Kasama

The best bakery items I've ever had to be honest, everything was so good. I thought I had a favorite (the eclair) but I don't, I could eat each one of these and enjoy them all equally. The muffin top was soft with crunchy texture from the sugar sprinkles, and the ube and huckleberry basque cake is unlike anything I've ever had before. The apple pie was baked perfectly with the freshest ingredients, and the eclair was sweet and creamy. I'm trying to think of an equivalent bakery here in the dmv where I’m from, but can't (maybe Sunday Morning, Gwenie's, baked joint, or Rose Ave but this felt like another level). Now, for the not so good news, their breakfast sandwich was mid. Some people say it's the best breakfast sandwich they've ever had....its not. It tasted like any other breakfast sandwich, just made with higher quality ingredients. Save your money and don't get this, instead spend it on more dessert items from the bakery. Also, don't wait in line (there's always a line), order ahead for pickup the day you want it in the morning. It'll probably be ready an hour after you do the pickup order. I wish I had time to do the Michelin star dinner this place is known for but maybe for the next visit lol

Filipino fine dining at night, cafe with incredible pastries on the weekends. Insanely long lines, even in the freezing temps. We showed up on a Sunday almost ninety minutes before opening and were still only the third group in line. It crawled even after the doors opened, and we didn't get in until nearly two hours later. The pastries were worth it. With a hundred people stacked up behind us, we gave the display a quick scan and just grabbed whatever looked good. Caramelized banana cream tart, Ube and Huckleberry Basque cake, and the truffle croissant. Every element felt well thought-out, but the truffle croissant was the one. I loved the sugar crystals scattered on top, and that almost cheap, candy-store sweetness paired really well with the savory truffle notes. The savory dishes, honestly, were more pedestrian. Not a lot of refinement or creative touches, just hearty food that feels good after standing in line for hours. Like everyone else, we grabbed the breakfast sandwich, the Filipino Breakfast, spring rolls, and pork belly adobo, and it was all solid. Pretty much what you'd expect from a good hole-in-the-wall Filipino spot.

Kasama, wow what an incredible breakfast! 2-Michelin starred Filipino restaurant and made more popular with the TV show The Bear, is extremely popular so get ready to wait in line. It also is ranked #31 on the world’s best list!! I got there at 8:30 and there were probably 50 people in front on me with the opening at 9. The trick is to order online at 8:45 and pick up. Mine was ready at 9:16. I then ate at some benches on the side of the restaurant. You can’t eat inside unless you have waited in line. I wouldn’t have been inside at least until 9:45 in line. Make sure you save room for some excellent pastries as well as the main dishes. I got the Longanisa (a traditional sausage that is a staple of Filipino breakfast) sandwich with egg and cheese as well as the ube and huckleberry basque cake. Both were phenomenal!! My next trip to Chicago, I know where I’m going again!!

Kasama is a nice place overall, I would highly recommend the pastries. The Truffle croissant was a good balance of sweet and salty. Heavy on truffle but the croissant was airy crossiant 7.5/10. Black sesame coconut macaroon was good, solid 8/10, good flavor profile and balance of sweetness. Banana bread was ok, 6.5/10, it was a little dry and tasted like a typical banana bread. The Reggi flores drink was a 7.5/10, try the drink before you mix it. The Chicken adobo was an 8.5/10. It had a good balance of flavors and the coconut sauce on the chicken made it sweet and savory. The Filipino breakfast was an 8/10, longaniza was cooked well and had overall good flavor, the egg balanced it out well. I would say this place is an overall 8/10, the flavors all come together very well with each item that you try.

The lumpia was my favorite item out of what I ordered. Well seasoned & crunchy, so good! Breakfast sandwich with longanisa & hash-brown was well-done. Egg was fluffy, hash brown was extra crunchy, but I wish the longanisa had more umami or kick (spicy) to it. Chocolate croissant was a bit over baked, so let’s say it was a one off. The poppy pound cake was delish, and the hot chocolate and matcha were also well done. All that today, I would return with online pick up. The line is outside is too long & inside was chaotic for dine-in (personal preference). I ordered online around 8:55am, and my pick up was set for 11:15-20pm. Just fyi!!

Ok , so believe the hype! I suggest to arrive early so your wait does not feel so long. I arrived around 845 am on Thursday the line was not too bad considering they open at 9 am. I waited roughly about 25 mins. It was worth the wait. No reservation for their day savory menu , you line up accordingly and wait to enter the building. Once you have entered, the hostess will ask whether you are picking up, or ordering. When ordering you have the option to dine in or take out. If you choose dine in the hostess with find a table for you to be seated. I was eager to try the breakfast sandwich which is what they are known for. The sandwich consisted of longanisa, a fluffed egg, and cheese I believe there was a sauce on it nonetheless it was so bomb!!! Savory much for sure , every bite was special and a delight. Of course I wanted something sweet so I ordered the ube and huckleberry basque cake, what a great and beautiful choice. It tasted as amazing as it looks! And how could forget the AMAZING service all staff was so very pleasant! I had great time if ever in Chicago and you have time treat yourself because everything looked and was delicious!!!

Kasama, located in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago, is widely considered one of the most significant dining destinations in the United States today. Co-owned by husband-and-wife team Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, it made history as the world’s first Filipino restaurant to earn a Michelin star. Here is a review of the dual experience offered at this acclaimed establishment. The Two Faces of Kasama The magic of Kasama lies in its "two-restaurant" model. Depending on when you visit, the experience is entirely different: The Daytime Experience (Bakery & Brunch): By day, Kasama operates as a casual, counter-service bakery and café. It is famous for its long lines and high-quality, inventive Filipino-inspired pastries and sandwiches. The Evening Experience (Fine Dining): At night, the space transforms into an intimate, reservation-only fine dining venue offering an ambitious multi-course tasting menu that has secured the restaurant two Michelin stars. Daytime: The Bakery & Brunch The daytime menu is accessible and beloved, though it requires patience. Must-try items: The longanisa breakfast sandwich and their signature black truffle croissant are frequent highlights. The Atmosphere: It is bustling, warm, and casual. Despite the hype and the potential for long waits, the service remains notably friendly and efficient. Pro-tip: To avoid the worst of the lines, consider arriving very early (well before opening) or ordering ahead for pickup if available to save yourself the wait. Evening: The Tasting Menu The dinner service is a sophisticated evolution of Filipino flavors, blending traditional inspiration with the chefs’ backgrounds in world-class fine dining. The Cuisine: Expect a high-concept, 13-course journey that might include dishes like foie gras siomai (dumplings), kinilaw (Filipino-style ceviche), and elevated versions of pancit (noodles) and adobo. The Experience: It is an ambitious, technical, and deeply flavorful experience that justifies its place on the global stage. Reservations for this service are highly competitive and should be booked as far in advance as possible. Summary Verdict Kasama is essential. Whether you are grabbing a world-class pastry for breakfast or securing a seat for the tasting menu, you are experiencing a landmark in modern American dining. Pros: Exceptional culinary execution at both price points; a unique concept that makes high-end Filipino cuisine both accessible (via the bakery) and elevated (via the tasting menu). Cons: The wait times for brunch can be significant, and dinner reservations are among the hardest to secure in Chicago. Bottom Line: It lives up to the immense hype. Even if you only manage a morning visit for a pastry and coffee, the quality of craftsmanship from Chef Kwon and Chef Flores is undeniable.

I come here many times for their breakfast. Filipino brekfast and coffee are top notch. The pastries are just something else. It's something I would eat everyday if possible. I'm adding a review because I still think back to the tasting menu I had last year. I came here Nov 22, 2024 for my birthday dinner with my wife. I'm so blessed and thankful to her since she was able to get a reservation even though I've been trying to get one for over a year. I won't post all the food we ate since I wouldn't want to take away from your experience. Seeing and tasting an elevated Filipino food was astonishing. Taste and texture gave me goosebumps every time I took a bite. You may think the plates are small and not enough. But with the amount of plates that came out, you would be full by the end of it.