Knocking Bangkok’s Gaggan off the top perch after four consecutive year’s as Asia’s best restaurant, Odette was previously named Asia’s highest new entry in 2017 and made its first appearance on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants listing at no. 28 last year.
Named after Chef Royer’s grandmother, Odette serves Asian-inspired French cuisine and holds two Michelin stars.
The 2019 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants was announced this week at an awards ceremony at Wynn Palace, Macao. The year’s edition includes 10 new restaurants, among them a first-time entry from Malaysia, and serves as evidence of the huge diversity of top restaurants in the region.
“Now in its seventh year, the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list continues to evolve, inspire and showcase emerging talent,” says William Drew, group editor of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. “The 2019 list welcomes 10 new restaurants, including a first-time entry from Malaysia, and celebrates the ongoing culinary innovation in the region.”
In a restaurant listing led by Japan with 12 entries, Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa from Den (3rd on the list) in Tokyo was named the Chef’s Chef while Fabrizio Fiorani from Il Ristorante Luca Fanno, also in Tokyo, was named Asia’s best pastry chef.
There were double honours for Garima Arora of Gaa in Bangkok – she was named Asia’s Best Female Chef as her restaurant debuted on the list at no. 16.
Seiji Yamamoto was the recipient of the inaugural American Express Icon Award. The one to watch award went to JL Studio in Taichung and the Highest Climber Award went to Belon, Hong Kong, rising 25 places to 15th place.
Tina Nielsen
