Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025: Boon Tong Kee in Balestier Rd and Kotuwa among 11 new entries on list, Lifestyle News
There are nine new entrants plus two eateries that have moved up from the Michelin Selected category, which is similar to last year's list.
The total number of Bib Gourmand addresses across Singapore stands at 89, according to Michelin Guide Singapore, which released the Bib Gourmand list on Thursday (July 17).
While not quite a Michelin star, the Bib Gourmand is a rating or recognition given to restaurants and street food stalls that serve value-for-money gourmet experiences in Singapore that cost no more than $45.
The two entrants that were moved up from the Selected category are Boon Tong Kee's original branch at Balestier Road and Ji Ji Noodle House.
Boon Tong Kee's Balestier Road outlet has been around since 1983 and is known for its signature boiled chicken, while Ji Ji Noodle House in Hong Lim Market & Food Centre is popular for its wanton noodles.
As for the nine new additions to this year's Bib Gourmand list, there is Kotuwa, which specialises in Sri Lankan cuisine.
The establishment, helmed by the chef-owner behind two-Michelin-starred Cloudstreet, Rishi Naleendra, is named after Colombo's Central Business District and had just moved to its new location in New Bahru in 2024.
Other restaurants added to the list are Jungle at Ann Siang Hill, which serves modern Thai dishes; and Kitchenmen Nasi Lemak at CT Hub, which sells Malaysian-style nasi lemak.
As for hawkers, there is Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow, Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee and To-Ricos Kway Chap, all of which are located at Old Airport Road Food Centre.
Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow specialises in char kway teow, Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee is known for its dry-style Hokkien mee, and To-Ricos Kway Chap is popular for its kway chap (pork innards with broad rice noodles).
Another new establishment on the list that serves dishes prepared with a wok is Wok Hei Hor Fun, which has been around for more than three decades and is located at Redhill Food Centre.
The list also features establishments offering comforting dishes, including Song Kee Teochew Fish Porridge, which sells fish porridge and fish head bee hoon at Newton Food Centre; and Sin Heng Claypot Bak Koot Teh in Joo Chiat, which is known for its Malaysian-stye bak kut teh.
Hjh Maimunah (Jalan Pisang) and Shi Hui Yuan, which were on the 2024 list, are not among the establishments this year.
"The expansion of Singapore's Bib Gourmand selection this year, with over 70 per cent of the establishments being street food stalls, stands as a strong testament to Singapore's unwavering commitment to preserving its hawker culture amidst an evolving culinary landscape," said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, in a statement.
"Our inspectors were not only pleased to discover more local culinary gems, but also to celebrate the enduring legacy of the long-serving heritage hawkers. It is truly heartening to witness the younger generation entering the food and beverage industry, dedicated to continuing their family's cherished recipes."
The release of the 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand List comes ahead of the official Michelin Guide's full announcement, which will be held on July 24.
[[nid:637617]]
melissateo@asiaone.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
19 minutes ago
- Business Times
Starhill Global Reit H2 NPI flat at S$74.5 million
[SINGAPORE] The manager of (real estate investment trust) posted a net property income (NPI) of S$74.5 million for the second half ended Jun 30, 2025, flat compared to the year-ago period. The manager, in a bourse filing on Tuesday (Jul 29) attributed the lack of growth primarily to higher contributions from Singapore retail properties and net movement in foreign currencies, which were largely offset by loss of contribution from certain divested strata office lots in Wisma Atria and rental arrears provision for its China property. Starhill Global Reit's Singapore retail portfolio comprises interests in Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City in Orchard Road. It also owns assets in Japan. Excluding the effects of divestment, its H2 FY24/25 NPI would have increased 0.6 per cent year on year. Its revenue inched up 0.7 per cent to S$95.8 million from S$95.2 million previously. Income available for distribution for H2 FY24/25 stood at S$44.5 million, an increase of 4 per cent from S$42.8 million in the year-ago period. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up The rise was mainly attributed to higher NPI, lower tax expenses and net finance costs, retention of part of the net divestment proceeds in the current period, as well as the one-off leasing commission in relation to its Toshin master lease renewal in the previous corresponding period. This was partially offset by higher legal and professional fees. The Reit's manager will retain about S$2 million of income available for distribution for H2 FY24/25 for working capital requirements. The Reit also posted a flat distribution per unit (DPU) of S$0.0185 in the second half ended Jun 30, 2025. For the full year, DPU was 0.6 per cent higher at S$0.0365. This represented an annual yield of 7.2 per cent, based on the closing unit price of S$0.51 as at Jun 30, 2025. The distribution reinvestment plan will apply for the H2 FY24/25 distribution, with the issue price of new units announced on or around Aug 6. Unitholders can expect to receive their H2 FY24/25 DPU on Sep 24. Improved operational performance The Reit's full-year NPI rose 0.8 per cent to S$150.2 million, mainly due to higher contributions from Singapore retail properties and Perth properties, as well as the appreciation of the Malaysian ringgit against the Singapore dollar. This was partially offset by loss of contribution from the divestment of the Wisma Atria office strata units, rental arrears provision for China Property, higher operating expenses and the depreciation of Australian dollar against the Singapore dollar. Revenue for the full year was up 1.2 per cent on year to S$192.1 million for FY2024/25, and income available for distribution for the period grew by 3.7 per cent to S$87.8 million. The group's portfolio valuation remained stable at about S$2.8 billion. The figure would have reflected a 0.9 per cent year-on-year increase if not for the divested strata office lots in Wisma Atria in FY24/25. The gains were mainly due to the upward revaluation of its Ngee Ann City property, The Starhill, and Australian properties in June 2025, partially offset by net foreign currency movements. Ho Sing, chief executive officer of Starhill Global Reit's manager, said the partial divestment of its office portfolio enabled the Reit manager to demonstrate the asset's value, strengthen financials and further improve liquidity amid ongoing market uncertainty. 'The improved operational performance for the year was mainly driven by our Singapore portfolio, which achieved full committed occupancy and delivered positive rental reversions,' he added. Notably, at Wisma Atria, shopper traffic climbed 5 per cent year on year, although tenant sales declined 5.2 per cent. Starhill Global Reit owns the majority of units at the mall. The Reit also renewed its current master lease at Ngee Ann City Property with Toshin ahead of expiry. Gearing remained stable at 36 per cent, with a weighted average debt maturity of 3.1 years. Units of Starhill Global Reit closed flat at S$0.55 on Tuesday.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Uneasy calm at Thai-Cambodia border as locals still fear more clashes after ceasefire
SURIN, Thailand/ODDAR MEANCHEY, Cambodia: It is a rare sight in Thailand to see a 7-Eleven with its doors locked up. But on the main highway through Surin province, the ubiquitous convenience store was one of many that remained closed on Tuesday (Jul 29) even after the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia came into force. The Chong Chom border crossing, a major trade route, also remained closed. Artillery fire may have fallen silent, but life is yet to return to normal on both sides of the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia, where deadly fighting has seen at least 38 people killed and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate since last Thursday. Among the hastily abandoned market stalls, shops and small restaurant in Chong Chom, Teerawat Saendang cast a lonely figure sitting at the counter of his grocery store. The 65-year-old returned on Tuesday to check on his business after sheltering with relatives in a safe area in neighbouring Buriram province. 'I have been away for a full four days, so I was worried about my belongings — many were left outside. I will go back (to the safe area) around 4 or 5 pm. I don't dare to stay," he said. For residents who chose to stay put, however, it was community spirit that spurred them to carry on with business as usual. At a market in the Thai town of Prasat, some 30km north, small-goods seller Yuttana Akarapoowadol said: 'I want to help displaced people get food. If I close, there will be no food for them.' Fellow shop owner Nathana Aekthananonkul has also kept her shop open to provide food and essentials like meat, eggs and underwear to soldiers on the frontline. 'We see how much the soldiers are struggling,' she said. 'Whether living on the frontline or being away from their homes and loved ones, to do this duty, they have already sacrificed,' she added. 'If we abandon them, it would be selfish.' In Cambodia, locals showed the same solidarity with their countrymen and soldiers on the frontline. Nammuy Heng, chief executive of DJI Agriculture Drone, is one of the volunteers at a relief camp in Oddar Meanchey who have helped gather two tonnes of food for the evacuees and military personnel there. 'One reason is because I really want to encourage my military … I want to tell them that they are not alone,' said Nammuy. 'The second thing is that I really want to share the love (with) the people.' For evacuee Ouk Pov, it is the second time she has had to flee her home due to fighting between both countries – the first was in 2011, when troops clashed over the Preah Vihear temple. 'Since we're near the border, our village leader told us to evacuate. It's a hot zone for bombing. Back in 2011, a bomb fell near my house — there was a big fire and shattered glass flew into our home,' Ouk said. 'This time, no bombs landed directly near our house but bullets flew so low they hit and damaged our roof.' The divisions now are a stark contrast with times of relative peace, when the lives of Thais and Cambodians along the border were very much intertwined, locals told CNA. Yuttana usually has four workers from Cambodia at his store but they were forced to leave when fighting erupted last week, he said. He has been able to call them to check on their safety, he added. It was normal for Thais and Cambodians along the border to mingle, Nathana agreed.
Business Times
5 hours ago
- Business Times
Ong Beng Seng's HPL looks to cut stakes in Forum mall, voco Orchard hotel: sources
[SINGAPORE] The property firm of embattled billionaire Ong Beng Seng is looking to reduce its stakes in two marquee assets along Singapore's Orchard Road shopping strip, according to people familiar with the matter. Hotel Properties Ltd (HPL) is in talks to sell majority stakes in the Forum shopping mall, as well as the voco Orchard hotel, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. The firm is seeking a deal that would value the two adjacent assets for at least S$2 billion, they said. A spokesperson for Singapore-listed Hotel Properties declined to comment. The firm has interests in more than 40 hotels across the globe including the Four Seasons in Singapore, as well as resorts in the Maldives. Ong, 79, has been in the spotlight in the last couple of years after being implicated in a scandal that led to the imprisonment of former transport minister S Iswaran in Singapore. Ong has indicated he plans to plead guilty on Aug 4 after being charged last year for abetting Iswaran over two flights and a night's stay at the Four Seasons in Doha. It's unclear whether the case has any relation to the firm's planned asset sales. HPL won provisional permission from authorities in August 2023 to redevelop the two sites, along with its company headquarters, HPL House. That was part of a government plan to rejuvenate the Orchard Road shopping district by allowing developers to seek more space or change of use for older buildings. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up The company intends to keep its ownership of HPL House under the potential sale, the people said. It said earlier this year in its annual report that redevelopment plans are 'being refined for submission to the relevant authorities.' In April, Ong relinquished his decades-long tenure as managing director of Hotel Properties. Two long-time executives replaced him, after he cited a desire to devote more time to his medical issues. But he continues to provide 'strategic oversight and direction' to the firm. Together with his wife Christina, the Malaysian tycoon controls HPL with a roughly 60 per cent stake. The next largest shareholder is Hong Kong billionaire Peter Woo. The Forum mall is valued at about S$990 million, Group executive director Christopher Lim said at the company's annual meeting in April. That estimate does not account for the redevelopment. He declined to comment on the value of the voco, formerly the Hilton Singapore, saying the company did not have a valuation for it. HPL is set to gain full ownership in August of the Concorde, an S$821 million shopping mall and hotel complex on Orchard Road, after buying out minority stakes it did not own. The company's stock has soared 46 per cent this year, almost four times the gain in the Straits Times Index. BLOOMBERG
