Bangkok's Chinese dining scene just picked up some serious bragging rights. The Chinese Restaurant Awards have announced their 2026 Asia Awards, and three of the Thai capital's restaurants made the Elite 25 Asia — the list that recognises the finest Chinese cooking outside Mainland China.
The highest-placed Bangkok entry is The China House by Chef Fei, at No.18, celebrated for its Teochew and Cantonese cooking. Chai Jia Chai, a modern Chinese restaurant, follows at No.21, with Purple Laurel — also modern Chinese — rounding things out at No.23. That three of only 25 spots went to Bangkok says a lot about how far the city's Chinese food scene has moved beyond the usual hotel-dining formula.
There's a Bangkok connection at the top of the individual awards, too. Vicky Cheng — whose Hong Kong restaurant Wing is ranked second in Asia — took home the Premier Visionary Award of the Year, and his portfolio includes K by Vicky Cheng in Bangkok. Elsewhere on the honours list, Melissa Tsang of Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore was named Rising Star Chef of the Year, Fung Ho Tong of Kamcentre Roast Goose in Hong Kong won for Cantonese barbeque, Lam Kwok Wai of Forum Restaurant in Hong Kong took the dim sum crown, and Tam Kwok Fung of Chef Tam's Seasons at Wynn Palace, Macau was named Master Chef of the Year.
Hong Kong dominated the overall rankings, as you'd expect. The Chairman took No.1 on the Elite 25 Asia, with Yun and Wing — both in Hong Kong — right behind. On the Essential 25 Asia list, which highlights more accessible favourites, Sun Hon Kee Restaurant in Hong Kong led, ahead of Ming Fu in Taipei and Kamcentre Roast Goose in Hong Kong.
For trip planners, the awards also come with a longer shortlist: 100 Asia Honourees, split evenly between the two main lists, covering restaurants across Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. If you're heading anywhere in the region and care about Chinese food, that extended list doubles as a ready-made eating itinerary.
For Bangkok-bound travellers, the takeaway is simple: if Chinese food usually means the same old Cantonese standards, these three award-winners are a good reason to book ahead. The China House by Chef Fei suits those after classic Teochew and Cantonese craft, while Chai Jia Chai and Purple Laurel show where modern Chinese cooking in the city is heading. Bookings will likely tighten as word of the awards spreads, so reserve before you fly.
