Michelin Guide awards another Vancouver restaurant a star

A number of Vancouver restaurants wowed Michelin judges once again, with a local eatery receiving a coveted star from the food guide.

Japanese restaurant Okeya Kyujiro received the honour Thursday at the second Michelin Guide announcement in Vancouver.

The team at Okeya Kyujiro, a Japanese omakase-style restaurant located in Vancouver. The eatery was awarded a coveted Michelin Star as part of the 2023 food guide. (Courtesy Michelin)

During the event, Michelin also named five new Bib Gourmand restaurants in the city, as well as 12 new Recommended eateries as part of its 2023 guide.

Okeya Kyujiro has become the ninth restaurant in Vancouver to receive a Michelin star. The eight other stars were handed out to Vancouver restaurants in 2022.

“We can’t believe it,” said Okeya Kyujiro Executive Chef Yuki Anai. “Just wow, it’s crazy.”

The list of nine Michelin-Starred restaurants in Vancouver, as of Oct. 5, 2023. (Courtesy Michelin)

The omakase-style eatery has been open in Vancouver since September 2022. Its Montreal location opened three years ago, Anai notes, adding his team in B.C. worked closely with the team in Quebec to make this a success.

“We worked together very hard. Wow, it’s just amazing,” Anai said.

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In addition to its one star, Okeya Kyujiro was also the recipient of a Michelin Outstanding Service Award for its front-of-house team.

The 2023 Michelin Guide to Vancouver now includes 77 restaurants, which branch across 21 different types of cuisines.

The five new restaurants added to the Bib Gourmand list Thursday are: Farmer’s Apprentice, Karma Indian Bistro, Motonobu Udon, Seaport City Seafood, and Sushi Hil.

The list of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand restaurants in Vancouver, as of Oct. 5, 2023. (Courtesy Michelin)

This list recognizes restaurants “for great food at a great value,” Michelin explains.

The 12 new restaurants featured on the 2023 Recommended list are: Archer, Bao Bei, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Elisa, Folke, Hanai, Moltaqa, Regal Mansion Cuisine, Sushi Jin, Suyo, Tetsu Sushi Bar, and Wildlight Kitchen + Bar.

The list of Michelin-recommended restaurants in Vancouver, as of Oct. 5, 2023. (Courtesy Michelin)

Find the full list of restaurants here.