In a glitzy event at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Malaysians learned which restaurants retained their 2024 Michelin credentials, and which restaurants earned new nods of their own.

The third edition of the Michelin Guide for Malaysia was announced yesterday, November 14, with Malaysia’s first Michelin star awarded to a restaurant helmed by an expat chef.

“As we reveal the third edition of the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2025, we are truly impressed by the remarkable progress of Malaysia’s culinary landscape. It’s inspiring to see two new restaurants earn one Michelin Star, and the addition of 12 new Bib Gourmand establishments showcases the rich diversity of local flavours. From preserving cherished family recipes to embracing sustainability with our first Michelin Green Star restaurant, these dining spots reflect the heart and soul of Malaysia’s culinary heritage. We are excited to celebrate the passion, creativity, and dedication that make this country’s cuisine special,” says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide.

In a well-earned coup, Dewakan, a modern Malaysian restaurant, received praise for retaining its prestigious two Michelin stars first awarded last year. It is Malaysia’s only two-Michelin star restaurant.

The event also marked a milestone for Dewakan, as it received Malaysia’s first Michelin Green Star, awarded to restaurants demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability in dining.

“I was not expecting this, but shout-out to my team at home, to God, CF Capital [the company that was instrumental in launching the Michelin Guide in Malaysia], and all the guys cooking out there every day,” said Dewakan’s chef Darren Teoh. Known for his inventive approach and his straightforward demeanor, Teoh has led Dewakan to remain Malaysia’s highest-ranked restaurant since the Michelin Guide debuted in the country. Despite this acclaim, Teoh downplays any ambition to pursue higher and higher aims. In the post-event media briefing, he cheekily said he has no desire to “take over the world.”

“As far as Dewakan is concerned, one thing we have maintained is that we constantly keep our heads down and just do things a little better than we did yesterday,” he added.

The Michelin Guide also awarded stars to two new restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. Chim by Chef Noom and Molina KL each received one Michelin star. Chim, helmed by Thai chef Thaninthorn ‘Noom’ Chantrawan, opened in Menara TS Law in March and showcases modern Thai cuisine. Noom, who also runs the Michelin-starred Chim by Siam Wisdom in Bangkok, expressed surprise at the accolade.

“We’ve been open for less than a year, so I really didn’t expect to get a Michelin star. There are two women I would like to thank, which is my mother who taught me how to cook and my wife, who taught me how to refine my cooking,” said Noom, to a warm response.

Molina KL, a fine-dining spot owned by Datuk Alex Tan, is led by Belgian chef Guillaume Depoortere and was the other new restaurant to earn a Michelin star, a first for an expat-helmed outlet in Malaysia. The restaurant presents avant-garde European dishes, and chef Sidney Schutte, who operates Spectrum in Amsterdam (also Michelin-starred), selected Depoortere to head the team.

“I was hoping for it, so I’m relieved. I think we deserved a star for what we put in, for the work, the experience, and what we’ve brought,” said Depoortere, who upon receiving the award, admitted to a sleepless night before the awards ceremony.

These new additions join four other restaurants in Malaysia that retained their one-star status: Au Jardin and Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery in Penang, along with DC by Darren Chin and Beta in Kuala Lumpur.

In total, 143 restaurants were featured in this year’s guide. Among them were seven starred establishments, 56 Bib Gourmand eateries, and 80 Michelin Selected restaurants. There were also 12 new Bib Gourmand entries and 10 new Michelin Selected spots.

Several individual awards were presented at the ceremony. Azmi Ahmad Kamal of Chim by Chef Noom received the Michelin Guide Service Award, while Han Lai from Terra Dining won the Sommelier Award. The Michelin Guide Young Chef Award went to Waymann Cheong from Penang’s Lucky Hole, and the Michelin Guide Opening of the Year Award was given to Molina’s Guillaume Depoortere.

The full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2025 can be found here.