7 Asian food restaurants in Lübeck

Nigiri, Thai curry, fried rice

Enjoy Asian cuisine in Lübeck. No problem at all, because Lübeck offers a diverse range of options, not just on the Old Town island. Of course, there isn't one single Asian cuisine, not even one single Chinese cuisine. Nor is there one single Vietnamese or Thai cuisine. And quite honestly, most of us only know a tiny fraction of the variety of dishes prepared between Heilongjian and Surabaya. Personally, I love the predominantly light dishes with plenty of vegetables, meat, and fish. I like ginger, lemongrass, sesame, and spicy sauces, and I find it simply wonderful that Lübeck's culinary scene is so vibrant. If you're a regular visitor, you already know that our 7-Towers recommendations are always listed alphabetically. Let's get started!

7 towers – 7 tips

ARSIÉN fusion Japanese cuisine

, Arthur Agadschanjan, started with a smaller restaurant near the Mühlenbrücke. His great success encouraged him to move to new premises at Hüxterdamm 3 And here, too, he and his team are doing everything right, as the restaurant is always very busy and reservations are recommended.

Arsen says he takes great pleasure in combining traditional Japanese sushi elements with ingredients from Europe and South America. And the sushi creations are excellent, a feast for the eyes and the palate. You can taste, see, and feel the passion that goes into their work. And more than just a side note: the menu also features many vegan sushi options, for example, with tofu. Arsién isn't just a place to enjoy superb food. The ambiance, with its abundance of greenery, gold details, and flamingos, is stylish and simply Instagrammable.

Buddha Bowl

Centrally located at the foot of St. Petri Church, you'll find Buddha Bowl at Schmiedestraße 26. Here Thi Diep Nguyen and his team serve exquisite bowls and dishes from the Indochina region, as well as sushi, sometimes presented in a very fancy way with liquid nitrogen. The Flying Noodles are a real eye-catcher. Try the Mekong Lemon Grass (rice noodles with fresh salad, peanuts, and sliced ​​meat marinated in lemongrass honey with a light lime and herb dip). I can also recommend their freshly made lemonades, crafted according to their own recipe. All this can be enjoyed with uplifting background music in an ambiance of dark wood furniture and countless plants, reminiscent of a primeval forest. It's best to reserve in advance, especially if you want to eat there for dinner or are in a larger group. You can often get a table for lunch without a reservation.

Manna Sushi & Grill

Manna is located in the heart of Lübeck's Old Town, at the foot of St. Mary's Church, at Marienkirchhof 2. Here, European and Asian flavors have been meeting since 2019. The heart of the restaurant is its owner, Ram Kaji Gosai , an incredibly warm and welcoming person and a trained ramen chef and sushi master. The training to become a sushi master can take up to 10 years. Did you know that apprentices typically start as cleaners in their workplace and then learn how to prepare sushi rice correctly, know its exact cooking point, and cool and season it properly? The consistency of the rice is crucial for the taste of a successful sushi dish. Therefore, apprentices dedicate up to two years to this skill alone before learning other elements such as cutting fish. Every sushi chef (currently, only men can pursue this profession) is expected to study with complete dedication and develop a deep respect for the ingredients and the craft. You can taste that Ram Kaji Gosai puts all his love and years of experience into preparing his dishes. Try the chef's sushi with a loved one and you'll immediately understand what I mean.

Onni Seoulkitchen

Let's talk about Onni. Jun Kang is the owner of the small restaurant at Mühlenstraße 54 and the heart and soul of the place. "Eonni" is the Korean word for "big sister" or "older sister" of a woman (if it were the older sister of a man, it would be called nuna). The matter of correct forms of address in Asian languages ​​is incredibly complicated for laypeople. It's based on an extensive system of politeness. Depending on the age of the person you want to greet, and their rank in the professional or social hierarchy, you choose a different form of address, which is also defined by your own personality and your place in the overall structure. In Korea, there are seven different levels of language proficiency. Yes, I know... I've delved into the world of languages ​​again. Luckily, you don't have to learn Korean to experience the diversity of Korean cuisine at Onni. I highly recommend sampling your way through the menu: Kimchi, Bibimbap, Bulgogi, and Mandu are among the most popular dishes at Onni—varied, flavorful, and spicy. If you like it hot and spicy, be sure to order the Tteokbokki. These are rice cakes served in a spicy sauce with lots of chili. In Korea, you'll find them as a popular street food on almost every corner.

nui Ramenbar

Do you love ramen, the traditional noodle soup from Japan? Great! At Hüxstraße 91 the nui Ramenbar on a culinary journey to Japan and Thailand. The best ramen in Lübeck, if you ask me. Ramen noodles consist solely of wheat flour and water. The finished dish must have four components: soup, sauce, the noodles, and toppings such as sesame seeds, vegetables, bean sprouts, egg, or seafood. At nui, owner and head chef Dev Gautam offers a wide selection of delicious creations. And if you're in the mood for sushi or gyoza, you're sure to find something to your liking on the menu. I often opt for the maguro sashimi here, when I'm not ordering my favorite, Ramen Udon Sake.

Raahi

Preetam Singh Sodi celebrated the opening of Raahi 1a on the old town island at Mühlenbrücke 1a . The restaurant, boasting a remarkably stylish interior in green and gold, is no longer a hidden gem. This is because at Raahi you can enjoy authentic Indian cuisine, prepared with the highest quality ingredients. Fine Indian Food. That says it all. You absolutely can't go wrong here. Every dish has its own unique character. At Raahi, the cooking follows recipes that take Indian dietary principles into account. Preetam places great emphasis on fresh spices, herbs, and regional products. Order several small plates so you can try as much as possible. My favorite appetizer is the Raahi Signature Kebab Platter.

Raahi means "traveler." How fitting for the well-traveled chef, whose journey took him from India to Germany, via the most prestigious restaurants in Singapore, China, and the Maldives. Thanks to Preetam's creativity, we guests, too, are transported to his homeland of India for a few moments of culinary delight—for me, it is one of the most fascinating countries in the world.

Shanghai

Restaurant Shanghai at Koberg 6 is a true Lübeck institution. It opened in 1966 – albeit at a different location – as Lübeck's very first Chinese restaurant. A real sensation for the city. The head chef at the time, Kwa-Se Yin, brought many traditional recipes with him from his home region of Yangzhou on the Grand Canal. Yangzhou is known as the home of fish and rice and the stronghold of southern Chinese cuisine. Over the years, European influences found their way into Kwa-Se Yin's cooking. Whether it's wonton dumplings or Shanghai spring rolls, you can taste that the team of the current owner, Yuming Yin, primarily cooks according to Jiangnan-style recipes. The wine list is first-class, and meals are served on elegant Rosenthal tableware. You'll certainly be surprised by the sophisticated, modern design, which pleasantly departs from the typical Chinese restaurant cliché. So: no aquarium and no laminated menus. Do you have a special request? Then be sure to speak to the service staff, because (almost) anything is possible here.