Anytime I am hankering for a hot bowl of ramen or a delicious plate of sashimi, I take the 40 minute train ride up to Düsseldorf from my home city of Cologne. While I love Cologne’s restaurant scene, Düsseldorf has some of the best Asian food in all of Germany. Even better than the Asian food in Berlin! If you’re as crazy about Asian food as I am, Düsseldorf is the place to be. In this comprehensive Asian food guide, I am revealing where to find the best noodles, sushi rolls, and ramen in Düsseldorf.
This might be surprising to learn, but the city has one of the largest Japanese diaspora populations in all of Europe. Some have even coined it “Tokyo on the Rhine”.
You’ll notice neighborhoods like Japantown or Little Tokyo with shops and restaurants dedicated almost entirely to Japanese culture and food. But Japanese food isn’t the only delicious Asian cuisine you’ll find in Düsseldorf. From Korean to Chinese noodle houses, Asian cuisine stands out as a beacon of flavor, textures, and authenticity in Düsseldorf. Join me as I spill the tea (and maybe some ramen broth) on the must-try spots in town!
Yabese
One of the most popular and delicious sushi restaurants in Düsseldorf has to be Yabese. It gets rather crowded, so it’s usually best to make a reservation in advance. But trust me, you’ll love the high-quality fresh sushi coming out of the kitchen here. It’s really authentic! Prices are high, but the size of the portions makes up for it.
Qomo
Dinner with a view! QOMO Restaurant & Bar is a high-end Japanese fusion restaurant sitting at the top of the Rheinturm tower. Ride the elevator up 172.5 meters (566 feet) where the door opens to the highest restaurant in town. The restaurant slowly spins around (it takes about 75 minutes) for a panoramic view of Düsseldorf. Sleek style and casual opulence defines the restaurant’s aesthetic as well as its menu. You’ll find creative sushi roll combinations, and high-end dishes like steak tartare and foie gras torchon.
Nagaya
It is no secret that my husband and I love to go out for fancy Michelin star dinners as one of our hobbies. So you can imagine our thrill when we found out there was a Michelin star Japanese restaurant in Düsseldorf. Chef Yoshizumi Nagaya prepares thoughtful and bold Japanese flavors with European ingredients. From Wagyu beef to sushi and sashimi, excellent ingredients are on display at Nagaya. The dishes come out of the kitchen plated like art with creative elements and stunning dishware.
Pozang Matcha
Don’t let the old school German exterior chase you off. Behind the vintage looking facade is one of the best Korean fried chicken spots in Germany. Yes, you read that right – in all of Germany. The interior is small and they don’t take reservations, so it is common to find a wait. But trust me, it will be worth it. There are ~10 types of different sauces that accompany the various fried chicken pans, including sweet & sour, soy and creamy. Wings and drummies will fill a steel pan, doused in a generous helping of sauce. All chicken dishes are served with plastic gloves to help keep you clean while you chow down.
Korea House
For traditional and typical Korean food, Korea House Restaurant is a delicious choice. The atmosphere is relaxed and cool. I find the staff are really friendly too. You have the option to order ala carte or you can opt for Korean barbecue. A few of my favorite dishes are Tofu Jjigae and Bulgogi Debbap. Don’t sleep on the Ban chan either. These are the free side dishes that come with your order, and they are great!
Soban
Celebrated for its authentic Korean dishes, Soban Korean Restaurant is a hidden gem on Düsseldorf’s north side. The unpretentious and welcoming atmosphere sets the tone for a menu full of favorites such as bibimbap, bulgogi, Korean fried chicken, and kimchi. My husband’s office is just around the corner from Soban, so he visits often. The dish he orders most often? Bulgogi Deopbab. It is flavorful, full of veggies, and pure deliciousness. A quirkier option on the menu is the Bburinkle Chicken. These fried chicken wings & drumsticks are tossed in cheese powder. It’s unusual and better than you expect!
Dong Wu
If you love authentic Sichuan cuisine, there is nowhere better than Dong Wu. The menu features dishes like cold Sichuan noodles, mapo tofu and dan dan noodles, all known for their characteristic spiciness and the numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. With two locations in Düsseldorf as well as delivery options, Dong Wu is a comfort food for my husband & I. The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, making it a great spot for both quick lunches and relaxed dinners.
Phox Pho
Compared to other Asian cuisines, Vietnamese restaurants are a bit limited in Düsseldorf. The chef owners realized there was no pure Phở shop in Düsseldorf, which is where their business concept was born! I love the modern stylings of this restaurant – the open-plan kitchen, plants hanging from the ceiling and neon sign outside. The menu is concise, offering 3 versions of Phở soup (beef, chicken and vegan). All Phở variants come with a toppings plate, which includes Thai basil, bean sprouts, coriander, lemon and chilies.
Fu by Master Wang
More of a pan-Asian fusion restaurant. Fu by Meister Wang is pure comfort food. Specializing in stir frys and handmade noodles, eating here always gives me this intense feeling of nostalgia. The food tastes like just how I remember eating as a child. All the noodle salads are delicious, especially the cold summer salad, while the spicy fried tofu is one of my favorite dishes. I am also rather obsessed with the colorful hand painted walls and stylish furnishings. This doesn’t feel like your average Asian restaurant in Düsseldorf.
Naniwa Noodles & Soup
Where the two Takumi shops focus on specific styles of ramen, Naniwa offers a wide variety on their massive menu. You’ll find many different types of ramen (and other noodle dishes) at this restaurant, so this is the perfect place to try a style you haven’t had before. They also have more vegetarian or vegan varieties than the other ramen shops on this list. I love that Naniwa’s flavors are clean and distinct, so that you can really get a sense of what, for example, shio or miso ramens are about.
My Noodlehouse
I love the low-key, cozy vibes at My Noodlehouse. Plus, their ramen is delicious!! This small family owned restaurant makes its noodles in house, giving the soups and ramens are really authentic taste. The menu has a huge selection of noodles, Korean and Japanese style plus some picks from Thailand and China. It’s tasty, but it’s not the same as other ramen restaurants. Some dishes are really spicy too!
Takezo
For a totally different type of ramen experience, try Takezo which is renowned for its TantanMen Ramen. This is a spicy Chinese version of ramen, which has been popularized around the world. I found that Takezo’s other ramens were a little bland and missing the finesse of flavors, but the TantanMen is genuinely delicious! It is perfectly spicy with the chili paste but then mellows out thanks to the rich flavors of fermented bean paste and pork belly.
Takumi
Arguably the most famous of the ramen shops in Dusseldorf, Takumi is the OG ramen restaurant in the city. It was opened by two brothers and specializes in Sapporo-style, a shoyu based ramen. The aged noodles are really the star of the show at Takumi. I had never eaten aged ramen noodles before, but they make a massive difference in the flavor. The noodles pack a punch and the texture is perfect. I personally thought the meat at Takumi was overcooked and I found the proportion of vegetable toppings too abundant, which distracts from the soup.
Tonkatsu Takumi
As the name would indicate, the specialty at this ramen shop is Tonkotsu-style ramen. Tonkatsu Takumi was opened by one of the brothers from Takumi just a few blocks away from the original location, and now the two shops have a bit of a rivalry. It’s all in good fun, but there are visitors who are pretty loyal to one or the other. This ramen shop combines the amazing aged noodles of Takumi with slightly more modern flavors and toppings. I love the black garlic tonkotsu here because pretty much every component of the soup is perfect — delicious aged noodles, well-balanced toppings, and of course rich flavor! Don’t miss their perfectly fried gyoza — the little pillow dumplings are the best way to start your meal!
Takumi Chicken & Veggie
While beloved Takumi staples still adorn the menu, I was impressed by the number of new options on the menu at the Chicken & Veggie outlet. Especially the vegan options. The broth has a clean, strong taste and the crispy fried veggies are delicious. Like all of Takumi’s locations, aged noodles are really the star of the show.
Tokyo Ramen Takeichi
The specialty at Tokyo Ramen is chicken based broths and they CRUSH it. The portion sizes here are slightly smaller, but it doesn’t compromise the filling nature of a hot bowl of ramen. The toppings and noodles at Tokyo Ramen are simple and unassuming, which further highlights the incredible flavor of the rich chicken broth. It is meaty and full of umami flavor and truly delicious.
