Odette wins No.1 spot on 2020 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list

SINGAPORE: Julien Royer, Chef-Owner Odette shared a message of hope and togetherness in these trying times, “The situation is very unpredictable and scary for all of us, but I would like to send a message of hope and togetherness.

It’s important that we realize we’re all in the same boat: no matter the restaurant, the cuisine or where we are, it’s affecting us all. In Singapore, we are lucky to still be able to operate the restaurant for now.

I see from my colleagues in Europe, the US and many places in the world, where they can’t keep their restaurants open, that they are fighting to find solutions, to keep going and not close their doors. It’s a difficult situation, but we must realize that we have to put all our efforts together to ultimately carry on doing what we love and doing our job. It will happen only if we’re all together.”

Do you feel that the restaurant scene in Singapore is preparing for recovery once the time is right?

JR: “It’s going to take some time, but I like to think about recovery and better things for tomorrow. All of us, restaurateurs and chefs, we are struggling in Singapore because the country has restricted tourist arrivals – for the benefit of everyone, of course. The reality is that the number of restaurants and the number of people living in Singapore is quite disproportionate, so it will be difficult. We hope to find solutions in the meantime, as we really want to start thinking about recovery and begin seeing restaurants busy again, people going out more and being less scared.”

Do you feel that it was important to announce these awards, albeit in a very different format, at this time?

JR: “I asked myself this question, but any kind of positivity and optimism is welcome at this time when people are surrounded by bad news and stress. Positivity and optimism – even if it’s only for a very short time – are important, no matter what climate we’re living in. Many of us in the industry took an hour today to watch [the countdown of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants], and in the end, we forgot about the stresses for that hour. It’s the beginning of something very positive.

THE 2020 LIST

Comprises one new entry, with Bukhara making a re-entry at No 45.  India’s other entries include Indian Accent, which soars 4 places to No.13 this year, making the Delhi restaurant the recipient of the ‘Best Restaurant in India’.  Indian origin Chef Garima’s Gaa dropped one spot to No.16 this year, while the popular Masque from Mumbai received the One to Watch Award. The Ministry of Crab in Colombo with a branch in Mumbai is The Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka yet again.

Beside Odette, Singapore Zen by Chef Björn Frantzén’s makes a theatrical unveiling on the list at No.28. Singapore favorites Jaan by Kirk Westaway at Number 21, Les Amis Gin ( also won Mare Art of Hospitality Award) at Number 11, Corner House at Number 42 and Burnt Ends Number 5 all rose in the rankings.

Den in Japan at Number 3 retains its title of The Best Restaurant in Japan third year in a row. Other Japanese restaurants in the topmost 10 comprise Tokyo’s Florilège at Number 7 and Narisawa at Number 9 as well as La Cime at Number 10. Osaka’s chef Yusuke Takada of La Cime is also 2020’s recipient of the peer-voted Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award. There are two new Tokyo debuts Ode at Number 35 and Inua at Number 49. American Express Icon Award, went to Chef Yoshihiro Murata of Kikunoi in Kyoto. Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona is Natsuko Shoji of Été.

From South Korean there are three winners Hansikgonggan at Number 34 making a debut, at the helm of which is Cho Hee-sook, Asia’s Best Female Chef 2020. Mingles at Number 14 is still The Best Restaurant in Korea for the fifth time, while TocToc growths 14 spots to Number 27.

Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Legle went to Chef André Chiang’s debuting restaurant Sichuan Moon at the Wynn Palace, Macau at Number 23 and is also the 2020 receiver of the Elsewhere in Macau, Wing Lei Palace soars 14 places to Number 42. The Best Restaurant in Taiwan, sponsored by The Dalmore is retained by Mume at Number and JL Studio enters the list at No.26. Taiwan is also denoted by Shoun RyuGin at Number 43and perennials Raw at Number 36.

Bali’s Locavore at Number 37 also wins The Best Restaurant in Indonesia. Toyo Eatery at Number 44, wins The Best Restaurant in the Philippines second consecutive year. Rising nine places to No.2, Hong Kong restaurant

The Chairman wins No 2 position and is also the winner of The Best Restaurant in China, sponsored by Cinco Jotas. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet is at Number 41. Belon returns at Number 4, Vea rises to Number 12, Neighborhood to Number 19, Seventh Son is at Number 25, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana at Number 32 and Lung King Heen by Four Seasons at Number 33.

Chef Richard Ekkebus’s Amber at Number 21 is the 2020 recipient of the Sustainable Restaurant Award, sponsored by Beronia.

Thailand has seven winners including Gaa, Charoen Krung’s favorite 80/20 making its debut at Number 47, Sorn, rises to Number 16 this year, making it the recipient of the ‘Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles’. Bol. Lan dropped to Number 39 and Paste takes the Number 38 spot and Le Du takes Number 8. The Best Restaurant in Thailand goes to Sühring at Number 4.