ZipPicks Awards
Best Bakery in Goose Island & River West
Master Critic Review
Matt Bakes (Gangnam Market Food Court)
7.7
A food-court bakery counter leaning into soft breads and sandwich builds—think shokupan and pineapple-bun formats that read more Hong Kong cafe than classic American pastry case. It’s best used as a quick, structured order: one signature bun-based sandwich, then stop before the meal turns heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg drop sandwich on shokupan, Char siu and fried egg sandwich on pineapple bun, Breakfast sandwich on pineapple bun
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: A bakery-and-sandwich stall built around shokupan and pineapple-bun formats inside a food court.
Who should go: Food-court grazers chasing soft-bread sandwiches fast.
When to visit: Late morning before the lunch rush hits.
What to order: Egg drop sandwich; char siu & fried egg; breakfast sandwich.
Insider tip: Stick to one bun-based sandwich—doubling up gets heavy fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Food-court setting with limited dedicated parking—plan on metered street parking nearby or a short rideshare; weekends get tighter around peak meal windows.
Dress code: Casual food-hall attire—hoodies, sneakers, and jeans all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud food court energy—easy for casual conversation, but not a quiet hang.
Weekend wait: 10–25 min depending on foot traffic; longer if the market is in full dinner rush mode.
Weekday lunch: 0–10 min typically; fastest if you order before 12:00pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes, but selective—egg-forward builds can work if you skip meat; ask what can be made meatless that day.
Vegan options: Limited—most signatures lean egg/dairy/bun-based; best to check current options at the counter before committing.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal—core identity is soft bread and buns, so gluten-free options are unlikely beyond very limited substitutions.
Best For
Better for: Fast, soft-bread sandwiches with an Instagram-friendly Hong Kong cafe vibe—great when you want a single standout bun build without committing to a full bakery box.
Consider Alternatives If: You want classic pastry variety, a quiet cafe seat, or gluten-free/vegan flexibility—choose a traditional bakery or coffee shop instead.