Many people from the food and beverage industry assume that the Michelin Guide began with the restaurant industry1. It was the brainchild of brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin in France in 1889, where they first founded their tire company to revolutionize the automobile industry in France1. The French brothers developed a guide, containing useful information and navigation tips such as the recommended routes and places to obtain gas and eat.
By 1926, the guide began awarding fine dining restaurants with a star1. In 1931, a reward system was introduced – a ranking from zero to three stars was implemented. Fast-forward to today, the world-renowned Michelin Guide provides ratings to more than 30,000 food establishments in over 30 places around the world. It has sold beyond 30 million copies worldwide1.
The inspection process covers the following areas – quality of food, flavor and cooking techniques, whether the chef’s personality is reflected, value for money and consistency in delivery. Singapore is one of the countries that has been listed in the Michelin Guide.
In Singapore, 17 new food establishments and 28 hawker stalls were listed in this year’s Michelin’s Bib Gourmand2. The Bib Gourmand is named after Bibendum, the brand’s mascot for the Michelin Group. It serves as a consolation prize nor a one-star rating3. However, it is still a prestigious rating that identifies food establishments that serve quality food at reasonable price points3.
Muthu’s Curry is featured as a new entrant to this list and has been in operations since 19693. This Indian restaurant is famous for its award-winning fish head curry2. The dish is served with okra and pineapple chunks that come with rich and spicy gravy. Other popular dishes served in this restaurant include butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and tandoori chicken.
Fish head curry served at Muthu’s Curry
Credits: Muthu’s Curry
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the hawker stalls that is listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand 20184. Located at Maxwell Food Center in Singapore, the stall sells a local’s favorite – the Hainanese chicken rice. Served with steamed succulent chicken and fragrant rice, this hearty dish is a crowd’s favorite.
Chicken rice served at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Credits: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
The Coconut Club is a casual dining eatery that serves nasi lemak to their diners5. It has also been listed as part of the Michelin’s Bib Gourmand this year. It comes with ayam goreng berempah, which is fried chicken leg with spicy gravy. Diners can choose to complete their meal by having cendol, which is a cold dessert that comes with small green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and drizzled with palm sugar syrup.
Nasi lemak served at The Coconut Club
Credits: The Coconut Club
References:
- Michelin Guide. (2018). About Us. [online] Available at: https://guide.michelin.com/sg/about-us
- Channel NewsAsia. (2018). 50 Singapore eateries receive Michelin’s Bib Gourmand this year. [online] Available at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/lifestyle/singapore-michelin-bib-gourmand-2018-full-list-10539752
- Michelin Guide. (2018). To the stars and beyond. [online] Available at: https://guide.michelin.com/sg/to-the-stars-and-beyond-sg
- Muthu’s Curry. (2018). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.muthuscurry.com/
- The Straits Times. (2018). Full list of Michelin Singapore’s 50 Bib Gourmand eateries for 2018. [online] Available at: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/full-list-of-michelin-singapores-50-bib-gourmand-eateries-for-2018?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&xtor=CS1-10#Echobox=1532242316
- The Coconut Club. (2018). About Us. [online] Available at: http://www.thecoconutclub.sg/ourstory.html