The food here is insane and soooo worth the wait. It's delicious, it's filling, and the portions are gigantic! We came on a Saturday evening before catching a show at Illusions and it was packed. We waited a while, and they actually messed up our order - but all was well because the two rice bowls we ended up with were more than enough to feed four of us! I will live and die by the Tofu Brah bun or bowl, it is consistently fresh, delicious, and packed full of flavors. And, of course, you can never go wrong with the Neighborhood Bird, I prefer it as a bun but it is so dang good as a bowl, too! If you haven't been to Ekiben yet, you should take this as your sign! read more

I had been looking forward to this for so long. This was the freshest I've ever had Ekiben because I have never dined at the location. I appreciated the seating and very kind attentive service! I was super excited for the release of the vegan option for my bestie - also, the tempura broccoli is vegan! I always forget how BIG the neighborhood bird is hehe. I prefer the bun to the bowl for sure. The chicken is always super flavorful and moist; I love how perfectly sauced it is and the complementary flavor of the pickle. It's so filling to have the bun, I had to save the rest of my broccoli for later but it remained crisp and delicious. I need to come back to eat more! I want to try the garlic chili noodles with beef, the tackle box, and the chicken wings next! read more

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

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I've been in the Baltimore area for this long and had never been to Ekiben!? I stopped by a little after lunch and was greeted with a smile and friendly hello from Lord Joe A (name on the receipt), who was working the register. He had such a warm and friendly demeanor. I let him know it was my first time and he gave me a run down of the menu. I ordered the two most popular items, the Neighborhood Bird (spicy) and the Broccoli Tempura. I decided to stay and eat because I had to answer some emails. There is small L-Shaped table area with four stools to eat, but most people were carrying out. The playlist was creating vibe while I waited for my food! My order came out quickly and first I tried the broccoli. When I tell you this is the best broccoli I've ever had. So fresh and so much flavor! If I wasn't greedy, I would have had broccoli to take home. I was impressed on the size of all items! The Neighborhood Bird was so big that I only could eat half of the sandwich. It was delicious, crisp, spicy and the bun was soft. Chef's Kiss! I can't wait to come back to try more things. I need to make up for lost time.. For inquiring minds, the leftover bird heated up nicely in the air fryer! These are leftovers that you definitely want to guard with your life! read more

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Ok SO I have been to this spot twice now, albeit a different location-it's just as Poppin. The spot is small and really only enough seating for four at this particular location but that's what's kinda dope about it. Grab ya food and GO... or stay if there is room. The spicy shrimp snack is absolutely incredible - they're so good and a must get. We also ordered the neighborhood bird which was delish! Packed with flavors - a kick cause of the curry and sweet because of the pickles, top it off with diced mint and a fluff bun and you surely have a banger! The 45 min drive to get there is well worth it! read more

Ekiben - The neighborhood bird - FIRE!!!!! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I tried the Peking rib bowl and got it with an order of the Knife cut chili noodle and all of it was outstanding. I want to thank Carla and the entire staff at this location for their warm and professional service. read more

Ekiben is quickly making a presence in the DMV/Baltimore area and I'm all for it. BLUF - the food is delicious, like everything I ordered has been great. The locations themselves don't offer the best seating for groups/accessibility, so I would probably get it to go. That being said, a lot of their food is crispy/fried, so the less you travel with it, the more delicious it'll be. My recommendation? Find a nearby spot (or a curbside) and enjoy as soon as possible for the best experience. food specifics: The chicken sandwich: I believe their neighborhood brd chicken sandwich is their staple and for good reason. It's everything you want in a spicy chicken sandwich. Their spicy sauce has a good kick for those who don't do as well with spicy foods. The sandwich comes with bao buns that complement the sandwich well. The chicken itself is super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Definitely recommend if you haven't tried Ekiben before. That being said, I've never had success with eating this sandwich and not getting my hands saucy (bring a napkin) crispy shrimp bowl: The sides that come in the bowl are pretty much the same sides that come in the other bowl items here (that's not a bad thing). Their pickled veggies are delicious and the rice is solid. The shrimp is definitely the main star of the entree. It's a bit pricey ($22), so it was nice to see they weren't shy about the portion size. Much like the chicken, it was deliciously crispy, the seasoning was on point, and the shrimp was tender to the bite. Great dish. broccoli tempura: Honestly wasn't expecting much with this item, but was pleasantly surprised. The tempura gives it a nice solid crisp, but the seasoning is on point. It's got a little sweetness to it without being overbearing. Excellent side item for most things on the menu. service/ambiance: The staff I've interacted with has always been super friendly and nice. They checked in on us to make sure everything was good and were friendly about everything. The decor and ambiance are cool/modern, but Ekiben tends to have smaller locations. Definitely a cool/nostalgic vibe with pictures/art about anime and 90s show which I believe is a homage to the owners' childhood. seating: As mentioned earlier, I don't know that I'd recommend necessarily eating here as a group, but it's doable. Currently there's 4 seats on the inside and 2 picnic tables on the outside (curbside). read more

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Ekiben never disappoints. Their flavors are so complex, balanced, and unique, the serving sizes are filling, and I always leave feeling happy. The spicy bird on a bun is a little messy to eat, but it's still worth it. I'm obsessed with the pickled veggies and all of the crunchy toppings. Their locations are small with only a few seats. It's meant for take out, which is fine but the buns sometimes don't travel well for very long. They can get a little soggy, but honestly still delicious. I enjoy the vibes, the music, and the employees there. read more

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This past weekend I was able to visit Ekiben for a tasting. I have tried Ekiben before on my own and was super surprised with the flavorfulness of their items. Everything was cooked to perfect and I think their sauces out shine any sauces I have ever tried in my entire life. I really appreciate how kind and caring the staff is at this location and very much enjoyed my time this past weekend. I wish their location was a little bigger inside but the cozy and communal vibe it gives right now makes total sense. I would recommend everyone coming here and bringing a friend because the staff will 100% take care of you and help you decide the best choices in food to get here. I will be back 100% read more

Friend recommended this place after our workout, and wow the fried chicken is amazing here! Neighborhood Bird (Spicy) 10/10 - chicken was juicy and tender! Multiple portions of chicken given - breading was perfect (not too thick or thin), crispy, and great blend of spices - sweet and spicy sauce + cilantro on top - came w/ rice, pickled carrots, onions, and pickles The inside is very small with limited space to eat, but there's one table outside at the side of the restaurant. Staff was very welcoming and kind! He checked up on us outside to ask how our food was -- it was delicious! read more

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

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I always eat at the fells point location but I decided to try this location today. It was just as awesome. I got the garlic noodles with tofu. Soooooo delicious. It was very flavorful and saucey. I'm hooked. This location is in a residential neighborhood so parking can be tight. It's fairly small inside (I think only about 4 people can sit in) so luckily I was able to find a quick spot to run in and grab my food. Overall, the location was clean and neat. My order was ready fairly quickly and the employee was very friendly. read more

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

I've never had a bao bun so life changing. It was so freaking good. Ekiben has been on my list to try for a while, so I'm glad it was. This location is take out only and the inside is pretty small. I placed my order online and my order was ready pretty quickly (~15 min). I ordered the crispy shrimp bowl and spicy bird bun. Let's talk about the size of this bun. It's the size of a burger bun which doesn't effect the taste. I'm not a bao expert so that's all I'll say about it. The chicken was fried perfectly. The flavor, Ethiopian spices, and tenderness married well. Together it's all really good but prepare to get a little messy; the fried chicken just won't stay in between the buns. The shrimp bowl was also really good. The shrimp was fried well and flavorful. I saved the other half for the next day and after microwaving it, they still had some crunch to it! Will definitely be back. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Whenever I am in Baltimore and hungry, I always check to see how far Ekiban is from me. I noticed that three of them came up this time and I was unsure if I had been to this other location. It was a little bit closer on my route home so I decided to go there. To my surprise it had just opened! How awesome is that. Remembering the last time I ordered, a few weeks ago, I made sure to ask for extra seasoning and my shrimp to be crispy. They obliged me and I was delighted! read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I've been around this area so much and for some reason never been in here. I've heard of Ekiben so much and didn't realize it was so close. This was unexpectedly a lot of food for the price. The chicken was so good. Service was quick, but the space is pretty small. There's not really any seating. read more

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

WOW that was the most amazingly perfect/unique chicken sandwich I have ever had. The chicken was perfectly cooked and extremely juicy. I am also a big fan of the steamed bun. I really wish I lived closer cause I would be treating myself every week service was good and the people were kind. Absolutely LOVED. read more

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

Originally we were planning to dine in, but realized it's a very small area to sit inside the restaurant when we arrived. We ended up doing takeouts. The shrimps in the Crispy Shrimp Bowl are huge and tasty! The cashier at the checkout is friendly! Waiting time is a little longer than expected, it's understandable since they have lots of customers waiting to get their orders. We should do the online order before arriving next time, hopefully that will have less time waiting for the food! read more

One of the best spots in Baltimore, the food here is phenomenal. It's a must show in Baltimore, with amazing service and a great inside area! read more

Delicious. The fried shrimp were crispy and popping; highly recommend any of the buns. Service slightly slow so recommend ordering ahead and the ambiance wasn't great to stay - lots of commotion from online orders and not a lot of people room - so we walked across to the park to enjoy. read more

Ekiben is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. This is the third location that I have been to, and everything as fantastic. The staff is friendly and engaging. The food is always phenomenal at any Ekiben location. I recommend ordering the tofu bun. The bun itself is as soft as a pillow, and the tofu is fried to perfection. While Ekiben is mostly takeaway, there are a few chairs for dine-in patrons to eat. read more

ORIGIN: This location marks Ekiben's third storefront site, the first opening in 2016 after years of success selling from a hot dog cart. Ekiben was founded by three recent University of Maryland - Baltimore graduates, two of whom, Steve Chu and Ephrem Abebe, continue to strategically navigate its growth. CONCEPT: Ekiben is the Japanese word for lunch box. Steve Chu, who was raised by Taiwanese immigrants/restaurant entrepreneurs, saw opportunity for an Asian take on established fast quality food restaurants, such as Chipotle. Taiwanese cuisine is by nature a fusion of many Asian culinary traditions. Ekiben brings this tradition to Baltimore. ACCOLADES: Chu has shared that his father was initially disappointed that he didn't pursue a career associated with his university program of study, but his strategic accumulation of culinary and restaurant business knowledge through apprenticeship has resulted in the delight of many. Ekiben has received recognition through not only from customers, but also food writers (e.g. Travel & Leisure, Eater, Vogue) and award programs (e.g. 2023 James Beard Foundation Best Chef in Mid-Atlantic Semi-Finalist, Yelp Top 100 Restaurants, Yelp Top State Sandwich). It was the 2022 Yelp best state sandwich recognition that drew me to visit Ekiben in the residential area of Fell's Point. I experienced the acclaimed Neighborhood Bird sandwich, as well as a side of Tempura Broccoli -- a combination that had been showcased during a recent Baltimore-YES event at the new location. (Thanks Anna!) LOCATION: Like the two previously established locations, the Fell's Point branch is mainly designed to support pick up and go in a residential area. However, there are a few counter stools inside, as well as two tables outside. A wall is decorated with community - contributed art and photos -- something for customers to enjoy as they wait to place their orders. A water cooler and cups are positioned for customers' use. SERVICE: Orders are placed online or at the counter. Seating is so limited that prepared orders are brought to you on a tray with no need for number signs. Service was very helpful and super friendly. Phoenix, who took my order, spoke enthusiastically about the dishes and beverages, provoking me to try the one of the house-made drinks. I sat outside, and after delivering my tray Phoenix told me to knock on the glass window if I needed anything else! EXPERIENCE: The Neighborhood Bird sandwich is composed of Taiwanese-style fried chicken thigh topped with a variety of fragrant chopped herbs, crisp pickle slices, and drizzled with Sambal seasoned mayonnaise. This is encased in a pillowy steamed bun that is based on Chu's family recipe. The colors are vibrant, as are the flavor and texture contrasts. For example, curry is added to the chicken coating, allowing not only an extra kick of flavor, but a warm yellow hue to the crust. The Tempura Broccoli is very lightly battered, allowing slight crunch and an attractive veil of tempura crust, while positioning the vegetal flavor at the forefront. This dish is topped with chopped aromatic herbs and red onion, and seasoned with vinegar. (Phoenix reported that it is vinegar from pickle jar). Per recommendation, I ordered the house-made "Yuzuade" to accompany the meal, which, as promised was refreshing in the hot, humid summer afternoon. This combination was perfect, and satisfying in so many ways. Despite the plethora of great dining options in Baltimore, I returned the next day to pick up lunch and a meal for the five hour train ride home. If this isn't enough of a testament to my experience, I shamelessly spent $20 round trip for an Uber ride due to periodic thunderstorms and little time and energy to try navigate the Baltimore public transportation system! I immediately enjoyed the Original sandwich, which is composed of Thai chicken meatballs topped with herbs, slaw, and crisp julienned "aromatics" (?), and drizzled with coconut black pepper sauce. For the train ride back it was suggested I choose a "tackle box", a lunch box of sorts, because the texture of the components will be better preserved. This allowed me to enjoy the Neighborhood Chicken again, this time topped on a bed of rice with pickled vegetables on the side. TIPS: The Neighborhood Chicken can be seasoned with spicy or mild sauces. I would describe the spicy sauce as "New England spicy", but if unsure I suggest requesting containers of each type in the side. As with any fried or steamed food it is best to eat soon after it has been prepared to experience the textures. If you don't plan on eating soon, a "tackle box" option with sauces on the side is recommended. If you anticipate only being able to visit once, I recommend the combination I chose on my first visit. All locations are closed between 3:30-4:30 PM and Sundays. read more

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We did take out for 18 people here (2 separate orders because we aren't crazy). It was for a joint bachelor/bachelorette that decided we needed food last minute. Every single person loved their food. Not a complaint in the house! The food was hot and crispy. Most people had never had it before, and they were so impressed by the impeccable balance of flavors. Many of us ate our leftovers late at night because we couldn't stop ourselves! A unique eatery that knows exactly what it's doing. Find your favorite dish and order it over and over again! (Mine's the crispy catfish) In general I prefer the bowls to the buns. Side note, there are 3 locations, with Riverside being the newest. I have found that all are perfectly consistent with each other. If you are closer to one than the other, go to that one. read more

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Really glad to be apart of this experience! The place was very clean. Customer service was excellent! This was not my first time experiencing Ekiben. Food is very delicious, and flavorful. I am a return customer, this makes my second location. The only bad thing is the parking, but don't let that stop you. They have other locations, but this location is very cute. You can eat outside, and enjoy! Go check them out. read more

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Ekiben is one of my favorite go-to places in Baltimore! I've tried their spicy neighborhood bird bun, tofu brah, Chile pork, and the tackle box (tried it today). This place hands down is a 5 star review for me, however, I would say the tackle box was a little disappointing as the skin was pretty hard to bite into. I ended up having to take the 'crispy skin' out and just eat the meat, although this could be because I got it for take out and it had been 20 minutes since I picked up. Would not order the tackle box again BUT I will still be a regular customer! Service is great, as always. read more

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

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1 of my favorite chicken spots in the DMV. Their shrimp snacks, pork ribs, and their neighborhood chicken bowl are all to die for.

Full disclosure, I downloaded yelp just so I could write this review because the people need to know. . . Tonight I went to my local South Baltimore Ekiben specifically to try the crisp potatoes they've been hyping on IG. When I got there, they told me it was going be a little bit of a wait for the potatoes. I didn't care I was prepared to wait any amount of time for those delicious looking crispies. So, I order them. After a little wait, the Manager apologized and told me the potatoes just weren't turning out right and said I could order any other side I wanted on them. I appreciated the honesty and randomly picked the Pho Spiced Cheesesteak Egg Roll to try something new. Oh. My. God. It was Devine intervention that I ended up with the egg roll. It changed my life, i almost cried. I also got the Ancho Chile Pork Bowl. It was like eating the most beautiful art. Every taste and texture was in perfect harmony. The most exquisite symphony of flavors. To top off this experience, the manager also threw in a free Lychee Black Tea, which was the perfect amount of sweet and refreshing! Everything at Ekiben is delicious there are no bad choices. So get whatever you want but also get the Pho Spiced Cheesesteak Egg Roll. *whispers* you need it. read more

Ekiben - Left to right: Pho Spiced Cheesesteak Egg Roll, Lychee Black tea, Ancho Chile Pork Bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Read about this spot a couple years ago but are usually in town to see in laws in Glen Burnie so even a trip downtown is sometimes hard to squeeze in. This location only had about 5 counter seats so unless you can come at a weird time, a perfect takeout meal. Kia gave us amazing service from the moment we walked in...it was 11:04am and they already had a to go order for 50 lined up...if that tells you anything. But seriously I loved Kia and his positive energy. Every the cooks came over to say hello. We got the tempura broccoli (of course). This is a plug for them to make a Tshirt they says "I came for the broccoli." My fav was how even the stalk was shaved and fried up. My husband got a chipotle beef bun and I tried the yardbird. My brother in law said this spot was originally a food truck known for meatballs. We'll have to try next time. Yuzu lemonade and Thai tea were both great and made in house. The yardbird was huge and you'll either go through a million napkins or have to just commit to being covered in sauce till the end. Do you. But do Ekiben. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Hot and fresh, consistently delicious food. Tofu brah bowl, tempura broccoli, and a new addition garlic chili oil noodles. All amazing. My go to takeout spot. read more

Worth every penny! Delicious and a stand out! It isa take-out place - very little sitting!

First time guest...will be more. Awesome experience. While the menu is short, it packs a lot of variety. The theme is simple: bao buns or rice bowls. But thru know their strength & they run with it. Tofu bun, fried chicken bun and adobe pork for us on this trip. It is a lot of food. The tofu bao bun was at least twice the size I normally would have expected. Big enough that I could not eat it by hand especially with the juiciness. The spicy peanut sauce was not overly spicy but packs a good punch at the end. We also grabbed some crispy shrimp. Tails already removed. So good. read more

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All of our food was tasty. Lentils and rice was flavorful. Chicken sandwich with mild was delightful. The bun was so fluffy. I want to go back and try more things. read more

I was super excited when I found out that a third Ekiben will be across the street from me ! I watched the building get renovated and could not wait until they opened. Of course I was out of town on opening day but I heard the lines were so long. This place isn't big. It's not big enough to have tables. It's mostly a place where you call in and pick up your order and eat somewhere else. They do have side tables along the wall but you can't stay there long in case someone wants to sit and eat their delicious chicken or whatever they ordered. My first time trying the Taiwanese chicken on a bowl was in Fells Point a few years ago and I fell in love! Every time I saw the food truck, I always ordered something off of the menu. It's hard eating the chicken bowl when you are in an outdoor event with no tables. I try not to eat here a lot so I don't get sick of the place. If you have never had anything in Ekiben, their chicken either on a bun or a bowl, you are missing out on the great flavors. read more

If you're an NYC or bustling city transplant, you'll love the music, the fun wallpaper, pics, and staff of that fast-paced, good-feeling atmosphere. This tiny spot is definitely a vibe and I can't wait for a bigger location! Walk down a not-so-sketchy alley and you'll find the sign. Get ready for memorable tastes, fresh everything, and quick service. My fave items to order: Tofu Nuggets! read more

Genius at frying chicken. Their sandwiches are very popular, crisp and flavorful chicken

Good was amazing, best I've had in a while. Broccoli was a bit soggy and over sweet but still good

The best broccoli appetizer I've ever had! Their food here never disappoints and the chicken bowls are a great portion size!

I placed an online pickup order for the tofu brau. 20 minutes later as I was on my way over, I got a text my food was ready. I took it home and smashed the whole thing in one sitting. Enough said. read more

So happy they're open here now! I'm a happy customer from their 2 other locations. My first order at this new location was placed online. About a 25 minute wait which is average. I got a text message when my order was ready. When I went in to pick up, they were friendly and read off my order to me before handing it over to me. Clean and sleek store interior, but not a lot of space to hang out, so it's similar to the other locations. I got the shrimp snacks and neighborhood bird bowl with some modifications. My order was prepared just as requested and tasted fresh and delicious! A total success! read more

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This place is a foodies dream. The food is so amazingly different. From the spices to the pickled vegetables was so worth the wait. I ve been waiting to come to this place for about a year. read more

The best fusion (ish) spot in the Bmore area! Not kidding or exaggerating. My go to is the broccoli appetizer and the Tofu Brah bowl. Always ends up being enough food for leftovers! Note, while the decor is fun and on point for a vibe, this isn't really a spot where you sit down and eat. Especially not with a group. Think hole in the wall, and you're imagining the correct feel. That said, what I'm guessing they save on rent goes right into the quality of the food. Dang it, now I'm hungry again. See you there! read more

woooooow super inconsiderate of this business to not offer a number on google i drive 45 minutes just for them to tell me there sold out and all the cashier could do was laugh like it's funny i wouldn't recommend this type of customer service to a pack of wild dogs read more

Amazing customer service and even better food. I held out to try Ekiben until it came to my neighborhood and I wish I would've tried it sooner! When you enter the restaurant to order or pickup they have great music playing with high energy vibes. We were greeted as if we were long time friends and got a free lychee tea because my friend was visiting from out of town. There doesn't look like there are any seating options there but is a great takeaway option. We got the neighborhood bird, spicy tofu brah, tempura broccoli, and cheesesteak egg roll. They were absolutely phenomenal. All of them. The flavors were complex and ingredients were very fresh. This is a 10/10 must try!! I will be back, probably tomorrow read more

Ekiben - Neighborhood bird bun, tofu brah bun, cheesesteak egg roll, tempura broccoli - Asian Fusion Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland