Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago was created by husband-and-wife team Tim Flores and Genie Kwon. Their journey to becoming Michelin-starred chefs is rooted in dedication, community, and cultural pride. Before opening Kasama, both chefs worked at some of Chicago’s top restaurants. Tim, a Filipino-American chef, was passionate about honoring his heritage through food. Genie, a skilled pastry chef with Korean roots, brought world-class baking expertise to the table.
Together they decided to forge an original concept: a bakery in the daytime, with exclusive Filipino-influenced tasting menus in the evening. It wasn't just an act of cooking for them; this food was supposed to be a representation of identity and creativity in a modern world.The pair has spent endless hours working alongside each other, sometimes waking up before the crack of dawn to bake, operate, prepare, and organize the small team that runs Kasama.
Their story is one of resilience and innovation, blending traditional Filipino recipes with contemporary techniques. From ube huckleberry basque cake to longganisa sandwiches, Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago reflects both heritage and originality.
Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago is independently owned by Tim Flores and Genie Kwon. They opened the space in 2020 in Chicago’s East Ukrainian Village. What began as a small café and bakery quickly gained a devoted following.
Unlike many fine-dining establishments, Kasama was built without corporate backing. The restaurant’s success came from word of mouth, glowing reviews, and the chefs' dedication to quality and storytelling through food. Tim and Genie are deeply involved in the day-to-day operations—from designing the menu to interacting with customers.
Their ownership ensures that the restaurant stays true to its roots. Everything at Kasama reflects their values: community, innovation, and a deep respect for Filipino cuisine. This authenticity is part of why Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago stands out on the national food scene.
Kasama earned its Michelin star in 2022, making history as the first Filipino restaurant in the United States to receive this prestigious honor. The award came just two years after the restaurant opened, a testament to the chefs' talent and vision.
The Michelin Guide praised Kasama for its dual nature—a bakery during the day and a fine-dining experience at night. It highlighted the restaurant’s ability to elevate traditional Filipino dishes with refined techniques and creative plating.
The Michelin star put Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago in the global spotlight. Reservations for the tasting menu began selling out months in advance. The honor validated the work Tim and Genie had been doing since day one, proving that Filipino food deserves a seat at the table in fine-dining conversations.
The Kasama tasting menu is a curated journey through Filipino flavors, reimagined with elegance and precision. Unlike anything else in the city, the experience blends heritage with haute cuisine.
Dishes might include adobo made with truffles, kinilaw with citrus-cured seafood, or pork belly with bagoong caramel. Each course is thoughtfully prepared, rooted in Filipino tradition but elevated to a fine-dining level.
What makes it special is the story behind each dish. Tim and Genie often draw inspiration from family recipes and personal memories. Paired with curated wines or non-alcoholic beverages, the tasting menu feels intimate and artistic.
Dining at Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago is an experience that blends comfort and surprise. During the day, the Kasama atmosphere is quite casual. Guests can order from a counter filled with house-made pastries, sandwiches, and rice bowls. The longganisa breakfast sandwich and mushroom adobo rice bowl are among the top picks.
The coffee program is equally strong, with expertly pulled espresso drinks and Filipino touches like calamansi or ube syrups. Every bite, whether sweet or savory, is packed with flavor and attention to detail.
By night, Kasama transforms into an intimate, reservation-only fine-dining space. The dim lighting and sleek decor create a different mood entirely. The tasting menu rolls out course by course, each more inventive than the last. Service is warm, professional, and deeply knowledgeable about the dishes.
Reviews from both locals and our restaurant review consistently praise the balance Kasama strikes. It’s rare to find a place where a pastry and coffee during breakfast can feel as memorable as a multi-course dinner. Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago earns every accolade it gets.
The bakery side of Kasama is a core part of its identity. Genie Kwon brings years of pastry experience from top-tier kitchens, and her work is central to the restaurant’s success. Items like the ube huckleberry basque cake, croissants, and kouign-amann are not only technically flawless—they’re deeply flavorful.
Many of the baked goods incorporate Filipino flavors or ingredients, like coconut jam, calamansi, or purple yam. The result is a menu that feels both familiar and entirely new.
The bakery is open during the day and draws regular crowds. Locals often stop in for a pastry and coffee, while visitors from out of town make it a destination. While the tasting menu gets the headlines, the bakery is the beating heart of Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago.
Genie’s pastries showcase the same precision and thoughtfulness found in the dinner menu. They’re approachable but refined, blending traditional baking methods with global ingredients.
Kasama isn’t just a standout—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when Filipino food is treated with artistry and respect. At Just Eat Up, we highlight restaurants like Kasama that are changing the way diners experience global cuisines.
Whether you’re in search of the next big culinary experience or want to understand the roots of dishes like lechon or lumpia, our blog covers it all. We believe food is a window into culture, and there’s no better example of that than Kasama Filipino restaurant in Chicago.
From bakery treats to Michelin-starred dishes, this restaurant is redefining Filipino food in the U.S. and setting a new standard for what it can be. Follow our food blog for more deep dives, reviews, and hidden gems across the city.