Why Michelin 2025 Focuses on New and Promoted Spots like Yakiniku and Sushi

The proof of a shop that is riding a wave of momentum.

The “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2025” was announced on October 17, 2024, at the Westin Hotel Tokyo.

The total number of listings is 507 (64 new). The breakdown is as follows: 227 Selected Restaurants (41 new), 110 Bib Gourmand (13 new), 132 one-star restaurants (10 new, 3 promotions), 26 two-star restaurants (1 promotion), 12 three-star restaurants (1 promotion), and 12 Michelin Green Stars (1 new).

Tokyo now has 170 Michelin-starred restaurants, continuing to be the city with the most starred establishments in the world, since the “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2008” was released when the guide first arrived in Japan in 2007.

Tokyo is said to have over 100,000 restaurants, and the restaurant scene is volatile, which is reflected in the Michelin Guide. While demotions or non-listings are not announced, new inclusions and promotions are highlighted. In Tokyo, one of the world’s largest food cities, restaurants that are newly featured or have received higher ratings in the Michelin Guide can be considered to be riding a wave of momentum.

Among the new and promoted restaurants, I would like to introduce some noteworthy places, along with their estimated dinner price per person (restaurant names are in line with the “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2025”).

Yakiniku (Grilled Meat) and Handmade Pasta Restaurants! Inspectors’ Favorite Selected Restaurants

Selected Restaurants are those that do not receive stars or fall under the Bib Gourmand category, but are highly recommended by Michelin Guide inspectors. This year’s new additions include 41 restaurants.

“Chez Inno” (dinner price range ¥30,000～) is a well-known grand maison, while “L’odorante Par Minoru Nakijin” (¥30,000～) offers authentic French cuisine. “Geoffrey” (¥20,000～), led by Tsubasa Jin’nai, who honed his skills at famous French restaurants, and “Kibun” (¥20,000～), led by Hugo Pierre-Gallix, who trained at “Kikunoi Honten,” offer a fresh approach to dining.

Kei Kobayashi, who became the first Asian chef to earn three Michelin stars in France, runs “Kei Collection Paris” (¥20,000～) at Toranomon Hills Station Tower and “ESPRIT C. KEI GINZA” (¥20,000～) at the Toraya Ginza Building. Both places focus on à la carte menus. “Le Pristine Tokyo” (¥30,000～) at Hotel Toranomon Hills is a buzzworthy restaurant produced by three-star chef Sergio Herman.

Other notable Italian restaurants include “Deps Brianza” (¥20,000～), where the owner-chef Yoshiyuki Okuno works in the kitchen, and “The Orchestra” (¥20,000～), which specializes in handmade pasta and dishes grilled over embers.

“YAKITORI Burns” (¥10,000～) incorporates French flavors, while “Shirokane Shin” (¥15,000～), which combines short courses with à la carte options, and “Chinese Cuisine Hanaoka-bo (Sengakuji)” (¥15,000～), known for its elaborate assorted appetizers, are also gaining attention. “Sukiyaki Asai” (¥20,000～), where you can enjoy Sakaeya’s Omi beef in sukiyaki, and “Sushi Yamato” (¥30,000～), led by Yamato Yasui, who trained at the renowned “Nihonbashi Kakigara Cho Sugita’s Reservation” are also notable new spots.