Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2023: Bib Gourmand list

We all got super excited when we heard Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2023 is coming to Malaysia. It is like the long waiting in a slow sailing yatch to our shore. However, the reveal of Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2023 Bib Gourmand list did stunned many foodie out there.

Again, food is a very subjective manner, compare to local taste or commercialize. do bare in mind that Michelin award is at super infant stage where there are alot of so called “inspector” to grow along the years if the owner of Tan Sri is able to keep up with the cost. (mostly is government initiative, however for Malaysia is private)

The Michelin Star Revelation 2023 has selected a total of 61 restaurants in Malaysia the coveted Michelin Stars, with 34 in Kuala Lumpur and 27 in Penang.

As a Penang Kia, of course we are proud with one of a rising star eatery which is Au Jardin walked away with 2 awards. Best Young Chef and also 1 Michelin Star Restaurant. 

Let me breakdown into 3 segments for you guys.

1. Michelin Selected (More like recommended only – no awards or anything – could be potential move into Bib Gourment list in 2024 if consistancy is there. Part of Inspector spot check for year 2023)
2. Bib Awards or Michelin Bib Gourmet – this is more for Street food, hawker, familiy style restaurant – which is a great award to have like Thailand – which is kinda Michelin Street Food Guide
3. Official Michelin Star Awards Restaurants (that is breakdown into 1,2,3 stars) – comes with a lot of inspection like, service, table cloth, service, recommendation of food, complication of food ordering, attentiveness, technical food taste, food journey experience, knowledge of using seasonal ingredients and tons.

Lets Kicks start with Michelin Bib Gourmand Awards  :

Below are the BiB Awards Recipients which is worth to check it out.  (means this are recognize as street version of Michelin Awards – NOT EVEN MICHELIN STAR Ya!) as they do not meet the criteria of star series however on consistency of flavour profile yes & affordable.

Kuala Lumpur

1. Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh, Jalan Imbi
2. Aliyaa, Damansara Heights
3. Anak Baba, Brickfields
4. Congkak, Bukit Bintang
5. Dancing Fish, Bangsar – read more: http://bit.ly/dancingFish
6. De Wan 1958 – read more : https://bit.ly/DeWanKL
7. Hai Kah Lang, Cheras
8. Heun Kee Claypot Rice, Pudu
9. Hing Kee Bak Kut Teh, Jalan Kepong
10. Lai Foong Lala Noodles – read more : http://bit.ly/lalanoodlepudu
11. Nam Heong Chicken Rice
12. Nasi Ayam Hainan Chee Ming Jalan Klang Lama
13. Restoran Pik Wah
14. Sao NamWong Mei Kee, Pudu

Penang

1. Bridge Street Prawn Mee
2. Communal Table by Gen
3. Duck Blood Curry Mee
4. Green House Prawn Mee and Loh Mee – Read More: https://bit.ly/GreenHouseKopitiam
5. Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine
6. Ming Qing Charcoal Char Koay Teow
7. Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Kuih – read more : https://bit.ly/MohTengPheowPG
8. Neighbourwood
9. Penang Road Famous Laksa
10. Rasa Rasa
11. Sardaaji
12. Taman Bukit Curry Mee
13. Tek Sen – read more : http://bit.ly/teksen
14. Thara
15. Theebi Pandarams
16. Tho Yuen
17. Wan Dou Tou Assam Laksa

congrats to Both Penang Eatery – Tek Sen famous for family homestyle cooking and Sardaaji for Northen Indian Cuisine.

Who is the official 1 Michelin Star Restaurant:

1-Star Michelin Restaurant: Worth to check them out. I am sure their reservation now is over the roof.

1. Dewakan, KL : read more : http://bit.ly/DewakanChefDarrenTeoh
2. DC. by Darren Chin, KL : read more : http://bit.ly/DCRestaurant
3. Au Jardin, Penang
4. Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, Penang

Finally lets go to Michelin Recommended/ Selected (No Awards)

I am sure there are alot controversies in this list for both Penang and KL. However do bare in mind that these are only recommended list ya! no awards or anything. Is more like a guide. 

*The full selection of the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2023 is available free of charge on the Michelin Guide website https://guide.michelin.com/ and their app. You can also follow their Facebook@MichelinGuideWorldwide

Remark: I personally feel that this is a great initative to begin with, as Michelin guide certainly will take time to grow on local context. Do bear in mind that “mysteries inspector” will dine anonymously for at least 2-4 times to ensure their ratings and consistency. Year 1 food list usually not that impressive as over the years as michelin starting to grow, then yes, we will get to see more prominent food feature. 

I certainly believe that Michelin have not train up 1,000 inspectors to tour around Malaysia for year one. As they certainly need to groom the talent up. (basic criteria inspector criteria read here). So for Malaysians F&B owners and operates, I can only advise you to keep your hardwork as who knows you might be rewarded on 2024, 2025. Like Thailand and SG, it takes them more than 5 years to reach where the list is today. (this is also aggressive push from the Govt side). I certainly hope that new Malaysia Govt can support this initiative also.

Shopee: https://bit.ly/A345gReviewShop

Lazada: https://bit.ly/SamsungGalaxyA345gLazada