Michelin Guide Singapore 2018: no restaurants earn three Michelin stars
With the closing of Joel Robuchon’s restaurant last month, the city now lacks a top-rated establishment, though five outlets retain their two-star ratings
Singapore’s restaurant industry was shocked to find that the Michelin guide did not award any local establishment a three-star ranking this year, following the exit of Joël Robuchon’s self-titled restaurant, which closed last month.
At the Michelin Guide Singapore 2018 announcement, which was held at Resorts World Sentosa on Wednesday night, there were five new one-star restaurants while five restaurants retained their two-star rating.
Joël Robuchon shuts down two restaurants in Singapore
In all, a total of 44 stars were awarded in the third annual Michelin guide to the city, down from 47 in 2017. In addition to the five two-star restaurants, 34 received one star.
Sebastien Lepinoy, the executive chef of Les Amis, which was gunning for three stars, said he was disappointed for Singapore.
“This is sad for Singapore because many tourists come to Singapore to dine in restaurants. Twenty-five per cent of our guests are tourists and when they find out there are no three-star restaurants here, they would rather go to Hong Kong, where there are six restaurants with three stars,” he said.
Julien Royer, the chef/owner of Odette, which presents contemporary French cuisine, said he was very pleased with his two-star rating, noting that the restaurant is only two-and-a-half years old. To expect three stars now, he said, would be too soon.
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Other two-star restaurants on the list are Shisen Hanten, where Japanese chef Chen Kentaro cooks Sichuan cuisine, and two other Japanese restaurants, Shoukouwa and Waku Ghin.
Five new restaurants were added to the list of one-star restaurants: the barbecue establishment Burnt Ends; Jiang-Nan Chun, which serves Cantonese cuisine; Ma Cuisine and its French menu; Nouri, serving innovative dishes; and Sushi Kimura.
Michelin stars are awarded based on the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors and “the chef’s personality as expressed in their cuisine”, according to the company’s website.
The French tiremaker and publisher began producing restaurant guides in 1900 and introduced its three-star rating system in 1931. It now publishes titles covering more than 25 countries around the world. In recent years, it has expanded its Asian catalog and now covers cities including Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
The Winners
Two stars: Les Amis, Odette, Shisen Hanten, Shoukouwa, Waku Ghin.
One star: Alma, Bacchanalia, Beni, Braci, Burnt Ends*, Candlenut, Cheek by Jowl, Chef Kang’s, Corner House, Crystal Jade, Golden Palace, Cut,Garibaldi, Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Iggy’s, Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine (Orchard), Jaan, Jiang-Nan Chun*, Labyrinth, Lei Garden, Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle, Ma Cuisine*, Meta, Nouri*, Putien (Kitchener Road), Rhubarb, Saint Pierre, Shinji (Bras Basah Road), Shinji (Tanglin Road), Summer Palace, Summer Pavilion, Sushi Ichi, Sushi Kimura*, The Song of India, Whitegrass.
* new to the list
