain-sounding $65, with add-on courses available.

"I'm a person who gets bored quite quickly and finds the two to three hours of an omakase [taxing], so Senpai Ramen is 90 minutes," he says.

While ramen will be the star of the show, Kojima will listen to feedback from locals over coming months to guide the menu structure in the longer term. It'll also open for lunch from April.

Open dinner Tue-Sun.

G05/88 Archer Street, Chatswood, senpairamen.com

• The essential guide to Sydney's best omakase dining