You must know about the “commoner Michelin hero” Mak Kwai Pui.

▲ The dim sum specialty store of the “commoner Michelin hero” Mak Kwai Pui earned Michelin recognition in less than a year. (Photo / Provided by the business)

Reported by Travel Center / Taipei

Countless chefs around the world spend their entire careers striving for the honor of a Michelin star, yet many never earn that single star of recognition—even those who graduated from prestigious schools or worked at countless top-tier restaurants with far-reaching reputations. That one star may seem within arm’s reach, but it remains the most distant dream. Yet in Hong Kong, not far from Taiwan, there is Mak Kwai Pui, a man of humble origins with a pure love for cooking.

Aside from helping the restaurant Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong earn its Michelin three-star rating (the first Chinese restaurant in the world to be awarded three stars) during his tenure—becoming a timeless glory for Hong Kong—he did not cling to the prestige of the brand name. Instead, he resolutely left it all behind to establish “Tim Ho Wan,” a dim sum specialty shop in the “commoner district.” Even the name he chose was simple and unassuming, like a street-side snack stall downstairs from your home. To the astonishment of the global culinary world, it earned Michelin’s highest one-star recognition in less than a year. After becoming famous, he stayed true to his original ideals—never raising prices, never acting arrogant, and treating employees better than even the heads of big corporations. His business philosophy has not only propelled his international ventures but also “brought good fortune” to the taste buds of diners worldwide.

It’s expected for a Michelin star to come from a restaurant in a four-star hotel, but having a Michelin-starred eatery on an ordinary street—and earning it in less than a year since opening—is truly an eye-opener for everyone. Since winning the award, travel guides, online platforms, and celebrities alike have unanimously praised it, and it was even featured on CNN’s 2009 list of “Who Mattered Most in Asia.”

On June 28, Chef Mak will visit Taipei to showcase the charm of the “commoner Michelin hero.” Hotel operators reported that dinner reservations for that evening were fully booked just one week after opening, and an additional 150 seats were made available for lunch that same day. From July 1 to August 31, a la carte menus featuring Chef Mak’s Michelin-grade Hong Kong dim sum will be offered for both lunch and dinner. In response to customer demand, afternoon tea sessions have also been added daily. During this time slot, Michelin-grade Hong Kong dim sum starts at an unbelievable commoner price of 99 NT dollars, allowing more people to enjoy the exclusive flavors created by the commoner Michelin hero Mak Kwai Pui for Taiwanese food lovers.