SINGAPORE, July 14 — A week before the announcement of the very first Michelin Guide Singapore selection, Michelin has unveiled the list of 34 restaurants and street food outlets its inspectors have deemed worthy of a Bib Gourmand distinction.

Of the 34, 17 are found in traditional food centres.

While the Bib Gourmand distinction is not a starred list, it is “most definitely not a consolation prize”, says Michelin Guide Singapore’s website. It “is a just-as-esteemed rating” that recognises friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices — up to a maximum of S$45 (RM132) per person is the guideline.

“A true crossroads, a mix of cultures with Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian influences, Singapore’s history is reflected in its cuisine — the variety, simplicity and authenticity completely won over our inspectors,” said Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin Guides in a statement released this morning, describing the range and quality the inspectors had discovered, from street food to more traditional restaurants and stalls in the popular hawker centres.

“So with 19 styles represented, including Indian, Cantonese, and even Vietnamese, the first Bib Gourmand selection is testimony to the richness and diversity of the city’s culinary landscape,” he continued.

The list is, of course, filled with the usual suspects — from 328 Katong Laksa on East Coast Road to cze char restaurant Kok Sen Restaurant on Keong Saik Rd to Peony Jade at Keppel Club and Lagnaa (Bare Foot Dining) in Little India. Stalls located in food centres are also included with four of 17 recipients located at Amoy Street Food Centre — A Noodle Story, Famous Crispy Curry Puff, Hong Kee Beef Noodle and Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling. And while it is no surprise Tian Tian Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre made the list, only one other Hainanese chicken rice stall, Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice at Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre, earned a place on the inaugural list.

That said, it is also encouraging to learn that young hawkerpreneurs such as Douglas Ng are being recognised. His stall, The Fishball Story, which has moved from Beach Road to Timbre+ at Ayer Rajar Crescent, is the only fishball noodle stall on the list. “I’m shocked because there are so many deserving candidates, but maybe (it’s because) they have limited awards (to give out),” said Ng. “But it is encouraging for myself and the hawker scene to be internationally recognised.”

He did, however, add that he is unsure if such an award would hugely impact the hawker scene, but said it is nonetheless “a little token for those who work so hard”. “The people in Singapore matter more than the award,” he continued, pointing out how they make the biggest impact on the future of the industry.

Rounding off the expectedly mixed list of Bib Gourmand recommendations are JB Ah Meng Kitchen in Geylang and Bismallah Biryani on Dunlop Street.

To be sure, there will much debate on why many other favourites did not make the list, but fact is it is a list locals will be equally proud off. — TODAY

*For more information, visit https://guide.michelin.sg/bibgourmand2016