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The First Two MICHELIN Starred Restaurant in Malaysia
Dewakan in Kuala Lumpur, which attained the one MICHELIN Star recognition in the first edition of the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang, continues to perform and is the first restaurant to receive two MICHELIN Stars in Malaysia.
“Dewakan” means “food from God”, and the chef crafts a heavenly dining experience that is Malaysian down to its very core. Each ingredient is sustainably and locally sourced; even the dinnerware is handmade by local artists. The set tasting menu features many items that are fermented or dry-aged in-house, alongside seasonal fruits and herbs.
1 Restaurant Newly Promoted to one MICHELIN Star
Beta, a MICHELIN Selected restaurant in the 2023 edition, has been promoted to a one MICHELIN Star restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2024. The restaurant offers discerning foodies an exciting way to taste Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage with a touch of finesse. The chef reimagines favourites from around the country, often jazzed up with modern techniques and soigné plating. Head to the lounge first for a round of cocktails and appetizers, before sampling the main courses in the theatrically appointed dining room with an open kitchen.
With the newly promoted restaurants, the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2024 has a total of 1 two MICHELIN Starred restaurant: Dewakan in Kuala Lumpur; and 4 one MICHELIN Starred restaurants: Au Jardin and Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, both located in Penang; and Beta and DC. by Darren Chin, both located in Kuala Lumpur.
In addition to these awarded restaurants, 25 new dining establishments join the MICHELIN Guide selection
In addition to the Starred restaurants and Bib Gourmand food establishments, the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2024 welcomes 25 new recommended establishments in the MICHELIN Guide 2024 selection, which showcase the region's diverse culinary landscape, bringing the total number of MICHELIN Selected establishments to 77.
Of the 25 new MICHELIN Selected establishments, 16 are located in Kuala Lumpur, and 9 are in Penang.
The 16 newly added MICHELIN Selected establishments in Kuala Lumpur are: Bōl, Café Café, Entier, Frangipaani, Jwala, Ling Long, Malai, Marini's on 57, Nadodi (relocation), Seed, Shanghai Restaurant, Sushi Masa, Tanglin (Bukit Damansara), Tenmasa, Teochew Lao Er, and Wagyu Kappo Yoshida.
The 9 newly added MICHELIN Selected establishments in Penang are: 888 Hokkien Mee (Lebuh Presgrave), Air Itam Duck Rice, Ceki, Fook Cheow Cafe, Jit Seng Hong Kong Roasted Duck Rice, Penang Famous Samosa, Richard Rivalee, Sambal, and The Pinn (relocation).
Each of these establishments offers a unique culinary journey, contributing to the rich tapestry of flavours that defines the region's gastronomy. From innovative cuisines to time-honoured traditions, these new selections are a testament to the culinary excellence found in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Four MICHELIN Guide Special Awards
In addition to recommending quality restaurants, the MICHELIN Guide also aims to highlight talented individuals who contribute to enhancing the gastronomic dining experience. By doing so, it also acknowledges the diversity of jobs and know-hows involved in the restaurant industry.
The MICHELIN Guide Service Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Guide Service Award aims to highlight and encourage skilled and talented professionals who dramatically add to the customer experience. This year's MICHELIN Guide Service Award, presented by FunNow, is awarded to Wan Mohd Zulkifeli, recognised for his exceptional knowledge, attentiveness, and composed demeanour as he leads the team at Gai by Darren Chin (Kuala Lumpur). Mr. Zulkifeli willingly shares his professional skills with the staff, contributing to the creation of a solid service team that ensures a harmonious dining ambiance.
The MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award recognises the skills, knowledge, and passion of talented sommeliers of the industry. This year's Sommelier Award is given to Yap Cze Ying, who serves as the sommelier and restaurant manager at Hide (Kuala Lumpur). Ms. Yap, although she may be somewhat reserved, possesses a well-groomed and welcoming attitude. She also exudes a genuine passion for wine management and hospitality.
The MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award recognises a young chef working in a restaurant of the selection, and whose exceptional talent and great potential have impressed the inspectors. This year, the Young Chef Award is given to Johnson Wong Jia Liang from Gēn (Penang). A Le Cordon Bleu Sydney graduate, Mr. Wong, the chef-owner of Gēn, was born in 1991 and has honed his culinary expertise in some of the finest kitchens. He is committed to local ingredients and aims at presenting them with native flavours complemented by his memories of growing up in Malaysia.
The MICHELIN Guide Opening of the Year Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Guide Opening of the Year Award is given to 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.
This award, presented by UOB, marks the first-ever Opening of the Year Award in Malaysia. The recognition is given to Ramesh Thangaraj from Jwala (Kuala Lumpur). Opened in 2023, with custom-made tandoors, Jwala, which means "flame" in Sanskrit, serves up refined charcoal-grilled specialties of Northern India.
The full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2024 is attached to this press release. The restaurant selection joins the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in Malaysia and throughout the world. Every hotel in the MICHELIN Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app.
The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now, it’s setting a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide’s official website, or download the MICHELIN Guide mobile app (iOS and Android), to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.
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A K-celebration like no other
Hosted by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia, the Korea Travel Fest 2023 marked an invitation for participants to embark on a journey to South Korea, in conjunction with Visit Korea Year 2023 - 2024.
“The Korea Travel Fest 2023 coincides with the two-year Visit Korea Year campaign that is currently in full swing in 2023 and 2024. During this two-year period, the Korea Tourism Organization is offering a myriad of events, travel packages, and promotional campaigns that use the allure of K-culture to entice visitors to our beautiful country. Simply put, Visit Korea Year 2023-2024 is an invitation to revel in K-culture all year round, and we are thrilled to extend this invitation to our Malaysian friends,” said Mr. Moon Sangho, Managing Director of the Korea Tourism Organisation.
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The festival featured all things Korean. Day 1 of the festival wrapped with an enchanting and soul-stirring experience, featuring a heartwarming concert from South Korean artists such as Soyou, Kassy, Car The Garden, and Vincent Blue, who serenaded the audience with OST songs from beloved K-dramas, creating a delightful musical experience.
Meanwhile, on Day 2, the spotlight shone on South Korean singer, artist, and songwriter, Kim Jaejoong. His captivating exclusive concert and the special session where he shared personal stories and answered curious questions left the audience in awe. It was an evening that deepened the audience's connection with South Korea.
But the Korea Travel Fest 2023 was more than just music and K-pop. It was a gateway to the captivating world of South Korean culture, heritage and traditions - a kaleidoscope of experiences that left visitors craving more. The festival also showcased everything from travel insights from travel partners and organisations, as well as a host of activities, offering the opportunity to explore regional Korean tourism destinations.
Meanwhile, carefully curated K-Beauty, K-Content, and K-Food Zones transported attendees to the heart of South Korea's beauty, media, and culinary delights, creating a yearning to immerse themselves in these aspects of K-Culture. Visitors also had the chance to win exclusive concert passes and flight tickets, enticing them to discover the magic of South Korea for themselves.
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Down with the fest, now for the rest!
More than being a festivity-filled celebration, the Korea Travel Fest 2023 successfully forged connections and ignited a desire to explore South Korea among participants. The multifaceted activities and performances celebrated the bond shared between Malaysia and Korea, and served as an invitation to discover all of South Korea's rich heritage and its allure.
Indeed, South Korea’s appeal is truly unlike any other, from the dazzling metropolis of Seoul that blends modern skyscrapers and ancient palaces; to the natural paradise of Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a haven for nature lovers; to the coastal city of Busan, which presents a delightful blend of urban life and seaside charm; to the K-fashion capital of Dongdaemun, a bustling fashionista’s paradise replete with shopping malls, boutiques, and street stalls.
There are also lesser-known hidden gems to explore such as the Presidential Office of Cheong Wa Dae, commonly known as the Blue House, which was recently opened to the public, offering insights into South Korean culture and history. Meanwhile, for Malaysians looking for a winter holiday, head to the Gangwon State for a variety of fun and exciting winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snow sledding, and ice fishing.
All this and more await visitors in South Korea, where there is something to appeal to just about everyone. Whether you are seeking cultural experiences, natural wonders, urban exploration, or culinary delights, South Korea has it all.
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your unforgettable holiday in South Korea today. Even better, travellers can enjoy a range of exclusive deals on hotels, attractions and flights with Korea Travel Fest’s partners such as Agoda, Klook, Air Asia, Batik Air and Korean Air. The best time to visit is during Visit Korea Year 2023-2024. Visit any time of the year as each season brings its own unique charm, from cherry blossoms in spring to vibrant autumn foliage, and the magic of winter snowscapes. South Korea welcomes you all year-round with open arms, ready to reveal its wonders to every traveller.
