Ekiben is a fusion of Asian and Ethiopian cuisine with a twist. It's located in the Fells Point area in Baltimore. It's a little bit tricky to find as the main sign is up as a sign which can be easy to miss. The space is intimate with limited self serve seating. They also have outdoor seating as well. Started out with the Crab Rangoon which was crunchy and crispy, filled with the Rangoon. The neighborhood bird was voted best chicken sandwich in Baltimore and I can see why. The sandwich is on a steam bun which had a sweetness to it. The chicken thigh is large and filling, seasoned well and goes well with the mayo, pickles and herbs. The crispy shrimp bowl came with fried shrimp lying on a bed of basmati rice, some pickled vegetables and herbs. Definitely have to mix all your ingredients together to get the maximum flavor. The Yuzu drinks were refreshing. The white peach flavor was delicious. Overrall the meal came up to $66 with a 20% tip. Seemed like a lot of people order online for pick up. There is no parking lot just gotta find street parking which was not difficult to locate. read more

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Review is for takeout only! I ordered the FAMOUS Maryland softie sandwich a few days in advance! I'm so glad I did because I heard it sells out fast. This sandwich is pricey at ~$40. My friend and I split the cost since we were planning on having a second lunch after this lol. The sandwich is a crab cake + softshell crab on a very soft bao bun. It was pretty good but it was alittle lukewarm since we were late for our pick up (so our bad). Very good sandwich with delectable flavors with the crab cake full of meat and the crunchiness of the softshell crab. Pretty solid sandwich! Im not sure if its worth the price point but I appreciated as is. read more

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I was obligated to pay them a visit during my visit by everyone who has ever lived in or visited Baltimore. Locations are off the beaten path. Flavors were all there and I appreciated the bao bun to some extent. Though it took me a while to figure out how I was supposed to eat it. Eventually figured it out but wasn't keen on getting the top and bottom in my mouth at the same time. I ended up mostly just having the thin bottom half with the sauce and pickle. That on its own was plenty filling. Having lived many years in Japan, I found it difficult to wrap my head around the name which translates as the bento one buys at train stations ahead of long trips. Nothing on the menu resembles anything remotely similar. read more

Ekiben - Spicy neighborhood bird bun - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Everyone has told me that Ekiben is a must-try in Baltimore and now I understand why. My mom and I got to Ekiben a little after 5pm on Saturday and it was packed. While we waited for our food, many continuously piled in to order or pick up their food. I'd recommend calling in your order a head of time because they get pretty backed up, but the food is well worth the wait. I got the Tofu Brah bun and my mom got the chili noodles with pork and a side of rice and beans. All of the food was so flavorful and the portions were generous. The bun itself was so light and fluffy, and the tofu was crispy. They didn't skimp on the pork in the chili noodles - about half the dish was really tender pork. The rice and beans were nice and spicy too and my mom loved them! This is more of a grab and go kind of place, but there are two outdoor benches and some countertop seating inside read more

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Ekiben! The one place I enjoy coming back to. I got the usual chicken sandwich. The chicken was super crispy and the sauce was divine. It was very crowded when I went on Saturday. There was loud music playing within the small location, which made it a little overwhelming waiting for our food. The food was made very quickly which was good. You can order online for a quicker pick up. read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood Bird - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Amazing food, reasonably priced, and absolutely massive portions. I'd highly recommend any of their chicken dishes, it's just marinated well. Whether you get it in bowl form or on a bun, it's going to be a gigantic portion. Seating is fairly limited inside, so I'd recommend doing take out. I'd especially recommend takeout in the summer just with the open-concept kitchen and the heat from outside, it's pretty tough to stay cool inside and the music can be a bit loud. Also, shoutout to the staff here! Since I dined in, I watched them crank out order after order with a smile on their faces the whole time. read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood bird bun and bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

We ordered food for a party, they thought of everything. The food was amazing and more than enough to feed with what we bought for 20 people. If anyone went hungry well they didn't go back for more. The chicken was wonderful, food ready on time, and packed for serving read more

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Ekiben is definitely on of those places you hear being talked about all the time in Baltimore so id figure to give it a try! I ordered two main dishes and was originally told it would take about 15 minutes, but it ended up taking double that, so just keep that in mind if you're in a rush like we were. The space itself is pretty small too, so it's more of a grab and go place. The Neighborhood Bird bowl was a HUGE portion. It was kind of spicy but the pickled onions helped even it out. I also tried the ancho chile pork bun. The bun itself tasted amazing,but it was a bit difficult to eat. The bottom got pretty soggy while the top bun was thick and tall, so it kind of fell apart while eating. read more

Ekiben - Entrance - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Wow! You must get the neighborhood chicken no matter what, everything else is still good but that chicken is bomb! Neighborhood chicken bowl mild: delicious the chicken breading is crispy and has the perfect curry taste without being overpowering. The pickled veggies with it is a great palate cleanser and balances all the flavors. I got it mild and while I was nervous of the spice level being too much for me (I'm a weenie) it was perfect, the kind of spice that actually adds to the dish instead of hurting you. Tempura broccoli: So good! Crunchy without being oily, it had a bunch of herbs on it the brightened the whole dish. Ancho chile pork bun: perfectly smokey and meaty without being fatty. This one we really struggled to eat as an actually sandwich because the pork is cubed so it just falls out the sides. The buns are a fun addition and have good texture so I'm happy we tried it, but if I went back I would be fine without it. Crab Rangoon: I was a bit skeptical about 1 crab Rangoon being $10 but that is because o was thinking of my midwestern type of crab rangoons. This was PACKED with actual crab and not a whole lot of cream cheese so the price made more sense when I figured that out. Still very good, but did not stand out amongst the rest. The place was so cool inside, they had about 7-10 bar seats inside with 2 tables outside, I recommend taking this to go. The service was nice and quick, you can tell they have a very efficient process. My only suggestion would be to turn the music down a little bit because it was hard for me and my husband to just talk to each other about plans that we had for the rest of the day. So happy this was featured on the yelp top 100 places so that we could try it! read more

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very very very good ethiopian x asian fusion in baltimore. the buns are so soft and just like the ones you get in asia, with unique flavoring. i really hope they can open one in orange county because i cant fly to baltimore everytime i want this!! their broccoli is also very tasty and packed with flavor. i'm not much of a veggie person but their seasoned veggies make me want to be. read more

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recommended to me & definitely best spot! Very flavorful and delicious AND interesting! Small shop with counter seating. Had tempura broccoli and chicken bun sando. Looking forward to coming back to try the other items! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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This spot is always a must-eat spot when I'm in Baltimore! Ekiben does a fantastic job blending familiar Asian flavors with unique combinations! Their bao sizes are no joke and they definitely make sure they're extra generous with their fillings. The neighborhood bird bun is always my go-to. Their fried chicken is always crisped to perfection. Expect a line when visiting, but service moves fairly quickly. This is good for a quick eat or to-go, but there isn't a ton of seating available inside. The quality absolutely blows me away each time! read more

I'm from out of town with my grandson. He had heard of soft shell crabs and was curious to try one. We asked at the hotel desk and were told to check out Ekiben; not this one, the other one, the Locust Point location. We're glad we went there because it's the only location with soft shell crab! We had the sandwiches with CRISPY SOFT SHELL CRAB, JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE, OLD BAY, MELTED CHEDDAR, CHESAPEAKE REMOULADE, lol, right from their poster on the wall. Tyrin, the man behind the counter, helped us fill out our order with crab Rangoon and his recommendations for Yuzu soda pops. Man, that was all good, what a great combination. Did I mention my grandson? The best part was being there, sharing the moment, when John was loving his first ever "softie," at Ekiben Locust Point. read more

Ekiben - Softie and crab Rangoon - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I have never eaten such delicious asian fusion food. Food: 5/5 do yourself a favor and give into the hype. The neighborhood bird is a great curry chicken thigh dish, and the bowl gets 2 full chicken thighs with rice and veggies. My friend got the pork sandwich and that was exquisite. The tempura broccoli was good, but it did taste more like brussel sprouts for some reason even though it was definitely broccoli. Loved it either way. Service: 5/5 the kind cashier helped me and my friend make our choices and gave us good input on the dishes we asked about. Ambiance: small storefront with a few places to sit, probably could sit 10 in total. Order at the counter and wait for your order for about 10 minutes. Street parking, with some free spots and some paid. read more

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Wow. Go here if anything.Go here. Some of the best Asian Fusion food I've had. Ordered in person and it was ready in about 20 mins. The neighborhood bird bowl was so good. Definitely enough for two people thanks to the pro tip some kind other customer gave us. Also ordered the tempura broccoli which was amazing as well. If you can eat that one before it gets soggy I recommend, but still good even when it was soggy. The flavors were just spectacular. I miss this place just writing this review! Go here and keep them in business for the next time I come back. read more

Fantastic service. Amazing, memorable food. Pitch perfect ambience. Extremely well run and thought through. A wonderful meal and dining experience, through and through. read more

This is for a to-go order experience. I have had my eye on trying their food for a while now. I kept it simple with the neighborhood bird bun. I love a good bun sandwich. I received the spicy version. The portion was solid and tastebuds were on fire, but in a good way! Nothing like a healthy encouragement to have a full glass if water with your meal. I don't do fried foods often, but it was a really nice change of pace. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I discovered this place during the recent furlough. They were offering free meals to furloughed employees, so I stopped by. This location is about 40 minutes away from me and it was a well worth the drive. I went twice in one week. This location is pretty cozy. There aren't any traditional tables inside. They just have a few long rectangle tables along the perimeter with barstools. The decor is all black and white, so it's clean and simple. The playlist will definitely keep your head bobbing. When I was there, it was a lot of old-school hip-hop - Biggie, Nas, and the Fugees. For the entrées, you can get either a bun on a bowl. Although I love a bao bun, I opted for a bowl both times because I wanted a heartier meal. On my first visit, I played it safe & had the neighborhood bowl. When I opened the box, I immediately knew three things for sure. I could tell it was made with love, the smells told me that this dish was gonna be good, and I knew those pickled veggies were made from scratch not from a jar. This bowl had Taiwanese curry fried chicken topped with sambal mayo & herbs over a bed of rice. On the side were some house-made pickled veggies - pickles, red onions, and mango-papaya slaw. I wouldn't change one single solitary thing about this dish. For me it was perfect. The chicken was crispy, not fried hard, and well seasoned. I'm not sure of all the ingredients in the mayo but it was yummy, complimented the dish well, and didn't overpowered the other ingredients. I'm a fan of pickled red onions, but wasn't sure how I would feel about the other pickled veggies; I ate all of them. There was no pickled veggie left behind. Lol. The pickles had a slight sweetness to them, and I really enjoyed the texture of the slaw mixed in with the chicken and the rice. On my second visit, I decided to take a chance and try the ancho chili pork bowl. I don't eat a lot of pork and it's rare that I order it when I go out. Since the first visit went so well, I had high expectations for this pork bowl. Omg, I'm so glad Ekiben exceeded them. I don't know what I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting this. There were all of these wonderful chunks of tender pork coated in this lovely sauce. I don't think I've ever had tender pork before. Despite the bowl's name the sauce wasn't spicy. It was just a lil' touch of heat balanced with all the other herbs & spices in the sauce. While I enjoyed both bowls, this one was my favorite. I also tried the crab rangoon egg roll. It was like a crab rangoon on steroids. Unlike a rangoon, where you have maybe 2 tablespoons of filling, this egg roll was packed to the brim with imitation crab meat, cheese, & green onions. They make them fresh to order so it was piping hot and the red duck sauce was on point. It was a tasty appetizer, but I'm not sure I would order it again. Considering the bowls are $18, I felt like $10 was a bit much for one egg roll. During both visits, they were out of the crispy shrimp. Fingers crossed the next time I stop by, I can give the crispy shrimp bowl a try. Next year, I want to be more intentional about visiting Baltimore restaurants. This one is definitely going in the rotation. read more

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The food here isn't healthy by any means but I trick myself into thinking it is by always getting extra pickles and herbs. I am so obsessed with this establishment, not necessarily because of the food but because of what they do for the community, they recently announced that all government furlough employees get free Ekiben if they order in person which is really impressive. They also do an amazing Halloween turn out where you get everything half off and it's something they don't have to do but they choose to do it for the community. I've never come in here and never not seen another person. I feel like they just always have a constant stream of people in through their doors. I also think what makes this establishment so successful is that everyone who works there is really really happy and are just really nice to all of their customers. All their locations are super tiny, but I think that also adds to the appeal of a place that really feels tightknit. read more

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Visiting Baltimore for the first time, my friends highly recommended this place and so I placed a pick up order which was very easy to do via their website! This location is definitely very small and cozy with not too much available seating and so it looks like their business model is more traditionally pick up and take out, though I did see a group of friends eating at a table together right outside the restaurant! I was torn between choosing the neighborhood bird bowl or the neighborhood bird bun but my friend had told me that the chicken is ginormous and so when you order it with the bowl, it's more bang for your buck and I 100% agree! The chicken was so flavorful with the right amount of spiciness and it had this delicious sauce that was poured over it. I also really really loved the different sides that it came with such as the pickle vegetables and the slaw. We also can't help we get a side of their buns just because of how fluffy they looked in the photos and they were indeed so soft impaired really great with the chicken! I also found it really neat that they make their own drinks in house and so I tried a white strawberry Matcha and the Yuzu white peach which were both delicious! Overall, this was such a great casual place that I would 100% see myself going back to for both lunch and dinner if I lived in Baltimore. The chicken is honestly so amazing and I still think about it to this day. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I am a simple man and it is very easy to make me happy. Just give me good food and I don't care about anything else. I went to this place after being super disappointed by another really expensive place. Please read my other reviews to find out which place I am talking about. CONNECT THE DOTS! Let me tell you this.... EKIBEN DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! I ordered the neighborhood bird box and bruh.... I mean bruuuuuhhhhhhh..... This bird box hit me the feels. Chicken thighs fried to perfection over a bed of rice next to pickled cucumber, papaya salad and pickled onions which spice sambhal mayo drizzled on it. Say what! This was everything I needed to heal myself physically and emotionally. I am complete! 5/5 this place is S tier! read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood Bird Box - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Oh my goodness is this place so good! Some items are more expensive than others, but the plates are huge portions that could be split into two if you really wanted to. The neighborhood bird plate comes with two big chicken pieces that are oh so moist and well seasoned. I suggest getting it with rice instead of the bun. The restaurant is fairly small with only a few seats available so I highly recommend taking it to-go or bringing it to the waterfront to sit and enjoy the view. The employees are always nice and fast to ring you up. read more

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Don't walk to try those ribs!! Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon, it was quite busy which made the wait about 25 mins, but it was worth it. It was so cool to hang out and watch the rhythm of the kitchen, they truly have fun working. Got to try their new ribs plate which was yummy, and the classic chicken was it's usually tasty. Thanksgiving hours are posted though read more

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My daughter lives in DC, and while I've visited her many times over the years, I had never made it up to Baltimore until recently. She insisted we go mostly for this chicken sandwich place -- and wow, Ekiben completely lived up to the hype! The famous chicken sandwich on a bao bun was otherworldly -- perfectly crispy, juicy, and full of flavor, tucked inside that soft steamed bun. I honestly wish we had an Ekiben near me in LA because I'd be there every week. Despite being packed on a Saturday around lunchtime, the service was incredibly friendly and helpful. We grabbed our food to go and ate by the nearby pier, soaking up the glorious early October weather -- the perfect Baltimore afternoon. The restaurant itself is small, so plan to take it to go - but the music was bumpin' while we waited for our order! If you're anywhere within 100 miles, make the detour and put Ekiben on your must-try list. You won't regret it. Loved every bite! 5 stars read more

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This place ROCKS!!! Amazing food - spicy neighborhood bird bowl (chicken) is my favorite. Huge portions - basically an entire rotisserie chicken in there. Will last you 2-3 meals with leftovers. Just so delicious and unique. Pickled cucumbers, pickled onions, sticky white rice, perfect sauce. Highly recommend Ekiben!!! To-go is equally as tasty. read more

Ekiben - Spicy Neighborhood Bird Bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Ekiben is a Baltimore staple for a reason! If you ask anyone where to eat on a trip to Baltimore, they will definitely recommend Ekiben. Ekiben is tiny. There are less than 10 seats inside, and there are some standing tables and outdoor seating. Even on a weeknight, it's busy. Ordering online in advance seems like the move, but you can order in person at the counter in the back. Service was great! There were just a few employees back there cranking out food as fast as they could. The Neighborhood Bird bun was fantastic. It's big enough that you can hardly pick it up to fit it in your mouth. Definitely shareable in bowl or bun form, but I devoured the whole thing. Crispy and juicy and flavorful! The tempura broccoli was also delicious! Perfectly crisp batter and well cooked broccoli. I recommend eating the tempura broccoli immediately since they sit in their pickling liquid and get a little soggy. I was able to squeeze into the one empty seat at the counter to enjoy in person! Great experience! Highly recommend to anyone looking for something tasty in Baltimore. read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood Bird bun & tempura broccoli - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

So here's the thing. It was a last minute idea and I didn't get a chance to read and research before I went. When I impulsively decided to surprise my daughter- I didn't know there were three locations and I picked the one with the highest rating - Eastern Ave. Got there, found street parking and walked in and it only had about 8 seats and not meant for a 3 year old. I initially wanted to leave to go to another one but wasn't sure if it was the same seating so decided to order my food and eat in my truck. But the Staff was super nice. Especially Chuck. The place was clean along with the bathroom. Now on to the food. Limited menu; store made (?) soda and an awesome playlist (sidebar) - i loved my food. I had a crispy shrimp bowl. Everything about it was delicious. The serving size was enough for lunch and dinner but you are going to pay for it. Worth the visit. read more

Ekiben is close to opening its new restaurant in Frederick. To help add to the buzz, their food truck has popped up around time. It came to Hood College for a Flying Cows basketball game. OMG: so good! The truck only had 4 things on the menu. Spousal Unit and I doubled down on The Neighborhood Bird bowl: two Taiwanese curry fried chicken thighs topped with (not really) spicy sambal mayo, pickles, and fresh herbs, served on a bed of jasmine rice and a side of three house-made pickled veggies. (It's also available on a bun with a single thigh but we went big). Excellent, crisp chicken that was moist, tender, and beautifully cooked. Might tasty! Others in our group ordered The Tofu Brah bowl (crispy tofu tossed with spicy peanut sauce, fresh herbs, roasted aromatics, and onions, served over jasmine rice with pickled vegetables on the side). They loved it too. (FYI I asked to taste the spicy peanut sauce. They gave me a container, and added some to my rice. Yummers!). If the wider restaurant menu is as good as we had last night, I will be on at the new place the second it opens. Color me wowed! read more

Please look YELP, the explanation is too long to rewrite. Thank you for asking. Have a great day.

Amazing food, vegetarian option was great! Yuzu sodas were both delicious and unique as well. Service was fast and friendly. The inside of the store is a bit small, so you may prefer to take your order to go. They were also out of a few items, likely due to popularity. We will be back! read more

Ekiben - Tofu brah - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Say it w me folks... I love THIS PLACE!! All locations, food trucks, etc!! Any and every time I get a chance, I'm here!! I love their Neighborhood Bird. Spicy and Mild. I love their broccoli tempura, jasmine rice, and I'm fond of their catfish. Everything is prepared fresh, and tastes amazing. Their customer service is top tier! I've ordered from them online, and in person. My order is always ready before time quoted. They're reasonably priced. The restaurant has retro ambiance, w a few seating options. This place is a neighborhood gem, and they have a food truck. I've had this greatness at local food festivals, as well as farmers markets. It's always a pleasant delicious surprise. If you haven't visited, what are you waiting for? read more

Ekiben - 7'31'2025 SINGLE PIECE OF NEIGHBORHOOD BIRD CHICKEN & SIDE OF RICE. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Best spot in Maryland. Huge menu and it's all unique and absolutely delicious! Great flavors and the pickled veggies compliment it perfectly. read more

Ekiben was voted as one of the 2025 top Fried Chicken spots in the country based on reviews and volume from Yelp. I can agree that this Baltimore favorite is definitely a hot spot if you're in the mood for some delicious chicken. I stopped in after a lunch at Golden West Cafe which is also a favorite of mine. Ekiben was on the back alley of the main street in Hampden and was not very busy. I ordered the Neighborhood Bird Bun which includes Taiwanese curry fried chicken on a steamed bun. It was a huge portion for the $13. I didn't eat it until later on in the day when I got home and wish that I'd eaten it fresh. I didn't really love the steamed bun later on but could tell the chicken was made with love. I'm excited to check out their bowls and sides like the tempura broccoli and spicy walnut shrimp. I can definitely tell why this Baltimore hot spot has grown from one location to now 3 over the past years. Big congrats to the Ekiben team! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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My cousins who live in the Baltimore suburbs recommended this place on my most recent visit to Baltimore and I really enjoyed it. My friend on a separate trip to Baltimore went here and also said it was super good. We tried most of the menu including the tempura broccoli, both kinds of shrimp, tofu, and chicken. Personally the chicken was a bit of a skip to me, but I thought both shrimps and the tofu were so good. I am not a vegetarian but I would recommend getting the tofu anyways. Delicious. There are barely any seats in here and you just have to fight for one or wait if it's busy so not ideal for groups but yum. read more

Ekiben - Tempura broccoli - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

WoW!!!! It's really an Asian fusion with a hip-hop Vibe once you enter the door. The food is truly amazing. I can't even make this up. A lot of times we want our food to look like the picture and taste amazing. This food not only looks exactly like the picture but taste!!!!! Better than I could even imagine. Totally 100% Maryland soft-shell crab. The flavor , taste , and aroma plus the weight. Yes I said THE WEIGHT!!!! Two Hands Please This crab sandwich is truly a big boy's dream. Lol. So if you're in the neighborhood. Pls stop by and try The Maryland Softie and enjoy . Also, this location is on Fort Avenue in Baltimore. read more

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Omg where do I begin! This place has become my favorite. Food is great the service is excellent and the ambiance is outstanding! Definitely recommend 10/10 Tried multiple items . Shrimp was the absolute best the chicken sandwich was very tasty ! I also tried the tofu with noodles 10/10. The egg roll was okay wasn't my favorite. read more

Ekiben - Peach lemonade frizz - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

A unique and delicious Baltimore staple. Ekiben is outstanding. The spicy neighborhood bird bowl. 10/10. The chicken is well seasoned and moist every time. Tempura broccoli has a wonderful texture. Also 10/10. Both dishes have a thoughtful and creative flavor combination. Pricing is very reasonable (but not cheap) for quality and quantity of food received. Very limited in person seating. We usually order online ahead and do take out. Definitely a Baltimore gem. read more

Not safe if you have Celiac. Once upon a time I could eat here safely. Sadly, if you have Celiac disease don't bother, you will get sick. Too bad, it used to be amazing. read more

You already know it's a 10 what are you waiting for? This is a certified Baltimore staple and it's delicious, crispy, could be more spicy and filling. Hurry up and spend that $20 read more

Ekiben - Spicy neighborhood bird box - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I followed the recommendations and grabbed some food at Ekiben. The Spicy Neighborhood Bird Bun was great! The deep fried chicken thigh was tasty and crispy, perfectly textured. The sandwich was saucy with the spicy sambal mayo and pickles -- quite delicious! The bun was fine. I also got a side of ramen broccoli but it was only okay. I didn't particularly taste shin ramen or hot cheetos flavours. It mostly just tasted salty and like it was battered and fried, which was a surprise to me since the menu hadn't described it that way. I got takeout and the service was good, efficient, on time. read more