Malaysia’s little Red Book just got thicker. Earlier today, Thai restaurant Chim by Chef Noom and European fine-dining Molina were awarded one star at the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2025 award ceremony held in Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.
Both establishments are no strangers to the guide though. Chef Noom, who peddles Thai food with a twist while advocating Malaysian ingredients, runs the one-Michelin starred Chim by Siam Wisdom in Bangkok. Molina was brought in by chef Sidney Schutte of Spectrum fame, the two-star fine dining favourite located in the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Amsterdam.
Chef Guillaume Depoortere of Molina, which debuted on the 51st floor The Face Style hotel in June, also bagged the Opening of the Year award. The accolade recognsies a chef, host or restaurant manager for the successful opening of a dining venue over the past 12 months, with a creative degustation concept and a cuisine approach which has had an impact on the local gastronomic scene.
Kuala Lumpur’s Beta and DC by Darren Chin, as well as Penang’s Au Jardin and Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery retained their one star.
Dewakan also kept its two stars but the Malaysian-leaning restaurant also picked up the Michelin Green Star, awarded to those at the forefront of the industry when it comes to their sustainable practices. They take responsibility for upholding both ethical and environmental standards, partnering with sustainable producers and suppliers to minimize waste and reduce or eliminate plastic and other non-recyclable materials from their supply chain. It is the first time a Green Star is awarded in Malaysia.
”I didn’t expect to receive this Green Star award at all. At Dewakan, we just do what we do best, that is to highlight our local ingredients and produce dishes that continue to stir one’s imagination,” says chef-founder Darren Teoh.
Special awards were also handed out to highlight talented individuals who enhance the dining landscape and experience. Azmi Ahmad Kamal (Chim by Chef Noom) picked up The Service Award; Han Lai (Terra Dining), Sommelier Award; and Waymann Cheong (Lucky Hole), Young Chef Award for introducing modern culinary concepts with homegrown ingredients.
Additionally, ten new restaurants joined the ranks of Michelin Selected, a category whereby these eateries have met the criteria set by inspectros but do not qualify for a Bib Gourmand and a Michelin Star just yet. The additions are: Atelier Binchotan, Bar.Kar, Blanc, Christoph’s, Firewood, Jaloux, Lucky Hole, Nonya Willow, Potager and Terra Dining.
See the full list of Selected restaurants below:
Michelin Selected Restaurants — Kuala Lumpur
Akar Dining
Atelier Binchotan (New entry)
Bar Kar (New entry)
Bōl
Café Café
Cilantro
Dancing Fish (Moved from Bib Gourmand)
Dominic
Eat and Cook
Elegant Inn
Ember
Entier
Flour
Frangipaani
Gai by Darren Chin
Hide
Jwala
Kayra
La Suisse
Li Yen
Limapulo
Ling Long
Malai
Marble 8
Marini’s on 57
Nadodi
Passage Thru India
Potager (New entry)
Qureshi
Seed
Shanghai Restaurant
Skillet
Soleil
Sushi Masa
Sushi Ori
Sushi Taka
Tamarind Hill
Tanglin (Bukit Damansara)
enmasa
Teochew Lao Er
Terra Dining (New entry)
The Brasserie
Ushi
Vantador
Wagyu Kappo Yoshida
Yun House
Michelin Selected Restaurants — Penang
888 Hokkien Mee (Lebuh Presgrave)
Air Itam Duck Rice
Air Itam Sister Curry Mee
Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang
Bali Hai Seafood Market
Bao Teck Tea House
Bee See Heong
Bite N Eat Dindigul Biryani
Blanc (New entry)
Ceki
Christoph's (New entry)
Curios-City
Fatty Loh Chicken Rice
Feringgi Grill
Firewood (New entry)
Flower Mulan
Fook Cheow Cafe
Gẽn
Goh Thew Chik Hainan Chicken Rice
Il Bacaro
Jaloux (New entry)
Jawi House
Jit Seng Hong Kong Roasted Duck Rice
Kebaya Dining Room
Kota Dine & Coffee (Fort Cornwallis)
La Vie
Lucky Hole (New entry)
Lao Sang Tong Bak Kut The
Nyonya Willow (New entry)
Penang Famous Samosa
Pitt Street Koay Teow Soup
Richard Rivalee
Sambal
The Pinn
Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle
WhatSaeb Boat Noodles
For more info, see here.