The 2019 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was announced last night at an awards ceremony at Wynn Palace, Macau. After holding the No.1 spot for four consecutive years, Gaggan in Bangkok moves to No.2, acceding to Odette in Singapore. Chef Julien Royer’s Odette claims the coveted titles of The Best Restaurant in Asia and The Best Restaurant in Singapore.
The 2019 list features 10 new restaurants, including two first-time entries from Thailand: Sorn (No.48) and Gaa, making its debut on the list at No.16. Gaa also claimed the Highest New Entry Award, with executive chef Garima Arora being named elit™ Vodka Asia’s Best Female Chef 2019.
This year’s list reflects the diversity of the ever-evolving Asian gastronomic scene, featuring 10 new restaurants, including a first-time entry from Malaysia (Dewakan, No.46) and from the Philippines last year’s Miele One To Watch Award recipient Jordy Navarra’s Toyo Eatery makes its debut at No.43, a country last represented on the list in 2017. Host destination Macau counts two restaurants with Jade Dragon rising eight places to No.27 and Wing Lei Palace debuting at No.36.
Singapore claims seven entries on the list, including Odette. Newcomer Nouri took No.39 and longtime favourites Burnt Ends and Jaan rose to No.10 and No.32, respectively. Other Singapore restaurants on the list are Les Amis (No.33), Waku Ghin (No.40) and Corner House (No.49).
Japan leads the 2019 list with 12 entries. Fronting this group is Den (No.3), earning the title of The Best Restaurant in Japan for a second consecutive year. Den’s charismatic chef Zaiyu Hasegawa was awarded the 2019 Chefs’ Choice Award, sponsored by Estrella Damm, the only award voted for by the chefs of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list to recognise a peer making a positive impact on the restaurant scene. The top 10 also includes Japan restaurants Florilège (No.5), Narisawa (No.8) and Nihonryori RyuGin (No.9). Sazenka and Sugalabo, both in Tokyo, are newcomers to the list, landing at No.23 and No.47 respectively.
Hong Kong counts nine restaurants, including The Chairman (rising from No.22 to No.11), 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (No.12), Amber (No.21), Neighborhood (No.37), Lung King Heen (No.38) and Ta Vie (No.50). Soaring 25 places to No.15, modern French bistro Belon was crowned this year’s Highest Climber Award.
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (No.6) in Shanghai is named The Best Restaurant in China. Ascending 11 places to No.7, Mume in Taipei clinches the title of The Best Restaurant in Taiwan, besting two-time winner, Raw (No.30).
Locavore (No.42) in Bali earns dual honours -- The Best Restaurant in Indonesia and the Sustainable Restaurant Award in Asia, presented to the restaurant with the highest environmental and social responsibility rating, as determined by audit partner Food Made Good.
The only Indian restaurant to make the cut is Indian Accent, rising two places to No. 17, which also returns as The Best Restaurant in India for a fifth successive year. Ministry of Crab in Colombo (No.35) is named The Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka for a fourth time. Popular Seoul restaurant Mingles (No.13) retains the title of The Best Restaurant in Korea.
Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona was awarded to Fabrizio Fiorani from Il Ristorante Luca Fantin, Tokyo. The Art of Hospitality Award was given to 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong.
Other individual award recipients include JL Studio in Taichung, Taiwan, earning the Miele One To Watch Award for its modern interpretations of Singapore cuisine. Celebrated chef Seiji Yamamoto, of Nihonryori RyuGin in Japan, is the inaugural winner of the American Express Icon Award.
