Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i epicure

There’s something unforgettable about an excellent meal — the kind that’s settled in your memory bank long after the plates are cleared. But when a meal is framed by an exceptional environment – where every light, texture, and detail is impeccably designed – it becomes a place where you want to linger just a little longer to soak in the ambience and vibe. In this issue, we spotlight five stunning restaurants in Asia, located in Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore and Bali. Designed by well-known architects and designers, their interiors are just as thoughtfully composed as the cuisine. We also learn about the foundation of Korean cooking: jang. Beyond being an essential seasoning, jang – in its various forms – is a lifeline of Korean culinary tradition, fusing generations through slow,…

In March, S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy SPYCA invited young chefs, mentor chefs and judges for a special luncheon in Seoul. The purpose was to bring the future to the table through a panel discussion on the theme ‘Asia: Transforming into a Culinary Hub of the Future’. Host and SPYCA judge alumni chef Jungsik Yim, Asia regional champion Ardy Ferguson, and 10 regionally renowned chefs presented an exclusive multi-course dining experience. The lunch was held at Jungsik Seoul, a Michelin-starred restaurant operated by Chef Jungsik Yim, who previously served as a judge in the SPYCA 2015-16 Northeast Asia Regional Final. In October, the 15 regional winners including Ardy will progress to compete in the Grand Finale in Milan, Italy. We caught up with Ardy and a few of the top chefs…

To loosely paraphrase a Shakespearean play, it was a midwinter’s fever dream. A pig’s head and glistening hunks of pork dangle on a medieval-looking rack; its bits — brain, kidney, liver and testicles — are displayed in bowls, while ruby-red blood fills a wine decanter. Cauldrons bubble, skillets sizzle and the wintry air carries the rich, tangy scent of offal. Chef Max Stiegl grabs the decanter and starts dipping chunks of sourdough bread in the fresh blood, offering tastes to those gathered around him. I have travelled to the nose-to-tail restaurant Gut Purbach in Burgenland, about an hour’s drive from Vienna, just to experience a traditional sautanz (sow’s dance). This centuriesold ritual began in rural Austria, where villages gathered to cook and consume the whole hog, wasting nothing. A humble…

Oceania Cruises®, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, invites travellers to set sail in style aboard its fleet of eight small, luxurious ships. From Africa and Asia to the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific and beyond, each voyage offers plenty of adventure. Guests can explore the glacial landscapes of Iceland, trace the historic coastlines of the British Isles, discover ancient ruins in Greece and Turkey, browse vibrant markets in Southeast Asia, or unwind on the coral-fringed shores of French Polynesia and Fiji. For those dreaming of an idyllic escape, the South Pacific Archipelagos cruise spans 19 days from Sydney to Papeete aboard Oceania Riviera™, departing 10 December 2025. Highlights include exploring the vibrant islands and atolls of Melanesia and Polynesia, visiting the uninhabited Mystery Island, discovering…

Amò Tucked along Hong Kong Street, Amò serves handcrafted pastas, pizzas, and hearty mains like butter roasted spring chicken and grilled Angus beef tagliata. There’s something new to try every week through the restaurant’s rotating specials. Pizzas are lovingly prepared using slowfermented dough and baked in a traditional Italian wood-fired oven for that perfect crunch. There’s an extensive Italian wine list too, plus beers and spirit-forward cocktails. Enjoy 1-for-1 offer on à la carte main courses and pastas, with a minimum purchase of one appetiser per couple. Asian Market Café Asian Market Café at Fairmont Singapore is a halal-certified buffet destination that showcases wellloved Southeast Asian cuisine. Diners can indulge in a sumptuous spread of local favourites and contemporary regional delicacies — from smoky grilled satay and succulent chilli crab…

The highly anticipated Vinexpo Asia 2025 returns to Singapore from 27 to 29 May 2025 at Marina Bay Sands. Taking place alternately in Singapore and Hong Kong, the premier event for wine and spirits professionals serves as a strategic platform for networking, discovering industry innovations, and fostering business opportunities. The debut in Singapore in 2023 has established the city as the gateway to the Asia-Pacific market. Vinexpo Asia 2025 will bring together 1,000 exhibitors from over 30 countries and welcome 11,000 professional visitors from 70 countries. This year, attendees can look forward to an in-depth programme designed to meet the challenges facing the industry today. We find out more from Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of the Vinexposium group on what to expect this year. How different will Vinexpo Asia 2025 in…

The sun is bright beneath my eyelids, and a gentle ocean breeze stirs my hair. “Gently place a finger over one nostril,” my meditation guru instructs as she guides me through nadi shodana pranayama, a breathwork technique designed to clear energy channels and quiet the mind. “Breathe in… and exhale.” I follow her lead, then sink onto my mat, limbs relaxed, as the hum of a Tibetan singing bowl mingles with birdsong and the sound of chirping insects. When I open my eyes, it takes a moment to remember that I am not in some otherworldly sanctuary but nestled within the cool confines of The Raffles Bali’s Secret Cave — a natural cavern on the resort’s grounds reserved for meditation, wellness rituals, and private dining. Curated experiences like this are…

A great meal in a restaurant can leave good memories. A great meal in an exceptional environment goes beyond that – it makes you not want to leave. Be it attentive lighting, surprising details or tasteful furniture, the interior design of an establishment is vital in reflecting the soul of a cuisine. Here, we highlight five that does just that. Il Ristorante Niko Romito, Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo Designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel of ACPV Architects, Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo has been ranked highly on the beauty and craft scale since it opened at the 40th to 45th floors of the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu skyscraper. On the lobby level is the one-Michelin-starred Niko Romito serving authentic Italian cuisine like Antipasto all’Italiana and Cotoletta alla Milanese. A curved timber ceiling and…

There are names that transcend time, weaving themselves into the very fabric of luxury and heritage, and Hennessy is one of them. For over 250 years, the House of Hennessy has shaped the world of cognac, not just as a spirit but as a living testament to craftsmanship, history, and evolution. At the heart of it presently is Maurice Hennessy, the 8th-generation heir, who carries legacy with effortless charm and a storyteller’s grace. If you could sit down with one of your ancestors from the Hennessy family, what would you ask them? It depends which one. They all did things which are important. My favourite at this time would be my grandfather because I've done that (spoken to him), and of course, I regret having forgotten to ask him some…

In the southeast of France, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region offers a compelling cross-section of the country’s most defining pleasures – wine, cuisine and nature – each expressed through places that are grounded in local life. These destinations reveal the depth and diversity of a region shaped by flavour, craft, and culture. Raising a glass For decades, Beaujolais was defined by its young, light-bodied, fruity red wine. But today, vignerons across the region are turning the spotlight onto its crus — distinct villages like Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent — where Gamay grapes are treated with as much reverence as Pinot Noir in Burgundy. Beaujolais, France’s second most renowned appellation after Champagne, offers a rich combination of scale, diversity and depth. The region features 12 appellations, including 10 celebrated crus, and is home…