Hai Hai Ramen West End

When Crowded House Hospitality launched Hai Hai Ramen in Paddington in 2016, it quickly won over foodies with its blend of authentic Japanese ramen and playful izakaya-inspired experimentation, but its compact size eventually led the team to focus more squarely on ramen. Now, with the opening of Hai Hai’s new flagship venue on Boundary Street in West End, the team is reviving its experimental spirit, using the larger, food hall-style space – formerly home to Chop Chop Chang’s – as a creative testing ground for both menu innovation and design. Featuring a striking interior that fuses Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, the space includes communal tables, a full-length bar and eye-catching vintage movie posters. Executive chef Benjamin Chow brings fine-dining experience to an evolving menu that balances refined ramen – like tonkotsu and vegan shoyu – with izakaya-style dishes such as bao buns, miso-coated sweetcorn and fried Brussels sprouts. With more snacks and bento boxes on the way, plus an ambitious beverage program led by William Keltner that will include Japanese beers, highballs, and sake-infused cocktails, Hai Hai West End marks an exciting new chapter for the brand.