News & Views 5 minutes 03 December 2024

The First MICHELIN Guide for Fujian Province Unveils 5 New Stars and Highlights Affordable Local Gems

The first provincial selection of the MICHELIN Guide in mainland China, dedicated to Fujian Province, features 69 restaurants across Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou, including 5 One-Star establishments, 47 Bib Gourmand selections, and 2 professionals honored with Special Awards.

Michelin is delighted to present the first restaurant selection of the MICHELIN Guide dedicated to the Fujian Province. Recommending a total of 69 restaurants located in Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou, the list includes 5 restaurants awarded One MICHELIN Star and 47 with a Bib Gourmand. The MICHELIN Guide Fujian Province also shed a light on two outstanding professionals who received individual awards– the MICHELIN Young Chef Award and the Service Award.


"For the first time since its debut in mainland China, the MICHELIN Guide is launching a provincial selection. As we embark on this next chapter, we’re going beyond the biggest Chinese metropolis to better uncover the authentic food culture of Chinese provinces." said Mr. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide.

“Between mountains and the sea, Fujian and its spectacular geography provide rich natural resources for its talented chefs. This first selection is a tribute to local food heritage and culture, as many restaurants our Inspectors decided to recommend are simple yet memorable eateries, deeply rooted in tradition.”

During a Press Conference, Gwendal Poullennec also revealed the unique way in which the MICHELIN Guide is made. The restaurant selection is carried out by anonymous MICHELIN Guide Inspectors. Former professionals in the restaurant or hospitality industry and currently working full-time for Michelin, the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors work anonymously and behave like any other customer when assessing restaurants. They always pay for their bills and maintain the independence that gives The MICHELIN Guide’s recommendations their strength and credibility. Each decision made is a team decision made based on multiple tests realized by different Inpsectors.

Whatever restaurant’s cuisine style, concept or location, whether they are luxury fine dining restaurants or street food eateries, the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors only focus on the quality of the food proposed which they evaluate following 5 universal and historical criteria: the quality of the ingredients used, the mastery of the cooking techniques, the harmony of flavours, the personality of the chef as expressed in the food, and the consistency between the visits and through the menu as a whole.

RELATED: What is a Michelin Star?

© Jiangnan Wok‧Rong
© Jiangnan Wok‧Rong

5 restaurants receive One Michelin Star

Fujian Province is located at the intersection of mountains and seas, rich in natural resources and unique geographical advantages. As one of China's eight culinary traditions, Fujian cuisine combines the culinary styles of different regions to produce diverse and unique flavors. The culinary cultures of the three cities spotlighted in the Guide are rich and diverse, with many historic restaurants preserving family recipes and traditional flavours, as well as high-quality gourmet restaurants.

The inaugural edition of the Michelin Guide Fujian awarded One MICHELIN Star to five restaurants located in Fuzhou and Xiamen, highlighting the potential and charm of local cuisines: Jiangnan Wok‧Rong and Wenru No.9 in Fuzhou; Fleurs Et Festin, Hokklo and Yanyu (Jiahe Road) in Xiamen.

Jiangnan Wok‧Rong - (Huai Yang cuisine)

The interior sports a tasteful green colour scheme with plant motifs and fish scale tiles for a style poised between Jiangnan and Fuzhou. In the same vein, the menu features authentic Huaiyang classics alongside Fujian produce and Minnan twists. Braised yellow croaker ‘lion’s head’ meatball impresses with rich silky texture and deep umami and the ginger eight-treasure duck is a must-try.

©Wenru No.9
©Wenru No.9

Wenru No.9 – (Fujian cuisine)

The restaurant is located in a historic area where many famous scholars lived during the North Song Dynasty. The interior sports original architectural details, while the menu pays homage to traditional Fujian food culture. The head chef has been cooking professionally for over 30 years; his sliced conch in red vinasse sauce accentuates the briny-sweet taste of the sea snail. Hand-pounded rice cake is the perfect companion to any seafood dish.

© Fleurs Et Festin
© Fleurs Et Festin

Fleurs Et Festin – (Chao Zhou cuisine)

A three-storey historic building is home to this Chaoshan restaurant. The ground floor sports several tables, while private rooms on the upper floors require a minimum spend. The kitchen team of Chaoshan natives excels in authentic dishes made with fresh produce. Braised goose web in spiced marinade is flavoursome and gelatinous in texture and the local green lobster with taro-scented wax gourd hits the spot every time.

© Rex Liu - LYISO STUDIO/Hokklo
© Rex Liu - LYISO STUDIO/Hokklo

Hokklo – (Fujian cuisine)

“Hokklo” means "hospitable" in Fujian, in keeping with the welcoming space furnished in elegant East-meets-West style. Hailing from the Minnan region, the head chef champions a refined modern take on traditional Fujian cooking. Signatures include steamed wine-scented yellow croaker, mud crab braised in aged wine with dried longans, and Hakka-style braised He Tian chicken claypot with salt and wine. Peruse the seasonal offerings and extensive wine list, too.

RELATED: The Art of the Claypot: History's First Recyclable Cookware

© Yanyu (Jiahe Road)
© Yanyu (Jiahe Road)

Yanyu (Jiahe Road) – (Fujian cuisine)

For 10-plus years, this flagship establishment has been packed with loyal patrons. The modern stylish interior showcases top-notch dried seafood which is used in the famous Fujian Buddha jumps over the wall dish, but you can also enjoy other first-rate dishes without breaking the bank. Try Minnan prawn noodles in orange coloured tomalley soup or made to order black mochi packed with black sesame aroma. The seasonal menu is also worth exploring.

Ming Yue Xia Mian (Xiahe Road) © MICHELIN
Ming Yue Xia Mian (Xiahe Road) © MICHELIN

47 restaurants recommended with a Bib Gourmand


Over the past year, the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors have also been scouring the streets of the 3 cities looking for delicious and affordable restaurants, which have been included in the well-acclaimed Bib Gourmand list. The first edition of the Bib Gourmand Fujian Provincial selection includes an impressive total of 47 restaurants, of which 11 restaurants are in Fuzhou, 26 in Xiamen and 10 in Quanzhou. In addition to the cuisine styles like Fujian, seafood, vegetarian and Sichuan, there are also many small eateries providing congee, noodles or local snacks. Many local specialties jumped on the list, from snacks such as Lao hua (Fujian-style noodle soups), oyster fritter, peanut soup, taro paste, shrimp noodles, etc., to iconic dishes such as ginger duck, lychee pork, or sea clams blanched in boiling chicken soup, showing the rich and vivid food scenes of the three places. This special selection is the ideal companion for gourmets looking for authentic, traditional Chinese flavors.

In addition to MICHELIN Starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants, the MICHELIN Guide inspectors have also discovered many restaurants that use fresh ingredients to prepare high-quality dishes. The first edition of restaurant selection for Fujian province includes a total of 17 MICHELIN Selected restaurants, including 8 in Fuzhou, 5 in Xiamen and 4 in Quanzhou, covering a variety of cooking styles such as Fujian, Sichuan, Cantonese, vegetarian and fashionable European cuisine.

Chef Zhenlong YOU, from MICHELIN Selected Restaurant, Lucheng, won this year's MICHELIN Young Chef Award.
Chef Zhenlong YOU, from MICHELIN Selected Restaurant, Lucheng, won this year's MICHELIN Young Chef Award.

Two MICHELIN Special Awards are handed out to talented restaurant professionals


In addition to recommending quality restaurants, the MICHELIN Guide is also committed in highlighting talented professionals whose talent and know-how contribute to elevate the gastronomic experience and have impressed the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors. In this inaugural selection, two dedicated professionals received either the MICHELIN Young Chef Award or Service Award.

Chef Zhenlong YOU, from MICHELIN Selected Restaurant, Lucheng, won this year's MICHELIN Young Chef Award. Chef YOU is a remarkable chef from Zhangzhou, Fujian, whose culinary journey is marked by passion and dedication. With a strong foundation in kitchen techniques, he is committed to exploring local ingredients and infusing his unique creativity into each menu. He proudly presents the diverse culinary landscape of Fujian, crafting dishes that invite guests to experience the region's rich flavors. He prioritizes both food quality and exceptional service, ensuring that every meal is memorable.

The winner of this year's MICHELIN Service Award is from MICHELIN Selected Restaurant Hatter. Mr. Bob LIN.
The winner of this year's MICHELIN Service Award is from MICHELIN Selected Restaurant Hatter. Mr. Bob LIN.

The winner of this year's MICHELIN Service Award is from MICHELIN Selected Restaurant Hatter. Mr. Bob LIN, the owner, was born in Fuzhou. Although he went abroad to study architectural design in his early years, he has always held a deep love for his hometown. After returning, he opened this exquisite restaurant. Mr. LIN is eager to share his philosophy with customers. He personally attends to every table, from introducing the ingredients to explaining cooking techniques and sharing the stories behind the dishes. He also has a passion for wine and serves as the restaurant's sommelier. The wine collection, filled with his personal favorites, reflects his enthusiasm. Dinners can always find him bustling around the restaurant, handling everything himself.

The Fujian restaurant selection joins the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in China and throughout the world.

Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.


The MICHELIN Guide Fujian Province 2025 summary:

69 recommended restaurants of which:
- 5 One MICHELIN Star restaurants (2 in Fuzhou, and 3 in Xiamen)
- 47 Bib Gourmand restaurants (11 in Fuzhou, 26 in Xiamen, and 10 in Quanzhou)
- 17 MICHELIN-selected restaurants (8 in Fujian, 5 in Xiamen, and 4 in Quanzhou)

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