29 Singapore restaurants, hawkers awarded Michelin stars
Two legendary hawkers were among the 29 restaurants and hawker stalls in Singapore that were given the highly coveted Michelin stars at the famous food guide’s award ceremony on Thursday (21 July).
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, a hawker stall that has a history dating back to before World War Two, and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, were both given the Michelin one-star at the inaugural ceremony in Singapore, held at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).
Photo: Yahoo Singapore
Frenchman Joel Robuchon, the chef with the most Michelin stars in the world, was the biggest winner, with two of his restaurants in Singapore awarded two-star and three-star ratings.
Singapore was hailed as a “gastronomic capital” by Michelin Guides as it became the fourth Asian destination after Japan, Hong Kong and Macau to be accorded the crowning glory of culinary success.
Michael Michaelidis (left) and Joel Robuchon (right), chefs of three-star Joel Robuchon restaurant at at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) (Photo: Nurul Azliah/Yahoo Singapore)
The sole restaurant to earn the three-star rating was Joel Robuchon, the French contemporary restaurant at RWS. Six restaurants were given two-star rating including L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Andre and Les Amis.
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle joined 20 other one-star winners including restaurants Candlenut, which serves Peranakan cuisine, and Forest, helmed by Singapore celebrity chef Sam Leong.
Tang Chay Seng, owner of Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, meeting reporters after being awarded the prestigious one-star Michelin. (Video: Nurul Azliah/Yahoo Singapore)
At the ceremony, Michael Ellis, International Director of Michelin Guides, said that Singapore is a natural extension of Michelin’s global presence.
“The Michelin inspectors had truly amazing cuisines here based upon Singapore’s unique cultural and demographic history. Our inspectors were also thrilled to find that Singapore’s food scene is one of the most dynamic, not only in Asia, but the rest of the world. Singapore has clearly earned her place as a true gastronomic capital,” Ellis said.
Calling Singapore “a nation of foodies”, Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board, said that the launch of Michelin Guide Singapore is a testament to the country’s diverse cuisines and culinary reputation.
“It’s a great platform for us to get the word out, to get even more people excited about the dining experience in Singapore…In terms of branding for our F&B industry, it is amazing. I think the global recognition that Micheiln Guide accords us is something that is truly valuable,” Yeo said.
Chan Hong Meng of Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken & Noodles (left) and Tang Chay Seng of Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (right) at the Michelin guide Singapore awards ceremony. (Photo: Nurul Azliah/Yahoo Singapore)
Michelin first awarded stars to fine dining establishments in 1926, which are widely considered as the Oscars of the culinary world. The French restaurant guide judges restaurants based on the quality of their products, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, personality of chef reflected in the cuisine, value for money and consistency between visits.
Anonymous Michelin inspectors assess an establishment and give it a one-star rating if it is a very good restaurant in its category, a two-star rating for excellent cooking that is worth a detour, and a three-star rating for exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.
The award of the Michelin stars came after 34 eateries in Singapore on 14 July were given the Michelin Guide Singapore’s Bib Gourmand rating, which is given to outlets that offer a good value meal for under S$45.
Here’s the full list of Michelin three-star, two-star and one-star restaurants and hawker stalls in Singapore:
Three-star: 1. Joel Robuchon
Two-star: 1. Andre 2. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon 3. Odette 4. Shisen Hanten 5. Shoukouwa 6. Les Amis
One-star: 1. Alma 2.The Kitchen at Bacchanalia 3. Beni 4. Candlenut 5. Corner House 6. Crystal Jade Golden Palace 7. Cut by Wolfgang Puck 8. Forest 9. Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle 10. Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle 11. Jaan 12. Lei Garden 13. Osia 14. Putien (Kitchener Road) 15. Rhubarb 16. Shinji (Beach Road) 17. Shinji (Tanglin Road) 18. Summer Pavilion 19. Sushi Ichi 20. Terra 21. The Song of India 22. Waku Ghin
