Many of us have been there. Contemplating whether the job they're currently doing is 'it'. Some just decide to stay in the comfort of the routine, others are a tad more courageous and decide to throw themselves into something completely different, following their passion, which is exactly what Tania Passos – the owner and chef of Nanban – did.
Nanban will sound familiar to many, as the restaurant has made a name for itself in a rather short amount of time. Located in the Gare district, the place has built a loyal following among people who enjoy top notch ramen, or just quality in general. It all started as a passion for Japanese culture and food, but turned into a full-time job when Tania decided to leave the world of finance for the world of Tonkotsu instead.
What stands out in Nanban is that practically everything is homemade. The noodles, the broth… as Tanya put it "no little powders" to enhance taste are involved. It was important to her to create something that is high quality, but also reasonably priced.
We visited on a weekday during lunchtime, and the place was packed, so remember to make a reservation beforehand!
Ramen is all about comfort. It's the kind of food I go for when I'm in need of something soul-soothing. The way Tania prepares her ramen is just that. Soul-soothing. A big hug. Qualitative. Not only are the toppings gorgeous looking, but that first sip of the ramen really hits you.
I went for the Tonkotsu Ramen (€22.50): a rich pork broth with miso tare, pork chashu, green onions, marinated egg and nori. The broth is silky, savoury and you can really feel the homemade-ness. You don't feel heavy after it and it's also just the perfect amount (as I find ramen restaurant's tend to overdo it portion wise).
My friend went for the vegetarian Tantanmen Ramen (€22.50), made with a shiitake broth, spicy soy 'meat', soy cream, green onions, marinated egg, and nori. She also couldn't stop complimenting how it was the best ramen she ate in Luxembourg. We sat at the counter, swooning over how good it was so, it must have been a fun sight for the open kitchen.
Beyond the classics, there are plenty of other options on the menu too, including a Vegan Shiitake Ramen, Vegan Tantanmen Ramen, and the Chef's Ramen – a rich veal broth with miso tare, pork chashu, green onions, marinated egg, and nori. So whether you're vegetarian, vegan, or firmly on team meat, there's something for everyone.
"I wanted to create the restaurant where I would like to be a client myself", she told me. And you can feel the attention to detail throughout the restaurant. From the perfectly served ramen bowl, to the zesty Yuzu lemonade (€4.50), and don’t even get me started on the black sesame cheesecake (€10).
It all feels warm, considerate and personal, because it simply is. It took Tania around 4 years to do the training, develop her own recipes, and build the cocnept of the restaurant. They've now been open over 3 years. Although she is the chef, she mentioned that her team often comes to her with new ideas or input for the menu. It’s a team effort – as it is in this industry.
"You really need to do it with passion", Tania told me. Judging by how packed the place was on a random weekday lunch, I'd say the finance world might have lost Tania, but Luxembourg’s foodie world sure has gained her.
Food quality: 5/5
Family-friendly: 4.5/5
Budget-friendly: 4.5/5
Date-friendly: 5/5
Veggie-friendly: 5/5
Carolina Reinertz, former RTL Today editor turned contributor, is testing every hotspot in Luxembourg with honest reviews on whether a place is date-friendly, budget-friendly, or worth the hype – so you can spend your money wisely.
