A Michelin starred meal for $150 sounds almost too good to be true. Seven courses and a star from the Michelin Guide at a price that sounds almost reasonable. Then the bill arrives. For one diner, a tasting menu at Jua started at 150 dollars and ended at almost 286.
The diner behind the YouTube channel @Jamesnu laid out the whole math in a review. “Jua serves a luxurious seven course tasting menu for 150 dollars with the option to add on a couple of supplements, which of course I did.” That one sentence is where the price starts to climb.
The diner did not plan far ahead, either. The table was a last minute reservation, which is worth remembering if you have a hard time planning ahead. Sometimes a spot opens up when you least expect it.
How the bill grew
When the check came, the diner broke it down: “It was time for the bill, which totaled 240.62.” That is already far above the 150 dollar menu price, thanks to the supplements and tax. Then came the tip. “With my tip, I spent almost 286 bucks.”
The diner did not sugarcoat what that means. “When you start adding supplements and then tax and tip, that affordable Michelin starred tasting menu suddenly becomes quite costly.” Even so, the review ends on a happy note: “But I have no regrets.”
What was on the table
Here are the highlights the diner called out. The meal began with caviar kimbap, a fancy spin on the Korean rolled rice dish. Other standouts were the juk, a Korean rice porridge, and a branzino. The diner also tried one of the supplements, which came from the restaurant’s chef.
The experience went beyond the food. “Great atmosphere, and the service was fantastic,” the diner said. For a night out that costs this much, atmosphere and service count almost as much as what is on the plate, and this review gives both high marks.
Why the extras add up so fast
Tasting menus are built around a set price, and that is what makes them feel simple. You sit down, the courses arrive and there are no big decisions to make. Supplements change that. Each one is a small choice, and small choices are easy to say yes to when the food is good and the evening is going well. That is how a couple of add-ons can turn into a bill that makes you do a double take.
Then there is the part nobody enjoys: the extras on top of the extras. Tax is added to the total, and a tip is added on top of that. When the diner said the affordable starred menu “suddenly becomes quite costly,” it was not a complaint about the restaurant. It was a plain look at how the numbers stack up, offered by someone who still came away happy.
What a Michelin star does and does not mean for your wallet
The Michelin Guide awards stars to restaurants for the quality of their cooking, but a star does not set a price. Some starred restaurants are expensive, and some are known for being much more affordable. The tasting menu price you see on a website is only the starting point. As this review shows, the final bill depends on what you add and what is charged on top.
How to avoid a surprise at the end of a tasting menu
If you love the idea of a starred dinner but want to keep the bill under control, these ideas can help.
- Read the supplement list before you go. Menus often list optional add-ons at extra cost. Decide ahead of time which ones are truly worth it.
- Set a budget for the whole night. Do not budget for the menu price alone. Add tax and tip, then add a cushion for drinks or extras.
- Ask your server about the add-ons. A quick question about portion size and what makes a supplement special can help you choose wisely.
- Pick one or two extras, not all of them. The diner said “a couple of supplements,” and the bill still climbed quickly. Each one adds up.
- Remember the tip. A tasting menu comes with a lot of service. Plan for it as a real part of the price, not an afterthought.
- Be ready to be flexible. A last minute reservation worked out for this diner. Check for cancellations if you are not able to book far in advance.
The big picture here is a familiar one. A listed price is a starting line, not a finish line, and it pays to know the difference. Still, this diner left with no regrets, a handful of memorable dishes and a story about how a 150 dollar dinner became a 286 dollar evening. If you go in with your eyes open, a starred tasting menu can be a special treat worth planning your budget around.
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