Japanese restaurant Okeya Kyujiro in Yaletown has earned Vancouver's 9th Michelin star

Vancouver's restaurant scene has earned another Michelin star.

The Parisian tire manufacturer-cum-gastronomic tastemaker awarded the honour to Japanese restaurant Okeya Kyujiro, led by chef Takuya Matsuda, at a ceremony Thursday night.

It's the ninth restaurant in the city to receive the honour.

"It's hard to believe," said executive chef,Yuki Anai, adding that it has always been their goal to receive a coveted Michelin star.

"We will keep working hard."

WATCH | Michelin awards ceremony bestows 1 more star to Vancouver:

One more Vancouver restaurant gets Michelin star, as food scene celebrated in awards ceremony

12 months ago

Duration 1:01

A Thursday night ceremony celebrated the 77 restaurants featured in the 2023 Vancouver Michelin guide, including newly-awarded Okeya Kyujiro, whose star brings the city's total to nine. Andrea Carlson, owner of fellow Michelin star-awarded Burdock & Co., also talks about sustainability in the industry.

The restaurant,which also has a location in Montreal, opened its Yaletownlocation just over a year ago. It serves foodomakase-style, meaning the meal is determined by the chef.

The guidedescribed dining atthe restaurant as"a memorable show from start to finish," serving quality seasonal fish with careful attention to detail.

Vancouver's Michelin guide now contains a total of 77 establishments.

5 morebib gourmand restaurants

Michelin has also added five new bib gourmandsto its Vancouver guide, which recognizes good food at a more accessible price point. The list now includes 17 restaurants.

The newly-added bib gourmand restaurants are:

• Farmer's Apprentice
• Karma Indian Bistro
• Motonobu Udon
• Seaport City Seafood
• Sushi Hil

Twelve new restaurants were also added to the recommended list:

• Archer
• Bao Bei
• Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
• Elisa
• Folke
• Hnai
• Moltaqa
• Regal Mansion Cuisine
• Sushi Jin
• Suyo
• Tetsu Sushi Bar
• Wildlight Kitchen + Bar

Michelin began doling out stars in Canada last year, launching guides in both Toronto and Vancouver.

This year, two additional Toronto restaurants received a Michelin star, bringing the city's total to 15.

Anonymous inspectors fly into cities to visit restaurants over the span of several weeks to determine their list of recommendations.

Michelin inspectors base their reviews on five criteria: quality products, harmony of flavours, mastery of cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, and consistency across each visit as each restaurant is inspected several times a year.

Vancouver's first-ever Michelin guide in 2022 saw eight restaurants awarded Michelin stars, 12 bib gourmands, and 40 recommended restaurants.