The Best Restaurant in Asia for 2023 Unveiled

Bangkok has long been a global hotspot for street food, but its fine dining scene is now equally captivating.

A restaurant in Bangkok took home the top honor at the 2023 'Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants' awards, which were announced during a ceremony in Singapore on Tuesday evening.

Le Du, led by Thai chef Thitid 'Ton' Tassanakajohn, clinched the top spot this year. The modern Thai-inspired restaurant features a seasonal four- or six-course tasting menu. After ranking fourth in 2022, it jumped three spots to claim the 2023 title.

It was a remarkable evening for chef Thitid, whose Le Du earned the top honor, while his other restaurant, Nusara, which serves 'colorful cuisine' that blends tradition and modernity, secured the third spot on the list.

‘I am truly humbled to be standing alongside the finest chefs in Asia in this room; this is beyond a dream come true,’ said Thitid from the stage as he accepted his award.

‘The 50 Best holds a special place in my heart, not just because of the ranking, but because of everyone here. That’s what matters most. I’m incredibly fortunate to be part of this family, surrounded by all my fellow chefs, my brothers, and sisters,’ he added.

Sezanne, a Tokyo restaurant renowned for its French cuisine with regional influences, claimed second place on the 2023 list. The previous year’s winner, Tokyo’s Den, slipped to fourth this year.

In the top five, Gaggan Anand, a renowned Bangkok-based restaurant led by the legendary Kolkata-born chef, secured the fifth spot.

A rare moment for street food

The list, an extension of the global 'World’s 50 Best' brand, is curated by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a group of over 300 food writers, critics, chefs, and restaurateurs who were selected for their expertise in Asia’s dining landscape.

Despite the ongoing challenges from the pandemic affecting the global restaurant industry, the 90-minute awards ceremony at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore provided an opportunity for attendees to come together and celebrate the achievements of their peers.

Special awards at the ceremony included the 'One to Watch' trophy, given to Jakarta's August restaurant, which opened in 2021. The 'Asia’s Best Female Chef' award was presented to Johanne Siy, the Philippines-born head chef of Singapore’s Lolla.

The Sustainable Restaurant Award went to Toyo Eatery in Manila, while Louisa Lim of Odette in Singapore was named Asia's Best Pastry Chef.

Bangkok and Singapore each had nine restaurants featured on the 2023 list, while Tokyo had seven eateries recognized.

While most winners were fine dining establishments, one street food gem broke through: Bangkok’s Michelin-starred Raan Jay Fai, led by 70-something chef Supinya 'Jay Fai' Junsuta.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023

1. Le Du (Bangkok)

2. Sezanne (Tokyo)

3. Nusara (Bangkok)

4. Den (Tokyo)

5. Gaggan Anand (Bangkok)

6. Odette (Singapore)

7. Florilege (Tokyo)

8. La Cime (Osaka)

9. Sorn (Bangkok)

10. Narisawa (Tokyo)

11. Labyrinth (Singapore)

12. Sazenka (Tokyo)

13. The Chairman (Hong Kong)

14. Villa Aida (Wakayama, Japan)

15. Mosu (Seoul)

16. Masque (Mumbai)

17. Meta (Singapore)

18. Fu He Hui (Shanghai)

19. Indian Accent (New Delhi)

20. Ode (Tokyo)

21. Zen (Singapore)

22. Suhring (Bangkok)

23. Onjium (Seoul)

24. Burnt Ends (Singapore)

25. Euphoria (Singapore)

26. Cloudstreet (Singapore)

27. Les Amis (Singapore)

28. Mingles (Seoul)

29. Neighborhood (Hong Kong)

30. Avartana (Chennai, India)

31. Ensue (Shenzhen, China)

32. Cenci (Kyoto, Japan)

33. Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh (Bangkok)

34. Da Vittorio (Shanghai)

35. Potong (Bangkok)

36. Born (Singapore)

37. Wing (Hong Kong)

38. Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok)

39. Wing Lei Palace (Macao)

40. Anan Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

41. Mono (Hong Kong)

42. Toyo Eatery (Manila)

43. Sichuan Moon (Macao)

44. L’Effervescence (Tokyo)

45. Mume (Taipei)

46. Baan Tepa (Bangkok)

47. Born & Bred (Seoul)

48. Metiz (Manila)

49. Caprice (Hong Kong)

50. Refer (Beijing)