Bangkok, Thailand, December 17, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / To mark the official release of the Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Phang-Nga 2022, Michelin announced the winners of the coveted Michelin Stars, the Michelin Green Star, the Michelin Guide Young Chef Award, and the Michelin Guide Service Award. The fifth edition of the Michelin Guide features 361 restaurants – including 6 two-star restaurants (all with distinction), 26 one-star restaurants, 133 Bib Gourmand restaurants, and 196 other selected establishments. New to the Michelin Guide are 6 one-star restaurants (all in Bangkok), 33 Bib Gourmand restaurants, and 51 additional restaurants in the official selection.

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Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, explained: “Due to lockdowns and restrictions on restaurant visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries, the restaurant industry has reached a historic low. Nevertheless, new restaurants are opening in Thailand with exciting culinary offerings – from street food-inspired stalls to authentic Thai dishes prepared according to traditional recipes. Local produce and ingredients are being incorporated into menus as diners increasingly value a healthy lifestyle and the origin of their food. This not only guarantees optimal freshness and enhances the cuisine but also promotes sustainability in agriculture and gastronomy, thus strengthening the local economy.”

“This year’s Michelin Guide celebrates Ayutthaya as the newest city in the guide – and at the same time as the oldest and most traditional of all the cities. Furthermore, the former capital of Thailand captivates with its historical charm and its significant history of Thai cuisine. We are therefore convinced that our readers at home and abroad will enthusiastically discover the expanded coverage of Thailand’s culinary scene,” added Mr. Poullennec.

Six new restaurants receive one Michelin star, the list of restaurants with two Michelin stars remains unchanged.

In the 2022 edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand, the number of two-Michelin-starred restaurants remains unchanged at six – namely Chef's Table, Le Normandie, Mezzaluna, R-Haan, Sorn, and Sühring. However, the selection of one-Michelin-starred restaurants welcomes six new entries, all located in Bangkok: Aksorn, a Thai restaurant offering flavorful dishes inspired by the chef's collection of Thai cookbooks from the 1940s to the 1970s, with highlights such as coconut cupcakes with salted pork and fermented tofu relish with minced meat and shrimp;

Côte by Mauro Colagreco, a modern French restaurant with contemporary Riviera-inspired cuisine, serving lunch menus, à la carte dishes, and a special nine-course "Carte Blanche" dinner – an omakase experience where each course is a surprise;

Gaa, an innovative restaurant with an exquisite selection of Indian dishes refined with modern techniques and presentations, and a street food-inspired tasting menu with a delicious balance of flavors, textures, and aromas; IGNIV, a modern European restaurant serving contemporary European cuisine—including its signature chicken nuggets and barbecue sauce—in a unique communal dining experience; Savelberg (newly relocated), a modern French restaurant offering à la carte dishes and set menus featuring refined, modern French cuisine made with select international ingredients; Yu Ting Yuan, a Chinese restaurant with refined Cantonese dishes that emphasize nuanced flavors and strike the perfect balance of oil—with highlights such as delicious Peking duck and succulent dim sum.

A further 51 restaurants are included in this year's Michelin selection for the first time: In addition to the restaurants awarded a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand, and Green Star, the official selection of the Michelin Guide Thailand 2022 recognizes another 196 establishments that offer good food prepared with fresh ingredients and great attention to detail. Of these, 91 are located in Bangkok and the surrounding area, 16 in Ayutthaya, 37 in Chiang Mai, and 52 in Phuket and Phang-Nga.

It is noteworthy that 51 restaurants are participating for the first time (15 in Bangkok, 16 in Ayutthaya, 5 in Chiang Mai, and 15 in Phuket and Phang-Nga). These include Baan Suriyasai [Bangkok], a restaurant serving traditional dishes based on royal and family recipes – including the hearty five-spice stew with boiled eggs and crispy roasted pork belly with fish flakes and dried shrimp in spice paste; Phak Wan Noodles [Ayutthaya], the first and only restaurant in Ayutthaya where every dish is prepared with a local vegetable called "Pak Wan" (Melientha), resulting in unique and pleasantly different flavors; and Yangzi Jiang [Chiang Mai], a Chinese restaurant in a modern Lanna house offering fresh, clean, and expertly prepared dishes – including the famous steamed scallop dumplings with black truffles. Juumpo [Phang-Nga], a restaurant offering many unique local “Baba” recipes (Chinese-Thai) – such as coconut milk soup Baba style with prawns and Thai herbs, chili dip with prawns and fried fish with sweet and sour sauce.

PRU retains its Michelin Green Star: The only restaurant of its kind in Thailand. For the second year running, PRU – the Michelin-starred restaurant in Phuket – has retained its Michelin Green Star for its sustainable gastronomic practices. As part of its initiatives, the restaurant operates "Pru Jampa" – its own farm that supplies vegetables, herbs, and flowers – putting the principles of permaculture into practice. At the same time, PRU promotes sustainability and supports local producers. With seasonal, 100% regional ingredients shaping its menu cycles, the restaurant offers a culinary experience that combines the highest quality with outstanding environmental commitment, serving as a source of inspiration for both gourmets and the entire gastronomy industry.

Michelin Guide Thailand 2022 Young Chef Award: Garima Arora of Restaurant Gaa. Born in India on November 9, 1986, Garima is the first Indian woman to be awarded a Michelin star in November 2018. Her cuisine is characterized by the application of traditional Indian cooking techniques to regional ingredients. A graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in France, Garima has worked with world-renowned chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, René Redzepi, and Gaggan Anand.

Michelin Guide Thailand 2022 Service Award: Mr. Thibaud Charlemarty of the restaurant Côte by Mauro Colagreco. According to the Michelin inspector, the entire service team, led by Mr. Charlemarty, is professional and exceptionally well-trained. All service procedures were executed flawlessly and perfectly. The staff are very attentive and courteous. Information about each dish, including inspiration and preparation method, was clearly explained. All elements (excellent food, service, and ambiance) make a return visit highly desirable.

The most important key figures for the 2022 selection at a glance:

6 two-star restaurants, 26 one-star restaurants (6 new), 1 Green Star restaurant, 133 Bib Gourmand restaurants (33 new, 6 upgraded)

6 restaurants with two Michelin stars – Chef's Table – Le Normandie – Mezzaluna – R-Haan – Sorn – Sühring

26 restaurants with a Michelin star (6 new) - 80/20 - Aksorn (New) - Blue by Alain Ducasse - Cadence by Dan Bark - Canvas - Côte by Mauro Colagreco (New) - Chim by Siam Wisdom - Elements - Gaa (New - Moved) - Ginza Sushi Ichi - IGNIV (New) - J'aime by Jean-Michel Lorain - Jay Fai - Khao (Ekkamai) – Le Du – Methavalai Sorndaeng – Nahm – Paste – PRU – Saawaan – Saneh Jaan – Savelberg (New – Moved) – Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin – Suan Thip – Sushi Masato – Yu Ting Yuan (New)

Restaurant with 1 Michelin Green Star – PRU