The most influential restaurant of this generation, noma, has been named the best restaurant in the world five times, changing the global perception of Nordic cuisine. Since its opening in 2003, after more than 20 years, it announced it would cease public operations at its peak and transition to a new model, which is regrettable. As the seafood season approaches, I have been looking forward to this for a long time.

Entering through a two-ton bronze door leading to a mysterious world, created by Danish artist Maria Rubinke and named "I Found Myself Within a Forest Dark," we were greeted by enthusiastic staff.

Shanghai Full House is not merely an upgraded version of The Hut, but a completely new and independent concept: a fusion of Sichuan and Huaiyang Cuisine.

In March this year, I paid my first visit to Selection by Du, the flagship of “Amazing Chinese Cuisine” located on the Bund. It reminded me of my last conversation with Mr. Du four years ago. Time flies in the blink of an eye. Amazing Chinese Cuisine has now expanded to four branches, but one thing remains unchanged: Mr. Du Jianqing's obsession with quality, which is an unquestioned fact in the food community.

Earlier this year, I finally revisited Bangkok and had the pleasure of dining with Tam (Chaisiri Tassanakajohn), the co-founder of the acclaimed Nusara restaurant, who is also the younger brother of Le Du’s Chef Ton (Thitid Tassanakajohn). Since its opening in 2020, Nusara has proved hugely popular for its unique Thai cuisine and family-influenced culinary traditions, garnering a third place at last year's Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

Earlier this year, I was on the way from Shenzhen to Hong Kong on a Sunday afternoon to meet up with a good friend. Having not visited Hong Kong for a while, I realised that many restaurants there are closed on Sundays.

A renowned Japanese cuisine restaurant originated in Shenzhen, Seiku has secured a place among gourmet circles. After establishing its Shanghai branch two years ago, it has finally made its way north to Beijing.

Lamdre, a plant-based restaurant in Beijing's bustling Sanlitun district, embraces an ambiance of tranquility through its symmetrical and minimalist design, creating an environment that embodies the Zen philosophy of purifying the mind and body.

Even the worldaround us is building more walls, globalization continues to flow through intangible things. Whether it's the fusion of various cuisines or the subtle tweaks made to local dishes in order to bring in other culinary traditions, one can see that a new generation of chefs is creating trends – each has a story behind.

Last year, a significant change swept through the restaurants at Wynn Palace in Macau. The beloved master Chef Tam Kwok Fung relocated to the former site of Sichuan Moon andunveiled a brand-new conceptual restaurant named Chef Tam’s Seasons.