Thailand enters culinary history with 3 Michelin stars

Thai gastronomy has reached a historic moment: Sorn Restaurant has become the first Thai restaurant to receive three Michelin stars.

The announcement was made on the occasion of the release of the 2025 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Thailand.

Sorn, renowned for his innovative take on Southern Thai cuisine, earned this prestigious recognition after steadily climbing the Michelin ranks since his first star in 2019.

The restaurant is located on Sukhumvit soi 26, Bangkok.

The restaurant's journey, which has gone from one star to three stars in just six years, underlines its exceptional commitment to culinary excellence, blending traditional flavors with modern techniques.

462 Thai establishments in the 2025 guide

The group photo of the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2025 presentation ceremony, attended by representatives of starred establishments, including the first ever winner of three MICHELIN stars, on November 28, 2024.

The 2025 guide features 462 establishments across Thailand, including seven two-star restaurants and 28 one-star establishments.

Among these establishments, the Côte de Mauro Colagreco was awarded two stars this year.

Five restaurants have received their first Michelin star, including AKKEE in Nonthaburi and Aulis in Phang-Nga, marking significant progress outside Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Jay Fai, the 81-year-old chef behind Bangkok's famous Michelin-starred street food stall, denied reports that she would retire in 2025 and retained her Michelin star for the eighth consecutive year.

Chef Jay Fai at her restaurant in Bangkok. Photo: CTN News

Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the MICHELIN guides, noted a growing trend in Thai restaurants:

“We are witnessing the emergence of young Thai chefs, mostly under 35, who are revolutionizing traditional Thai cuisine by imbuing it with modern sophistication.

These chefs, who often have international experience, push contemporary Thai cuisine beyond its conventional limits.

The guide also recognizes Thai restaurants' efforts toward sustainability.

Baan Tepa has thus joined the prestigious MICHELIN Green Star list for its environmentally friendly practices and its commitment to the community.

The restaurant thus joins three other Thai establishments to hold this environmental distinction.

Special recognition was given to young talents in the sector.

AKKEE's Sittikorn Chantop received the Young Chef Award for his innovative approach to traditional Thai recipes.

Other notable awards include the Opening of the Year Award to Dimitrios Moudios of Ōre, and the Service Award to Yupa Sukkasem of Baan Tepa.

The 2025 edition also welcomed Chon Buri as a new featured destination, adding 20 establishments to the guide and further expanding Thailand's renowned culinary landscape.

This landmark achievement for Sorn and the growing diversity of acclaimed establishments underscore Thailand's evolving status as a world-class culinary destination, where traditional flavors meet contemporary innovation.

Source: Khaosod English