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Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was held in late March 2024 in the city of Seoul, Korea, for the first time. The 12th edition of the event programme spanned prestigious ceremonies, unique culinary experiences and engaging conversations about the past and future of gastronomy. Enjoy a recap of the events with these photo-led highlights
Landing in the bustling Korean capital
After editions in Singapore, Bangkok and Macau over the years, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants arrived in Seoul for the very first time, with the events staged in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Seoul Metropolitan Government. The dynamic city received the continent’s culinary leaders for an annual gastronomic gathering like no other.
Tasty welcome drinks
The team from Zest, the winner of the Highest Climber Award for Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, was in charge of the delicious liquid side of the ‘Welcome to Seoul’ event hosted at iconic restaurant Jungsik. Zest delighted the 50 Best Academy Chairs and partners with cocktails such as Soy Caramel prepared with Woodford Reserve.
Seoul flavour to savour 
The dinner was the creation of two of the host country’s seminal culinary figures: pioneering chef Jungsik Yim and ‘temple cook’ Jeong Kwan, winner of the Icon Award from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022. The exclusive plant-based menu, crafted especially for the night, included Jungsik’s signature gimbap, adapted to a vegan style, and the Balwoo Gongyang, a traditional Buddhist dish prepared by Kwan.
Cross-border culinary collaborations 
A total of 25 talented chefs were part of the biggest ever line-up of 50 Best Signature Sessions, created in partnership with CatchTable and Kaviari. The series brought together chefs from across Asia for eight exclusive dining events, open to the public.
Word of mouth 
Mi-Hyun Ha from Spoken Company was the first speaker to share her knowledge on the stage at #50BestTalks: Food of the People, held at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. The Korean author writes about recipes that have been passed on orally from generation to generation, rescuing ancient culinary traditions and spreading them among new cohorts. Ha captivated the room full of chefs and food media with her project, demonstrating how the ordinary can become extraordinary with the right amount of attention.
Savouring Asian fermentation
Three renowned chefs graced the stage at #50BestTalks to explore different regional iterations of one of Asia’s most fascinating cooking techniques: fermentation. The charismatic Johanne Siy of Lolla in Singapore, winner of Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023, Peter Cuong Franklin from Anan Saigon – named The Best Restaurant in Vietnam 2024 – and Richie Lin from Mume, No.34 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, shared their how fermentation is utilised in their native territories: Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan, respectively. The trio also provided delicious samples for the audience that included a flavourful longaniza from Siy, a tangy pickled shallot with coriander and lemon grass prepared by Cuong and earthy fermented soybeans presented by Lin.
Biryani in a shot glass 
The charismatic young duo formed by chef Niyati Rao and bartender Jishnu AJ from Ekaa, No.98 on the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, shared their passion for Indian ingredients while walking guests through the country’s ecosystem, which serves as an inspiration for their food and drink menus. The trip around their homeland culminated in a cocktail inspired by the popular Indian dish, biryani.
Cold noodles on the go 
Experienced Korean chef Do-yun Kim summarised his 30-plus years of experience in the art of naengmyeon, or cold noodles. The attendees at #50BestTalks not only savoured the creamy noodles prepared by Kim, but also enjoyed a master class on how he cooks this signature, prepared with milk from cows that are fed with olive as part of the chef’s modern twist of this ancient dish.
Korean BBQ and good vibes
The Chefs’ Feast – a special celebratory gathering for representatives from the venues voted into Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 – was held in the historic grounds of The Shilla hotel one night before the awards ceremony. Guests enjoyed mouthwatering food that included the unmissable Korean barbeque from the hotel’s restaurant, La Yeon, local dishes from the city’s best young chefs (under the guidance of Chef Mingoo Kang), accompanied by beats from local DJs.
Cocktails from the city’s talent 
Cocktails at the Chefs’ Feast were crafted by the creative hands of the teams at Bar Cham, No.13 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, and Charles H., No.13 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Delicious drinks such as the Melba Sour, made with Benriach the Twelve, peach tea cordial, rosehip and fresh raspberry foam were served by Charles H., while Bar Cham delighted guests with Cheongnyang Refresh, a mix of Gin Mare, fino sherry, Korean spice tonic and fig leaves. Korean spirit soju by Hwayo was also paired with the local food.
Women in hospitality 
As part of the events programme in Seoul, 50 Best hosted a networking breakfast for women in hospitality to discuss hot topics that are shaping the future of the sector. Held at the stunning restaurant Bicena, the gathering reunited experts from nine different countries and included chefs, restaurant owners, managers, and marketeers.
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Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas was the magical setting for the gala awards evening of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 on 26th March, with chefs, restaurateurs and their teams gathering to celebrate the diverse talent across the region.
Signature scarf presentation 
Chef Mingoo Kang received the iconic red scarf, presented in partnership with Aspire Lifestyles, prior to the ceremony, not knowing that his joy would be magnified later when Mingles was named The Best Restaurant in Korea 2024, sponsored by Bibigo.
Red-carpet glam 
Chefs from across Asia walked the red carpet in glamorous gowns, sharp tailoring and traditional dress. Dae-chun Kim of Seventh Door in Seoul, Zaiyu Hasegawa from Den in Tokyo and Jimmy Lim from JL Studio in Taichung shared a laugh at the media wall just days after they shared the kitchen at one of the 50 Best Signature Sessions collaboration dinners.
Sake and noodles 
The sophisticated pre-awards drinks reception featured outstanding drinks and wonderful food, from delicious sake by Dassai to flavourful noodles by Nongshim, with myriad other delicacies in between.
Beijing bursts into spotlight 
Lamdre in Beijing received the American Express One To Watch Award 2024. The restaurant, which specialises in plant-based cuisine, earned the accolade just one year after opening. Chef Dai Jun and restaurant manager Liang Qiao accepted the first trophy of the special evening.
Passing the torch 
Chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij of Potong in Bangkok was named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024 as part of the series of pre-announced awards for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. The Thai chef was handed the trophy by the previous winner of this accolade, Johanne Siy from Lolla in Singapore.
Sweet surprise 
Japanese cook Mineko Kato of Faro in Tokyo was pleasantly surprised by being crowned as Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2024, sponsored by Valrhona. Kato is recognised for her imaginative creations that showcase the restaurant’s planet-forward philosophy and result in sustainably crafted and visually stunning desserts.
Perfect pairing in Taipei 
The Beronia Best Sommelier Award 2024 was earned by wine expert Kevin Lu from Logy in Taipei. The young sommelier, now with a decade of experience under his belt, creates the ideal drinks matches not only for the seasonal menu offered at Logy but also for new dishes crafted with the best available produce.
A bow to hospitality 
Nusara, the intimate restaurant opened by siblings Thitid ‘Ton’ and Chaisiri ‘Tam’ Tassanakajohn, received the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2024 for its outstanding service. The team ensure diners feel welcome as soon as they cross the doorway of the stunning dining space in Bangkok, which was inspired by the brothers’ beloved grandmother.
Asia acclaims an icon 
With sustained applause, the culinary community celebrated Danny Yip, winner of the Icon Award 2024. The tech entrepreneur turned chef and restaurateur has been rewriting the Chinese gastronomic rulebook for more than three decades. His restaurant, The Chairman, also landed at No.4 in the ranking, earning the title of The Best Restaurant in Hong Kong 2024.
Climbing high 
Coming from No.37 last year, Wing soared 32 spots to position No.5 to win the Highest Climber Award 2024, sponsored by Korean Air. Chef Vicky Chen took to the centre of the stage to raise the trophy on behalf of his dedicated team.
Local favourite 
Sung Anh from Mosu in Seoul was crowned winner of the Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award. Acknowledged by his peers as a visionary and role model in modern Asian gastronomy, Anh's trajectory and hard work were saluted by his colleagues during the ceremony.
Sézanne is crowned No.1
Chef Daniel Calvert and his young team ascended the stage to receive the ultimate accolade. The Tokyo fine dining spot was named The Best Restaurant in Asia 2024, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, and also The Best Restaurant in Japan. Calvert admitted that this news caught him by surprise and that he could never have imagined being in such a position – on stage with the trophy that confirmed Sézanne as No.1. Opened in 2021, the eatery offers a unique take on neo-French cuisine prepared with the finest Japanese ingredients.
See you next year! 
Over a week of exciting events in the wonderful culinary hotspot of Seoul, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants gathered chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers and front of house experts to celebrate their passion for hospitality and their achievements. Unique gastronomic collaborations, unforgettable encounters and of course, mouthwatering food and drink were the key elements of the biggest culinary celebration of the region. Stay tuned to our channels for the latest news on the 2025 edition.
Miss this year's awards? Watch the highlights here:
The list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was announced at a live awards ceremony on Tuesday 26th March from Seoul. To stay up to date with the latest news, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube, and sign up to our newsletter
