PinoyFoodFinder

Best Cassava Cake With Crab Fat Across the US

2 restaurants serving Cassava Cake With Crab Fat

4.7
Kayu

Kayu

Washington, DC

KAYU represents modern Filipino fine dining in Washington DC, led by acclaimed Chef Paolo Dungca who earned a James Beard nomination in 2024. The restaurant name derives from 'kayumanggi'-Filipino for 'brown,' describing the sun-kissed skin of Filipino people-celebrating Filipino heritage through innovative cuisine. After originally opening on H Street NE with upstairs fine dining (Kayu) and downstairs caf (Hiraya), the restaurant relocated to Dupont Circle in August 2025 with a more accessible, streamlined concept focused on la carte dining rather than tasting menus. Chef Dungca, originally from San Fernando (Philippines' culinary capital) and Manila, trained at notable DC establishments including Bad Saint, Kaliwa, and Restaurant Eve before launching his vision for modern Filipino cuisine. His cooking philosophy embraces seasonal produce, vegetarian options, and gluten-free dishes while maintaining Filipino soul, sourcing locally and fusing traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. The bright 40-seat Dupont location features family-style plates designed for multiple weekly visits rather than just special occasions, with signature dishes including the famous cassava cake topped with crab fat, jamn Ibrico, and trout roe; purple ube bao bun sliders with chorizo; and ribeye with burnt coconut sauce infused with lemongrass and galangal-southern Filipino flavors rarely seen in US Filipino restaurants. Other standout offerings include tocino chicken with sweet soy-garlic-annatto-pineapple glaze, sweet corn agnolotti with curry emulsion, and inventive desserts like burnt cassava cheesecake. The beverage program features Filipino-influenced cocktails including pandan negroni and tamarind-jackfruit margarita alongside Filipino beers and curated wines. KAYU represents the new generation of Filipino restaurants elevating the cuisine beyond traditional expectations while maintaining authentic flavors and warm hospitality.

Open- Closes at 10:00 PM
Cassava Cake with Crab FatUbe Bao SlidersRibeye with Burnt Coconut Sauce+8 more
4.5
Kasama

Kasama

Chicago, IL

Kasama made history in 2022 as the world's first Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant, a groundbreaking achievement that elevated Filipino cuisine onto the global stage. Founded by husband-and-wife team Tim Flores and Genie Kwon in Chicago's Ukrainian Village during the pandemic in July 2020, Kasama-Tagalog for 'together'-perfectly embodies their combined culinary vision. The restaurant operates as a dual concept: by day, it's a casual caf and bakery serving Filipino breakfast dishes like longanisa sandwiches, mushroom adobo, and tocilog alongside Kwon's exceptional French pastries including the bestselling Ube Basque Cake. By night, Kasama transforms into an elegant fine dining destination offering a 13-course tasting menu ($285) that showcases Flores's Filipino heritage with contemporary techniques. The restaurant has earned extraordinary acclaim beyond its Michelin star: James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant 2022, New York Times' 50 Places Most Excited About 2021, Eater's Best New Restaurants in America 2021, and Food & Wine's Top Restaurant 2024. Chef Flores draws from his Cavite roots and fine dining training at Oriole to create inventive dishes like maitake mushroom adobo with mussel emulsion, squid ink pancit with scallop conserva and Serrano ham, and the famous cassava cake with crab fat and trout roe. Kwon's pastry expertise shines in sophisticated desserts like halo-halo with Asian pear granita and pandan ice cream using Flores's mother's leche flan recipe. With over 1,800 reviews and exceptional ratings, Kasama books 45 days in advance for dinner service, though the caf operates first-come-first-serve starting at 9am with lines forming by 8:15am. The restaurant represents not just culinary excellence but Filipino pride worldwide, making traditional Filipino flavors accessible while maintaining authentic soul-warming comfort.

Open- Closes at 3:00 PM
Cassava Cake with Crab FatMaitake Mushroom AdoboPancit+9 more