A Talk With TRB Hutong Owner Ignace Lecleir Following Michelin Star Win

A staple of the Beijing dining scene for eleven years running, TRB Hutong is one of the capital’s must-visit fine dining establishments. This reputation has even spread outside China, with the restaurant being named the world's #1 fine dining restaurant by TripAdvisor in 2019. Now, it’s got more recognition to back up its status in the form of a Michelin star.

Even though it’s only one star, the award is a welcome one, as many a Beijing foodie felt TRB Hutong was being wrongly snubbed after years of not earning any praise from Michelin.

Originally known as Temple Restaurant Beijing, TRB Hutong was opened in 2011 by owner and Belgian expat Ignace Lecleir in a converted hutong temple not far from the Forbidden City. Today, TRB Hutong is known for its great food, service and ambience.

We spoke to Lecleir following the award announcement to find out how he felt about the win and what plans he has for the restaurant moving into 2023.

How does it feel to have finally gotten a Michelin star?
We are definitely over the moon about this amazing news. To see the efforts and time the entire team has put in through the past years finally paying off is certainly a delightful way to close the year of 2022.

The Michelin rankings of 2023 came out a little earlier this year. Has the star recognition given you and your team a morale boost or new inspiration?
It has certainly given a boost to my team and I, especially after another roller coaster kind of year for the F&B industry. We are all humbly thrilled and grateful for the recognition.

Looking back on 2022, how was this year compared to others in TRB Hutong’s eleven-year run?
Compared to others, 2022 has without a doubt been the most challenging year for restaurant operation under the given circumstances. However, we have managed to push through it and can somewhat see the light at the end of the tunnel. As a restaurant with eleven years of existence, it has been a great journey working with my team to find the balance of keeping up with standards and continuously meeting the expectation of our guests. Having been given this recognition is definitely the cherry on the top of the cake to get us excited to flip the page and welcome a brand new 2023.

Looking forward to 2023, what plans do you have for the restaurant?
We look forward to always striving for better and not resting on the recognition. In the restaurant business, every day is a new day to bring in new ingredients and to welcome new faces. Our goal is to simply make each day a better day than yesterday.

Star or otherwise, what do you consider to be TRB Hutong’s recipe for success?
It is a mix of lots of different key elements. The people (my TRB family), the philosophy, the hospitality that we have been putting in place over the past years. Plus, the willingness to be humbled with advice, to sharply observe market trends, and to always be hungry to learn and adapt to changes.

TRB Hutong
23 Songzhusi Temple, Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng District
东城区沙滩北街嵩祝寺23号

READ: Michelin Releases 2023 Beijing Guide Just in Time for Christmas

Images courtesy of TRB