Michelin Guide Singapore 2025: Sushi Sakuta promoted to two stars, Omakase@Stevens is the only new one-starred addition

Japanese cuisine is in vogue again, at least according to the results of the Michelin Guide Singapore 2025. Sushi Sakuta, a Japanese restaurant in The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, was the only restaurant to score a promotion — from one star to two. Led by chef-owner Yoshio Sakuta and his all-Japanese team, the elegant 10-seated restaurant was honoured for its seasonal omakase menu, exclusively featuring fish from Japan.

Another Japanese restaurant, Omakase @ Stevens, a French-influenced kaiseki restaurant in Novotel Singapore On Stevens was the only new addition to the one-starred list, which comprises 32 restaurants this year. The three-year-old restaurant is helmed by chef Kazuki Arimoto, who took over last April. A self-confessed “not-so-young” Kazuki Arimoto, 31 also received the Young Chef award for “exceptional talent and great potential”.

Arimoto, who held back tears onstage when he received the award, says: “I am very happy and surprised to receive two awards. It has always been my goal to receive a Michelin star when I started cooking, but I think I can aim for two stars.”

As always, the one-starred category saw the most movement, with 10 restaurants dropping out of the list. Over the past year, nine one-starred restaurants, or about one-fifth of last year’s one-starred recipients, dropped out of the list. Some shuttered due to various reasons including a challenging business climate fueled by rising operational costs and rental. They are Art, Chef Kang’s, Matera, Oshino, Poise, Shinji by Kanesaka (Bras Basah Road), Sommer and Sushi Kimura. Rhubarb rebranded to a casual French concept Encore by Rhubarb in July after holding on to its one star for a decade. Japanese-Italian restaurant Terra lost its one-Michelin-starred status this year.

The results were announced at the ninth-edition of the star revelation ceremony at Marina Bay Sands on July 24. It marks the return of an in-person ceremony after Michelin made an unprecedented decision to not hold an event in Singapore last year, much to the disappointment of many chefs.

Other than Sushi Sakuta, six other two-starred restaurants from last year’s edition retained their positions — Cloudstreet, Jaan by Kirk Westaway, Meta, Saint Pierre, Shoukouwa, and Thevar.

The most prestigious three-starred category, which lauds ‘exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey’, has not seen much action in 2021 when contemporary Nordic restaurant Restaurant Zen rose up the ranks to join the three-starred fraternity. The other three-starred restaurants are French restaurants Odette and Les Amis. Odette, which turns 10 this year, will be closed for three months to refurbish its dining space while its team of chefs embarks on a culinary collaboration journey across Europe, returning in December to unveil its newly-renovated space at the National Gallery.

One-starred recipients include Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Candlenut, Pangium, Willow, Labyrinth and Euphoria, which are run by Singaporean chefs. Loud cheers were heard in the Sands ballroom when chefs from Pangium, Seroja and Meta went onstage to receive the accolades.

The Green Stars, which highlight restaurants known for their sustainability practices, saw no change from last year, with both Fiz and Seroja retaining their positions. Both restaurants actively source both local and regional ingredients to minimise waste generated, promoting eco-friendly and sustainability through their innovative dining practices.

The Service Award went to Inez Carriere Bega from three-starred Odette, while Bella Jankaew of two-starred Jaan by Kirk Westaway took home the Sommelier Award.

11 new Bib Gourmand entries

Last week, Michelin released its Bib Gourmand list, which recognises F&B establishments that offer “exceptional value-for-money gourmet experiences” at lower price points. A total of 11 establishments joined the fray, bringing the total number of Singapore’s Bib Gourmand establishments to 89. 

New additions include modern Thai restaurant, Jungle, nasi lemak eatery, Kitchenman Nasi Lemak and Sri Lankan restaurant, Kotuwa. Noteworthy hawker stalls include Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow, Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee and To-Ricos Kway Chap.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, says: “The ninth edition of the Michelin Guide Singapore showcases an extraordinary blend of innovation, cultural diversity, and enduring dedication. Our inspectors are thrilled to see new culinary gems emerge, from Ningbo to Colombian fare, alongside exceptional skills rewarded with a new Michelin Star and promotions. Despite market challenges, Singapore remains a vital culinary destination in Southeast Asia, attracting global talent and fostering a rich exchange of ideas.”

The full list

Restaurants with three stars 

Les Amis

Odette

Zén

Restaurants with two stars 

Cloudstreet 

Jaan by Kirk Westaway 

Meta 

Saint Pierre 

Shoukouwa 

Thevar

Sushi Sakuta*

Restaurants with one star 

Alma

Araya

Born 

Buona Terra

Burnt Ends 

Candlenut 

Chaleur

CUT 

Esora 

Euphoria 

Hamamoto

Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle 

Iggy’s

Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine (Orchard) 

Jag 

Labyrinth 

Lei Garden

Lerouy

Ma Cuisine

Marguerite 

Nae:um 

Nouri

Omakase @ Stevens*

Pangium

Seroja 

Shisen Hanten

Summer Palace 

Summer Pavilion 

Sushi Ichi

Waku Ghin 

Whitegrass 

Willow

Restaurants with green star 

Fiz

Seroja

Special awards

Service Award: Inez Carriere Bega, Odette

Sommelier Award: Bella Jankaew, Jaan by Kirk Westaway

Young Chef Award: Kazuki Arimoto, Omakase @ Stevens

*denotes new entry