Consistently great food and great service. A Baltimore staple. If I ever have someone visiting Baltimore, this is one of the places I have them try. read more

I wish I'd never learned about this place. It's ALL I WANT TO EAT. Seriously. I would eat the tempura broccoli instead of dessert. It's that good. Fried crispy and not mushy or overcooked. The sweet vinegar and herbs balance it perfectly. Perfection. That's saying a lot since I'm a meat lover. The shrimp is delicious, and the chicken (Neighborhood Bun or Bowl) is brilliant. The egg rolls are also delicious. If you can handle a little spice, the Red Beans and Rice are great, too. read more

Great food and great service! The portions for the bowl is really big so I had it for leftovers too. The tofu is crispy and flavorful. We also had the shrimp snack (not pictured) that's also really good! read more

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

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Food was delicious! The bun was soft, the chicken was crunchy and flavorful, and pretty big size. I also got the cheesesteak spring roll, which was again delicious. Only wish they had more dining space. Regardless, I'd make a return read more

I'm not sure why I've not tried this place sooner. It was on my list since seeing it at the Baltimore farmers market a few years ago. I blame my sister for stopping me from buying at the time. We got take out from here this Monday before we took the Amtrak back to NYC. The to go boxes did not dimmer the crispiness of the fried chicken or shrimp. The neighborhood bird bowl was the perfect bowl. Crispy fried chicken over perfectly steamed jasmine rice topped with some grease and delicious pickled slaw. We also got a side of the broccoli tempura, fried shrimp and extra pickled slaw as well as a steamed bun. I made my own sandwich with the extra sides! Can't wait to eat here again when I'm in Baltimore! read more

Messed up my order, but were quick to fix it, food was great as all locations. Friendly and polite service

This is was first spot I went to when we visited Baltimore! There are a few tables enough for around 7-10 people to sit comfortably but the vibe is more of a pick up spot. The fried shrimp had such a crunchy outside and big and juicy inside! The bao/sandwiches were amazing! The fried chicken was bigger than my face drowned in sweet spicy mayo snuggled between a warm fluffy mantou/bao. Street parking is easily assessable but you do have to pay at the Kiosk or on the app. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

The GARLIC CHILI OIL NOODLES are sooo good...like you will reluctantly want to share with anyone good lol. Great flavor, love the fresh veggies on top, and the Tofu has a nice fry on it. Initially, I thought the price and portion did not match, but they PACK that container, and I was certainly full. Ekiben service has never let me down! I placed my order before arriving, and had a minimal wait time read more

Ekiben - GARLIC CHILI OIL NOODLES Pick your protein, I had tofu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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A toilet trip and a reading trip!! This was delightful! This bathroom truly had so much personality. The floor was a little dirty with paper towels but overall a plain bathroom because so spruced up! Bathroom Overall : 5/10 read more

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If you have yet to try this Baltimore staple please do so now. News Flash: the owners have been nominated for a James Beard Award! When you walk into the restaurant the whole staff welcomes you. After ordering your food, you can help your self to complementary water and wait for your order or you can sit outside on the picnic table. (Seating is limited) The staff will bring you your food if you sit outside. The classic neighborhood bird is a perfectly seasoned fried chicken, slathered in Ekiben's signature sauce in mild or spicy, topped with fresh herbs loaded on an oversized bao bun. I could share this with a friend but it's so addicting you won't want to. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat on a Friday with your friends before hitting up the night life. read more

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

Coming from Houston/Dallas TX where there's a much larger Asian population, we were surprised to see a highly rated Asian (although it is fusion) restaurant in Baltimore while we were touring the area. We were pleasantly surprised! The pho braised beef was so flavorful, but I wish we'd gotten it as a rice dish because it was too messy and the bao didn't add much to it. However, the Taiwanese chicken sandwich..soo yummy! They gave us more than enough chicken and it was crispy yet moist. We can see why it is one of the most highly recommended restaurants. P We will definitely be back here! read more

Ekiben - Pho beef braised bao - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Delicious - ordered the tofu brah bun, ancho chile pork bun and ramen broccoli to go. Food was ready early. Place was hopping on a Saturday night - you love to see it! read more

The food is truly impeccable. Every single ingredients is so well thought out. I'm not being dramatic when I say it's the best Asian fusion in Baltimore. read more

Ekiben - The original rice bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Love it!!! This is one of my go-to spots in the city. The food is so unique, always cooked to perfection. The flavors are so interesting, and go together super well. I also think its a great value for the amount of food that you get. My favorites are the spicy bird bowl (or buns), or the chili garlic noodles with tofu! The tofu is perfectly puffy, soaked in a sweet & spicy sauce. Deliciouss! I also love the broccoli side. Staff there is always super friendly, and willing to go the extra mile to make your experience the best it can be. Its a bit small to sit in and eat at, but they do have some outdoor seating. Or you can take it and go sit by the water. This is definitely one of my go-to spots to take people visiting the city. read more

iconic baltimore. nothing else to say. pro tip: ask for the sauce to be on the side instead of on the chicken! read more

This is my favorite chicken sandwich. I'm shocked every time I have it--the juiciness of the chicken and the flavor overwhelm me. With the soft pillowy bao and punchy cilantro and tasty sauce, it cannot be bear. It's a HEFTY size, so you feel satisfied in stomach and wallet. If you hear the tempura broccoli hype, you might ask, what is up? It's broccoli... tempura. But NO, you fool, it's an exquisite dish. First of all, I ate these things after I ordered them takeout and drove an hour, and it was still crispy, warm, perfect. No sog. The broccoli is so lightly battered and just tossed in a perfect sauce, you can taste acid and cilantro and sweetness and you can't believe this is broccoli, a familiar vegetable. Also, you get it in a box, and that box is HEAVY, a blessing. I love the walnut shrimp. The breading is right on point, not too heavy or light. You get a perfect crunchy and tangy sweet flavor with a smidge of heat, and the shrimp are meaty and sweet and good. Oof. Treat yourself to the yuzuade. Not too sweet but perfect citrusy refresher that will have you smiling after every sip. read more

Ekiben - Absolute dreamy farmer's market Neighborhood Bird - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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One of those places where you order at the counter, excited, knowing it's coming. You grab a spot anywhere in the cramped interior to stand at a high top to eat. They call your name that you can barely make out due to noise and accent. Delivered is the best thing ever. Spicy fried chicken breast on a bao bun. So fresh. Best fried chicken in town apart from the Asian bun part. It's called the Neighborhood Bird. The brocoli tempura is a thousand times better than it sounds. Barely battered and tossed in a sweet Asian sauce with shallots and cilantro. It's almost like a healthy candy. This is one of the highest rated places in the city and it's a lil joint..and that's just fine. read more

We moved away a couple of years ago after being loyal customers for a few years at the farmers market and the fells point store. My husband was going to be in the area tonight and offered to pick up takeout. Order was missing my tofu order and the original meatball bun looked so sad compared to in the past. We don't expect food to travel perfectly, but we do expect the order to be right. The staff even assured my husband that "this is everything", he took their word for it. This is one of our go to places to eat or get takeout when we are in the area but the last few times things have not been great. No phone number to call to report a wrong order, so I feel we have only here to report bad things and I'd rather it be handled privately than leaving a bad review, but here we are... I updated this review from its original 1 star because we were able to contact them and they made things right. :) read more

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Ekiben has been a Baltimore staple for the past few years, known for the tasty sauced up Asian fusion, and it's absolutely great! They also make appearances at food festivals around the DMV, and it's always a joy to see them. I saw them at the Sakura Matsuri 2024 in DC and had to grab some food, as well as recommend them to my friends. We got the Neighborhood Bird Bun & Rice Bowl, and the Tofu Brah Fried Nuggets Rice Bowl. The Neighborhood Bird is their signature: curry fried chicken with a delicious sambal mayo on top, all on a nice fluffy bao bun or a bed of rice, and it's fantastic. Crispy flavorful exterior with a delicious juicy interior, plus the addition of the sauce is a combination of BOLD Asian flavors! The Tofu Brah is a great vegetarian option too, perfectly crispy fried tofu nuggets with a delicious soy peanut sauce, soooo good. It's too bad they don't open a store outside of Baltimore, but maybe that's just how they keep the quality so high! read more

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Love love love love! Ive been eating Ekiben for years, so it was time to finally make a review. I took a friend for lunch to their Fells location, and we had a very nice time! Everyone working there was kind and professional, and the overall vibe of the place was really cool. Some indoor bench tables, bar tops, and tables outside, so there was something for everyone! I probably wouldn't show up with a huge party expecting to have a place to sit and eat together - it's a small space! The food was soo delicious! We split an appetizer and got our own meal...and the serving size was no joke! We could barely finish the food, which is awesome when you're hungry. All the food was very fresh and filled with flavor! I could go on forever about this place but I truly believe Ekiben is an absolute gem that everyone should experience. It's one of the few places that make me proud to be from Baltimore! PS: it was my friend's first time and now they are in love with the food! My order: Neighborhood Bird (Mild) bowl Tofu Nuggets (shared) read more

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Got the neighborhood bird, garlic chili oil noodles, and tofu nuggets and every single thing was amazing

Such a fun a delicious spot!! Highly recommend! The chicken was perfectly cooked. The sauces were incredible. The broccoli dishes were out of this world good. Service was super nice and helpful! read more

Hands down... Ekiben in Baltimore has the best tofu sandwich... and who Momma in the back making the red beans and rice. read more

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This location was small but it packed a lot into the flowers!!! Mwah! Chef's kiss. Definitely worth the drive into Baltimore. read more

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The food at Ekiben is seriously sooooo good. We had their ridiculously tasty and messy chicken sandwich. The fried chicken thigh was juicy and seasoned perfectly, and the slaw and condiments on it were really unique and flavorful. We also ordered the spicy shrimp snacks - the shrimp were HUGE, not at all greasy, and had a nice Asian mildly spicy seasoning. Really tasty. As far as atmosphere, It's a hole in the wall primarily for take out but the staff was really nice. They had us try their special red beans - which were great with very Caribbean flair. I will definitely order them next time. If you're looking for very a very casual and affordable meal that has very elevated and inventive food, Ekiben is your place. read more

A MUST TRYYYY!! the restaurant is small I did carry out but there is some seating inside. I came to visit my friend in Baltimore and she brought me to Ekiben so that I could try it because it is one of her favorites. This place did not disappoint!! Her go to is the spicey bird bun and I got the garlic chili oil noodles! Before leaving Baltimore I had to go back, this was my last meal before I left! The only complaint I have is that the first time I had the noodles I told them no onions and it still had quite a bit of onions so the second time I went I emphasized no onions and that I was allergic. I still found a slice of raw onion, so just be careful if you do have an allergy just emphasize it to the staff! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Drove to Baltimore for a day of exploration and nearly every recommendation pointed to Ekiben. Despite high hopes, we were left with disappointment. In total, we ordered the pork bowl, beef bun, and neighborhood bird bun. The pork bowl was fine and the pickles that came with it were quite nice. The braised beef was extremely tender, but there was too much tomatillo sauce and it overpowered the beef. The most shocking upset was the neighborhood bird. At first bite, the flavors were good but we the chicken felt soft. As we opened the chicken, we found some areas to be RAW (see pictures). This came with so much disbelief as this was the #1 recommended item and I urge the staff/cook to do better to make sure this doesn't happen again. read more

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Heard really good things about this place so decided to stop by while in the city. It was really busy on a weeknight, many people waiting for orders. There's not much seating and the space is small, so it seems primarily like a takeout spot. Tried the tofu nuggets and neighborhood bird bun. The tofu nuggets were super crispy, probably coated in starch to achieve this. They were topped with hoisin sauce, cilantro, and crushed peanuts--very reminiscent of Vietnamese food! The neighborhood bird bun was a good sandwich, but messy to eat. I might've liked it as a bowl more. It was lacking on the pickle front imo. Food is good, but a little pricey. Good spot if you're craving Asian food for a quick meal. read more

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Honestly the go to place in Baltimore! Why is there no Ekiben in NJ/NYC Metro? The place has few tables and chairs, so getting a seat/table might be a little difficult during busy hours. Their food is always given out with a takeout container and I would suggest to order ahead to not wait 10-15 mins while they prepare your food. Food: The neighborhood chicken - top tier chicken that is really juicy and has a crunch. Seasoned well and makes me want more. I got the bun which had some vegetables, but overall it was too much food. I would suggest getting the rice if you want more meat and food. Mapo Tots - honestly super flavorful and good. A great choice to get here and is really sauced up with fried tofu. Always a go to as well. Everything here is great! Would definitely come again for more of their delicious food! read more

We did a to-go order and comment on cost. The food was ready for picked up once we got there and was packed well. We ordered side tofu and broccoli, and had the pork bun, chicken bun, and meatball bun. Everything tasted great. The tofu and broccoli were tempura style battered and fried. They were still hot and not soggy by the time we got home. The sauce on top the tofu was yummy, it complemented the tofu. Each of the meats in the buns were good. I think the chicken was good because it provided a texture difference with its crunchy fried batter to the pillowy soft bun. I'm not complaining about this, but it's almost comical how large the bun is in comparison to the filling. read more

Ekiben - Pork bun - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

We've heard all of the hype, and I was super excited to try Ekiben. It was great, I can tell why people love it and native Baltimoreans (so?) are homesick about it. Their concept is so cool, they could do so much with their menu! Not sure if they have seasonal/rotating items, but everything I tried was delicious! read more

Ekiben - Oh my... - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

balti calls for @ekibenbaltimore THE TOFU BRAH BOWL is my personal favorite crispy tofu tossed with spicy peanut sauce, fresh herbs, roasted aromatics, and onions served over jasmine rice and pickled vegetables on the side genuinely one of the best bites and veggie gems in the city, I'll take this bowl over @chipotle ANYDAY! read more

Ekiben - tofu brah bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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This is my go to in Baltimore city. The spicy neighborhood bird is to die for. When I first started going, the portions were decent. The restaurant itself has gained a lot of attention. They have started charging for substitutions and the food portions are drastically smaller. While that is a negative, the vibe is always amazing. It doesn't matter which location you do to. The chicken breast is always huge ! The culture is very urban and the seasoning is always there. If you haven't already, try it! read more

3.5 stars. For some time, I was not a fan of Ekiben. I'd had their popular chicken dish before, plus a side of broccoli, and I was not impressed with their fusion take on classics. So I just didn't eat there. However, Ekiben provided the food for the 2023 Yelpie Awards, so eating them than night was unavoidable. The popular chicken dish was an option, but so was the tofu. I went with the tofu and I'm glad I did. Instant obsession. Which brings me to visiting this particular Ekiben and ordering the tofu dish with rice and enjoying it just as much as I did the first time. What an amazing combo of flavors, a fusion that just works right and seems to be consistent across locations. I wish I wanted to try other things on the menu but I'm not willing to spend a fortune trying different things and possibly not liking them. I'll stick to the tofu for future visits. If you visit here, be aware the space is tiny and has very little seating. But it is clean and the staff are pleasant, helpful, and expedient. read more

Full of energy when I walked in! The cashiers were so welcoming and kind!! I had a friend recommend it and I was skeptical at first, but do not regret trying this while I was visiting! Neighborhood bird: one of the best chicken sandwich I had I would say! The portion was huge! The breading was flavorful and chicken was cooked well. It might've been too much breading for my liking on some bites, but still loved every bite. The bao itself was fluffy and easy to eat. 8.9/10 read more

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

I heard about Ekiben about three years ago. This was my first time trying the food for myself. I was not disappointed. After a suggestion from the cashier, I ordered the popular spicy version of the Neighborhood Bird bowl and Thai tea. My friend ordered the mild. We also had the broccoli bites. Everything was delicious. From the crispy chicken to the lightly battered broccoli, I was impressed. Keep in mind the seating is minimal. With a few high tops, benches and table outside eating at the establishment may not be an option. read more

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I would never have found it myself if I had not seen the 5* high rating on Yelp. I stopped venturing out of touristy areas in Baltimore after watching "the Wire." Ekiben is located on a side street just the edge of the Fells Point. It's another one of those popular hole in the wall neighborhood eateries. There are no tables inside, just three benches that can accommodate 6 diners. Two tiny round tables on the street. It's a busy venue packed with young people. It also had a lot of carry out orders. Very friendly service, prices per normal. Loud, fast and noisy American and Indian Hiphop music playing, not the usual type of relaxing atmosphere we were used to. The floor was slippery, otherwise it seemed well organized and efficient. The food was fantastic and it's 5* for street food, but overall it's a 4* We ordered 4*Tackle box: fried catfish was crispy and topped with Cantonese Dry-Rub, Onions, Fresh Herbs, Roasted Aromatics, and Sesame Sauce. The portion was big and served with rice. It was delicious. 5*Spicy neighborhood bird bun was Taiwanese curry fried chicken. I ordered it spicy. It was the most popular dish, I was told. I could see why. The portion was good and the chicken was fried just right. The taste was second to none. It was mixture of sweet and spicy. 3*Tempura Broccoli: The broccoli was topped with flavorful herbal ingredients like basil, cilantro and onion. The taste was great but it was soaked with liquid which made the tempera a bit soggy. I wish it had been crispier. read more

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One of the best local places you can go to for some delicious food. It's an Asian fusion type little place with buns and bowls. It's rare when I come here and it's probably been close to a year since I've been back until now. I remember even just about 3-4 years ago when the bowls were about $13 and even just a couple years ago, it was $15, now it's $18. Boy have prices increased and I know part is on inflation but still it's increased quite a bit from where they started. I placed an order through the Toast ordering app for the Neighborhood Bowl which is their mild fried chicken bowl with rice and pickled veggies. The portion is huge and I'm always full after it. I don't ever fully finish eating the rice but everything else I do. The chicken is fried crisply yet is still tender and super juicy. The sambal sauce that comes with the chicken is delicious and I love the pickled sides that come with it. All the flavors melded together are like a party in my mouth. I've also had the bird in a bun (less expensive in a bun) along with the original bun/bowl as well and tempura broccoli. I remember them all being really good from past experiences. The staff here are friendly and the food really is good. I've brought friends visiting the city to Ekiben and they've all loved it. It is a must try! read more

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

Hands down, the best takeout option in the area. What's not to love about the deep flavors, combined with the right consistency, every single time! The neighborhood bird is my favorite (spicy one recommended), and the tofu is a close second. I generally prefer their rice bowls, but the buns are super delicious as well. Tempura Broccoli is also a must-try if you are down for a side. Just make sure to eat them when they are still hot and crispy. I consider it a takeout option because the seating is super limited here, and the place gets crowded since it is super popular. Definitely check this spot out if you haven't already! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

OMG we finally found this place!!! Though it was only the pop-up stand at Orioles Park/ Camden Yards. Our son Loves LOvES chicken so after struggling g with the wrong address in Yelp it just so happened we found their stand at the baseball park last night. Smiling staff behind the counter KNOW they've got the goods on an awesome chicken sandwich. And I got to explain to our son what "Asian fusion" is, in a very tasty way!! read more