Chongqing - On January 10, Family Li Imperial Cuisine, the world's first two-star Michelin Chinese restaurant, opened in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

Family Li Imperial Cuisine opened in Chongqing on January 10, 2025. (Photo/Family Li Imperial Cuisine)

The new restaurant is situated at the Metropolitan Oriental Plaza in Jiefangbei. It marks the brand's first foray into Southwest China after its successful establishments in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Taipei, and Paris.

Chongqing's Jiefangbei business district. (Photo/Metropolitan Oriental Plaza)

"After taking into account the prime location of the Metropolitan Oriental Plaza, as well as the storied history of the Jiefangbei business district, we've decided to bring our brand to Chongqing. We're looking to merge tradition with innovation to showcase the quintessence of Family Li Imperial Cuisine. Additionally, high-end nightlife dining will be a pivotal focus for our new eatery," said Yang Changhua, the operations manager.

Yang Changhua is the operations manager of Family Li Imperial Cuisine. (Photo/Family Li Imperial Cuisine)

Li Xiaolin, the inheritor of Family Li Imperial Cuisine, stated that the brand is renowned for its unique imperial dishes, with a history tracing back to the Qing Dynasty. The founder of Family Li Imperial Cuisine, Li Shanlin, had a grandfather, Li Shunqing, who managed the imperial kitchen during the Qing Dynasty. He passed down the imperial recipes, which became the foundation of Family Li Imperial Cuisine.

Li Xiaolin, the inheritor of Family Li Imperial Cuisine. (Photo/Family Li Imperial Cuisine)

Li introduced that Chinese cuisine is closely related to culture. The characteristic of Family Li Imperial Cuisine is its authenticity and pursuit of purity. It also has strict control, with a limited range of seasonings used, such as soy sauce, Huangjiu, and sugar, which are very simple.

The famous dish of Family Li Imperial Cuisine is braised special-grade dried abalone. (Photo/Family Li Imperial Cuisine)

The achievement of the two-star Michelin rating resulted from four generations of refinement. Family Li Imperial Cuisine also has a unique operational model as a restaurant. Li said, "Our restaurant has always offered set meals and does not allow ordering. This ensures the quality of the dishes and avoids waste."

"To ensure the quality of the dishes in the Tokyo branch, many ingredients are still imported from China, including dried abalone and sea cucumber," added Li.

Notable figures such as Robert E. Rubin, former United States Treasury Secretary, John Major, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Bill Gates, and Jackie Chan have also been guests at Family Li Imperial Cuisine.

Family Li Imperial Cuisine opened in Chongqing on January 10, 2025. (Photo/Family Li Imperial Cuisine)

"Positioned as a culinary hub, floors 5 to 7 will host top-tier restaurants nationwide and globally-rated eateries. It aims to offer Chongqing residents and tourists a space for dining, drinking, and entertainment and to provide a refined lifestyle experience, boosting the development of the world-famous Jiefangbei-Chaotianmen business district," said Cai Zhiqiang, the general manager of the Metropolitan Oriental Plaza.

The 5th to 7th floor of Metropolitan Oriental Plaza. (Photo/Metropolitan Oriental Plaza)

In recent years, Chongqing has been emerging as an international consumption center city, with the "first store" economy gaining momentum. Data from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce shows that 261 branded first stores were introduced in the first three quarters of 2024, further enriching the consumption scene and stimulating consumption vitality.

As a food capital, Chongqing's unique local delicacies, like hotpot and noodles, provide rich materials and inspiration for fine dining. The 2025 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide was released recently. Chongqing has six restaurants listed, up 1 from last year. A new one-diamond restaurant is Feilong Tang Xiaoguan. Others include Robin's Grill & Teppan (Regent Chongqing), Camellia & Seasons(The MixC Chongqing), and Yanshe Featured Hot Pot(Nanbin Road).