Hawker stalls feature in Singapore’s inaugural Michelin dining guide.

While dominated by celebrity chefs, the inaugural Singapore Michelin Guide has awarded one star each to a pork noodle stall and a soya-sauce chicken stall.

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle in Crawford Lane and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle in Chinatown Complex were among 29 establishments awarded stars.

Joel Robuchon, the chef with the most Michelin stars in the world, added five more to his collection. Joel Robuchon Restaurant at RWS was the only Singapore establishment awarded three stars, while L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, also at RWS, garnered two stars.

French restaurants Les Amis, Odette and Restaurant Andre each received two stars.

Chef Shinji Kanesaka, whose Tokyo sushi bar has two Michelin stars, scored one star each for his Singapore restaurants, Shinji by Kanesaka at the Raffles Hotel and The St Regis Singapore.

Single stars also went to Corner House, which features chef Jason Tan’s gastro-botanica cuisine; Malcolm Lee’s Peranakan restaurant Candlenut; and Forest, a contemporary Chinese restaurant run by Singapore celebrity chef Sam Leong.

In another world first, Australian cooking was awarded a star – for the Osia restaurant, where chef Douglas Tay, under the direction of Scott Webster, offers Australian and Asian fusion.

All in, 22 establishments received one star and six restaurants earned two stars each.

“Gastronomic capital”

About 600 guests each paid more than S$450 (US$330) to attend the three-hour launch ceremony for the guide.

“Our inspectors were thrilled to find that Singapore’s food scene is one of the most dynamic, not only in Asia but in the entire world,” international director Michael Ellis told guests. “From fabulous hawker stands to world-class fine dining and everywhere in between, Singapore has clearly earned her place as a truly gastronomic capital.”

The Singapore guide is put out by French tyre company Michelin in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and wine authority Robert Parker Wine Advocate. Restaurants are assessed by Michelin inspectors, who dine independently and anonymously. The judging criteria include food quality, cooking techniques and value for money.

The list

Michelin-starred establishments in Singapore…

Three stars: Joel Robuchon Restaurant, Resorts World Sentosa.

Two stars: L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Resorts World Sentosa; Les Amis, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road; Odette, National Gallery Singapore; Restaurant Andre, Bukit Pasoh Road; Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro, Mandarin Orchard Singapore; Shoukouwa, One Fullerton.

One star: Alma by Juan Amador, Goodwood Park Hotel; The Kitchen at Bacchanalia, Hongkong Street; Beni, Mandarin Gallery; Candlenut, New Bridge Road; Corner House, Botanic Gardens; Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Paragon Shopping Centre; Cut by Wolfgang Puck, Marina Bay Sands; Forest, Resorts World Sentosa; Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Crawford Lane; Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, Chinatown Food Complex; Jaan, Swissotel The Stamford; Lei Garden, Chijmes; Osia, Resorts World Sentosa; Putien, Kitchener Road; Rhubarb Le Restaurant, Duxton Hill; Shinji by Kanesaka, Raffles Hotel; Shinji by Kanesaka, The St Regis Singapore; Summer Pavilion, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore; Sushi Ichi, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel; Terra Tokyo-Italian, Tras Street; The Song of India, Scotts Road; Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands.
The guide costs $39.95 and can be bought online.