Asia’s thriving culinary landscape took center stage this week as Gaggan in Bangkok was officially named The Best Restaurant in Asia at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards ceremony, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. Held live in Seoul, the prestigious event celebrated gastronomic excellence across 16 cities, showcasing both returning icons and breakthrough entries in a region increasingly drawing gourmet travelers, food critics, and culinary tourists from across the globe.

The rankings were compiled by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a gender-balanced panel of over 350 culinary experts, chefs, restaurateurs, and food writers. Gaggan’s win marks a triumphant return to the top for its chef and founder Gaggan Anand, whose progressive Indian cuisine—infused with Japanese, French, and Thai influences—continues to inspire the region and attract high-end culinary tourism to Bangkok.

Bangkok and Tokyo Lead Asia’s Culinary Tourism Trail

With nine restaurants each, Bangkok and Tokyo topped the list of cities with the most entries, reaffirming their dominance as Asia’s gastronomic capitals. Hong Kong followed closely with seven award-winning restaurants, led by The Chairman at No.2 and Wing at No.3. These rankings are not only honors for individual establishments, but also endorsements of these cities as must-visit culinary destinations for international food tourists in 2025.

Chef Gaggan Anand, whose restaurant has previously clinched the top title four times, reinvented his concept in a new Bangkok location in late 2019. His restaurant reentered the list in 2023 and has since risen steadily—proving its staying power in Asia’s ever-competitive fine-dining scene.

Spotlight on New Culinary Destinations Across Asia

This year’s rankings brought fresh energy to the list with seven new entries, reflecting an evolving dining landscape beyond the traditional powerhouses. Notably:

• Seasons in Macau climbed 40 spots to reach No.9 and win the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Lee Kum Kee.
• Eatanic Garden in Seoul entered at No.25, claiming the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Lavazza.
• Locavore NXT in Ubud, Bali, ranked No.92, received the Sustainable Restaurant Award, sponsored by Hibiki.

These recognitions signal a broader trend of culinary travel expansion across Asia, with destinations like Macau, Seoul, and Bali emerging as gastronomic hotspots poised to attract travelers seeking immersive food experiences tied to sustainability, innovation, and local culture.

Prestigious Individual Awards Celebrate Regional Talent

Beyond the restaurant rankings, several individual awards underscored the incredible depth of talent across the continent:

• Dej Kewkacha, pastry visionary at Gaggan at Louis Vuitton in Bangkok, was named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Valrhona.
• Vicky Cheng of Wing in Hong Kong received the Chefs’ Choice Award, voted by his peers and presented by Inedit Damm.
• Kazutaka Ozawa of Crony in Tokyo earned the Asia’s Best Sommelier Award, recognizing exceptional wine and beverage curation.
• The late Margarita Forés was posthumously honored with the Woodford Reserve Icon Award, celebrating her enduring impact on Asian cuisine.

These accolades reinforce the region’s vibrant and globally influential culinary culture, while also drawing attention to the diverse roles that pastry, beverage service, and mentorship play in shaping world-class dining.

Seoul Shines as Host City for Asia’s Culinary Celebration

Hosting the 2025 edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Seoul reinforced its growing reputation as a culinary capital in its own right. With rising stars like Eatanic Garden and a dynamic food scene that blends Korean tradition with modern aesthetics, Seoul’s selection as host reflects the city’s increasing relevance to Asia-bound gourmet travelers.

The ceremony attracted international media, hospitality leaders, and culinary tourists, many of whom used the occasion to explore the Seoul food scene, from fine-dining innovations to bustling street food alleys in Myeongdong and Gwangjang Market.

William Drew, Director of Content at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, noted:
“This year’s ranking presents a remarkable tapestry of dining establishments across 16 cities, with new entries showcasing the exceptional talent and innovative spirit that define Asia’s culinary landscape. Heartfelt congratulations to all the featured restaurants—particularly Chef Gaggan Anand and his team.”

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: Fueling Culinary Travel Across the Region

With cities like Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Macau, and Ubud commanding spots on this prestigious list, culinary tourism continues to be a powerful driver of regional travel. For travelers in search of destination dining, the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list offers a curated roadmap to the continent’s most extraordinary gastronomic experiences.