The 2025 edition of the Michelin Guide Guangzhou was officially released on July 2, marking its eighth year in the city. While the list continues to recognize Guangzhou's rich culinary heritage, this year's spotlight is clearly on a rising generation of local talent reshaping the dining landscape.
This year, 112 restaurants were featured, including 3 two-star, 18 one-star, 45 Bib Gourmand, and 46 Michelin Selected restaurants. Impressively, all previously starred establishments retained their honors. However, what stood out most was the growing presence and recognition of young chefs and restaurant professionals, several of whom were born in the 1990s.
One of the most notable new entries is Chōwa, led by Hong Kong-born chef Louis Tam, who earned both a Michelin star and the Young Chef Award. With over a decade of experience across Asia, Tam now calls Guangzhou home. His modern, ingredient-driven approach exemplifies the creative energy that younger chefs are bringing to the city's food scene.
Guangzhou's long-standing strengths—Cantonese technique, deep respect for ingredients, and vibrant street flavors—remain central to the Guide's selection. The addition of four new Bib Gourmand restaurants and five new Michelin Selected eateries this year also reflects evolving tastes. Many of these new establishments are run by young teams emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and a return to handmade techniques.
It's not just the chefs who are receiving recognition. Two other personal awards went to emerging local talents: Martin Luo, a sommelier passionate about pairing Chinese wines, and He Xiaoyu, a young service professional praised for her hospitality and storytelling.
These awards, while individual, signal a broader trend: Guangzhou's dining culture is being renewed from within. A new wave of chefs, sommeliers, and restaurateurs is stepping up—not by copying international trends, but by reimagining local tradition through a contemporary lens.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Photo: Li Fangwang
Editor: Hu Nan, James, Shen He
