Sichuan, stock, homemade
Chengdu has quietly set up shop in the Primavera shopping centre in Gasperich, and it’s exactly the sort of place you don’t stumble upon by chance. It is Luxembourg’s first restaurant serving authentic Sichuan cuisine, and this is evident from the menu: dan dan noodles made with homemade noodles, chaoshou dipped in a secret chilli oil, lamian beef broth simmered for hours, and chicken in spicy oil. The restaurant tests its new recipes on a panel of diners before adding them to the menu. Warning: those who prefer milder flavours should look elsewhere; this is a deliberate and proud choice.
Address: 12 Christophe Plantin Street, 2339 Gasperich (Primavera Shopping Centre)
The family secret
Mandarin Room is the sort of place that defies all logic when it comes to online visibility. No polished listing, no Instagram photos—just a discreet address to unearth not far from the courthouse, inside a building, next to the family’s bar. Lunch is served only at midday, and the menu is short. The speciality is the homemade dumplings made by the parents: a family tradition passed down through the generations, which regulars come back for time and again. The choice is limited for those who don’t eat pork, but the alternatives are also well worth a visit.
Address: 5, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, 1475 Ville-Haute, Luxembourg
Order in Chinese
Red Face, on Rue Beaumont, just a stone’s throw from Hamilius, presents itself from the outside as a comprehensive and accessible Chinese restaurant (extensive menu, well-executed classics, good value for money for the city centre). But regulars know the secret: there’s a hidden menu, written in Chinese, featuring offal, tripe and dishes you won’t find in conventional restaurants. We enjoyed Peking duck with pancakes (precise, crispy, generous) and a ramen served without broth, featuring shredded chicken and peanuts, which serves as a reminder that ramen is also a traditional Chinese dish. The setting isn’t the most polished in this selection, but that’s precisely where the food is at its best.
Address: 7 Beaumont Street, 1219 Luxembourg
The detour via Moutfort
You have to be prepared to leave the city to go to Laotse, based in Moutfort. And those who make the trip there won’t regret it. The setting is cosy and modern, the service friendly, and the Asian cuisine refined and meticulously prepared, led by a Chinese kitchen team that works with fresh produce to the highest standards. The weekend specials are particularly recommended by regulars. A house-made Peking duck that often comes up in conversation, homemade dim sum, and a calm atmosphere that invites you to take your time.
Address: 2, rue de Medingen, 5335 Moutfort (Contern)
