A new address for lovers of Japan and ramen. Kaito restaurant has just opened on Place de Paris in a 100% Japanese interior with a street food feel. Mangas on the walls, illuminated Tokyo-style signs and excellent ramen on the plate.
Ramen imported from Japan
Kaito completes the range of ramen restaurants that have appeared in Luxembourg over the last few years. Kaito is located Place de Paris, not far from the latest ramen bar Nanban. “It took us 1 year to open because I absolutely wanted to serve ramen made with Japanese art craft and from Hokkaido wheat and I made my due diligence to find the best ones” explains Dali Zhu, who also owns the Laotse restaurant in Moutfort.
A great deal of work was also needed to create a unique interior, just like you would find in Japan. “I was also inspired by the ramen places of the Shibuya district in Tokyo and the streets of Shinjuku,” says the owner.
Immersion in Japanese street food
What makes the place special is its ultra-immersive décor, which immerses customers in a Japanese universe. Pushing back the curtain at Kaito’s is like entering the heart of a Tokyo ramen bar, while remaining in Luxembourg. The first room is sober, then a narrow corridor takes you to the back room, and immediately the illuminated signs on the ceiling set the tone: “They were designed by a Taiwanese architect who works in Beijing”, he explains. And it’s these signs that give the place its real soul. Add to this a travelling salesman’s caravan to recall the street food heritage of ramen, or a counter and highchairs to enjoy a bowl of ramen while reading a manga on the walls.
When we ask the name of this manga, Dali Zhu smiles mysteriously. “His name is Kaito. We created a manga especially for here (editor’s note: by a French cartoonist and a Luxembourg graphics company)” he enthuses. Nothing has been left to chance in this unique place that honours Japanese culture. Right down to the food.
Ramen and savoir-faire
When it comes to choosing which bowl of ramen to enjoy, there’s no shortage of choice. The ‘classic’ dishes, Miso, Shoyu and Tonkotsu, sit alongside the house specialties such as Tan Tan Men, a bowl with Hokkaido wheat noodles, fried chicken karaage (tender and crispy, delicious), the famous marinated egg (Ajitsuke Tamago), and bok choy, all in an absolutely marvelous lightly spiced broth. You can also try the ‘Kaito Special’, the manga hero’s favourite dish, served with prawns tempura. The noodles are divine, both tender and generous. There is also a wide choice of small dishes, such as toriteri (chicken marinated in teriyaki sauce) or the classic yakitori (grilled chicken on skewers), gyoza or wakame seaweed.
Slurping those tasty ramens while travelling to the land of the rising sun is possible 7/7 Monday to Sunday from 11.30am to 9.30pm.
29 rue du Fort-Elisabeth, Place de Paris
L-1463 Luxembourg
Pictures: Kaito/Marc Lazzarini/Standart
