The Chairman Tops Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021

The Chairman was named No.1 at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 on 25 March 2021, taking the titles of The Best Restaurant in Asia and The Best Restaurant in China. It was the first time a Hong Kong restaurant had led the ranking.

The restaurant, owned by Danny Yip and located on Kau U Fong in Central, was also the first Chinese-cuisine kitchen to take the top position since the list began in 2013. Its cooking is Cantonese, described by the restaurant as modern classic, under chef de cuisine Kwok Keung Tung.

The results were announced by live stream from London, with staff and supporters gathered in the restaurant’s downstairs dining room to watch on a big screen. Speaking about his expectations before the announcement, Yip said: “People haven’t been travelling to Hong Kong, so there’s no hope.”

Hong Kong led the 2021 edition with 11 restaurants, ahead of Japan with nine and Singapore with eight. Among them, Vea, placed 16th, received the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award, while Mono made its debut and Caprice and Ta Vie returned to the list.

Elsewhere in the ranking, Singapore’s Odette moved up to No.2, Den in Tokyo held third place and was named The Best Restaurant in Japan for a fourth consecutive year, and Gaggan Anand entered at No.5 with the Highest New Entry Award. The list included 11 new entries in total, and Wing Lei Palace represented Macau at No.50.