The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2021 has been revealed, with Hong Kong’s The Chairman taking the top spot. Launched in 2013, the prestigious annual list is created by the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Academy. The 2021 results were announced on Thursday during a virtual awards ceremony. Hong Kong established itself as the region’s leading gastronomic destination, with 11 entries. The Chairman, a Cantonese eatery in Central famed for its authentic, ingredients-driven cuisine, also became the first restaurant in Hong Kong to top the list. “This announcement marks a fruitful year for Hong Kong’s thriving dining scene, reflecting the rich diversity of local and international cuisines and admirable trove of culinary talent in the city,” said Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). “It takes both passion and a strong, progressive entrepreneurial spirit to succeed in Hong Kong’s competitive restaurant industry. So my heartfelt congratulations to all the winning restaurants and sincere appreciation for all the effort they have put into making Hong Kong one of the world’s top food destinations.” Joining The Chairman in the top five were Singapore’s Odette, which had placed at the top of the list for the previous two years, Den in Tokyo, Le Du in Bangkok and Gaggan Anand, also in Bangkok. The judging this year factored in a mix of pre-Covid experiences as well as those from after the onset of the pandemic, according to William Drew, director of content for <em>50 Best</em>. The Highest Climber Award went to Chef Shinobu Namae’s L’Effervescence in Tokyo, which rose 29 places to number 19. The list of restaurants ranked 51 to 100 was released several days earlier, and featured nine each from Japan and Thailand, and eight from mainland China. Also notable was the first entry from the Maldives, Aragu at Velaa Private Island in the Noonu Atoll, which came in at number 96. 1. The Chairman – Hong Kong 2. Odette – Singapore 3. Den – Tokyo 4. Le Du – Bangkok 5. Gaggan Anand – Bangkok 6. Suhring – Bangkok 7. Florilege – Tokyo 8. La Cime – Osaka 9. Narisawa – Tokyo 10. Mingles – Seoul 11. Sorn – Bangkok 12. Sazenka – Tokyo 13. Les Amis – Singapore 14. Burnt Ends – Singapore 15. Mume – Taipei 16. Vea – Hong Kong 17. Neighborhood – Hong Kong 18. Indian Accent – New Delhi 19. L'Effervescence – Tokyo 20. Nusara – Bangkok 21. Raw – Taipei 22. Fu He Hui – Shanghai 23. Zen – Singapore 24. Logy – Taipei 25. Belon – Hong Kong 26. JL Studio – Taichung 27. Ode – Tokyo 28. Caprice – Hong Kong 29. Ministry of Crab – Colombo 30. La Maison de La Nature Goh – Fukuoka 31. Cloudstreet – Singapore 32. Masque – Mumbai 33. 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombano – Hong Kong 34. 7th Door – Seoul 35. Nihonryori RyuGin – Tokyo 36. Born & Bred – Seoul 37. Amber – Hong Kong 38. Ta Vie – Hong Kong 39. Anan Saigon – Vietnam 40. Labyrinth – Singapore 41. Euphoria – Singapore 42. Jaan by Kirk Westaway – Singapore 43. Hansikgonggan – Seoul 44. Mono – Hong Kong 45. Shoun RyuGin – Taipei 46. Gaa – Bangkok 47. Lung King Heen – Hong Kong 48. Seventh Son – Hong Kong 49. Toyo Eatery – Manila 50. Wing Lei Palace – Macau