The Tacklebox is everything I remembered and more! The catfish was perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and the combination of fresh veggies, rice, and signature sauces made every bite incredible. A huge thank you to the Ekiben team for bringing the Tacklebox back, even if only for a limited time. It's been missed, and you definitely made a lot of longtime fans happy. I hope this amazing dish finds its way back to the menu again in the future it's truly one of the best meals in Baltimore! 10/10. If you haven't tried it yet, don't wait! read more

Ekiben - Tackle box - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Gosh ! , no words to explain how much we Looooved this place. AMAZING all around from the food to the service million stars. Incredible vibe and atmosphere. Person helping us - Mr Yon so kind and so helpful , definitely deserving of a huge raise very soon. Thank you guys. We are so happy we came across Ekiben on our spring break journey. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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If you're reading this, maybe you're visiting Baltimore or just moved here bc Ekiben is a STAPLE here. So, I'll break down my perfect order but just know, you will never order anything you don't enjoy. Spicy walnut shrimp bowl - no, there aren't nuts. The walnut shrimp are massive and perfect. Their bowls are big enough for two. I get this with a bun on the side and extra pickled goodies. The broccoli is (to me) the most iconic item on the menu. I've never had anything like it. I'm obsessed with it and would never order from here without it. If I'm sharing and extra hungry, the garlic chili oil noodles are coming home with me too. My family also loves the tofu bowl (sauce on the side for my son). You can't go wrong! read more

Every time I tell people I live in Bmore, the first thing they ask is 'Have you tried Ekiben yet!' And for good reason too, it's just that good! I've been to both the Fells and Hampden locations, but I prefer the Hampden one so I can walk over to get some dessert at the Charmery. The entrance is a little sketchy, but once you get in, the ambiance is relaxed. The decor with the anime panels is also so cute! Also, their ekiben logo stickers are free! I highly recommend the tofu brah with the tempura broccoli to share with some friends. The vinaigrette on the broccoli and the pickled vegetables are perfect to cut through the fried heaviness of the tofu, so the entire meal really complements each other. Everything also reheats really well, which is perfect since the portions are so large. I don't really care for the Yuzu drinks that they have, so I would recommend skipping that. I'll be back Ekiben! read more

Ekiben - Tempura Broccoli, Tofo Brah - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Tucked back in an alleyway, took a bit to find it. Cute little spot and the cashier was nice. There's a little area to sit down and eat, if you can find a seat. First time trying it out and wasn't blown away. The couple of bites that I had of the chicken sandwich were good, but I couldn't eat it all. It wasn't cooked all the way through. Loved the bread. Would go back, but will try another meat instead. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

One of my fave takeout spots in Bmore! I love the fried chicken bowls as well as the tofu and broccoli. On the fried chicken bowl- you can regular or spicy (and the spicy is legit high spice). I love the coating and seasoning on the chicken. Make sure to get Chinese sausage on the side with the broccoli- it's so delicious! We usually grab the food to go but the service is quick and the ambiance is cozy and reflective of a cute hole in the wall spot. They have three locations in bmore and one opening in Frederick that I will try as soon as they open their online ordering. Don't miss this spot- it's a gem! read more

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

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The vibe , let's start with that, the vibe was everything. The energy was giving very much small party with food. They had an awesome playlist while waiting in your food. A wall full of pictures of various people, artist etc, they also had Naruto (anime) on the other wall. There was a small area to dine in which comprised of stools, kinda tight if it's too many people, but just right if it's only a few people. There is a parking lot nearby that you have to pay to park, but it's in close proximity of the establishment. Now on to the FOOD of which was DELICIOUS! I ordered chicken and fried rice. The chicken was super juicy, golden brown , flavored perfectly with some type of sauce on top , I can't tell you what the sauce was but it was super good! The portion was big as well. This onion /cabbage mix I wanna say that had was amazing as well and the rice was good, everything was GOOD! The staff were super nice, they were very organized in called orders, the food was fresh and hot! The establishment itself was clean and tidy! read more

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I saw a video of the chicken sandwich and had to try it out. My GPS told me that I had arrived at the restaurant but it is actually located in a back alley. There is paid parking right behind the restaurant as well. The inside is not that big but I noticed that there was a small section of counter seating. When you walk in the music is blasting, still able to hear but sets the vibe for the space. I ordered two sandwiches and two drinks. They take your number and will text you when your order is ready. I must have missed it, but I wasn't sure how to tell the two sandwiches apart. There was no labels on the take out boxes, so I made a guess as to which one was the one I ordered. The chicken was coated perfectly and there was a generous amount of sauce. The bun was light and airy which made the sandwich not feel so heavy. I wish I also had tried the bowl version of the sandwich which looked pretty tasty based on the picture. read more

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Ekiben is a must go in Baltimore! The Hampden one is my personal favorite since I find myself in that area more frequently (shoutout to Charm City Skin!) but all locations are excellent. Address is on 36th but the entrance is on the backside down the alley. You order at the counter when you first come in - there is a seating area off to the left. It's a small space but doesn't feel cramped. The food is top notch - the tofu nuggets are my current hyper fixation. The peanut sauce, the fresh herbs, the crispy tofu bites, it is just incredible. Other faves include the shrimp and the neighborhood bird. The staff at Hampden in particular is so friendly and welcoming - no matter how busy they are. Even when packed and tickets rolling in nonstop, everyone there is friendly and upbeat. They go out of their way to be helpful and accommodating and they move quick! read more

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Every time I make my to Baltimore or if someone asks me for a recommendation in this area, my go to spot it hands down Ekiben. When I say I order the menu and take some to go, I am not kidding! The food is exceptional; a flavor bomb every time. Honestly, everything has star power on this menu. If you are lucky enough to go during the summer, the highlight is the Maryland Softie. A soft shell crab, crab cake, and cheese inside a fluffy Bao Bun. Absolutely incredible. The ramen broccoli is to die for. But my absolute favorite is always the hand pulled noodles with tofu . The tofu does contain peanuts but is a perfect combo with the garlic chili noodles. The seating is limited but they have a couple tables outside. The staff is always fantastic and the service is always Great as well! Must gets: - shrimp snack - garlic chili noodles with tofu - tofu brah - crab softie ( summer time) - broccoli read more

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My husband raved about this place. It was an absolute must for him as a day date one day we both randomly had off for lunch. I was slightly shocked when 2 meals were over $50 but it was HUGE portions. I got the shrimp bowl. It was really reall good the shrimp were big. Super flavorful. I didn't love that it was all separated like the pickled veg was all in 1 corner. Made it hard to mix. He got the garlic noodles with pork. I didn't love the pork but honestly pork isn't my favorite protein. But the noodles were amazing. Neither one of us could finish our meals. I'd for sure go again but maybe split a meal. read more

I recently visited Ekiben for my 1st time & the Neighborhood Bird sandwich was delicious.. The bun was soft & fresh. Fresh & hot chicken.. The Tempura Broccoli was amazing.. I wasn't quite sure if I would like it but truly enjoyed the delicious taste.. When I first walked in they were extremely busy, but the young at the register still greeted me.. I dined in & enjoyed my food.. I had to take some to go bcuz they provided so much that I could not eat it all.. There were a few people dinning in not too many.. I would like to give Ekiben a Huge Thank You for the support of us Furloughed Federal Workers.. We Appreciate Your Support.. Thank you for the Amazing food.. I will be back to visit read more

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

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My experience at Ekiben was nothing short of stellar. I stopped by the Hampden location and ordered two dishes: the Peking Ribs Bowl and the Spicy Neighborhood Bird Bowl. Both were packed with bold, layered flavors that highlight the creative mix of Ethiopian and Japanese influences. Every bite felt thoughtful and well-executed. The staff was welcoming and quick on their feet, offering great recommendations and keeping the energy upbeat. The atmosphere has that lively ramen shop feel you'd find in Japan, yet it still feels cozy and neighborhood-friendly. If you can, go during the day. It's busy but not overwhelming, and you really get to enjoy the food without a long wait. Ekiben lives up to the hype and then some. read more

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

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The spicy walnut shrimp and ramen broccoli are fabulous! Loved them more than the Bird. Huge portions. I will be coming back. Parking is fairly easy at the Hampden location because the parking lot is several steps to the front door.. Keep in mind they don't have the softie at this location. read more

I've like this place for years, so I'm not sure why I've never written a review about them. Strangely enough, their entrance is located in a super narrow alley that runs parallel to 36th Street. Once found, there's a few parking spots that can be maneuvered. Aside from that, it's all about the food, yes? The Neighborhood Bird Bowl is crazy delicious. A huge portion of Korean fried chicken , aioli?, rice and pickled vegetables is nothing but the truth. When I'm feeling like a real fat boy, I'm getting the tempura broccoli and/or red beans and rice. I've enjoyed these so much, I haven't had the interest to try something else. I will give an honorable mention to the Tackle Box, a fried catfish entree that's been discontinued. Of all current locations, this Hampden spot is my favorite as the staff is friendly and efficient. Great job guys. read more

The best fried chicken sandwich I've ever had! The chicken is marinated in a Taiwanese curry and perfectly fried. The bao bun has a perfect texture and truly makes this sandwich unique. There were two pieces of chicken in the sandwich, making it very much worth the price. The shrimp was massive and had the best crunch and flavor. Despite the name, it actually does not have walnuts in them. I would definitely come back again, and can't wait to try their soft shell crab at their other locations. read more

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Heard a lot about Ekiben for a good casual place to eat out! I'd definitely recommend ordering ahead because this place gets lots of orders and is very busy. After we ordered, he said it would be about 25 minutes but it took around 18 min for the food to be made! The tofu brah was highly recommended to me by a few friends. Tofu Brah Bun: The tofu is fried and coated in a delicious sauce. It has a good crispness and crunch to it. Super delicious and fresh with its vegetable toppings. It definitely falls apart tho after the first bite so I'd say maybe just eat it with utensils? Spicy Neighborhood Chicken Bun: It's a Taiwanese curry fried chicken thigh that is so big that it makes the bun it's on look so small. It comes super saucy and with some cucumbers. Very delicious. The chicken was juicy. I'd get this again next time. It's not spicy at all, just saucy and flavorful. Ngl idk how to eat these buns because they are so huge, but it worked for us to use a knife and fork. It's located at the back of the building so there's an alleyway where you could park your car and pick up. The pathway is very walkable, and there is a paid parking lot right across. There's several stools inside where you could dine in (less than 10 seats). Lots of flyers and events posted if you're interested. There is not a crazy number of items on the menu, but just enough that there's several good choices to pick from. Lots of sides. The bowl option is about $3 more than the bun choice. Overall, well worth the wait (which you could save yourself by ordering ahead). They have a couple of cute sticker designs to take as a keepsake and reminder to come back again! read more

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Ekiben's food is flavorful, unique and consistently delicious! I can't even count how many times we've eaten here but it's a lot! Haha I love this restaurant so much and hope they continue making amazing food and doin incredible things for the community! read more

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

Ooooh man. If there was space in the chicken sandwich wars, the neighborhood bird would sweep the competition. I hadn't been to the area before so it looked a little sketchy, but the restaurant was bustling and lively. There's not a lot of room to sit down, but we parked not far from the restaurant so we ate in the car. It was a Thursday night when we went, so it wasn't super busy. They texted us when our food was ready 25 minutes later. We ordered the neighborhood bird mild and the tofu nuggets. Both were super delicious! The skin on the chicken was nice and crispy, and it just looked divine. I'll definitely be coming back here for more! read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood Bird Bun and Tofu Nuggets - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Honestly one of the tastiest restaurants in the country. Everything is so so good! The fried chicken bun or rice dish is top notch. Mood and ambience is cool and edgy. Seating area is limited but it works. All the employees are cool and friendly and helpful. All-around great spot. If I visit Baltimore, Ekiben is a must-visit. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Lots to try at Ekiben. Food comes out pretty fast and is always fresh. The location plays music pretty loud and there is limited stools for seating so it's best for takeaway. Staff are friendly. The tempura broccoli, both spicy and regular, is very flavorful and you get a lot. My favorite side is the red lentils, which have Ethiopian spices. What the bird eats is delicious but it is quite spice forward and sometimes I can't eat it all in one setting as the flavors can get overwhelming. I love the tofu brah and the spicy walnut shrimp, which is really not spicy at all. The Cantonese dry rub shrimp is good, I just prefer a saucier dish. read more

Ekiben - Spicy walnut shrimp - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Cannot go wrong with Ekiben. They've currently got an offer for furloughed federal workers. Want to try the crab Rangoon egg roll but they were already sold out by 1 pm on a Friday. Their neighborhood bird is sooo filling and the sauce is boss!! I will say the portions on the rice are a bit more modest than what they used to give. I can typically make 3 meals out of the one order of the neighborhood bowl. I love the broccoli tots as well. Ultimate fast food stop that I always recommend to my friends from out of town. Also happy that they are a minority-owned, local business. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Not enough can be said about how amazinggg this place is!! A must try and a true Baltimore gem. So utterly impressed and blown away by their generosity, care, customer service and super dope food. I came here at almost 10pm at night on a Saturday after multiple people recommended them and I heard about their federal worker free food offering. As a furloughed federal worker I was so touched they would offer this and man is it worth it!! I got the tofu bowl, with a side of spicy walnut shrimp, and a side of tofu nuggets along with their Yuzu Red Apple Drink. Everything was fantastic!! I can't rave about them enough. So crispy, flavorful, great portions and just delicious. Fernando was so sweet and the food was ready super fast. This is one of those places you HAVE to try. My only regret is how long it took for me to try them!! read more

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There's a lot of hype around Ekiben and with good reason. The food is so good. The front door of this location almost looks like a back door or staff entrance. But it is indeed the front door. Not a very huge space but they make good use of it. As soon as you walk in the register is there for you to place your order and behind the cashier you can see the cooks working their magic. There is a seating area with stools that can seat 12 ppl give or take. Looks like most customers do carry out. We told the cashier it was our first time and he made some good recommendations. I ordered the neighborhood bird bun, tempura broccoli, pho spiced cheesesteak eggroll and a yuzu white peach. The tempura broccoli surpassed my expectations. I just kept saying wow after every bite. The house made vinegar needs to be bottled and sold cause it just takes the broccoli to the next level. The pickles on the chicken sandwich need to be packaged and sold. I mean everything was so delicious. I love that they used chicken thighs for the sandwich. Dark meat is so juicy and tender and the curry fried batter took it to the next level. I can't wait to go back and try more menu items. Do yourself a favor and check them out. read more

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Tuesday 3/25/25 I've had this spot on my list and have heard all the praise about this spot from reviews, social media, and friends. Finally, I am trying the popular ekiben. I made an order in person for the spicy neighborhood bird bun $13.91 and the tempura broccoli $9.67. The service was good and the food was ready in less than 5 minutes. - The famous Baltimore chicken sandwich was pretty good and unique. It can get messy, but it's worth it. The sweet & spicy sauce played a key role in tying everything together. - Is it crazy to say that the tempura broccoli was my favorite item? It was crispy with a sweet & slightly tangy flavor that made it great. This was the best broccoli dish I've ever had, and I only want to eat my broccoli like this from now on, so I need that recipe. Now that I understand the hype, I will be coming back. read more

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That bao bun. That sauce. That chicken. God is good! He blessed the cooks hand and the people that work here. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Came here to say for some late night grub! Eminem is lacked in the Hampden area of the city. The entrance we used would be considered an alley in Baltimore terms, but that didn't dissuade us one bit! Three was a metered parking lot right outside the entrance, which was great given the limited parking available on the street as this is a very popular area. Upon entering, we came upon an entryway that was plastered with anime which was an unexpected surprise and created a cool vibe ambience. We chose to get our order for carryout and proceeded to order the item that has been getting a lot of good hype: the chicken sandwich! There was seating available . The staff were pleasant as we placed our order and the wait was justified as our food was cooked to order. They had a public restroom, which is a good thing, for use by its customers. Our sandwich was piping hot on a fresh roll with a delicious coating that accented the chicken just right. The pickled side item was not lost on us either: fresh, crunchy, and a great treat to go with the sandwich. Sorry I didn't get a chance to show the sandwiche, as I was half way through when I thought about it, but trust me, it was good! All in all a great place to grab a late night bite or visit for lunch/dinner. And I won't forget to show my sandwich the next time! read more

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The actual definition of a hole in the wall! Ekiben is hidden away in a rear-facing alley in the trendy Hampden neighborhood. Boy, has this neighborhood gentrified since I lived there during my college days! These days, Hampden is a thriving hipster enclave filled with restaurants, boutiques and walkable blocks. Back in the day, it was more running from crime than ambling through shopping. Ekiben is worth seeking out---their lean, but focused menu is absolutely delicious! I ordered the spicy crispy shrimp: six giant succulent prawns coated in a shatteringly crispy batter, salted and spicy. The accompaniments---a variety of pickled items---were a perfect accoutrement to the shrimp. It took about 15 minutes or so to get my order, but it was clearly cooked to order---piping hot and oh, so tasty! Don't expect fancy digs---it's strictly counter seating facing the walls or takeout, but it's a lively and friendly spot, filled with delicious food. Prices were very fair---expect each entrée to run about $15-20 for a very generous portion. read more

The best chicken sandwich of my life! This funky, little establishment was just a place I stopped into on my way through town and I am glad I chose Ekiben. I went with the Neighborhood Bird Bun and it changed what a chicken sandwich could be for me. First of all, the bun. It's huge, pillowy, and reminds me of a bao bun that helps to contain the amount of food inside it. The chicken is thigh meat, so it's extra flavorful, but what got me, was the curry breading. It was the perfect amount of spices so you knew you were eating curry, but it didn't overpower the rest of the sandwich. The rest of the sandwich being a spicy sambal mayo, house-made pickles, and a generous amount of fresh herbs. If that wasn't enough, the sides are amazing too! The Shrimp Snacks also had a flavorful, spiced breading and were cooked to perfection. The Tempura Broccoli had a wonderful vinegar and was coated in fresh herbs. The portions are large, so come hungry. I can't say enough about how wonderful this place is! read more

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Ekiben is a true Baltimore staple! I first found out about them at artscape. Ever since, I always look forward to their neighborhood bird and the tempura broccoli! So freaking delicious! Also, they make their own Thai iced tea and it's super yummy! I don't know what to classify this facility, they have fried chicken and a really good bread . Either way, I recommend trying them out. You'll get your moneys worth. read more

Food was delicious. Atmosphere was fun. We had food allergies they were able to accommodate. Only con space was very small so we had to take food to go. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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what can you say about Ekiben except its always delicious, never had an off day. That baltimore Bird sandwich is even better in the box with pickled veggies, The newer hampden location is so great because I can finally go up the street for my late night fix for some shrimp. Please let the parking gripes go yall its in an alley (not a sketchy one) and there is parking right on the other side of the alley. read more

So I went to Ekiben after the Yelpies '24. Ironically, we were starving! I had the PHO-SPICED CHEESESTEAK EGGROLL and THE ANCHO CHILE PORK BOWL. Unfortunately, I have zero photos. The egg rolls were pretty tasty but simple. The pork bowl though?! Delicious! So many different layers of flavor. The restaurant was super quaint, but efficient. The staff were as quick and helpful. My only regret is living 30 minutes away! I definitely will be going again. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

A staple in Baltimore!! Ekiben is a must try if you're coming to visit Baltimore. I usually like to get the spicy neighborhood bird bowl and not the bun version as it's a little less messy. The chicken is so juicy with a delicious sambal mayo over it. I love the addition of pickled vegetables in the bowl as it adds a nice crunch and depth of flavor to the dish. One of my favorite sides is the tempura broccoli. It's crispy while feeling fresh and light at the same time. The addition of vinegar adds a sort of freshness to the side making it addicting to eat. There is limited seating inside if you choose to eat inside. Service was quick too. You can order in person or online. I ordered in person and my food came out relatively quickly. read more

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

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The food was amazing! I was at a total loss on what to order but the man at the front counter was very knowledgeable about the menu. He helped us to pick out our food and it was delicious. My son loved the neighborhood bird bao bun, I got the same but in a platter which was just a few dollars more and came with two large pieces of the chicken, rice, pickled onions and carrots!! We also got the Ramen Broccoli, it was amazing!! We will definitely be back Ekiben! read more

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When I tell you NOTHING! NOTHING!!!!!!!! can cure me faster than some Ekiben....... Depression--cured! Hangover--cured! Bad day--cured!!!!! The flavors. The culinary masterpieces. The vibes. The marketing. The community service. The taste. If Ekiben has no #1 fan, I'm dead. The neighborhood bird bun is a legend. The garlic chili oil noodles which I became hip to last year are 100/10. The crab rangoon egg roll which debuted last month and I finally got my hands on this weekend???? Sweet baby Jesus--heaven on earth. I love you Ekiben please don't ever change. read more

awful. uncooked chicken. ridiculous. i need a refund. i would much rather give this 0 stars.

The food is amazing. Very flavorful. The chicken nice and juicy. The shrimp are really finger licking good. It's a nice carry out spot. Ordered online when in to pick up. Staff are friendly and very informative. I love when I can get my questions answered. read more

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Yummy! It's been a while since I had Ekiben and I was excited to see the garlic oil noodles in the menu! As a fellow noodler, I had to try them! They were really good! Nice portion. I do wish they would expand the protein options. My only choices were beef and tofu. Grabbed a steamed bun on the side because duhhhh, it's not Ekiben without the bun! Very delish! The lychee black tea was also exceptional! Service was super fast with online ordering via Toast and the staff were super friendly upon arrival. Blasting their usual jamming playlist! Thanks for a yummy meal after such a hectic day! read more

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We had dinner at Ekiben and it was the best decision on this day because not only we got to experience the Taiwanese fushion food but saved by the strong wind that was similar to tornado. As for the food, it is made to order so there will be some of wait. But it will be made fresh. I got their neighborhood chicken in a bun. I recommend getting it with rice instead only because it was hard to bite. As for the taste, it was good with lots of flavors. I did order mild but it still had some kick to it. The sitting area is small so you may have eat else where. We saw lots of take outs. Good service. read more