Remote Lands loves cuisine, designing trips for the adventurous foodie from Japan to Thailand, and the ninth edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list has put a new spin on the can’t-miss picks in Asia. Remote Lands has access to unique experiences and contacts throughout Asia to make every journey an epicurean’s journey.
Hong Kong
This was the biggest win of the awards: The Chairman, claiming the Number 1 spot and earning the coveted titles of The Best Restaurant in Asia and The Best Restaurant in China.
Launched in 2009, The Chairman is renowned for its ingredient-driven Cantonese cuisine and single-minded commitment to authentic flavors. A regular entry on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list since the inaugural list in 2013, The Chairman first appeared on The World’s 50 Best Restaurant list in 2019, landing at No.41.
Hong Kong was also represented by Mono, Caprice, Ta Vie, and Vea, this year’s recipient of the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award. All-in-all Hong Kong claimed the most spots with 11 restaurants on the list, followed by Japan with nine and Singapore with eight.
If you consider yourself a foodie, Remote Lands features a two-day Hong Kong foodie tour that is a must-try extension to any Asia journey. In addition to fine dining, travelers will scour the streets for the best eats, savor a freshly-baked hot tart from a side alley bakery and handmade noodles stretched and cooked before their eyes, and try traditional Chinese pudding from a shop that’s been in business for 6
Japan
Retaining its No.3 place on the top 50 list, Den won the title of The Best Restaurant in Japan for a fourth successive year while Florilège and Narisawa both maintain their respective places within the top 10, at No.7 and No.9. Climbing an impressive 29 places to No.19, Tokyo’s L’Effervescence is the winner of this year’s Beronia Highest Climber Award. Japan’s other returning favourites include La Cime, Sazenka, Ode, La Maison de la Nature Goh, and Nihonryori RyuGin.
For a “Tokyo Getaway” style extension to any trip through the Land of the Rising Sun, Remote Lands recommends the bays and gorges of Miyagi. Along with the beautiful scenery and mountain soaks, Miyagi has an abundance of fresh seafood. It is particularly famed for its incredible giant oysters which you will enjoy straight from the ocean, paired with a glass of local sake. Heading in the other direction for something else you won’t find in the big city eateries is traditional Kyushu specialties. Sample authentic and delicious Kyushu specialties — such as tonkotsu ramen noodles bathing in flavor-packed pork bone broth — on a five-day ultra-luxe journey as you explore the great outdoors of Kyushu’s active volcanoes, natural hot springs, beaches and traditional Japanese gardens offer a multitude of opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Singapore
After holding the No.1 spot for two consecutive years, Odette moved to No.2 overall while retaining the title of The Best Restaurant in Singapore. Singapore counted three newcomers to the list: Cloudstreet, Euphoria, and Chef LG Han’s Labyrinth made its debut at No.40 and wins the Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award, selected by 50 Best’s sustainability audit partner Food Made Good Global for its sustainable sourcing policies and work to support the community during the recent pandemic.
No foodie trip to Asia is complete without a stop in Singapore, a food destination in its own right. On a Remote Lands journey, the ultimate foodie tour through Singapore, travelers will spend five days with insider access to the Lion City’s finests eateries and treasured culinary treats. Nothing says more about Singaporean food than the hawker markets of downtown, and travelers on this journey will follow the crowds to a hawker center for fried kway teow and chili crab. Also, travelers will try authentic Peranakan fare in Joo Chiat, stroll Kampong Glam for a taste of Malaysian nasi lemak, and explore the vibrant Tekka Market of Little India. But, a traveler favorite is the World’s Cheapest Michelin-Star Meal: Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle has the honor of serving the cheapest Michelin-star meal in the world, with its chicken dish clocking in at just $1.42.
Thailand
After closing his award-winning restaurant Gaggan in 2019, popular chef Gaggan Anand made a dramatic return to the list. His namesake Bangkok restaurant, Gaggan Anand, entered at No.5, securing the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles. Among Thailand’s six entries this year, chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn’s Le Du was named The Best Restaurant in Thailand for the first time, edging out last year’s title holder Sühring, while his latest venture, Nusara. Sorn and Gaa round out the Thailand entries.
A Remote Lands favorite — especially for our Bangkok staff who didn’t have to wait in line during Covid — Bangkok chef Supinya ‘Jay Fai’ Junsuta is this year’s deserving recipient of the Icon Award.
For something a little off-menu, try Remote Lands’ Lanna cuisine journey, where travelers will unearth a deeper layer of Lanna cuisine with a visit to a hill tribe community, whose members will show you how they forage ingredients from the natural environment, then cook them in bamboo.
Taiwan
Perennial favourite Mume rises three places to to hold the title of The Best Restaurant in Taiwan for a third year. Raw rose 15 places to No.21, closely followed by Logy, Florilège’s sister restaurant in Taipei, making a first-time entry at No.24. Taipei is also home to Asia’s Best Pastry Chef. As pâtissier at Taïrroir, Singapore-born chef Angela Lai is a worthy recipient of the title, having delighted diners with her delicate creations for the last five years.
To really get into Taiwan cuisine, try Remote Lands Taste of Taiwan: The Ultimate Foodie Adventure. On this weeklong trip, travelers will drink and dine at Bib Gourmand street food stalls, five-star restaurants, Taipei’s best watering holes, and the award-winning Kavalan Whisky Distillery. Hands-on foodie activities with experts include a market tour with a local chef, soup dumpling workshop at a five-star restaurant and coffee roasting sessions with coffee farmers. Taiwan’s food scene is nothing if not diverse; from high-end fine dining to night market snacking, and quintessential Taiwanese favorites (bubble tea, xiao long bao) to indigenous recipes passed down through generations by the island’s aboriginal tribes.