By KO SENDO/ Staff Writer
June 28, 2024 at 07:00 JST
The website of the Michelin Guide Nara 2024 (Captured from the internet)
NARA—The Michelin Guide to fine dining has recommended a total of 85 outstanding restaurants in Nara Prefecture this year.
Although no eateries were granted the top three-star rating this year following last, four two-star and 18 one-star restaurants were included in the Michelin Guide Nara 2024, which was published online.
Six restaurants made it to the recommended list for the first time this year, including the French eatery le content, which was awarded the Bib Gourmand for offering excellent food at affordable prices.
The French restaurant opened in November last year.
“When I opened the restaurant, I thought it would be great if it was included (in the Michelin Guide),” said owner and chef Noriyoshi Kurumatani, 37.
“I was surprised,” he admitted.
Kurumatani, who hails from Ikoma in the prefecture, attended the Tsuji Culinary Institute’s branch in France and honed his skills at a traditional French restaurant in the Alsace region for about a year.
After he returned to Japan, he worked as a cook at Hiramatsu, a Tokyo restaurant that serves French cuisine, and elsewhere.
His own restaurant’s name, le content, means “happy” or “content” in French.
The eatery offers “pate de campagne,” roast Yamato beef, tarte Tatin and other traditional French dishes, using locally grown vegetables.
“I was more proud of being selected for the Bib Gourmand list than to have received stars,” he added.
Seventeen other Nara eateries were also included in the Bib Gourmand category.
Meanwhile, six Nara restaurants were given the Green Star recognition for their contributions to food sustainability.
The remaining restaurants, while still recommended, did not receive stars.
For details, visit the official website at (https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/michelinguide-nara-en).
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