Catherine MirasolA couple of weeks ago, Singapore reached another milestone. Can you guess what?
Nope, I’m not talking about the country’s first Olympic gold. (Although, that’s a big deal too.) I’m referring to its inaugural Michelin Guide!
Also read: Hottest Foodie Event in July with Michelin Guide Singapore!
Image credit: Michelin Guide Singapore
Yes, it’s true. The Michelin Guide has finally made it to Singaporean shores! And of course, it was received by much fanfare as Southeast Asia’s “Little Red Dot” is a nation of food-lovers. Many were dying to see which of their favourite establishments were awarded by the French fine dining authority.
Image credit: Michelin Guide Singapore
But you, dear readers, do not have to look any further. I shall do the honours..
Presenting.. The 29 new Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore!
☆☆☆ (three-star)
Image credit: Michelin Guide Singapore
| ☆☆☆ Restaurant | Cuisine |
| Joël Robuchon | French Contemporary |
☆☆ (two-star)
Image credit: Michelin Guide Singapore
| ☆☆ Restaurant | Cuisine |
| André | Innovative |
| L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon | French Contemporary |
| Les Amis | French |
| Odette | French Contemporary |
| Shisen Hanten | Chinese |
| Shoukouwa | Sushi |
☆ (one-star)
Image credit: Michelin Guide Singapore
| ☆ Restaurant | Cuisine |
| Alma | European Contemporary |
| Bacchanalia | Innovative |
| Béni | French Contemporary |
| Candlenut | Peranakan |
| Corner House | Innovative |
| Crystal Jade Golden Palace | Chinese |
| Cut | Steakhouse |
| Forest | Chinese Contemporary |
| Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle | Street Food |
| Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle | Street Food |
| JAAN | French Contemporary |
| Lei Garden | Cantonese |
| Osia | Australian Contemporary |
| Putien (Kitchener Road) | Fujian |
| Rhubarb | French |
| Shinji (Beach Road) | Sushi |
| Shinji (Tanglin Road) | Sushi |
| Summer Pavillion | Cantonese |
| Sushi Ichi | Sushi |
| Terra | Italian |
| The Song of India | Indian |
| Waki Ghin | Japanese |
If you don’t know what the stars stand for, here’s how the Michelin Guide defines them:
☆☆☆ = Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
☆☆ = Excellent cooking, worth a detour
☆ = High quality cooking, worth a stop
As you can see, the list is quite diverse! While you have the standard fine dining eateries by international celebrity chefs such as Michelin Hall of Famer, Joël Robuchon — his namesake restaurant was the only one that garnered the highly coveted three-star honour — on the list, the guide also introduced street food.
Image credit: Aapo Haapanen
Yes, that’s right. For the first time ever, two well-loved hawker stalls, Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, made it to a Michelin list — to the surprise and delight of many — with one star each. Thus, Singapore has now overtaken Hong Kong as the cheapest Michelin-starred foodie destination in the world!
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But that’s not all. The guide also placed Australian and Peranakan cuisine on everyone’s radar with its recognition of Osia and Candlenut. Pretty soon, everyone will start craving for Nonya cooking!
Aside from the 29 restaurants that got stars, the guide also categorised 34 eateries under Bib Gourmand, which they consider as restaurants with “exceptional good food at moderate prices”, and gave another 137 notable mentions.
I’ve known Singapore to be a “stopover city” and a “shopper’s paradise” for years. But now, I think it’s time to look at the city-state in a whole new light — as a gastronomic destination!
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So what do you think? Is it time head back and rediscover the Lion City — through your tummy? Just be ready to reserve beforehand or wait in line as I’m betting you’re not the only food-obsessed traveller headed to these restaurants to see what all the fuss is about!
