Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) Tainan has topped the list of Taiwanese cities with 10 of its restaurants newly featured in a Michelin Guide selection known as the Bib Gourmand -- a distinction given to establishments that offer a three-course meal for cheaper than NT$1,000 (US$34).
The list, which was released Wednesday ahead of the full 2023 Michelin Guide next week, highlights 26 restaurants newly awarded the accolade in Taiwan, three of which are in Taipei, four in Taichung, nine in Kaohsiung and 10 in Tainan.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement that its inspectors were impressed by the variety of traditional dishes in Tainan and Kaohsiung -- featured in the guide for the first time last year -- and how the wider Taiwan food scene has bounced back following the pandemic.
"It is for sure an exciting time to visit this destination, and we encourage local and international foodies to discover or rediscover its culinary wonders," he said.
Among the 10 new Bib Gourmand selections in Tainan, six offer small eats: A Wen Rice Cake (阿文米粿), Cigu Yang Ke Yuan Chia (七股養蚵園家), Hao Nung Chia Migao (好農家米糕), Hsi Lo Tien Beef Soup (西羅殿牛肉湯), Huang Chia Shrimp Roll (黃家蝦捲), and San Hao Yi Kung Tao Angelica Duck (三好一公道當歸鴨).
Rounding out the list are two seafood restaurants: Xie Shopkeeper (謝掌櫃) and Black-faced Spoonbill Canteen (黑琵食堂), as well as two noodle joints, Cheng Shi (誠實鍋燒意麵) and Jai Mi Ba (吃麵吧).
In Kaohsiung, the new Bib Gourmand restaurants are three Taiwanese eateries: Chao Ming (昭明), Erge Shih Tang (貳哥食堂) and Ibu Kitchen (阿香的廚房).
The list also includes five casual fare providers: Cianjin Braised Pork Rice (前金肉燥飯), Hou Chi Duck Rice (侯記鴨肉飯), Lao Ye Mei Shi Guan/Fengshan (老爺美食館/鳳山), Liao Chi Migao (廖記米糕) and Mi Yuan Tzu Steamed Glutinous Rice (米院子油飯).
The final addition to the Kaohsiung list is Apis Grill, which serves dishes of meat, fish and vegetables that are grilled over a wood fire.
Meanwhile, the three new Bib Gourmand restaurants in Taipei are vegetarian restaurant Monsoon (季風), western-style restaurant Hugh dessert dining and Taiwanese restaurant Hsiao Cho Chih Chia (小酌之家).
Those in Taichung are Taiwanese eatery Saka (沙卡), western-style dessert restaurant Minimal, Lao Shih Kuan Noodles (老士官擀麵) and Night School Braised Pork Rice (夜間部爌肉飯).
In total, the number of Bib Gourmand restaurants offering value-for-money dishes across the four cities is 139 -- 45 in Taipei, 31 in Taichung, 36 in Tainan and 27 in Kaohsiung -- according to the Michelin Guide.
The full 2023 list of Michelin-starred restaurants will be released on Aug. 31 during an award ceremony in Taipei.
