Singapore will be the latest city to be featured in the pages of the Michelin Guide. CNN is reporting that the Asian metropolis of 5 million people is getting its own little red book by the end of 2016.
The century-old dining guide, which was established by its namesake tire company as a way to show European motorists where to eat, is perhaps the most revered institution in gastronomic criticism. Many restaurants consider a three-michelin star rating as the highest honor they can achieve.
"The extent and high quality of Singapore's culinary scene, which is among the most dynamic in Asia, completely won us over." Said Mr. Michael Ellis, International Director of the Michelin Guide, during the announcement.
The guide will be bilingual, featuring both English and Chinese text. Singapore becomes the first Southeast Asian country to receive their own guide. Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau are the only other Asian cities with guides of their own.
This year's Hong Kong - Macau guide was the first to feature a section dedicated to street food. Ellis said that the Singapore book will follow suit.
Speaking with Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times, he said:
"Given the huge diversity and quality of the hawker food market, I would be very surprised that hawker food does not play an important part in the Singapore guide. If they find hawker food with the quality, consistency and ingredients to earn a star, it'll happen. We gave a star in Hong Kong for dim sum at Tim Ho Wan, showing that it's possible."
The decision to showcase street food was criticized by some. Ivan Brehm, a chef at Singapore fine dining joint Bacchanalia, told CNN:
"Michelin should, in my opinion, stay clear from the coffee shop and hawker stall culture. These run deep in the makeup of Singaporean society and any unnecessary polemic could undermine the guide's overall relevance."
