Biko (2024)

A popular Filipino dessert, biko (“bee-koh”) is a delicious cake made of sticky (glutinous) rice, coconut milk, and sugar, usually topped with a caramelized coconut-milk-and-sugar reduction called latik (“lah-tik”). It’s generally served for merienda (afternoon snack) or as a dessert. Biko appears everywhere in the Philippines and no one seems to question its origins—but it’s probably from China, where rice is believed to have been first cultivated as a domestic crop.

Now, there are as many biko variations as there are grandmothers in Cebu, but fortunately, you don’t have to raid anyone’s grandma’s pantry to find it, as biko is widely available in restaurants that serve Filipino/Cebuano food.It’s so simple yet so good—it’ll be an immediate addition to your favorite-comfort-foods list.

Where: Chika-an sa Cebu (032-233-0350; Salinas Dr., Lahug, map) has been serving quality Cebuano cuisine for more than 30 years and nearly always carries biko on its menu.

When: Daily, 11:30am-2pm (lunch) and 6pm-10pm (dinner)

Order: You really wouldn’t hit Chika-an only for biko, as the restaurant has such good local food. Do happily swim through dinner before earning your biko for dessert. You might try the utan bisaya, a light vegetable soup; pinakbet (“pee-nak-bet”), a northern Philippines dish of sautéed okra, eggplant, tomatoes, squash, snake beans, and shrimp paste; grilled liempo, or pork belly; buttered chicken; lots of plain rice. And then finally, biko: warm, chewy rice slathered with sweet, sticky latik.The perfect ending. (Note that the color of the latik on top can vary from dark brown, as pictured here, to light.)

Alternatively: Head to a Catholic church on a Sunday—not necessarily for the services, but for the food. Vendors usually line the exterior of Redemptorist Church (Queen’s Road, map) as well as the Carmelite Monastery (Mabolo, map), displaying their wares on woven trays, shaded from the sun by colorful umbrellas. Take your time and take your pick—biko and its rice-cake cousins come in many shapes and colors. (Clearly, having a sweet tooth is not a sin around here!)

Biko (2024)

FAQs

What does biko mean in Filipino? ›

Biko is a rich, chewy Filipino rice cake made with sticky rice, coconut milk, and dark sugar. Traditionally served in a round, shallow bamboo tray lined with banana leaves known as a bilao, biko belongs to a category of sweets called kakanin, which is made up entirely of rice cakes.

What is another name for biko? ›

It is also known as inkiwar in Ilocano Northern Luzon and sinukmani or sinukmaneng in the Southern Luzon area. In the Muslim regions of the Philippines, it is known as wadjit in Tausug; wadit in Maranao; and wagit in Maguindanao. A notable variant is puto maya in Cebuano-speaking regions of the Philippines.

Why is biko healthy? ›

In addition, Biko is served during special occasions such as birthday parties, family reunions, and town fiestas. Rice cakes are usually made from brown rice, which is a health benefit because whole grains provide fiber, carbohydrates and phytochemicals.

Are bibingka and biko the same? ›

I googled it and found out that biko is made from glutinous rice (usually combination of black rice and white sweet rice) and is topped with Latik, which is fried coconut milk curd. Bibingka is made from white glutinous rice and topped with caramelized sugar and coconut cream.

What does biko mean in Nigerian? ›

Igbo biko, meaning "please." For example, the sentence Biko free me means "Please leave me alone".

What does biko slang mean? ›

Biko. Definition: An igbo word meaning please. Example: biko give me that pencil means please pass me that pencil.

Are biko and suman the same? ›

Suman is to the Ilonggos as what biko is to Tagalogs and other places. So don't be surprised if you're given this malagkit rice specialty instead of the one wrapped in coconut leaves which is commonly called ibos in this part of the country. Here's a simple recipe for Suman or Biko.

What is the origin of biko? ›

Biko appears everywhere in the Philippines and no one seems to question its origins—but it's probably from China, where rice is believed to have been first cultivated as a domestic crop.

Is biko a delicacy? ›

Gooey, sticky, and with a distinct, nutty sweetness, biko is one delicacy that's difficult to put down after you've had a bite.

Why do Filipinos eat so much rice? ›

Maria, the Spanish colonisers implemented a food quota to stave off hunger. To hasten production of food, they brought agricutural tools like the Southern Chinese plow pulled by a carabao. Rice production increased, and more and more Filipinos began to eat rice on a daily basis for sustenance.

Is biko a snack? ›

Filipinos usually eat these for snacks or dessert. Biko is sold along with other rice cakes in markets – with street vendors peddling them in baskets, going from house to house or offices.

What does coconut rice do to the body? ›

The Surprising Health Benefits of Coconut Rice. Coconut rice is made by cooking rice with coconut milk instead of water. The milk infuses the rice with healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also performs wonders for your cholesterol, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising healthy cholesterol (HDL).

Why do Filipinos eat bibingka? ›

Bibingka is a traditional Christmas food in Philippine cuisine. It is usually eaten along with puto bumbóng as a snack after attending the nine-day Simbang Gabi ('Night mass', the Filipino version of Misa de Gallo).

What is bibingka in Hawaii? ›

One such dish is bibingka, a sweet Filipino dessert made with rice flour and coconut. Its texture is similiar to mochi (Japanese rice cake), but this version is buttery and coconuty with a crusty edge that fans fight over. While it's traditionally served during Christmas, this dessert is eaten year-round in Hawaiʻi.

Why is it called biko? ›

Biko takes its name from the coffee-colored, sweet coconut curd that gives it its distinctive flavor.

What is Bobo slang Philippines? ›

Bobo means stupid. similar to a spanish word, estupido.

What is the Tagalog of African? ›

The English word "African" can be translated as the following word in Tagalog: 1.) Aprikano - [noun] African more...

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