Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Debuts in Seoul, A Historic Moment for South Korea 

In an unprecedented move, the highly acclaimed Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards is preparing to make its debut in Seoul, South Korea. Scheduled for March 2024, this momentous event will prove to be a significant milestone in the history of this prestigious culinary celebration, as Seoul takes the centre stage as the host city for the regional program of the year.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, presented by S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, announced its first-ever venture to Seoul, South Korea on March 26, 2024. This ground-breaking edition showcases Seoul’s flourishing gastronomic scene, which has gained immense popularity over the years. Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant culture, with its historic landmarks, bustling markets, and the idyllic Han River.

In collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), a captivating event program will build up to the highly anticipated awards ceremony, where the coveted 2024 ranking of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants will be unveiled.

Seoul, the captivating host city for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 awards, is set to showcase a remarkable line-up of events that define this prestigious culinary celebration.

The program will feature the renowned #50BestTalks thought-leadership forum, delving into pressing topics shaping the hospitality industry. Additionally, the much-anticipated 50 Best Signature Sessions will offer exclusive dining experiences with collaborations between revered local talents and acclaimed 50 Best chefs.

Seoul’s culinary prowess will be on full display during the impressive Chefs’ Feast, while the ‘Meet the Chefs’ media roundtable will provide an intimate press event. The culmination of this culinary spectacle will be the awards ceremony itself, a momentous occasion celebrating the finest in gastronomy.

William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, expresses enthusiasm for Seoul’s rise as a culinary hotspot and eagerly anticipates gathering the esteemed Asian restaurant community in this vibrant city for an extraordinary celebration of gastronomic excellence. Notably, the previous awards ceremony in Singapore saw Le Du in Bangkok crowned as the Best Restaurant in Asia for the first time, further adding to the excitement surrounding future editions of this remarkable event.

In its unwavering commitment to promoting exceptional establishments worldwide, 50 Best recognizes the significance of its global platform in spotlighting remarkable restaurants, bars, and hotels. Through initiatives like the 50 Best Discovery platform, diverse voices and positive messages will be amplified, fostering progressive discussions and cross-border collaborations. In 2024 and beyond, this renowned organization will continue to encourage gastronomic exploration and discovery, utilizing its influential position to share remarkable stories and experiences. The valued partnership with professional services consultancy Deloitte ensures the utmost integrity and authenticity in the voting process, safeguarding the prestige of the coveted list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024. With a continued dedication to supporting the hospitality sector, 50 Best remains a catalyst for discerning diners, inspiring them to seek out memorable gastronomic adventures, both close to home and in far-flung destinations.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants takes in six voting regions: India & Subcontinent; South-East Asia – South; South-East Asia – North; Hong Kong, Taiwan & Macau; mainland China & Korea; Japan. These regions cover the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

In March 2021, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants presented Essence of Asia, a collection of venues that reflect the region’s diversity and that have had a positive impact on their local culture, communities and cuisines, whether during the coronavirus crisis or over a sustained period. It celebrated the broad range of restaurants that embody the spirit of the continent, from hawker stalls to innovative contemporary projects, guardians of culinary heritage to sustainability pioneers.

The eleventh edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants was announced on Tuesday, 28th March 2023 and was celebrated with a series of live events held in Singapore.

(Awarded the “Best food writer in the country” by the Indian culinary forum, WACS and the ministry of Tourism, Rupali Dean writes on food and travel.)