19th January 2022 – (Hong Kong) Michelin announced today the annual edition of the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2022 in a virtual award ceremony. For the second year, it was digitally live-streamed via MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong and Macau’s official Facebook page as well as the regional MICHELIN Guide Asia YouTube channel.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, revealed the restaurants selected in the 14th edition of the Hong Kong and Macau Guide, as well as share some words of hope for chefs and restaurateurs for a promising 2022 after a difficult year. “The restaurant industry in Hong Kong and Macau has once again shown it’s resiliency and dynamism after a challenging 2021,” commented Mr. Poullennec.
A total of 71 Hong Kong restaurants and 15 Macao restaurants are on the list, of which 9 are new 1-star restaurants, all are from Hong Kong, including French restaurant Belon in Central and Cantonese cuisine Seventh Son Restaurant in Wan Chai.
The Michelin star of Tim Ho Wan, known for being “the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant” was stripped. The chain has since expanded and now has franchises in 12 countries. The food standard has reported dropped over the years. The Philippine fried chicken chain Jollibee announced in 2021 that it has purchased the remaining 15% of the local Michelin dim sum restaurant “Tim Ho Wan” from Singapore private equity fund Titan Dining LP for S$71.56 million (approximately HK$410 million).
A total of 10 restaurants have won the highest 3-star award, of which 7 are in Hong Kong including Caprice in Central, Italian restaurant 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo-BOMBANA, Lung King Heen, L ‘Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Sushi Shikon, Forum Restaurant in Causeway Bay and T’ang Court in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Those which won 2 stars for the second consecutive year are Ying Jee Club and Arbor in Central. Octavium, an Italian restaurant has become a new 2 Michelin star restaurant. Sushi Saito at Four Seasons Hotel has been downgraded to only 1-star. 59 restaurants were awarded 1 star this yrear, the same number as last year. Among them, Hong Kong accounted for 52, an increase of 2 from last year, including Cantonese restaurant The Chariman in Central, Yard Bird, Japanese continental cuisine Andō, etc.
Among the 59 1-star restaurants, 9 are new on the list, including Belon, a French restaurant in Central, Hansik Goo, a Korean food and wine bar, Mono, Chaat, Seventh Son Restaurant, Whey, Sushi Wadatsumi, and Yong Fu at Shop 2, G/F&1/F, Golden Star Building, 20-24 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai.
New 1 MICHELIN-starred CHAAT in Rosewood Hong Kong is the first Indian restaurant in history in Kowloon, Hong Kong to receive this accolade. Chef de Cuisine Manav Tuli re-imagines his favourite traditional street snacks from his childhood growing up in central India, which includes his hearty homemade Paneer Cheese and Pav Bhaji. Utilising a trio of authentic tandoor ovens, the colourful menu pays homage to the rich and varied culinary lexicon of India’s central states and Bombay coast, the northern Punjab and Kerala in the south.
Restaurants that have retained MICHELIN star(s) include the following restaurants:
· 2 MICHELIN-starred Tate Dining Room led by Chef-Founder Vicky Lau. TATE Dining Room is a fine dining restaurant serving an eclectic mix of French and Chinese cuisine presented in a menu of “Edible Stories” – Chef Vicky’s artistic exploration into culinary expressionism, and a reflection of her previous life as a creative designer.
· 2 MICHELIN-starred Écriture is led by Executive Chef Maxime Gilbert and Chef De Cuisine Heloise Fischbach. A venture by Le Comptoir Hospitality Group and located within Hong Kong’s cultural hotspot H Queen’s, Écriture presents French cuisine elevated to new heights by uniting it with exceptional French and Japanese produce. Chef Maxime explores the endless possibilities that occur when Western craftsmanship meets Eastern philosophies.
· 1 MICHELIN-starred Andō, led by Agustin Ferrando Balbi, is a translation of Agustin’s own unorthodox journey onto the plate – one that nods at his ancestral roots while gazing at the land that shaped his craft. Andō’s innovative Spanish x Japanese cuisine is reflected by its modern tasting menus that present uncharted flavour combinations, accentuated with the finest ingredients by boutique purveyors and producers who share Agustin’s fervent respect for seasonality and heritage.
· 1 MICHELIN-starred Roganic is led by Executive Chef Ash Salmon. Part of the Simon Rogan empire of restaurants in UK and Hong Kong, Roganic celebrates continued success with one MICHELIN star in addition to the retention of its MICHELIN Green Star award. Roganic introduces elements from Simon Rogan’s two MICHELIN-starred L’Enclume in England’s Lake District, whilst sourcing ingredients locally and continuing its mission to create a better and more sustainable future for our planet.
· 1 MICHELIN-starred Duddells is a social and cultural destination for people who have an active appreciation for the arts. Located on the historic Duddell Street in the heart of central, Duddell’s boasts chic and relaxed interiors from designer Ilse Crawford, that are as noteworthy as the exhibitions on the walls. Duddell’s was designed to feel like guests have been welcomed into the home of a great art collector – one that also happens to have an in-house Michelin starred culinary team led by new Executive Chef, Yip Kar On.
MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2022 has revealed its annual selection of Bib Gourmand and MICHELIN Recommended Restaurants, which are chosen based on the same criteria used for starred restaurants and are recognised for serving good food at moderate prices. From this new list, The Forks & Spoons is pleased to announce the inclusion of the following restaurants:
· Bâtard, a wine-focused refined French restaurant led by Chef de Cuisine Aven Lau. Bâtard combines The Fine Wine Experience’s passion for wine, and Piccolo Concepts’ passion for food in a space created for the wine enthusiast. The cuisine emphasises fresh seasonal produce prepared simply, resulting in comfort food elevated to pair with the world’s finest wines.
· The Legacy House, the lively Cantonese restaurant located within the ultra-luxurious Rosewood Hong Kong. The kitchen is helmed by Chinese Executive Chef Li Chi-Wai, who draws on age-old Cantonese techniques to present old recipes with a modern and sustainable twist.
· Castellana, an Italian restaurant that serves authentic Piedmont cuisine with an innovative twist in the heart of Causeway Bay. The distinctive food is matched by quality wine, creamy cheeses, world-famous white truffles, and indulgent desserts – all in a bid to deliver the perfect, comprehensive meal.
· Locanda Dell’Angelo, the city’s long-time favourite destination for an authentic and homely Italian experience in the heart of Happy Valley led by Executive Chef Steve Chiu and Pastry Chef, Tia Cheung.