Filipino cuisine continues to make its mark on the international dining scene, with Singapore-based Filipino restaurant Hayop earning a spot in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2026 selection.
The restaurant, which represents Manila-based The Moment Group, was named among the guide’s 165 Michelin Selected establishments. The recognition adds to the growing international attention surrounding Filipino food and highlights the restaurant’s modern interpretation of the cuisine.
The announcement comes as the Michelin Guide celebrates its 10th anniversary in Singapore. Its 2026 selection features 307 restaurants and dining establishments, including 45 Michelin-starred restaurants, 97 Bib Gourmand recipients, and 165 Michelin Selected establishments.
A Modern Filipino Restaurant in Singapore
Located along Amoy Street, Hayop opened its doors in July 2024. The restaurant first appeared in the Michelin Guide Singapore selection in November 2025.
Hayop presents Filipino cuisine through a contemporary lens while maintaining connections to the country's culinary traditions. Michelin describes the restaurant's interior as a warm, wood-dominated space with subtle nautical influences, reflecting the Philippines' strong connection to fishing and maritime culture.
The concept offers diners an opportunity to explore Filipino flavors in a setting that feels both modern and distinctly connected to the country's identity.
Filipino Flavors on the Michelin Guide's Radar
Among the dishes highlighted by Michelin is Hayop's Wagyu and Watermelon Sinigang, an inventive take on one of the Philippines' most recognizable sour soups.
The dish combines a tangy sinigang-style broth with tender braised beef short ribs. The result brings together familiar Filipino flavors with premium ingredients and an unconventional element in the form of watermelon.
Another dish recommended by the guide is Hayop's Lechon de Leche, a Filipino-style roasted suckling pig that requires advance preparation and must be ordered at least 48 hours ahead.
The restaurant also offers fruit-forward cocktails inspired by flavors from across Asia, giving the beverage program its own regional character.
A Milestone for Filipino Cuisine
For Hayop, being included in the 2026 Michelin Guide is more than a restaurant accolade. The team described the recognition as an honor and dedicated it to the people behind the restaurant as well as its customers.
The restaurant also emphasized the communal spirit at the heart of Filipino food. Meals in Filipino culture are often associated with hospitality, family, celebration, and bringing people together, and Hayop aims to carry that spirit into its Singapore dining experience.
Its Michelin Selected recognition is also significant within the broader growth of Filipino cuisine overseas. As more Filipino restaurants gain attention in major food cities, contemporary establishments like Hayop are helping introduce new audiences to the country's diverse flavors and culinary traditions.
Part of The Moment Group
Hayop is part of The Moment Group, a Philippine food and beverage company known for brands including Manam, 8Cuts Burgers, and Ooma. The group also operates the Philippine franchise of Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung.
The company's Filipino restaurant Manam has previously received Michelin recognition. Its Triangle flagship in Makati was awarded a Bib Gourmand distinction in the inaugural Michelin Guide selection covering Manila and Environs and Cebu.
Hayop's inclusion in the Singapore guide therefore adds another international milestone to the group's growing portfolio.
What Michelin Selected Means
While being named Michelin Selected is an important achievement, the designation is different from receiving a Michelin Star or Bib Gourmand.
According to the Michelin Guide, restaurants in the Michelin Selected category have been evaluated by its inspectors and meet the guide's standards for a quality dining experience. However, they do not currently meet the criteria for a Star or Bib Gourmand.
For Hayop, the recognition nevertheless places the restaurant among a curated group of establishments recommended by one of the world's most influential restaurant guides.
With its modern approach to Filipino cuisine and growing presence in Singapore, Hayop's inclusion in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2026 is another sign that Filipino food is gaining greater visibility on the global culinary stage.
