Eloisa Ramos-Savellano remembers when she and her husband, chef Albert Savellano, made authentic Filipino lechon pork belly in ‘Ewa Beach for friends and relatives during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
“It’s a family-owned recipe,” she explains. “We offer crispy, juicy, lechon pork belly — the Savellano way. It’s slow-roasted for hours — never fried — in a direct-flamed oven. It’s famous for its super crispy skin and moist, tender and tasty meat.
“The lechon itself is delicately seasoned with salt, garlic, pepper, shallots, bay leaf, lemongrass and, of course, the Savellano’s signature and secret marinade,” she adds.
Word spread and the demand for the Savellanos’ lechon grew. In 2023, the husband-and-wife team officially opened The Savellano’s Lechon business as a caterer for whole lechon rolls; preorders were accepted for parties and events.
“The product got raving reviews, so we decided to expand and widen our brand’s reach by offering lechon plates to open markets,” Ramos-Savellano says.
The business launched its market pop-up last February at the Ono Grindz and Makeke night market, which is every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wai Kai in ‘Ewa Beach. At its market events, the biz usually offers three lechon plates — lechon and rice ($20); lechon, rice and pancit bihon ($22); and lechon, rice and Cajun butter garlic shrimp ($25). The garlic shrimp and lechon combo is one of the most popular orders, according to Ramos-Savellano.
“Chef Albert has manually perfected making lechon; it’s known for its consistency,” Ramos-Savellano says. “What most customers love about our menu is its simplicity.”
All plates come with complimentary lumpia pork shanghai (Filipino spring rolls).
Customers can still pre-order whole lechon rolls by direct messaging the business on Instagram. Aside from the ‘Ewa Beach market, the business is popping up at other markets in Kapolei, Waipahu, Mililani, Kaimukī, Waikīkī and Kāneʻohe, according to Ramos-Savellano.
For updates, follow the business on social media.
CONTACT
The Savellano’s Lechon
Various locations
Instagram: @thesavellanos_lechon
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
