Shortest-lived Michelin restaurant: Shanghai's Taian Table shuts down just two days after earning a star

▲Shanghai Michelin notes that just two days after the guide's release, a starred restaurant had to shut down due to lack of a license. (Photo provided by the establishment)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The 2017 Shanghai Michelin Guide was released on the 21st, awarding stars to a total of 26 restaurants, but just two days later, it was revealed that one of the one-starred establishments, "Taian Table," did not have a business license. In an interview, the restaurant manager stated that the license was under application. Following the incident, the restaurant posted a closure notice at its entrance, becoming the shortest-lived Michelin restaurant in history.

According to China's News Morning Post, Taian Table opened in April this year. The restaurant features an open kitchen, has 20 seats, and changes its menu monthly. It offers a 14-course meal for 1,288 RMB and a 10-course meal for 988 RMB. The restaurant does not accept phone reservations and can only be booked via its website. Regarding the issue of operating without a license, the News Morning Post interviewed the restaurant manager, who said that Taian Table’s business license was under application but had not yet been approved by the authorities. However, the manager emphasized that the restaurant did hold a food service permit.

After confirmation by Shanghai authorities, Taian Table was found to be operating without a license, and the restaurant posted a closure notice at its entrance. According to Chinese media reports, the restaurant will relocate from its current address, with the new location offering more space.