The restaurant ranking group behind the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list released its annual list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. For the second year running, Singapore restaurant Odette took the No. 1 spot during a virtual announcement that replaced the usual awards ceremony.
Singapore’s Odette retained its No.1 position for a second straight year, ahead of The Chairman in Hong Kong and Tokyo’s Den.
![Odette is No. 1 on the list of Asia’s Best Restaurants. Image: Odette [official] Odette is No. 1 on the list of Asia’s Best Restaurants. Image: Odette [official]](https://cdn2.gnfi.net/seasia/uploads/images/indahgilang/odette_home_desktop_bg_4.0.jpg)
The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony, originally planned for a gala event in Saga prefecture in Japan, was canceled in late February due to the spread of COVID-19. In its place there would simply be a pre-recorded video streamed online.
The 40-minute broadcast was preceded by a short statement from William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, in which he acknowledged the wider context for the event.
William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, shared as quoted by ABS-CBN, “We are, of course, experiencing unprecedented times both in the restaurant sector and across Asia as a whole."
"It is therefore more important than ever to support restaurants all over the continent in their recovery, to recognise each other’s achievements over the last 12 months and broadcast a message of solidarity.”
In a video message, Drew reiterated, “This announcement is not a celebration. The objective is one of recognition. At this time, more than ever, the restaurant sector needs support: recognising the hard work and talent of teams and individuals remains valid; showing a sense of community and mutual respect also feels important.”

This year’s 50 Best list was again heavily weighted towards the continent’s four powerhouses: Japan, with 12 restaurants, China, with 12 restaurants (including eight in Hong Kong and two in Macau); and seven each in Thailand and Singapore. Also represented were Taiwan (four), South Korea (three), India (two) and Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines (with one each).

Here, the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants:
- Odette, Singapore
- The Chairman, Hong Kong
- Den, Tokyo
- Belon, Hong Kong
- Burnt Ends, Singapore
- Suhring, Bangkok
- Florilege, Tokyo
- Le Du, Bangkok
- Narisawa, Tokyo
- La Cime, Osaka
- Les Amis, Singapore
- Vea, Hong Kong
- Indian Accent, New Delhi
- Mingles, Seoul
- Gaa, Bangkok
- Sorn, Bangkok
- Il Ristorante Luca Fantin, Tokyo
- Mume, Taipei
- Neighborhood, Hong Kong
- Fu He Hui, Shanghai
- Jaan by Kirk Westaway, Singapore
- Wing Lei Palace, Macau
- Sichuan Moon, Macau
- Nihonryori Ryugin, Tokyo
- Seventh Son, Hong Kong
- JL Studio, Taichung
- Toctoc, Seou
- Zen, Singapore
- Sazenka, Tokyo
- Ministry of Crab, Colombo
- Amber, Hong Kong
- 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong
- Lung King Heen, Hong Kong
- Hansikganggan, Seoul
- Ode, Tokyo
- Raw, Taipei
- Locavore, Bali
- Paste, Bangkok
- Bo.lan, Bangkok
- La Maison de la Nature Goh, Fukuoka
- Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai
- Corner House, Singapore
- Shoun RyuGin, Taipei
- Toyo Eatery, Manila
- Bukhara, New Delhi
- Sushi Saito, Tokyo
- 80/20, Bangkok
- L’Effervescence, Tokyo
- Inua, Tokyo
- Nouri, Singapore
- Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020 [Official]