By Codelia Mantsebo
Singapore, the city notorious for its world-class dining scene, has joined the Michelin fold. The fine dining bible awarded its coveted stars to 29 of the city’s top dining establishments – among them two street vendors.
Michelin released its first-ever guide to Singapore, complete with dozens of eateries, from gourmet venues spearheaded by celebrity chefs to street food stalls.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
The highly sought-after three stars were awarded to French bistro, Joël Robuchon – located on Singapore’s popular leisure island of Sentosa. Presided over by its namesake, the world’s most-decorated Michelin starred chef, Joël Robuchon is the city-state’s first (and only) restaurant to be crowned with Michelin’s highest accolade.
Six other restaurants received a two-star rating, including L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. With the awarding of the three- and two-star rating to his Joël Robuchon and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurants respectively, expert chef Joël Robuchon retains his global lead as the chef with the most number of Michelin-starred restaurants, now with 30 Michelin stars linked to his restaurant kingdom.
Les Amis
Among the two starred selections is four-month-old Shoukouwa, a joint venture between the Emmanuel Stroobant group and the founder of three-Michelin-starred Sushi Shikon in Tokyo. Similarly attaining two stars within its first year of service is Odette, which was opened eight months ago by French chef Julien Royer. Restaurant Andre by Taiwan-born, French-trained chef Andre Chiang, alongside Les Amis, and Shisen Hanten by Japanese chef Chen Kentaro were also awarded two stars.
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Restaurant Andre
French-cuisine restaurants dominated the two-star category, with four restaurants on the list, while only two Asian restaurants received two stars.
Nodding to the diversity of Singapore’s culinary scene, hawker stalls Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle – were awarded one star each, a milestone for street food in the history of the Michelin Guide.
A further 20 eateries were awarded with a one star rating, including Osia by Singaporean chef Douglas Tay, who creates Australian and Asian fusion dishes and Candlenut, a contemporary Peranakan restaurant by Singaporean chef Malcolm Lee.
Local Indian fine-dining restaurant Song of India put Indian cuisine on the spotlight with a respective one-star recognition as it gained its first Michelin star.
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Independent restaurants such as Cornerhouse by French-trained Singaporean chef Jason Tan, Italian restaurant Terra by Japanese chef Seita Nakamura, modern French restaurant Rhubarb by British chef Paul Longworth, The Kitchen at Bacchanalia led by Brazilian chef and The Fat Duck alumnus Ivan Brehm were rated one star, corresponding with established brand names such as Putien and Crystal Jade, both local eateries that have since expanded into global restaurant chains.
Overseas restaurants that had or currently have Michelin stars, such as Alma, Cut, Sushi Ichi, Lei Garden and Shinji by Kanesaka, all kept up to par with expectations by earning a star for each of their Singapore outposts.
