Feeling the cold? Nothing warms you up better than a nourishing bowl of Ramen, perfect for rainy days or cool temperatures.
We’ve done a little recce and updated the original list of five, to eight places in the city where you can get a bowl of warm, wholesome noodles steeped in tasty broth and all sorts of extras to keep you glowing on the inside.
Find out when they are open, what they serve, what reviewers say, and how much the Ramen will cost.
If we’ve missed a place let us know and we’ll add it.
Newbie on the block is Chinai located in Gare, which mostly gets rave reviews for its Japanese curry, but also serves up ramen. The menu is limited but most dishes are under €20. No website or social media pages to share for now.
1. Manzoku Japanese soul food
“Happiness in a bowl” is their strapline, and the Gault & Millau H!p of the Year 2024 winner is certainly going from strength to strength. Different types of Ramen noodles are made in Luxembourg using locally sourced ingredients and served with vegan broths imported from Japan including Tonkotsu, Shoyu and a deliciously gingery Miso, plus guest ones such as spicy Sapporo Tantanmen.
Choose your toppings which include locally reared meat, nori seaweed, Ajitama egg, and Kikurage mushrooms. The restaurant hosts sake tasting nights and guest chefs, or you can buy value-for-money kits from their grocery shop opposite containing noodles, broth base and instructions.
There is a “no reservation” policy but the restaurant incorporates a bar waiting area and you can get their app to queue virtually. Inside, you’ll find a cute Tokyo-themed bar with plenty of Japanese beer and soda options.
Address: 153 Avenue du Dix Septembre (the shop is opposite at 162)
Open: Wednesday to Friday for lunch from 11.30 to 14.00, Friday night from 18.00 to 21.00, and Saturday night from 18.00 to 22.00
Cost of a bowl: €18.50 to €29.50
2. Kaito
Minimalist Japanese restaurant in the Gare district (and others in Kirchberg and Cloche d’Or), Kaito adds another string to the Ramen bow of offerings in Luxembourg. It offers 100% Japanese products and cuisine, so you can “experience Japan with every slurp” although it is not possible to make reservations. The menu offers Miso, Tonkotsu, Tan Tan and Shoyu ramen bowls plus the Kaito special with noodles made with 100% Hoikaido wheat, Ebi tempura, egg, karage, bamboo shoots and nori seawead in the ingredients.
You can also add Pork Chasiu or an Ajitama egg for a few Euros and sample gyoza, yakitori or get a side of edamame.
Locations: 29 Rue du Fort Elisabeth, 17 Rue de Leonardo Da Vinci, Auchun Kirchberg Centre
Open times: Monday to Sunday 11.30 to 21.30 (but no advance reservations .
Cost of a bowl: from €21.50 to €25.50
3. Nanban
The newest Ramen spot in town and already a competitor to Manzoku for best Ramen in the city, this navy blue place has huge windows and a lovely light vibe with wooden tables and flooring and select sofas, plus you can watch the chefs prepare your noodle soup. Serving Japanese Ramen including Tonkotsu, Tantanmen, crisply chicken, Shiitake mushroom and tofu, vegan and even kids’ portions.
Noodles are crafted with Japanese flour and real Kansui to achieve the right taste and texture and all broths are home-made. You can add nori seaweed, a marinaded egg or some crispy chicken. Reviewers give this an almost five-star rating.
Location: 29 Rue Sainte Zithe
Opening times: Monday, Friday and Saturday from 12.00 to 15.00 and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening from 18.30 to 22.00.
Cost of a bowl: €22.50-25 (with kids’ portions at €15).
4. Ramen Samurai
An outside terrace with red chairs and a Japanese-themed interior will transport you across the ocean. Cosy banks of stools make this the place to come for solo dining, whilst Chef Florence Chen cooks up versions of noodle soup with broth that includes marinated bamboo, chicken or caramelised pork, and veggie options.
Combine your Ramen with karaage-style fried chicken, a bubble tea or Asahi beer.
Location: 17 Avenue Monterey
Open times: Tuesday to Friday from 12.00 to 22.30, on Saturday until 23.30 and on Sunday from 12.00 to 18.00.
Cost of a bowl: €21.50 to €23.50
5. Ramen Shifu
Lanterns, wooden tables and plenty of decorations and pictures, the great thing about this place is you can order online at your table, and is probably one of the cheaper authentic Ramen options in the capital. You can opt for vegan varieties or something with a bit of extra spice from the four options.
The Tan Ramen has minced meat, egg, chives, bean sprouts, peanut sauce, pak choi and a spicy miso broth. The Dragon Ramen comes with pak choi, bean sprouts, vegan protein, marinated mushrooms, lambs’ lettuce, red wine and chives, and a spicy miso broth.
Location: 7 Rue Joseph Junck (also in Esch-sur-Alzette)
Open times: Monday to Friday 11.45 to 14.30, Tuesday to Thursday from 18.00 to 21.30 and half an hour later on Fridays, with a non-stop kitchen on Saturday from 12.00 to 22.00 and on Sunday 12.00 to 21.30.
Cost of a bowl: from €19.90 to €22.80
6. Zhou Malatang
Taking over from Daiwel’s kitchen in the old town, this place has been getting rave reviews for its noodle soups. You choose what and how much you want to eat, your bowl gets weighed, and then given to the cook with instructions as to how you want it made, with or without the broth, explained a reviewer.
Location: 4 Grand Rue
Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 22:00
Cost of a bowl: from €5.15 per 100g
7. Dancing Noodles
Quite an understated place despite its central location, so look out for the red and gold lanterns that adorn the entry (although right now they have several giant teddy bears hanging from the windows). The decor is simple, with stools arranged around tables, and plenty of sauces to add to your Ramen. Try honey-glazed pork tenderloin in noodle soup, or shredded chicken. There are seafood and vegetarian options too, plus plenty of sides to spice things up including Kimchi with cabbage or seaweed. The prices are reasonable, although reviewers say the portions are not huge.
Locations: 9-11 Rue Louvigny
Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 11.30 to 22.30.
Cost of a bowl: from €16.80
8. Ramen
Two locations, one on Place Guillaume and the other at Gare, the latter gets a better rating for service, which is the one gripe from most reviewers. This is Chinese rather than Japanese Ramen, however you can’t go wrong with the prices and the iPad ordering, with one bowl or Ramen likely to fill two stomachs. Reviewers rate the Hong Kong and Sichuan Dan Dan Ramen varieties for the flavourful broth.
Locations: 23 Rue de Strasbourg and 24 Place Guillaume II
Opening times: Monday to Sunday 11.00 to 22.00
Cost of a bowl: from €17.80 to €21.80