Kasama-Inspired Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich

Need a quick meal prep breakfast on the go? Just did a 10K and now you’re starving? Hosting a boozy brunch with friends? Introducing the Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich!

Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich is a Filipino-American fusion dish that combines the flavors of traditional Filipino sweet pork sausage with the classic American breakfast sandwich. This hearty sandwich, inspired by the michelin-starred Chicago restaurant Kasama, is stacked with longanisa patties, hash browns, fluffy egg, and melty cheese, in between a toasted potato bun.

No matter the occasion, this longanisa breakfast sandwich will not disappoint! In this blog post we’ll show you the step-by-step process of cooking as well as make-ahead tips and customizations to get the most out of your homemade meal.

If you feel excited about this recipe, we have more in store for you! Explore our breakfast and brunch recipes!

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Table of Contents

Our Recipe Inspiration: Kasama in Chicago

This longanisa breakfast sandwich is inspired by the dish that put Kasama in Chicago on the map! Kasama is a Filipino-American owned restaurant, run by married couple Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores, and is the first Filipino restaurant EVER to be awarded a Michelin star. Their famous longanisa breakfast sandwich was even featured on the hit TV series “The Bear.”

They are not only our inspiration for this recipe, but also our role models as a couple of Filipino entrepreneurs in the culinary industry. We’re huge fans!!

Unfortunately, we don’t currently have the financial means or time to fly from LA to Chicago and have the honor of trying their sandwich in person, but this dish remains on our bucket lis, and we’ll definitely check it off as soon as we have the opportunity!

However, we have done as much research as we could and combined the flavors and techniques to recreate our own version of the longanisa breakfast sandwich.

While we can’t attest to the exact taste of Kasama’s sandwich, we can guarantee that our homemade version is packed with flavor and is made with love and inspiration.

Images from @kasamachicago on Instagram.

What does a Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich taste like?

A Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich is a hearty and drool-worthy combination of sweet and savory flavors.

The longanisa patty brings a sweet and tangy flavor with a hint of garlic, perfectly complemented by the richness of the melty cheese and the crispy texture of the hash browns. We used our easy homemade longanisa recipe to make the patties from scratch!

Meanwhile, the fluffy steamed egg offers a stark contrast to all the other ingredients, bringing in soft and creamy textures to the sandwich.

The toasted potato bun adds a delicious crunch and holds everything together, making each bite truly satisfying.

It is said that Kasama chose a potato bun because of its familiarity and nostalgia in American and Chicagoan burger culture, as well as its ability to hold up to the bold flavors of the longanisa and other ingredients.

Serving Suggestions for a Hearty Filipino-Inspired Breakfast

A modern Filipino breakfast is not complete without a cup of strong coffee or a refreshing glass of calamansi juice. Check out our list of beverage recipes including bobas, coffees, and tasty brunch cocktails!

If you’re serving a brunch party with multiple courses, consider adding sides and appetizers like lumpia, garlic fried rice, atchara, or a side of fresh tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapple, or papaya.

Complete the meal with more entrees like Tortang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Omelette), Ube Lava French Toast, or Champorado (Filipino Chocolate Porridge) Check out more of our Filipino recipes and breakfast and brunch recipes!

Customizing Your Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich: Tips and Variations

As with all homecooked recipes, you can create your own variation of the Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich to suit your personal taste or available ingredients. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Adding a spicy kick: If you enjoy some heat, try spreading a thin layer of sriracha or hot sauce on the inside of the toasted bun. Bonus points if you use spicy banana ketchup – a popular Filipino condiment!
• Meatless option: If you’re looking for a vegetarian twist, you can substitute the longanisa patty with plant-based sausages or even firm tofu which you can marinate and prepare as longanisa. (note: you can also try using vegan eggs as a substitute for the steamed egg. However we have not tested this option, so if you try it out please let us know in the comments how it goes!)
• Experiment with cheeses: If you want to switch up the cheese, try using other sliced varieties like white cheddar, colby jack, havarti, or swiss. Better yet, use multiple slices and flavors for a cheesy experience like no other!
• Adding veggies: Vegetables can add a pop of color and are packed with nutrition! Try adding ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onion, grilled bell pepper, thinly shredded cabbage, etc.

Equipment Needed

• 2 oven safe baking dish one slightly smaller to nest inside the other
• nonstick pan
• silicon spatula
• Our Place Wonder Oven or a toaster oven/regular oven
• mixing bowl(s)
• parchment paper

For the two baking dishes, make sure they can nest because this is needed to make a water bath for the eggs. If using the Our Place Wonder Oven, also double check that the dishes fit inside. I used one pyrex glass baking dish handed down from my mom plus a smaller gratin dish that I found at Daiso, and they fit perfectly in my Our Place Wonder Oven.

Ingredients

Steamed Eggs

• 4 eggs
• 2 tbsp cream
• 1 pinch salt
• ½ tsp sugar
• 1 tsp chives
• hot water

Other Sandwich Ingredients

• 1 slice cheddar cheese
• 1 hash brown
• 1 potato bun sliced in half
• butter for toasting the bun

Recipe

Make Steamed Eggs

1. Preheat the Our Place Wonder Oven (or oven) to 325℉.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the steamed egg ingredients. Pour into an oven safe dish that is lined with parchment paper.

3. Place the egg dish into a larger oven dish, and fill with hot water up to the level of the eggs.

4. Bake at 325℉ for 15-20 min until the eggs are just set. Remove from the oven dish and set aside to cool.

Cook Longanisa Patties

1. Use our longanisa recipe to prepare and marinate the uncooked longanisa from scratch. Alternatively, take store-bought longanisa sausages and remove the casing.
2. Make a meatball with about 1/2 cup longanisa ground pork.
3. Heat a pan with oil to medium-high heat. Add the meatball, then press down with a spatula to flatten into a patty.
4. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until browned, then flip once to finish cooking. Remove from heat and set aside.

Heat up the Other Ingredients

1. Spread some butter on the top and bottom pieces of potato bun. Toast them together with the hashbrown for about 5 minutes in the Our Place Wonder Oven. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Trim the sides of the steamed egg (optional) and place a slice of cheese on top. Broil in the Our Place Wonder Oven for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted. You can add a capful of water for the steam function to help melt the cheese.

Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich Assembly

1. Stack ingredients in this order: bottom bun, hash brown, longanisa patty, egg with melted cheese, top bun.

Make-Ahead Tips to Cook for a Crowd

If you’re planning to cook for a crowd or want to make your Longanisa Breakfast Sandwiches ahead of time, here are some make-ahead tips to help you prepare this dish efficiently:

• 1-2 Days Before – Make the steamed eggs and cook the longanisa patties. Store in airtight containers in the fridge.
• Day of Serving – Reheat the steamed eggs and longanisa patties in an oven on low heat or in the microwave covered to preserve moisture. You can place the cheese on top of the eggs to melt them during reheating, or simply serve the cheese cold. Toast the hashbrowns and buns, then assemble the sandwiches.

Enlist the help of some friends and you’ll have many sandwiches ready in no time!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Longanisa Breakfast Sandwiches

If you have any leftover Longanisa Breakfast Sandwiches, you can freeze them for future meals.

Tightly wrap each sandwich in cling wrap or foil, then place them in an airtight container before transferring them to the freezer. To reheat one frozen sandwich, remove the packaging, wrap them in a wet paper towel, and microwave.

If you have leftover Longanisa Breakfast Sandwiches that you plan to eat within a day or two, you can store them in the refrigerator. Microwave them wrapped in a wet paper towel, or reheat them in a toaster oven uncovered.

You can also store the sandwich components separately in the refrigerator, then reheat everything and assemble the sandwich when you’re ready. This is the best option if you really want the hash browns to be crisp and the cheese to be melted when it’s time to eat.

Final Thoughts

Fuel your day with the incredible taste of sweet pork, fluffy egg, and hash brown in our Longanisa Breakfast Sandwich! Perfect for on-the-go mornings, post-workout recovery, or a fun brunch party, this sandwich won’t fail to please your taste buds!

Explore more on our blog including Filipino recipes, breakfast & brunch recipes, and coffee & tea drinks!

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this recipe, please give a star rating and review on the recipe card below + share your creations on Instagram and tag us @itsforkandspoon!

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References & Further Reading

https://www.kasamachicago.com/about-2

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/people/together-with-kasama-the-world-s-first-michelin-starred-filipino-restaurant

https://www.salon.com/2021/10/12/efficient-eatable-delicious-on-building-the-ideal-breakfast-sandwich/

https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/march-2023/sunny-starts/

https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-egg-breakfast-sandwiches-chicago

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/insanely-delicious-way-make-steamed-eggs

https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/april-2022/best-new-restaurants-2022/kasama/