5 to watch – Asia’s emerging culinary gems

Ronin – Hong Kong

Brought to you by the minds behind yakitori concept Yardbird, this recently opened, Japanese-inspired seafood restaurant embraces a market-led menu, meaning a delightfully varied – and utterly delicious – collection of dishes that change daily.

Varq – India

Located in the legendary Taj hotel in Delhi, this daring eatery offers “a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary sophistication”, bringing Indian street food into a fine dining setting.

Chef Oberoi has “taken Indian food to a different dimension with new techniques, innovative presentation and the use of organic produce and spices”.

Jaan – Singapore

Named the “One to Watch” at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, Jaan marries a stunning backdrop – Singapore’s jaw-dropping skyline – with high quality food, which brings a touch of Singapore’s local cuisine to the table.

Young head chef Julien Royer is already highly accomplished and will no doubt be winning awards for his cooking in the coming years.

Bo.lan – Bangkok

This progressive Thai restaurant is helmed by David Thompson-mentored Duongporn “Bo” Songvisava, and is another restaurant that strongly champions local flavours and “boldly puts seasonality and authenticity ahead of avant-garde techniques and Western influences”.

Tarantella da Luigi – Tokyo

Pizzerias are usually found miles away from best-of-the-best lists, but this gem breaks all kinds of moulds.

Owner Teratoko-san spent his youth learning the trade in Italy and now provides Tokyo with traditional Italian comfort food.

His Shirokane restaurant been awarded the hallowed stamp of approval from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana and on any given night will see queues forming around the block.