A selection of dishes from 8½Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Shanghai. [Photo provided to China Daily]

New award launched

This year, the Michelin Green Star award was launched. According to Poullennec, the director, the award aims to highlight "rolemodel establishments" at the forefront of a more sustainable approach to gastronomy.

After France, the Nordic countries, Germany, Slovenia and Japan, Beijing is the first city in China to introduce this award, which went to King's Joy.

The inspectors said the vegetarian eatery implemented several policies aimed at reducing energy use and consumption of resources, and also held community activities to promote sustainable lifestyles.

Beijing food critic Dong Keping said that as environmental protection, organic food and sustainable development have become trends in the catering industry in recent years, King's Joy merited a green star.

Michelin inspectors appear to have a preference for vegetarian cuisine in Beijing, as King's Joy, which won two stars last year, won three this year. A newcomer in this field, Vege Wonder, was awarded one star.

Four vegetarian restaurants in the city won Bib Gourmand or Michelin Plate awards, including the Blossom Vegetarian outlet in Dongcheng district and Gong De Lin, which was founded in 1984 and is known for its meat-substitute dishes with mushrooms and vegetables.

Poullennec said that in Beijing, restaurants and chefs are always striving to improve and show their growing commitment to sustainable gastronomy, "as evidenced by the introduction of the Michelin Green Star for the first time in China".