One of Baltimore top gastro experiences finally made its way out west. So happy to have them. The chicken is amazing, and if you are there at the right time of year, the soft-shell crab sandwich is even better. I love going in to pick up food. Hip-Hop blaring and smiling employees can't help but make you feel good. read more

At the Frederick location for lunch with the family. Street parking only. Not too busy - ordered and food was ready about 10-15 minutes. We all tried the bowls and shared ancho chili pork, spicy neighborhood bird, and the crispy shrimp. We also had the ramen and tempura broccoli. Yuzuade and Yuzu white peach drinks - sad that they were out of the white strawberry matcha or red apple . Also tried the garlic chili noodles. My friend Aimee had tofu nuggets & crab eggroll. She enjoyed the tofu nuggets but not so much the crab eggroll - due to texture and cheese. Space is small. Not a lot of tables that we ended up putting some of our food into another table. Sauce for the tempura broccoli very good but probably to should be a side sauce so that it doesn't cause the broccoli at the bottom to become soggy. Overall experience - highly recommend. read more

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This is a 2.5. I want to love this place but so far they've made it hard. We have been here twice now, once right after opening and again today. The food is very tasty, but both visits had a significant wait. The first time was understandable as I know the staff were likely still being trained and the place was slammed with business. Today, though, we stopped in at 11:30am and ordered two sides, an egg roll and some broccoli tempura. We were told it would be about 10 minutes, but ended up waiting over 30 minutes even though the place was basically empty. There were 5 people in the kitchen and a lot of activity happening, but it looked like prep was being done for later over filling the order of customers sitting in the front. One employee spent the entire time filling duck sauce cups. After 30 minutes I asked for an update and was told it would be 5 more minutes. The broccoli tempura is tasty and crispy, with a nice garnish that evidently didn't get tossed very well because it was completely missing from the top third. The takeout box was too small to close and left completely open in the bag. The crab Rangoon egg roll was tasty as well, although it seems to use actual cheese instead of cream cheese and I found the texture somewhat odd, leaning gummy instead of creamy. For a counter serve concept, there are some basic mistakes going on here that make it hard to recommend or for me to want to stop in more regularly. Additionally, while the food is good, the prices are fairly high for this area. read more

There has been so much hype about this spot and boy is the hype 100% accurate! This place is amazing. It is quite costly ($20 for the bowl, $38 for the soft shell crab bao), but honestly, I enjoyed every single bite. The establishment is small but somehow spacious enough to have ample seating. It was packed when we showed up and we waited about 20 minutes for our food. It was well worth the wait. The soft shell crab bao was absolutely delicious and filled with so much crab meat. It was quite hard and extremely messy to eat but worth it!!! The chicken bowl was amazing too. Very flavorful and delicious. I loved all the pickled veggies on the side. I can't wait to come back. 1000/10! read more

Ekiben - Chicken bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

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The rumor is that the line is long. We arrived (right before noon on a rainy Saturday) and walked right up to the counter. There are 4 little tables. We were lucky enough that right after we ordered and within a couple of minutes, a party got up and we grabbed the table. Back to why we are here- the food. * Tofu brah bun: delicious. Cubed tofu. Great flavor. But very messy. * Garlic chili oil noodles with pork - we liked the noodle and the pork individually but we thought noodle and pork flavors were conflicting... noodles is chili oil and pork is soy sauce based. * Tempura broccoli - wow - you just have to try it yourself- Lightly battered. We will return to try other items. read more

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The food is absolutely delicious, and the portions a generous. So glad they have a brick and mortar place.

Finally ekiben opens closer. There was quite a line instead the store on a Fri night and another 20 mins wait for the food. It is a lot easier to drive and find parking in Frederick than going to Baltimore. I always get the neighborhood birds. This time, we tried the ancho pork as well. read more

Ekiben - Asian Fusion Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

Been to this location multiple times and doesn't disappoint. I get the chicken bowl, broccoli and garlic chili oil noodles and everything is delicious! Service is good. Food can take a bit to come out of busy but everything is fresh. This location even has some seating inside but limited. Can't wait to come back read more

Finally tried out this place, and I'd been to the one in Baltimore and loved it. We went and stood in line and ordered to-go. The bun was incredible, portion sizes were great for the expensive price. The crab Rangoon egg roll was shockingly good, tasted like REAL crab and REAL cheese, not the usual "cream cheese and imitation crab" that Chinese restaurants make (which I also like). I was very impressed! The service was slow but they are constantly packed, line out the door, so I understand. They were all chill guys working, very friendly, all wearing SnapBacks which felt so adorable for some reason? Like it was part of the uniform for them haha. They also sell Ekiben SnapBack hats, tempted to buy one since they look cool. My only critique is get a second or third register! You guys are super popular, there was a line at like 2pm! Food is delicious, you will certainly remain popular for a long time. Hope to come back sometime soon for more delicious buns and looking forward to seeing future specials! read more

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

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EKIBEN IN FREDERICK!!! So anytime I drive in the Baltimore area I would go out of my way to stop at Ekiben. The food is that good! So now there's one an hour away now??!!! I'll definitely be making a trip more often. I happened to go on the Friday of the first week opened. I placed my order ahead. When I got there you can tell they were backed up. The staff said it be another 10 mins. Which was no problem for me. But I could understand other people who never experienced their food giving a hard time. Their food is worth the wait! I like the seating area in this location compared to other locations. I was in a rush so I was eating on the go and didn't have a chance to take a picture of my food. Chili Garlic Noodles are so underrated! And you can't go wrong with the bird sandwich. (Tip: the chicken is so big you can order an extra bun and cut the chicken in half? Make two sandwiches). The tempura broccoli is a must. Looking forward to many more visits in the near future! read more

We went at ~7pm the first Friday night the Frederick location was open. There was a short line outside and waited about 20 minutes to order. I liked that they took my cell number to text me when the food was ready since every table was full and the space was also packed with people waiting for their orders. The shrimp appetizer was perfectly fried and seasoned with a wonderful blend of herbs, garlic, and onion. The generous portion could have been a full meal! The Neighborhood Bird bowl was a generous size (2 meals or could be shared). The chicken was perfectly fried on a bed of light fluffy jasmine rice and pickled vegetables. I ordered mine mild, which still had a nice spice level. Highly recommend but be prepared for the cost. read more

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Spousal Unit and I have been fans of Ekiben's food truck for a while, but now that their brick & mortar site is open in Frederick we wanted to give it a try. OMG: so, so good. We both love the Bird Bowls. I get the spicy version, she gets the less tingly one. The bird in question is two pieces of perfectly cooked Taiwanese curry fried chicken; juicy interior, with a crispy exterior. The bowl comes with jasmine rice and a plethora of pickled veg (onions, cucumbers, and a garlicky mango-papaya slaw). Every bite stands by itself, but mixed together, they make a symphony in your mouth. (The good kind, not the boring ones your music teachers dragged you to in elementary school. Sheesh). Portions are perfect for dedicated Crossfit afficianados but too large for an old guy like me to eat in one sitting. No problem; there will be plenty for breakfast... Ekiben opened a few days ago, with lines stretching around the block. Today's lunchtime wait was only 30 minutes, and it was definitely worth it (especially since she was standing in it!). She also passed the time in conversation with another line stander: local celebrity chef Brian Voltaggio, who (happily!) did not request or receive any special treatment. Foodie democracy in action, the way it should be. I've had the privilege to chat with owners Ephrem Abebe and Steve Chu as they worked their food truck. Whoever said nice guys finish last has obviously not had the pleasure of meeting them. Their passion for their concept and food, and their dedication to their customers, really comes through. If you haven't been to Ekiben yet, what's your excuse? Standing in line on a sunny day like today is guaranteed to make the already incredible food taste even better. Go! read more

The staff is always friendly and the place is always busy. It's got a cozy warm feel, with limited seating. If you want to skip the wait order ahead. The food is delicious. We always get the tempura broccoli! It's so crispy and we love leftovers so get the vinegar on the side. Can't go wrong with the tofu bowl or the crispy shrimp bowl. You'll want to keep coming back to try out the whole menu. read more

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Have been waiting to try this place since they opened, and it was more than worth the wait!! As a gluten-free girl, having flavorful options available on the menu without having to ask for adaptions makes SUCH a difference in the dining experience! Ekiben keeps the menu small bc everything works together so effortlessly. The flavors from all different cuisines blend together so lovely. Super cute vibe doesn't hurt either, the music is top tier Will be back!! read more

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I decided to stop here while in the Frederick area. It was a good choice. You have to try garlic chili oil noodles! They are a 10 out of 10. The protein I added was tender and seasoned well. It's a little spicy but not too bad for me. I also got the crispy shrimp. The shrimp size is big! The crispy was okay. I think it would be better with a different type of batter but I get the Asian style of the crispy. I will definitely be back to get the garlic chili oil noodles and try some other items read more

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Ekiben is such a huge win for Frederick! You really can't get this style of food anywhere else unless to drive to Baltimore. 10/10! read more

Redownloaded this platform just to review. Ekiben delivers consistently elite quality in their food and customer service. Freshness is next level. Spices and herbs add layers of flavor! One of my favorite things is to repurpose my extra rice for crispy rice added on top of a salad with a side of their pickled veggies! read more

Ekiben is always a stop when visiting Baltimore, and I was disappointed in not having time on a recent visit....until driving through the Frederick area home (I live in Pittsburgh). I guess this is a completely new location, and it was absolutely bumping. I ordered the standard chicken "bowl" (it's actually a box) and some of the broccoli bites, the "per usual" on my part - both were excellent. The little curry layer on the chicken has always been a mystery to me, but I'm not complaining because it's good. Don't let the crowds deter you - the eating/lobby area is incredibly small and there will most-likely always be a wait. We walked down the street to a local brewery, secured a spot, and returned with our food. Probably nothing to add versus other reviewers - high ratings across the board, and probably the most successful fast-casual place on the Eastern seaboard, for absolutely good reason. read more

What a great new spot in Frederick! After seeing the long lines during its opening, I avoided the place and went for lunch on a Wednesday. Inside, the restaurant was small but manageable to navigate. I was very surprised to see a small eating area because I thought it was takeout only. I'll have to go again and sit inside. It was very easy to order. The cashier was very patient despite the busyness of the restaurant. I got the Crispy Shrimp Bowl and my fiancé got the Spicy Neighborhood Bird Bowl since we had heard the chicken was to die for. We also got the Red Beans and Rice as a side and the Crab Rangoon Egg Roll. At first glance at the total bill, I was disappointed. To me, $60-$70 for takeout is wild, especially with a fast food appeal at first glance. I was absolutely surprised at the portion sizes and how delicious everything was! While we tried each other's orders, the sauce on the Bird Bowl was so flavorful that I wish I had it with my Shrimp Bowl. My Shrimp Bowl was great! The crispiness was maintained even dor leftovers the next day. The flavors of the Shrimp Bowl was even more tasty the next day. The additions to the bowls were also amazing - pickled onions, pickles, and rice with other spices. The Red Beans and Rice were different than expected (thought it would have a Cajun vibe but with tomatoes and garlic, the flavors were definitely complementing each other). My only issue was the Crab Rangoon Egg Roll but it was my own issue. I discovered that I prefer Crab Rangoon as smaller bites. The Egg Roll was yummy but it felt like it was too much for one sitting. Overall, I'm glad I experienced this well-known and established restaurant and look forward to visiting again in the future. read more

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I highly recommend stopping by and tasting one of the sandwiches served on a bao bun. Staff was friendly. Seating is limited, but there is a great bar to sit at with a view of Market Street. Ekiben is a great addition to downtown Frederick. read more

Damn! Damn! Damn! The NEIGHBORHOOD BIRD! Only third time I've had this and is so good! I got spicy and it was perfect heat! The device is awesome I got there 5 minutes before closing and they took my order! read more

Ekiben - NEIGHBORHOOD BIRD - Asian Fusion Near Me - Frederick, Maryland

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I tried the spicy chicken bowl with a side of dumplings, and the flavors were packed with a lot more punch than I expected. The chicken was tender, the sauces worked well together, and the portions were filling without feeling too heavy. It's a casual spot, but the food definitely stands out. read more

The flavors, freshness, huge quantity of food, And definitely something we could never figure out how to make at home 10/10!!! read more

What a flavor bomb meal. Being a vegetarian, it's exciting to find Tofu done right. Crispy tofu with a peanut sauce in A bao bun. Served with a sweet mango, papaya, carrot slaw topped with herbs. I also ordered the tempura broccoli. Delicious, big mound of crunchy broccoli all sitting in an almost hidden lake of sweet/sour vinegar/herbs and onions that you want to drink up the leftovers. Downsides, the place is very small with only 4 tables. There is a side rail to stand and eat if you want. Service is friendly but slow as things are made to order. Plan on 15-20 minutes to get the food. It's worth the wait!!! read more

Finally got my food & damn it's good! Love the chicken. Broccoli was also very good. But, rice & beans was average, or below. I will definitely be back! read more

The Bon boa buns are fantastic! The servings are generous portions and the taste is wonderful. Ordered for carry out because place was so busy. Definitely would go back. read more

I went there it was a little wait but the food was amazing I got the broccoli and yard bird and when I got home I realized one of my items was missing so I went back up there because you can't call so went I get there the staff was very apologetic and made sure I got taken care of with a little extra I will be going back a few times . read more

This place is amazing. Not the fastest and the music is club level volume, however the tastiness of the food makes up for all that. Friendly employees that are working hard grinding out orders. I will frequently this establishment, but may utilize the order online feature for my next visit. read more

Delicious. Super nice staff. The food is so good. I'll definitely go again next time I'm in MD.

Awesome food. Love the flavors! Generous quantities! Unique (in a good way) flavor sodas. Clean and fun atmosphere. Good vibes from staff and guests alike. Definitely recommend you give this place a try. read more

Great neighborhood vibe. Food was delicious, exploding with new flavors, well-prepared. What a great addition to the community!

Delicious food, great service. The only complaint is long lines but that is to be expected with food this good.

This place is amazing. Flavorful and well portioned. I highly recommend. Cool vibes inside and very friendly staff. The Red beans and rice is "chefs kiss." read more

My son has been raving about the restaurant in Baltimore and now that we have one in Frederick, I finally had the opportunity earlier this week to try it with him! The food was great and everyone enjoyed thier meal! We will definitely be back. read more