C

span class="caption" style="width: 398px;">Courtesy of AteMediaThe restaurant industry in Southeast Asia has experienced many ups and downs over the years.

We have bid a fond farewell to many great establishments and wondered if the situation would change.

But, eating is a primary need and the restaurant business will always survive. And cooking shows on TV nowadays like Hell’s Kitchen and Masterchef have actually impacted the market, helping to improve the public’s food knowledge.

Slowly, the revival of the restaurant industry in the region has begun and, now, Southeast Asia has some of the best dining in the world.

The Miele Guide, an independent restaurant guide, has also observed this revival. During the launch of the 4th edition of the guide in Singapore, cofounder Aun Koh said next year could be the year for Asia’s restaurants to become among the world’s best.

The industry is definitely booming and fantastic dining with great concepts is now available throughout the region.

One of the barometers of Asia’s best restaurants is The Miele Guide, the brainchild of Singaporean food blogger Aun Koh and Tan Su-Lyn, who wanted to create an authoritative and independent reference to restaurants in Asia. The first guide was launched in 2008.

As a self-professed independent guide, the guide accepts no advertising, sponsorship or free meals from any of the restaurants reviewed.

Based upon the opinions of the region’s most respected restaurant critics and food writers, a popular public vote and the votes of the invited jury, the top 20 restaurants in the region are selected in addition to profiles of the best restaurants across Asia.

The 2011/2012 guide features 500 restaurants from 17 countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Nepal.

This year saw India’s dining institutions climbing the top 20 ladder with three restaurants: Dum Phukt from Mumbai, Dhaksin from Chennai and Bukhara from New Delhi. It was quite a breath of fresh air to see restaurants offering traditional food making the list, as most of the others in the top 20 were restaurants with western culinary concepts.

There were also six new entries in the top 20 that included Will Meyrick’s famous Sarong in Bali. The biggest surprise was Singapore’s Restaurant Andre by Chef Andre Chiang, which debuted at no. 2.

“This acknowledgement means a lot to me! It is not about the ranking. There are so many supportive people out there who appreciate our small humble restaurant, taking their time to register and vote. For such a small restaurant like us to be able to have the 2nd highest number of votes in all of Asia in such a short time overwhelmed me. I really appreciate it,” Chef Andre Chiang said on his achievement.

And do you want to be number one next year? “I never thought of it … and I know because I am not a competitive person at all. To take care of our guests and make sure that Andre is always in the restaurant preparing the food is the only thing that we don’t want to forget.”

At the gala dinner attended by the who’s who of the Southeast Asia culinary industry, Chef Umberto Bombana of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong was making his debut at no. 13 and won the Chef of Chef’s Award. He said getting that particular award was important.

“It is an honor to be ranked among the top 20 as the award is Singapore-based and voted on by people. I feel honored being recognized by the people. I didn’t do anything to achieve the award, so it’s a real surprise to me.”

Described by his peers as “the greatest chef in Asia”, Chef Umberto said he believes a restaurant should be consistent in food quality. For him, it is not really a challenge, but it is a way of work.

The winner was none other then the celebrated Iggy’s in Singapore. Marking its 3rd win, owner Ignatius Chan and his team have an unbelievable record.

So, where was Indonesia in all this culinary excitement? Aside from Sarong, which broke through at no. 18, Chris Salan’s renowned Mozaic was also on the list at no. 12.

Compared to other giants from the region such as L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Caprice and Mr & Mrs Bund; Indonesia should be proud to have two of its finest institutions on the list. One can only hope an Indonesian restaurant that serves Indonesian food will make it sometime in the future.