The collection comprises establishments in 49 cities across 20 countries and territories, stretching from Pakistan across to Japan.
To support the recovery of the hospitality sector, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – in association with S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna – announces ‘Essence of Asia’, an unranked collection of restaurants that represents the spirit of Asian gastronomy.
“On behalf of the 50 Best team, we are honored to unveil the Essence of Asia collection,” said William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. “At a time when restaurants need our support, this collection presents travelers and gourmets with an invaluable guide to some of Asia’s most authentic and diverse dining experiences. Reflecting the breadth of the region’s gastronomic scene, the range of establishments spans street vendors, honored institutions, philanthropic businesses and pioneering newcomers.”
The collection comprises establishments in 49 cities across 20 countries and territories, stretching from Pakistan across to Japan. Integral to Asia’s culinary ecosystem, these restaurants honour culinary traditions, reinvent indigenous cuisines and revive centuries-old recipes, all while playing a key role within their communities. This unranked selection will complement the ninth edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, which will be revealed on Thursday, 25th March.
The Essence of Asia collection was created based on recommendations from the chefs of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020 and 2021, 50 Best’s Academy Chairs, as well as trusted gourmets in the region. Embodying Asia’s rich diversity, the collection includes:
Street food vendors, such as Pho Gia Truyen in Hanoi, Wattana Panich in Bangkok and Siam Road Char Koay Teow in Penang
Much-loved local institutions like Australia Dairy Company in Hong Kong, Li Qun Roast Duck in Beijing, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay in Mumbai, The Sugar Palm in Siem Reap and Keng Eng Kee in Singapore
Community-focused establishments, including Earth Kitchen in Manila, a restaurant dedicated to supporting local farmers and indigenous communities in the Philippines, and Sincere Blue in Tokyo, a collaboration between chef Shinsuke Ishii and Chefs for the Blue, a group committed to promoting sustainable seafood
Progressive restaurants reinventing or elevating indigenous cuisines, from Restaurant Kin in Singapore and Akame in Taiwan to 102 House in Foshan, China
“The unranked Essence of Asia collection will offer us even more opportunities to recognize the spirit of Asian gastronomy and those that have had a positive impact on their local food communities during these unprecedented times, giving voices to their opinions about the industry of tomorrow. “
Stefano Bolognese, Sanpellegrino International Business Unit Director
Arranged by country, the Essence of Asia collection is unranked to celebrate the uniqueness of each restaurant. Presented in association with S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, the full list of restaurants that make up the Essence of Asia collection is below:
Bangladesh
Haji Biryani, Dhaka
Kasturi, Dhaka
Cambodia
Nesat Seafood House, Phnom Penh
Lum Orng Farm To Table, Siem Reap
The Sugar Palm, Siem Reap
Mainland China
Li Qun Roast Duck, Beijing
Chen Mapo Tofu, Chengdu
102 House, Foshan
Longjing Manor, Hangzhou
Fuchun (Yuyuan Road), Shanghai
Lihuayuan, Wuhan
Hong Kong
Australia Dairy Company
Dignity Kitchen
Kau Kee
Pei Ho Counterparts
Roots
Yin Yang Coastal
India
Bengaluru Oota Company, Bangalore
Mum’s Kitchen, Goa
Ahdoo’s, Kashmir
Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Mumbai
Swati Snacks, Mumbai
Rustom’s, New Delhi
Indonesia
Babi Guling Pande Egi, Bali
KooD, Bali
Pagi Sore, Jakarta
Lupis Mbah Satinem, Yogyakarta
Japan
Natsukashiya, Amami Ōshima
Honke Owariya, Kyoto
Pasania, Osaka
Eatrip, Tokyo
Sincere Blue, Tokyo
Sushi Dai, Tokyo
Laos
Tamarind, Luang Prabang
Doi Ka Noi, Vientiane
Macau
Henri’s Galley
IFT Educational Restaurant
La Famiglia
Malaysia
Artisan Handmade Bread, Ipoh
Kedai Kopi Yee Fung, Kota Kinabalu
Bijan, Kuala Lumpur
Siam Road Char Koay Teow, Penang
Myanmar
Rangoon Tea House, Yangon
Shan Kitchen, Yangon
Shwe Sa Bwe, Yangon
Nepal
Newa Momo Nepal, Kathmandu
Tukche Thakali Kitchen, Kathmandu
Pakistan
N’ecos, Karachi
Waris Nihari, Lahore
Philippines
Farmer’s Daughter, Baguio
Earth Kitchen, Manila
Hapag, Manila
Bale Dutung, Pampanga
Singapore
Botanico at The Garage
Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap
Keng Eng Kee
Mr. and Mrs. Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata
Naked Finn
Restaurant Kin
South Korea
Nangpoonbopsang, Jeju
Base Is Nice, Seoul
Guemdwaeji Sikdang, Seoul
Miro Sikdang, Seoul
Sri Lanka
Café Kumbuk, Colombo
Paradise Road: The Gallery Café, Colombo
Mettha’s Traditional Home Cooked Meals, Unawatuna
Taiwan
Akame, Pingtung
Yu Li Cultural Bookstore and Community Kitchen, Taichung
Huang’s Lu Rou Fan, Taipei
Plants, Taipei
Thailand
100 Mahaseth, Bangkok
Barefoot Bangkok, Bangkok
Na café at Bangkok 1899, Bangkok
Wattana Panich, Bangkok
Locus Native Food Lab, Chiang Rai
Samuay & Sons, Udon Thani
Vietnam
Pho Gia Truyen, Hanoi
Ngoc Suong Seafood & Bar, Ho Chi Minh City
Pizza 4P’s, Ho Chi Minh City
Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen, Hoi An
