Gaggan makes a No.1 comeback, seven Singapore restaurants on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list

Gaggan in Bangkok secured the prestigious title of The Best Restaurant in Asia at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony in Seoul last night (March 25). Held in Seoul for the second consecutive year, the event celebrated the region’s finest dining establishments through its closely watched rankings list. 

Gaggan’s eponymous restaurant in Bangkok rose two places to claim the top spot, marking Anand’s fifth time at No.1. Following multiple evolutions of his Bangkok flagship — previously crowned The Best Restaurant in Asia a record four times — Anand unveiled a reimagined version in 2019.

Since its return to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023, it has steadily ascended, reaffirming Anand’s reputation for bold innovation and creative gastronomy. Anand says the pandemic forced him to rethink his approach. “We made the restaurant extremely small, just 14 seats,” he said. “We gave up all the things that we were doing wrong and started doing things that I felt happy about.”

Singapore had seven entries this year, led by Odette (No.7), which climbed three spots to retain its position as the Best Restaurant in Singapore. Also on the rise was Les Amis, which climbed 10 places to No.28. The other five Singapore restaurants, however, lost ground.

Labyrinth slipped to No.37, while Burnt Ends — Dave Pynt’s modern barbecue spot — tumbled from No.15 to No.38. Facing similar fortunes were Meta (No.39), chef Kevin Wong’s Seroja (No.40), and Euphoria (No.48).

Chef LG Han shared with The Peak Singapore in Seoul: “I’m proud to be amongst Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for the fifth year running. The rankings shift every year, but we stay focused on refining our craft and elevating the dining experience for our guests.”

Euphoria’s Jason Tan echoed this sentiment, saying: “It’s about long-term excellence, not just year-to-year rankings. I’m very happy to be in the top 50 and will continue pushing for even greater heights.”

Chef Sebastien Lepinoy of Les Amis says: “We are truly honored and delighted to rise 10 places to No. 28 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants this year. Having been part of this prestigious list for 13 consecutive years, it is always a privilege to be recognised among the finest restaurants in Asia.”

Bangkok and Tokyo led the 2025 rankings with nine entries each. Gaggan (No.1) was joined by Nusara (No.6), which retained its spot. Baan Tepa clinched No.44, with chef Chudaree ‘Tam’ Debhakam earning Asia’s Best Female Chef 2025.

In Tokyo, Sézanne slipped from the top spot to No.4. At the same time, Crony debuted at No.30, with owner-sommelier Kazutaka Ozawa winning the Asia’s Best Sommelier Award for his expert wine pairings.

Hong Kong claimed seven spots, with The Chairman (No.2) snagging Hong Kong’s best restaurant. Wing (No.3) followed closely, with chef-owner Vicky Cheng receiving the peer-voted Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award.

Host city Seoul saw four entries on this year’s list. Mingles (No.5), known for its innovative use of Korean seasonal ingredients, is the Best Restaurant in South Korea, sponsored by Korean Air. Onjium climbed 11 ranks to No.10, while 7th Door secured No.23. Newcomer Eatanic Garden (No.25) made a stunning debut, earning the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Lavazza.

Shanghai’s representation included Meet the Bund, which rose 36 places to No.14 and claimed the title of The Best Restaurant in Mainland China. In Macau, Chef Tam’s Seasons ascended a staggering 40 spots to No.9 and won the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee.

India’s presence is marked by Mumbai’s Masque (No.19) and New Delhi’s Indian Accent (No.46). From Taiwan, Logy (No.26) and Taichung’s JL Studio (No.35) continued to uphold Taiwan’s reputation for fine-dining. Manila’s Toyo Eatery (No. 42) received the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award. Indonesia was represented by August (No.49), while Beijing debuted with Lamdre (No.50).

The awards ceremony also recognised outstanding individuals in the culinary industry. Dej Kewkacha from Gaggan at Louis Vuitton (No.31) in Bangkok won Asia’s Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Valrhona, for his innovative reimagination of classic desserts.

Ubud’s Locavore NXT received the Sustainable Restaurant Award. Led by chefs Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah, the restaurant is renowned for its hyper-local and sustainable approach, seamlessly blending research with culinary artistry.

The late Margarita Forés, winner of the Asia’s Best Female Chef Award in 2016, was posthumously honoured with the Icon Award for her lasting impact on Filipino cuisine and hospitality.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is determined by the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a gender-balanced panel of over 350 culinary experts including chefs, food critics, restaurateurs, and industry leaders.

Highlights from the Long List

Singapore, along with Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Seoul, led the rankings with six spots each on the extended list. However, four out of six saw significant drops. These included Born, which fell out of the top 50 list (from No. 25 to 54). Jaan by Kirk Westaway and Zén, the Singapore outpost of Frantzén, also lost ground, coming in at No.77 and No.79, respectively.

Summer Pavilion, the Cantonese institution at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, fell some 20 places, coming in at No.95. Notably absent from this year’s long list were Peach Blossoms, Nae:Um, and Mustard Seed. Making some gains were Cloudstreet, which ascended to No.74 from 82, and Thevar, known for its spice-driven modern Indian cuisine, which inched up two places to No.70. 

Host city Seoul saw one new entrant to the rankings, with Soigné (No. 57) making the city’s highest new entry. Led by chef Jun Lee, the former pop-up turned restaurant blends global cuisine with Korean heritage. 

13 restaurants across Asia debuted on the long list. Highlights included Vientiane’s debut as a dining destination with new entrant Doi Ka Noi (No.86). Other noteworthy mentions included Ru Yuan (No. 59) in Hangzhou, which offers a reimagined take on Zhejiang cuisine, Naar (No. 66) in India’s Kasauli, and Farmlore (No. 68) in Bengaluru, which secured the One To Watch Award for its farm-driven cuisine served within an actual working farm.