For the first time in three years, chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers across Asia were reunited in Bangkok, Macau and Tokyo to celebrate the 10th edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
Catch up on the photo highlights from the events across the continent, including fascinating conversations at #50BestTalks, euphoric award winners and tasty bites in all three cities
1. Guests begin to arrive in Bangkok, Macau and Tokyo…
On Tuesday 29th March, restaurant teams from across the continent poured into hotels in three of Asia’s biggest cities – The Pullman in Bangkok, Wynn Macau in Macau and the Palace Hotel in Tokyo – for the highly anticipated revelation of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022.
2. …and tune in to the livestream at remote parties
As travel remains restricted in various regions such as Hong Kong, restaurant teams watched the reveal of the newest edition live at a gathering in the city centre.
3. Asia’s award-winning chefs meet on the red carpet in Tokyo…
Chef Yusuke Namai of Ode, ranked No.13, joined Asia’s Best Female Chef 2022, Natsuko Shoji, and husband-and-wife team Kanji and Yumi Kobayashi of Villa Aida, named the Highest New Entry 2022, on the red carpet.
4. …celebrate being together in Macau…
The Wynn Resorts team sported the heart symbol with chef Tam Kwok Fung of Wing Lei Palace, ranked No.47 on this year’s edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
5. …and stand side by side in Bangkok
Chefs Lee Zhe Xi and Soh Yong Zhi from Eat and Cook, winner of the American Express One To Watch Award, travelled from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia with their team to celebrate their accolade and inaugural place on the 51-100 list.
6. Chefs are presented with the iconic red scarves, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles
On arrival at the awards, restaurant teams were given the coveted red scarves, which are only available to those on the prestigious list.
7. Selfies are snapped before the awards
Chefs Goh Fukuyama of La Maison de la Nature Goh, Hiroyasu Kawate from Florilège and Zaiyu Hasegawa of Den – whose venues were later revealed as No.36, No.3 and The Best Restaurant in Asia 2022 on the list respectively – grabbed a photo before heading into the pre-awards reception.
8. #50BestTalks: Space To Think in Bangkok stars Sorn’s chef Supaksorn ‘Ice’ Jongsiri
At 50 Best’s signature thought-leadership event, Jongsiri discussed how he innovates traditional southern Thai cuisine at his restaurant by playing with temperature, texture and technique; why his creative ideas come to him when he’s about to fall asleep; and how he hopes to improve the conditions of farmers in southern Thailand through his cuisine.
9. Culinary creativity was debated in a riveting panel discussion
Chefs Peter Cuong Franklin of Anan Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, Johanne Siy of Lolla in Singapore and Chudaree ‘Tam’ Debhakam of Baan Tepa in Bangkok debated whether true creativity in the kitchen can be taught and compared how their teams bring new ideas to the table, such as Franklin’s controversial $100 bahn mi.
10. In Tokyo, sustainability was the hot topic at #50BestTalks…
Chef Hiroyasu Kawate of Florilège, a stalwart on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and fellow cook Kanji Kobayashi of Villa Aida in Wakayama discussed sustainability in the restaurant industry in a conversation moderated by Sakiko Yamada.
11. …and chefs put their heads together about gastronomic creativity
The second session of #50BestTalks in Tokyo saw chef Keiko Kuwakino of Satoyama Jujo in Niigata alongside chef Yusuke Takada of La Cime in Osaka take to the stage to discuss gastronomic creativity in all its facets, guided by moderator and Academy Chair Takanori Nakamura.
12. The awards receptions kick off the celebrations in style
Guests were invited to try a classic Flor de Caña cocktail or Valrhona-inspired petit fours – not to mention a 50 Best-branded orange.
13. Dewakan is named The Best Restaurant in Malaysia 2022
Chef Darren Teoh was delighted to receive the award for his restaurant, which was ranked No.50 in the 2022 edition of the list. The food at Dewakan is a true ode to its nation, with a tasting menu that showcases the bounty from its varying terrain, from farms to the mountains and the sea.
14. Chef Prateek Sadhu picks up The Best Restaurant in India 2022 trophy for Masque
This ground-breaking Indian eatery has risen quickly through the ranks since its debut on the list in 2021. With Masque now at No.21, restaurateur Aditi Dugar, group head chef Kamlesh Negi and chef Prateek Sadhu received the award on stage in Bangkok, commemorating the restaurant’s dedication to local Indian flavours and use of innovative techniques.
15. Ministry of Crab in Colombo, ranked No.35, receives The Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka 2022 Award
Chef-restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa took home the trophy on behalf of the Ministry of Crab team. Found in a renovated Dutch hospital in Colombo, the speciality restaurant is a haven for crustacean fans.
16. The Best Restaurant in Thailand 2022 goes to Sorn
Supaksorn ‘Ice’ Jongsiri took to the stage to receive the trophy, after his celebrated restaurant was ranked No.2 on the list. Inspired by growing up with his grandmother in the kitchen, Jongsiri has honed a cuisine that focusses on southern Thailand. His explosive flavours and mind-bending process allegedly make Sorn one of the most difficult restaurants to book in Thailand.
17. Mingles is given the title of The Best Restaurant in Korea 2022
Celebrating from their restaurant in Seoul’s buzzy Cheongdam-dong district, chef Mingoo Kang and the Mingles team are commended for their use of unsung local ingredients and unusual spin on traditional Korean cuisine.
18. The Chairman celebrates being the highest ranked restaurant in China
Chef Kwok Keung Tung and owner Danny Yip celebrate their Cantonese eatery's success in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2022, as the restaurant is ranked No.5 on the list.
19. Jeong Kwan is honoured with the Icon Award 2022
The inimitable South Korean Buddhist monk Jeong Kwan received recognition for her decades of service to the culinary arts with this year’s pre-announced Icon Award. While she was not able to attend the awards ceremony in person, Kwan celebrated from her home in the Baekyangsa Temple in South Korea.
20. Natsuko Shoji is crowned Asia’s Best Female Chef 2022
Stylish and sophisticated Japanese chef Natsuko Shoji was hailed for her first-class creations at her restaurant, Été. She became the first cook ever to win both a Best Pastry Chef and a Best Female Chef title in the history of the 50 Best lists.
21. Eat and Cook is hailed with the American Express One To Watch Award 2022
Marking the last of the pre-announced awards, chef Lee Zhe Xi and owner Lee Wei Xiang received the trophy on behalf of the restaurant, which delivers contemporary interpretations of authentic Malaysian cuisine.
22. David Lai receives the coveted Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award 2022
Celebrating from his homely and casual restaurant in Hong Kong, chef-restaurateur of Neighborhood, David Lai, became the deserving winner of the only peer-voted award in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants programme. "We wish to thank our loyal friends at home and abroad who continue to challenge us with high expectations to grow beyond our comfort zones to reach new milestones," said Lai in an Instagram post.
23. The Odette team celebrates winning the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2022
In a special on-stage moment, Odette’s chef Julien Royer, general manager Jacques Alvernhe and head chef Adam Wan were presented the prestigious award by Himanshu Saini of Trèsind Studio in Dubai, which was the recipient of the equivalent award at Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants.
24. Maira Yeo takes home the trophy for the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2022, sponsored by Valrhona
Known for her ethereal flavours and vibrant dessert creations, Cloudstreet’s Maira Yeo was a perfect fit for this year’s Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award.
25. The Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award 2022 goes to Mume in Taipei
Chef Richie Lin’s restaurant Mume came out on top thanks to its commitment to a zero-waste philosophy, use of local ingredients and creative methods of recycling water and plastic bags.
26. Ode is given this year’s Highest Climber Award
Shooting up the list this year from No.27 to No.13, Ode’s offering is always creative and unexpected. Chef Yusuke Namai takes home the Highest Climber Award trophy, commemorating his creativity during the pandemic and flawless modern French cuisine.
27. Villa Aida picks up the Highest New Entry Award 2022, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles
Chef Kanji Kobayashi’s Italian-inspired restaurant on the family farm debuted on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2022 with the highest ranking of any first-time venues.
28. The Best Restaurant in Asia 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, is announced
Den in Tokyo was crowned with this year’s ultimate accolade. Having been a firm fixture on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list since its debut in 2016, the restaurant makes history this year as the second-ever Japanese restaurant to reach the No.1 position.
29. The Den team parties with their furry friend
Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa and the restaurant team celebrated in style with Puchi Jr, their four-legged mascot.
30. See you next year!
After an incredible day of discussion, tasting and celebration in three cities across the continent, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 was undoubtedly one for the history books. Stay tuned for the announcement of next year’s edition, set to take place in early 2023.
The new edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was announced on Tuesday 29th March at live ceremonies in Bangkok, Macau and Tokyo. Browse the website, join the community on Instagram, follow us on Facebook, visit us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements.
Reporting by Chloe Vialou-Clark and Giulia Sgarbi
