Japanese Chef

Bring Authentic Japanese Flavors to One of Tallinn's Most Exciting New Restaurant Opening!

About the Restaurant:

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Japanese Chef to join the opening team of a new Japanese Izakaya concept in Tallinn, Estonia. The restaurant will feature an open kitchen concept and a vibrant dining atmosphere focused on yakitori, sashimi, gyoza, ramen, karaage, and other classic izakaya dishes paired with beer, cocktails, and sake.

Backed by over 20 years of hospitality experience, the restaurant group successfully operates several well-established venues in Tallinn, including a large upscale bar and restaurant, a cocktail bar, and a popular pub and live entertainment venue. Known for delivering high-quality hospitality experiences and maintaining a strong local reputation, the group is expanding into the Japanese dining scene with a concept designed to combine authentic Japanese techniques with locally sourced ingredients.

This role is ideal for a passionate chef seeking international culinary experience, creative involvement in menu development, and the opportunity to help shape a standout Japanese dining destination in Estonia.

About the Role:

The Chef will play a key role in creating and delivering an authentic Izakaya dining experience by preparing high-quality Japanese dishes and sharing plates using traditional Japanese techniques and locally sourced ingredients. The role involves ensuring consistency in food quality, presentation, portion control, and serving standards while maintaining proper food handling procedures and kitchen cleanliness. Additional responsibilities include coordinating kitchen orders, monitoring ingredient freshness and inventory levels, and contributing to a smooth, efficient, and fast-paced kitchen operation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Help craft a unique Izakaya menu using traditional Japanese techniques and utilising local ingredients.
• Help and teach local chefs in the techniques required to create the menu items.
• Perform opening, closing and side work duties as instructed and according to the proper guidelines.
• Ensure proper food handling, presentation, portion control and maintenance of appropriate serving temperatures.
• Provide an exceptional dining guest experience and produce a consistent product.
• Check freshness and quality of ingredients.
• Coordinate food and kitchen orders.
• Manage kitchen inventory levels.
• Maintain a clean work environment to prevent food contamination and waste.

Requirements:

• Expert in Japanese cuisine and food-preparing techniques including yakitori, gyoza, sashimi and dashi.
• Menu development experience is essential.
• Possess great knife skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• At least kitchen-level English.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Positive and can-do attitude.

Why Join This Opportunity?

• Be part of a highly anticipated Japanese restaurant opening in Tallinn.
• Work with an established hospitality group with over 20 years of success.
• Opportunity to showcase authentic Japanese culinary techniques in Europe.
• Creative involvement in menu development and kitchen culture.
• Dynamic international working environment.
• Career growth within a respected restaurant group.