Taipei: Fifty-three restaurants in Taiwan have received Michelin stars this year, with eight receiving the honor for the first time, according to the Michelin Guide Taiwan 2025 released Tuesday.

According to Focus Taiwan, this year’s selection saw an increase from 49 starred restaurants in 2023, while seven restaurants received the Green Star for their eco-friendly approach to business. “The eighth edition of the Michelin Guide Taiwan reflects a culinary landscape that is both deeply rooted in heritage and boldly evolving,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide.

“With over 400 restaurants spanning nearly 60 cuisine types, this year’s selection celebrates the creativity and growing sophistication of Taiwan’s culinary scene,” Poullennec added. This year’s Michelin Guide expanded its coverage to three new parts of Taiwan — New Taipei, Hsinchu City, and Hsinchu County — to provide a broader range of culinary choices. Several restaurants from those areas made the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list.

A total of 43 restaurants in Taiwan received one Michelin star, eight of which were starred for the first time. Seven are based in Taipei — Hosu, Chuan Ya, eMaze, Frassi, Motoichi, La Vie by Thomas Bhner, and Sushi Kajin — while The Front House, with over 20 years of fine dining experience, is located in Kaohsiung.

There were seven two-star restaurants this year, with three being promoted from one Michelin star last year, including A, Eika, and Yu Kapo. They join the ranks of four existing two Michelin-starred establishments — L’Atelier de Jo«l Robuchon, logy, Molino de Urd¡niz, and Mudan.

Cantonese restaurant Le Palais in Taipei retained its three-star recognition for the eighth consecutive year, while JL Studio in Taichung and Tarroir in Taipei also maintained their three-star status. Furthermore, the Michelin Green Star for 2025 was awarded to seven different establishments, five of which are in Taipei while one is in Kaohsiung and the other in Taichung.

The Green Star recipients include Embers, Hosu, Little Tree Food (Da’an Road), Mountain and Sea House, Yangming Spring (Shilin), Thomas Chien, and Tu Pang, which received the honor for the first time. The guide states that the Green Star is awarded to restaurants that value sustainability and offer their customers gourmet experiences that combine both gastronomic and eco-friendly excellence.

Four restaurants were removed from the Michelin starred list — RAW in Taipei and La Maison de Win in Taichung closed, while Forchetta and Minimal in Taichung lost their star.

In addition to the Michelin stars, the 2025 guide also featured four special awards. The Service Award was given to the Front House’s Kiky Chen, recognized for “20 years of hospitality experience both in Taiwan and abroad.” The Sommelier Award went to Yia Yia Chen from the newly awarded one-star restaurant Hosu in Taipei, noted for curating thoughtful pairings with Taiwanese wines and eco-conscious selections.

The Young Chef Award was presented to Hsia Yung-yen of Mia C’bon, while the Opening of the Year Award went to the one Michelin-starred restaurant aMaze in Taipei. “Since its debut, aMaze has stood out for its creative twists, refined flavors, delicate presentation, and warm and energetic service — quickly earning recognition as one of the city’s most exciting new dining establishments,” the guide noted.