Asia’s list of ‘best restaurants’ is out – and it’s no surprise which country has made the list 17 times

This year Japan is the top destination in Asia for restaurateurs, according to new rankings published by the organization 50 Best.

The country is home to 17 of the region’s “best” 100 restaurants, which were released in two parts in March.

Singapore and Thailand share second place with 15 restaurants each on the list. Hong Kong – last year’s top destination – saw 13 establishments on the list.

William Drew, director of content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, said Japan’s strong performance was “no surprise”.

“Japan has long been recognized as one of the great gastronomic countries in the world, with a culinary heritage that is admired around the world – combined with innovation, dedication, knowledge and talent,” he told CNBC.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. This year’s ranking includes restaurants from 19 cities, with 7 new establishments on the list.

Singapore and Thailand have the most entries on the top 50 list, with nine restaurants each. Thailand took home the highest honor when Bangkok’s Le Du was named ‘Best Restaurant in Asia 2022’ – moving up three spots.

There were some shakes in this year’s ranking: Japan’s Den, which was No. 1 in 2022, fell three spots to No. 4, while Bangkok’s Sorn plunged from No. 2 to No. 9.

Japan’s Sezanne rose an impressive 15 spots to finish at number 2, winning the title of Best Restaurant in Japan for the first time.

Hong Kong’s The Chairman, which ranked No. 1 in 2021, continued to lose ground as it slipped from No. 5 to No. 13.

The Highest Entry award also went to Avartana from India, which debuted at number 30 on the list.

Asia’s top restaurant, Thailand’s Le Du is a Michelin-starred restaurant that first entered the list in 2017 at number 37.

Chef and owner Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn opened in 2013 and puts a modern twist on Thai food through a French-tinged lens.

His menus champion the use of seasonal and local ingredients and affirm his unwavering belief in the supremacy of Thai produce.

Speaking to CNBC after Tuesday night’s awards show, Tassanakajohn said it felt “unreal” to take the coveted spot.

“I didn’t expect that at all… when I opened the restaurant 10 years ago, [people] said I’ll never make it because I only use local produce and you have to use imported ingredients,” he shared.

“I’m so happy to represent Thailand and bring Thai ingredients to the top of Asia.”

The list of “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants” for 2023 is:

1. Le Du (Bangkok, Thailand)

2. Sezanne (Tokyo, Japan)

3. Nusara (Bangkok, Thailand)

4. Den (Tokyo, Japan)

5. Gaggan Anand (Bangkok, Thailand)

6. Odette (Singapore)

7. Florilege (Tokyo, Japan)

8. La Cime (Osaka, Japan)

9. Sorn (Bangkok, Thailand)

10. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)

11. Labyrinth (Singapore) – Highest Climber Award (from No. 40 in 2022)

12. Sazenka (Tokyo, Japan)

13. The Chairman (Hong Kong)

14. Villa Aida (Wakayama, Japan)

15. Mosu (Seoul, Korea)

16. Mask (Mumbai, India)

17. Meta (Singapore)

18. Fu He Hui (Shanghai, China)

19. Indian Accent (New Delhi, India)

20. Ode (Tokyo, Japan)

21. Zen (Singapore)

22. Suhring (Bangkok, Thailand)

23. Onjium (Seoul, South Korea)

24. Burnt Ends (Singapore)

25. Euphoria (Singapore)

26. Cloud Street (Singapore)

27. Les Amis (Singapore)

28. Mingles (Seoul, South Korea)

29. Neighborhood (Hong Kong)

30. Avartana (Chennai, India) – Highest New Entry Award

31st Episode (Shenzhen, China)

32. Cenci (Kyoto, Japan)

33. Mrs Maria & Mr Singh (Bangkok, Thailand)

34. Da Vittorio (Shanghai, China)

35. Potong (Bangkok, Thailand)

36. Born (Singapore)

37th Wing (Hong Kong)

38. Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok, Thailand)

39. Lei Palace Wing (Macau)

40. Anan Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

41. Mono (Hong Kong)

42. Toto Eatery (Manila, Philippines)

43. Sichuan Moon (Macau)

44. L’Effervescence (Tokyo, Japan)

45. Mume (Taipei, Taiwan)

46. ​​​​Baan Tepa (Bangkok, Thailand)

47. Born and Raised (Seoul, Korea)

48. Metiz (Makati, Philippines)

49. Caprice (Hong Kong)

50. Refer (Beijing, China)

This is the third year that the expanded list has been published. There are 17 new entries in 17 cities – including L’evo at number 60, the first restaurant from Toyama, Japan to make the list.

Ten restaurants that were among Asia’s top 50 restaurants last year fell into the 51-100 ranking this year.

Most notably, Joo Ok has fallen 33 spots from 18th to 51st, and Samrub Samrub Thai has fallen 51 spots from 31st to 82nd.

Ete also saw a 49-place drop from No. 41 to No. 90.

Hong Kong continued its reign with the most restaurants in the 51-100 list, with eight making the rankings.

Singapore’s Thevar saw the biggest jump in this list – catapulting from No. 92 to No. 56 – and nearing the top 50 list. India’s Bukhara also closed the gap, moving up 14 places from No. 66 to No. 52 .

Here is the extended list:

51. Joo Ok (Seoul, South Korea)

52. Bukhara (New Delhi, India)

53. Ta Vie (Hong Kong)

54. Yong Fu (Hong Kong)

55. 7th Door (Seoul, South Korea)

56. Thevar (Singapore)

57. Logy (Taipei, Taiwan)

58. Jade Dragon (Macao)

59. Jin Sha (Hangzhou, China)

60. L’evo (Toyama, Japan)

61. Ando (Hong Kong)

62. Estro (Hong Kong)

63. Lolla (Singapore)

64. Sugita (Tokyo, Japan)

65. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (Shanghai, China)

66. Americano (Mumbai, India)

67. Esquisse (Tokyo, Japan)

68. Eatanic Garden at Josun Palace (Seoul, South Korea)

69. Crab Ministry (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

70. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana (Hong Kong)

71. Cote by Mauro Colagreco (Bangkok, Thailand)

72. Wana Yook (Bangkok, Thailand)

73.Lerdtip Wanghin (Bangkok, Thailand)

74. Dewakan (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

75. Nihonryori RyuGin (Tokyo, Japan)

76. Fu1015 (Shanghai, China)

77. Ling Long (Beijing, China)

78. The Table (Mumbai, India)

79. Eating and Cooking (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

80. The Pizza Bar on the 38th (Toyo, Japan)

81. Gaa (Bangkok, Thailand)

82. Samrub Samrub Thai (Bangkok, Thailand)

83. Nae:Um (Singapore)

84. Jaan von Kirk Westaway (Singapore)

85. Claudine (Singapore)

86. Summer Pavilion (Singapore)

87. Adachi Sushi (Taipei, Taiwan)

88. Obscura (Shanghai, China)

89. Meet the Bund (Shanghai, China)

90. Ete (Tokyo, Japan)

91. Homage (Tokyo, Japan)

92. Golden Flower (Macau)

93. Ekaa (Mumbai, India)

94. Nadodi (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

August 95 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

96. Liberte (Kaohsiung, Taiwan)

97. Sushi Bunny (Hong Kong)

98. Took (Bangkok, Thailand)

99. Xin Rong Ji (Hong Kong)

100. Vea (Hong Kong)

Singapore’s restaurants hold nine coveted spots – up from seven last year. Odette, twice named Asia’s Best Restaurant, leads the charge at number 6.

His pastry chef, Louisa Lim, also took home the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award.

All Singapore restaurants – with the exception of Jaan by Kirk Westaway – saw improvements on the top 100 list.

For example, Australian grill restaurant Burnt Ends has regained its footing after falling 27 spots last year – rising 17 spots to No. 24.

Labyrinth also rose 29 places to No. 11 and won the Highest Climber award. Born is Singapore’s highest-ranking signing this year at No. 36.

This has been a “huge year” for Singapore’s culinary scene, Drew told CNBC.

“There are countless explanations for why some regions are performing strongly – it could be a case of different Covid restrictions in certain countries in recent years,” he added.

“Or more broadly, it could be an indication that culinary tastes are changing, or it could also mean that a geographic area is gaining prominence.”

The list is an “annual snapshot” of the opinions of more than 300 industry professionals, the 50 Best organization, dubbed the “Academy,” said.

They are made up of food writers, critics, chefs and restaurateurs from across the region.

The organization 50 Best added that the panel was “gender balanced” and each member received 10 votes to nominate restaurants – with a maximum of seven in their home country.