Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021: Hong Kong’s The Chairman Takes Top Spot
PUBLISHED March 25th, 2021 05:35 pm | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 04:41 pm
Even though COVID-19 rages on one year after Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020 were announced, lockdowns have been lifted in some parts of the region. In Singapore, the tide has even turned for some F&B businesses, where a captive population are spending their disposable income on food and drink experiences. And with travel bubbles back on the table for discussion, here are the results of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 as you dream up future dining and travel plans.
After two years in the top spot, Chef Julien Royer’s Odette slips to second place, giving way to The Chairman in Hong Kong. Japan’s showing remains strong with four restaurants in the top 10, while Thailand boasts three establishments including celebrity chef Gaggan Anand‘s eponymous restaurant. It snagged the Highest New Climber Award by coming in at No. 5, sandwiched between Le Du and Sühring. Mingles in Seoul – also the best restaurant in South Korea – round up the top 10.
Hong Kong makes a statement with 11 restaurants on the list, making it the numero uno food capital in Asia, including crowd favourites like hospitality-driven Vea (No. 12), neo-Parisian bistro Belon (No. 25), and Seventh Son (No. 48), a Cantonese restaurant famed for its suckling pig. Overall, Singapore fares pretty well with eight restaurants this year, with Chef Rishi Naleendra’s Cloudstreet making its first appearance at No. 31 and Labyrinth (No. 40) by Chef Han Li Guang taking home the Sustainable Restaurant Award.
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Toyo Eatery (No. 49) in Manila continues to be the best restaurant in the Philippines while modern Vietnamese restaurant Anan Saigon (No. 39) in Ho Chi Minh City stakes its claim as the best restaurant in Vietnam.
- The Chairman, Hong Kong
- Odette, Singapore
- Den, Tokyo
- Le Du, Bangkok
- Gaggan Anand, Bangkok
- Sühring, Bangkok
- Florilège, Tokyo
- La Cime, Osaka
- Narisawa, Tokyo
- Mingles, Seoul
- Sorn, Bangkok
- Sazenka, Tokyo
- Les Amis, Singapore
- Burnt Ends, Singapore
- Mume, Taipei
- Vea, Hong Kong
- Neighbourhood, Hong Kong
- Indian Accent, New Delhi
- L’Effervescence, Tokyo
- Nusara, Bangkok (new)
- Raw, Taipei
- Fu He Hui, Shanghai
- Zén, Singapore
- Logy, Taipei (new)
- Belon, Hong Kong
- JL Studio, Taichung
- Ode, Tokyo
- Caprice, Hong Kong
- Ministry of Crab, Sri Lanka
- La Maison de La Nature Goh, Fukuoka
- Cloudstreet, Singapore (new)
- Masque, Mumbai (new)
- 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
- 7th Door, Seoul (new)
- Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo
- Born & Bred, Seoul (new)
- Amber, Hong Kong
- Ta Vie, Hong Kong
- Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City (new)
- Labyrinth, Singapore
- Euphoria, Singapore (new)
- Jaan by Kirk Westaway, Singapore
- Hansikgonggan, Seoul
- Mono, Hong Kong (new)
- Shoun Ryugin, Taipei
- Gaa, Bangkok
- Lung King Heen, Hong Kong
- Seventh Son, Hong Kong
- Toyo Eatery, Philippines
- Wing Lei Palace, Macau
For the first time, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants also released the 51-100 list in a bid to double the love and recognition in the region. Singapore takes four spots with contemporary Korean restaurant Meta coming in at No. 60 and clinching the One To Watch Award. Chef Ivan Brehm’s Nouri slipped out of the top 50 to No. 73 while Esora and Peranakan favourite Candlenut bow at No. 77 and No. 94 respectively.
The annual list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and the corresponding 51-100 list are created from the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, comprising over 300 members made up of food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and regional culinary experts, with a 50/50 gender balance. The year’s vote was adjusted to account for restricted travel opportunities, placing a greater focus on local dining experiences.
For more information, visit the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants website.
Top Image: The Chairman
