Great Food. Never disappointed! Place is very busy, may need to order ahead so you don't have to wait a long time.

Where do I begin!! I couldn't find the place at first because the entrance is in the back alley but I am so glad I found it! It was a great experience from beginning to end! The staff was so friendly and helpful and even gave me great suggestions! I had the tempura broccoli and the borrego and it was delicious! The food was hot and fresh and so flavorful! I'm talking about seasoned to perfection and literally every single bite of food was enjoyable. Is it bad I want to go back and eat it again today lol! Meet me there or beat me there because I'll definitely be back! read more

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I ordered food from Ekiben Hampden for the first time recently for late lunch. Ekiben is only accepting orders online and are only available for takeout. Ekiben in Hampden is located behind the building but it was not difficult to find. I ordered from the website and waited for several minutes outside the store. While waiting, one of the staff members gave me a cup of iced water because it was really hot that day - a gesture I really appreciated. I tried the Tempura Broccoli and Crispy Shrimp Tackle Box. Let me just say that the serving sizes were quite generous! I was blown away by the Tempura Broccoli - the dish has the right amount of crispyness to it, and it is quite flavorful too! The Crispy Shrimp Tackle Box is a burst of flavors - spicy, salty, and sour in one big box. I'm seriously impressed with this dish and I can't wait to order this again. Overall, I really had an amazing experience with Ekiben and would love to try the rest of their menu soon! read more

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We can't speak to the ambiance as we always do carry out We ordered this evening at the last moment and they accommodated us and then some. We got a bit of everything! Our favorite choices were the bird bowl and the egg roll and the tempura broccoli!!! I love that they put slaw on top of the egg roll. I'll def be back again! read more

Neighborhood bird is the best!! Oh let's not forget the spicy shrimp snacks delicious

Great place and amazing food. The chicken sandwich was fantastic and the Ramen Broccoli was outstanding!!

Parking is... difficult at best and a nightmare at worst. Just make sure to park on the side streets that border Ekiben's alley where it's located. Yes, it's located in an alley. I'm assuming that this is a second location for the well-known little fried chicken sandwich hut. As if it weren't, I don't know who would ever find it, or if they would get any walking traffic. It's hidden as all get up. But yeah, I tried to park right next to the business to run in and grab my order. I was pushed out of my spot by a pizza delivery driver (who was VERY kind about it btw), and unfortunately the order wasn't ready when I got there, so I spent about 10-15 minutes circling the parking lot trying to get out of people's way. To the chicken sandwich. Super delicious well fried chicken that is done in some sort of curried batter. You can see when you bite in that the batter is golden in color. I ordered my fried chicken with the sambal sauce on the side (as I didn't know how spicy it was), and they forgot my sambal sauce. This was a super sad face moment. BUT, I will say that they still get 4 stars from me cause I feel like it didn't even need the sauce really. I thought the chicken sandwich was super flavorful and good without it. I wish I could have tasted it though. The tempura broccoli we ordered was on point. Would 100 percent order that again. The thing I was most disappointed in was the wood ear mushrooms. The flavor tasted unbalanced and... not good. So much to the point that I decided to toss them. Not to my taste at all. Overall, I would definitely visit Ekiben again. Next time I hope they have their cucumber salad in stock. read more

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Definition of a hole in the wall you gotta try. Food is absolutely fantastic and service was friendly.

Great dinner! I've been wanting to try this place out since reading about them during the pandemic and this past Saturday we were finally able to do so. I got the Neighborhood Bird on a Bun and the broccoli tempura. My husband got the catfish and shrimp bites. Everything was delicious. The ordering process was easy and the food was ready when promised. Couldn't have been better, and we will definitely come again! read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood Bird on a Bun, broccoli tempura and shrimp bites. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

You have to know where it is. The place is right behind the center of Hamden, without great signage. Limited menu, they do the bun and Cole slaw well. Pulled pork was ok, thick and had to be pulled apart to eat comfortably. The sandwich had a bite of heat which was done well. Thai ice tea was sweat and had a great mix of flavors. Will be back to try the bird sandwich. Different from Sonny Lee's, Jumbo Seafood and David Chiu's. This is good food with a unique personality. read more

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When it comes to dope Asian fusion, you can't beat Ekiben. I first tried Ekiben from a food truck a few years back at a festival and it was awesome. As someone who lives on the West side of the city, their Fells Point location always seemed inconvenient. Enter the new Hampden location! It's all good. A bowl will fill you up a bit more with the rice and other accouterments, but for a bit cheaper you can still get a solid meal with the buns. One thing that always impressed me with the tofu and the chicken is how amazingly CRISPY they get it without any hint of sogginess or being overdone. Perfect. I daresay that the Tofu Brah is my favorite with its crispy tofu nuggets with peanut sauce and a nice slaw to contrast.The chicken from the Neighborhood Bird is good; the batter tastes like a curry mix was used - not bad, but not my favorite. Definitely has a slight kick, even the mild flavor. If you're in the mood for something not so crispy and more cooked to perfect tenderness, the Pork and Borrega lamb buns are both killer. Each is mild, but full of flavor, and have a nice slaw to provide some crunch against the pillowy steamed bun and tender meat. Sides - Tempura Broccoli is the clear winner. Crispy with a surprisingly very light amount of batter, they go great in their vinegary dressing. The woodear mushrooms have a fantastic dressing. The Chinese sausage isn't anything spectacular to write home about, but it's good.Not bad for $3. In times of COVID, you can't even get in the store, but there is a parking lot off the alley and you can pick up any order from the door. Prices are reasonable and staff are friendly. Next time you're in Hampden, try out Ekiben! read more

This review is a part of my Baltimore fried chicken sandwich championship (round 1 Ekiben vs Bambao). Ekiben's baos are the perfect fluffy chewy bao to support their delectable fillings. The Taiwanese curry seasoning is everything you could ask for and the spicy sauce complements it nicely. I don't love the pickles but I'm very picky about pickles. The baos hold up well in transit from Ekiben to your house. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Ekiben's tofu is the gateway tofu and everyone should try it. read more

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Cool spot in middle of Baltimore. The flavors are amazing, the portions are huge. We got the 1. Neighborhood Bun Bird (5/5), perfect crispiness and the bun was so soft. You can just eat the bun. 2. The tackle bowl (5/5), the fish is battered and fried to perfection. It's soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. 3. Crispy Shrimp Bowl (4.5/5). 4. Tempura Broccoli (5/5) with Chinese pork sausages which were sweet and gave plenty of flavor to the dish. Overall an amazing place if you are craving for some fried Asian fusion food. The neighborhood has a lot to offer. Parking might be a bit difficult but lots of street parking read more

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ever since i saw ekiben on the yelp top 100 list for 2024, i've been planning a visit. every time you ask anyone in a 1 mile radius for restaurant recommendations, they will undoubtedly say ekiben. i was finally able to pay a visit recently. i went in with a group of about 6 people, and we were all helped promptly. i ordered the spicy neighborhood bird sandwich, which had a really nice level of spice. the chicken was so well seasoned, and although i don't usually like mayo-based sauces, the sauce for the sandwich shouldn't be skipped. the pickles were very good too. i tried my friend's tofu bowl (i am a biggg tofu lover) and the texture was perfect and the peanut sauce was delicious! next time i come it will be a hard decision between the two. our food came out very fast, which i was surprised about since there were so many of us. to conclude, ekiben definitely deserves the hype it's been given and is as good as everyone says it is. i will readily walk half an hour to get this if the option is there. read more

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

This is a literal hidden gem because this delicious meal was found in an unassuming alleyway. The food was such a unique fusion that was packed with bright, fresh flavor. We got the spicy pork bun and the neighborhood bird bowl. The portion sizes were a lot bigger than I anticipated, especially the neighborhood bird was huge and could easily be shared. The bun for the pork couldn't fit all the filling so the bun was served on the side. The pork was very tender but I thought the chicken could've been cooked a little longer. While I enjoyed how they decorated the space, it was difficult to enjoy sitting there because the music was too loud. I found it too disruptive because I had a difficult time hearing the cashier and the person I was eating with. Overall, I'd recommend trying the food but getting it to go. read more

Ekiben - Spicy pork bun - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Food: The food here is AMAZING. I've tried several of their dishes, and I've loved all of them. They also have Thai iced tea and yuzu lemonade to drink. Service: The cashier was super friendly, and they brought the food to us. It took a little while, but they were busy, and it was worth the wait. Atmosphere: It's a bit loud, and there aren't a lot of seats. But it's pretty nice otherwise. It gets busy, so it's a good idea to get up as soon as you finish eating so new customers can have a place to sit. read more

My best friend, who lives in Baltimore, always hypes up Ekiben to me so when I visited her, I knew I had to try it out to see what was making her act up. I came in with high standard and Ekiben did not disappoint. This is such a small shop, very much hole-in-the-wall, hidden-gem type of vibe. However, don't be fooled from it's humble exterior. This is the best thing that I've eaten in a while. We ordered our food online and it was ready so fast (the service is impeccable!) I got the Neighborhood Bird bun and oh my goodness, my mouth is watering just thinking about it again. The bun was perfectly soft, light, and fluffy - a perfect balance to the savory and flavorful chicken. The chicken was so juicy and cooked extremely well. I would definitely recommend this to everyone! If you are ever in Baltimore, Ekiben is a MUST visit. You won't regret it! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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It seems that it was an off day at Ekiben. Don't get me wrong, overall, the food was fine, but it was lacking in comparison to the past. The fried chicken portions were small, which I can live with but more important the fermented vegetables were stale, which screwed up the Neighborhood Bird for me. read more

I recently discovered Ekiben and am obsessed! Everything I've tried here has been so good, but my favorites are the tempura broccoli, tofu nuggets, and the chicken meatballs rice bowl (although this isn't available at every location unfortunately). The price point is definitely steep, but the food is so flavorful, fresh, and unique. You can't go wrong with any of their sandwiches! It is pretty small inside but there are still a few tables where you can sit after you order at the counter. read more

Amazing Asian fusion buns and rice dishes! The Tofu dish is my favorite because it's so crispy and the sauce is addicting. The staff are all amazing and cool people and its great seeing the process of them cooking everything while you wait. The music is a little too loud feeling like a club but overall a staple in Baltimore with multiple locations. read more

[Coronavirus review] This expansion for Ekiben is in a really weird location in an alley *behind* the address to which your GPS will likely take you (whoever works at the restaurant on the main street knew what we were haplessly looking for). It's a tiny little takeout (even when the pandemic is over, there's nowhere to sit inside anyway), and people were lining up in the alley and going in one or two at a time somewhat haphazardly to see if their order was ready. Mine was a couple of minutes past the hour wait they gave on a Friday night. Things aren't ideal, but at least this place is open (and the people inside were gloved and masked). The menu being small, I had one option for a main dish; the tofu is vegan and so are the side dishes. The menu being the same as the original location, I knew it was going to be good. To be honest, I think the bowl form may have been even more delicious than the bun. It's sweet and savory and despite not being the least bit spicy-hot, the fresh herbs really bring it to life. It's fantastic tofu, and there was a good amount of it. It was worth the hour wait. read more

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For the second time now the tofu bowl was dry and didn't have enough sauce. I added a comment to my online order asking for "lots of sauce please" and it was ignored for several bowls. Annoying and obnoxious. This is probably because they want me to pay 75 cents for a little plastic container of side sauce. NO. I don't want extra sauce. I want ENOUGH sauce. I wrote to them about this nicely and they ignored my, so I'm going on this Yelp crusade read more

First... can someone warn the public that the only way to access the Hampden store is from the alley? Walked around for a bit. Second... the bird bun was great... loved it. The tofu nuggets... gross. So much heavy sauce DROWNED the tofu. Overrated. read more

I enjoy visiting Ekiben on Saturday's when in Baltimore and love the variety of vegetarian food. Notable is the lightly battered broccoli tempura covered with herbs and greens. It's served with a clear sweet dip on the side but I prefer mine with the spicy Mayo (not very spicy nor does it taste like Mayo...trust me it's delicious), and the peanut sauce for those without allergies. The tempura tofu is also excellent and comes topped with herbs and the peanut sauce. The portions are quite large so hopefully you have someone to share it with. My last fav are the lentils, served over white rice...spicy, flavorful and DELICIOUS! My family really like the lamb dish, and rate the chicken sandwiches (both the regular and spicy) as good in flavor with a crispy exterior but note if you're texture sensitive you might find the interior off putting. It can be pink in appearance bc of the seasoning which also changes the texture. Their review of the cheese steak roll was mixed, some saying it's really good while others saying it's just okay. For drinks we all love their freshly made Thai tea. It's what a Thai tea should be without the ridiculous sweetness that often overwhelms the drink. The level of sweetness is PERFECT! All that said, you really need to try this place for yourself. I think you'll really enjoy the food and the excellent customer service. The restaurant has limited seating but it's kept spotless! A major plus in my book! read more

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I have eaten bao buns many times (obviously) and they, without variation, come as a folded elliptical-shaped piece of dough with a pork belly slice in the middle. This is the first time I have seen the bao bun dough reimagined as a large sandwich with two quite large slices of the bread sandwiching a much larger filling. I got the neighborhood bird. The chicken was delicious, well cooked. My only complaint is the din and tumult of the restaurant. It is fairly loud in there due to the open-kitchen layout and the music playing overhead, plus due to being a fairly small establishment. I appreciate that they have a bathroom for customer use despite the small space. The DIY water station is nice but the cups should be larger, right now they are too small for take-out customers. read more

Parking is abysmal, as with most places in Baltimore you'll need to find street parking. This Ekiben location is located in a literal alley. Storefront was small but they had some seating in the back although it wasn't very well air conditioned and quite hot. I had Ekiben many years ago and this was my first time trying it after they became a big name. The prices are absolutely on the higher point than I expected. I got the beef bowl (about $20.50) which was quite good but the taste got tiring pretty fast. I also ordered the tempura broccoli with Chinese sausage ($11.99) which lives up to its' fame as fantastic appetizer/side! They have a free water cooler but also drinks at the front that you can purchase ranging from a yuzu drink, Thai tea, and lychee black tea. I got the lychee black tea (5.25) and it isn't too sweet! Service was also great. Overall I think this place is a good dining spot but based on prices, will definitely be a rare treat for me. read more

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

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The location is super hidden! It's in a back alleyway with a paid parking lot right across from it. I got to go on a weekday so it was not bad at all, but weekend for sure are a different story so be prepared! There is almost like no seating inside. The music is also wayyy too loud and I don't think I could've handled it if I chose to sit inside and eat there. It was basically as loud as a beach day club inside... but the staff is nice!! The food was honestly better than I expected! Everything is packed with so much flavor! The broccoli was honestly the star of the show. It had a nice tempura batter and sweet vinegar dressing that cut the heaviness of it being fried. The herbs and onion on top also kept the dish super light and refreshing. The fried chicken bao was massive! Like holy cow pictures does not do the size justice. The batter was super crispy still (even tho I got it togo). The sauce was perfect with the chicken. It was sweet and spicy and complimented the slightly salty chicken well. The cheesesteak eggroll was just ok to me. Nothing special by any means and pretty pricey for a singular eggroll... Overall, I'd definitely order again! If you're not super big into sweet profiles, I would avoid. Although I personally loved it, it seems that their flavor profiles leaned more on the sweet side. To the sauces and seasoning everything had a sweet kick to it. read more

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Unbelievable small but delish menu of bao bun sandwiches. Routinely rated among the best food in Baltimore. This location is hard to find as it's a little door in the ally behind the Mainstreet. Super friendly folks. Get the broccoli...omg it's like healthy candy with the sweet vinegar sauce they add. The Local Bird all the way!!!! read more

When Tiger Style closed, I was bummed. But then Ekiben opened and I told myself I'd wait for the right moment to sit down and eat. I'd pass by and say, "One day. Soon." Then tRump's corona came along and--pow!--can't sit down like a human being anymore. But I notice young people are squatting and hunched around. What is going on? I ask myself warily, slinking by to get home. One day I engage and ask one of the young people, "So, how is the food?" Lots of head nodding and smiles. Soon after I call in an order--and the rest is hystery. I got The Original, Thai meatballs, etc. (see the menu for the etc.) and it was soo damn good when the sauce saturated the rice. But, look, they included some hot sauce for ball 8-0 dipping, PLUS slaw AND pickled cucumber. I had at least three meals from this, as the chickie meatballs were so big! I still have some of the cucumber, for heavens sake! So, are you still reading this? Why? Get online, get on iPhone or Android and order some food already! I can't do everything for you! Do you expect these places to stay open, if you don't? Support local! read more

The food is absolutely amazing! Some of the best food in Baltimore so delicious so flavorful so creative. I like the vibe of loud music and I never regret getting this food. Nice people too! read more

This place is delicious, they have 3 locations in the baltimore area and this was my first time going here. This location is hidden away in an alley but the food is a spotlight. As a vegetarian there was only a few options but the entire menu is small so it makes sense. The Tofu Brah bowl is delicious and a large portion. The tofu is so crispy and the fresh pickled vegetables are the perfect contrast. The seating area is very small but it's great for a quick lunch. The yuzuade was amazing a floral lemonade I think most people would enjoy. The service was quick for fresh food however it is a bit loud due to the music. Highly recommend but not allergen friendly. read more

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If ever deciding whether or not to go here. Just go! I got the Neighborhood Chicken sandwich and it might just be the best chicken sandwich I've ever had. The service was kind and quick came out within 10 minutes and didn't disappoint at all. It's smaller on the inside but they offer to go ordering. read more

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

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Ekiben is one of my favorite restaurants not just in Baltimore, but the entire country. This place is that good. This location can be a bit difficult to find, however, the delicious aromas await as you enter the restaurant. There is no bad option on the menu. Everything from the neighborhood bird to the broccoli is amazing. You will be hard pressed to find any place as good as Ekiben. I cannot say enough good things. read more

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

Simply put, it's in the top 10 of best foods I've ever eaten. A friend got me hip to Ekiben over the summer of 2021. She took me to this location. I thought the location itself was pretty awesome; it's in a literal alley. There's no room inside to sit or really even stand. The employees are hard-working and jammin' to the hits all the time. They are very quick and friendly, too. I had the Neighborhood Bird. It was as advertised. The chicken itself is crispy, but moist and juicy. The size of the chicken is enormous. The flavor profile of the sandwich overall warrants the $13 price tag. It's a Taiwanese-fried chicken thigh with sambal mayo and cilantro. It literally tastes like a piece of Heaven. Amazing. read more

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

Food is crazy delicious! It tastes so fresh. The staff is extremely friendly. I usually grab it to go but you can sit inside and listen to great music. You can find the location in the alley next to Avenue Kitchen. Don't forget to grab a lemonade to go. read more

Ekiben - Front of restaurant. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

~ You ever just want the best of something... Never have to worry "if your dish is gonna turn out right like last time ?"..... It feels as tho " The Neighbor Bird Bun" is the best sandwich out. It's just the truth !!! The bun .. the fried curry chicken .. the sauce !!!! Can't beat it. I'll give these people all my shumoney if needed. The best part about it is ... It tastes just the same even if you have to put it in the microwave. Clutch !! I brought two for now & two for later. Two spicy & two milds. Spend 50-55 bucks I think. Always pleased when leaving here. Even happier after eating from here. Hope you enjoy . #TeamDiesel read more

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Had take out, it was delicious. Garlic oil noodles with crunchy tofu and a crispy salad. It was way beyond my expectations. Like Jim Cramer says...Buy Buy Buy! read more

Ekiben is quite interesting and definitely worth a visit if you're into getting something adventuresome and new. Fried chicken on an oversized Taiwanese Bao (bun) is a creative combination that works surprisingly well even if it may upset some purists. However it makes sense when you look at the Bao as just a fancy substitution for a burger bun. Even though I got the non-spicy Neighborhood Bird the sambal mayo is quite hot so I'd highly recommend getting that on the side. I wound up not using it at all so be forewarned - the spicy version is likely quite a bit hotter. The buns are quite substantial and more than enough for a whole meal even though they are less food than the bowls. I would recommend a bowl if you want to have leftovers to reheat the next day and that is likely going to be my plan the next time I stop here. This location is take-out only and the entrance is in a back alley just off the main avenue in Hampden. Highly recommend ordering online ahead of time to avoid standing around as it is quite busy and rightfully so. This place is definitely on my list of places to go back to and I highly recommend it! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Super casual spot but the food never disappoints. I've been multiple times now. Consistent and always cooked to order. Never thought I would say this but the broccoli is the most incredible veggie I've ever had read more

I'm a big fan of Ekiben. I've always gone to their Fells location but I decided to go visit their Hamden location for the special of the day. I went there to pick up a spicy shrimp snack and a braised duck bun. Both were very delicious! The pick up was very easy, I ordered online and the food was ready when I arrived. This location is actually located in the back of the building and it has plenty of free parking. The staff is always nice and the food excellent! I'll certainly be back for more soon. read more

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

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