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Michelin dishes out new stars in 2018 Tokyo guide

Nov 29, 2017 (Japan Times) - The latest edition of the Michelin guide for Tokyo is due out on Friday with 82 new restaurants, including five new two-star establishments and 23 entities garnering single stars, Michelin said on Tuesday.

All of the 12 three-star restaurants in Tokyo have retained their prestigious status, including the world-famous sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten, Azabu Yukimura (Kyoto cuisine) and Joel Robuchon (French fine dining).

Among the new restaurants awarded two stars are Chinese restaurant Sazenka, Hommage (French cuisine), and Den, which Michelin says "offers innovative cuisine."

The Michelin Guide Tokyo 2018 lists 12 restaurants at three stars, 56 at two stars and 166 at one star. The book also highlights 278 establishments in its "Bib Gourmand" section, which the editor says offer "quality food at affordable prices" of around ¥5,000 or less. This year 59 new entries were added to that list.

According to Michelin's definition, one-star restaurants offer high quality cooking worth a stop during travel; two-star eateries offer excellent cooking worth a detour; and three-star spots provide exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.

In terms of the sheer number of stars awarded (234), Tokyo is the top city among culinary destinations in 30 countries covered by Michelin, followed by Paris.

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