Matt Bakes: Chicago's Premier Asian Bakery & Hot Sandwich Destination in West Town

Matt Bakes Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For Illinois residents seeking a truly unique and diverse culinary experience that blends the best of Asian bakery traditions with American-style comfort foods, Matt Bakes is a standout destination in Chicago. Located within a bustling food court, this specialized Bakery offers an extensive menu that goes far beyond simple pastries. Matt Bakes masterfully fuses sweet and savory, presenting a delightful range of freshly baked goods alongside hearty hot sandwiches and even dim sum.

The menu showcases an impressive array of Asian-style baked goods, notably the Hong Kong-style soft buns with both sweet and savory fillings, alongside a wide selection of beautiful and richly flavored Cake Slices. However, what truly captures the attention of local patrons is the inventive hot food selection, including their popular, generous Hot Sandwiches and flavorful rice dishes. Matt Bakes provides a vibrant, quick, and immensely satisfying option for Breakfast and lunch, serving as a must-visit spot within the vibrant food scene of Chicago's West Town.

The blend of fresh bakery items and unique, globally-inspired hot food ensures that every visit to Matt Bakes offers a new and exciting discovery, cementing its place as a valued local business in the Illinois food landscape.

Location and Accessibility

Matt Bakes is conveniently situated at Food Court, 1001 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA. This address places it inside the popular Gangnam Market Food Court, a major hub for Asian cuisine in the city. The location is in the West Town neighborhood, making it highly accessible for customers traveling from various Chicago neighborhoods and nearby Illinois suburbs.

The setting within a food court offers a distinctive, casual, and efficient dining environment. Accessibility is streamlined for speed and convenience, perfectly catering to a high-volume urban clientele:

The food court location provides a variety of seating options, though Matt Bakes itself specializes in service for a Quick visit.
The ordering process is modern, often utilizing a kiosk system, which helps to minimize wait times for quick service, as noted by appreciative customers.
Matt Bakes focuses entirely on efficient, off-site consumption, offering both Delivery and Takeout options to bring their unique menu directly to homes and offices across the service area.
Customers can easily pay using a variety of modern methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

This strategic location within a popular Asian market food hall ensures that Matt Bakes is a central point of interest for culinary exploration in the region.

Services Offered

Matt Bakes offers a remarkably diverse menu that crosses traditional bakery boundaries, providing both sweet indulgences and complete savory meal solutions.

Specialty Asian Buns (Bun & Hot Buns): A wide selection of Hong Kong and Asian-style baked buns, featuring sweet options like Matcha Red Bean Bun, Ube Taro Bun, and Strawberry Custard Bun, as well as savory options like BBQ Pork Bun, Bulgogi Bun, and Curry Beef Bun (all $3.40 or $3.88).
Gourmet Hot Sandwiches: A highly-rated selection of savory sandwiches, including the Truffle Beef And Eggs Sandwich ($12.88), Chicken Sando ($12.88), Spamwich ($12.88), and the deluxe Smashed Wagyu ($17.88). Many are served on freshly baked items like pineapple buns or shokupan.
Extensive Cake Slices: A large variety of dessert slices perfect for single servings, such as Tiramisu Cream Cake Slice, Black Forest Cream Cake Slice, various Mousse Cakes ($5.31 each), and specialty items like the Cinnamon Coffee Cake Slice ($6.56).
Dim Sum: Offering traditional Chinese dim sum items, including Siu Mai, Shrimp Dumpling, and Crab Soup Dumplings ($7.38 each), providing another savory component to the menu.
Macarons: Selling delicate macarons in various quantities, from a single macaron ($3.75) up to a 12 Pack ($41.25), ideal for gifts or treating yourself.
Loaves and Sides: Including specialty loaves like Asian Milk Bread ($8.74) and sides such as Cole Slaw and Plantain Chips.
Specialty Rice Dishes: Offering hearty meals like the 554 ($18.88), a dish that combines BBQ pork, eggs, and garlic steamed rice.

Features / Highlights

The key features of Matt Bakes are the impressive breadth of its menu and its unique fusion approach, which make it a favorite among discerning Illinois food enthusiasts.

Asian Fusion Expertise: Matt Bakes seamlessly combines two distinct food cultures—classic bakery goods and savory Asian hot food—offering a menu that is both familiar and excitingly different. This fusion is a major draw for the Chicago food scene.
Savory Sandwich Specialization: Their commitment to gourmet hot sandwiches, featuring high-quality ingredients like Wagyu beef and truffle flavors, establishes them as a unique destination not just for sweets, but for substantial, flavorful meals for Breakfast or lunch.
Hong Kong-Style Buns: The bakery excels at producing Hong Kong-style buns, known for their soft texture and unique combination of sweet bun exterior with savory or sweet fillings, like the Bulgogi Bun and BBQ Pork Bun.
Dessert Variety and Value: The vast selection of ready-to-eat Cake Slices provides excellent variety and portion control for customers, making it easy to sample different flavors or grab a quick dessert.
Food Court Convenience: Being housed within a food court offers the benefit of a central location with shared amenities and the ability to order alongside other Asian cuisines, providing a complete and diverse dining experience.

Contact Information

For local customers in Illinois looking to order from Matt Bakes, whether for delivery or pickup from the Food Court location, here is the essential contact information:

Address: Food Court, 1001 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA

Note: Phone number information was not provided, but all service is focused on digital ordering for Delivery and Takeout through online platforms associated with the food court location.

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Matt Bakes is about choosing culinary adventure and uncompromising flavor. For residents of Illinois, it is worth visiting this establishment for its unparalleled ability to deliver both an excellent bakery experience and a unique hot food menu. You should choose Matt Bakes for the following reasons:

The Smashed Wagyu or Truffle Beef And Eggs Sandwich offers an elevated, satisfying Breakfast or lunch experience you won't find at a typical bakery or sandwich shop.
The opportunity to explore authentic Hong Kong-style buns with both traditional and modern Asian fillings, such as Ube Taro and Bulgogi, provides a genuine cultural culinary experience.
The sheer convenience of placing a quick order via kiosk or mobile app, then choosing between quick Takeout or direct Delivery, perfectly suits the modern Chicago lifestyle.

Matt Bakes stands out in the Chicago food landscape as a vibrant fusion concept that consistently delivers high-quality, flavorful, and exciting options, making it a valuable addition to your list of must-try local Illinois businesses.

Matt Bakes Cake

Sides
Cole Slaw $3.60
Indulge in the crisp, vibrant delight of cole slaw, where each bite is a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors. a medley of finely shredded cabbage and carrots, mixed in with our homemade yuzu mayo.
Plantain Chips $3.60
Embark on a flavor-filled adventure with our irresistible plantain chips. delicately sliced and lovingly fried to perfection, resulting in a symphony of crispy, golden goodness.

Loaves
Kitty Sando $8.60
Ingredients: Bread - flour, sugar, salt, yeast, egg, milk, and water Filling - BC topping, strawberries
Asian Milk Bread $8.74
Ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, yeast, egg, milk, and water
Banana Bread Loaf $6.10

Macaron
Tanghulu $8.60
12 Pack $41.25
1 Coffee Macaron $3.75
3 Pack $10.31
6 Pack $20.63

Bun
Matcha Red Bean Bun $3.88
Hong Kong baked bun shaped like a turtle, filled with the sweet healthy red bean paste and topped with a matcha flavor sweet top.
Coffee Cat $7.38
Strawberry Custard Bun $3.88
Hong Kong baked bun shaped like a turtle, filled with the sweet strawberry custard and topped with a strawberry flavor sweet top.
Bulgogi Bun $3.40
Hong Kong style baked bun filled with Korean marinated beef and onions. Bun - high gluten flour , lard, butter, condensed milk, salt, sugar, malt powder, and milk Filling - white onion, ground beef, soy sauce, and green onion
Strawberry Croissant $5.00
Croissant stuffed with our homemade strawberry buttercream and strawberry jam, with fresh strawberries, and topped with sweet powder sugar.
Garlic Herb Bun $3.40
Hong Kong style baked garlic bread, made with our homemade garlic herb butter and topped with shredded cheese.
Coconut Swirl $3.40
Hong Kong style baked bun, twisted into a heart shape, topped with delicious toasted coconut flakes. Ingredients Bun - high gluten flour, butter, condensed milk, salt, sugar, malt powder, and milk Filling - desiccated coconut, egg, condensed milk.
Ube Taro Bun $3.88
Hot Dog Bun $3.40
Hong Kong style baked bun wrapped around a hot dog. Bun - high gluten flour, butter, condensed milk, salt, sugar, malt powder, and milk Filling -
Chocolate Twist $3.40
American pastry twist with mini chocolate chips, creating a delicious sweet treat. Ingredients: puff pastry (butter, water, salt, all purpose flour), mini chocolate chips, and egg.
Pecan Twist $3.40
American pastry twist with pecan, creating a delicious sweet nutty treat.
BBQ Pork Bun $3.40
Hong Kong style baked bun filled with sweet and savory bbq pork. Ingredients: Bun - high gluten flour , lard, butter, condensed milk, salt, sugar, malt powder, white sesame seeds, and milk Filling - Pork, hoisin sauce, sugar, sou sauce, light soy sauce, Chinese five spice powder, maltose, Shaoxing wine, and red food coloring
Portuguese Custard Tart $3.75
Hong Kong style pastel de nata. Buttery flaky tart filled with a creamy smooth coconut and egg custard mixture.
Curry Beef Bun $3.40
Hong Kong style baked bun filled with Japanese curry marinated beef and potato.

Hot Buns
Truffle Butter Bun $8.88
Truffle butter in-between a toasty pineapple bun.
French Toast $9.88

Hot Sandwiches
Chicken Sando $12.88
Fried chicken thigh, zing sauce, pickles & aioli on a pineapple bun
Truffle Beef And Eggs Sandwich $12.88
Truffle beef & soft scrambled eggs on shokupan.
Pork Chop Sandwich $12.88
Fried pork chop & grilled onions on a pineapple bun.
Spamwich $12.88
Spam, fried egg & cheese on shokupan.
Breakfast Sandwich $8.88
Sausage patty, eggs, & cheese on a pineapple bun.
Smashed Wagyu $17.88
Smashed wagyu, shredded brown potatoes, fried eggs & cheese on a pineapple bun
Egg Drop Sandwich $9.88
Soft scrambled eggs & cheese on shokupan.

Cake Slices
Cheesecake Slice $6.56
Strawberry Mousse Cake Slice $5.31
Mocha Swiss Roll Whole $6.25
Tuxedo Cake Slice $5.31
Mocha Swiss Roll Slice $1.88
LIQUID WHOLE EGG, SUGARS (SUGAR, ICING SUGAR), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, SHORTENING (PALM OIL, CANOLA OIL), MODIFIED PALM AND PALM KERNEL OILS, SOY OIL, BAKING POWDER, SALT, WHEY POWDER, SOY ingredients: FLOUR, ACETIC ACID, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR, FD&C YELLOW #5
Mango Pineapple Cream Cake Slice $5.31
Cinnamon Coffee Cake Slice $6.56
Ingredients: SUGARS (SUGAR, GLUCOSE), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR, SOY OIL, LIQUID WHOLE EGG, WATER, PALM OIL, SHORTENING (PALM OIL, CANOLA OIL, SOY OIL), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, WHEY POWDER, SALT, WHEAT STARCH, BAKING POWDER, COCOA POWDER, SOY FLOUR, SOY LECITHIN, AGAR, LOCUST BEAN GUM, CINNAMON, CITRIC ACID, POLYSORBATE 60, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE, ALUMINUM SULFATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONO FATTY ACID ESTERS, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE, SODIUM STEAROYL-2-LACTYLATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CARAMEL, FD&C YELLOW #5
Coconut Mousse Cake Slice $5.31
Blueberry Cheesecake Slice $5.31
Green Tea Mousse Cake Slice $5.31
Rasp Choc Cake Slice $5.31
INGREDIENTS: Cake (Sugars [Sugar, Dextrose], Enriched Wheat Flour, Liquid Whole Egg, Water, Cocoa Powder, Shortening (Palm Oil, Soy Oil), Cocoa Powder, Soy Oil/Canola Oil, Whey Powder, Dried Egg White, Salt, Soy Fiber, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol Mono Fatty Acid Esters, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Aluminum Sulfate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Stearoyl-2 Lactylate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, FD&C Red 40), Mousse (Water, Sugars [Sugar, Glucose, Dextrose, Corn Syrup Solids], Modified Palm Kernel and Coconut Oils, Mascarpone Cheese, Milk, Dark Chocolate, Modified Food Starch, Enriched Wheat Flour, Shortening [Palm Oil, Canola Oil], Salt, Rice Extract, Sodium Caseinate, Soy Lecithin, Gelatin, Gum Arabic, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Modified Cellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Titanium Dioxide Color, Carotene, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Yellow 5), Raspberry Filling (Water, Sugars [Sugar, Glucose, Glucose-Fructose], Raspberry
Black Forest Cream Cake Slice $5.31
Cream Swiss Roll Slice $1.88
INGREDIENTS: LIQUID WHOLE EGG, SUGARS (SUGAR, ICING SUGAR), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, SHORTENING (PALM OIL, CANOLA OIL), MODIFIED PALM AND PALM KERNEL OILS, SOY OIL, BAKING POWDER, SALT, WHEY POWDER, SOY FLOUR, ACETIC ACID, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR, FD&C YELLOW #5
Chocolate Cream Cake Slice $5.31
Tiramisu Cream Cake Slice $5.31
Bundt Cakes (3Pack) $4.06
Tiramisu Cake Slice $5.31
Ingredients: SUGAR, GLUCOSE-FRUCTOSE, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (PALM OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL, COCONUT OIL), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, LIQUID WHOLE EGG, MILK, SOY OIL / CANOLA OIL, SHORTENING (PALM OIL, SOY OIL, CANOLA OIL), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, DRIED EGG WHITE, LIQUID EGG WHITE, SALT, SODIUM CASEINATE, COCOA POWDER, SOY FIBER, SOY LECITHIN, GELATIN, XANTHAN GUM, CARRAGEENAN, MODIFIED CELLULOSE, LACTYLIC ESTERS OF FATTY ACIDS, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONO FATTY ACID ESTERS, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE, ALUMINUM SULFATE, SODIUM STEAROYL-2-LACTYLATE, SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE COLOR, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CAROTENE, FD&C YELLOW #5, FD&C RED #40
Mango Mousse Cake Slice $5.31
Chocolate Mousse Cake Slice $5.31
Carrot Cream Cake Slice $5.31
Strawberry Masc Cake Slice $5.31
Cake (Sugar, Enriched Wheat Flour, Liquid, Whole Egg, Water, Palm Oil and Soy Oil Shortening, Soy Oil/Canola Oil, Skim Milk Powder, Dried Egg White, Salt, Modified Food Starch, Soy Fiber, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose), Mousse (Water, Sugar [Sugar, Dextrose, Glucose], Modified Palm Kernel and Coconut Oils, Cream Cheese, Milk, White Chocolate [Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Skim Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Extract], Rice Extract, Sodium Caseinate, Gelatin, Xanthan Gum, Modified Cellulose, Natural Flavor, Carotene), Strawberry Filling (Sugar [Sugar, Glucose, Glucose Fructose], Water, Strawberry, Modified Food Starch, Gelatin, Gellan Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, FD&C Red 40), Syrup (Water, Sugar, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid), White Skim Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Extract).

Rice Dishes
554 $18.88
BBQ pork, 2 fried eggs on a bed of garlic steamed rice.

Dim Sum
Siu Mai $7.38
3 steamed pork & shrimp filled dumplings
Shrimp Rolls $7.38
4 deep fried shrimp filled rolls.
Sticky Rice In Lotus Leaf $7.38
Sticky rice stuffed with chicken & mushrooms
Shrimp Dumpling $7.38
3 large steamed shrimp filled dumplings
Crab Soup Dumplings $7.38
4 steamed soup dumplings filled with crab & pork.

Matt Bakes Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeout

Dining options
Breakfast

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Matt Bakes Photos

Matt Bakes Location

Matt Bakes

Illinois Cook County Chicago West Town West Chicago Avenue

Food Court, 1001 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA

Matt Bakes Reviews

An average rating of ★4.6 from 35 user reviews.

char siusandwichpineapple bunplantaincoleslawflavorbaohash brownfried

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Char siu & fried egg sandwich is super tasty and filling!I recommend this and would come back again to order. Their other items on the menu and from the bakery are awesome too.
May 14 · Kelly Wen
Food was delicious! You order on a kiosk and wait for your food. The wait wasn’t too long, and the prices seemed reasonable. This is located inside an Asian food store next to other Asian restaurants. My only complaint is the coleslaw; it didn’t have much flavor.
August 13 · Shawn Moffitt
Honestly the breakfast sandwich here is better than the one at Kasama. It has so much more flavor and ofc no wait. Comes with plantain chips/ coleslaw and a drink too! Would recommend this place to anyone visiting Chicago :)
June 24 · Jessica Ngan
I am visiting from out of town and this was one of the stalls that has something I haven’t tried before. I knew I had to get the pineapple bun sandwich with char siu egg cheese and hash brown! The meal comes with a drink and coleslaw/plantain chips. I got to try their matcha mochi with red bean filling and coconut flakes coating. The texture is not as hard as Japanese dango. If you like mugwort dango with red bean, Sakura mochi, or kashiwa mochi, this tastes better. I usually get dango or mochi refrigerated at the grocery store. The one here is soft and fresh. It wasn’t too sweet. If you love matcha and red bean, definitely should give it a try. I also got to try the thick fries. They’re so crispy and delicious. It should be on the menu. The staff are all so nice and pleasant. They put so much love and care into their food. If I live in Chicago this would be the spot I would frequent.
October 03 · Quynh Do
Food court spot in Gangam market. Was feeling breakfast so I got the char siu and fried egg Sando. Love me a pineapple bun. It was flaky and sweet. Nice fried egg and layer of cheese. Hash brown was super crisp but a little greasy. Finally, the pork was overcooked which took a lot away from the sandwich. Super messy so highly recommend some napkins. Plantain chips on the side were meh. Definitely worth stopping by especially on Monday when it’s 30% off.
January 26 · Samir Katta