The MICHELIN Guide Taipei 2019 is launched
today and in this second edition of the Taipei Guide, three new 2 star
restaurants and four new 1 star restaurants are added to the selection.
A completely new entry with 2 stars in the
Guide in 2019, Sushi Amamoto is an authentic sushi bar with just 12 seats at
a solid cypress counter. The humble and friendly chef imports the seasonal fish
mostly from Kyushu, and some from Tokyo, to be hand-pressed on sushi rice
cooked in natural spring water from Nagano. There are 20 courses in the
prix-fixe omakase menu, including 12 pieces of nigiri.
Taïrroir has been
elevated from 1 to 2 stars this year. The talented chef, originally from Taiwan,
launched this dining concept – a portmanteau of Taiwan and terroir – focusing
on the use of indigenous produce and reinventing Taiwanese cuisine. Set menus
challenge preconceptions due to the use of modern techniques to create artful
presentation and contrasting flavours and textures.
Also elevated from 1 to 2 stars this year
is
Raw. Owner-chef Andre Chiang gained his fame in Singapore and comes
back to his hometown to showcase his creative modern interpretation of
Taiwanese cuisine, with occasional influences of Taiwanese street food. The
9-course prix-fixe menu showcases chef Chiang’s creative take on Taiwanese
cuisine and diners should expect modern presentation with a stimulating blend
of flavours, textures and temperatures.
In addition, Shoun RyuGin and The
Guest House have maintained their 2 star distinctions.
Commenting on the 2019 Taipei selection,
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, said: ‘The
dining scene in Taipei is evolving at a great pace. Our inspectors were not
only impressed by the standard of local Taiwanese cuisine, but also by the
global influences being imported by the very talented and innovative local
chefs, which together will no doubt entice food lovers from around the world.’
The four new 1 star distinctions this year
are: Impromptu
by Paul Lee, where the young chef has mastered his skills in America and
is coming back to his hometown to present innovative cuisine to the locals. Mix
of flavor in his dishes is in good diversity with a good twist of Chinese flavour
and herbs; logy is run by a young Japanese chef from Hokkaido, who creates
the umami with his skilled hands, as well as surprising diners with flavor
combinations; Mountain and Sea House has a long history and has now re-opened
in a new address offering fine authentic Taiwanese cuisine with traditional
flavours; Tainan Tan Tsu Mien Seafood
offers fresh seafood served on luxury European-style tableware. In addition
to the seafood, the Tainan Tan Tsu Mien is not to be missed.
As well as the stars, there are 25 new Bib
Gourmand establishments in the 2019 Taipei selection, including restaurants and
street food vendors in night markets, with each offering ‘good quality, good
value cooking’, which means a three course meal for a fixed price not exceeding
NT$1,000 (around €36).
The MICHELIN Guide Taipei 2019 selection at
a glance:
One 3 star restaurant
Five 2 star restaurants
Eighteen 1 star restaurants
58 Bib Gourmand establishments, including
restaurants and street food vendors