Seven Asian Restaurants Honored to be Among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants of 2017
Amid much fanfare and anticipation the announcement of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants of 2017” was made on April 5, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. All the buzz was focused on the fact that a New York restaurant was named the world’s Best Restaurant, only the second time in the history of the list that a non-European restaurant has secured top spot. But, tucked inside all the excitement was the little-observed fact that seven Asian restaurants earned the coveted honors, reconfirming the emergence of Asia as an exciting culinary destination.
Asia’s Restaurants Moving up the List
The Best Restaurant in Asia honor was awarded to Bangkok's’ Gaggan which also secured 7th place overall. Restaurant Andre, in Singapore, moved up 18 spots from last year to earn a number 14 ranking on the 2017 list. Chef-Owner Andre Chang, who was born in Taiwan, said he was gratified to be recognized among the other 49 chefs around the world who are pushing the envelope of creativity in their venues. Chang also has a restaurant in Taiwan, known as Raw, which made it to the No. 24 spot this year. Rounding out the roster of Asian winners are Narisawa, located in Tokyo, Amber in Hong Kong, Nahm in Bangkok, Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Shanghai and Den, in Tokyo. Ultraviolet, which is a delight for the eyes as well as the palette, was the only restaurant in Mainland China to earn a coveted spot.
International Recognition is great for Asia’s Restaurant Business
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants are selected by a team of more than 1000 judges, who are chefs, food critics, restaurateurs, food writers, and lovers of gourmet cooking. Each judge has 10 votes and four votes must be for restaurants outside of the region where he or she lives. Landing on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants is not only good short-term publicity, it results in a huge boost to the restaurant’s bottom line as patrons line up outside the door, waiting to get in.