FILIPINO TOUCH. Customers, mostly Chinese, frequent the Mesa Madre, the only Filipino restaurant in Beijing, China in this photo taken on April 9, 2023. The restaurant opened at the height of the pandemic in November 2020, offering Filipino dishes that continue to draw food enthusiasts. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
BEIJING, China – The first Filipino restaurant in this Chinese capital continues to win the appetite of local and foreign food enthusiasts more than two years after it opened even during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in November 2020.
“Many of the dishes are very popular with the guests,” said Jess Chen, a Chinese partner of Filipina Argonza Gemmicah Grith, who put up the “Mesa Madre” restaurant in Beijing.
“For example, the Bicol Express. We put chicken breast in spicy coconut chili gravy, kafir lime, and bagoong with broccolini. The Asian spices give a rich flavor to the food with the soft meat. I am sure you couldn’t wait to tuck into it,” she added.
Jess said each dish has loyal followers who keep on coming back.
“The blooming of a hundred flowers is a symbol of a prosperous market. As the only Filipino restaurant in Beijing, we are very honored that we are loved by many customers. We are looking forward to more customers from all over the world tasting our food. And also, we will continue to develop more new dishes in the future,” Jess said.
Mesa Madre serves various popular Filipino dishes adobo, calamari, tuna "kilawin" (Filipino ceviche) as well as Pinoy drinks like calamansi-gin.
The restaurant also offers longsilog, a common Filipino breakfast consisting of longanisa or Filipino sausage, fried rice and savory eggs, that is served any time of the day.
Located at Jianwai Soho in Chaoyang District where major malls and businesses are situated, Jess said Mesa Madre is packed during evenings, particularly on weekends.
“We prefer that the customers make the reservation in advance. If it’s a very busy time, they may need to wait in line. During the summertime, we provide tables and chairs for the guests, they can dine outdoors where the environment is also very beautiful and comfortable,” she said.
To assure quality, safe and authentic Filipino taste, she said seasonings have to be brought from the Philippines aside from adding other Asian spices.
“We use special Asian spices, and Filipino seasonings which are supplied by the overseas supplier. And we go to the market every morning to buy the freshest ingredients. Safe eating and drinking are the most important for running a restaurant. We only choose the best ingredients, making sure customers can eat hearty, healthy food,” Jess said.
The restaurant has only 20 persons sitting capacity, prompting them to resort to food delivery to serve more customers.
Jess, however, said they prefer customers to dine in to enjoy not just the hot meal but also the service and the place which has a Filipino atmosphere highlighted by decorations made from the Philippines.
Mesa Madre is a combination of two words meaning mother’s table that allows customers to experience Philippine food, feel the warmth of home and enjoy mom’s cooking.
“As the store grows, we plan for the further development and derivative brand,” Jess said.
While everyone is still coping with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jess said they are looking forward to having cooperation and communication with individuals, organizations and embassies to build a wider clientele.
She said Beijing is a big modern city that offers a lot of opportunities as well as challenges but they remain optimistic that something big has yet to come.
“Here, we have the Bintana, which means window in Filipino. We want the restaurant to serve as a medium, a window, and let more people know about Filipino food and cultures which is our long-term hope,” she said. (PNA)
