The 2024 list for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants has just been revealed, with nine Singaporean restaurants clinching spots on the coveted list. Sézanne from Tokyo, Japan was awarded first place, ahead of runners-up Florilège and Gaggan Anand. The official event and announcement was held in Seoul, South Korea on 26 March.
Asia's number one restaurant, Sézanne, is helmed by chef Daniel Calvert. Of the momentous win, he says, “I want to say thank you to everyone who has dined with us and voted for us. I also want to give a special shoutout to Ashley, my sous chef, for putting up with me every day, our restaurant manager, and everyone in the Sézanne team back home. It means a lot to me to have all these stakeholders come and work together to create the menu – the producers, the team – thank you so much.” The Tokyo-based restaurant serves a delightful French menu, plated with Japanese precision and changes according to the ingredients available.
“Sézanne was crafted with the way I want to eat and I want to dine. I want them to experience something new with a sense of nostalgia. I want people to come to Sézanne to and enjoy great food, great wine and leave happily,” Calvert adds.
Over 300 industry experts and leading personalities within the Asian F&B industry make up the judging panel for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, including food critics, chefs, restaurant owners, and gastronomes.
William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best, kicked off the event. “We are truly honored to be in the Republic of Korea for the first time. This is a city and country that is wowing the world in so many respects, including through its food. And for all of us visiting from elsewhere, it really is a thrill to be here.”
“It is my great pleasure to greet you tonight at Asia’s 50 Best Ceremony. I applaud your hard work and dedication to exploring new tastes,” said Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Mayor of Seoul, Oh Se Hoon, shared his two cents at the event as well: “Welcome to Seoul. I’d like to thank you all for coming with spring rain and blooming flowers. Seoul has various kinds of delicious and healthy food, including Korean barbecue and various kinds of foreign food, and I hope you have the opportunity to try them all. Congratulations to all the winners of Asia’s 50 Best.”
Nine Singapore restaurants joined the top entries with Odette (No.10) retaining the title of Best Restaurant in Singapore, followed by Burnt Ends (No.15), Euphoria (No.20), Born, (No.25), Meta (No.28), Labyrinth (No.30), Seroja (No.31), Les Amis (No.38), and Lolla (No.43).
There were 12 new restaurants on the list this year, with Singapore’s very own Seroja (No. 31) named as the highest new entry. Other new entries this year included Lolla (No.43) and Meet the Bund (No.50) and Ling Long (No.36) from Shanghai, China; Japan’s Goh (No.42), as well as rejoiners Logy and JL Studio. Last year’s winner of the Rising Star Award, August, also went home with two awards this year, a position at No. 46 as well as The Best Restaurant in Indonesia.
Thailand saw eight restaurants on the list: Last year’s number one restaurant Le Du, fell to 12th place this year. The highest climber went to Wing, which jumped 32 spots to fifth place this year. South Korea, the host country for the prestigious event, saw four entries on the list, with Mingles, 7th Door, Onjium, and Mosu.
Other Notable Awards Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024
Other accolades were also announced at the ceremony. The title of Beronia Asia’s Best Sommelier Award was given to Kevin Lu of Logy in Taiwan, while Tokyo’s Mineko Kato from Faro won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2024. Bangkok’s Haoma was recognised with the Sustainable Restaurant Award. Meanwhile, Chef Sung Anh from Mosu (No. 41) was presented with the only peer-voted medal of the evening, the Inedit Damm Chef’s Choice Award; and the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award went to Nusara (No. 6) from Bangkok, Thailand.
“First of all, I’m quite speechless. I don’t think I deserve this award solely because there are so many chefs I respect so much here. Moving forward, I think I will just keep going, and focus on the craft and the restaurant – there’s lots more to do,” shares Chef Sung Anh from Mosu, winner of the Inedit Damm Chef’s Choice Award.
In the days leading up to the main event, other commendations were also announced. Twelve new entrants made their way on the 51-100 list, Singapore and Tokyo clinching the spotlight with eight restaurants each on the list. Lamdre in Beijing, which pioneers thoughtful, plant-driven eating in China’s capital, was recognised with the American Express One To Watch Award and Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij of Bankok’s Potong was named Asia’s Best Female Chef this year. Hong Kong’s very own Danny Yip from The Chairman was awarded the Icon Award, which honors culinary icons who have made an outstanding contribution to the restaurant industry.