Michelin has announced the closely-watched MICHELIN Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang-Nga 2019 Selection. In its second edition, the world-renowned guide recognises 27 dining establishments in Bangkok and Phuket — 23 of them are awarded with one star each and four attain two stars each.
Sühring, a contemporary European restaurant in Bangkok, is elevated to a two-star rating after it was lauded with one star last year. The restaurant joins three other two-Michelin-starred restaurants — Gaggan, Le Normandie and Mezzaluna on the list.
The one-star category has the most movement with 10 restaurants across Thailand making their debut on the list. They are Canvas, Gaa, Le Du, Methavalai Sorndaeng, PRU, R-Haan, Ruean Panya, Saawaan, Sorn and Suan Thip.
Popular Thai shophouse restaurant, Jay Fai, retains its one-star accolade and is the only street food eatery in the honour roll.
He adds: “With Thailand’s Andaman Sea offering an opulence of refined ingredients and endless culinary inspiration, it’s no surprise that Thailand’s south is home to one of the most innovative restaurants in our selection.
“Furthermore, the very coveted club of Michelin two star restaurants widens in Bangkok with the addition of Sühring who have built on their success of last year.”
Run by German twin brothers, Mathias and Thomas Sühring, Sühring, which is located in a restored 1970s townhouse in Bangkok’s Yan Nawa district, has received acclaim for combining traditional cooking techniques with contemporary European influences.
Thai cuisine is prominently featured among the new one-starred restaurants — seven out of 10 restaurants in the list serve Thai cuisine. Contemporary restaurants include Le Du, which received a Michelin Plate last year and Saawaan, which uses local Thai ingredients such as organic rice paddy crab from Sing Buri and squid from in Krabi.
Another new one-star restaurant is crowd favourite Methavalai Sorndaeng, which is known for dishes such as crispy rice noodles in sweet and sour sauce, and spicy lemongrass salad served alongside with live 1980s Thai music and views of the Bangkok's iconic Democracy Monument.
Restaurants with two Michelin stars
Gaggan
Le Normandie
Mezzaluna
Restaurant Sühring (New)
Restaurants with one Michelin star
Bo.lan
Canvas (New)
Chim by Siam Wisdom
Elements
Gaa (New)
Ginza Sushi Ichi
Jay Fai
J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorrain
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Le Du (New)
Methavalai Sorndaeng (New)
nahm
Paste
PRU (New)
R-Haan (New)
Ruean Panya (New)
Saneh Jaan
Saawaan (New)
Sorn (New)
Suan Thip (New)
Savelberg
Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin
Upstairs at Mikkeller