Gaggan voted best restaurant in Asia

Gaggan in Bangkok has won the coveted title of "Asias' 50 Best Restaurant" 2025. The prestigious ceremony was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government for the second year running.This ranking is compiled from the votes of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Academy: an influential, gender-balanced group of more than 350 leading figures made up of food critics, chefs, restaurateurs and regional culinary experts, showcasing remarkable dining establishments from 16 cities across the region that celebrate exceptional talent and innovation.

Gaggan's eponymous restaurant in Bangkok moves up two places. After several iterations of his Bangkok restaurant, which has been named Asia's Best Restaurant four times, acclaimed chef Gaggan Anand unveiled a revamped version of his culinary concept at a new location in late 2019. In 2023, the restaurant returned to the prestigious list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants and has steadily climbed to the top, confirming Anand's reputation for creative excellence and boundary-pushing gastronomy. Gaggan Anand's signature 20-course menu is a blend of progressive Indian cuisine with influences from Japan, France and Thailand and a masterful interplay of flavour, texture and technique. Presented with interactive elements, it unfolds like a culinary theatre performance complemented by natural and biodynamic wine pairings, pyrotechnics and an irreverent playlist. The intimate 14-seat counter overlooking the open kitchen puts guests at the centre of the creative process and makes sharing a meal an unforgettable experience.

With nine entries on the list, Bangkok and Tokyo top the rankings for 2025. Gaggan (No. 1), closely followed by Nusara (No. 6), which retains its position as chef Thitid 'Ton' Tassanakajohn pays homage to his heritage with a creative interpretation of old family recipes. Sühring is in 11th place, while Potong , with its progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine by chef Pichaya 'Pam' Soontornyanakij - winner of Asia's Best Female Chef Award 2024 - is in 13th place.

Cross-genre, innovative Thai restaurant Sorn is ranked 16th, and Le Du is 20th. New to the list is Gaggan at Louis Vuitton (31st), a collaboration between chef Gaggan Anand's creativity and luxury haute couture that further cements his position in the region's culinary landscape. Baan Tepa secured 44th place, with chef Chudaree 'Tam' Debhakam receiving the title of Asia's Best Female Chef 2025, sponsored by Nongshim Shinramyun, highlighting her advocacy of Thai produce and peasant-influenced cuisine. Finally, the educational restaurant Samrub Samrub Thai rounds off the list in 47th place.

The Japanese capital is also represented by nine entries this year, with Sézanne coming in at number 4 - previously number 1 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2024, celebrated for its neo-French cuisine that beautifully combines modern classics with exceptional Japanese ingredients. Narisawa comes in at number 12, followed by Florilège (number 17) and Den at number 22, with Crony debuting at number 30. Owner and sommelier Kazutaka Ozawa was awarded the Asia's Best Sommelier Award for his ability to create exceptional wine pairings that complement the flavours, aromas and stories behind each dish. Re-entry Sushi Saito (No. 33) offers an exclusive experience where living legend and chef Takashi Saito treats diners to his masterful sushi.

Sazenka takes 34th place, while newcomers Maz (No. 43) and Myoujyaku (No. 45) also enjoy their place on the list. Maz, opened by Virgilio Martínez, brings South American cuisine to Tokyo and offers nine courses inspired by the different ecosystems of Peru, with local Japanese ingredients taking centre stage. At Myoujyaku , chef Hidetoshi Nakamura creates a serene atmosphere with a focus on French-inspired cuisine and exceptional integrity of ingredients, with dishes such as lightly cooked vegetables flavoured only with water from three different sources and a pinch of salt. Osaka and Fukuoka are also represented on the list with one restaurant each: La Cime (No. 8) from Osaka and Goh (No. 36) from Fukuoka.

Hong Kong is represented by seven restaurants this year, led by The Chairman in second place, which redefines modern Cantonese cuisine with its ingredient-based approach. Located in The Wellington, the renowned restaurant presents creative dishes that honour forgotten luxury ingredients from Southern China in a beautifully designed space with custom artwork and greenery. Following in third place is Wing, whose owner Vicky Cheng was also honoured with the coveted Inedit Damm Chefs' Choice Award. Caprice makes a notable jump of 14 places to No.18, Neighborhood ranks at No.21, while Mono comes in at No.24.Newcomer Estro debuts at number 32, where Naples-born chef Antimo Maria Merone breathes new life into classic Neapolitan cuisine, creating dishes that tell a personal story through every ingredient. The restaurant also has a versatile wine cellar specialising in Italian wines. At number 41, Ando completes Hong Kong's representation on the list.

Singapore is represented by seven entries on this year's list, including Odette (7th place). Known for its timeless French cuisine, chef Julien Royer's restaurant has been consistently in the top 10 since 2017. It is closely followed by Les Amis (28th place) and Labyrinth (37th place), where chef LG Han modernises classic dishes from Singapore. Burnt Ends (38th place) presents chef Dave Pynt's modern barbecue, while Meta is in 39th place and combines Japanese products with French techniques and Korean flavours. Chef Kevin Wong's Seroja (No. 40) pays homage to the cuisine of the Malay archipelago, and Euphoria (No. 48) completes the line-up, known for its "gastro-botanica" style that puts high-quality vegetables centre stage.

Seoul, the host city, is represented by four entries. Mingles (No. 5), known for its seasonal Korean cuisine that creatively blends influences from Hong Kong and Europe, is the best restaurant in South Korea, sponsored by Korean Air. Chef Mingoo Kang, a protégé of Martin Berasategui, focuses on unique local ingredients in a minimalist, earth-coloured space. Onjium climbs 11 ranks to 10th place, while 7th Door is in 23rd place. Newcomer Eatanic Garden (25th place) makes an impressive debut and receives the Lavazza-sponsored award for best new entry. The restaurant's name, which is pronounced similarly to "botanic garden" in Korean, plays with homophony to emphasise the creation of an urban oasis in the Seoul skyline. Chef Jongwon Son presents a natural dining experience with an illustrated guide to key ingredients, featuring inventive dishes such as Hanwoo beef served three ways, as well as fermented cauliflower and winter vegetables in the form of pristine snowflakes.

With four entries this year, Shanghai is represented by Meet the Bund , which rises 36 places to 14th and is recognised as the best restaurant in mainland China. Fu He Hui follows in 15th place, and Ling Long rises nine places to 27th, while at 29th place, 102 House wows with chef Xu Jingye's imaginative dishes that combine Cantonese banqueting traditions with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Macau's Chef Tam's Seasons rises 40 places to 9th place and receives the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee. Located at Wynn Palace, Chef Tam's Seasons offers refined Cantonese cuisine featuring the finest seasonal produce in an opulent setting, including stunning views of the resort's Performance Lake.

Mumbai and New Delhi are represented by Masque (No. 19) and Indian Accent (No. 46) respectively. In Taipei, Logy comes in at No. 26, while JL Studio in Taichung is at No. 35. In 42nd place, Toyo Eatery in Manila is honoured with the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award. Run by chef Jordy Navarra and his wife May, the restaurant proudly celebrates Filipino heritage and food culture while offering a hospitality experience akin to dining in the couple's home. At 49th place, August is the only Indonesian entry, while Beijing is newly represented this year by Lamdre (50th place), the winner of the American Express One To Watch Award 2024. Lamdre is known for transforming plant-based cuisine through a serene, nature-inspired dining experience that blends Chinese heritage with minimalist aesthetics in the heart of Sanlitun.

A list of award winners was also announced at the live awards ceremony. The coveted title of "Asia's Best Patissier", sponsored by Valrhona, goes to Dej Kewkacha from Gaggan at Louis Vuitton (No.31) in Bangkok. Kewkacha is known for his masterful modern variations on classic desserts, combining traditional textures with unexpected flavours. Locavore NXT from Ubud was awarded the Sustainable Restaurant Award sponsored by Hibiki and is new on the extended list 51-100 at number 92. Run by chefs Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah, the restaurant is celebrated for its commitment to hyper-local, seasonal and sustainable cuisine that seamlessly blends research and experimentation with food. The late Margarita Forés, winner of the 2016 Asia's Best Female Chef Award, is posthumously honoured with the Woodford Reserve Icon Award for her transformative influence in the culinary world and her legacy in improving Filipino cuisine and hospitality.

William Drew, Director of Content at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, says: "This year's ranking showcases a remarkable diversity of dining establishments across 16 cities, with seven new entries that demonstrate the exceptional talent and innovative spirit that make up Asia's culinary landscape. Congratulations to all the featured restaurants, especially to Chef Gaggan Anand and his team at Gaggan, who have once again impressively secured the title of 'Best Restaurant in Asia'. With their commitment to culinary excellence and cross-border gastronomy, they have firmly established themselves as one of the top addresses in the region.

Places 51 to 100: New restaurants, new places

The extended list of places 51 to 100, which includes 13 new additions, was published earlier. Two of them are from Hong Kong. These are Testina in 60th place, a northern Italian trattoria and the Hong Kong offshoot of Milan's Trippa Milano. It is followed by Feuille in 93rd place, which serves fine French cuisine inspired by nature. The host city of Seoul has a new entry in the ranking: Soigné is the highest newcomer in the city at 57th place. Run by chef Jun Lee, Soigné used to be a dining pop-up and is now a restaurant serving global cuisine with Korean roots.

The other new additions all come from different cities, including several places making their first appearance on the 50 Best Restaurants 2025 ranking. Ru Yuan, in 59th place, is the only representative of Hangzhou on the list. Located in the city's Botanical Garden, it offers a new interpretation of Zhejiang cuisine that combines tradition and innovation in a tranquil, natural setting. Mainland China is also represented with La Bourriche 133 in Shanghai, a restaurant specialising in seafood with influences from French, Basque and Italian cuisine, which makes its debut at number 96.

Naar , ranked 66th, is an experimental 20-seat restaurant in the foothills of the Himalayas that makes Kasauli's top 50 restaurant list for the first time. Headed by chef Prateek Sadhu, Naar's cuisine pays homage to the food culture of the Himalayas. Also in India, Farmlore in Bengaluru appears on the list for the first time (68th place) and receives the One To Watch Award for its peasant cuisine, which is prepared on a real farm. Inja in New Delhi comes in at number 87 with its own Indian-Japanese cuisine.
Vientiane makes its debut as a culinary destination with newcomer Doi Ka Noi at number 86. Headed by chef Ponpailin 'Noi' Kaewduangdy, the restaurant offers a rotating menu of regional Lao cuisine inspired by the chef's childhood in a rural, off-grid farming community. At number 92 on the list is Locavore NXT in Ubud. Located in the middle of rice fields, the restaurant celebrates Balinese produce with a focus on hyperlocality, seasonality and sustainability. In 97th place is Gia in Hanoi, which only offers its innovative Vietnamese cuisine as a tasting menu. Rounding off the list in 100th place is newcomer Au Jardin in Penang, which is housed in a historic warehouse in Georgetown and combines Malaysian influences with European cuisine.