Ube isn’t a new food trend by any means. The purple yam has always been a staple in Filipino desserts, but its popularity outside the Philippines rose in the past few years. Indeed, the distinctive purple color and mildly sweet and nutty flavor of ube have made it a favorite on our Instagram feeds and in our bellies alike. If you didn’t stock up on ube treats from Trader Joe’s this summer, here’s where you can get a quick but delicious ube fix right in the city:
Jennivee’s Bakery
3301 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Jennivee’s Bakery is an LGBTQ+ owned and operated sweets spot in East Lakeview. The beloved neighborhood staple was created with the goal of being a safe and welcoming space for everyone. It was founded by Jenni Vee, whose passion for baking traveled with her from the Philippines to the U.S.
The patisserie has a wide variety of cakes by the slice, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and other pastries. It’s a favorite for custom order cakes, sometimes with a humorous twist.
The Purple Velvet is a best seller and is available as a cake or cupcake. For even more decadence, try the Ube Cheesecake or Ube Overload Cheesecake-cake!
Sundae Stop
931 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Stepping into Sundae Stop, you’d wonder if it was a wild and amazing extension of the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple line. Resembling a CTA station, complete with a replica train but without the signature, CTA smells, Sundae Stop has your ice cream cravings satisfied.
The shop serves homemade ice cream, sorbet, shakes, vegan ice cream, and other treats. Waffle cones are made in-house, filling the shop with a drool-inducing scent. Try the ube ice cream in an ube waffle cone for the ultimate treat!
Kurimu
1159 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607
1632 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Available at UIC and Wicker Park, Kurimu offers sweet treats like bubble teas, coffee, and their most popular indulgence, soft-serve ice cream.
Kurimu’s ice cream menu has classic flavors as well as more unique options, like Black Sesame, Lychee Pearl, Durian, and Very Avocado. Try the Purple Yam w/ Oreo for a delicious ube twist on cookies and cream!
The cone selection is also mouthwatering and just as unique, with flavors like Toasted Coconut, Orange Creamsicle, Lavender, Matcha, and Gingerbread.
Cebu
2211 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Indulge in modern regional Filipino fare at Cebu, from brunch and dessert to happy hour and dinner. After dining on traditional dishes like Lumpia and Sisig, treat your sweet tooth to another Filipino tradition: Halo Halo.
The dessert has layers of shaved condensed and evaporated milk, red beans, ube jam, Kaong, Nata de Cocoa, Rice Crispies, jackfruit, and housemade ice cream or sorbet.
For something more savory, try the Ube Chicken Waffle Sandwich.
Wake ‘n Bacon
420 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
This Lakeview brunch spot is known for its amazing floral-filled ceiling and specialized menu with American, Asian, and Latin flavors. Try the Ube Flap Jack Stack, which has bacon, sunny-side-up eggs, cheddar cheese, spiced maple syrup, and garnished with spicy pickled peppers and green onions.
For your drink, don’t sleep on the Purple Haze, an ube coffee for your caffeine fix, with the option of adding CBD.
A Taste of the Philippines
131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661
Located inside the Chicago French Market in the West Loop, A Taste of the Philippines specializes in authentic Filipino cuisine. The restaurant started as a food truck in Denver before making its way to Chicago in 2018 in the farmers market scene.
Dig into the Chicken Adobo to start and finish with delicious ube-flavored desserts like chocolate chip cookies, donuts, and cheesecake bites. The menu also has an Ube Waffle and on occasion, a special Longanzia Ube Waffle Sandwich.
Featured Image: Cebu Chicago
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