Lim, whose dad ran a zi char restaurant, helms the first-ever Singaporean restaurant to be recognised with Michelin Guide’s highest honour
There’s something deeply humbling about watching a fellow Singaporean make it on the global stage, especially when it's a history-making feat.
When Jimmy Lim’s JL Studio was awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide for Taiwan in August, the Singaporean not only achieved a personal lifelong dream, he also ignited the dreams of many others striving to find their way in the culinary world.
The son of a zi char chef, food has always been a passion and way of life for Lim. As a student he chose to study home economics in school purely for the fact that he “loved the idea of cooking”. Little did he know that by the age of 41, he would reach a milestone beyond his wildest dreams, cementing his place among the world’s greatest culinary masters.
The reveal in August marked not only the first time in history a Singaporean was awarded the guide’s highest honour, it also propelled Singaporean cuisine to the global forefront, with JL Studio being the first and only Singaporean restaurant with three stars. As one of just 140 three-starred restaurants worldwide in 2023, Michelin’s recognition was the long-awaited proof of Lim’s firm belief that laksa and chilli crab belong among the world’s most illustrious cuisines.
Read more: Jimmy Lim on the Local Dishes He Misses the Most in Singapore