The dislike of this business all boils down to tastebuds...I placed my order online picked it up had a tiny wait not a problem my food looked delicious and was a great amount the counter guy was nice talked to me while I waited I just didn't like my food. The crab Rangoon egg roll looked like the picture except mine was just cream cheese and my chicken sandwich was really huge and the bun was like a cloud my tastebuds just didn't let me enjoy it. This is a popular establishment with great reviews just not for me.Sorry read more

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Easily a 5/5 place. Just moved to Baltimore and I sought this place out for my first place to eat off a recommendation. I came in to pick up to try the fried Taiwanese chicken bowl and bun, as well as an order of tempura broccoli. The chicken dishes were delicious- great flavor and crunch for the chicken. The bun was super soft and the pickles in both were a great balance. The tempura broccoli was light, crispy and super flavorful- not oily like other tempura broccolis I've had. While I was waiting, they offered a bottle of water to drink, which was amazing since it was during the heatwave summer in the middle of the day. They were super friendly and the restaurant itself is very much my aesthetic. While a little bit hard to find, this should stop you from coming here. Will be coming back 100% to try the other things in the menu! read more

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Tried Ekiben again and loved of course! The pho-spiced cheesesteak egg roll was amazing--my first time trying it--and the spicy neighborhood bird bowl is always a HIT. Also gave the lychee black tea a shot; it was okay, with both flavors standing out distinctly. Great spot overall! read more

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Ekiben was such a unique restraunt! I got the neighboorhood bird on a bun. The birds in my neighborhood are mostly pigeons and the occasional crow. All they do is poop and sqwuak and poop and sqwauk so this neighboorhood bird was quite the difference. read more

Food always hits the spot, I lived near the one in federal hill and this was my first time at the Hamden location- the entrance is behind the building so you're closer if you're parked on the side. I am a sucker for the neighborhood bird- bun or bowl. The chicken is always crispy and the pickled veggies are the perfect combination. The resturant is always very clean and has really good music. They do play it a little loud but it fits the vibe. read more

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

Tucked in an alleyway, but quick, Asian-fusion bun and bowls! + Beef Bowl ($20.5): fall-apart beef with loads of toppings, pickled veggies over a bed of rice (8/10) + The Neighborhood Bird Bun ($13.25): massive, tender fried chicken in a soft man tao bun loaded with cilantro and spicy sauce (8.3/10) + Tofu Brah Bun ($13.25): sweet, fried tofu with pickled daikon and radish, basil, cilantro in a spicy peanut sauce (8.2/10) read more

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I lived in Baltimore a few years ago and recently visited for a work trip. I had to stop by Ekiben because it was one of my favorite food spots when I lived in the city. The Hampden location is a newer addition but, it is still just as good as the original location on Eastern and S Broadway. The Hampden location has more room for seating which is a huge plus. I always order the tofu nugs and tempura broccoli - it was just how I remembered! Both items are full of flavor because of the fresh cilantro, basil, and red onion that are used to top them off. I highly recommend trying both items. Also, they are filling so you can share if you are feeling generous ;) read more

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

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Ekiben has a outstanding assortment of fresh, tasty food! The merchandise are constantly of the best caliber, and the bento containers are exactly proportioned. Every chunk is an journey because of the strong and special flavors. The employees is courteous and the ecosystem is relaxed. I heartily advise it to anyone in need of a filling and delectable dinner! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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You haven't been to Baltimore if you haven't tried Ekiben. A pretty minimal menu of great options. So much flavor, and the tempura broccoli is unmatched. Service is always fast at the Hampden one, and they always seem excited when you walk in. And I feel like they're always vibing to some good music. Like I want their Spotify. They also do a good job of following any speciality instructions for the order, like if you didn't want rice and wanted it sub it for extra veggies. read more

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Come for: flavor-packed fusion Ekiben has become one of my favorite go-to's for takeout over the last year or so. And honestly it's on of my favorite casual restaurants in Baltimore. Overall, it's definitely a 10. This time I placed a pickup order for the Spicy Neighborhood Bird bowl with sauce on the side but was disappointed to find the sauce missing once I arrived home. After over a dozen takeout orders, this was the first time I've had an issue. Thankfully, the chicken, fresh herbs and pickles were flavorful enough that the dish still worked--even if it was a bit dry. Bowl portions are large enough for ~2 servings. Back to what I love about this place--the Red Beans and Rice are pure magic. I literally can't order from Ekiben without having a side of these rich, spicy lentils and rice. Though I didn't order them this time, my other favorite dishes are the two shrimp bowls--Spicy Walnut Shrimp and Crispy Shrimp. read more

Ekiben - Red Beans and Rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Tried some new items from Ekiben today. The garlic chili noodles with beef, the new Ramen broccoli, and the mochi ice cream sandwich all were really good. I especially liked the pickles in the garlic noodles because they added a sweet and tart accent to the garlic and chili. The new Ramen broccoli is good, and the aïoli that it comes with is really delicious, but I still like the original broccoli tempura the most. The ice cream sandwich was really a delicious treat, I highly recommend you try it! read more

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Best chicken sandwich I've ever had. Amazing spices on the chicken and delicious sauce. The broccoli is always crispy and has a delicious sauce on it. People are friendly and the yurbamate is unique and delicious! Will always go back. read more

Ekiben - Single Piece Neighborhood Bird Chicken Tempura Broccoli - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I saw so many good reviews so I had to stop by while I was in the area. My partner and I came around 12:30 on a Saturday and it took about 15 minutes for our food to be ready. If you're planning on dining in I would recommend coming a bit earlier to beat the lunch rush, we had to wait a bit before we could find a spot to sit. We got the neighborhood bird bun and pork bao bun sandwich and both were so good! I got the spicy yardbird and they do not hold back on the spice, I was at my limit lol because of that the pork was more enjoyable eating experience I would ask for mild next time. However, I think the neighborhood bird is more worth it price wise, the size of it was the equivalent of 2 of the pork sandwiches. The bun is cut where the top bun is almost quadruple the height on the bottom bun, this makes it difficult and messy to eat. I would return, I'm curious about the bowl and appetizers. read more

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

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I loveee Ekiben! The staff is so friendly, and their buns, bowls, and sides are so uniquely flavored and delicious! I hope they expand to more parts of Maryland but they are currently only in Baltimore. Their buns are thickkk and filled with a huge amount of protein, regardless of what you order. I've had the tofu and neighborhood bird buns before, so I wanted to try something new. The cashier was so sweet and brought me two samples of their pork and chicken when I asked what he recommends. I went with the pork bun and liked the BBQ flavor mixed with all the other tangy, sweet flavors mixed in. The buns are big, but if you're eating with a group, I recommend trying their tofu nuggets and tempura broccoli too! read more

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Incredible food, amazing people, and a vibe you can't beat! Ekiben is easily one of my favorite spots -- every bite is packed with bold, unforgettable flavor. The steamed buns are next-level (the Neighborhood Bird is a must!), and the rice bowls are always fresh and satisfying. On top of the delicious food, the team is friendly, upbeat, and clearly cares about the community. Service is quick, even when they're busy, and they never miss a beat. Whether you're grabbing takeout, eating curbside, or bringing friends from out of town, Ekiben always delivers. If you haven't tried it yet, do yourself a favor -- you won't regret it! read more

Super generous sized buns! Chicken is juicy and flavorful and I love the herbs on top which added extra freshness. The bowls are also huge! Staff are friendly as well. Location: the Hamden location is hidden in the back of an alley. We had to enter the numbered building, walk down through the restaurant, and then down a ramp which leads you back outside to the restaurant. read more

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

with numerous locations in Baltimore, @ekibenbaltimore is a must-try every time I go I get the TOFU BRAH BOWL filled with tofu, spicy peanut sauce, seasonal slaw, fresh herbs, roasted aromatics The portion sizes are GENEROUS -- a bowl typically lasts me two full meals read more

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I LOVE ekiben. They never fail me. The staff is always super nice and while it is usually very crowded for a small space, it is very clean and nicely decorated. the food is always so yummy. I usually get the garlic chili noodles with tofu and broccoli tempura. The price is a bit hefty, but the food is incredibly delicious and i'm happy supporting a business that gives back to their community and has good morals. read more

Ekiben - garlic chili noodles with tofu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Delicious Asian inspired flavors and service with a smile at Sobo and Hampden locations! read more

Ekiben - Spicy Shrimp - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Freshly made, super-flavorful food served with a smile? Sign me up! Two of us popped in for a quick lunch on Friday, splitting the Neighborhood Bird bowl. The fried chicken portion was beyond generous -- perfect to share with a friend. The chicken was well prepared, the pickled veg was tasty, and the rice was just how I like it. I found the sauce to be a tad too sweet and heavy handed, but still enjoyed my meal. I spied another diner's tofu bites, which looked delicious. I'll definitely return to try other options on their menu next time I'm in town. read more

This location is not really a dine-in restaurant. The dining room is cool and eclectic with music thumping but there's not a lot of room to sit. You must order at the counter. There are bottled drinks and teas in a refrigerator (no fountain drinks). All that being said, the food is amazing!!! The curried fried shrimp are HUGE and delicious. The fried broccoli is crunchy and flavorful. The pork bowl is my go-to and the portions are huge! But the best thing is the cilantro-onion-garlic seasoned topper ... i would eat it on anything! I place a to-go order every time I'm in the neighborhood! *Apologies I didn't take more pics. Will add some next time I go. read more

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

Back at Ekiben on Friday night. Two Neighborhood Bird Bowls, Tempura Brocolli w/ Chinese sausage, and two steamed buns equals 5 meals for two adults. So good! I am a huge broccoli hater but I could eat that Tempura Broccoli (w/ the sausage) forever and ever, amen, it is transcendent and heavenly. Thank you, Ekiben in Hampden, for the best and most addictive food ever. read more

The food is amazingly favor full. I highly recommend you try them. The last time I was in Baltimore I had their food 3 days in a row. Is a hip that a place that you can easily miss in Hamden. Quick fast service as well. read more

Ekiben's bird box and fried tofu are both other worldly. Could not recommend them enough. Whenever I am in Baltimore I make a point of visiting this spot. read more

Food is excellent. If they have the ribs, get them. Staff always greets with a smile and are very nice. If you are eating in, however, keep expectations low. Bar seating only, and music is blasting such that it can be hard to have a conversation. Best for take out. read more

How did it take me so long to realize that one of my favorite Baltimore spots has a TON of gluten free options? I was in desperate need of some comfort food around 9pm on a Friday. A lot of places stop serving food around this time but Ekiben was luckily open until 11pm. I ordered takeout online and it was ready in about 20 minutes. I got the spicy walnut shrimp (which actually contain no walnuts) and the tempura broccoli. BOTH of these dishes are gluten free! I tried calling to double check that this was the case - it almost seemed too good to be true. However, it was impossible to get through the automated menu since the only option was to press 1 and everytime I did, it said it was an invalid key. Lol, okay then. That said, when I picked up the order, a very nice staff member assured me that yes, the shrimp and broccoli are gluten free. The only things NOT gluten free are the tofu (the sauce has soy sauce), the cheesesteak eggrolls, and the bao buns. Good deal! You can find this info if you scroll through their website's menu but if you're only looking at the menu via the online ordering system, it doesn't say "gluten free". It would be great to see this more widely advertised - most of my gluten free friends just don't go to Ekiben since they don't know what options are available. Everything was delish and exactly what I wanted. SO happy I still get to enjoy one of my favorite spots! read more

First and foremost, the food is absolutely five stars. I've been meaning to try Ekiben for a while, I'm so glad I finally have. But, I also know it's dangerous because now I'll just want to try everything on the menu... multiple times. My partner got the spicy neighborhood bird bowl, I ordered the mild neighborhood bird bun, and we split the tempura broccoli. The curry-fried chicken is insanely flavorful, the sauces that come on both dishes enhance the flavor, and the garnishes are *chef's kiss*. When it comes down to the two entrees, the bun being $13.25 and the bowl being $17.25, I would say the prices are a bit steep but that the bowl definitely comes with more to encourage that price point. The bowl comes with pickled onion, pickles and a slaw, all served over rice, with two pieces of chicken. We ended up not finishing our tempura broccoli/all of the bowl and decided next time it might be fine to just split a bowl and a side or two. Service was great, no complaints there! Moving on to the reason it's not quite five stars, I do think the overall ambience of the restaurant is fine, but it would be nice if they had a better seating area. I'm unsure of what it's like at the other locations, but here the music is pretty loud and there's just some like high top, counter-style seating. It was fine but it would've been nice to have better seating options. It seems like a primarily takeout joint. Last, the only really "disappointing" thing here is the lack of drink options. There was a cooler with two (sorry, overpriced) bottled beverage choices, or water in tiny water cups from an igloo cooler. They could definitely benefit from even just getting bottled sodas or something to add to the cooler. read more

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When we walked in the door we were greeted with a smile! We told them we hadn't been there before and were given a sample of the beef and the ancho chili pork- both were AMAZING so flavorful and SO tender! The beef had some spice to it- he also let us try the yuzuade which is was fresh and not too sweet We ended up ordering the tempura broccoli which was delicious and fried to perfection! The cheesesteak egg roll which was also cooked perfectly and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! The beef bowl which was a large portion and delicious. The neighborhood bird bun which I think was a chicken thigh? Fried really well and huge! My favorite was the red beans and rice which was so savory and just enough salt and spice The one thing i wish i knew was how sweet the sauce they used on the chicken bun and the egg roll- it's orange? It over powered the other flavors for me- The sauce on the broccoli was also too sweet for my taste buds I gave it 5 stars cause this is a personal taste and everything was amazing and the staff was super kind. There was music playing inside and everyone was friendly it was well lit and there were some stools and a small dining area there was a comic book? Or anime theme inside and it was cool to look at! When I go back I'll be getting the pork and the beans for sure :) read more

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A long line was expected on a Saturday night in Hampden for Ekiben. The food was very spicy and flavorful, but a bit heavy and overly rich. The dining area was completely full and the humidity was like a ski lodge. No one is going to Ekiben for the ambiance however. Next time I would order less food. An entree plus app was too much for one person. I can see the appeal of the place, just be aware the heavy sauces and fried food makes for a rich meal. read more

Never disappointed with ekiben. Fairly quick with online ordering. When I dined in and chicken was taking longer, I was offered the cheesesteak egg roll. Go to is the neighborhood bird bowl. Buns are amazing. Food makes up for the music in there is too loud lol. read more

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Ordered the neighborhood bird and philly cheesesteak spring roll for $24. Both were super delicious and the fusion concept was good. Portions were decent for price. read more

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

We came here because it was recommended by several local friends who have lived in Baltimore before! Asian fusion style. Generous portions, probably 2 portions of food per person in one order. They give lots of rice and pickled veggies on the side for a well rounded meal! Tofu Brahs (bowl style) - get this if you like sweeter sauces. The tofu was nice and crispy even though we got it to go and ate it at home. Very delicious! Neighborhood Bird (bowl style) - was still super crispy when we ate it. Curry flavor was sooo good and wasn't so empowering. My friend ordered this one but I think I'm fore sure going to get this next time too! read more

Ekiben - Tofu Brah Bowl (2 - bottom) Neighborhood Bird Bowl (top) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

A must try when In Baltimore!! Everything was so amazing fr fr. We tried the garlic chili oil noodles, spicy walnut shrimp bowl, and tempura broccoli! Biggest jumbo crispy shrimp ever. Keep in mind there is very limited seating at the Hampden location but the staff is very friendly. I would be excited to come back every time I'm nearby! read more

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Incredible! One of the best Asian meals we have had in recent years. Definitely top 15 across cuisines. The music was too loud and the seating basically counter seating but incredible food nonetheless. read more

Delicious delicious delicious !!! I've had the shrimp dish and the rib bowl delicious the buns are soft as cotton the broccoli bites are the best I've been here 3 times so far they do not disappoint read more

When my wife learned that Ekiben, our favorite eatery was hosting a first ever Night Market, we had to go. General admission was $20 per person and included a drink. The Night Market was not big, but the food vendors were diverse. The event was hopping with energy. We ate crab filled pupusa, fried chicken biscuit, fried green tomatoes biscuit, natural fruit bars, cream filled brioche donuts, shrimp & kale with coconut sauce over white rice, and lumpia. Everything tasted delicious and the prices were very reasonable. There were plenty of armed and unarmed security guards. There were also plenty of employees cleaning and clearing trash. The only negative was insufficient chairs and tables. We hope this event will return in the future. read more

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Ekiben always is the bomb.com. The flavors are amazing and the workers are always nice. It was kinda hard to find it at first but it is in the back of the building kinda in an alley type situation. There's a good amount of seating options compared to the other ekiben. I would recommend this place if you're looking for a really good fried chicken. Get it spicy too for that extra kick! read more

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

Although I may have to give this specific location another try, they did it for me. I have been ordering the shrimp tackle box as my go-to dish whenever I come to Ekiben. Typically I go to the Eastern Avenue location but the shrimp are never crunchy. They are extremely chewy and I continue to order it because the seasoning is good lol. A friend and I actually came to this location yesterday evening after a Yelp Elite event because we were so hungry. I didn't realize they had inside seating so told my friend and we almost decided not to come here. Then we decided it was a nice night out and we could just eat and walk or find a place to eat at. Once you find the location, you will never forget where it is. Yes, it's in a back alley but isn't that where all the good food spots are?! We walked in and ordered and noticed that there was seating to the left. The staff was having a really good time and we enjoyed the conversation we had as we were ordering our food. I already knew what I wanted and ordered the shrimp tackle box but asked for additional seasoning because the last time I ordered it it just wasn't enough. That wasn't a problem in the gentleman who was helping the cashier ring out added it one for me. He was knowledgeable as my friend was asking him about the different dishes because she had only tried broccoli at a different elite event. He was very helpful so she ordered that and the lamb bao. We went and sat down chatted and our food came out. It originally came out with the wrong protein for my dish but they took it back and corrected it. When I took the first bite of shrimp I wanted to dance. It was super crunchy like it was supposed to be and I was delighted. read more

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This Ekiben location is tucked away in an alley behind the main street in Hampden. Upon entering, there is a front counter with someone to take your order, and behind them is the entire kitchen/ plating service set up. To the left, they have some seating in bar stools against the wall. There is very limited seating, so you should usually be prepared to takeout and eat elsewhere. We were lucky enough to snag a couple stools after we ordered our food. We ordered the neighborhood bird bun, ancho chile pork bowl, yuzuade, and thai tea. I believe it came out to be ~ $50, which is a lot of take-out type food, but it's worth it sometimes haha! The Neighborhood bun always hits, it's always so good and definitely one of the must eat things in all of Baltimore, I recommend it to everyone who comes to visit! The Sambal mayo on it is superb, the bun is a perfect sweet touch with the taste of the chicken. I love it! However, this was my first time trying the pork bowl, and don't get me wrong, it's also very good, but it's just not phenomenal like the chicken is. The drinks were both very good, they felt a bit pricy considering they're bottled and $5.25 each, but it's some of my favorite thai tea in the city. Ekiben is definitely a baltimore food staple that everyone needs to try at least once! read more

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Spicy bird bun was packed with flavor and bursting out of the bun. And the broccoli dish was shockingly good- light tempura batter and mix of spicy and sweet sauces was perfection read more