What it’s like dining at the top restaurant in Asia

On Tuesday evening, Tokyo's Den earned top honors from the World’s 50 Best group, naming it the best restaurant in Asia.

Den isn't new to recognition. With two Michelin stars and a history of placing in the top 10 of the World’s Best list, it’s also where I had one of the most memorable meals of my life.

Visiting fine dining establishments can be a daunting experience, especially for a solo traveler. During my November 2019 trip to Tokyo, some high-end restaurants wouldn't even allow single diners to make reservations.

I put my name on Den’s waitlist and, just a week before my trip, I received a call confirming my reservation after a party of odd numbers at the neighboring table. It felt like being invited to an exclusive party or getting into my dream school.

While I was excited to get a reservation, I couldn't help but feel anxious – would the atmosphere be too formal and pretentious, filled with obscure ingredient names? Would it feel like ticking something off a bucket list, or would I truly savor the meal?

To my delight, it was the latter.

Den offers upscale cuisine with a playful and whimsical twist.

In the salad, thinly sliced carrots are shaped like smiley faces. Japanese-style fried chicken is served in a mock fast-food takeout box adorned with jokes and a quirky photo of the chef. One course even comes with each diner's national flag – that night, I spotted tiny American (hello), Chinese, Japanese, and Canadian flags, which made for memorable meal souvenirs.

But that’s just the beginning.

Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa isn’t the type to stay hidden in the kitchen, letting the food speak for itself. He’s engaging and humorous, often bringing along his long-haired chihuahua, Puchi, when he visits the dining room.

Tokyo stands as one of the world’s top culinary destinations. During my week-long trip – my very first time in Japan – nearly every bite I had was a delight, from convenience store onigiri to midnight ramen and even ultra-expensive sushi prepared right in front of me.

I can now proudly say that one of the most unforgettable dining experiences I’ve had has been named the best restaurant in all of Asia.

But I can also tell you that my evening at Den was an absolute blast.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2022

1. Den (Tokyo)

2. Sorn (Bangkok)

3. Florilege (Tokyo)

4. Le Du (Bangkok)

5. The Chairman (Hong Kong)

6. La Cime (Osaka)

7. Suhring (Bangkok)

8. Odette (Singapore)

9. Neighborhood (Hong Kong)

10. Nusara (Bangkok)

11. Sazenka (Tokyo)

12. Fu He Hui (Shanghai)

13. Ode (Tokyo)

14. Villa Aida (Wakayama, Japan)

15. Narisawa (Tokyo)

16. Mingles (Seoul)

17. Sezanne (Tokyo)

18. Joo Ok (Seoul)

19. Ensue (Shenzhen, China)

20. Meta (Singapore)

21. Masque (Mumbai)

22. Indian Accent (New Delhi)

23. Les Amis (Singapore)

24. Caprice (Hong Kong)

25. Blue by Alain Ducasse (Bangkok)

26. 7th Door (Seoul)

27. Mosu (Seoul)

28. Da Vittorio (Shanghai)

29. Sushi Masato (Bangkok)

30. Onjium (Seoul)

31. Samrub Samrub Thai (Bangkok)

32. Mono (Hong Kong)

33. Gaa (Bangkok)

34. Wing (Hong Kong)

35. Ministry of Crab (Colombo)

36. La Maison de la Nature Goh (Fukuoka, Japan)

37. Zen (Singapore)

38. Logy (Taipei)

39. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (Shanghai)

40. Labyrinth (Singapore)

41. Burnt Ends (Singapore)

42. Ete (Tokyo)

43. Cenci (Kyoto)

44. Cloudstreet (Singapore)

45. JL Studio (Taichung, Taiwan)

46. Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok)

47. Wing Lei Palace (Macao)

48. 8 1/2 Mezzo Bombano (Hong Kong)

49. Megu (New Delhi)

50. Dewakan (Kuala Lumpur)