The Lamdre restaurant in Beijing triumphed in the 2024 edition of the American Express One To Watch Award. This award is bestowed by the organizers of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in collaboration with its regional advisers.

The award celebrates establishments that showcase gastronomic excellence, innovation, and culinary promise, positioning them as potential contenders for inclusion in the prestigious Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list in the years to come.

William Drew, director of content for Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, said: "The dining experience at Lamdre is exquisite — from the serene ambience to the refined dishes that pay homage to nature's abundance. Chef Dai Jun and owner Zhao Jia have introduced a concept that is refreshingly distinct and this accolade is well deserved."

Launched in December 2022, Lamdre takes its cue from the Tibetan Buddhist meditative system it's named after. Situated in the Sanlitun area of Beijing, this modern eatery has quickly become a hot spot for food enthusiasts.

Zhao's culinary vision revolves around taste, nature, and sustainability. Chef Dai crafts seasonal vegetarian dishes that shine with flavor.

Lamdre focuses on dishes unrestricted by regional boundaries. The culinary team's commitment to sourcing the freshest, most seasonal ingredients and presenting them to reflect the "pure essence of food" results in dishes that are stripped of excess refinement, showcasing the natural beauty of each ingredient.

Working in collaboration with independent farmers across China, the restaurant curates the freshest and finest wild ingredients such as pumpkin, ginkgo nuts, taro, kohlrabi and more.

Dai brings 30 years of culinary mastery to the menus, including more than a decade perfecting plant-based cuisine. His culinary finesse prioritizes simplicity and spotlights the intrinsic flavors of ingredients, evident in dishes such as the Thumb Eggplant, Black Sesame Paste and Green Sichuan Pepper, which uses kochi thumb eggplants during their peak, marinating them in refreshing vinegar juice.

On winning the award, Zhao said: "We are determined to adhere to the principles of operating a healthy and sustainable restaurant, showcasing the power of nature and the rich and captivating flavors of the Eastern plant world."