Bangkok’s Le Du Crowned Best Restaurant in Asia

The rise of Thai cuisine: Le Du leads the charge in Asia’s culinary scene

Rankings are subjective, but the 50 Best organisation’s latest list of premier establishments in Asia is sure to raise some eyebrows. With over 300 gourmands weighing in on the matter, the list features some old favourites alongside 15 new entrants.

Le Du: Bangkok’s newest star

Topping the list is Le Du, a modern Thai restaurant in Bangkok. With dishes such as marinated squid with fermented tofu and raspberry rice crackers and grilled river prawns with deep-fried egg and black organic rice, prepared by chef Thitid Tassanakajohn, it’s no wonder the restaurant has captured the hearts and taste buds of the judges. Le Du climbed up the ranks from number 4 last year to secure the top spot for 2021.

Bangkok Dominates The List

 

Bangkok dominated the list, with nine restaurants featured, including Nusara at number 3, Gaggan Anand at number 5, and two restaurants from Tassanakajohn himself. Speaking at a press conference, the chef acknowledged that some people may question having two restaurants on the list, but he stated that it was his way of showcasing Thai cuisine to the world.

Making a Mark

Sezanne

Tokyo also had a strong showing, with two restaurants in the top five: Sézanne at number 2 and Den at number 4. Den had held the top spot in 2020 but was displaced by Le Du this year.

A return to normalcy

William Drew, the director of content at 50 Best, noted that the 2021 list is almost a return to normal after pandemic-induced changes to the rankings in recent years. This year’s voting system, however, was slightly different compared to previous years. Judges were asked to rank six restaurants in their home country and two from the rest of Asia, instead of the previous format of ranking 10 spots in total with a minimum of four outside one’s own country.

Newcomers to the list

Additionally, the pandemic’s impact on the restaurant industry, 15 new restaurants made their way onto the list. Among them were Singapore’s Euphoria at number 25 and Chennai’s Avartana at number 30. It’s clear that even in the face of adversity, culinary creativity and excellence continue to thrive in Asia.

Here are the 50 best restaurants in Asia, according to 50 Best:

  1. Le Du, Bangkok
  2. Sézanne, 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
  31. Ensue, Shenzhen
  32. Cenci, Kyoto
  33. Ms.Maria and 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, Macau
  40. Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
  41. Mono, Hong Kong
  42. Toyo Eatery, Manila
  43. Sichuan Moon, Macau
  44. L’Effervesence, Tokyo
  45. Mume, Taipei
  46. Baan tepa, Bangkok
  47. Born & Bred, Seoul
  48. Metiz, Makati
  49. Caprice, Hong Kong
  50. Refer, Beijing

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