From Beko’s Kitchen to yours

Beko’s Biik trailblazed Davao’s dial-a-lechon craze when it began airing its catchy radio ads in 2006. It promoted the “hotline” “227-BIIK” to get your hands on their succulent young pig roast, complete with the much-craved lechon crispy skin and its tender and tasty meat in just three hours.

A decade later, the demand for Beko’s Biik is still as strong as ever. This inspired its young owner Beverly Lim to expand the business further.

“I wanted a one-stop takeout counter where our customers can get their lechon and food trays, and do a little foodie grocery shopping as well. Thus, Beko’s Kitchen was born,” shares Beverly.

“I love to eat as I come from a family of eaters. So, I think it’s just natural that I ended up working in the kitchen. My mom used to cook a feast every Sunday. She loved it when we invited our friends for lunch to share a meal with the family. When she passed away, I began cooking the dishes she used to cook. In a way, it helped me deal with missing her,” divulges Beverly.

According to Beverly, the word “beko” means youngest aunt in Chinese. “A family friend who used to live with us, Raul Labajo, would often hear my niece and nephew call me Beko. After a while, he started calling me by that name, too. Eventually, the nickname caught on that everybody began using it,” chuckles Beverly.

When I think of home

Beverly describes the food at Beko’s Kitchen as “homemade and not pretentious. It’s just comfort food that reminds you of home.”

Their well-loved family-approved specialties good for 10 to 15 persons is perfect for potlucks and gatherings. These include their scrumptious Baked Iberian Chicken (two whole chickens oven roasted for two hours with tons of garlic and potatoes at P900); Kinilawna Tuna (marinated in Beko’s Kitchen’s house-blended kinilaw sauce at P700 and P800 (Sinuglaw) per tray); Yang Chow Fried Rice (fluffy white rice with Chinese chorizo and homemade ham at P500); and Spicy Honey Chicken (two whole chickens cut into bite-sized pieces fried to perfection and glazed with chili sauce and honey mix at P800).

In addition, Beko’s Kitchen offers their mouthwatering Pork Binagoongan (at P800 per tray); Salt and Pepper Ribs (P850 per tray); and many more.

“Our Silky Sotanghon (P850 per tray) is a recipe passed on to us by our late grandmother. We only use imported Sotanghon noodles from Malaysia. Slow-cooked stewed pork, shredded chicken and seafood all in one dish,” describes Beverly.

“In Chinese, noodles are supposed to symbolize long life. So imagine the horror on my mom’s face when I used to cut the noodles in half before cooking it. After that, whenever I cook my grandma’s Silky Sotanghon recipe which was taught to me by my mom, I see to it that the noodles are left uncut. And it does represent long life to me, for as long as their recipes are alive, it feels like they are as well,” enthuses Beverly.

Aside from the Sotanghon, Beko’s Kitchen has its bestselling Birthday Noodle or Cha Misua (P850 per tray), a light-but-festive Chinese food symbolizing long life and traditionally eaten on one’s birthday.

Takeout counter

Of course, Beko’s Kitchen will not be complete without its Beko’s Biik mainstays, Lechon Biik and Lechon Roll.

Beko’s Lechon Biik starts at P1,700 for six persons; P1,900 for eight pax; P2,200 for twelve pax; P2,800 for 15 pax; P3,500 for 20 pax; and P4,500 for 30 pax. It comes in regular and spicy flavors.

“The Lechon Roll (serves 12 pax at only P1,200) is the best part of the regular lechon. It’s belly without the bones. It’s not biik but the meat is still the same juicy, tasty Beko’sbiik flavor. Although packed with flavor on its own, the lechon roll comes with its own liver sauce and available in spicy variant as well,” explains Beverly.

Gourmet frozen and bottled treats can also be bought at the very convenient take-out counter.

The Top Shelf Artisan Meat is a 21-day aged Australian Ribeye (one kilo) at P1,200 (three pieces) while Larry's Homemade Bacon is a healthier option compared to other bacon products in the market.

“It is made with special ingredients from organic products containing corn fiber, bamboo fiber, and seaweed among other special components. It is sold at P125 (250 grams) and P240 (500 grams)”, details Beverly.

Other must-try Beko’s Kitchen frozen treats include tocino, dumplings, Angus Beef patties, homemade ham and spring rolls as well as Beko’s Kitchen Kinilaw Sauce, Chili Sauce, Salted Lapu-Lapu Fillet, Chicharon Pinakupsan, among others, that the whole family will surely enjoy.

“I only sell products which I have personally tried and loved. I try to stay as local as possible choosing homegrown products,” says Beverly.

Beverly reflects that being in the business for 10 years, has taught her that there will be good and bad days.

“The most important thing to remember is that at the end of the day, customers are willing to forget bad experiences as long as you deal with the situation properly. It's not solely good food that earns you loyalty but also good customer service. As long as you handle the situation and address the problem, bad days can turn into better days,” encourages everybody’s “Beko”.

Beko’s Kitchen is at Door 3, 703 Building, Tionko Avenue, Davao City. It is open from Monday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Contact numbers: 2863445 and (0922)8381600.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.