Baking With Ish, the Filipino-inspired stall tucked inside San Gabriel’s Blossom Market Hall, has quietly turned breakfast into a line-worthy event. Pastry chef Ishnoelle Richardson has expanded into a larger adjacent space and is now turning out spiced Sonora-wheat waffles, ube pancakes and Filipino-style fried chicken that are already drawing morning crowds. The menu leans on serious pastry skills and real savory technique, so the chicken-and-waffle combo reads as thoughtful rather than gimmicky.
What changed and why to care
Two years after opening a tiny stall in 2023, Richardson moved from a 110-square-foot counter into a larger next-door spot in April and rolled out a full breakfast menu, according to the Los Angeles Times. The paper notes that Richardson trained at Le Cordon Bleu and has a rainbow cake planned for Father’s Day as part of Pride Month. The review praised the waffles and new savory dishes as a natural next step for a bakery already known for its pastry work.
Standouts: pancakes, sandwiches and the chicken-and-waffle
Eater LA has called out the fried-chicken sandwich and the blue-corn mochi pancakes as must-orders, while reminding regulars not to sleep on the pies, which remain the core attraction. The outlet also notes that the operation runs with a two-person team and that popular items can sell out quickly, so showing up on the early side is a smart move. With its blend of sweet-case finesse and hot-kitchen comfort food, the stand feels closer to a hybrid cafe than a simple bakery counter.
How the chicken and waffles come together
Richardson seasons the waffle batter with cardamom and cinnamon and grinds Sonora wheat from the Tehachapi Heritage Grain Project into the mix, which gives the waffles a nutty, almost buttery finish, the Los Angeles Times reports. The fried chicken is simply seasoned with salt, black pepper, garlic and onion powders and “a little MSG,” massaged into the meat, left to marinate for about 30 minutes, then dredged and fried until the coating shatters. The result is a juicy thigh that can be stacked on two waffles or turned into a sandwich with calamansi honey butter, mornay, garlic-chile oil, pickled onions and potato chips.
Practical info
Baking With Ish operates out of Blossom Market Hall in San Gabriel, where hours can vary and many items sell out by midday; the market’s vendor listing carries the latest hours and contact details. For the stall’s exact location and phone number, check the Blossom Market Hall vendor page or the bakery’s own site. Expect lines on weekend mornings, and keep an eye on the bakery’s Instagram for daily rotations and pre-order windows.
Why it matters
The stall is one more example of how chefs in the San Gabriel Valley are translating Filipino flavors for a broader L.A. breakfast crowd. Local coverage from Time Out Los Angeles has highlighted both the shop’s pies and its growing savory menu. If you go, plan to arrive early. The best items here have a habit of disappearing fast.
