The first selection of the MICHELIN Guide Jiangsu Province sees 5 new Stars shining over Nanjing, Suzhou and Yangzhou

Michelin grandly released the first restaurant selection of the MICHELIN Guide dedicated to Jiangsu Province, recommending a total of 74 establishments spread across Nanjing, Suzhou and Yangzhou. Among them, 5 restaurants received One MICHELIN Star, 36 a Bib Gourmand, and 33 in MICHELIN Selected restaurant list. During the press conference, two Special Awards were handed out– the MICHELIN Young Chef Award and the MICHELIN Service Award.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the MICHELIN Guide. Mr. Poullennec shared the secrets behind the enduring relevance of this "culinary bible." The MICHELIN Guide's methodology is conducted by a team of anonymous, full time inspectors, all recruited from the food and hospitality industries with extensive professional experience, now working full-time for Michelin. These "food detectives" visit restaurants incognito as ordinary diners, paying for their meals personally to ensure complete impartiality. Through this fully independent assessment process, every recommendation is rigorously vetted, maintaining the guide's credibility.

The MICHELIN Guide's evaluation criteria remain unwavering: regardless of a restaurant's decor, concept, or location—be it a high-end establishment or a humble street eatery—inspectors focus solely on the quality of the food which they evaluate according to 5 universal criteria: quality of the ingredients used, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef as expressed in the cuisine, and consistency between visits. The globally consistent standards enable the MICHELIN Guide to continually identify truly noteworthy culinary experiences for food lovers worldwide.

5 restaurants receive One MICHELIN Star

The culinary cultures of Nanjing, Suzhou, and Yangzhou beautifully integrate regional bounty and seasonal rhythms into their gastronomic pursuits. Local chefs artfully transform seasonal ingredients throughout the year, showcasing the exquisite aesthetics of Jiangnan cuisine.

The MICHELIN Guide has uncovered numerous outstanding restaurants - whether century-old establishments safeguarding culinary heritage or innovative newcomers pushing boundaries - all of which form the bedrock of local dining culture. Through rigorous anonymous evaluations, the MICHELIN Guide has awarded its prestigious Stars to restaurants offering the most outstanding culinary experiences, including 2 restaurants in Nanjing: Dai Yuet Heen and Jiangnan Wok · Yun, 2 in Suzhou: Dingshan·Jiangyan (Xiangcheng) and Pingjiangsong, as well as 1 in Yangzhou: Shang Palace.

Dai Yuet Heen

Chef Donny LIANG career spans three decades and includes stints at famous establishments in Macau. Here, he gives Cantonese classics a makeover with condiments from his birthplace of Shunde, for instance salted kohlrabi in sautéed baby lobster with radish cake, and Chinese olive kernels in sweet and sour pork. The Cantonese barbecue is a highlight; the crispy-skin chicken with silky, juicy flesh also tends to sell out. Pre-order to avoid missing out.

Jiangnan Wok · Yun

Highly experienced when it comes to Huaiyang cuisine, Chef Joe Hou is best known for his refined, contemporary take on traditional favourites, with an emphasis on exquisite knifework and locally sourced produce in season. The braised eight-treasure pigeon with abalone – his spin on the classic duck recipe – is a cornucopia of gourmet ingredients with a rich, luscious glaze. Private rooms come with their own balconies that afford superb views.

Dingshan·Jiangyan (Xiangcheng)  

The panoramic lake views from this light-filled space atop an office tower are lovely to behold. But they don't outshine the refined Suzhou cooking that showcases the best local produce in season. The signature Suzhou claypot rice with braised pork and green garlic features young bamboo shoots in spring and chestnuts in autumn. House-made chilli sauce with beef and dried fish adds a kick; the scorched rice at the bottom imparts smoky crispness.

Pingjiangsong

Tucked away in the Pingjiang historic quarter, this restaurant was remodelled from an ancient mansion encompassing the quintessence of classical Suzhou garden and architecture. Similarly, the season-driven menu is based heavily on Suzhou culinary traditions, enlivened by modern twists. Mantis shrimps with soft roe are dressed in fermented rice lees marinade and topped with caviar. The duck soup with ham and fox nuts presents rich flavours and deep umami.

Shang Palace

This hotel restaurant originally served Cantonese fare but later switched to Huaiyang cuisine. Just like its counterparts around the world, the well-appointed room is done out in modern Chinese style. The kitchen is helmed by a formally trained young chef, who expresses his creative take on Huaiyang traditions in his "new three heads": mugwort lion's head pork balls, pig's head terrine with finger lime and fermented sour soup with deboned fish head.

36 restaurants recommended with a Bib Gourmand and 33 establishments selected for their quality cuisine

Since 1996, in addition to selecting the most exceptional restaurants, the inspectors have also sought out delicious and affordable dining options worldwide, featuring them in its acclaimed Bib Gourmand list. The inaugural Jiangsu edition of the Bib Gourmand recognizes 36 establishments, comprising 16 in Nanjing, 13 in Suzhou, and 7 in Yangzhou. From refined Huaiyang, Cantonese, and Fujian cuisines to comforting morning tea dim sum, noodle soups, steamed buns, and rustic farmhouse dishes, these selections collectively showcase the three cities' exquisite and heartwarming culinary artistry.

Beyond this, inspectors have meticulously combed through the vast dining scenes of these cities to identify restaurants that "prepare quality dishes using fresh ingredients" for inclusion in the first Jiangsu MICHELIN Guide's Selected Restaurants list. The 33 chosen establishments represent over 10 culinary styles including Huaiyang, Jiangzhe, Fujian, Sichuan, and Cantonese cuisines, along with contemporary European fare, with 14 in Nanjing, 14 in Suzhou, and 5 in Yangzhou making the cut.

Two MICHELIN Special Awards are handed out to talented restaurant professionals

While exploring local cuisine, the MICHELIN Guide also highlights the outstanding talents active in Jiangsu Province's culinary industry. In this inaugural selection, two dedicated professionals received either the MICHELIN Young Chef Award or Service Award.

Chef Jie WANG, from the One MICHELIN Star Dingshan·Jiangyan (Xiangcheng), was awarded the Young Chef Award. Born in Zhejiang in 1995, Chef Wang entered the culinary industry at the age of 19 and has nearly a decade of experience in Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine. Since taking the helm at Dingshan·Jiangyan (Xiangcheng) three years ago, he has maintained strict standards for ingredients and dishes, dedicating himself to crafting high-quality local cuisine.

This year’s MICHELIN Service Award for Jiangsu was presented to Ms. Eryin ZHOU from the Bib Gourmand restaurant Yangzhou Yan (38 Changchun Road). As the restaurant’s head waitress, Ms. Zhou has worked there for five years. With an in-depth understanding of the restaurant’s operations and menu, she delivers prompt and attentive service, confidently answering guests’ questions and ensuring an exceptional dining experience with warm hospitality.

The Jiangsu restaurant selection joins the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in China and throughout the world. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.

The MICHELIN Guide Jiangsu Province 2025 summary:

74 recommended restaurants of which:

• 5 One MICHELIN Star restaurants (2 in Nanjing, 2 in Suzhou and 1 in Yangzhou)

• 36 Bib Gourmand restaurants (16 in Nanjing, 13 in Suzhou and 7 in Yangzhou)

• 33 MICHELIN-selected restaurants (14 in Nanjing, 14 in Suzhou and 5 in Yangzhou)

About MICHELIN

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences.

Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people.

In 1989, MICHELIN established its first representative office in Beijing in mainland China. With the spirit of innovation, MICHELIN brought advanced technology and high-quality products to China. At the end of 1995, MICHELIN Shenyang Tire Co., Ltd. was established. In 2001, MICHELIN (China) Investment Co., Ltd. was established in Shanghai. MICHELIN has nearly 7,000 employees and five factories in China, and its sales network covers the whole country. （www.MICHELIN.com.cn)