THE MICHELIN GUIDE KUALA LUMPUR & PENANG 2027 REVEALS NEW STARS AND DINING DISCOVERIES

• The fifth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang features 159 establishments, including one Two MICHELIN Star restaurant, nine One MICHELIN Star restaurants, 60 Bib Gourmand and 89 MICHELIN-Selected establishments
• Potager joins the One MICHELIN Star selection, while Dewakan retains its Two MICHELIN Stars
• The Bib Gourmand and MICHELIN-Selected distinctions welcome 16 new establishments, reflecting Malaysia's diverse food culture, from everyday local favourites to contemporary dining

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027 has unveiled its fifth edition, featuring 159 establishments across the two cities. From restaurants serving traditional Malaysian dishes to kitchens exploring contemporary interpretations of regional and international cuisines, this year's selection covers a range of dining experiences, shaped by the ingredients, techniques and culinary traditions found across Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

The selection comprises one Two MICHELIN Star restaurant, nine One MICHELIN Star restaurants, 60 Bib Gourmand and 89 MICHELIN Selected establishments. Potager receives its first One MICHELIN Star, while Dewakan retains its Two MICHELIN Stars distinction. Beyond the Starred restaurants, four new establishments earn the Bib Gourmand distinction and 12 make their debut in the MICHELIN Selected category. This brings the total number of establishments recognised in Kuala Lumpur and Penang to 80 and 79 respectively. Four Special Awards also recognise achievements in the kitchen, dining room, wine service and restaurant openings.

This year's selection reflects the many ways Malaysia's multicultural heritage finds its way onto the plate. Chefs draw on family food memories, regional specialties and ingredients from their surroundings, while bringing their own experiences and techniques to the dishes they create. From everyday favourites such as Nasi Kandar, Koay Teow Soup and Bak Kut Teh to contemporary interpretations of local flavors, the selection celebrates a dining culture shaped by both tradition and fresh perspectives.

"Malaysia's dining scene is distinguished by the breadth of its culinary traditions and the different ways chefs interpret them. This year's selection reflects the continued importance of local favourites, alongside restaurants that bring together Malaysian ingredients, regional flavours and international techniques. This year's selection highlights a culinary scene shaped by both its cultural heritage and the individual perspectives of its chefs," said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide.

Potager promoted to One MICHELIN Star

Potager earns its first MICHELIN Star bringing the total number of One MICHELIN Star restaurants to nine.

The nine One MICHELIN Star restaurants are Akar, Beta, Chim by Chef Noom, DC. by Darren Chin, Molina, Potager and Terra Dining in Kuala Lumpur, and Au Jardin and Auntie Gaik Lean's Old School Eatery in Penang.

Dewakan retains Two MICHELIN Stars

Chef Darren Teoh's Dewakan retains its Two MICHELIN Stars, continuing its recognition among Malaysia's leading fine dining establishments. Known for its use of indigenous ingredients and interpretations of Malaysian flavours, the restaurant remains an established presence in the country's dining scene.

MICHELIN Guide Special Awards recognised individual achievements

The MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027 presents four Special Awards recognising individuals whose work contributes to the dining experience, from the kitchen to the dining room and wine service, as well as a new restaurant concept.

The MICHELIN Young Chef Award

The award goes to Aidan Low of One-MICHELIN-Starred Akar. Born in 1992, the chef-owner combines classical French techniques with Japanese culinary precision and a strong interest in local ingredients. Drawing on native produce, house-made ferments and regional flavours, he represents a bold new movement in Malaysian gastronomy.

The MICHELIN Service Award

The award goes to Mr Nazahar of newly promoted One MICHELIN Star restaurant Potager, who has supervised the restaurant's service since it opened. With nearly a decade of hospitality experience, he is known for his approachable manner and knowledge of the restaurant's ingredients and concept. His attentive service and willingness to share the stories behind the dishes contribute to the overall dining experience.

The MICHELIN Sommelier Award

The award goes to Joyin Goh of MICHELIN-Selected Tangram. Originally from Johor and a graduate of Sunway University's hospitality program, she has four years of hands-on service experience and curated Tangram's wine list featuring nearly 100 wines. Her selection includes lesser-known boutique wineries, with flexible pairing options designed to make wine more approachable and offer diners quality and value at accessible price points.

The MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award

The award goes to MICHELIN-Selected Root House by Gēn, a restaurant concept created by Chef Johnson Wong that opened in July 2026 at George Town's historic 1926 Heritage Hotel. The restaurant explores the evolution of Malaysian Chinese cuisine through Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka, Cantonese and Hainanese traditions. Its contemporary dishes draw on cultural exchange and culinary memories, connecting these traditions with the ways they have developed in Malaysia.

Celebrating New Discoveries Across the Bib Gourmand and MICHELIN-Selected Distinctions

In the Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognises good-quality cooking at great value, four new establishments join the selection this year.

• In Kuala Lumpur, 7 Chai Ipoh Hor Fun serves flat rice noodles in a rich chicken and shrimp broth, while Minji Bak Kut Teh preserves an 80-year-old family recipe for herbal pork broth that has remained unchanged.
  
  
• In Penang, Lemon Koay Teow Soup serves silky flat rice noodles in a freshly prepared pork bone broth, while Serabai Istimewa, a long-standing local favourite, is known for its coconut milk rice pancakes served with palm sugar syrup.

The MICHELIN-Selected category comprises 89 establishments this year, including 12 new additions recognised for their cooking and individual character. The new entries range from contemporary interpretations of international cuisines to restaurants rooted in Malaysia's local food traditions.

In Kuala Lumpur, new additions include:

• As I Am by Chef Ton – A contemporary Thai restaurant with views of Merdeka 118, serving a 12-course tasting menu inspired by traditional Thai cuisine and the communal samrub style of dining.
• Jhol – An Indian restaurant celebrating the flavours of the country's nine coastal states, with dishes such as Berhampur fried chicken and Alleppey mango fish curry.
• Merdeka Grill – A European restaurant overlooking the city, serving dishes such as blue swimmer crab ravioli and Wagyu grilled over cedar wood.
• Tangram – A contemporary Asian restaurant bringing together culinary influences and French techniques in a seasonal tasting menu.
• White N Black Kampong – A casual eatery serving rustic kampung-style dishes designed for sharing, including local prawns cooked in sambal and duck eggs poached in coconut milk curry.
• Yellow Fin Horse – A contemporary Mediterranean restaurant serving dishes such as grilled golden snapper and lamb empanada.

In Penang, the new additions include:

• Deens Maju (Jalan Gurdwara) – A third-generation family business known for nasi kandar, offering a selection of rice, curries, seafood, meat and vegetable dishes.
• Flower Mulan – A florist-café with Peranakan-inspired interiors, serving Nyonya dishes such as assam prawns and pork trotter with black vinegar and ginger.
• Hameediyah (164A Lebuh Campbell) – Established in 1907, the family business is known for nasi kandar, with dishes including kambing kurma and murtabah.
• Khaosan – A contemporary Thai restaurant serving small plates that combine familiar flavours with modern presentation, including a kuagling taco with petai and pork curry.
• Root House by Gēn – A contemporary interpretation of Malaysian Chinese cuisine, drawing on regional traditions and their evolution in Malaysia.
• See Kong Ooi – A restaurant in a restored heritage shophouse serving Chinese and Malaysian dishes, including steamed minced pork patty with salted fish and sea bass with house-made assam curry.

The full list of restaurants is provided at the end of this press release.

The MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027 at a Glance:

 

Mindful Voices

Mindful Voices is a new MICHELIN Guide platform that brings together inspirational figures from across the hospitality industry. Designed as an editorial space, it gives chefs, hoteliers and winemakers the opportunity to share their stories and pioneering practices with their peers and with audiences around the world.

The initiative grows out of what MICHELIN Guide inspectors witness firsthand: people who are rewriting the rules in gastronomy, hospitality and wine, and transforming the way things are done. Through Mindful Voices, the Guide aims to amplify these voices so they can be heard wherever they are.

The chef featured in Mindful Voices this year is Darren Teoh of Dewakan.

By using local, native, and endemic ingredients, Dewakan cuts down on imports and carbon emissions while supporting small-scale farmers, fishermen, foragers, and indigenous communities. This strengthens local food systems and revives forgotten ingredients like Kulim. Alongside preserving and fermenting to extend seasonal windows, the restaurant follows a nose-to-tail approach, turning off-cuts and by-products into new dishes. For Patin fish, they smoke the bones for stock to make sauce. The team develops new menus with homegrown foods and highlights unique local ingredients like Belinjau Perah and Dabaito on social media.

Learn more about the new Mindful Voices initiative here.

To receive the latest news and updates all year round, visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android.

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. (www.michelin.com).

THE MICHELIN GUIDE 2027
KUALA LUMPUR | PENANG

KUALA LUMPUR

Two MICHELIN Stars

One MICHELIN Star

Bib Gourmand

MICHELIN-Selected

PENANG

One MICHELIN Star

Bib Gourmand

MICHELIN-SELECTED