Melbourne · gelato
Beku Gelato
The strongest distinctive-identity signal found in Melbourne: Italian technique applied deliberately to a non-Italian flavour tradition, with a named maker who states on the record that she uses the real ingredient rather than an essence or paste.
What to order
Durian (SBS Food: 'I wanted to have the real flavours of durian in my gelato', quoting Agusta Triwahyu)
What we know
- Owner Agusta Triwahyu, an Indonesian-born engineer who arrived in Melbourne in 2001, learned gelato-making the Italian way while holidaying in Rome, under a relative who owned a gelateria (SBS Food, 27 Feb 2018)
- No essences, pastes or artificial flavours: 'If it says raspberry or durian, that's what Agusta is using' — flavours include durian, teh tarik (Malaysian condensed-milk tea), mint lychee and a rujak-inspired green-apple and cucumber sorbet (SBS Food, 27 Feb 2018)
- Flavours rotate monthly; alongside the Southeast Asian range, classics like pistachio and chocolate are also kept (SBS Food, 27 Feb 2018)
- Now trading from a larger space in Carlton North after starting on Lygon Street, Brunswick East (Broadsheet, Carlton listing; own site)
- Status
- open
- Address
- 150 Lygon Street, Carlton North VIC 3053 (previously 171 Lygon Street, Brunswick East)
- Maker
- Agusta Triwahyu, owner and gelato maker
- Website
- www.beku.com.au/
- Last checked
- 2026-08-21
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