Singapore's Bib Gourmand list has 11 new entries
The list, released on July 17 by the Michelin Guide Singapore, highlights hawker establishments and casual eateries - picked by Michelin inspectors - that offer diners value for money.
Most notably, three re-entries are returning stalwarts at Old Airport Road Food Centre - Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow, Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee and To-Ricos Kway Chap.
They were not in the 2024 list as the hawker centre was closed for upgrading works from June 1 to Sept 30, 2024.
Another two new entrants, previously listed under the Michelin Selected category, have been promoted to Bib Gourmand status. Michelin Selected eateries are recognised by the Michelin Guide for their quality, but do not qualify for a Michelin star or Bib Gourmand title.
They are chicken rice institution Boon Tong Kee's original branch in Balestier Road, established since 1983; and Ji Ji Noodle House at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, serving its signature wanton noodles since 1965.
Three newly-minted restaurants on the list are Kitchenman Nasi Lemak at CT Hub in Kallang; Thai grill and bar Jungle in Ann Siang; and Kotuwa, a Sri Lankan restaurant. Kotuwa, a former Bib Gourmand recipient, is considered a new entry, as it had moved in 2024 to lifestyle cluster New Bahru.
On making the list, Kitchenman Nasi Lemak's Ipoh-born co-owner and chef Cheow Kah King, 38, says: "We're super grateful to be on the Bib Gourmand list this year. It's great to know that people appreciate what we're doing - offering good value and good food made with heart. We'll keep pushing to do even better."
Others making their debut are Sin Heng Claypot Bak Koot Teh in Joo Chiat, Song Kee Teochew Fish Porridge at Newton Food Centre, and Wok Hei Hor Fun at Redhill Food Centre.
Three have dropped off the list. They include famed nasi padang establishment Hjh Maimunah in Jalan Pisang. Two others have closed: Fool wine bar in Boon Tat Street and Shi Hui Yuan Hor Fun Specialty in Queenstown.
Mr Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, notes that more than 70 per cent of this year's selection features street food stalls. This "stands as a strong testament to Singapore's unwavering commitment to preserving its hawker culture amidst an evolving culinary landscape", she says.
Following this Bib Gourmand announcement, Singapore's Michelin-starred restaurants for 2025 will be unveiled on July 24 at a ceremony at Marina Bay Sands.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
10 hours ago
- Business Times
Thai business group raises 2025 GDP growth forecast to between 1.8% and 2.2%
[BANGKOK] Thailand's economy is expected to grow 1.8 to 2.2 per cent this year, higher than a previous forecast of 1.5 to 2 per cent, after the US lowered its tariff rate to 19 per cent on imported goods from the country, a leading business group said on Wednesday (Aug 6). The new tariff set last week is significantly lower than the 36 per cent level announced earlier this year and more aligned with other countries in the region. The US was Thailand's largest export market last year, accounting for 18.3 per cent of total shipments, with a value of US$54.96 billion. Exports, a key driver of Thai growth, are now expected to rise between 2 per cent and 3 per cent this year, up from a previous forecast ranging between a 0.5 per cent drop and a rise of 0.3 per cent, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking said. The reduced tariff helps South-east Asia's second-largest economy remains competitive compared with neighbouring countries, it said. One remaining issue relates to US tariffs on transshipments via Thailand from third countries, said Kriengkrai Theinnukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up 'The next talks (with the US) will focus on how much local content each industry must have,' he told reporters. The economy is likely to slow down in the second half of the year due to weaker exports, increased price competition, a strong baht currency and declining US consumer purchasing power, the business group said. Weaker tourism and a Thai-Cambodian border conflict may further impact the economy, it said. Last month, the finance ministry also raised its 2025 economic growth forecast to 2.2 per cent from 2.1 per cent, after last year's 2.5 per cent expansion lagged peers. REUTERS
Business Times
14 hours ago
- Business Times
Thailand's zero tariff vow to Trump still limits US imports
[BANGKOK] Thailand's pledge to US President Donald Trump of near-total market access for US goods includes key limits to protect some domestic industries, according to a government official, laying out the South-east Asian nation's terms for a tariff deal with Washington. The restrictions, specifically on pork and corn, will be hammered out in final negotiations with the US, said Pongsarun Assawachaisophon, who was involved in the talks and serves as deputy secretary-general to the prime minister. The tariff is expected to shave off as much a 1.5 percentage points of Thailand's economic growth next year. The deal is designed to fulfil Trump's demand to erase Thailand's US$45 billion trade surplus while still keeping trade open to Bangkok's biggest export market. The US president announced a 19 per cent tariff on Thailand last week, down from an earlier threatened 36 per cent, following several rounds of negotiations and offers from Thailand, including eliminating import levies on more than 90 per cent of US goods. 'Among more than 10,000 US items that will get a 0 per cent tariff, some will be subject to tariff staging, import quotas or other conditions,' Pongsarun said on Monday (Aug 4). 'Thailand got a really good deal because we didn't act carelessly. We explained our reasons and didn't just stubbornly keep everything shut.' Trump has touted his tariff threats for pushing countries to buy more US goods and claimed, as in the case of Indonesia, that markets are 'completely open' to American goods. But many countries in South-east Asia have sought carve-outs or protections for agricultural sectors, with farmers forming a key political constituency. Jakarta, for instance, wants to buffer its poultry and corn industries while Vietnam's seafood sector is seeking support. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up For US pork, Bangkok will gradually reduce tariffs and limit American imports to less than 1 per cent of domestic consumption. It must also be free of the additive ractopamine, which is used to promote the development of lean muscle mass and is banned in Thailand. The initial limitations are to allow the US to 'test the market' while giving Thai pork producers, notably Charoen Phokphand Foods and Betagro, and smaller pig farmers time to adjust, he said. Pork market access has long been a contentious issue for the US, and the reason why Washington revoked some trade preferences for Bangkok in 2020. As for corn, Thailand will require local feed mills to absorb all home grown corn first, at set prices, before being granted quotas to import US supplies, said Pongsarun. The government will also allow US corn imports only during specific windows when there's no harvest in Thailand, to minimise impact on local output, he added. While the details have not been finalised, the timing may align with US exports, with shipments usually rising around November to March, a slow period for Thai harvests. The Thai Feed Mill Association, which has been consulted on the matter, has said that the country is able to buy as much US$2.8 billion annually of US corn, as well as soybean meal and dried distillers' grains. 'Made in Thailand' A separate concern for Thailand is Trump's 40 per cent additional tariff on so-called transshipped goods, a way for Washington to block Chinese manufacturers from evading higher US tariffs. About one-third of Thailand's current exports to the US would fall under this category, Pongsarun said, ranging from car tires to electrical appliances and toys that were made by Chinese factories in Thailand. Government regulations deem goods with at least 40 per cent of local content to be 'Made in Thailand', but Pongsarun said that officials expect the US might require a much higher threshold, possibly up to 80 per cent. Those details have yet to be unveiled by Washington. Since April, Thailand rewrote rules around the issuance of certificates of origin with the help of the US Customs and Border Protection, and has ramped up inspection and factory visits for 65 types of goods, worth about US$15 billion, that the US had flagged as being potentially mislabelled as Thai-made. Going forward, product certification will also only be granted by the Department of Foreign Trade, instead of the Federation of Thai Industries or the Thai Chamber of Commerce, a move that allows the government greater oversight. 'It's what we need to do anyway,' Pongsarun said. 'The US deal is a wake up call that nudges us to expedite the process to reform this system.' BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Thailand's monitor lizards tipped as next big ‘economic animal' in luxury leather
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Thai government has moved to allow the commercial breeding of the reptiles, which are native to the region. BANGKOK - Thailand's Asian water monitors are being championed as a new 'economic animal', poised to enter the lucrative 7.6 billion baht (S$302 million) leather market. The move follows a government decision that allows for the commercial breeding of the reptiles, which are native to the region. The Kasikorn Research Centre reports that the government's Wildlife Preservation and Protection Committee has approved a scheme for licensed individuals to breed the monitors, with breeding pairs costing just 500 baht each from the Department of National Parks. This initiative aims to unlock the commercial potential of the animals in three key areas: leather, medicinal products, and meat. The monitor lizard's hide is expected to command a higher price than traditional cow or buffalo leather, with a single square metre fetching between 4,200 and 14,000 baht. This could significantly boost Thailand's processed leather export market, which was valued at around 7.5 billion baht in 2024. A major selling point for the new industry is the monitor lizard's environmental credentials. Unlike cattle and buffalo, these reptiles do not produce methane gas during digestion. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Asia Philippines, India shore up ties amid China tensions, US tariff risks Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street Asia Trump's transactional foreign policy fuels 'US scepticism' in Taiwan Singapore Beauty industry consumers hit by 464% rise in prepayment losses in first half of 2025 Singapore Over 5,900 vape products found in car at Woodlands Checkpoint Singapore 13 taken to hospital after accident involving SBS buses, car in Tampines This difference could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.4 million tonnes per animal per year, potentially giving monitor lizard leather a significantly lower carbon footprint than other animal hides. The report also highlights the varied international regulations surrounding the trade of monitor lizards and their products:
