Chicago｜$35 Peruvian Brunch Set — Kayao 🇵🇪🍽️

When it comes to Peruvian food in Chicago, most think of Tanta. But there’s another gem in Gold Coast: Kayao. Their weekend $35 brunch set offers great variety — we ordered two sets plus one à la carte dish to share with my parents. 🥗 Caesar Salad & Lion’s Mane Mushroom – Both first-course options. The Caesar came with a spicy, Lao Gan Ma-like twist — surprisingly tasty. The lion’s mane mushroom was soggy (texture not my favorite), but well-seasoned and served with sunflower seed hummus — my parents loved it. 🍚 Seafood Paella & Mushroom Fried Rice – Second course choices. The paella was loaded with fish, shrimp, and octopus — even my dad was impressed by the generous portions. The mushroom fried rice, made with crispy maitake, had strong Asian vibes and won over my mom. 🥩 Short Rib (à la carte) – Braised for 20 hours — melt-in-your-mouth tender, served with cheesy mashed potatoes. Worth the splurge. 🍨 Desserts: Lucuma Ice Cream & Panna Cotta – The lucuma ice cream tasted like sweet potato, drizzled with honey — sweeter than in Peru but still delicious. Panna cotta was too sweet — skip unless you have a serious sweet tooth. 🍹 Purple Corn Drink (Chicha Morada) – A bit sweeter than the traditional version, maybe adjusted for American tastes. Overall, à la carte dishes are pricier, but the brunch set is a fantastic deal with flavors that appeal to Asian palates. Definitely recommend! 📍 Kayao 1252 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 #KayaoChicago #PeruvianBrunch #ChicagoBrunch #GoldCoastEats #AffordableLuxury