Essence of Asia: celebrate the local hero restaurants

To support the recovery of the hospitality sector, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants announces “Essence of Asia”, an unranked collection of restaurants that represents the spirit of Asian gastronomy.

Essence of Asia restaurants honor culinary traditions, reinvent indigenous cuisines, and revive centuries-old recipes, all while playing a key role within their communities.

On behalf of the 50 Best team, we are honored to unveil the Essence of Asia collection. 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, time-honored institutions, philanthropic businesses and pioneering newcomers.
William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

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 and trusted gourmets in the region.

Arranged by country, the Essence of Asia collection is unranked to celebrate the uniqueness of each restaurant.

Here is the complete list of the Essence of Asia collection, an easy reference when international travels resume and you are ready for some Asian gastronomic adventures.

BANGLADESH
Haji Biryani, Dhaka
Kasturi, Dhaka

CAMBODIA
Nesat Seafood House, Phnom Penh
Lum Orng Farm to Table, Siem Reap
The Sugar Palm, Siem Reap

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-LUM ORNG Farm to Table — Image credit: LUM ORNG Farm to Table on Facebook

MAINLAND CHINA
Li Qun Roast Duck, Beijing
Chen Mapo Tofu, Chengdu
102 House, Foshan
Longjing Manor, Hangzhou
Fuchun (Yuyuan Road), Shanghai

HONG KONG
Australia Dairy Company, Hong Kong
Dignity Kitchen, Hong Kong
Kau Kee, Hong Kong
Pei Ho Counterparts, Hong Kong
Roots, Hong Kong
Yin Yang Coastal, Hong Kong

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-Dignity Kitchen Hong Kong — *Image credit: Dignity Kitchen Hong Kong*

INDIA
Bengaluru Oota Company, Bangalore
Mum’s Kitchen, Goa
Ahdoo’s, Kashmir
Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Mumbai
Swati Snacks, Mumbai
Rustom’s, New Delhi

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-Bengaluru+Oota+Company+Clams — *Image credit: Bengaluru Oota Company*

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

travel-asia-now-sincere-blue — *Image credit: Sincere BLUE*

LAOS
Tamarind, Luang Prabang
Doi Ka Noi, Vientiane

MACAU
Henri’s Galley, Macau
IFTM Educational Restaurant, Macau
La Famiglia, Macau

MALAYSIA
Artisan Handmade Bread, Ipoh
Kedia Kopi Yee Fung, Kota Kinabalu
Bijan, Kuala Lumpur
Siam Road Char Koay Teow, Penang

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-bijan — *Image credit: Bijan Bar & Restaurant Fine Malay Cuisine*

MYANMAR
Rangoon Tea House, Yangon
Shan Kitchen, Yangon
Shwe Sa Bwe, Yangon

NEPAL
Newa Momo Nepal, Kathmandu
Tukche Thakali Kitchen, Kathmandu

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-Tukche-Thakali-Kitchen — *Image credit: Tukche Thakali Kitchen*

PAKISTAN
N’ecos, Karachi
Waris Nihari, Lahore

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-waris-nihari — *Image credit: Waris Nehari House. Moon market Iqbal town*

PHILIPPINES
Farmer’s Daughter, Baguio
Earth Kitchen, Manila
Hapag, Manila
Bale Dutung, Pampanga

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-earth-kitchen-Ravioli — *Earth Kitchen Ravioli (Image credit: Earth Kitchen)*

SINGAPORE
Botanico at The Garage, Singapore
Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap, Singapore
Keng Eng Kee, Singapore
Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata, Singapore
Naked Finn, Singapore
Restaurant Kin, Singapore

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap — *Image credit: Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap*

SOUTH KOREA
Nangpoonbopsang, Jeju
Base is Nice, Seoul
Geumdwaeji Sikdang, Seoul
Miro Sikdang, Seoul, Korea

SRI LANKA
Café Kumbuk, Colombo
Paradise Road: The Gallery Café, Colombo
Mettha’s Traditional Home Cooked Meals, Unawatuna

travel-asia-now-Paradise Road-The Gallery Café — *Image credit: Paradise Road Sri Lanka*

TAIWAN
Akame, Pingtung
Yu Li Cultural Bookstore and Community Kitchen, Taichung
Huang’s Lu Rou Fan, Taipei
Plants, Taipei

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-plants — *Image credit: Plants*

THAILAND
100 Mahaseth, Bangkok
Barefood Bangkok, Bangkok
Na Café at Bangkok 1899, Bangkok
Wattana Panich, Bangkok
Locus Native Food Lab, Chiang Rai
Samuay & Sons, Udon Thani

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-100 Mahaseth — *Image credit: 100 Mahaseth*

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

travel-asia-now-essence-of-asia-Ngọc Sương Sài Gòn — *Image credit: Ngọc Sương Sài Gòn*

This unranked selection complements the ninth edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, which will be revealed on Thursday, March 25, from 4:30pm (HK/SG; 5:30pm JPN), via Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Facebook, the 50 Best Restaurants TV YouTube channel, and Zoom.

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