(25 December 2025) - The Michelin Guide published restaurant ratings for the Chinese province of Fujian for the second time in November. For the first time, it includes Ningde alongside Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou. A total of 96 restaurants in these four cities were rated - including seven with one star, 66 Bib Gourmand restaurants and 23 recommendations. The guide also presented three individual awards: the Mentor Chef Award and the awards for young chefs and service.

"A year after the publication of the Michelin Guide in Fujian, our inspectors were impressed by a gastronomic scene that is both tradition-conscious and forward-looking," said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide. "The selection in Fujian is led by Bib Gourmand restaurants and Fujian's emblematic cuisine - proof that memorable meals are possible at any price point. Fujian is literally a province of diversity: one city, one flavour. We also recognise restaurants that are constantly evolving and an emerging generation of chefs, many of them shaped by international experience, who are refining local ingredients with modern techniques. Their work honours cultural heritage while opening up new horizons for local and international diners."

One star

In the first Michelin Fujian 2024 Guide, five restaurants in Fuzhou and Xiamen were awarded one star. All of these restaurants successfully defended their stars in the current edition, including Jiangnan Wok ‧ Rong restaurant and Wenru No. 9 in Fuzhou, as well as Fleurs Et Festin, Hokklo and Yanyu (Jiahe Road) restaurant in Xiamen. The latest guide also welcomes Quanzhou's first starred restaurant, Qing You Yu, as well as Fuzhou's Hatter restaurant, which has also been awarded a star. This brings the number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Fujian province to seven, underlining the continued dynamism and growth potential of the local gastronomy scene.

• Hatter - European-modern: The owner, who has returned from Australia, has worked closely with the chef to develop two seasonal tasting menus. The menus have a strong European flavour and use first-class products from all over the world. Occasionally, local specialities such as red wine marc and seaweed, for which Fuzhou is famous, are also used. The owner also acts as sommelier - ask him to recommend suitable wines from the extensive wine list.
• Qing You Yu - Seafood: The incredible selection of high-quality, live seafood, prepared with great attention to detail and exquisite technique, is the main attraction of this restaurant. There is no menu - diners choose their own fish from the three-storey aquariums at the entrance and then specify how they would like it prepared. Savour the tender roe and firm, aromatic meat of the chilled swimming crab or try the silky and fragrant swamp eel, braised with tea seed oil and basil.

Bib Gourmand

The Bib Gourmand selection in this year's Fujian Guide Michelin has been significantly expanded compared to last year. 19 new restaurants from Fuzhou (6), Xiamen (6) and Quanzhou (2) have been included. Particularly noteworthy is the first-time inclusion of Ningde with 5 recommended restaurants. This carefully compiled list showcases Fujian's diverse, vibrant and accessible culinary landscape and emphasises the popularity of authentic Min cuisine restaurants.

Fuzhou's six new Bib Gourmand restaurants are: 167 Shan Hai Li, known for its Fu'an-style seafood; Lin Yi Nen Ming Pai Zhu Xue Hua, specialising in traditional Laohua noodles with over 40 years of history; Shang Xing with classic Chaoshan cuisine; the traditional Yi Qiang (Dadao Road), founded in the 1960s; YongZhou Ji Bian Rou (Jinrong South Road) with local snacks such as flat wontons and mixed noodles; and Yu Xian Lou, a seafood restaurant run by a local chef.

Xiamen also boasts six new Bib Gourmand restaurants: A Xi Xia Mian, with almost 100 years of history, specialising in traditional shrimp noodles; Chen Xian Sen Sha Cha Mian in Jimei district is famous for its satay noodles; Da Tong Shao Jiu Lang in the old town is a popular Fujian cuisine restaurant that appeals to locals as well as tourists; Guo Gong Fan Dian, tucked away in an alley, serves tempting homemade wok dishes; Lao Song Bian Shi Dian offers local specialities such as wonton soup, noodles with peanut sauce and boneless meat; while Shan Li Yan Sha Cha Mian treats the neighbourhood to its rich and velvety satay noodle soup.

Quanzhou welcomes two new Bib Gourmand entries: Che Qiao Tou Wen A Shui Wan restaurant (Daxi Street), whose history dates back to the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty and has been in the family for four generations, is not only a culinary landmark but also a place with deep-rooted local heritage sites; Wai Tou Niu Rou (Meiling Street) prepares distinctive Quanzhou-style beef steak with its signature braising sauce, offering rich and unforgettable flavours.

Ningde is featured in the Michelin Guide for the first time and boasts a selection of simple but popular local snacks. These include Fu Ding Zheng Zong Bian Rou (Jianxin Street), which has been renowned for its homemade wontons with thin pastry and fresh filling for almost two decades; and Hu Yu Zhong Wu Qu Bian Rou, whose plump and tantalising wontons are equally remarkable. Ning Chuan Zu Yao Yu Wan, now in its third generation, focuses on four classic specialities - fish balls, rice noodles, braised pork intestines and fried buns - while preserving traditional preparation methods and exceptional flavours. Shou Ning Mi Gao stands out with its signature shouning rice cakes, which are fragrant and filled with savoury ingredients. Xiao Dong Men Niu Rou Shui Fen Lao Dian, a traditional restaurant in the old town, is famous for its beef rice noodles - soft, tender and served in an aromatic herb-infused broth that makes them irresistible.

In addition, ten restaurants from Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou have been included in the new edition of the restaurant guide. These include six Fujian cuisine restaurants: Hui Wei Private Kitchen, Origin and Sheng Hai Lou (Cangshan) from Fuzhou as well as Hám-Khàk, Nan Qi Lou 1924 and Zayton Courtyard (Licheng) from Quanzhou. The offering is complemented by new restaurants such as the steakhouse J & A Steak House in Fuzhou, the Cantonese restaurant Chef Kang's in Xiamen, Coast with upscale international cuisine and the innovative culinary concept Kunshō - which together expand the culinary horizons of local gourmets.

Special awards

The Michelin Guide also recognises the people behind the culinary experiences. Three awards were presented in Fujian: the Young Chef Award, the Service Award and the inaugural Mentor Chef Award. Chef Wu Rong from the Michelin-starred restaurant Yanyu (Jiahe Road) in Xiamen was honoured with the Mentor Chef Award. He has devoted himself to the art of cookery with unwavering passion for decades and is committed to the preservation and development of Fujian cuisine. In a career spanning over thirty years, Chef Wu has always been inspired by the flavours of the region, interpreting the essence of Fujian dishes in a modern way and making a significant contribution to raising the national profile of this cuisine. His deep commitment to promoting young chefs is particularly noteworthy. He mentors a group of talented and visionary young chefs, epitomising the spirit of mentorship in its purest form.

Chef Xupeng Ma of the Michelin-starred restaurant Jiangnan Wok ‧ Rong was honoured with the Young Chef Award in the Fujian edition of the guide. For years, chef Ma has dedicated himself to the art of Huaiyang cuisine, preserving its traditions with the pursuit of excellence while breaking new ground with openness and a spirit of innovation. Humble, focussed and working tirelessly to refine his craft, his dishes showcase masterful technique and the thoughtful integration of local ingredients and personal inspiration, giving each creation a unique touch. As an outstanding representative of the new generation of chefs, he not only preserves the authentic essence of Huaiyang cuisine, but also infuses it with new vitality and dynamism.

Mrs Mengqing Mao from the Bib-Gourmand restaurant Antstory was honoured with the Service Award. She serves every guest with courteous professionalism in a confident and attentive manner. From the timely table cleaning and the loving attention to detail to the clear explanations of the dishes on the menu, she demonstrates remarkable commitment and expertise - always contributing to an all-round successful culinary experience with warmth and precision.