Taquero Arturo Rivera Martínez, owner of a humble taco stand in Mexico City’s San Rafael neighborhood, has jolted global culinary media this past week thanks to his newly awarded 2024 Michelin star. The stand, dedicated to Rodolfo Gaona (Battle name: “El Califa de León”), has scored big thanks to Rivera Martínez's divine culinary skills, which attracted a broad local following. This popularity eventually got the attention of Michelin Guide’s discerning food critics as they scoured the globe for their guidebook.

While currently in the limelight, Rivera Martínez is far from unique as a street food wizard awarded with the much-desired Michelin honor. In fact, for nearly two decades, the Michelin guides have slowly but surely widened their scope to recognize exceptional yet unpretentious eateries around the world. Places regularly visited by loyal locals serve the most lavish of feasts without burning a hole in the pocket.

Let's take a look at five captivating restaurants that the Michelin judges have acknowledged over the years, joining the league Rivera Martínez now proudly represents.

In 2009, Hong Kong chefs Mak Kwai Pui and Leung Fai Keung chose to resign from their high-tone occupations to start their own humble eatery, Tim Ho Wan. This 20-seat dim sum joint in Mong Kok, Kowloon, caught on like wildfire, earning its owners a Michelin star within a year of operations. Dubbed as “The World’s Most Affordable Michelin Star Restaurant,” Mak and Leung expanded Tim Ho Wan domestically and internationally.

Singapore, with its rich and diverse culinary heritage, is home to Michelin-awarded food stand owner, Chan Hong Meng. Michelin judges discovered Chan selling Singapore’s national roast chicken delicacy, soy sauce chicken rice, in 2016, which bagged him a Michelin star. After receiving the recognition, Chan has since expanded his venture with Singaporean food group Hering, launching additional outlets under the name Hawker Chan.

In Bangkok's forgettable alleys stands Jay Fai, a modest eatery named after its charismatic late-70s owner Supinya Junsunta. Jay Fai herself prepares the signature crab omelette, her unique sense of fashion and ability to persist in smoky conditions by donning ski goggles, giving her a tantalizing allure. In 2018, Michelin Guide Bangkok awarded star rating to her modest business.

In New York City's flourishing borough of Queens, Casa Enrique offers Mexican cuisine with uncompromising authenticity from its founder and chef Cosme Aguilar. The restaurant's outstanding dishes, such as the house-made mole, brought it seven Michelin stars over seven years.

And Singapore comes up trumps again with Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, a hawker joint recognized by the Michelin Guide for the chef’s nuanced attention to detail in noodle garnishing. The popularity of this culinary stop means there's often a queue, but their generous business hours can comfortably satiate a sudden noodle craving.

From humble beginnings to Michelin stardom - these street food maestros have shown that culinary excellence isn't limited to high-end establishments.