Questions to ask when dining at a Michelin star restaurant

On the evening of June 27, during a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, the Michelin Guide 2024 culinary handbook awarded stars to 7 restaurants in Vietnam, including 4 restaurants awarded stars last year and 3 new restaurants. The question many people are interested in is how much a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant costs or whether there are any rules to follow when dining out.

Below are questions related to Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, answered by culinary experts.

When did the Michelin star appear?

In 1889, the Michelin brothers Andre and Edouard founded a tire company in Clermont-Ferrand, France. To boost auto and tire sales, they launched a pamphlet that provided drivers with culinary experience tips, maps, and a list of suggested places to eat. The popularity of the Michelin guide began to spread far and wide.

Currently, the Michelin guide has restaurant names in more than 40 countries and territories, providing international tourists and local diners with the world’s best restaurants, honoring cuisine and promoting tourism.

What are the Michelin Guide’s restaurant rating criteria?

The appraisers will rely on the following criteria: quality of ingredients, cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef expressed through the dish, consistency, over time and throughout the dish. single.

Based on these, restaurants are awarded one to three stars, with three stars being the highest rating.

Which place has the most Michelin-starred restaurants?

Michelin-starred restaurants are found all over the world. In 2023, France had the most Michelin-starred restaurants with 625 establishments with one to three stars. Japan came in second with 414 restaurants, and Italy third with 380 restaurants. Among the cities in the world, Tokyo, Japan, had the most Michelin-starred restaurants, with 203 locations.

How expensive are Michelin-starred meals?

Most Michelin-starred restaurants serve fine food, which is why they tend to be expensive. The average price for a meal at a one-star Michelin restaurant is $165 per person, not including service charge or drinks. Add $100 to each additional star.

The most expensive Michelin-starred restaurant in the world today is SubliMotion in Spain, where the tasting menu costs about $2,380 per person. Tourists coming to Bangkok, Thailand will be pleased to have many cheap Michelin star restaurants such as Blue by Alain Ducasse with a 5-course tasting menu priced at 70 USD per person or Saneh Jaan with a 3-course tasting menu priced at 23 USD. person.

Michelin also awarded stars to street eateries. Taquería El Califa de León, a taco stand in Mexico City, received one star. Each taco costs nearly 3 USD. Previously, the popular roasted chicken noodle shop Hawker Chan in Singapore was also awarded one star but lost its star in 2021.

Are there any special rules or etiquette when dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant?

Most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world require diners to make reservations in advance, confirm the number of attendees as well as dietary restrictions (any food allergies) close to the appointment date so they can prepare. Some restaurants ask diners to pay in advance.

When you arrive at a restaurant, you are usually led to your seat by the staff instead of choosing your own. Utensils such as knives and forks are arranged in order with different uses and are always replaced after each customer has used them. Avoid making noise or fighting over the bill. If you are the one who makes the reservation or contacts the restaurant, tell them in advance who will be paying.

At many restaurants around the world, the bill when given to women to check often does not include a price. The bill with price will be given to the male diner by the waiter. However, if desired, female guests can still ask the restaurant to provide the meal bill with money included.

Dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant is a fun, relaxing time, so don’t worry too much about the “rules” and just enjoy the space, the food, and the conversation with the people you love.