Tokyo wins big
Tokyo claimed seven spots on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list — with Sazenka and Maz climbing and Osaka’s La Cime the highest‑placed Japanese restaurant — reinforcing Tokyo’s global dining pull (japantimes.co.jp). Meanwhile Bangkok’s Chilli Fest runs March 27–29 on Langsuan Road with Michelin‑level chefs and a global street‑food lineup (Thai, Mexican, Korean, Punjabi) — a major weekend draw for culinary travelers (timeout.com)(thethaiger.com).
Hong Kong’s The Chairman reclaimed the No.1 spot at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards ceremony held on March 25, an event hosted in Hong Kong as part of the 50 Best series. (prnewswire.com) Osaka’s La Cime finished as the highest‑placed Japanese restaurant at No.13 on the official 1–50 ranking. (theworlds50best.com) The full 2026 1–50 list shows eight Japanese entries: La Cime (No.13), Sézanne (No.16), Sazenka (No.21), Maz (No.28), Florilège (No.31), Myoujyaku (No.33), Crony (No.34) and Narisawa (No.37). (theworlds50best.com) Sazenka moved up from No.34 in the 2025 list to No.21 in 2026, a climb of 13 places between the two rankings. (theworlds50best.com) Maz jumped from No.43 in 2025 to No.28 in 2026 (a gain of 15 places), and the restaurant carries two Michelin stars in the Tokyo Michelin Guide. (theworlds50best.com) The 2026 awards covered restaurants across 17 cities with eight new entries this year, and Bangkok led the list with nine entries while individual prizes included Ru Yuan as Highest New Entry and Lamdre as Highest Climber. (prnewswire.com) Chilli Fest returns to Kimpton Maa‑Lai Bangkok’s Urban Oasis on Langsuan for a main festival day on March 28, 2026, running 2:00pm–9:00pm with early‑bird tickets from THB250 and THB350 at the door. (timeout.com) The event’s 2026 programme names Michelin‑recognised chefs Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn and Parkorn ‘Tan’ Kosiyabong alongside vendors such as Delia, I‑Sang and Jhol, plus a chilli‑eating contest, live music and a market of hot sauces and spice‑led snacks. (timeout.com)
