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Charmaine Mok

Two Hong Kong restaurants received top honours at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. The event was held in Hong Kong for the first time, taking place in the grand ballroom of the Kerry Hotel in Hung Hom on the evening of March 25.
The Chairman received the top billing at No 1 while Wing came in at No 2. It is the second time that The Chairman, a Cantonese restaurant in Central founded by Danny Yip, has earned the accolade, after it defied the odds to become Asia’s Best Restaurant in the 2021 edition.
“It means everything to us to win this award in Hong Kong,” Yip said while on stage.
He also paid tribute to Wing, which is located in the same building as The Chairman, joking that the plot likely had good feng shui.
Bangkok’s Gaggan, the No 1 restaurant in 2025, dropped to third place, but clinched the Best Restaurant in Thailand accolade.
The top 10 had a strong showing from Chinese restaurants, with representatives from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau. Ru Yuan in Hangzhou, in particular, made a historic debut at No 10, also winning the Highest New Entry Award.


Sézanne, in Tokyo, Japan, placed 16 this year; it dropped to No 4 in 2025, after taking the No 1 spot in the 2024 edition. Opened in 2021, the French fine-dining restaurant, located within the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, rose to fame quickly over five years, receiving not only top billing on the list but also three Michelin stars, thanks to the leadership of executive chef Daniel Calvert. He leaves his post at the end of March and will be replaced by Stephen Lancaster on April 1.
Mingles in Seoul, South Korea, which recently received its third Michelin star as well as three diamonds from the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, came in at No 4.
In the special awards category, Cho Eun-hee of Onjium, in Seoul, was named Best Female Chef, for her contribution to preserving traditional Korean cuisine and sharing her knowledge.
Peggy Chan, the Hong Kong-born vegetarian chef, sustainability dining advocate and consultant, became the first recipient of the list’s Champions of Change Award, which honours those who make a meaningful impact in the hospitality industry.


The One to Watch Award, which recognises a restaurant with potential to rise in the 50 Best rankings, went to San by chef Jo Seung-hyun. The Seoul restaurant serves a French-influenced modern Korean tasting menu, with Jo having previously trained at The French Laundry, La Maison Troisgros and Benu. San debuted at an impressive No 54 on the extended Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list announced earlier this month.
The Sustainable Restaurant Award went to Bangkok’s Baan Tepa, which is ranked No 53 on the extended list.
Mumbai’s Masque was given the Art of Hospitality Award. “It only reaffirms what we’ve been trying to achieve since Masque opened its doors – to treat every guest with care, generosity and the utmost humility,” founder Aditi Dugar said.
Masque was also named Best Restaurant in India, landing at No 15 on Asia’s 50 Best list.

Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Bangkok’s Le Du restaurant received the Chef’s Choice Award, which is voted on by his peers in the industry, for his work in promoting Thai cuisine.
The Best Sommelier Award went to Lesley Liu of Singapore’s Odette. The restaurant, however, fell 12 spots to No 19, but its position meant it was still the city state’s Best Restaurant. Conversely, Lamdre in Beijing – known for its delicate, plant-based Chinese cooking – received this year’s Highest Climber Award, having shot to No 17 from No 50 in the 2025 edition.
Ardika Dwitama of Jakarta’s August received the Best Pastry Chef Award; the restaurant, No 42 on the list, was also named Best Restaurant in Indonesia.
Zhang Yong received the Icon Award, earning it for successfully championing Taizhou cuisine. With more than two dozen restaurants to his name, including the lauded Xin Rong Ji restaurants across mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, Zhang is a formidable restaurateur.

Ahead of the ceremony, attendees were asked to avoid wearing clothing or accessories displaying “any slogan, imagery or messaging that might be construed as political in any way”, and to refrain from bringing flags of any kind, including national flags.
The awards capped off several days of culinary activities around the city, from chef collaboration dinners to talks. The 15th edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is expected to be hosted again in Hong Kong next year.
This year’s list was voted on by 350-plus members of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is described as an “influential group of … leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene”. The panel is typically made up of “food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and well-travelled gourmands”, and there is no set criterion for what constitutes “best”.
Earlier this month, a former World’s Best Restaurant, Noma in Copenhagen, and its chef-owner, Rene Redzepi, were the subjects of intense scrutiny and criticism over their history of physical and emotional abuse, calling into question the ethics of the industry and what is celebrated.
Jason Ignacio White, a former Noma employee and organiser of protests that have taken place in Los Angeles – where the Noma team have launched a US$1,500 a head pop-up – says his next step will be to turn the spotlight on the ethical practices of restaurant ranking and awards systems, including World’s 50 Best, Michelin and the James Beard Awards.
“You can be ranked No 1 in the world while your kitchen staff is being hit … the prestige system doesn’t just coexist with abuse. It enables it,” he writes.
In response to the South China Morning Post’s request for comment, a spokesperson for 50 Best said they “… take allegations of abuse and exploitation extremely seriously and share a deep concern for the workers, former employees and cooks who have faced such environments”.
They acknowledged that “recent developments have prompted understandable reflection across the industry” and that “great hospitality must be grounded in dignity, respect and safe working environments”.
While the restaurant rankings are determined “solely by the anonymous restaurant experts and the established voting methodology”, they “strongly [encourage] voters to take sustainable practices – which includes treatment of staff – and responsibility into account in voting choices”.
The full list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
Asterisk denotes a new entry
50. JL Studio, Taichung
49. Seventh Door, Seoul
48. La Bourriche 133, Shanghai *
47. Wana Yook, Bangkok *
46. Mono, Hong Kong
45. Nae:um, Singapore *
44. Locavore Nxt, Ubud *
43. Bium, Seoul *
42. August, Jakarta (Best Restaurant in Indonesia)
41. Mosu, Seoul (re-entry)
40. Labyrinth, Singapore
39. Au Jardin, Penang (Best Restaurant in Malaysia) *
38. Les Amis, Singapore
37. Narisawa, Tokyo
36. Le Du, Bangkok
35. Caprice, Hong Kong
34. Crony, Tokyo
33. Myoujaku, Tokyo
32. Estro, Hong Kong
31. Florilege, Tokyo
30. Naar, Kasauli *
29. 102 House, Shanghai
28. Maz, Tokyo
27. Ms Maria & Mr Singh, Bangkok (re-entry)
26. Eatanic Garden, Seoul
25. Potong, Bangkok
24. Neighborhood, Hong Kong
23. Born, Singapore (re-entry)
22. Logy, Taipei (Best Restaurant in Taiwan)
21. Sazenka, Tokyo
20. Seroja, Singapore
19. Odette, Singapore (Best Restaurant in Singapore)
18. Sühring, Bangkok
17. Lamdre, Beijing (Highest Climber)
16. Sézanne, Tokyo
15. Masque, Mumbai (Art of Hospitality Award and Best Restaurant in India)
14. Onjium, Seoul
13. La Cime, Osaka (Best Restaurant in Japan)
12. Dorm, Bangkok
11. Fu He Hui, Shanghai
10. Ru Yuan, Hangzhou (Highest New Entry) *
9. Ling Long, Shanghai
8. Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, Bangkok
7. Chef Tam’s Seasons, Macau (Best Restaurant in Macau)
6. Meet the Bund, Shanghai (Best Restaurant in Mainland China)
5. Nusara, Bangkok
4. Mingles, Seoul (Best Restaurant in South Korea)
3. Gaggan, Bangkok (Best Restaurant in Thailand)
2. Wing, Hong Kong
1. The Chairman, Hong Kong


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Food and Drinks

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026: Hong Kong’s The Chairman is No 1, Wing climbs to No 2

Representatives of the restaurants ranked by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2026 on stage at the presentation in Hong Kong’s Kerry Hotel on March 25. Hong Kong’s The Chairman was crowned the new No 1 while Wing took the No 2 spot. Photo: Charmaine Mok

The Chairman team, including Danny Yip (centre), on stage with S.Pellegrino’s representative Giacomo Giacani (far left) to accept the award for placing No 1 on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

Chef Vicky Cheng of Hong Kong’s Wing Restaurant. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam (left), of Baan Tepa, recipient of the Best Female Chef Award from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2025, presents the 2026 award to Onjium’s Cho Eun-hee. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

Hong Kong-born Peggy Chan won the Champions of Change Award at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Bangkok’s Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn received the Chef’s Choice Award at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2026. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

Zhang Yong, one of China’s most prolific restaurateurs and the founder of the Xin Rong Ji group, accepts the Icon Award from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2026 full list: China Tang earns 1-star status

Some of the winners at the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2026 awards ceremony at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau on March 19. Photo: Michelin Guide

Menex Cheung is the executive chef at China Tang. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Cheung of China Tang takes a selfie with Bibendum, the Michelin mascot, at the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau awards ceremony at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. Photo: YouTube/Michelin Guide

Sol’s head chef, Kim Gwan-ju, won the young chef award at the 2026 Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau.

Chocolate dessert by Leo Faler at Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic. The restaurant has been promoted from one Michelin star to two. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Chef Marc Mantovani (left) and Clement Mollar from Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic at the 18th edition of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau. Photo: YouTube/Michelin Guide

Hong Kong chef Peggy Chan wins Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ first Champions of Change Award

The Hong Kong-born chef and sustainable dining advocate talks about how we can change our food production systems for the better if we work together. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants has named Peggy Chan the winner of its 2026 Champions of Change Award. The Hong Kong-born chef and sustainable dining advocate talks about how we can change our food production systems for the better if we work together. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Before becoming a sustainability consultant, Chan founded Hong Kong plant-based restaurants Grassroots Pantry and Nectar. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Chan says she is “grateful and honoured” to have been named the recipient of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 Champions of Change Award. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Chan began working in corporate hospitality about two decades ago. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Chan says that chefs can have an impact on current food systems through “collective action”. Photo: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide: Hong Kong chefs earn top honours

China’s 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide spotlights individuals for special accolades, and this year presented Hong Kong chef Vicky Cheng (pictured) with the master chef award. Photo: Kelly Gardner

Chef Terry Ho Kai-tung of Hong Kong’s Amber restaurant was given the young chef award by the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. Photo: Instagram/blackpearl_restaurantguide

Amber culinary director Richard Ekkebus (centre) and chef de cuisine Terry Ho (left) receive the restaurant’s award for its third Michelin star at the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2025 awards ceremony in Macau.

Dishes from Leela, which received its first diamond in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. Photo: courtesy of Leela

6 of Singapore’s best hidden speakeasy bars that will take you back in time – and how to find them

Bartenders at Chandu create drinks with a narrative that are loosely based on history. Photo: The Robertson House by the Crest Collection

A bartender mixes a drink at Chandu, one of our picks of six of the best hidden speakeasy bars in Singapore. Photo: The Robertson House by the Crest Collection

The Mizuwari whisky highball at Live Twice uses Hokkaido soft water rather than soda to accentuate the malt notes of the Japanese Nikka whiskies. Photo: Instagram/@livetwicesg

Chandu is inspired by Singapore’s colonial era, when opium dens flourished in the city state. Photo: The Robertson House by The Crest Collection

Chandu’s Mata Hari cocktail is named after a Dutch dancer and courtesan. Photo: Facebook/Chandu

Oriental Elixir, located in a Peranakan rowhouse, is a dimly lit watering hole for nonconformist cocktails. Photo: Philipp Meier

Oriental Elixir’s Malabar Tamarind cocktail combines the sour ingredient with roasted cherry tomato gin, dry vermouth. Photo: Instagram/@oriental.elixir

Junior the Pocket Bar is a small, 25-seater speakeasy that tasks itself with changing the menu completely every few months. Photo: Philipp Meier

A cocktail titled Sesame from the Korea-inspired menu at Junior the Pocket Bar. Photo: Junior the Pocket Bar

Jade Harbour is part of The Bund menu currently offered at Junior the Pocket Bar, inspired by the Shanghai district. Credit: Junior the Pocket Bar

For its Korean Joseon dynasty-inspired menu, the interiors of Junior the Pocket Bar featured dragons. Photo: Philipp Meier

Roxy is a hip-hop-inspired speakeasy hidden inside the Miss Fitz restaurant in Singapore’s Marina Bay. Photo: Facebook/Roxy

The drinks at Roxy are based on classics, but are given their own spin. Photo: Facebook/Roxy

Last Word has finessed tipples that were invented in the 1920s. Photo: Philipp Meier

Last Word’s eponymous cocktail is a classic, blending gin, maraschino liqueur, green chartreuse and lime. Photo: Instagram/@lastwordsg

Lifestyle

Food & Drink

The 2026 edition saw a strong showing from Chinese restaurants in the top 10, with representatives from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau


The 2026 edition saw a strong showing from Chinese restaurants in the top 10, with representatives from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau.


Best restaurants in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026: Hong Kong’s The Chairman is No 1, Wing climbs to No 2

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 2026 edition saw a strong showing from Chinese restaurants in the top 10, with representatives from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau

The 2026 edition saw a strong showing from Chinese restaurants in the top 10, with representatives from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau