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.

Interviewing Mr.Weng Yongjun, the founder of Yong Fu, at the North Bund restaurant in Shanghai, sparked a great interest in his culinary career and profound culinary philosophy.

In my career as a culinary writer, I have had the privilege of speaking with many outstanding chefs, but my conversation with Eiji Taniguchi was unforgettable.

Located in a residential area of Bangkok's bustling Charoen Krung district, this very unique restaurant might be not easy to find on your first visit. Samrub Samrub Thai has recently secured a Michelin star and is ranked 31st among Asia's 50 Best restaurants.

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.