Image courtesy of www.worlds50best.asia
The inaugural Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2013 list was just announced the other day. Out of the top 50 restaurants all over Asia that made it to this prestigious list, not a single Philippine restaurant was in sight. It's disappointing to find out that the local restaurant scene isn't up to the standards of the organizers of this list. In my opinion, I think the restaurant landscape in the Philippines has never been more dynamic, with new establishments opening in the recent years generating buzz among local foodies. It's a wonder why we have not been picked up in the culinary radar while our neighbors in Thailand (2 restaurants in the Top 10) and Vietnam (1 restaurant in the list) are represented.
Although countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, and Cambodia were not represented in this list as well, but come on, didn't Anthony Bourdain hail our lechon as "The Best Pig Ever"?!
Image courtesy of www.elarZ.com
Was not our Halo Halo named by Time Magazine as the "best legal high"?!
Image courtesy of www.newasiancuisine.com
My opinion is for our local chefs to push the envelope to define a cuisine that one can call truly Filipino. We've got a treasure trove of culinary talent waiting to break through the barrier to become internationally known (some have already broken through, but curiously still unrecognized). In the coming installments of this annual list, who knows, we might find a Filipino restaurant creeping through the ranks.
