22 Jul 2016

Singapore street stalls receive Michelin stars

3:21 pm on 22 July 2016

Two hawker street stalls in Singapore have been awarded a Michelin star.

It's the first time in the famous culinary guide's history that Asian street stalls have been awarded the much-coveted symbol of gastronomic quality.

Michelin Guides international director Michael Ellis presents the award to Tang Chay Seng of Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle in Singapore on Thursday 21 July 2016.

Michelin Guides international director Michael Ellis presents the award to Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle owner Tang Chay Seng in Singapore on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Singapore has dozens of cheap food halls known as hawker centres which offer meals reflecting the city's diverse cultural mix.

It's the first Southeast Asian country, and the fourth Asian territory to be rated by the Michelin Guide.

The two Singapore stalls - Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Crawford Lane and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle in Chinatown - received one star each.

They were among a list of restaurants dominated by celebrity chefs.

Michelin judges base their decisions on five criteria:

"This is a validation for local food and the food that I've made," said 70-year-old Tai Hwa owner Tang Chay Seng.

Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle's Chan Hong Meng said: "I've heard of the Michelin guide, but I never thought they'd come to the hawker centres and give us such an honour."

Both hawkers added that they expected queues at their stalls to get longer.

"Currently the queue is about 30 to 45 minutes … if it gets any longer people won't want to wait anymore," said Mr Tang.

"Customers usually wait about 45 minutes to an hour. But I think now, they'll probably have to wait at least one and a half to two hours," added Mr Chan.

Despite the accolade, both men said prices would not be raised for now.

The prices at the two hawker stalls mean it is now possible to get a Michelin-star-rated meal for about $4.

- BBC / Agencies

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