Michelin dining that won’t break the bank
While some people think that the Michelin grub is only available to those with buckets of cash, travel booking platform Traveloka shows otherwise in a gastronomic survey that reveals the 50 most-affordable affordable Michelin-starred meals around the world.
The research found that East Asia and South East Asia are home to eight of the world’s 10 cheapest Michelin-grade meals and the cheapest meal is served by Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, a street food stall in Singapore, at the price of $2.20 (Bt72).
In Europe, the most budget-friendly Michelin-grade meal is available in Spain, with the set lunch menu at L’Antic Moli, which is located between Barcelona and Valencia, costing just $16.90 (Bt553). Meanwhile, the USA’s cheapest Michelin-star meal at Al’s Place in San Francisco starts from $18 (Bt589).
“The Michelin Guide catalogues the best restaurants in the world, but with some tasting menus costing upwards of $500, these restaurants are largely inaccessible and off limits to many travellers. Food is without a doubt one of the most exciting parts of travelling. A meal can make or break a trip, but it can be hard to distinguish the good eateries from the bad when visiting a foreign country,” says Christian Suwarna, senior vice president of business development at Traveloka.
Although the vast majority of restaurants featured have achieved one Michelin star, Tuju, a two-star Sao Paulo restaurant, also made the list, where a set lunch menu costs just $21.80.
To put these costs into perspective, a truly dedicated foodie could afford to dine at all 50 of the cheapest Michelin-grade restaurants ($1,759) for the same price as a single sitting at the world’s most expensive restaurant, Ibiza’s Sublimotion, where a set menu costs $1,761.
“Amongst these eye-wateringly expensive menus are some surprisingly affordable options, offering top-quality meals at prices even the most budget-conscious traveller could swallow,” Suwarna adds.
“Our guide to the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meals gives people the opportunity to experience beautiful, boast-worthy food without the hefty price tag this type of fare typically comes with. This means diners can fill their Instagram feeds whilst filling their stomachs — safe in the knowledge that they won’t have to empty their bank accounts to pay for it.”
