For the first time in history, the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Taipei will be announced in mid-March.

Following the green "Taiwan Michelin Guide," the red "Taipei Michelin Guide" is expected to be published in mid-March this year. (Photo by Yao Shun)

The red Michelin Guide has a history of over a hundred years since its inception and is known as the "gourmet bible." (Photo by Yao Shun)

The highly anticipated "2018 Taipei Michelin Guide," closely watched by the tourism, hospitality, and food enthusiast communities, has nearly completed its anonymous inspection process. After final evaluations, editing, layout, and printing, the guide is scheduled to officially announce the list of Michelin-starred restaurants and Michelin-recommended eateries in Taipei at a press conference in mid-March. On the same evening, the Michelin organization will also host a gala dinner, inviting chefs from starred restaurants to attend.

It is understood that the unveiling ceremony for Taiwan’s historic first Michelin inclusion and the star-rated restaurant announcement will take place at Mandarin Oriental Taipei. According to the "tradition" of past Michelin events in other Asian cities when releasing their "red gourmet bibles," the choice of this venue suggests that a restaurant within Mandarin Oriental Taipei is "very likely" to appear on the "2018 Taipei Michelin Guide" with a strong performance.

To showcase Taiwan’s culinary prowess, the Michelin dinner menu is expected to be spectacular. Additionally, Wu Pao-chun, hailed as a "bright light of Taiwan" in the international baking industry, will design three bread varieties embodying the concept of "Taiwanese flavors" for the guests.

The "2018 Taipei Michelin Guide" follows the publication of similar guides in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Shanghai. As the latest edition of the world’s most authoritative food guide to be launched in a Chinese city—and Taiwan’s first inclusion in a food guide with a history of over a century—this event is set to significantly boost the international visibility of Taiwan’s tourism and hospitality industry. It has garnered considerable attention and anticipation from both industry professionals and gourmet enthusiasts.

Since the news of Michelin’s arrival in Taiwan for evaluations transitioned from "rumor" to confirmation, it has sparked discussions, speculations, predictions, and even "critiques" among many experts, connoisseurs, foodies, media outlets, and bloggers. The focal points of these conversations include not only "which restaurants will receive stars" but also: whether Taipei has any restaurants worthy of three stars? Will it be like Bangkok, where no three-star restaurants exist? How thick will the Taipei Michelin Guide be? Will there be any Taiwanese street food vendors receiving stars, as in Singapore? And will all the starred restaurants be located inside tourist hotels?

Now, the very first "Taipei Michelin Guide" is about to be published, and all questions are expected to be answered in mid-March. It is anticipated that experts, connoisseurs, and food critics will once again share their reviews, sparking a new wave of “Michelin essay competitions.”

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