Kasama has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of Chicago's most celebrated restaurants. The Filipino restaurant opened in 2020 as a daytime café and bakery before expanding into a tasting-menu experience at night that has since garnered two Michelin stars.
There is almost always a line out the door, often wrapping around the block, as diners wait for a chance to experience it. To say Kasama has built something worth knowing feels like an understatement at this point. Its rapid ascent and national acclaim honestly speak for themselves.
I had wanted to visit Kasama for quite some time, and I finally had the opportunity to go on Sunday. My experience was nothing short of fantastic. From the warm ambiance and welcoming staff to the pastries and the restaurant's iconic breakfast sandwich, every aspect of the visit left an impression on me. As I looked around the restaurant from my table, I really loved seeing the mix of Chicago locals and out-of-town visitors Kasama had brought together, all sharing in the experience of their food. Here's a snapshot of our experience and why I believe Kasama is well worth the visit:
Coffee - Iced Black Sesame Latte and Oh, Hot Yam: The Iced Black Sesame Latte was simple yet memorable, balancing the rich, nutty depth of black sesame with the smoothness of the espresso. It wasn't overly sweet, which I loved. The Oh, Hot Yam! is Kasama's ube latte sweetened with coconut sap. It was just as good. Both drinks were delicious, thoughtfully crafted, and tasted as good as they look.
The Breakfast Sandwich: This breakfast sandwich is arguably what Kasama is best known for, and I couldn't wait to finally get my hands on one. We ordered it with the longanisa sausage and a crispy hash brown, and it was fantastic. The fluffy eggs and soft, pillowy bread paired perfectly with the crispy hash brown and savory, crispy longanisa sausage. Every bite offered a balance of textures and flavors that made it easy to see why this sandwich has become so iconic in Chicago. I completely understand the hype around it.
Pastries - Apple Hand Pie, Black Truffle Croissant, Matcha Pandan Eclair, and the Salmon Danish: Kasama has an extensive and beautiful pastry selection, and choosing just one felt almost impossible. So, we did the sensible thing and ordered four. It was our first visit, we had to. We tend to gravitate toward savory pastries, and our waiter offered some great recommendations. The Apple Hand Pie was warm, flaky, and filled with a perfectly spiced apple filling that felt comforting without being overly sweet. The Salmon Danish had a super crispy base, herbed cream cheese, confit salmon and trout roe. I thought it was excellent. The Black Truffle Croissant and the Matcha Pandan Éclair are two of Kasama';s most popular pastries and they were standouts for good reason. Everything we ordered was fantastic, but if I had to choose two favorites, the Black Truffle Croissant and the Matcha Pandan Éclair would take the top spots. I can't wait to go back and try more of Kasama's pastry menu.
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