Dewakan catapults Malaysia into the coveted Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list 2019

It was a big night for Chef Darren Teoh at Wynn Palace in Macau for the highly anticipated “Oscars” of the food world: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019. His restaurant Dewakan is placed 46 in the coveted list this year.

This is the first time a Malaysian restaurant has broken into the ranking system and comes perfectly timed after a team of Malaysian pastry chefs was crowned the world champions at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie 2019 in Lyon, France.

It stands as testament to the flourishing dining scene in Malaysia, especially with the rise of internationally acclaimed chefs and restaurants doing collaborations in Kuala Lumpur or opening restaurants here.

It seems Teoh’s tremendous hard work has finally paid off. He takes a progressive ethos to dining using ‘funky’ and naturalised ingredients uncommonly found in Malaysian kitchens, working extensively with local farmers and producers.
When asked how it felt to be on the list, he was quick to attribute it to the efforts of an entire supply chain. “It’s nice to be acknowledged for the work that’s being done by all in Malaysia, the farmers, the producers and other restaurants who are pushing it everyday as well as our guests and the guys at the restaurant now and before,” said Teoh. “It’s nice to represent that.”

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The chef is also looking to relocate his restaurant from Glenmarie Shah Alam to the city centre — a move that would make it far more accessible.

Other highlights of the night include newly-crowned, Odette (5^th in 2018) who takes over the reign from Gaggan who has held the No.1 status for four consecutive years since 2015. Odette is now Singapore’s and Asia’s best restaurant, followed by Gaggan, Den, Sühring and Florilège completing the top five. Another big surprise is the best new entry Gaa (placed 16^th) by Chef Garima Arora who also walks away as elit Vodka Asia’s Best Female Chef 2019.

The list, organised by the brains behind the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, honours the best and most progressive restaurants in the Asian region – putting winners in the headlines as well as being top targets for travelling gourmands. An anonymous judging panel of 318 industry experts nominate their choice of restaurants across Asia and they must have personally dined there within the last 18 months.

Here are all of 2019 winners.

1. Odette, Singapore (Best in Singapore & Asia)
2. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand (Best in Thailand)
3. Den, Tokyo, Japan (Best in Japan)
4. Sühring, Bangkok, Thailand
5. Florilège, Tokyo, Japan
6. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai, China (Best in China)
7. Mume, Taipei, Taiwan (Best in Taiwan)
8. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
9. Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo, Japan
10. Burnt Ends, Singapore
11. The Chairman, Hong Kong, China
12. 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong, China
13. Mingles, Seoul, Korea (Best in Korea)
14. La Cime, Osaka, Japan
15. Belon, Hong Kong, China (Highest new climber)
16. Gaa, Bangkok, Thailand (Best new entry)
17. Indian Accent, New Delhi, India (Best in India)
18. Il Ristorante, Tokyo, Japan
19. Bolan, Bangkok, Thailand
20. Le Du, Bangkok, Thailand
21. Amber, Hong Kong, China
22. Nahm, Bangkok, Thailand
23. Sazenka, Tokyo, Japan
24. La Maison de La Nature Goh, Fukuoka, Japan
25. Sushi Saito, Tokyo, Japan
26. L’Effervescence, Tokyo, Japan
27. Jade Dragon, Macau
28. Paste, Bangkok, Thailand
29. Fu He Hui, Shanghai, China
30. RAW, Taipei, Taiwan
31. Shoun RyuGin, Taipei, Taiwan
32. Jaan, Singapore
33. Les Amis, Singapore
34. Vea, Hong Kong (New)
35. Ministry of Crab, Colombo, Sri Lanka (Best in Sri Lanka)
36. Wing Lei Palace, Macau (New)
37. Neighbourhood, Hong Kong, China
38. Lung King Heen, Hong Kong, China
39. Nouri, Singapore (New)
40. Waku Ghin, Singapore
41. TocToc, South Korea
42. Locavore, Bali, Indonesia (Best in Indonesia)
43. Toyo Eatery, Manila, Philippines (Best in the Philippines)
44. Seventh Son, Hong Kong, China (New)
45. Quintessence, Tokyo, Japan
46. Dewakan, Malaysia (New & Best in Malaysia)
47. Sugalabo, Tokyo, Japan (New)
48. Sohn, Bangkok, Thailand
49. Corner House, Singapore
50. Ta Vie, Hong Kong, China

Additional reporting by Azimin Saini