The first-ever Michelin stars for Singapore
It’s been a long time coming...
Congratulations to our friends in the Lion City! We never had any doubt about their status as a true foodie nation, but now the world knows it too. Michelin, maker of the world-famous dining bible, have finally eaten their way through the city and awarded 29 stars to a variety of establishments, from Joël Robuchon (three stars) in Sentosa to Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle (one star) in Chinatown. The Guide also recommends 34 Bib Gourmand restaurants that offer an excellent but simpler style of cooking for less than S$45 (HK$260) per person, as well as 137 additional noteworthy eateries. Basically, there are now 200 reasons to get back to Singapore ASAP.
While reading through the Guide, we were struck by the accessibility of the choices. It does a great job of showcasing that it is possible to eat well in Singapore without splashing out on the cash. For instance, take the Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle hawker stall, the first-ever Michelin-starred hawker stall, where a plate of soya sauce chicken rice starts at just S$2 (HK$12).
Also impressive is the breadth of the choices. Singapore is a melting pot of Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures, sprinkled with the influences of an active expat community. The restaurants selected showcase this diversity, as well as the refreshing lack of snobbery when it comes to dining out in Singapore. French, Cantonese, Japanese, Peranakan, Australian, Indian and Italian establishments all received stars. In Singapore, it’s always the quality of the food that matters.
Sure, the Guide doesn't include all our favourite places, but it does justice to the city-state's dining scene. Innovative fine-dining food deserves to be celebrated, as does classic hawker fare.
Do you agree with the star ratings? Were any of your favourites left out?
Three stars
Joël Robuchon (Sentosa)
Two stars
André (Tanjong Pagar)
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Sentosa)
Les Amis (Orchard)
Odette (City Hall)
Shisen Hanten (Orchard)
Shoukouwa (Raffles Place)
One star
Alma (Orchard)
Béni (Orchard)
Candlenut (Tanjong Pagar)
Corner House (Botanic Gardens)
Crystal Jade Golden Palace (Orchard)
Cut (Bayfront)
Forest (Sentosa)
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (Lavender)
Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle (Chinatown)
Jaan (City Hall)
Lei Garden (City Hall)
Osia Steak & Seafood Grill (Sentosa)
Putien (Farrer Park)
Rhubarb (Tanjong Pagar)
Shinji, Raffles Hotel (Bras Basah)
Shinji, St Regis Hotel (Orchard)
Summer Pavillion (Marina Square)
Sushi Ichi (Orchard)
Terra (Tanjong Pagar)
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia (Clarke Quay)
The Song of India (Newton)
Waku Ghin (Bayfront)
View the digital version of Michelin Guide Singapore here or download the app on your iPhone (Android version coming soon).
Many thanks to COBO HOUSE, by renowned Singaporean pastry chef Janice Wong, for the delicious lunch at the 2016 Hong Kong launch of Michelin Guide Singapore.
This post first appeared on Foodie.
