Keisuke Nii arrived in Luxembourg from his native Japan 12 years ago. Until last week, he was still working at Oberweis as a pastry chef and chocolatier. But now he has decided to strike out on his own and open his own patisserie, which is due to open in October. "Being Japanese, it was only natural for me to open a patisserie that draws its inspiration from my country of origin", Nii said in an interview. "In Japan, there are two types of pastry: traditional pastries, often made with red bean paste or rice flour, and pastries inspired by the West. When it comes to patisserie in Luxembourg, I'm initially going to concentrate on the pastries we know here, but with Japanese ingredients."
A wide ranging offer
So he will start with madeleines, financiers and macaroons, but made with yuzu, matcha or black sesame, for example. "I'll also be selling a viennoiserie that's very popular with us, which is melon bread, a kind of brioche with a harder crust and a shape reminiscent of half a melon."
At the time of our visit, packaging tests were underway. Photo: Céline Coubray
"Japanese pastries are generally lighter and less sweet than in Europe. We really like a sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries [Shoto Keki], or rolled cakes", explained the pastry chef. "As our pastries are often made with rice flour, they are naturally gluten-free and can therefore fit in with the diets of people who are intolerant to this protein."
A neighbourhood business
In addition to the sales counter, Nii will be offering a consumer lounge to welcome his customers. “We'll be able to welcome local residents, visitors to Merl Park and secondary school pupils from Geesseknäppchen, for example. I've lived in the area since I moved to Luxembourg, and I wanted to open a local shop.” That's why it was important to this father of four to have more than just a sales counter, but also a few tables to host his customers. He was also able to count on the support of the Japanese community in Luxembourg, and the advice of other Japanese chefs based in Luxembourg, such as the chefs at Kamakura, Nombe, Ryodo and Yamayu Santatsu, with whom he has regular exchanges.
Les Nii, 120 avenue du X Septembre, Luxembourg-Belair. Opening planned for October.
Read the French-language version of this interview