‘We are not just one city’: Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2025 revealed bungee exchange
A Bangkok restaurant has reclaimed the number one spot at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards.
Gaggan, named the best restaurant in Asia in 2025, is known for its boundary-pushing fine-dining experience that serves progressive Indian cuisine with influences from around the world.
It was the first time the eponymous restaurant by chef Gaggan Anand had snatched the top prize since he redefined his restaurant concept and moved to a new location in 2019 following wins in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. It ranked third on the list last year.
“When we started as a restaurant, it was not about me but it was about Asia. Everyone in this room is a winner. Today, I’m taking the podium, but that doesn’t mean that one of us from Asia will not take it next time,” said Anand as he accepted the award during the ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday evening. “When I was young, I never imagined that Asia could be a gastronomic hub. And today, look who we are. We are not just one city, one country. We are a family of so many people from Asia, representing our culture, our family and our cuisine.”
Two Chinese establishments in Hong Kong, The Chairman and Wing, took second and third spots, respectively. Both restaurants moved up two spots (from fourth and fifth) from last year’s awards. Vicky Cheng of Wing (no.3) also earned the peer-voted “Chefs’ Choice Award.”
Last year’s winner Sezanne — a neo-French restaurant residing within the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo by English chef Daniel Calvert — came fourth this year.
Mingles, which showcases contemporary Korean food with local ingredients and international techniques, rounded out the top five of this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards. It was the top-rated restaurant in Korea and won a huge round of cheers from the hometown crowd.