Following a successful 2024 edition, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is returning to Seoul, a city rapidly emerging as a global culinary hotspot. Several Korean establishments already feature prominently in various 50 Best rankings, highlighting the nation’s growing influence on the global dining scene. Visitors to Seoul can look forward to experiencing the city’s vibrant charm and sophisticated culture, from ancient palaces and serene temples to bustling markets and the scenic Han River, all set against a backdrop of rich and evolving culinary heritage.
The 2025 awards will feature an extensive events programme, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The programme will culminate in the much-anticipated awards ceremony on March 25, where the 2025 ranking of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants will be unveiled, including the highly coveted title of The Best Restaurant in Asia.
(pict: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2024)
William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “We’re excited to deepen our connection with South Korea as we bring Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 awards back to Seoul in March after a captivating event programme last year. The city’s culinary scene is nothing short of electrifying, with superb talent including visionary chefs, innovative restaurateurs and boundary pushing dining concepts that have impressed both Asia and the world. We look forward to gathering the restaurant community in this dynamic city to celebrate the very best in gastronomy”.
Yang Ju-pil, Director General of the Food Industry Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, states: “We are delighted to host the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants event for the second consecutive year. We hope this event will serve as a platform to showcase Korea’s diverse ingredients and talented chefs, further enhancing the growth of Korea’s restaurant industry.” Kim Young-hwan, Director General of the Tourism and Sports Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, states: “Building on the success of this year’s event, we look forward to hosting Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants again next year and showcasing Seoul’s unique cuisine all over the world. Seoul is more than ready to offer diverse experiences to visitors. By hosting this event again, we hope to promote Seoul as a global destination for gastronomy and attract many more tourists to enjoy the city’s flavourful charm.”
The programme in Seoul will feature a range of signature events that form the core of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants celebrations. Among these are the thought-provoking #50BestTalks – a forum addressing key issues in hospitality and society; the 50 Best Signature Sessions – a series of collaborative dining events open to the public where 50 Best chefs team up with celebrated local talent for exclusive one-off experiences; the Chefs’ Feast, showcasing Seoul’s finest culinary creations and local ingredients; along with a ‘Meet the Chefs’ media roundtable. The countdown and awards ceremony itself will cap off the exciting line-up of events.
Stefano Bolognese, San Pellegrino International Business Unit Director, says: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership as main sponsors of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, supporting the prestigious awards in Seoul this year. Engaging with the Asian culinary community through our iconic brands S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna allows us to celebrate the remarkable dedication, talent, and innovation that define the region’s culinary landscape. We are honoured to stand alongside the chefs and restaurants who constantly push boundaries, bringing unparalleled passion and creativity to every aspect of their work. For us, these shared experiences are the true essence of excellence.” The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 awards ceremony saw Sézanne in Tokyo named both The Best Restaurant in Asia 2024, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, as well as The Best Restaurant in Japan 2024.
Special Awards and the 51-100 list
Ahead of the live awards ceremony, a selection of pre-announced accolades are bestowed to celebrate noteworthy establishments across Asia. These awards undergo a meticulous selection process and are intended to highlight both emerging and established restaurants and individuals in the region.
These include:
● Asia’s Best Female Chef Award, as voted for by the 350-plus members of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, providing an opportunity to celebrate women in gastronomy who persist in pushing the limits of excellence through their skills, expertise, and artistry.
● Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award, as voted for by the 350-plus members of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, recognising excellence in restaurant service and dining experiences
● American Express One To Watch Award, recognising restaurants that demonstrate the gastronomic excellence, innovation and culinary potential to break into Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking in future years.
● The extended 51-100 list of establishments is also revealed in advance of the awards ceremony and is created from the overall voting process. It underscores 50 Best’s commitment to championing the diversity of talent behind Asia’s dining landscape and offers visitors a wider selection of establishments to discover.
The 50 Best Brand will continue to highlight even more restaurants, bars and hotels worldwide through the 50 Best Discovery platform and its 50 Best lists, special awards and content series. Over the past 20-plus years, 50 Best has established itself as a trusted guide to current and emerging trends in the industry while fostering diversity, innovation, and inspiration across the hospitality sector.
Organised by 50 Best’s parent company, William Reed, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is a snapshot of the opinions and experiences of more than 350 restaurant industry experts in Asia. 50 Best works with professional services consultancy Deloitte as its official independent adjudication partner to help protect the integrity and authenticity of the voting process.
