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2023 Michelin Guide Debrief: The Hong Kong Eateries To Bookmark

The 2023 MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau has just been announced, and on this 15th Anniversary Edition, a total of 206 eateries in Hong Kong and 44 eateries in Macau have been recognised! 

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, commented: "Accompanied with the lift of travel restrictions, the culinary scene in Hong Kong remains vibrant and passionate, while the hospitality industry is also picking up its pace. In fact, it has not been a quiet year in Hong Kong, with lots of new projects in town, catering to diners of different nationalities and taste buds."

This year, 15 restaurants were awarded for the first time, or promoted to One, Two, or Three Michelin Stars, proving once again that the culinary scene in Hong Kong remains vibrant and passionate. Let's zoom in on these rising eateries:

1. Ta Vie - Promoted to Three MICHELIN Stars 

(Photo: Ta Vie)

The mantra of Chef Hideaki Sato — “pure, simple, and seasonal” — shines in his cuisine. His passion for cooking and his experimental approach on food combinations and preparation are evidenced by his original and extraordinary creations such as the Charcoal-Grilled “Akamutsu” with Rice Crackers and Aonori Seaweed Sauce, made with top-notch ingredients mostly from his native Japan.

2. Bo Innovation - Newly Awarded

Bo Innovation is a highly acclaimed restaurant that moved to a new spot in 2022. Just like art that exudes local flavours, Chef-owner Alvin Leung’s playful creations are a nod to the Hong Kong food culture. The menu is inspired by Chinese elements and famous paintings like Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans.

3. Lai Ching Heen - Newly Awarded

Lai Ching Heen is renamed from the legendary Yan Toh Heen in 2022. Expansive harbour views and Hong Kong’s skyline with its electric glow remain a joy to behold. All-time favourites like stuffed crab shell with crabmeat and crispy Lung Kong chicken are still offered on the menu, while their dim sum lunch is not to be missed.

4. Rùn - Promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars

(Photo: Rùn)

Rùn is promoted from one MICHELIN Star to two MICHELIN Stars this year. With more than 20 years of experience, Chef Hung values food quality and shrewd techniques more than anything else. Seasonal ingredients from around the world are painstakingly prepared the traditional way, and then plated with modern refinement.

5. D.H.K - One MICHELIN Star

D.H.K’s owner-manager worked in some top-tier Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong, and his presence alone attracts plenty of gastronomes. The kitchen team also lives up to expectations with shrewdly executed Cantonese classics. The classic dim sum menu is worth checking out.

6. Godenya - One MICHELIN Star

Godenya may be in a narrow dark alley with a discreet entrance, but this tiny selfproclaimed “sake pairing restaurant” is fully booked months ahead. There is only one omakase menu featuring kappo dishes, made with seasonal produce mostly flown in from Japan. Sake pairing is a vital part of the experience, as the chef/sake master serves each drink at a different temperature to bring out the best in each course. 

7. Nagamoto - One MICHELIN Star

(Photo: Nagamoto)

Nagamoto is a Japanese restaurant helmed by Chef Teruhiko Nagamoto, with only counter seats, where all diners can watch his well-honed skills in action. Only one omakase menu is offered, with kaiseiki courses crafted out of “shun” ingredients in peak condition, embodying the chef’s deep knowledge in the beauty of subtleness.

8. Noi - One MICHELIN Star

Noi’s tasting menu prominently features top-notch seafood in contemporary cooking with Italian soul. Dishes are highly detailed, artfully plated, and show shrewd techniques, while a wide selection of beverages is carefully prepared.

9. The Chairman - One MICHELIN Star

(Photo: The Chairman)

The Chairman moved to a new address in 2022, and the elegant room comes with a generous display of lush greens. Despite the new location, the culinary vision stays the same — ingredients are mostly sourced from small suppliers and local fishermen, and signatures like steamed crab with Huadiao are still on the menu.

10. The Demon Celebrity - One MICHELIN Star

The Demon Celebrity is a crossover between chef Alvin Leung, also known as the “Demon Chef”, and Master Fu of the now-defunct Celebrity Cuisine. The two chefs put a new spin on familiar Cantonese flavours, with collaborative efforts such as fried pork intestine stuffed with minced cuttlefish and black truffle.

11. Estro - One MICHELIN Star

(Photo: Estro)

Estro has impressed diners with authentic Neapolitan cooking by the native head chef since its opening, especially his homemade pastas such as buttoni filled with parmesan, tomato jus, and basil. Diners have a choice between the 6- and 8-course prix-fixe menu for the chef’s ingenious creations.

12. Kappo Rin - One MICHELIN Star

Kappo Rin, helmed by the Japanese head chef from Sendai, specialises in multicourse omakase menus with both cooked and raw dishes, designed to bring out the natural flavours of fresh Japanese ingredients, with a unique touch of seasoning. Diners get to interact closely with the experienced chefs at the 8-seater counter.

13. Neighbourhood - One MICHELIN Star

Neighborhood is the brainchild of chef-owner Lai, a Hongkonger who was trained in the U.S. An intimate spot tucked away in an alley, the minimalistic and tasteful décor matches the short but sweet menu, with 20 tapas-style items that rotate regularly, many featuring local seafood in a no-framed unique presentation.

14. The Huaiyang Garden - One MICHELIN Star

(Photo: The Huaiyang Garden)

The Huaiyang Garden is the only restaurant newly awarded with One MICHELIN Star in Macau this year. Helmed by the renowned culinary master chef Zhou, the kitchen team excels in sophisticated Huaiyang fare, incorporating fresh river fish shipped from the region twice a week, such as stir-fried shrimps with roe and tomalley, or Liangxi-style crispy eel.

15. Five Foot Road - One MICHELIN Star

Five Foot Road is promoted from a MICHELIN Selected to One MICHELIN Star restaurant. With more than 30 years of experience, the chef from Sichuan excels in presenting traditional Sichuan flavours and aromas with various seafood.

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The full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2023 is available on the MICHELIN Guide’s official website and the MICHELIN Guide mobile app (available on iOS and Android).

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Kanpai!

 

88 Bamboo Editorial Team