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 50 Best.
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.
The 50 best restaurants in Asia:
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
