How Many Chinese Restaurants Have a Michelin Star?

The Michelin Guide has long been a respected mark of excellence in the restaurant industry. Its coveted stars are awarded to restaurants that demonstrate extraordinary quality and consistency in their offerings. But how many Chinese restaurants have a Michelin star? The answer is surprisingly few.

The Michelin Guide began in France, and many of its starred restaurants specialize in French cuisine. As such, it has been slow to acknowledge the quality of Chinese restaurants. Of the more than 3,000 restaurants that have received at least one Michelin star since its inception, only about 20 are Chinese establishments. This includes two-starred restaurants like Lung King Heen in Hong Kong and Din Tai Fung in Shanghai.

This scarcity of Chinese starred restaurants is largely due to the fact that the Michelin inspectors are not particularly well-versed in traditional Chinese cuisine. While they understand the basics of French cooking, they may not be able to recognize subtle nuances or appreciate certain textures and flavors that are specific to certain regional Chinese cooking styles.

Nevertheless, there have been some notable successes for Chinese eateries over the years. In 2018, Tokyo’s Ryugin became only the second Japanese restaurant outside of France to receive three Michelin stars – an achievement that was widely celebrated by both Japanese and Chinese culinary communities.

The number of Chinese restaurants with a Michelin star is likely to increase as more inspectors become familiar with traditional cooking styles from across Asia. This could lead to more recognition for talented chefs from countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan whose cuisines may not be widely known outside their own regions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are currently only a handful of Chinese restaurants with a Michelin star compared to thousands from other cuisines. However, this number is likely to increase over time as more inspectors become familiar with Asian culinary traditions and recognize their excellence.