Yesterday, the winners of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, were unveiled in a live stream that was eagerly anticipated by many throughout the culinary world. The official ceremony was to have taken place in Japan, but was called off and replaced by the live stream as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this trying time, with much of the F&B industry facing uncertainty, these awards were a much-needed moment of celebration. A validation that no matter what, it’s important to honor the work that was done last year and prepare for the year ahead. It was a night of celebration for restaurants across the APAC region as 50 restaurants were named to the list.
Hong Kong had eight of those coveted spots, one down from last year. These included perennial favorites such as The Chairman (which was elevated to the number 2 spot) and Lung King Heen, as well as Belon, Vea, and Seventh Son.
Amber, the popular Michelin-starred restaurant at The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong that’s headed by Richard Ekkubus, was honored with the Sustainable Restaurant Award, sponsored by Beronia.
Once again, the number one spot was claimed by Odette, the classic French fine-dining restaurant at the National Gallery in Singapore.
Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo seem to be continuing their reign as Asia’s top foodie destinations for 2020; all three cities had more than a few restaurants on the list, including some in the top 10.
A number of special awards had been announced ahead of the event last night, and were presented during the live stream. These included:
Asia’s Best Female Chef – Cho Hee-Sook (Hansikgonggan; South Korea)
The American Express Icon Award – Yoshihiro Murata (Kikunoi; Japan)
Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona – Natsuko Shoji (Été; Japan)
The Miele One to Watch Award – Masque (India)
Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award – Les Amis (Singapore)
Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award – Yusuke Takada (La Cime; Japan)
Sustainable Restaurant Award – Amber (Hong Kong)
Here is the full list of winners.
Hong Kong restaurants have been highlighted in bold; new additions to the list have been highlighted in italics.
- Odette, Singapore (Best in Singapore)
- The Chairman, Hong Kong, China (Best in China)
- Den, Tokyo, Japan (Best in Japan)
- Belon, Hong Kong, China
- Burnt Ends, Singapore
- Sühring, Bangkok, Thailand
- Florilège, Tokyo, Japan
- Le Du, Bangkok, Thailand
- Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
- La Cime, Osaka, Japan
- Les Amis, Singapore
- VEA, Hong Kong, China
- Indian Accent, New Delhi, India (Best in India)
- Mingles, Seoul, Korea (Best in Korea)
- Gaa, Bangkok, Thailand
- Sorn, Bangkok, Thailand
- Il Ristorante Luca Fantin, Tokyo, Japan
- Mume, Taipei, Taiwan (Best in Taiwan)
- Neighborhood, Hong Kong, China
- Fu He Hui, Shanghai, China
- Jaan, Singapore
- Wing Lei Palace, Macau, China
- Sichuan Moon, Macau, China
- Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo, Japan
- Seventh Son, Hong Kong, China
- JL Studio, Taipei, Taiwan
- TocToc, Seoul, South Korea
- Zen, Singapore
- Sazenka, Tokyo, Japan
- Ministry of Crab, Colombo, Sri Lanka (Best in Sri Lanka)
- Amber, Hong Kong, China
- 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong, China
- Lung King Heen, Hong Kong, China
- Hansikgonggan, Seoul, South Korea
- Ode, Tokyo, Japan
- Raw, Taipei, Taiwan
- Locavore, Bali, Indonesia (Best in Indonesia)
- Paste, Bangkok, Thailand
- Bo.Lan, Bangkok, Thailand
- La Maison de la Nature Goh, Fukuoka, Japan
- Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai, China
- Corner House, Singapore
- Shoun Ryugin, Taipei, Taiwan
- Toyo Eatery, Manila, Philippines (Best in Philippines)
- Bukhara, New Delhi, India
- Sushi Saito, Tokyo, Japan
- 80/20, Bangkok, Thailand (new)
- L’Effervescence, Tokyo, Japan
- Inua, Tokyo, Japan
- Nouri, Singapore