The Japanese restaurant Nonbe in Esch-sur-Alzette has announced the sudden passing of its head chef, Norihiro Imamura, via its social media channels.

The heartbreaking news was shared overnight from Saturday to Sunday, notably in a Facebook post, where the team confirmed the unexpected death of their chef.

In the message, the restaurant expressed deep sorrow, stating that Chef Imamura was more than just the culinary lead – he was a trusted colleague and a cherished member of their extended family. Nonbe, which is widely recognised in Esch for its Japanese cuisine and holds a 13/20 rating from Gault&Millau, paid tribute to his memory.

The restaurant also announced that it would remain open in his honour, adding that the team would continue his legacy with humility – cooking with the same carefully chosen ingredients and maintaining the shared standards that defined their kitchen.

The message, written by the restaurant’s owner Jean-Paul Choi, has prompted an outpouring of condolences in the comments section.

The RTL team extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Norihiro Imamura during this difficult time.