Does China Have Michelin Star?

As the world’s second largest economy, China has grown to be a major player in the culinary world. With hundreds of regional dishes and an ever-increasing number of international restaurants, China has become a top destination for food lovers. But with all the restaurants and dishes on offer, is there an option for those with Michelin star ambitions?

The answer is yes—China does have its own Michelin Guide. The first edition of the Michelin Guide in China was released in 2016 and is now published annually.

It covers a wide range of cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The guide is comprehensive, featuring both local Chinese fare as well as international cuisine from around the globe.

The Michelin Guide in China also awards stars to select restaurants. In 2019 there were 628 starred restaurants in total; these included not just Chinese restaurants but also other international cuisines such as French and Italian cuisine.

The highest accolade given by the guide is three stars which are awarded to just 34 restaurants across all the cities featured in the guide. These include some of China’s most prestigious eateries such as Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Shanghai and 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong.

Despite its increasing popularity and influence, Michelin star dining is still relatively new to China. While many Chinese diners are now familiar with what it means to receive a star rating, there are still many who are unaware of how it works or what it means for a restaurant to receive one.

Conclusion:

Yes, China does have its own Michelin Guide that awards stars to select restaurants across several cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. This guide covers both local Chinese fare as well as international cuisine from around the globe and has grown increasingly popular over time. Despite this growth however, there are still some diners who are unfamiliar with how receiving a star rating works or what it means for a restaurant to receive one.