The 2016 Michelin Guide to Hong Kong and Macau; who's up, who's down and who's been left out
We look at the restaurants that have gained or lost stars in the latest edition of the famous guide
T’ang Court is the only new Hong Kong restaurant to make it into the coveted three-star Michelin status in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2016.
In the eighth edition of the guide, there are eight restaurants that have three Michelin stars, including previous winners Bo Innovation, 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Sushi Shikon, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, and Lung King Heen.
Fourteen restaurants were awarded two stars this year, with two new entries for Hong Kong: Forum in Causeway Bay and Ming Court in Cordis Hotel in Mong Kok.
Of the 51 one-star restaurants, six new restaurants were included. Philippe Orrico’s new restaurant On, Ta Vie helmed by Japanese chef/owner Hideaki Sato, and Serge et le Phoque in Wan Chai.
“It’s so exciting!” exclaimed Serge et le phoque co-owner Charles Pelletier. “We didn't expect this at all. We got a call around 12.30pm telling us to come because we got a star.”
However Amber in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental was denied three stars yet again. When asked for reaction, culinary director Richard Ekkebus said to ask the guide.
“We follow Richard, he’s a great chef, he’s on the right track, but the criteria were not quite there,” says Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin guide. “He’s a very talented chef, we’ll continue to go to Amber, and we have great confidence in Richard’s ability.
A new addition to the guide this year is a list of 23 street food places in Hong Kong. They include such places as Kai Kai in Jordan, known for its sweet soups like glutinous rice dumplings in ginger soup and Lei Keung Kee in North Point, famous for its egg waffles.
However there was surprise that American burger joint Butchers Club was included, as it sells hamburgers from HK$100.
“To me it’s like a hastily assembled list. Butcher’s Club – only gweilos know that place,” says local food blogger Gary Suen. “The other places on the list – not many locals even know these places. If the Michelin guide is making this list for out-of-towners to go visit, they are not really relevant.”
However, food writer Chan Chun-wai thinks this new list is a way of improving the guide. “It paves the way for other Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia to spread the word about their local specialities. Maybe with time they can adjust the list.”
Chan admits there were many outlets on the list he didn’t recognise, but enjoys frequenting such places as Kai Kai, Kwan Kee Store and Mammy Pancake.
