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Kasama

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763636259840468446551_18250293082276291_4698217155695162356_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Kasama/Facebook</div>Kasama, the Filipino bakery and restaurant in Chicago&#x27;s East Ukrainian Village, has earned its second Michelin star, cementing its place among the city’s finest dining destinations and marking a milestone for Filipino cuisine on the world stage.The elevation was announced Tuesday night at the 2025 Michelin Guide Northeast Cities ceremony in Philadelphia, which also includes Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Kasama first joined the Michelin Guide as part of the Bib Gourmand list and became the first Filipino restaurant in the world to earn a Michelin star in 2022.The restaurant, owned by husband-and-wife chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, has been praised for combining homey, traditional Filipino flavors with fine-dining technique. According to the Michelin Guide, “Flores’ background provides inspiration for this modern interpretation of Filipino cuisine, while Kwon’s pastry training elevates the sweet side of things. Homey traditional preparations are reimagined in elegant, inventive ways, as in an ‘adobo’ of mussels and wild mushrooms that balances tangy, sweet and savory.” The restaurant is also noted for its bold sauces, like peanut with shrimp paste, and desserts such as mais con yelo.The Chicago Tribune reported that Kwon accepted the accolade in person, while Flores, who could not attend, was represented by a cutout of his head. She told the Tribune, “You know, we never thought we would open a tasting menu restaurant. We wanted to open a neighborhood place. And we opened it in July of 2020 and every decision that we’ve made has been to protect our team and ensure their job security. And looking back, I can’t even believe we’re here.”Kasama joins Ever and Oriole as Chicago’s two-star establishments, alongside Alinea, which was recently demoted from three stars to two.Kasama, at 1001 N. Winchester Ave., continues to draw diners eager to experience a modern, elevated take on Filipino cuisine, blending nostalgia, creativity, and meticulous technique in a tasting-menu format that has made it one of the city’s most talked-about restaurants.

Kasama, the Filipino bakery and restaurant in Chicago's East Ukrainian Village, has earned its second Michelin star, cementing its place among the city’s finest dining destinations and marking a milestone for Filipino cuisine on the world stage.

Kasama, the Filipino bakery and restaurant in Chicago's East Ukrainian Village, has earned its second Michelin star, cementing its place among the city’s finest dining destinations and marking a milestone for Filipino cuisine on the world stage.

Chicago's Kasama earns second Michelin star, putting Filipino cuisine in the spotlight

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Chicago's Kasama earns second Michelin star, putting Filipino cuisine in the spotlight

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published Nov 20, 2025 07:03 PM PHT

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Updated Nov 20, 2025 09:33 PM PHT

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Kasama

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