This posting is inspired from my recent mealtime conversations with fellow residents here at THD. I have written several articles on Filipino food and cuisine, but today's blog is a brief summary of what you should know about filipino cuisine. In this blog I listed the three Michelin rated restaurants in the US. In addition, I have A LIST of Bib Gourmand recommended restaurant that includes FOB in Oakland. THD had an excursion at FOB restaurant last year. I have suggested this year a repeat lunch to FOB and our Activity Section is considering my request.
“More than just food, Filipino cuisine is a story—of resilience, community, and love passed down through generations.”
When people think of Asian cuisine, their minds often go to Japanese sushi, Thai curry, or Chinese dim sum. But nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia is a culinary gem waiting to be fully discovered: Filipino cuisine. It’s bold, savory, sweet, tangy, and sometimes all of that at once—an embodiment of the Filipino spirit.
A Tapestry of Influences
Filipino food is a product of centuries of history and cultural exchange. From the indigenous cooking traditions of the pre-colonial period to the lasting influence of Spanish, Chinese, American, and even Mexican cuisines, the Filipino table is a colorful fusion of flavors.
Spanish Influence: Over 300 years of Spanish colonization introduced ingredients and techniques like sautéing in garlic and onions, tomato-based stews (menudo, afritada), and festive dishes like lechon and paella.
Chinese Legacy: The love for noodles (pancit), dumplings (siomai), and savory broths (mami, lomi) comes from early Chinese traders.
American Era: Fried chicken, hot dogs in spaghetti, and corned beef for breakfast—Filipino adaptations of American favorites are everywhere.
Southeast Asian Roots: Coconut milk, fish sauce (patis), and rice as a staple are shared regional elements that tie the Philippines to its Southeast Asian neighbors.
The Quintessential Filipino Dishes
Here are some iconic dishes that showcase the soul of Filipino cooking:
Adobo: Often dubbed the national dish, adobo is a braised meat dish (usually chicken or pork) cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Each household has its own twist.
Sinigang: A tamarind-based sour soup filled with vegetables and protein, sinigang is the comfort food of many, especially on rainy days (pork, shrimp or fish based)
Kare-Kare: A rich peanut stew often served with oxtail, tripe, and a side of bagoong (fermented shrimp paste). I have also used pork hocks and beef shanks.
Lechon: A whole roasted pig, crispy on the outside, tender inside, and the centerpiece of any Filipino celebration. Photo taken at Alix and Brendan Wedding Reception.
Halo-Halo: A colorful dessert made with crushed ice, sweet beans, jellies, leche flan, purple yam (ube), and evaporated milk. It literally means “mix-mix.”
More Than Food: A Reflection of Filipino Values
Filipino cuisine is deeply tied to family, hospitality, and celebration. Meals are rarely eaten alone. From simple merienda (afternoon snacks) to grand fiestas, food is a love language in the Philippines.
Bayanihan in the Kitchen: Cooking in Filipino households is often collaborative. Grandmothers, aunties, and cousins gather around the kitchen, sharing stories as they prepare meals.
Feasting and Fellowship: From birthdays to town fiestas, the Filipino table always overflows with dishes, welcoming guests with warmth and generosity.
A Cuisine on the Rise
In recent years, Filipino cuisine has been gaining international attention. Chefs like Tom Cunanan, Crista Luedtke, and Jordan Andino have brought Filipino flavors to global stages. Ingredients like ube, calamansi, and longganisa are popping up in fusion menus and gourmet restaurants worldwide.
Despite this growing fame, the heart of Filipino cuisine remains humble—centered around shared meals, simple ingredients, and the joy of coming together.
Final Thoughts
Filipino food may not be as globally dominant yet, but for those who taste it, it leaves a lasting impression. It is complex but comforting, familiar yet unique, and deeply rooted in history and heart.
So if you haven’t tried it yet, go ahead—take a bite of adobo, a slurp of sinigang, or a spoonful of halo-halo. You’re not just tasting a dish; you’re experiencing a culture.
The Michelin-rated Filipino restaurants in the U.S., categorized by Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand is listed below:
⭐ Michelin-Starred
Kasama (Chicago, IL) –https://www.kasamachicago.com/
• 1 Michelin star, awarded in 2022 — the first Filipino cuisine restaurant in the world to receive this honorfoodandwine.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15chicago.eater.com+15coconuts.co.
• Opened in 2020 by Tim Flores & Genie Kwon, it serves a creative tasting menu reimagining Filipino classics like adobo and pancit goodnewspilipinas.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5foodandwine.com+5.
Soseki (Winter Park/Orlando, FL) –https://www.sosekifl.com/
• 1 Michelin star, awarded in the inaugural 2022 Michelin Guide for Florida forbes.com+1philstar.com+1.
• Chef Mike Collantes blends Filipino heritage (use of calamansi, sinigang, calamari, etc.) with seasonal Florida seafood in an intimate omakase setting houstonchronicle.com+6forbes.com+6philstar.com+6.
Kadence (Audubon Park/Orlando, FL) –https://kadenceorlando.com/
• Also awarded a 1 Michelin star in 2022; co-founded by Mark & Jennifer Berdin with Filipino rootsforbes.com+1philstar.com+1.
• A refined Japanese omakase experience infused with Filipino hospitality (complete with karaoke!).
🍽️ Bib Gourmand (Exceptional Value)
These spots serve excellent Filipino food at moderate prices:
Boonie’s (Chicago, IL) – Homey comfort dishes like sisig and kare-kare earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmandla.eater.com+15philstarlife.com+15goodnewspilipinas.com+15.
FOB Kitchen (Oakland, CA) – Modern Filipino with fun twists like adobo tofu and sweet-sour sinigangphilstarlife.com+1sonomamag.com+1.💚
Purple Yam (Brooklyn, NY) – A staple in Ditmas Park, serving traditional Filipino fare and recognized in 2021philstarlife.com+2goodnewspilipinas.com+2goodnewspilipinas.com+2.
Bayan Ko (Chicago, IL) – Filipino & Cuban fusion; highly recommended by Michelinaxios.com+2chicago.eater.com+2reddit.com+2.
Kamayan ATL (Atlanta, GA) – A beloved Filipino feast-style eatery honored with a Michelin recommendation and Bib Gourmand atlanta.eater.com+1atlanta.eater.com+1.
📊 Summary Table
| Designation | Restaurant | City |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Michelin Star | Kasama | Chicago, IL |
| ⭐ Michelin Star | Soseki | Orlando, FL |
| ⭐ Michelin Star | Kadence | Orlando, FL |
| 🍽️ Bib Gourmand | Boonie’s | Chicago, IL |
| 🍽️ Bib Gourmand | FOB Kitchen | Oakland, CA |
| 🍽️ Bib Gourmand | Purple Yam | Brooklyn, NY |
| 🍽️ Bib Gourmand | Bayan Ko | Chicago, IL |
| 🍽️ Bib Gourmand | Kamayan ATL | Atlanta, GA |
🧭 Takeaway
Kasama remains the only Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant focused squarely on Filipino cuisine.
Soseki and Kadence in Florida, while Japanese-leaning, are Filipino-operated and draw heavily on Filipino heritage.
Popular Bib Gourmand venues—Boonie’s, FOB Kitchen, Purple Yam, Bayan Ko, and Kamayan ATL—offer authentic, flavorful experiences at excellent price points.(affordable).
💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/lunch-at-fob-kitchen-gastronomic-delight.html
Meanwhile, here's my photo of the Day
Lastly from our Dinner Menu for July 7th to 12th. Will this be available just this week or for the whole year ?This would be great if it will be available all year.
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