MINIMAL is a restaurant in Taichung, Taiwan, which focuses on ice cream and other frozen dishes; it is currently the only Michelin starred ice cream parlor in the world. The restaurant has a ice cream parlor to go on the first floor and a twenty-seat dining room on the second floor.[1]
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.[2] 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."[1]
Menu
The typical tasting menu at MINIMAL is seven courses.[3] The restaurant has struggled to make its tasting menu model profitable.[2]
Recognition
In 2023 MINIMAL received a Bib Gourmand recognition from Michelin.[2]
In 2024 MINIMAL was awarded a Michelin star,[4] making it the only ice cream parlor in the world to have one.[3][1][5]
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