Awesome. Best hole in the wall joint you can ever imagine. Was in the area today and my buddy said "Let's go here". He's been before. Great Korean(-ish) food. Really small selection but the flavors, textures, everything tastes fantastic. They have bowls and buns. I got a bowl. It was ... huge. Lots of rice on the bottom with chicken, pickles, and other stuff on top. Delicious!! And I took some of it home, which I NEVER do. The staff was really friendly. Food came to us in just a few minutes, customized as we wanted it. Definite 5 star place!!!! read more

This place is hidden away in the alley but google map took me right to the door! Clean and bright inside. Employees are super nice and efficient. Food was fantastic. I couldn't decide if I wanted a rice bowl or the bun- first time here so I went for the bun ( I've had rice before). The flavor is amazing, sweet and savory + fresh and crisp. My mouth is dancing. Got it to go but I wish I would have put a little hot sauce on it! YUM! read more

Ekiben - Outside view! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I loved the ambiance, sense of culture felt at the restaurant. The location was difficult to find, but surrounding restaurants were helpful in giving directions. I had the curry chicken sandwich and tempura broccoli. I wanted to like the boa sandwich more, but it drenched in the Mayo based sauce which turned me off. The tempura broccoli ended up being my favorite- great texture and balanced flavors. Overall, I had a good time and a positive experience. The staff were amazing to work with and genuinely wanted everyone to walk away happy. read more

The food was great, as well as the service. The fusion of flavors was very unique from anything that I have had in the past, and I would definitely recommend it to others in the area. My only issue with the restaurant is that they don't accommodate very well for people with shellfish allergies. I was told by one of the employees that they fry their chicken and shrimp in the same oil, so if you have a shellfish allergy, you wouldn't be able to eat the chicken. I feel like it would be a very simple adjustment to use one frier for chicken, and one for shellfish, and situations like this one that I had in the past could be avoided, and more customers would be able to eat there without running the risk of cross contamination. read more

The flavor and portions pour over the food containers that can barely contain the deliciousness. Everything on the menu is one of your friends' favorite dishes. The staff is always cheerful and helpful. The red beans for the win is my hot tip. With so many locations, there is no excuse to stop in and pick up dinner and lunch for tomorrow. read more

Ekiben - This is not a joke. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Some of the best food I have had! Huge portions, super flavorful, and staff is sooo nice! A few places to sit and eat, but if you like to spread out to eat then take it to go! The yuzu-ade and thai iced tea were AMAZING. Next time I go I'll probably order one of everything! read more

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I went to this restaurant for pick up with my 5 yr old daughter. I ordered the bird box and we ate it in the car since it's not a lot of space for dinning in. My daughter loved the food she ate 1/2 and they give you a lot of food everything was fresh which I was surprised about as I ordered it and picked it up but the chicken was hot and the veg crisp. So delicious and my baby is a pickey eater but she loves it. Will definitely go back I'm not a big fan of the city but I'll make the trip for this food. read more

definitely coming back!! there was a reasonable wait time for the amount of orders being handled. the service was also amazing with us being checked up on twice. the music and decor was also very hip and upbeat. read more

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yea this food buss. ancho chile pork was pretty good, very aromatic. the neighborhood bird is their classic dish, the chicken was very yummy. portions are big too. limited seating inside read more

I love Ekiben. I first visited fells point years ago and got a neighborhood bird and tempura broccoli, and have been hooked ever since. I go to hampden because it is closer and the service is always friendly, everyone smiles, and I've tried almost everything on the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. Highly recommend. read more

I can't deviate from the spicy birds, nest sandwich, and who knew I'd fall in love with the tofu bites!?!? Don't even think about ordering tofu... Just do it, because you've never had anything like this and it could've been an entire meal in itself! read more

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

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

Ekiben is the single restaurant most frequently recommended to me, when I wander the streets talking to strangers (or however I end up in these conversations). It's more of a take-out restaurant than a sit-in one, though there's nothing wrong with the ambiance--which is usually some loud rock music, and diner style seating. It's a fun place to hang out! But really, the food is just ok? The sauces, even the spicy sauce, are very sweet, almost cloying. The fried tofu just isn't very good. Not that it's bad, but the food simply isn't exciting--there's nothing really to recommend it. It's possible that the non-Hampden locations are better, of course--I'm not sure. read more

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

Finding Ekiben in Hampden can be a bit of a challenge (hint: it's in the alley behind The Avenue) but once you have arrived, expect an incredible eating experience. This Ekiben is decorated in comic book fashion with lots of Baltimore centric pictures and art hanging up. There is a seating area with about a dozen bar chairs. Ekiben has a limited number of vegan options but what they lack in choices, they make up for in quality. They have Tempura Broccoli (crispy battered broccoli tossed in vinegar, herbs, and onions), Tofu Nuggets (tofu topped with spicy peanut sauce, toasted aromatics, herbs and onions) and the Tofu Brah which you can do as a bun or bowl (Tofu Brah is tofu, spicy peanut sauce, mango/papaya/carrot slaw, fresh herbs and roasted aromatics). I've sampled the Tofu Brah bun, Tofu Nuggets and Tempura Broccoli. All three are tasty and well done. The bun is soft, pillowy and huge. It is treated like a sandwich with tofu and everything inside and the bun serving as the top and bottom. The bun was loaded. No way did it survive my bites. No worries, there are plenty of chopsticks around to finish the job. The tofu nuggets are nice and saucy and crispy on the outside and soft and chewy inside. The fried outside holds up well (even as leftovers). Often times I feel like I can't take fried food with me. These nuggets are the exception. The tempura broccoli is lightly battered, I can't even tell it is there, with a light vinegar sauce. They balance out the tofu well because they are not heavy and super breaded. Despite the fact that there was a bit of a line, the service was very quick and our food came out hot and fresh. I can see why Ekiben has gotten some national recognition. It is some truly great food. If you find yourself in Baltimore, find your way to Ekiben. read more

I first heard about Ekiben through one of those of human interest stories you come across every now and then that makes you believe in the best of us during the worst of times. The fact that Ekiben is a meal someone would want more than anything else as their last meal and to have that wish fulfilled shows how exceptional the food is and also shines a light on the magnanimity, kindness, and exceptional humanity of the folks at this establishment. I had Ekiben on my list of top places to try, but took a while to get around to finally visiting. Since don't find myself in Baltimore as often as I used to when I lived in the DC area, I'm glad I was finally able to try the food because it is FANTASTIC and this was a case where expectations were not only met, but blown away. The fried tofu nuggets are perfect and such a nice complement to the neighborhood bird and the tempura broccoli is a must have item. Everything was fresh and delicious and I put my sandwich away so fast I don't think it ever hit my plate. The spice level is just right to give you a few beads of sweat on your forehead if you're used to heat and the items were all perfectly fried without any sogginess or falling apart...A+ execution! If you find yourself in Baltimore, this is a must try spot and you will want to pit stop for sure if you're passing through town. Do yourself a favor and pop in and enjoy one of the best chicken sandwiches this side of the Milky Way. read more

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

Ekiben has been calling my name since I heard the hype--and then saw them on the top 100 list. I had to give it a try to see what it was all about. Bottom line is: it's worth it. Is $35 for three things expensive? Yes, but it was SO much food. Worth the price especially because we had leftovers. We ordered online around 1pm on a Saturday. The food was ready within 5 minutes (super fast!) and the process was seamless. We walked in, got our food, and headed out someplace else to eat. The employee at the counter was very kind and double checked our order before giving it to us. As other reviews have said, it is LOUD in there and very small. I'd give the Neighborhood Bird a 10/10. I got sauce on the side in fear of it being spicy, but it was actually on the sweeter side. The bun was delicious, it was easy to eat and not too messy. The Tofu bun we got was a different story. While the flavor was AMAZING, it was super jam packed and hard to eat because of this. The better choice for this particular item is definitely getting it in a bowl or bringing a fork! And, pack napkins. The side of pickles is also worth the $6. It added so much flavor to our food and the next day we just ate the leftover pickles by themselves. It was pickled cucumbers, red onions, and mango slaw. It's a MUST--and you get a decent amount. If you have food leftover like we did, do not throw it away. It tastes even better when it's cold the next day. We will 100% be back! read more

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This is the one place I always take family/friends when they come visit Baltimore. The food is amazing, the employees are super nice and both locations have a really eclectic feel to them. I usually get the spicy bird bun but there are non spicy options for those who can't tolerate spicy. The history behind the launching of this restaurant is also interesting. As many times as I've been here, the food has never disappointed me. Big portions and always fresh! read more

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

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

I was told by my brother that Ekiben was a must-go during my last visit to Baltimore, and I'm glad I followed that advice. They have some unique and delicious options and I'm looking forward to going back. I got the spicy bird chicken sandwich. It was very good -- the mantou is very fluffy and soft and the chicken is perfectly tender, crispy with great spice and curry seasoning. The sambal sauce is quite sweet and I would recommend getting it on the side if you don't like that. This was definitely worth the money. The crispy shrimp bowl was a lot of food, with 8 big battered shrimp over rice. It was pretty pricey but understandable considering the shrimp. The topping seasoning of garlic, cilantro, and shallot (?) is very very tasty and addictive. The shrimp is lightly seasoned. The crust is a bit thick but definitely crispy. The pickled vegetables are a bit sweet but still good. The shrimp, rice, and topping make a delicious bite. Overall this is a very solid dish -- not a must get, but nice to have. Overall I would definitely come back for the spicy bird with or without the sandwich -- very well crafted chicken with delicious flavors. Also, the staff were super sweet when I picked up my order! read more

Ekiben - Crispy shrimp bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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obsessed with Ekiben, frequently visit the other locations- tried out this spot when attending an event nearby wih BYOF-same friendly staff & delicious eats! same reliable stuffed, juicy, well-seasoned buns- delicious smothered broccoli quick service- well packaged to-go, easy back alley pick up parking- another yummy visit read more

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

Apparently Ekiben is a Baltimore locals best kept secret... and y'all this food is FIRE!! The buns are so soft and fluffy and delicious. The chicken is cooked to perfection and so moist. All the flavors complement one another so well. And their special sauce is to DIE for. Overall, heavenly. Can't wait to come back!! read more

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

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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

This is their second location. I stopped on a Friday afternoon as I was in the area and had to have some of their legendary Tempura Broccoli. The entrance is in an alley. I was able to walk in (used to be online order/pick up only) this time to order. There is a seating area but this is more of a pick up/takeout location. I got the amazing Broccoli but the Borrego caught my eye. Apparently this one is only available at this location. The kind Gentleman that helped me mentioned it's one of those under the radar/best kept secret dishes. Braised Lamb with Herbs and Salsa Roja with a slight spicy made for a delicious Bun. Substantial-1/2 was enough given the amount of Lamb. Of course they have the favorites -Neighborhood Bird, Tackle Box & Tofu Nuggets. Service has always been upbeat and engaging. Don't miss the Borrego at this location. That said, you can't go wrong with either location! 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'm normally very skeptical about restaurants with this type of fusion food, especially once I see bao buns being used; however, the food was surprisingly good as long as you don't expect it to be authentic to any particular cuisine. The fry on the catfish and tofu on the dishes we got were done very well and the pickled vegetables help cut through the overall heaviness. To note, it is takeout only. read more

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Love this place! Have tried most sandwiches by now but the neighborhood bird is my go to. I also love the tempura broccoli but the sandwich is often filling enough. Locations all have limited seating but I'm usually able to find a spot. Service is pretty quick. read more

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

I'm very sad... I used to eat from here once a week, the Hampden location. I love the lamb and unfortunately it's no longer on the menu. read more

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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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

There are so many great restaurants in Baltimore and in Hampden itself, but yet I still gravitate towards Ekiben. I've been to this location a couple of times and I will say it is quite hard to find. *TIP - the entrance is in the back and parking/stopping area is kind of hard in the alley way, but considering it's COVID and no indoor dining, it has never a problem for me. I always end up getting the Tofu Brah Bowl and Tempura Broccoli. I've never actually got the Tofu Brah in the bun, but I've had the bun by itself. It's light, airy, and fluffy. The Tofu Brah Bowl - honestly, it's quite hard to describe this deliciousness, but I'll try my best! The tofu is the perfect consistency of crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The sauce they used is a little tangy, sweet, and smokey. The tofu is placed over a bed of rice, which is beneficial because the rice gets coated with the sauce as well. It's topped with onions, cilantro, and crisps. On the side there's cucumbers, pickled onions, and shredded carrots. Tofu, and all these veggies in one bite is chefs kiss! 5/5 Tempura Broccoli - this is the dish that tastes better when eaten right away. They even leave the container open so the broccoli doesn't get soggy, which is brilliant. I end up eating majority of the it before I even get to my destination. The batter they fry the broccoli in seems to be working very well, because it tastes incredible. I might however be bias because broccoli is my favorite vegetable. 5/5 This time I decided to get the Thai Tea as well. It wasn't as sweet as other Thai Teas I've had and it was a little bit more on the liquidy side. 4/5 HUGE SHOUTOUT to one of the managers at this specific location - MA. She's so sweet and friendly. Always a warm welcome when I see her working. Make sure to say hi to her when visiting! *As for COVID regulations - every employee is wearing masks. They blocked off entering with a table. There's a huge bottle of hand sanitizer on the table for customers use. read more

Ekiben - Best employee -MA and Thai tea - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I've been to this location multiple times for their lamb special and its so worth it. The ordering process is very easy. The staff here is quick when processing the orders and making your food. ETA is always on time. I always get their neighborhood bird, lamb borrego dip, tempura broccoli, and woodear mushrooms with Chinese sausage. The dip that comes with lab either comes in a salsa puree or a consume type broth. Both are delicious and I recommend eating it at home after reheating the dip. The baos are always consistent in flavor and size. You'll notice the prices are a bit high, but they stuff each of these baos with so meat. The broccoli and mushrooms offer a great contrast in flavors. Either the tempura fried vegetable or the crispy fried Chinese sausage with the tender mushrooms are great to pair with your entree. Love the concept and amazing flavors here. During Covid times it maybe best to order the food and bring it home. Re toast the buns and re heat the dip to enjoy your meal at optimal temperature. The entrance is in the back and you can't miss it with the bright white signage. Prior to ordering I would check their IG to see their specials of the day read more

Ekiben - Woodward mushrooms with fried Chinese sausage - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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

Very delicious chicken, the portion is a good size however it is a bit more costly than I would expect. The ambience is nice and it is a great place to get chill takeout food! read more

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

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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