Best fine dining destinations in Asia
Best fine dining destinations in Asia
Michelin-starred restaurants and modern fusion kitchens across Asia
East Asia holds more world-renowned fine dining recognition than any other region on earth and that single fact says a lot about the depth of the wider culinary scene. Several cities have built serious reputations of their own, often blending fine dining with the street food traditions the region is equally known for.
The destinations on this list range from tiny, highly specialised restaurants seating a handful of diners around a single counter to large, internationally recognised kitchens reinterpreting regional cuisine at the highest level.
Booking weeks or months ahead is standard for the region's most celebrated restaurants, many of which seat only a handful of tables per service. Annual passes and set menus can also offer better value than à la carte ordering.
Lists by region
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
Sukiyabashi Jiro in Ginza appears in the film Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Chefs in Tokyo serve edomae sushi, tempura and kaiseki to a few seats at a time. Tsukiji Outer Market sells knives and tamagoyaki. Reservations at the top counters are made weeks ahead. Ginza and Roppongi hold dense blocks of restaurants.
City in Japan
Kobe
Harbor city with hills, beef and hot springs
Teppanyaki chefs in Kobe grill marbled Kobe beef on a hot plate in front of guests. The beef has strict rules for the breed and region. Steakhouses in Sannomiya and Kitano serve lunch sets and tasting courses. Kobe's port heritage brought bakeries and European style cafes.
City in Japan
Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
Osaka locals use the word kuidaore, meaning to eat until you drop. Kappo restaurants seat guests at a counter facing the chef. Dotonbori is lined with takoyaki stalls and okonomiyaki grills. Kitashinchi has quiet lanes of small sushi and kaiseki rooms. Fried skewers called kushikatsu are another local specialty.
City in Japan
Kanazawa
Samurai streets, gold leaf and Kenrokuen garden
Kaga cuisine is the local style of Kanazawa. Chefs serve fresh Sea of Japan fish, vegetables from the Kaga plain and jibuni, a duck stew. Kaiseki rooms in the old Higashi Chaya district sit beside wooden teahouses. Gold leaf from the city lands on desserts and even drinks.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Kaiseki is the formal multi course meal of Kyoto, with small plates served in the order of the seasons. Restaurants in Gion and near Kamogawa River seat guests at low tables in wooden rooms. Tofu, yuba and pickles from the city show up often. Meals end with matcha.
State/Prefecture in Japan
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
Hokkaido's cold seas supply sea urchin, scallops and king crab to sushi counters across the island. Chefs in Hakodate and Otaru pair them with local rice. Farms around Furano and Biei supply cheese, melon and vegetables. Dairy desserts such as soft serve and cream puffs finish many menus.
Country
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
Odette serves French tasting menus inside the National Gallery. Candlenut won a Michelin star in 2016 for Peranakan cooking. Hawker stalls with Bib Gourmand awards sit a short ride away. Michelin has covered Singapore since 2016. Chili crab and kaya toast are local favorites at every price.
Island in Japan
Kyushu
Volcanoes, onsen and tonkotsu ramen
Ryokan inns in Beppu, Yufuin and Kurokawa serve multi course dinners in guest rooms. Guests soak in the hot springs first. Kagoshima's kurobuta black pork and Saga beef appear on tasting menus. Nagasaki adds its own mix of Chinese and Portuguese flavors. Shochu is poured alongside.
City in Japan
Fukuoka
Kyushu's biggest city, known for yatai and ramen
Fish from the Genkai Sea ends up at sushi counters across Fukuoka. Chefs slice it in front of guests and set each piece on the counter. Yatai, open air food stalls, line the Nakasu riverbank at night. Hakata mizutaki, a chicken hot pot with clear broth, is a local dinner.
City in Japan
Sapporo
Snow festival city with ramen and beer
Sushi counters in Sapporo serve fish landed on Hokkaido's coast. The Susukino district has rows of small restaurants open late. Genghis Khan, grilled lamb cooked over a dome, is a local dish. Sapporo is also known for soup curry and for beer from its own old brewery.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
Resort restaurants here sit over lagoons and on private sandbanks. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has an underwater dining room five meters below the surface. Chefs serve fresh tuna, lobster and reef fish. Dinners on the beach come with lanterns. Every island resort has its own menu.
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