Inside Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025: Winners, Photo Highlights & Behind-the-Scenes in Seoul

Join food journalist Julia Lee at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards in Seoul. Discover this year’s winners, special award recipients, and exclusive photo highlights.

A Global Culinary Celebration in the Heart of Seoul

On a glamorous evening in Seoul, the global gastronomic community gathered to celebrate the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. As a Korean food journalist, I had the privilege of attending this landmark event in person, witnessing the excitement, recognition, and celebration that define Asia's premier dining awards.

Organized by The World's 50 Best Restaurants, this year’s edition marked an important milestone—not just for the city of Seoul, but for the continent’s ever-evolving fine dining landscape.

🏆 This Year’s Top 10 Restaurants (2025)

The top restaurants of 2025 reflected both continuity and innovation. This year’s No.1 spot was awarded to Gaggan in Bangkok, a return to the top for the iconic chef known for his bold flavors and storytelling through food.

Here’s the official Top 10 list:

1. Gaggan – Bangkok, Thailand

2. The Chairman – Hong Kong

3. Wing – Hong Kong

4. Sézanne – Tokyo, Japan

5. Mingles – Seoul, South Korea

6. Nusara – Bangkok, Thailand

7. Odette – Singapore

8. La Cime – Osaka, Japan

9. Chef Tam’s Seasons – Macau

10. Onjium – Seoul, South Korea

    
    

It was an especially proud moment for Korea, with Mingles and Onjium ranking in the top 10. The presence of Korean restaurants on this prestigious list underscores the country's growing influence in the world of fine dining.

🌟 Special Awards That Made Headlines

In addition to the main rankings, several special awards were presented to recognize excellence in specific areas:

• Asia’s Best Female Chef 2025: Chudaree "Tam" Debhakam (Thailand)

• Asia’s Best Pastry Chef: Dej Kewkacha (Thailand)

• Asia’s Best Sommelier: Kazutaka Ozawa (Japan)

• Sustainable Restaurant Award: Locavore NXT (Bali, Indonesia)

• Art of Hospitality Award: Toyo Eatery (Manila, Philippines)

• Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award: Vicky Cheng (Hong Kong)

• Woodford Reserve Icon Award: Margarita Forés (Philippines)

• Highest New Entry: Eatanic Garden (Seoul, Korea)

• Highest Climber: Chef Tam’s Seasons (Macau)

These awards highlighted the diversity and excellence across the region, from sustainability efforts to individual creativity and leadership.

📸 A Visual Diary: Photo Highlights from Seoul

✨ Observations & Moments That Mattered

The energy at the ceremony was electric. Seoul, hosting for the second time, shined not only as a city but as a culinary destination. The gathering felt like a reunion of sorts—chefs, media, and restaurateurs from across the continent catching up, laughing, exchanging thoughts on flavor, culture, and what’s next.

I personally had memorable conversations with many chefs and industry peers, and it was clear: Asia is no longer following culinary trends. It’s setting them.

As a food journalist, being present at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards was more than just covering a list. It was about witnessing culinary history, seeing cultural boundaries dissolve through taste, and celebrating the vibrant, bold, and deeply human world of food.

Korea’s place on the world stage is clearer than ever, and I can’t wait to see how the chefs and restaurants honored this year continue to lead, inspire, and surprise us. Until next time—cheers to flavor, to art, and to the people who make it unforgettable.