The Chairman in Hong Kong has knocked Odette off the top spot for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list 2021.
The annual ranking system also welcomed several new Singapore entries, namely Restaurant Euphoria (41), Labyrinth (40) and Cloudstreet (31). A Singaporean pastry chef based in Taipei has also been named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef.
Mainstays like Jaan dropped to 42 from 21 last year while Burnt Ends is now placed at 14. Minor movements include Restaurant Zen which rose five spots to 23 while Les Amis weighed in at 13 down from 11 last year.
Bangkok, Hong Kong and Tokyo dominated the list, cementing the three cities as Asia’s culinary capitals with acclaimed chef Gaggan Anand being named the highest new entry.
His space is a reincarnation of his former restaurant and landed fifth place. Other Bangkok restaurants that made a splash include Le Du, which broke to the fourth spot up from eight last year.
“This is the most motivating thing in my entire life,” says chef Gaggan Anand in a video aired during the digital ceremony. “With your love and support, we might survive this.”
Other accolades include the titles of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef which went to Singaporean chef Angela Lai from Tairroir in Taipei. The title of Asia’s Best Female Chef meanwhile went to chef DeAille Tam whose Shanghai restaurant, Obscura opened in November 2020.
The 2021 list was released days after restaurants ranked from 51-100 was revealed for the first time. These lists are compiled and published by William Reed Business Media, and voted by over 300 leaders in the culinary field from the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy.
This consists of journalists, food critics, chefs, restaurateurs and culinary experts with a gender ratio that’s 50:50. This year’s voting was adjusted to take into account travel restrictions and the devastating effects of Covid-19.
William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “In the last year, the restaurant sector has faced extraordinary challenges. At such a time, we are proud to support the restaurants in their recovery by showcasing the region’s creative talents, celebrating the industry’s pioneers and recognising culinary excellence.
Here’s the full list:
50. Wing Lei Palace, Macau
49. Toyo Eatery, Manila
48. Seventh Son, Hong Kong
47. Lung King Heen, Hong Kong
46. Gaa, Bangkok
45. Shoun Ryugin, Taipei
44. Mono, Hong Kong
43. Hansikgonggan, Seoul
42. Jaan, Singapore
41. Euphoria, Singapore
40. Labyrinth, Singapore
39. Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
38. Ta Vie, Hong Kong
37. Amber, Hong Kong
36. Born & Bred, Seoul
35. Nihonryori Ryugin, Tokyo
34. 7th Door, Seoul
33. Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
32. Masque, Mumbai
31. Cloudstreet, Singapore
30. La Maison de la Nature Goh, Fukuoka
29. Ministry of Crab, Colombo
28. Caprice, Hong Kong
27. Ode, Tokyo
26. JL Studio, Taichung
25. Belon, Hong Kong
24. Logy, Taipei
23. Zen, Singapore
22. Fu He Hui, Shanghai
21. Raw, Taipei
20. Nusara, Bangkok
19. L’effervesence, Tokyo
18. Indian Accent, New Delhi
17. Neighbourhood, Hong Kong
16. Vea, Hong Kong
15. Mume, Taipei
14. Burnt Ends, Singapore
13. Les Amis, Singapore
12. Sazenka, Tokyo
11. Sorn, Bangkok
10. Mingles, Seoul
9. Narisawa, Tokyo
8. La Cime, Osaka
7. Florilege, Tokyo
6. Suhring, Bangkok
5. Gaggan Anand, Bangkok
4. Le Du, Bangkok
3. Den, Tokyo
2. Odette, Singapore
1. The Chairman, Hong Kong
Azimin Saini is a Paris-based contributor to Lifestyle Asia. He has spent a decade in journalism, writing for The Peak, Style:Men and the Michelin Guide.
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