Table of contents for November 2025 in epicure

December always has a way of making us pause — to reflect, to savour and to share. This issue is a celebration of those stories told around the table: recipes that endure, flavours that evolve, and the people who keep culinary traditions alive. We begin at home, with Singapore’s Eurasian community, whose Christmas tables are rich with memory and meaning. Three culinary voices – Damian D’Silva, Denise Fletcher and Anita Thaver – tell us about their festive rituals and the beloved recipes passed down through generations. Each dish, from boldly flavoured curry debal and hearty feng to fragrant sugee cake, speaks of family, faith and continuity. Our drinks feature spotlights a ‘new’ contender in Asia’s spirits scene – Chinese distillers. These days, their craftsmanship and food-friendly profiles are set to…

The next wave of culinary talent has arrived. Bold, grounded, and globally fluent, they took centre stage at Milan’s beautiful Castello Sforzesco on 30 October. Chef Ardy Ferguson emerged as the winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024–25, under the mentorship of Chef Vicky Lau from Hong Kong. Drawing from Indonesia’s vibrant flavours and Hong Kong’s refined finesse, his winning dish, Archipelago Celebration, impressed judges with its balance of innovation and authenticity. We speak to Ardy, Vicky, and Chef Julien Royer, one of this year’s judges, to explore how young chefs are reshaping the language of modern gastronomy. Ardy Ferguson, sous chef of Belon, Hong Kong When Ardy Ferguson stepped onto the grand stage at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024–25, he carried not just the weight…

Sushi may be available the world over, but nothing beats having it in Tokyo. After all, this Japanese metropolis gave us Edomae sushi, the modern form of this iconic seafood-on-rice finger food we know and love today. While many omakase sushi venues, especially those at the higher end, typically offer just one course at a premium price, a growing number of restaurants now serve several menu options at different price points. This trend makes omakase sushi accessible and appealing to newcomers while keeping seasoned foodies satisfied with a more luxurious selection of seafood. Sushidokoro Isseki Sancho Isseki Sancho offers as many as five main menu options: from the affordable ¥8,800 (SGD75), 15-item Sushi Dokoro course to the sumptuous Welcome to Japan set priced at ¥22,800 (SGD193), which includes top-tier seafood…

They say that to truly understand a place’s food culture, you must first visit its markets. In Kunming, perched high in the mountains of southwestern China, that means rising early to see how Yunnan’s fresh produce comes in from all around the region each morning, before it ends up in restaurants, bars, and eateries across the city. By 8am, Zhuanxin, the city’s largest and most popular farmer’s market, is already in full swing. Farmers unload baskets of mushrooms, traders hawk rose jams and floral teas, and restaurant chefs jostle good-naturedly for the day’s best produce. Weaving my way through stalls piled high with vegetables and roots, I strike up a conversation with a young, bespectacled mushroom seller. My Mandarin is limited, but I understand enough to register concern when he…

Travel the world in comfort and style as Oceania Cruises® unveils new additions to its portfolio, including a wide-ranging 2027-2028 Collection of over 230 itineraries, that call at some of the world’s most captivating destinations. Spanning more than a year of sailings across seven intimate, luxurious ships, the itineraries range from seven to 96 days throughout seven continents. Highlights include a 59-day South Pacific Grand Voyage from Miami to Sydney and a three-month journey from Auckland to Rome, both aboard Oceania Vista®. Notable among the offering is the firstever winter season in the Mediterranean aboard Oceania Allura™. Explore this popular region during the cooler, less-travelled months of November through March, with extended in-port overnights and plenty of opportunity to savour the season’s rich flavours and traditions, including Europe’s famed holiday…

Home for Christmas PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay’s Nature’s Noël Takeaway Collection presents a range of takeaways and gourmet hampers curated for your celebration. The Festive Family Bundle features roasted French poulet with rosemary, glazed boneless ham with gingerbread spices, black truffle and wild mushroom lasagna, and the signature chocolate banana logcake. For your centrepiece, order the traditional roasted tom turkey filled with rich chestnut stuffing and sides of potato purée and homemade giblet sauce; slow-roasted grain-fed beef tomahawk and salmon en croûte. And for the ultimate indulgence, opt for the Chef’s Special — Roasted Turducken with Urban Farm Rosemary comprising a whole turkey stuffed with duck, chicken thigh and black truffle. Don’t miss the new Noël Gâteaux Collection featuring Hazelnut Apricot and the Cranberry Pecan Nutty Tart. For more festive…

In September, Taipei Restaurant Week 2025 gathered some of the city’s top chefs to present a culinary journey that captured the spirit of Taiwan and the character of Taipei. The theme, Define Taipei, celebrated local ingredients, seasonal terroir and the city’s vibrant lifestyle through exclusive menus at 20 acclaimed fine-dining and Michelin-starred restaurants. Among the participants were A CUT Steak House, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Taipei, Lin Restaurant, Lopfait, Robin’s Teppanyaki, MiraWan and Sushi Nakazawa. We checked out two standout venues that showcase the city’s evolving culinary identity: modern French restaurant Brisé and refined Cantonese establishment Long Yue. Breaking convention Brisé is a contemporary French restaurant tucked away on a quiet lane in the city. Brisé means “to break” in French – reflecting its philosophy of challenging tradition by deconstructing…

It’s the perfect island afternoon: swaying palms, golden sands, sound of waves lapping against the shore. I am midway through lunch at the beachfront restaurant when someone unexpectedly joins me, adorned in a sleek black coat and a puff of white at the chest. With quiet confidence, he occupies the seat across mine, unbothered by my surprise. My unexpected dining companion? An oriental pied hornbill, one of many who call Pangkor Laut island — located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia — their home. Encounters like this, I soon learn, are not uncommon here. Pangkor Laut is home to a thriving population of hornbills, flying foxes, and long-tailed macaques, all living alongside guests with little distinction between “their” space and ours. Rhythm of Nature Pangkor Laut sits just off…

In Beijing’s hutongs — narrow lanes separating rows of siheyuan (courtyard houses) — ordinary folk raise families and build communities, often for generations. Mandarin Oriental, Qianmen brought hutong living to another level when it opened in September 2024 along Beijing’s famous Central Axis. Its 42 courtyard suites are spread across eight alleyways of the Caochang hutong, interspersed among actual homes. From sensitively restored architecture, including original timber beams, bricks, tiles and carvings, to contemporary details like enamel flower screens and calligraphy-inspired art, it is hard to imagine these lanes once stored straw for livestock. The local vibes extend beyond design to thoughtful culinary offerings. The hotel is the gateway to Beijing’s famous snacks in many ways. For instance, the breakfast spread at Italian restaurant Vicini included sweetened soy milk, fried…

In Western Australia’s South West, Margaret River has long been synonymous with premium wines. Shaping the backbone of the region’s wine scene are small family-owned estates alongside well-established names such as Vasse Felix (the oldest winery founded in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity), Leeuwin Estate, Moss Wood and Voyager Estate. The latter is where sustainability and gastronomy go hand in hand. Voyager invites guests to explore its organic farming and winemaking practices on a guided tour through the tranquil vineyards. This is followed by a tasting and seasonal lunch at the elegant restaurant, each course thoughtfully matched with Voyager’s Chardonnay, Cabernet, Semillon and other varietals. Beyond the region’s cellar doors lies a landscape of rivers, forests, and rugged coastline that reveals a quieter, even more contemplative side of Margaret River.…

Usher in the most wonderful time of the year in style at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Singapore, as festive indulgence takes centre stage. During this Christmas season, the New York-style steakhouse invites diners to gather with loved ones and toast to good times, fine flavours, and unforgettable moments. Available throughout the month of December, the restaurant’s four-course Christmas set menu for two starts with an indulgent seafood taster of tuna tartare with oscietre caviar, shrimp cocktail, and lobster cocktail. A comforting beef barley soup follows before guests select two mains from the restaurant’s finest signatures, such as the 100% USDA Prime Black Angus ribeye steak or filet mignon, Chilean seabass, or Colorado lamb chops. Accompanying sides include creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, steak fries, or grilled jumbo asparagus. Finish with a classic favourite,…

Franciacorta PDO wines and Marennes Oléron PGI oysters represent the pinnacle of European terroir. They share a common philosophy: authenticity rooted in origin, upheld by rigorous standards, and elevated by time-honed expertise. Franciacorta carries the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label, reserved for wines produced exclusively in the Franciacorta region of Lombardy. Varietals include Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco and the native Erbamat. These grapes are transformed using the traditional method (Metodo Classico), with secondary fermentation and extended lees ageing in bottle — a minimum of 18 months for non-vintage wines, 30 months for Millesimato, and 60 months for Riserva. The result is sparkling wine of fine mousse, depth and freshness, with notes ranging from citrus, baked bread and roasted nuts to strawberries and florals in rosé expressions. On the…

At the southern tip of South Korea, Jeju Island holds a culinary identity shaped by its volcanic landscape, the sea that surrounds it, and the legendary haenyeo (female divers) who have long harvested its depths. Its distinct ecosystem and self-sustaining food culture have long inspired chefs who seek authenticity through locality. That spirit took centre stage at the Luxury Dining Series hosted by JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa in July, where a lineup of chefs and beverage experts explored the Forgotten Flavors theme. During the immersive three-day programme, the culinary team showcased Jeju’s evolving terroir and traditions through modern craftsmanship. Across three dining venues and five curated experiences, the event invited guests to taste seasonal seafood, premium hanwoo and liquor, heritage grains and other local produce presented in contemporary…

Guatemala’s Ron Zacapa rum was created in 1976 to commemorate the centennial of the city of Zacapa. This spirit is made from the first press of virgin sugar cane rather than molasses, lending it a natural sweetness and refined smoothness. It is produced under the expert hand of master blender Lorena Vásquez, a pioneer in the traditionally male-dominated spirits world who has helmed Zacapa’s blending for four decades. With a background in chemistry and food technology, Lorena’s innovative approach includes the development of Zacapa’s unique Sistema Solera aging process and the establishment of community initiatives, including employing over 700 female artisans to craft the petate bands that adorn each bottle. The signature Solera System aging process comprises an intricate technique, blending rums of different ages in a series of casks…

Aserene cove along the pristine Choeng Mon Beach in the northeast of Koh Samui sets the scene for Kimpton Kitalay Samui, a laid-back oceanfront retreat that channels the easy rhythm of island life. Inspired by a coastal village, the resort’s design fuses traditional Thai craftsmanship with contemporary elegance. Beyond the view, dining takes centre stage across five distinct venues offering everything from barefoot beachside bites and breezy lunch tables to sumptuous holiday feasts by the sea. Breezy tables and ocean catch FishHouse Restaurant & Bar is the spot for a casual chic meal by the water, paired with exceptional views of fishing boats dotting the horizon. Often, local fishermen come ashore to deliver the day’s catch – local fish from the surrounding waters – to the chefs. You can have…

Guangzhou pulses with the energy of a modern metropolis. Yet the charm of this destination lies not in a fleeting glance, but in savouring it slowly. In the narrow alleys of the Liwan neighbourhood, time-honoured eateries hum with life. And among the colonial villas of Dongshankou, creativity thrive quietly. We explore some of the historic city’s hidden gems. Liwan District: The soul of old Guangzhou Liwan is the city’s cultural root. Here, history isn’t confined to textbooks but lives in the everyday. The steam rising from a bowl of wonton noodles, the melodic strains of Cantonese opera drifting from tea houses, the neighbours lounging under arcades with palm-leaf fans. On Enning Road, the mottled stained-glass windows of Qing-era shophouses reflect neon signs of modern cafés. The most distinctive feature of…

Vienna is home to some of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets, where you can sip mulled wine and nibble on jam-filled cookies and pretzels under a canopy of twinkling lights. One worth visiting is the Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas Village) set against the stunning baroque backdrop of the Belvedere Palace. Smaller and less hectic than many of the city’s other markets, it offers a more intimate festive experience. This year, it runs from 14 November to 31 December. The Belvedere itself houses one of Austria’s most treasured art collections, featuring masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka. The baroque architectural gem comprises two palaces – the Upper and Lower Belvedere – which showcase Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day. At the heart of the collection are…