Today, (July 7, 2014) at the Okura Hotel in Fukuoka City, a pre-launch event was held for the release of “Michelin Guide Fukuoka & Saga 2014 – Special Edition”, the latest edition in the popular Michelin Guide series. The book, (in Japanese only) goes on sale on July 10. In 2007 the first Michelin guide to cover Japan made a splash by awarding the city of Tokyo with more three star accolades than even Paris or New York. In 2012 the “Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara” edition was published with a total of 15 three star shops. Since then Michelin has published guides for other areas in Japan including Hokkaido in 2012, and Hiroshima in 2013.The Fukuoka & Saga Guide – Special Edition goes on sale on July 10. An English language version is expected to go online sometime in autumn 2014. For those who cannot wait, we have compiled a list of the two and three star selection in English. Official website: http://michelinguide.gnavi.co.jp/
Summary of the Fukuoka & Saga Michelin Guide 2014
• 3 stars: 2 restaurants (Fukuoka: 2)
• 2 stars: 11 restaurants (Fukuoka: 8, Saga: 3) and 1 ryokan (Fukuoka)
• 1 star: 43 restaurants (Fukuoka: 34, Saga: 9)
• Total entries: 489
• Bib Gourmand (value-for-money): 74 restaurants (Fukuoka: 66, Saga: 8)
• No marks but recommended: 229 restaurants (Fukuoka: 179, Saga: 50)
• Total restaurants: 359 (Fukuoka 289, Saga:70)
• Ryokan: 62 (Fukuoka 28, Saga 34)
• Hotels: 68 (Fukuoka 51, Saga 17)
• Places where you can eat for under ¥1,500: 103 (Fukuoka 79, Saga 24)
Unique points in the Fukuoka & Saga Michelin guide:
• This is the first Michelin guide in Japan to include restaurants specializing in dumplings, Indian food, international food, and tofu dishes.
• Many ramen (11) and udon (4) restaurants in Fukuoka were included.
• Many ryokan were included in accommodations. (Fukuoka: 28, Saga: 34)
Fukuoka Now spoke with Michelin Japan President Bernard Delmas
What challenges, were there in making the Fukuoka & Saga edition?
Well, there are always challenges with every new area. First we must study and learn about the regions’ specialties and unique ingredients. This was definitely true for Kyushu. But frankly speaking, the greatest challenge we have is the sheer volume of places to research and report on. We have a limited number of inspectors and there was a lot of ground to cover. Eventually, we hope to report on the rest of Kyushu.
–––––
Michelin Guide Fukuoka & Saga 2014
Three Star Restaurants – English List
•Gyoten (行天) Sushi/Fukuoka
1-2-12 Hirao, Chuo-ku, Tel.: 092-521-2200
•Sagano (嵯峨野) Japanese/Fukuoka
2-21-19 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Tel.: 092-271-5745
–––––
Michelin Guide Fukuoka & Saga 2014
Two Star Restaurants – English List
•Aburayama Sanso (油山山荘) Fugu (Inn)/Fukuoka
147 Higashiaburayama, Jonan-ku, Tel.: 092-871-5034
•Izumi (い津み) Fugu/Fukuoka
2-20-14 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Tel.: 092-291-0231
•Ebisudo (ゑびす堂) Japanese/Fukuoka
5-18 Tsunabamachi, Hakata-ku, Tel.: 092-282-4825
•Sushi Yasukichi (鮨 安吉) Sushi/Fukuoka
4-3-11 Hakataekimae, Hakata-ku, Tel.: 092-437-8111
•Chikamatsu (近松) Sushi/Fukuoka
2-6-19 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Tel.: 092-716-5855
•Tenko (天孝) Tempura/Fukuoka
2-4-26 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Tel.: 092-771-7387
•Tokimune (とき宗) Japanese/Fukuoka
5-28 Nishinakasu, Chuo-ku, Tel.: 092-722-1311
•Nakahan (中伴) Japanese/Fukuoka
2F Bayhill Court, 3-19 Nishinakasu, Chuo-ku, Tel.: 092-725-1115
•Nikaku (二鶴) Sushi/Kitakyushu
1-4-31 Adachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Tel.: 093-531-2442
•Amegen (飴源) Japanese/Karatsu
1058-2 Hamatamamachigotanda, Karatsu City, Saga, Tel.: 0955-56-6926
•Sushidokoro Tsukuta (鮨処 つく田) Sushi/Karatsu
1879-1 Nakamachi, Karatsu City, Saga, Tel.: 0955-74-6665
•Yoryu-tei (楊柳亭) Japanese/Saga
3-2-37 Matsubara, Saga City, Saga, Tel.: 0952-23-2138
–––––
Explanations for Michelin’s rankings
The five criteria for Michelin Star Rankings are:
– the quality and compatibility of the ingredients
– the preparation and the flavors of the dish
– the chef’s personality as revealed through his or her cuisine
– value for money
– consistency over time and across the entire menu
The awarding of a star is based solely on the quality of the cuisine.
Three stars: exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.
Two stars: excellent cooking, worth a detour.
One star: a very good restaurant in its category.
Bib Gourmand (value-for-money) Category
A Bib Gourmand is a separate award from a star and indicates a value-for-money restaurant, offering a menu or a single plate (depending on the restaurant’s style) for under ¥3,500.