MINIMAL (restaurant)
MINIMAL is a restaurant in Taichung, Taiwan which focuses on ice cream and other frozen dishes. They are the only Michelin starred ice cream parlor in the world.
History
[edit]MINIMAL was founded by Chef Arvin Wan. Wan is a native of Taichung who studied at the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT). Following time spent working at traditional restaurants and an ice cream parlor Wan opened a restaurant named Sur with his friend and fellow NKUHT graduate Lin Yi-hua where Wan managed the dessert side. In 2021 Wan opened MINIMAL although he continued to be active at Sur which was awarded a Michelin star in that year.[1]
Name
[edit]According to CNN "The name refers to the nominal number of elements in ice cream — from sugars to proteins — that create its smooth texture, as well as the aesthetic style."[2]
Space
[edit]The restaurant has a traditional take-away ice cream parlor on the first floor and a twenty-seat dining room on the second floor.[2]
Menu
[edit]The typical tasting menu at MINIMAL is seven courses.[3] The restaurant has struggled to make its tasting menu model profitable.[1]
Awards and recognition
[edit]In 2023 MINIMAL received a Bib Gourmand recognition from Michelin.[1]
In 2024 MINIMAL was awarded a Michelin star,[4] making it the only ice cream parlor in the world to have one.[3][2][5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Lee, Jowen. "Why Taiwan Boasts the World's First Michelin-Starred Ice Cream Parlor". cw.com.tw. Commonwealth Magazine. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Wong, Maggie Hiufu. "There's only one Michelin-starred ice cream shop in the world. And it's in Taiwan". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b Everington, Keoni. "Michelin Guide Taiwan 2024 restaurants announced". taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Shan, Shelley. "Ten restaurants get their first-ever Michelin stars". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Hsiao-han, Yu; Hsiao, Bernadette. "49 restaurants in Taiwan receive Michelin Star this year". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 11 November 2024.