Victor Hugo once said, “music expresses that which cannot be said, and on which it is impossible to be silent”. In the restaurant scene, this harmonious arrangement of instruments and, sometimes, vocals, defines the atmosphere of the space and determines the mood. In the super sensory act of eating, music is the accompaniment that enhances the overall experience. And when it comes to the geniuses preparing the food — the chef team — music is used to unwind, set the tempo and pace, and even serve as a portal for either solitude or camaraderie.
Today, we asked nine chefs in Asia what their favourite kitchen tunes to groove to are, and most importantly, why. Here’s what they shared.
Chalee Kader
Wana Yook1 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024
"Regulate" by Warren G ft. Nate Dogg
"This song is on loop all the time when I cook, and I can always sing to the whole song!"
Ed Lin
Sur-1 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Taiwan 2023
"Giorgio by Moroder" by Daft Punk
"This song has mixed more than 10 music genres, and it is also a good demonstration of the creation process of Giorgio. The lyrics, once you free your mind about a concept of harmony and of music being 'correct', you can do whatever you want somehow enlightens me to realise that as long as you keep pushing the boundaries and thinking out of the box, you can do whatever you want. And thus, this makes me feel that I can keep pushing forward in the kitchen."
Huynh Phuc Thinh
Xôi BátBib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi & Ho Chi Min City 2023
"San Francisco Street" by Sun Rai
"It boosts my mood, and I love this kind of music. It's perfect for prepping meal for the family. You know that it’s time to chill."
Jose Barroso
Tasca by Jose Avillez1 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2023
"This is my favourite song to cook because it brings the lively rhythm of Brazilian samba into my kitchen — every time I hear this song it brings me joy and always reminds me of time spent with my friends and family in Portugal. This song, a lifelong companion, signifies resilience, and reminds me that life must go on, no matter what. It sparks my creativity, inspiring new dishes and flavours, and propels me towards achieving my goals."
Kim Hock Su
Au Jardin1 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2024
"Funhouse" by P!nk
"The meaning and the rhythm. Do not compromise, and do not fear starting over and over again."
Nicolas Tam
Willow1 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2023
"Wild Thing" by X
"Being written in 10 minutes and becoming one of the most covered songs ever shows that being spontaneous is a good thing, and that inspiration can come from anything and anywhere.
It's kind of like the food we make — some of it doesn’t really go through a lot of long planning processes, but rather comes about naturally, with a focus on taste. And some of these dishes do end up being top hits in the restaurant."
Ricardo Chaneton
Mono1 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2023
"So What" by Miles Davis
"Miles Davis once said, 'Don't play what's there; play what is not there.'
I think it’s the same with cooking — you always need to create, innovate, and entertain with professionalism and generosity.
The recording of 'So What' in Davis’s 1959 album Kind of Blue was with very unknown artists at the time (Adderley and Coltrane, for example). Thanks to that song and album, they became very famous. Davis always supported new talent and worked together with them.
One of the most beautiful things about 'So What' is that it was based on improvisation. Some histories will say that they all just happened to be in the recording studio, and the first few notes appeared.
The food our grandmothers make, home cooking in general, and the creation of a dish follows the same pattern, almost always. It starts with some sort of intention and ends up being one of the best creations."
Takuro Yanase
Ramen Break BeatsBib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Tokyo 2024
"Luv(sic) Part 2" by Nujabes feat. Shing02
"As a ramen chef as well as a DJ, music is a part of me. I cook while playing various music depending on my mood. I often listen to Nujabes when I would like to concentrate, or when I would like to calmly face the cooking."
Thinus Van Der Westhuizen
99 Sushi Bar Abu Dhabi1 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2023
The Lord of the Rings Soundtrack
"It's really nerdy, but elvish music has a really great calming effect on me when cooking."
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