A dish from Hong Kong-based Bo Innovation. (Bo Innovation)
The annual list of the 50 best restaurants in Asia was released last week, and Shanghai and Hong Kong are once again China's top dining destinations.
China (including Hong Kong and Macau) dominated the continent with 16 total locations. This number exactly matched that of last year, with Hong Kong in the lead for the most restaurants and Shanghai following not far behind.
The highest China-based restaurant on the list went to Hong Kong’s Amber, located in the Mandarin Oriental Landmark Hotel. Helmed by Dutch-born chef Richard Ekkebus, the upscale eatery comes in at number four on the list with the categorization of “classical French with subtle Chinese flavors.”
Amber is one of nine Hong Kong restaurants on the list, which feature an eclectic range of nationalities. Two of the restaurants are Cantonese, including Lung King Heen (number 9) and Fook Lam Moon (number 19), while “experimental Chinese” location Bo Innovation comes in at number 15. Meanwhile, the list also includes Italian (8 ½ Otte E Mezzo Bombana at number 10), French (Caprice at number 13 and L'atelier De Joel Robuchon at number 18), and Japanese (Yardbird at number 45 and Tenku Ryugin at number 50). The only Macau setting to make the list was the French-Asian Robuchon Au Dôme at number 39.
The mainland came close to Hong Kong with seven total restaurants, dominated by Shanghai’s strong showing of five. The city’s star chef Paul Pairet saw two entries make the list, with Mr And Mrs Bund and Ultraviolet coming in at eight and 11, respectively. The Shanghainese Fu1015 earned slot 26, while the high-end Chinese Family Li Imperial Cuisine ranked at 46. Meanwhile, French restaurant Franck Bistro eked out a slot at number 48.
Shanghai accounted for all but one mainland restaurant on the list. Despite no showing from Beijing once again this year, Hangzhou-based 28 Hubin Road earned a spot at 33 for its own local-style cuisine.
While this year's list saw few changes, it wouldn't be surprising if the rising cultural clout of other mainland cities means that the list will feature a more diverse range of China locations in the coming years.