Japan has 11 new entries on this year’s list.
Den in Tokyo has secured the coveted No.1 spot at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 awards ceremony, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The prestigious list was revealed today at three simultaneous events across Asia, gathering chefs, restaurateurs, industry VIPs and media in person in Bangkok, Macau and Tokyo.
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Now in its 10th year, the 2022 list welcomes a record 16 new entries. Japan leads with 11 entries on
the list, including four newcomers, followed by Thailand with nine and Singapore with seven.
“This year, Den has been crowned No.1 in Asia in recognition of its unique blend of tradition, innovation, flavor, hospitality and playfulness,” says William Drew, director of content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. “We are delighted to celebrate Zaiyu-san and the Den team, as well as showcasing all the restaurants on the 2022 list and the individual award winners, who inspire us with their creativity, resilience and skill.”
In claiming the number one spot, Den earns the dual titles of The Best Restaurant in Asia, and—for a fifth successive year—The Best Restaurant in Japan. Opened in 2007, Den reflects the personality of its chef-owner, Zaiyu Hasegawa.
Taking a playful, personal approach to kaiseki cuisine, Hasegawa and his team delight diners with creative presentations and surprising twists on traditional dishes. After entering Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2016 at 37th, Den first appeared on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list the following year, rising to No.11 in 2021.
Japan is also represented by returning favorites Florilège (3rd), La Cime (6th), Sazenka (11th), Narisawa (15th) and La Maison de la Nature Goh (36th).
Japanese chefs and restaurants were recognized in several individual award categories. Rising 14 places to 13th, Ode in Tokyo is this year’s winner of the Highest Climber Award. Villa Aida in Wakayama makes a remarkable debut on the list at 14th to earn the Highest New Entry Award. Chef-owner Kanji Kobayashi sources seasonal ingredients from his family farm to present dishes of impeccable style with a light Italian accent.
Été in Tokyo has double reason to celebrate. As well as entering the list at 42nd, the restaurant’s chef-owner, Natsuko Shoji, is this year’s recipient of the Asia’s Best Female Chef Award.
Other newcomers to the 2022 list include Sézanne (17th) in Tokyo, led by chef Daniel Calvert, and the Italian-inspired Cenci (43rd) in Kyoto.
Thailand
Rising nine places to 2nd, Sorn claims the title of The Best Restaurant in Thailand for the first time, a testament to the authentic southern Thai cuisine of chef-owner Supaksorn ‘Ice’ Jonsiri. Also extending his influence over Thailand’s food scene, local chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn counts two of his restaurants in the top 10: Le Du (4th) and Nusara (10th).
This year also marks the debut of four Bangkok restaurants on the list: Blue by Alain Ducasse (25th), Sushi Masato (29th), private kitchen Samrub Samrub Thai (31st) and Raan Jay Fai (46th), the namesake restaurant of local chef Supinya ‘Jay Fai’ Junsuta.
Singapore
Odette (8th) earns two honors this year. Aside from being named The Best Restaurant in Singapore for a fifth consecutive year, it is the 2022 recipient of the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award in recognition of operations director Steven Mason and his team’s combination of ultra-professionalism and warm individuality, which elevates the dining experience to new levels.
Meta, the 2021 winner of the American Express One To Watch Award, makes its debut on the list at 20th. while familiar favorites Les Amis (23rd), Zén (37th), Labyrinth (40th), Burnt Ends (41st) and Cloudstreet (44th) round out the Singapore contingent.
Singapore is also home to chef Maira Yeo, this year’s winner of the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award. Currently the pastry chef at Cloudstreet, Yeo’s innovative desserts, artisanal cakes and community-led initiatives have earned her a devoted following.
Greater China
After taking the top spot in 2021, The Chairman in Hong Kong moves to 5th, retaining the title of The Best Restaurant in China for a third year. Chef Vicky Cheng’s latest restaurant, Wing, debuts on the list at 34th while two Hong Kong favorites, Caprice (24th) and Mono (32nd), rise in the rankings.
Debuting on the list in 2018, Neighborhood peaks at No.9 this year. The restaurant’s acclaimed chef, David Lai, is this year’s recipient of the Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award, the only award voted for by the chefs of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 list to honor a peer making a positive impact on the restaurant scene. Since launching Neighborhood in 2014, Lai has earned the respect of his fellow professionals with his simple but refined dishes and creative use of seasonal ingredients.
Mainland China counts four restaurants in the ranking, including two new entries. Chef Christopher Kostow’s Shenzhen restaurant Ensue makes an impressive debut at 19th while fellow newcomer Da Vittorio comes in at 28th. In Shanghai, Fu He Hui climbs 10 places to 12th while Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet makes a welcome return to the list at 39th. Macau is represented by Wing Lei Palace (47th).
South Korea
Mingles (16th) is recognized as The Best Restaurant in Korea for a seventh successive year. Among the 16 new entries on the list, three hail from Seoul: Joo Ok, Mosu and Onjium make their debuts this year at 18th, 27th and 30th respectively.
In recognition of her philosophical approach to cooking and mastery of temple cuisine, South Korean monk Jeong Kwan is this year’s deserving recipient of the prestigious Icon Award-Asia.
Other notables
At 21st, Masque is named The Best Restaurant in India, succeeding seven-time title holder Indian Accent (22nd), while newcomer Megu in New Delhi joins the ranking at 49th. Ministry of Crab (35th) in Colombo retains the title of The Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka.
A first-time entry last year, Logy, Florilège’s sister restaurant in Taipei, lands at 38th to claim the title of The Best Restaurant in Taiwan.
Taipei is also home to Mume (54th), the 2022 recipient of the Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award. Recognizing chef-owner Richie Lim’s commitment to organic agriculture and eco-friendly practices, the award is presented to the restaurant with the highest environmental and social responsibility rating, as determined by 50 Best’s audit partner the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
Dewakan re-enters the list at 50th to clinch The Best Restaurant in Malaysia while compatriot restaurant Eat and Cook is this year’s recipient of the prestigious American Express One To Watch Award.
“In its 10th year, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants proudly continues the tradition of rewarding culinary excellence and guiding diners to the most unique gastronomic experiences across the continent,” Drew says.
