No other restaurant awards are as prestigious as Asia's 50 Best, which brings together the finest restaurants and chefs from across the continent. Eight restaurants from Bangkok made it to this year's list with a few ups and downs. As the seventh edition of the Oscars of Asian gastronomy kicked off at the Wynn Palace in Macau on Tuesday night, it came as a surprise that there was a new No.1 -- Odette in Singapore.
Bangkok's two Michelin-starred Gaggan by celebrity chef Gaggan Anand, which has been at the top of Asia's 50 Best since 2015, took the No.2 spot this year, though retaining the title of Best Restaurant in Thailand.
"If I would have looked sadder, it would have been fine, but I'm not looking sad. It's perfectly OK, what's wrong? We need to give space to others," joked chef Anand.
Asia's Best Female Chef was awarded to Gaa's executive chef Garima Arora, with the one Michelin-starred restaurant debuting at No.16. Gaa also claimed the Highest New Entry Award.
"Well, I wasn't expecting the second award. I knew I was winning Best Female Chef. I think it's great, 18 months and so much love from all our colleagues and peers. I'm a happy girl," beamed Arora, whose mother attended the event with her. "I'm proud of her. It is such an achievement," said Neeta.
The capital, which hosted the awards in 2016 and 2017, saw Thailand's hottest restaurant -- Sorn -- debut at No.48.
"We are grateful to everyone who thinks we are worth it. We are lucky to be here having opened only 10 months ago. We will continue to do what we love and believe. The only thing left is to get the staff to come to work on time," laughed chef Supaksorn "Ice" Jongsiri, who attended the awards with his team. The one Michelin-starred Sorn closed for the few days that Asia's 50 Best was being held, having reopened on Thursday.
Two Michelin-starred Suhring retained its No.4 position.
"It is amazing, we are very happy and also for the team, who work hard every day. We are happy with No.4, if we can stay No.4 for a couple of years, we will be happy. We are very proud considering we have been open for only three years and still manage to retain our No.4 spot for the second year running. But, good movement for Bangkok in general, with new restaurants featured on the list," said the twin chefs Thomas and Mathias Suhring.
Nahm, now headed by chef Pim Techamuanvit, saw a sharp fall from last year's No.10 to No.22 this year.
"I've been at Nahm for 11 months, it will be a year soon. It is exciting and it's great to see lots of friends in Asia. I'm very happy, it's an honour," said Pim, of the one Michelin-starred restaurant.
"I'm very happy and glad that new restaurants from Bangkok are on the list, like Sorn and Gaa," said chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn. One-Michelin starred Le Du, which Ton co-owns with Rungroj "Tao" Ingudananda, dropped six places to No.20 this year.
Thailand is also represented by one Michelin-starred Bo.Lan at No.19 and one Michelin-starred Paste, which climbed three places to No.28.
The 2019 list includes 10 new restaurants, including a first-time entry from Malaysia. Dewakan by chef Darren Teoh focuses on rare and forgotten ingredients from the Malaysian peninsula, made its debut at No.46 and holds the title of Best Restaurant in Malaysia.
Last year's The One To Watch Award recipient chef Jordy Navarra's Toyo Eatery in Manila debuted at No.43. The restaurant also won Best Restaurant in the Philippines, a country last represented on the list in 2017.
Japan led the list with 12 entries. Den at No.3 was rated Japan's top restaurant with its chef, Zaiyu Hasegawa, winning the Chefs' Choice Award. Fabrizio Fiorani from Il Ristorante Luca Fantin in Tokyo took home the title of Asia's Best Pastry Chef. Sazenka and Sugalabo in Tokyo made their debut at No.23 and No.47, respectively. Celebrated Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto of Nihonryori RyuGin (No.9) was the inaugural winner of the Icon Award.
Belon in Hong Kong, headed by chef Daniel Calvert, claimed the Highest Climber Award, rising 25 places to No.15 this year. Asia's most Sustainable Restaurant Award went to Locavore in Bali, which also won Best Restaurant in Indonesia.
Asia's Best Female Chef 2019 Garima Arora with her mum, Neeta. Nianne-Lynn Hendricks
Singapore claimed seven spots with newcomer Nouri taking No.39. Ultra Violet by Paul Pairet (No.6) was named Best Restaurant in China, while Vea and Seventh Son in Hong Kong debuting at No.34 and No.44, respectively. Ascending 11 places to No.7, Mume in Taipei won Best Restaurant in Taiwan, besting two-time winner Raw (No.30). Host destination Macau's Jade Dragon rose eight places to No.27, while Wing Lei Palace debuted at No.36.
The Best Restaurant in Korea was awarded to Mingles, which ranked No.13. Indian Accent rose two places to No.17 and returns as the Best Restaurant in India for the fifth year. Ministry of Crab in Colombo (No.35), which is opening in Bangkok later this year, was named Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka for the fourth time.
The Art of Hospitality Award was given to 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (No.12) in Hong Kong, which debuted on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2013 at No.39 and has ranked within the top 20 of Asia's 50 Best for seven consecutive years. 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana's outstanding hospitality is led by general manager Marino Braccu and remains the only Italian restaurant outside of Italy to have received three stars from the Michelin Guide.
From Taichung in Taiwan, JL Studio's chef Jimmy Lim Tyan Yaw won the One To Watch Award for his modern interpretation of Singaporean cuisine.
"Having JL Studio named this year's Miele One To Watch is a big validation. We are a young restaurant and this honour encourages us to continue challenging ourselves to discover new ways of reinterpreting Singapore cuisine," he said.
Asia's 50 Best Restaurant list is based on votes from a group of more than 300 experts and leaders across Asia's restaurant industry. For the full list of winners, visit theworlds50best.com/asia/en.
