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

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

Back again after several years. The neighborhood chicken sandwich is just as good as I remember. I ordered online and drove over to pick up at the time they emailed me. It was hot and ready to go. Delicious! I wish I lived closer and could go more often. The staff was friendly and made sure I got what I ordered. read more

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5 Stars for Mary at Hair Cuttery - Laurel, MD I walked into the Hair Cuttery at 13600 Baltimore Ave, Ste 106, Laurel, MD yesterday afternoon as a walk-in and was greeted by Mary -- a very courteous and professional stylist. She asked if I preferred a specific stylist or the first available. When I asked if she was available, she smiled and said "Yes" and led me to her chair. She was very thorough. She properly draped me to protect my clothes and took the time to discuss the cut and style I wanted. She gave me an excellent haircut and showed me the back with a double mirror. Before I could even mention it, she suggested thinning out my sideburns and the back -- exactly what I was thinking! She did it perfectly and checked again to make sure I was satisfied. Afterward, she brushed and blow-dried my hair to remove loose hairs and offered a shampoo. She washed my hair gently and thoroughly and dried it with a clean towel. At checkout, she went above and beyond by writing down the clipper guard numbers she used on her business card for future reference. She checked me out with a graceful smile and invited me back. Her professionalism left a lasting impression. Highly recommended -- ask for Mary! read more

Three years since my last visit here and still lives up to what I remember. Such a unique combination of flavors that is well executed. The weekend was busy so waits were longer than I remember but it still remains a must stop place when in Baltimore. read more

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

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My son wanted to get for lunch before his flight back home so I drove during lunch. His ordered lunch was ready and he enjoyed! Worth the drive up before his flight!! read more

Yummy, we got our food to go and it took a bit because there was so many people. Food was good, not too over powering on the taste and my noodles were not too spicy read more

Ekiben is great! Fast casual vibe, a little loud inside but food is awesome. My favorites are the walnut shrimp, tofu brah, and the lentils are amazing! I enjoy both types of broccoli and they give you a good portion. Food comes out quickly and staff is really kind. read more

We were surprised to see how busy it was for an off-hour late lunch visits but after trying the food, we totally understood why! The food is SO good! The chicken bao sandwich was crispy, full of flavor and huge in portion size. Everything felt so fresh. We also tried the tempura broccoli which was also crispy and delish. The staff was also super friendly and helping us with recommendations as it was our first time visiting. Space is a little small and does not have a lot of seating, so fair warning in case you're planning to eat in! read more

The food is always spot on the Market Bird hand held Korean Fried Chicken is simply sublime, with a zesty sauce and a crispy Asian Slaw. The tempura broccoli was slightly disappointing as the broccoli was overcooked and lacked any tempura batter. These guys have a really sharp operation that EVERYONE seems to enjoy. There's a few other awesome sandwiches and bowls to sample. They also have 3-4 different flavored Yuzu varieties of beverage that are also available. read more

It's been many years since I've been back and it hasn't changed one bit. I happened to be in the area and I knew I had to make the stop. I got their neighborhood bird bowl and it was a hefty serving. There were three chicken breasts on top of a bed of rice served with various pickled sides. My favorite was the radish carrot mix but all three helped balance the spice of the chicken. The rice was fluffy and the chicken was sooo juicy. The breading was flavored without being heavy. The service was a bit slow as there were large orders ahead of us but it was worth the wait. The place was so busy with people hanging out outside but the overall vibes were happy. Would love to come back again and hopefully not be another 5 years. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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First time trying Ekiben! The location is small, but you will manage to find seating. We went about an hour and a half before closing and many folks were still lining up. We ordered 4 items and waited at least 30 minutes from the point of entering the location to receive our food. The staff is very friendly and you will receive a text when your order is ready. Because it's such a popular spot, I advise either ordering ahead or planning to take a walk around the area while you wait. What I really enjoyed about the food was that they were flavors I had never experienced together before. It's hard to be unique in an area with so many restaurants, but it was genuinely fun to eat Ekiben's food and notice all of the different flavors! Below is my rating of the items we ordered: Walnut Shrimp Bowl: 8/10. The shrimp alone is a 11/10; The pickled veggies were just alright, but I did feel like something was missing to bring the whole dish together for me. Maybe a mayo-based sauce? Original Bird Bun: 8/10. I know this is the most popular dish at Ekiben, but I don't like bao, so I took a bite of the chicken my friend ordered! Very well-seasoned and juicy! The only reason it's not rated higher is because I didn't try the full dish to give a proper opinion. Tempura Broccoli: 5/10. This was overhyped for me. Definitely a nice crunch, but the top half of the dish had no flavor. You finally get some flavor at the bottom (less crispy), where it's tossed in a dressing. The dressing ran kind of sweet, which threw me off. The parts of the broccoli with the dressing definitely tasted better, but overall I was underwhelmed...I might try the ramen broccoli later to see if I enjoy the flavor profile better. Pho Cheesesteak Egg Roll: 6/10. Didn't really get the essence of pho in this. It was good! However, it just tasted like a regular cheesesteak egg roll with a sriracha mayo. I think I've had better cheesesteak egg rolls elsewhere. Good, but would not order again. read more

The food is wonderful! The service is fast despite the crowd. The ambience comes from the people waiting in expectation for what they know will be a delicious meal. Love this place! 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

I've loved Ekiben for years!! My go-to order is always the Neighborhood Bird Bowl and the Broccoli Tempura with Chinese Sausage, and let me tell you--these dishes never miss! The Neighborhood Bird Bowl is perfection in every bite. The chicken is crispy, juicy, and packed with incredible flavor that somehow feels even better than the last time. The rice and toppings tie it all together, making each bite a perfect balance of textures and tastes. And the Broccoli Tempura? It's legendary. That light, crispy tempura coating paired with the smoky sweetness of the Chinese sausage is a combo I can never resist. What makes Ekiben so special is their consistency. No matter how many times I visit, the quality is always spot-on, and the flavors are just as mind-blowing as the first time I tried them. It's my ultimate comfort food, my go-to spot, and honestly, one of the best food experiences Baltimore has to offer. Ekiben will always be 5/5! I highly recommend trying it out!! read more

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I went for the Maryland Crab sandwich, which is not available in Fells Point. I went with my coworkers on Saturday during the dinner rush so their was a 30minute wait after ordering. There isnt much seating and AC is not very good. They luckily had security to help streamline the lines. HOWEVER, I ordered the neighborhood bird spicy and it was delicious!! All the food is worth the wait. I also got the new Peking ribs and they were AMAZING!! I am already planning a trip to their south location because I want to try the Maryland crab before it goes out of season. read more

Fabulous Bao Bun - so huge & fluffy! The crispy chicken was great and large with spicy sauce that was a 3 of 5 spicy. Mild if you like things HOT. Not pictured is the broccoli which was fresh and had great herb mix. Menu says "tempura" but it's not battered The knife noodles were excellent and the crispy tofu was right bite size, truly crispy and yummy. So surprise this is local favorite read more

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3 stars? Going to get to my key points: Chicken was massive, but it was overcooked so texture was dry and rubbery, even with the sauce. Bao and chicken ratio leads to an unappetizing experience. As you can see, either you get just a chicken bite, or you attempt to get a bite of that bao overpowering the bite and a little chicken. Id rather get this on a normal sando or a less thick bao, but wider. Cool hole-in-the-wall spot, nice vibe. Order didnt take too long. read more

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The food here is delicious. The vegetarian curried veggie burger (What the Bird Eats) is one of the better veggie-based veggie burgers I've had. The chicken is wildly crispy, the ribs are sticky, and the chili noodles are good enough to fight over. Also, the red beans and rice is the best I've ever had anywhere. It's creamy, spicy, and salty all at the same time, and comes topped with a tiny bit of tomato to keep your mouth from catching fire. The only downside to this restaurant is that it is a heavy, dense meal. There is no option to add something light, like a vegetable or salad, so plan accordingly if that's something you prefer. read more

I'm cooked. You think you're ready for Ekiben? Listen to me, you don't even know what you're getting into bub. Like, let's be honest, this establishment may be too big for your britches. The moment you walk into this place, your olfactory senses will be blasted with more spices than you have had the past 20 business days. The joyous sounds of food cooking and staff vibing percolate through the air - something you may not understand. To think anyone has the AUDACITY to handle Ekiben's innovative, yet playful Asian-inspired street food is fascinating. You think you can even fathom the flavors these people have come up with? Doubt it. Alright, I'll humor you for a second. Let's say you do order The Neighborhood Bird (spicy) in a bun. I don't even think you could even appreciate the Taiwanese-style curry fried chicken thigh served with an assortment of spices, herbs, spicy sambal mayo, and pickles. Pause. Wipe yourself off right quick. Taiwanese fried chicken utilize a lighter, airier coating compared to your typical fried chicken - culminating in a less greasy but more texturally delightful experience. The usage of the thigh meat is almost gratuitous given its fattier nature but it works to deliver that moisture and juiciness that I bet you'll be slobbering over. Don't even get me started the sheer size of these cuts either - how they even fit these pieces of chicken into the bun still alludes me. But you knew all that, didn't you? Taiwanese curry fried chicken thigh topped with spicy sambal mayo, pickles, and fresh herbs. Comes spicy or mild. MAMA MIA I'm almost finished. Regardless, I can speak to even more lengths but it's better if you just experience it yourself. GET THE BROCCOLI WHAT ARE YOU THINKING. Even the most seasoned carnivore will salivate over these lightly-fried tempura-battered broccoli. COME ON. I think I'm crying. Walk in, experience it, slobber. read more

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Get their shrimp tempura rice bowl. Thank me later! That shrimp was DIVINE. We got takeout and our friend picked it up so no comment on service/ambiance. But their food was amazing and great portion size too. Could easily be 2 meals. Best Baltimore eating experience! I travel to Baltimore often and have been let down at other places so many times. This restaurant was redemption!! read more

Ekiben has rave reviews and for a good reason - it's just that good. I've had almost every item on the menu and none of them have ever disappointed, but the chicken is phenomenal. It's a small place so I'd recommend coming at a less busy time or having somewhere else in mind to eat your meal. read more

Energetic atmosphere. Classic flavors with vibrant twists. Easy to navigate and decorated bathroom. (Visited in 2017-2018) A friend introduced me to Ekiben, and I became smitten and very enthralled by this new style of casual dining. I felt very "in the know" when introduced to this place, because I sensed that special moments were happening. I also appreciated the decorative bathroom walls that were quite a surprise. I hope people still feel joy and wonder eating here! I am so thankful my friend said, "let me show you this great place!" read more

Delicious! Enough food for two days. The customer service is nice and they have stickers. The seating area is small enough for a two - three person hangout. read more

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

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Previous review stands---- The food is beyond amazing- I'm not even sure I can do a review justice describing the unique flavor profiles that keep us coming back time and time again. Hooked, addicted. We even try to expand exploring the menu, but even when we say ok let's try something new, the moment we step inside, or pull-up the to-go order & think about the drool worthy favorites, we find ourselves ordering out go-tos (often resulting in a mass over ordering haha) This order we went with our normal go-tos: Spicy Neighborhood Bird bun & Tofu Brah bun- but we changed it up with the new special ramen broccoli. Each bun again offered an amazing balance of spices-fresh and flavorful bold powerful pops! Creamy, crunchy, and loaded. I think this visit, the spicy chickens everyone got were the largest pieces of crispy chicken we've ever seen- a few friends ripped their chicken in half- still had a full bun & a decent size of chicken leftover for next days lunch! While I could have done this with the ample amount of tofu I had, I gobbled it all down- no regrets haha Biting into buns are definitely delectable culinary experiences as the softness of the fresh fluffy but dense bao buns balances so well with the crispy on the outside, juicy moist inside proteins- then just drooling over the thought of the ample toppings falling out the side. The new ramen broccoli had a delectable spicy kick- so well seasoned- and delightfully crispy crunch- but I do enjoy the juicy moist bites from the traditional tempura onion sauce-worth the try but doesn't take my #1 fav spot haha read more

Ekiben - Ramen Broccoli special - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Always a delight to visit. Simple yet delicious food with bold flavours and hefty portion sizes. A must visit every time I am in Baltimore! Our favorite is the neighborhood bird bowl as the fried chicken is crispy yet juicy. I'd always recommend getting the bowl over the bun as you get much more bang for you buck! read more

Ekiben - The Neighbourhood Bird Bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Asian Fusion is a term that doesn't do this place justice. In the Neighborhood Bird Bowl, you've got Taiwanese style curry somehow magically under the breading of a Korean style fried chicken thigh, smothered in a sambal mayo and cilantro sauce. This is good, but what really sends it over the top is the creative and eclectic acidic pairings that cut through the richness of the chicken and mayo. I'm not joking when I say that these are some of the best pickles I've ever had, and the pickles red onions and mango-papaya slaw make for a perfect bite. I'll be visiting when I'm in Baltimore again. read more

The food is full of flavor, crispy and memorable. I'm in dc and I make a trip for it! Lol. The shrimp was new to me and so good! The right amount of spice, crunch and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. Only downside is if you're dining solo the portions for the sides are huge. I wish there was a way to order maybe a half size. Great service even in a packed/busy day. I haven't found this food to reheat well (even with an air fryer) and prefer to eat it fresh. So if I'm not super hungry, but want to try some of the other sides/new items, I'm hesitant because I know it may go to waste. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Flavorful, filling food! My husband and I stopped at Ekiben on our visit to Baltimore based on a friend's recommendation. It was busy on a Tuesday night, mainly with takeout orders, as there's not much seating inside or out. Our order was ready within 15 minutes - they accidentally brought out the wrong spice level of chicken and a bowl instead of an appetizer for the tofu, so they ended up giving us double what we needed, which was nice but unnecessary. I would have appreciated it more if I could have taken it home (since we were just visiting)! This food is seriously some of the most flavorful I've ever had! The fried chicken and the crispy tofu were perfectly fried and so delicious. Definitely some spice to the spicy chicken and definitely super filling - we could only eat so much. Overall really good food and I recommend to anyone craving this kind of food. read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood Bird Bowl & The Tofu Brah Bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Eat everything they have to offer. Their "red beans & rice" might be one of the most slept on things on the menu and their garlic chili noodles are insane! The tempura broccoli, of course, the chicken sandwich, walnut shrimp...literally everything. Just go. read more

Ekiben is a modern staple to baltimore cuisine. I love how it marries asian fusion with flavors that local marylanders are familiar with. I think this was my 3rd time visiting(?) and was once again satisfied with the food and experience. The place in fells point is slightly cramped, especially with the consistent foot traffic but they do have a couple seats you can snag to enjoy the food in the moment. What i ordered: Crab rangoon egg roll (6/10) - I was originally excited to try it out as a crab rangoon fanatic but I found it underwhelming. The roll was crunchy and stuffed with filling. However, unlike a traditional rangoon that has cream cheese filling, it tasted like a mozzarella stick, which also then hid the crab flavor. Neighborhood bird (9/10) - it's always a reliable classic. They give you a huge portion of crunchy chicken, slathered in their sweet and spicy sauce. Garlic chili oil noodle (8.5/10) - I stole a bite last time I was here so I wanted to try it out in all its fullness this time. The pork was tender and rich in its garlic chili flavor. The noodles were chewy and soaked up everything inside my carry out box. Would definitely go back for another round. Red beans and rice (10/10) - I think I died a little when I tried this out. I expected very typical simple flavors, but instead, punched with spices and fresh tomato slaw. Everything blended so well in that cup, from the heat of the lentils to the acidity from the tomatoes, and the rice being just slightly salted to bring out the flavors in every bite. I cannot emphasize how much I want to eat this again! read more

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If you're a BMore foodie, you already know Ekiben. The food is always hot, fresh, and consistently delicious. The staff are friendly. There's an uplifting energy in the restaurant. You also know that I'm using the term 'restaurant' loosely. Seating is very limited, but at least you have an outside option if you're lucky enough to snag one of the two tables. Street parking is hard to come by but it's ok to park a ways away. The portion sizes are very decent and you'll need to walk it off. I would have been happy to give this location a 5 star rating but I had to deduct a star because they said they'd text me when my food was ready. I was sitting in my car (ran out of quarters to feed the meter) and didn't get a text. Had to risk it all to run down the block to check my food was ready. read more

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

I like Ekiben, but I love the Tempura broccoli. So far I've only tried the broccoli and the buns (the Tofu Brah is surprisingly my favorite and I'm a meat eater!) but I definitely will be visiting the other locations and trying the other menu items. read more

Ryan and his team at AYS installed a net hot water heater for me. They did a great job. The were fast and very neat and organized. I was so impressed i asked for a quote for a new AC/DFURNACE unit for my condo. They will be installing as soon as it comes in. read more

Ekiben is still the one. I'm keeping that original bowl in business, but when I'm in the mood to throw down, the fried chicken bowl is everything. I placed an online order while I was in whole foods, and the order was ready by the time I finished shopping (yes, I went to the grocery store and ordered take-out directly after)! They have a small seating area in the front of the shop, but that's okay because I need the privacy of my home to enjoy the bowl the way I need to! Also, a Special s/o to whoever was on the aux cord playing the new Megan Thee Stallion album! read more

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Ekiben is unreal. I had the Spicy Neighborhood Bird bun and the Ancho Chili Pork bowl, and both were absolute home runs. The bird bun is perfectly crispy, juicy, and spicy, all wrapped in a soft, fluffy bun. The ancho chili pork bowl is rich, tender, and smoky in the best way. Truly one of those places you immediately want to tell everyone about. read more

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The FOOD! You won't ever be the same. The tenderest chicken I have ever had. The flavor is amazing. read more

Ekiben - Spicy chicken on bao bun. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Finally tried Ekiben for the first time after hearing all the positive reviews. They were at a local festival so I was happy I didn't have to drive too far. The neighborhood bird is definitely a top favorite. I prefer the bowl version rather than the bun as it feels very obnoxious to eat by hand due to how large the chicken is. The bowl is huge for being $5 more ($20 total). It comes with 2 large pieces of chicken. Overall, chicken and rice are seasoned well. The veggies are pickled and they give you a handful. Service is also very quick. I placed my order and within 5 minutes my food was ready. I've actually never visited their store but I've seen them at different pop up locations before. The one thing that does bother me is the box/container they pack their food in. I don't like the flaps and how it makes it very difficult to eat your food because of how it bends. If they could change their packaging that would be my only suggestion. read more

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This place is great for a casual, quick bite and is very good for takeout since seating is limited. The food is delicious and has certainly earned its hype. It's essentially Taiwanese meets Maryland. Service is good and fun even! The tofu items (both the tofu steamed bun and the tofu side dish) are my favorite items on the menu. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

4 hours, 2 cars, a tram, 2 drops onto the floor, and somewhere between Baltimore and Colorado... ITS STILL FIRE! Fully expected to open the box to a cold disaster but it's somehow still gorgeously plated and the spicy chicken is so spicy it doesn't feel cold! lol this should be a thing. Everything gives you hits of spicy, sour, sweet, and cool. Perfectly cooked chicken is so moist, fresh herbs, house made pickles, everything plays off each other so well. It's also a really good portion, like I'll be having second dinner somewhere over Ohio... The little spot is a whole vibe with anime wallpaper, eclectic hip hop, an open kitchen for le snooping and comfy stools in front of a big front window perfect for le city watching :) But this African & Asian fusion magic was somehow perfectly crafted to eat later. So go see Isaac, the guy from their instagram who will actually take your order with his huge, genuine smile and take your box to your next adventure. read more

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