AB CONCEPT'S AKIRA BACK NAMED AMONG THE WORLD'S 16 MOST BEAUTIFUL RESTAURANTS BY THE PRIX VERSAILLES
June 4, 2026
Hong Kong, June 2026 - AB Concept is delighted to announce that its interior design for Akira Back in Hong Kong has been shortlisted among The World's 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants by the prestigious Prix Versailles, placing it in contention for the title of Most Beautiful Restaurant in the World.
Akira Back unfolds as a sensory journey, an immersive environment shaped by its dramatic spatial composition and refined material palette. Slender timber posts rise towards a sculptural ceiling, artwork inspired by the chef's mother lines the walls, and intimate VIP settings radiate both elegance and theatrical intensity. Every gesture casts guests as protagonists, striking a harmonious balance between tradition and innovation that speaks to a diverse and discerning clientele.
Set within The Henderson in Central Hong Kong — the Zaha Hadid Architects tower whose sculptural form is destined to become the city skyline's next icon — the restaurant forms part of a visionary development defined by its striking silhouette. AB Concept's interiors echo the curving tower's energy without ever seeking to overshadow it.
"For Akira Back's Hong Kong restaurant, this project showcases what AB Concept can achieve when creativity meets storytelling," says Ed Ng, Co-founder of AB Concept. "Given the freedom to push boundaries, we created a space as bold and inventive as Chef Back's cuisine. More than a restaurant, it stands as a new dining landmark in the heart of Central — where design and culinary artistry merge to deliver an unforgettable experience. This recognition is especially meaningful, reflecting the close partnership we have enjoyed with Henderson Land over many years. Together, we are proud to have shaped such an enchanting destination."
AB Concept, the internationally acclaimed architecture and interior design studio, is renowned for crafting immersive environments that fuse architectural precision with emotive storytelling. Their work on Akira Back embodies this ethos, uniting the chef's bold vision with a cinematic sensibility to create a setting that is at once refined and elemental.
ABOUT AB CONCEPT
AB Concept is an architectural and interior design studio founded in 1999 by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan. With offices in Hong Kong, Taipei, Kyoto, London and Milan, the studio creates narrative-driven interiors across hospitality, commercial and residential sectors, combining local culture, craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Working globally across more than 40 cities, AB Concept collaborates with leading hospitality and luxury brands, including Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, Waldorf Astoria and W Hotels. Recent projects include Paper Moon Giardino in Milan, Lalique’s flagship store in Shanghai, award-winning bar Argo at the Four Seasons Hong Kong and the Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Alongside spatial design, the studio develops product collaborations with brands such as Tai Ping, Poltrona Frau, Lasvit, Noritake Design Collection and Dornbracht. Known for its refined and forward-thinking approach, AB Concept continues to explore what design can do, beyond what it looks like.
abconcept.net | @ab_concept
ABOUT AKIRA BACK
Akira Back, the name that is synonymous for cutting cuisine and exquisite taste in the restaurant and hospitality industry. A first-class and world-renowned idealist who is a revered chef and has triumphantly built a global empire over the past two decades, spanning 31 cutting-edge locations operating around the world with more on the horizon. In addition to his lengthy resume and accolades that continue to mount, Back is persistently on the forefront of innovation and artistry. Born in Seoul, Korea and raised in Aspen, Colorado, Akira Back moved to the Rocky Mountain state at the age of 15-years-old for his father to pursue the family business. Back picked up snowboarding as a hobby, which led him to pursue the professional circuit where he appeared in a handful of extreme sports movies and garnered praise from the sports top trade publications. During this time, Back began working at a local Japanese restaurant to supplement his income. After seven years on the pro-snowboarding circuit, Back realised that he felt the same thrill in the kitchen as he did on his board, shaping his decision to pursue a full-time culinary career. Back attended and completed his cooking education at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute based in Colorado, establishing the framework of his technique and amplifying his knowledge of Asian cooking, allowing him to incorporate his artistic vision and Korean heritage. Combining his passions for adventure, travel and culinary exploration, Chef Back opened his first restaurant in 2008, the world-renowned Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge located inside the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
www.akiraback.com