☀️Good morning, explorers!

Did you know the Michelin Guide started in France… to sell tires?

Yep — in 1900, its first handbook aimed to get people driving more, and restaurants were listed only as convenient pit stops along the way.

Fast forward to 2026: Tokyo now rules the Michelin world with over 160 Michelin-starred restaurants. But don’t think it’s all white tablecloths and crystal glasses anymore. Even humble cheap eats can snag a Bib Gourmand, transforming local favourites almost overnight… for better or worse.

We’ve compiled our best insider tips for your next China adventure. 🧡

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Singapore is home to one of the most vibrant street-food scenes on the planet, with over 1,000 hawker centres and more than 100,000 individual stalls packed into a tiny island nation.

Since the 1800s, hawker food thrived on being affordable, fast, and delicious. But when the Michelin Guide Singapore launched in 2016 everything changed.

That year, Hawker Chan made history as the world’s first Michelin-starred street-food stall. The fame was groundbreaking, but triggered rapid franchising, rising prices, and intense pressure to meet demand. Eventually, Hawker Chan lost its star in 2021.

In the 2025 Bib Gourmand list, 89 budget eateries have earned recognition, showing that excellence in cheap eats is still thriving. But locals remain divided. While the spotlight has boosted incomes and global respect, it has also fuelled long queues and tourist crowds, turning once-casual stalls into must-visit destinations.

🥢 Our favourite hawker centres:

Hawker food might look simple, but one bite and you’ll see why these stalls are world-famous.

Our must-try Michelin-recognised hawker legends:

🍜 Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle: Springy noodles, tender pork, and that punchy vinegar-chilli combo that keeps us coming back.

🍗 Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice: Silky poached chicken, fragrant rice, and chilli-ginger sauces so good we still dream about it.

🦐 Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee: Smoky, savoury prawn stock and expertly fried noodles — the most surprising dish of our Singapore trip.

🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City: Michelin recognition now shines on street classics like phở, bánh mì, and cơm tấm, highlighting the city’s fresh, herb-forward flavours.

🇭🇰 Hong Kong: Michelin-recognised stalls and humble eateries celebrate wonton noodles, roast meats, cheung fun, and claypot rice.

🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur: Michelin-listed street food reflects Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, from smoky satay to richly spiced curries and nasi lemak.

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Bánh mì, that Vietnamese sandwich, can be found on every corner in Ho Chi Minh City. But no one does it quite like Lê Kim Hoa, founder of the legendary Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa. What started as a simple baguette is now a citywide icon, earning Michelin recognition and global foodie fame.

🌟 Why her Bánh mì stands out:

Every bánh mì is a masterpiece of flavours and textures: Freshly baked French-style baguette, house-made pâté, savoury roasted pork, fresh cilantro, and crisp pickled veggies. It’s refreshing, flavour-packed, and utterly addictive! Anna is still dreaming about this sandwich.

🥖 Must-order: The Signature Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa, packed with a generous amount of different meats and fresh veggies.

Singapore is a city of contrasts, with buzzing streets, towering skyscrapers, and quiet pockets of history. To experience the city at its fullest, we love finding places where history, style, and serenity meet.

The Warehouse Hotel sits along the banks of the Singapore River in a beautifully restored 19th-century heritage building that once stored goods for the bustling port. Today, it’s one of the city’s coolest and most exclusive boutique stays.

💸 Price check
From USD250+ per night — riverside charm and exclusivity have their price, but it’s worth every cent.

What we love most:

🛋 Intimate character: With fewer than 40 rooms, it feels like a private hideaway and quiet escape from the city’s busy streets.

🌇 Riverside vibes: Taking a Singapore River cruise at sunset time is one of the most magical and peaceful ways to see the city.

🌶️ Dinner at Po: A meal here is like Singapore on a plate, celebrating Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan flavours in bold, shareable dishes.

JUMBO Seafood serves arguably Singapore’s most famous chilli crabs. Plump, fresh jumbo mud crabs are perfectly cooked and drenched in a rich, sweet‑spicy chilli sauce, with fluffy mantou on the side to soak up every last drop. Some might argue that you haven’t been to Singapore if you haven’t been to JUMBO Seafood.

At Alliance Seafood in Newton Food Centre, chilli crab keeps its messy, playful street-food energy. Fresh crab is tossed in that signature chili sauce, served in generous portions for sharing, and eaten with hands for full flavor immersion. It’s authentic and offers maximum taste at a fraction of the price — and it’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-approved.

Welcome to Sham Shui Po, one of Hong Kong’s most authentic neighbourhoods, where street markets, quirky shops, and legendary cheap eats make every stroll an adventure.

🛍 Stroll & Shop
Explore Apliu Street for electronics, gadgets, vintage cameras, and all kinds of quirky tech. It’s the perfect place to haggle like a local and uncover unexpected treasures. Anna always buys her SIM cards here!

🍜 Michelin must-try
Kung Wo Beancurd Factory has earned Michelin recognition for its soy products. Their tofu pudding is silky, smooth, and ultra comforting. A must try for anyone seeking an authentic Hong Kong street-food experience.

🌇 The Best View
Climb Garden Hill for a completely different perspective of Sham Shui Po. It’s a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the densely packed neighbourhood — especially beautiful during sunset.

Kuala Lumpur is one of the greenest cities we’ve ever visited, and if you know where to look, there are pockets of calm and creativity everywhere. Here’s how we stay fit, relaxed, and inspired in the city.

🧗 Move & connect: Batu Caves
Start the day with a climb up 272 colourful stairs at Batu Caves, one of Malaysia’s most iconic limestone cave temples. Watch the playful long-tailed macaque monkeys along the way and enjoy sweeping views of the city below.

💆 Detox & restore: Hammam Spa
After your climb, unwind with a Middle-Eastern-inspired spa experience that transports you to the ancient traditions of the Turkish bath. If you want to try something different from the usual massages, this is the place to go.

☕ Fule break: Village Park Restaurant
If there is one restaurant you have to visit in Kuala Lumpur, it is Village Park Restaurant! Serving what Anna insists is the best Nasi Lemak in the city, maybe even the world. This is a meal you won’t ever forget!

✅ Make Singapore’s most iconic breakfast at home.
✅ Follow Anna to one of Shanghai’s Michelin recognised noodle spots.
✅ Watch South Korea's most popular cooking competition reality show.
✅ Eat 24 hours only Michelin hawker food in Singapore.
✅ Get ready for your next China trip with our Asiabits China Guide.*

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Singapore goes experimental with Sonic Shaman 2026: Borderless, taking over SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark for three days. Local and international musicians, artists, and thinkers come together, mixing immersive sound, performance, and contemporary art.

When: January 23–25
Price: Free admission

What else you can’t miss:

🎨 Singapore Art Week (Jan 22–31): A dynamic range of exhibitions, installations, and events, celebrating creativity and innovation throughout the city.

🖼 ART SG 2026 (Jan 23–25): Southeast Asia’s leading contemporary art fair at Marina Bay Sands, featuring 170+ international galleries and cutting-edge visual art.

🎵 The Lumineers Live (Jan 24): Folk‑rock favourites bring The Automatic World Tour to Fort Canning Green for an outdoor concert packed with crowd‑pleasing hits.

Serves: 2
⏱️ 45-50 minutes