Asian Sensation Bangkok (ASSE) is a mixology and fine dining annual summit, bringing the world’s leading bartenders and the region’s leading food personalities to Asia’s culinary capital for a 72 hours of cocktail-paired dinners.
2025 events take place in Bangkok’s restaurants and bars, where the city’s leading chefs and bartenders create cocktail paired tasting menus.
Schedule
25/11
18:00 - A night at the Opium Bar
Asia’s best female chef 2024 and “The World’s Best Female Chef 2025” from The World 50 Best Restaurants, Pam (Potong, Bangkok) creates a one night only Thai-Chinese dinner with cocktail Pairing by bartender Matteo Ceddudu.
21:00 - Guest shift @ Opium Bar
Lemon and Lime infused fiesta: Bartneder Maycoll Tobón of Bar Carmen (Medellín, Colombia) is hosted at the Opium Bar for a one night only guest shift.
Tobón will showcase the flavors of the Colombian Pacific coast by using traditional, unaged sugarcane spirit, Viche on a menu of Asian and Latin American-inspired Sours, along Opium’s very own Matteo Caddedu.
26/11
17:30 - Nusara Night
Aperitivo of champions, led by Chef Ton and award-winning bartender Ronnaporn, on the buddha temple overlooking the rooftop of Nusara. Followed by a refined tasting dinner at Nusara, where Chef Ton reimagines his family’s recipes into an elegant contemporary Thai dining experience.
20:00 - FireFly X Purovōku Project X ŌRE (Bangkok)
Drinks at Firefly featuring a guest shift by Vaggelis Penikis (Purovōku Project), together with Firefly’s own Dicky Hartono and Chef Dimitrios Moudios (ŌRE). An evening of fruit-forward cocktails, creative collaboration and Bangkok’s warm night-time hospitality.
27/11
17:30 - Aperitivo @ Ruby's
Early evening drinks and snacks at Kimpton Maa-Lai’s signature bar, Ruby’s, led by Andreas Kaltenmark.
18:30 - Cocktail Paired dinner at Avant
A cocktail-paired dinner at Avant with Chef Haikal Johari - celebrating bold flavors, seasonal ingredients, and refined Bangkok hospitality.
21:00 - closing party at Le Du Kaan
Closing party at Le Du Kaan, the rooftop bar overlooking the Bangkok skyline, with a guest shift by Stelios Papadopoulos (Barro Negro). Inventive cocktails, music, and a lively celebration to close the ASSE experience.
Chefs & Mixologists
Hotels & Restaurants
NUSARA
Nusara is the acclaimed contemporary Thai restaurant founded by Chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn and his brother Tam, dedicated to preserving and elevating Thailand’s rich culinary heritage. Located in an intimate setting, Nusara celebrates the nuanced flavors and regional techniques passed down through generations.
The restaurant’s cuisine is a deeply personal expression of traditional Thai recipes, refined and presented with masterful precision. Chef Ton's vision has propelled Nusara to the #3 ranking on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list (2024), demonstrating its status as one של the continent's most esteemed dining rooms, and is widely recognized in the Michelin Guide.
Nusara will be a key venue for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, hosting an exclusive tasting dinner. This event will feature the collaboration of Chef Ton and bar star Ronnaporn, offering a seamless pairing of Nusara’s renowned heritage cuisine with custom-crafted cocktails.
POTONG
Potong is the unique and highly acclaimed fine-dining restaurant led by Chef Pichaya "Pam" Soontornyanakij, housed within her family's historic 120-year-old building in Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown. The restaurant has garnered global attention and is celebrated for its pioneering "Progressive Thai-Chinese" cuisine.
Chef Pam’s philosophy is deeply personal, centered around five core elements and a powerful focus on heritage, memory, and culture. Potong holds One Michelin Star and secured a remarkable #11ranking on world’s 50 Best Restaurants list (2025), confirming its place among the elite culinary experiences in the region.
As a distinguished venue for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, Potong will host a signature event, offering guests an unforgettable journey into Chef Pam’s culinary world. The historic setting and deeply personal cuisine make this one of the summit's most exclusive and anticipated dining experiences.
FIREFLY BAR
Firefly Bar, situated within the luxurious Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, is an elegant and refined destination known for its classic cocktail menu and sophisticated, ambient setting. The bar provides a stylish oasis, blending timeless design with contemporary comfort and world-class service.
The bar program is led by Head Bartender Dicky Hartono, focusing on meticulously crafted classics and creative signatures that utilize premium spirits and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Firefly is featured on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list, recognizing its elevated cocktail program and its position as a high-end luxury hotel bar.
Firefly Bar will serve as a crucial collaborative venue for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, hosting the special guest shift and dinner featuring Dicky Hartono, Vaggelis Penikis, and Chef Dimitrios Moudious. This event will highlight the bar's capacity to host top-tier international talent and unique culinary fusions.
OPIUM BAR
Opium bar is vanguard of asian mixology, an atmospheric cocktail lounge known for its cutting-edge mixology and evocative design. Located in the heart of Bangkok, the bar has quickly established a reputation for pushing creative boundaries while maintaining an air of refined, luxurious eccentricity.
The bar's highly creative beverage program is led by Head Bar Managers KK and Matteo Caddedu, utilizing inventive Asian and global spirits, often incorporating unique techniques and unexpected flavor combinations. Opium Bar has received recognition on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list, highlighting its status as a must-visit destination for world-class cocktails.
Opium Bar will host key international collaborations for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, including the highly anticipated guest shift with Maycoll from Carmen Bar in Medellín. The bar’s chic setting and innovative spirit make it the ideal stage for showcasing world-class mixology talent.
KIMPTON MAA LAI BANGKOK
The Kimpton Maa Lai Bangkok stands as a distinct urban sanctuary, embodying a seamless blend of sophisticated luxury, innovative design, and genuine Thai warmth. Recognized for its commitment to bespoke service and contemporary flair, the hotel provides a dynamic and unforgettable hospitality experience at the heart of the city.
The hotel is a vibrant culinary destination, hosting a compelling collection of acclaimed food and beverage venues. These include the farm-to-table dining experience at Stock.Room, the refined, Italian-inspired cuisine of Ms. Jigger, the lively all-day dining at CRAFT, and the stylish rooftop bar, Bar.Yard, known for its panoramic views and tropical cocktails.
Kimpton Maa Lai Bangkok is proud to be the Official Hospitality Partner of Asian Sensation BKK 2025, underscoring the hotel's dedication to supporting world-class gastronomy and mixology, providing an exquisite home base for the festival's international talent and ensuring a luxurious stay for all participants.
SINDHORN KEMPINSKI HOTEL
Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is celebrated for its dedication to offering a serene, world-class old-world inspired experience in the bustling city.
The hotel boasts a distinguished selection of dining and social venues such as iconic Firefly Bar
The Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel will serve as a key venue for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, with its Firefly Bar hosting a special guest shift and dinner featuring Dicky Hartono, Vaggelis Penikis, and Chef Dimitrios Moudious. This exclusive event will celebrate a creative fusion of Thai, Greek, Tropical, and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and mixology.
AVANT BANGKOK
Avant Bangkok is an fine dining destination that has quickly established itself at the forefront of the city’s culinary scene. The restaurant is celebrated for its highly technical, contemporary approach, offering a dining experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional flavor profiles.
visionary Head Chef Haikal Johari, whose philosophy is rooted in meticulous sourcing and scientific precision. Avant holds One Michelin Star and has been featured on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Discovery list, marking it as a globally recognized destination for cutting-edge gastronomy.
As a featured venue for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, Avant Bangkok will host an exclusive event that exemplifies its position as a vanguard of modern gastronomy. Guests will experience a unique menu that highlights the restaurant's signature artistry, ensuring an evening of cutting-edge culinary delight.
LE DU
Le Du, Chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn's flagship restaurant, is a renowned Michelin-starred dining establishment that has consistently been ranked among the best in Asia. Le Du (meaning 'season' in Thai) is celebrated for being the original platform that redefined modern Thai gastronomy by focusing on seasonal, local ingredients.
The restaurant’s culinary identity is built upon an innovative interpretation of traditional Thai flavors, utilizing sophisticated French-influenced techniques. Chef Ton's leadership has seen Le Du hold One Michelin Star and reach its peak in 2023 when it achieved the #1 ranking on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, alongside a top spot in the World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking, cementing its status as a global powerhouse.
Le Du will serve as a premier venue for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, hosting one of the festival’s most anticipated events. This participation underscores the restaurant's position at the pinnacle of Asian cuisine, offering guests the chance to experience the defining menu of Chef Ton’s culinary vision.
NUSS BAR
Nus Bar is a hidden gem in Bangkok’s bar scene, celebrated for its innovative and intimate atmosphere. The bar is a creation of the esteemed mixologist Ronnaporn "Neung" Kanivichaporn, showcasing his globally recognized skill in sustainable and ingredient-focused cocktail making.
Under Ronnaporn’s guidance, Nus Bar operates with a "One Ingredient, One Cocktail" philosophy, transforming local Thai produce and herbs into complex, sustainable, and deeply flavorful drinks. Nus Bar is a respected fixture on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list, recognized for its commitment to quality and creative mixology.
Nus Bar will be a featured venue for Asian Sensation BKK 2025, offering a unique opportunity to experience Ronnaporn’s genius firsthand. The intimate setting is the perfect backdrop for bespoke cocktail pairings and immersive mixology sessions during the summit.