Following on the heels of the sophomore Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the third instalment of the Michelin Guide now acknowledges the growing importance of the culinary scene. At a glitzy event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the little red guide bestowed its coveted Michelin stars to two new restaurants for 2025, increasing the number of Michelin-starred establishments in Malaysia from five (four one-starred and one two-starred) in 2024 to seven in 2025, as well as announcing its first Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy.
The new Green Star restaurant was awarded to Dewakan – who also retained their two-star award – for its holistic use of local produce, reducing waste and is a distinction for eco responsibility in its cuisine and culinary operations. Its chef Darren Teoh thanked everyone out there who are cooking everyday for this unique honour.
The two newly awarded one-star restaurants who join the list of Michelin-starred restaurant are Chim by Chef Noom, an elevated fine dine restaurant located in Kuala Lumpur’s Menara TS Law and European fine-dine Molina. In his speech, Chef Noom thanked his wife, mother and all the patrons who have been supporting them since their inception while Molina’s chef Guillaume Depoortere thanked ‘everyone who enabled them to do what they do.’ They join familiar names on the list include Penang’s one-starred Au Jardin and Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (retained) as well as Kuala Lumpur’s one-starred Beta (retained) D.C. Restaurant by Darren Chin (retained).
Traditional cuisine and street food – a bastion of Malaysia’s culinary landscape – also saw new Bib Gourmand entrants on the 2025 list which brings the total number of entries to 56. Other awards announced at the Michelin Guide Ceremony were the Opening of the Year presented by UOB Malaysia which went to Guillaume Depoortere of European fine-dine Molina which debuted five months ago.
The Michelin Service Award was bestowed on Azmi Ahmad Kamal from the innovative Thai restaurant Chim by Chef Noom; Azmi’s ‘humble, friendly and professional demeanour’ was cited for the award. The 2025 Michelin Sommelier award was given to Han Lai of Terra Dining. Waymann Cheong of Penang’s Lucky Hole (also new on Michelin Selected) wrested the Young Chef Award.
As always, the fundamental and key tenets in judging the merits of a restaurant or eatery that has guided the Michelin inspectors have remained; quality of the products, mastery of flavours and cooking techniques, the personality of the chefs in their cuisine, value for money, and consistence of the restaurants between visits. In short, a one-starred outlet offers high-quality cooking, the two-starred one would boast excellent cooking worth a detour, and finally at three stars, the restaurant is proclaimed to offer exceptional cuisine which is worth a special journey.
“The Michelin Guide is significant because it’s all about the chefs and stories that shape our history and culture,” says Prichapakorn Dangrojana, Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei who spoke of the 130-year-old Michelin brand which began with tires and became the authority on gastronomy around the world.
A list of the new entrants on the Michelin Selected, Bib Gourmand (quality cooking at reasonable prices) as well as Michelin-starred restaurants that retained or added stars in The Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang for 2025.
Two Stars
Dewakan (retained)
One Star
View more of the dishes from the One Michelin Star restaurants
Au Jardin (retained)
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (retained)
Beta (retained)
D.C. by Darren Chin (retained)
Chim by Chef Nom (new)
Molina (new)
Green Star
Dewakan (new)
Michelin Selected (new)
Atelier Binchotan
Bar.Kar KL
Blanc
Christoph’s
Firewood
Jaloux
Lucky Hole
Nyonya Willow
Potager
Terra Dining
Bib Gourmand (new)
BM Yam Rice
Coast by Kayra
Foong Lian
Laksalicious
Leen’s Middle East Kitchen
Lum Lai Duck Meat Koay Teow Th’ng
MTR 1924
Ravi’s Claypot Appam Manis
Serabai Istimewa
Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee Beef Noodles
Super Star Koay Teow Soup
Winn’s Cafe
