ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS REVEALS THE 51-100 LIST

In a historic first, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants has announced the 2021 list of restaurants ranked from 51st100th. The move is designed to shine a light on a wider array of establishments across the region that will inspire food lovers as they consider their future dining and travel plans.

The much-anticipated 2021 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants will be revealed via an online awards ceremony on Thursday, 25th March, from 4.30pm HK/SG (5.30pm JPN).

The 51-100 list: A Snapshot

• Japan and Thailand each count nine restaurants on the list while Mainland China claims eight entries
• Meta in Singapore, the 2021 recipient of the American Express One To Watch Award, lands at No.60
• The list includes a first-time appearance from the Maldives. The archipelagic state is represented by Aragu, in the Velaa resort on the Noonu Atoll, landing at No.96
• The namesake restaurant of chef Supinya ‘Jay Fai’ Junsuta, the winner of the 2021 Icon Award, appears at No.62
• South Korea claims four places on the list
• India and the Philippines are both represented by two restaurants
• Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Indonesia each count one restaurant on the list

Mainland China’s emergence

Among Mainland China’s eight entries, five are based in Shanghai. These include Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (No.52), Xin Rong Ji (Nanyang Road) (No.61), Taian Table (No.75), Da Vittorio (No.82) and Yong Fu (South Maoming Road) (No.93).

The remaining three restaurants are dotted throughout China. Award-winning chef Christopher Kostow’s Ensue <>/b(No.69) is in Shenzhen, while the flagship Xin Rong Ji (Linhai) (No.76) originated in Taizhou and Jin Sha (No.89) is part of the Four Seasons Hotel in Hangzhou.

Fresh faces, new destinations

Japan counts nine restaurants on the list, including familiar favourites Quintessence (No.53), Il Ristorante Luca Fantin (No.54), Sushi Saito (No.57) and Sugalabo (No.85). At No.51, Tokyo’s Sugita edges closest to the 50 Best list while the Italian-inspired Villa Aida in Wakayama lands at No.64. The iconic five-seater sushi restaurant Tenzushi Kyomachi joins the list at No.71 along with Eté (No.83) and Kyoto’s Cenci (No.91).

In Thailand, two titans of Thai cuisine appear on the list. Chef Prin Polsuk, Nahm’s former Head Chef, is recognised for his private kitchen Samrub for Thai (No.59) while chef Supinya ‘Jay Fai’ Junsuta, the winner of the 2021 Icon Award, has her eponymous Raan Jay Fai restaurant land at No.62. Thailand’s other up-andcomers include French fine-dining institution Le Normandie (No.74), newcomer Baan Tepa (No.79) and Quince (No.97).

While followers of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants are familiar with Singapore’s Nouri (No.73), the Lion City welcomes two previously unlisted names. The modern Japanese restaurant Esora appears at No.77 while the Peranakan favourite Candlenut bows at No.94.

Malaysia claims three places on the list, including Kuala Lumpur favourites Dewakan (No.66) and Nadodi (No.99) as well as Gen in Penang (No.92).

Vietnam, a country last seen in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013 list, is represented by Tung Dining in Hanoi at No.98 while in the Philippines voters honour Antonio’s (No.84) and Gallery by Chele (No.90).

Seoul is home to four progressive restaurants, each one presenting creative versions of Korean cuisine:

TocToc (No.65), Mosu (No.67), Joo Ok (No.72) and Onjium (No.86). Along with Bukhara (No.58), India is represented by Avartana in Chennai at No.81.

The annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony will be broadcast on Thursday, 25th March, from 4.30pm (HK/SG; 5.30pm JPN), to a global audience via Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Facebook, the 50 Best Restaurants TV Youtube. channel and Zoom.

How the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled

The annual list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is created from the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 300 leaders made up of food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and regional culinary experts, with a 50/50 gender balance.

50 Best works with professional services consultancy Deloitte as its official independent adjudication partner to help protect the integrity and authenticity of the voting process and the resulting list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. For more details on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants voting process, visit: https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/voting/the-voting-system

Essence of Asia

2021 marks the launch of the Essence of Asia collection in parallel to this year’s list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. To be unveiled on Tuesday, 16th March, the Essence of Asia collection recognises establishments that represent the spirit of Asian gastronomy. This unranked collection turns the spotlight on restaurantsthat have had a positive impact on their communities and local cuisine, whether during the recent crisis or over a sustained period. Integral to Asia’s culinary ecosystem, these casual restaurants preserve culinary traditions, honour authentic flavours and provide a vital link to their communities.

50 Best for Recovery 2021: opportunity for change

The 50 Best organisation will reinforce its commitment to supporting and promoting restaurants and bars across the world through its 50 Best for Recovery 2021 programme. This year also brings opportunities for positive change as the sector rebuilds and remodels itself with a greater focus on inclusivity and long-term sustainability. 50 Best will use its global platform to highlight even more great restaurants and bars worldwide – through its 50 Best lists, special awards, unranked collections and content series – as well as showcase individuals shaping the future of gastronomy through its new 50 Next list, debuting on 22nd February, 2021. 50 Best will take the opportunity in 2021 and beyond to amplify diverse voices and positive messages, foster progressive discussion and cross-border collaboration, and encourage greater gastronomic discovery and exploration.

ENDS Notes to Editors:
William Reed Business Media

The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list is published by William Reed Business Media, which also publishes The World's 50 Best Restaurants, launched in 2002, and Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, launched in September 2013, as well as The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. William Reed Business Media is entirely responsible for the organisation of the awards, the voting system and the list.

Main sponsor: S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the main sponsors and official water partners of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the leading natural mineral waters in the fine dining world. Together they interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of excellence, pleasure and well-being.

Other partners:

Inedit Damm – Official Beer Partner and sponsor of Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award

American Express – Official Credit Card and Booking Platform Partner (Resy) and sponsor of the American Express One To Watch Award

Gin Mare – Official Premium Gin Partner and sponsor of Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award

Beronia – Official Wine Partner and sponsor of Beronia Highest Climber Award

Cinco Jotas – Official Ibérico Ham Partner and sponsor of Asia’s Best Female Chef Award

Flor de Caña – Official Rum Partner and sponsor of Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award

Aspire Lifestyles – Official Concierge Partner and sponsor of Highest New Entry Award

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – social media

Follow on Twitter: @The Worlds50Best #Asias50Best

Follow on Instagram: @TheWorlds50Best

Become a Facebook fan: https://www.facebook.com/Asias50BestRestaurants

Subscribe to 50 Best Restaurants TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/worlds50best

The awards ceremony will be streamed live on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Facebook page, the 50 Best Restaurants TV YouTube channel and Zoom on March 25 from 4.30pm (HK/SG; 5.30pm JPN).

This release is also available in the following languages:

English, Thai, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. The official language of the press office is English.