In case you hadn’t noticed, China has been on a serious flex to assert its growing global influence. On the tech front, Chinese AI companies like DeepSeek have made significant gains against — and in some cases, outperforming — rivals such OpenAI.
In the recent tariff wars between the US and its trading partners, China was the only nation able to fight back with equal might, both in the scale of its retaliation and in its ability to withstand economic pressure.
And now the East Asian giant is attempting to extend its influence in that most personal, most intimate, most revered of fronts: gastronomy. Its weapon of choice? The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, the first international food guide rooted in Chinese dining standards.
Often hailed as the Chinese counterpart to France’s Michelin Guide, Black Pearl held its first overseas ceremony at Marina Bay Sands on April 25 — a significant move, given Singapore’s popularity among the Chinese diaspora, business community and travellers.
The city-state has 16 entries in this year’s list, with two establishments, Les Amis and Odette, swiping the top spots at three “diamonds” apiece. (Think of these as the equivalent of Michelin’s coveted stars; more on that later.)
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Black Pearl was launched in 2018 by Chinese retail group Meituan. The idea was to “curate a list with dedication, love and patience, and to provide consumers who love fine food and life with an authoritative, fair and professional guide that is tailored to the Chinese palate”, explains head of the guide Tang Yan.
Restaurants are assessed on three key criteria: Culinary presentation (quality, skills, presentation, pairing, consistency); service and environment (service quality, ambiance, facilities, consistency); and heritage and innovation (balancing tradition with creativity and personal style).
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Judges conduct anonymous visits. Selected for their tasting expertise, appraisal skills and neutrality, the panel excludes anyone with direct industry ties, such as suppliers or PR representatives.
Over 77% of the panel comprises foodies, with a 30% annual rotation and a maximum five-year term to keep perspectives fresh. Judges are chosen through trusted recommendations or data analysis of active, discerning diners.
Going global
“We hope to establish an evaluation system that embodies Chinese characteristics to provide a reference point for international businesses keen to enter the Chinese market, and we hope to build a bridge for Chinese cuisine to go global,” says Tang.
Given the influx of fast-food, speciality beverage and family-style restaurants from the mainland over the last five years — think Mixue, Luckin Coffee, Nong Geng Ji Hunan Home-Style Cuisine and Chagee, to name a few — the guide’s presence in Singapore could be seen as a harbinger for high-end and fine-dining options in future.
The guide, which is updated annually, employs a rating system of one, two and three diamonds. Outside the mainland, there are four other cities in the 2025 list: Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. Shanghai tops the charts with 61 entrants; Beijing and Hong Kong are tied with 37 each. Tokyo amassed 30, while Bangkok took home nine.
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In Singapore, the list features familiar names like Jaan by Kirk Westaway (two diamonds), Summer Pavilion (one diamond) and Peach Blossoms (one diamond), as well as atypical ones like Teochew Restaurant Huat Kee, which picked up one diamond. The latter’s last accolade was a bronze in 2018, awarded by The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao at the Best Asian Restaurants Awards, but its rating on Google is — curiously — a paltry 3.6.
Sébastien Lepinoy, executive chef at Les Amis, notes that the guide has amassed credibility over the years, highlighting the “cultural perspective it brings to the dining world”. “We love that it continues to grow its reach and push culinary standards, not just in China, but globally. It’s also given us new ideas in how we run things, like hiring team members who speak Chinese.”
Powered by data
We now live data-driven lives, and Black Pearl is no different.
Meituan, which powers the guide, started out as a food delivery app in 2010. Today, it’s the largest food delivery platform on the mainland with a 60% to 70% market share, based on data from analyst firm Morningstar estimates. The super app also has a US$114 billion ($148 billion) market capitalisation, according to research firm PitchBook.
Meituan also provides rankings of hotels, transportation and travel operators worldwide.
In recent years, Chinese travellers have displayed a growing appetite for premium dining experiences abroad. Data from Meituan shows that more than half of outbound Chinese tourists indulged in fine dining during their 2024 travels. The trend continued into the 2025 Spring Festival, with over 85% of domestic users browsing or searching for overseas Black Pearl restaurants before setting off.
Beyond restaurant rankings, Black Pearl also shapes the industry through events like the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Gastronomy Insights Forum. This is a platform for culinary professionals to exchange ideas, share best practices, and deepen expertise in areas such as business management and culinary innovation.
“We plan to follow the paths of the Chinese diaspora in expanding our scope,” says Tang. “Starting from Asia, we aim to expand our reach to more countries, cities and regions across the globe.”
Watch out, world.
