Ahead of the annual announcement of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants arriving on March 25, the committee takes a chance to introduce a new award for restaurants that enhance the diversified food scene in the continent.
Entitled the "Essence of Asia", this award is intended to priase eating establishments that go beyond serving food to customers. According to press release, Essence of Asia is granted to a huge number of restaurants in 49 cities from Pakistan to Japan that "honor culinary traditions, reinvent indigenous cuisines, and revive centuries-old recipes, all while playing a key role within their communities."
For Thailand, there are six restaurants in total that are crowned with the title Essence of Asia. Bangkok's most beloved beef broth noodle place Wattana Panich appears in the list alongside city fellows 100 Mahaseth, Barefood Bangkok, and Na Café at Bangkok 1899. Chiang Rai's Locus Native Food Lab and Udon Thani's Samuay & Sons are two of provincial establishments that receive the award.
The full list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants is coming next week, and the ceremony will be broadcast on March 25 at 16:30 via Asia's 50 Best Restaurants's Facebook page, YouTube, and Zoom.