Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: What it’s like to eat at Japan’s ‘Den’

Den is no stranger to accolades. It has two Michelin stars and has been in the major 10 on the World’s Most effective checklist in several years past. But it also just transpires to be where I ate 1 of the finest foods of my lifetime.

Heading to fine eating places to eat can be overwhelming, primarily to a solo traveler. Some of the big-name places to eat I appeared at for my November 2019 vacation to Tokyo wouldn’t even accept a reservation for a solitary diner.

I place my identify on the hold out checklist at Den, although, and a 7 days in advance of the trip bought a cellular phone simply call confirming I might scored a seat many thanks to an odd-numbered party at the desk following to me. It was like finding out I was going to a amazing child bash or remaining approved into my “achieve” college.

Left: Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa with his beloved pup ideal, a pillar at Den the place consumers go away thank-you messages.

Lilit Marcus/CNN

Although I was thrilled to get a reservation, I was also nervous — would the practical experience be stuffy, official, and whole of component names I’d hardly ever read of? Would I depart the cafe emotion like I’d just crossed anything off of a listing, or would I essentially take pleasure in the foodstuff?

Delightfully, I can say that the response was the latter.

Den is substantial-conclusion food with a silly sense of humor.

In the salad, carrots are sliced thinly and reduce in the shape of smiley faces. Japanese-fashion fried rooster arrives in a mock speedy food takeout box coated in jokes and a goofy image of the chef. A single program arrives with each and every diner’s national flag stuck in it — a fast survey all over the little dining area that night time displayed little American (hi), Chinese, Japanese and Canadian flags, which make for terrific souvenirs of the meal.

A serving of “Dentucky Fried Chicken” at Den.

Lilit Marcus/CNN

And that is not all.

Tokyo is one particular of the world’s excellent foodstuff towns. All through my weeklong trip — my first-ever check out to Japan — just about every little thing I ate was mouth watering, from minimart onigiri to late-evening ramen to super-highly-priced sushi geared up in entrance of me.

Now, I can say that 1 of the most unforgettable eateries I’ve ever visited has been voted the most effective cafe in all of Asia.

But I can also say that my night at Den was a complete great deal of enjoyment.

Asia’s 50 Most effective Dining places for 2022

1. Den (Tokyo)

2. Sorn (Bangkok)

3. Florilege (Tokyo)

4. Le Du (Bangkok)

5. The Chairman (Hong Kong)

6. La Cime (Osaka)

7. Suhring (Bangkok)

8. Odette (Singapore)

9. Community (Hong Kong)

10. Nusara (Bangkok)

11. Sazenka (Tokyo)

12. Fu He Hui (Shanghai)

13. Ode (Tokyo)

14. Villa Aida (Wakayama, Japan)

15. Narisawa (Tokyo)

16. Mingles (Seoul)

17. Sezanne (Tokyo)

18. Joo Ok (Seoul)

19. Ensue (Shenzhen, China)

20. Meta (Singapore)

21. Masque (Mumbai)

22. Indian Accent (New Delhi)

23. Les Amis (Singapore)

24. Caprice (Hong Kong)

25. Blue by Alain Ducasse (Bangkok)

26. 7th Door (Seoul)

27. Mosu (Seoul)

28. Da Vittorio (Shanghai)

29. Sushi Masato (Bangkok)

30. Onjium (Seoul)

31. Samrub Samrub Thai (Bangkok)

32. Mono (Hong Kong)

33. Gaa (Bangkok)

34. Wing (Hong Kong)

35. Ministry of Crab (Colombo)

36. La Maison de la Nature Goh (Fukuoka, Japan)

37. Zen (Singapore)

38. Logy (Taipei)

39. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (Shanghai)

40. Labyrinth (Singapore)

41. Burnt Ends (Singapore)

42. Ete (Tokyo)

43. Cenci (Kyoto)

44. Cloudstreet (Singapore)

45. JL Studio (Taichung, Taiwan)

46. Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok)

47. Wing Lei Palace (Macao)

48. 8 1/2 Mezzo Bombano (Hong Kong)

49. Megu (New Delhi)

50. Dewakan (Kuala Lumpur)