HONG KONG EMERGES AS MAJOR WINNER AT ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS
Nine Hong Kong restaurants make the list while
Nahm, Bangkok, is crowned The S.Pellegrino Asia’s Best Restaurant
(24 February 2014, Singapore ) Hong Kong is the big winner at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014. At a gala awards ceremony at Capella, Singapore, nine Hong Kong restaurants earned a place on the list. For a second consecutive year, Amber (No.4) in Hong Kong is named The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in China. Two Hong Kong restaurants were also honoured with individual awards: Tenku RyuGin was named One To Watch, sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro, while Fook Lam Moon earned The Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Zacapa Rum while.
Nahm in Bangkok takes the much-coveted No.1 spot. Honouring the bold flavours of authentic Thai cuisine, Nahm earns the dual titles of The S.Pellegrino Asia’s Best Restaurant and The S. Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Thailand.
Now in its second year, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna and organised by William Reed Business Media, welcomes 10 new entries to the list, including first-time representation from restaurants in Korea (Jungsik, No.20), and Taiwan (Le Moût, No.24).
Hong Kong is represented by returning favourites Lung King Heen (No.9), 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (No.10), Caprice (No.13), Bo Innovation (No.15), L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (No.18) and Yardbird (No.45).
The family-run Fook Lam Moon restaurant earned the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Zacapa Rum. The Wan Chai institution rose 29 places, from No.48 in 2013, to its current standing at No.19.
Aside from making its debut on the list at No. 50, Tenku RyuGin, is named as One To Watch, sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro. Opened in 2012, the first satellite restaurant of Nihonryori RyuGin in Tokyo, Tenku RyuGin continues chef Seiji Yamamoto’s tradition of serving time-honoured Japanese dishes with a hearty dose of modern style. ‘One To Watch’ is awarded to an establishment that the organisers believe has made a significant impact in a relatively short period and that has the potential to rise further up the rankings.
China dominates the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014 awards with 16 establishments ranked on the list, followed by Japan and Singapore landing 10 and eight restaurants respectively.
Among the China entries, chef Paul Pairet’s Shanghai restaurants Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet and Mr & Mrs Bund rank No. 8 and No. 11 respectively. Fu1015 in Shanghai also jumps 14 places to land at No.26; 28 HuBin Road in Hangzhou ranks at No.33 and Franck Bistro earns a place at No.48. Robuchon Au Dome in Macau comes in at No.39.
Family Li Imperial Cuisine in Shanghai earns dual honours. Aside from debuting on the list at No.46, the restaurant’s chef and co-founder, Ivan Li, is the worthy recipient of The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award.
Individual Country Awards:
Narisawa (No.2), the inaugural winner of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013, takes the title of The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Japan for a second year. Japan boasts the most new entries with three Tokyo restaurants making their debut, namely L’Effervescence (No.25), Sukiyabashi Jiro (No.38) and Sawada (No.41).
Singapore confirms its position as a leader in Asia’s dining scene with eight entries, including the new addition of Tippling Club at No.23. Securing the No.6 position on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Restaurant André is named The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Singapore for the second consecutive year. Chef-owner André Chiang also picks up the respected Chefs’ Choice Award, voted for by his peers on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
India is well represented on the list with six entries. Bukhara (No.27) leads the contingent, securing the title of The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in India. The country is also represented by returning New Delhi favourites Indian Accent (No. 29), Dum Pukht (No. 30) and Varq (No.32). Wasabi by Morimoto in Mumbai (No.36) and Karavalli in Bangalore (No.49) are also included.
Recognising the region’s culinary diversity, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants also awards Nihonbashi in Colombo (No.44) The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka and Sarong in Bali (No.47) The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Indonesia.
Chef Lanshu Chen of Le Moût in Taiwan has double reason to celebrate: aside from Le Moût entering the list at No.24 and securing the title of The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Taiwan, Lanshu is named Veuve Clicquot Asia’s Best Female Chef.
Other award winners announced include:
Asia’s Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Cacao Barry: Janice Wong
For a second consecutive year, Janice Wong is the recipient of this prestigious award. Owner of 2am:dessertbar in Singapore, Janice draws inspiration from her travels in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, presenting impeccably-styled desserts and artfully combining unexpected flavours.
Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by LesConcierges: Jungsik
Among the vanguard of young chefs redefining Korea’s fine dining scene, Jungsik Yim combines traditional Korean ingredients with modern cooking techniques. Entering Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list at No.20, Jungsik Yim’s flagship Seoul restaurant earned the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Les Concierges, as well as The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Korea.
William Drew, Group Editor of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants continues to evolve and grow, as evidenced by the addition of 10 new restaurants to the list. These new entries highlight the creativity, variety and sophistication of Asia’s ever-changing culinary scene.”