Ekiben

What a gem. So glad we found this place on Google. It’s quaint with minimal seating both inside and outside. Ordering process was easy and the kind young lady at the register helped us navigate through the menu with great recommendations. We ordered the tempura broccoli for starters. This was the best broccoli I have ever had! It was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The vinegar sauce underneath was phenomenal. Somehow the broccoli remained crispy despite the vinegar, but we ate it so quickly that there was no time for it to sit too long. We ordered the crispy shrimp, beef, and pork all in bowls. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we all talked about how flavorful our dishes were. The pho seasoning on my beef was incredible. Portion sizes were big. We shared the broccoli starter and each of us took home half of our main meals. 10/10 highly recommend.

We ordered the limited time Chicken Box. Full sized wings tossed in General Tsao's sauce. Very tasty. We also ordered the Neighborhood Bird. Boneless thighs fried with curry seasoning. The rice and garnishes are great too. I really love the onions. $22 for a Chicken Box to-go is a bit much in my opinion. The service was great though. The kitchen only had one Chicken Box left after we had paid for 2. So they threw in a free drink , because we had to change our order. I DO want to try the red beans and rice.

Ok let me start with the service, EXCEPTIONAL! The food has become better, much much better! Went with a friend and we ordered the shrimp snack, spicy shrimp and broccoli, OH THE BROCCOLI! Not sure what they do to it but its just so good. I couldnt stop eating it. Love love love the food! Well done!

I've ordered from the Hampden location a few times but I had to go to the Fort Ave location specifically for a special. I got the Pho Spiced Cheesesteak Egg Roll, The Ekiben Chicken Box (Special), and the Ancho Chile Pork Bun. The Egg Roll was just ok. The Ancho Chile Pork Bun is my favorite because it's always tender and packed with meat. Now, about that Chicken Box..... It's 3 jumbo wings with rice and veggies. I was scared of the price but I said Yolo! The wings were huge and crispy. I thought that the General Tso sauce would be spicy but I'm happy that it wasn't. I just wish that I had more of the sauce over my rice. My only gripe was the parking. Other than that, I would definitely come back.

Always visit the closest Ekiben when I am in Baltimore. Every location serves up great food no matter what you select from the menu. Today it was the Crispy Shrimp Bowl. So good!!! 👍

The hype matches reality here, combining Chinese/Cantonese staples such as salt/pepper shrimp with modern spicy and pickled flavors with a punch. I describe it as the equivalent of what Roy Choi did for LA Korean-Mexican fusion with his Kogi and Chego restaurants. Similarly, Ekiben has gained a cult following by injecting fresh and bold flavors in "holdable street food" with steamed buns filled with crispy dark chicken meat (white meat begone) that mirrors the current fascination with Korean fried chicken. The crispy tempura broccoli is not just to alleviate carnivore guilt - it is tasty and crispy and a dish to experience for its own sake. Definitely worth a trip to Baltimore just to experience it.

OKAY LISTEN I lived in baltimore for 9 years and recently moved to Philly for fun no reason other than a change of pace. Philly does not have Ekiben-- a tragic, sad fact. I had to visit Baltimore for a doctor's appt and to see some friends in a short weekend trip... AND GUESS WHAT I SEE! Tabachoy, a new Philly-favorite restraurant of mine, popped onto my ig feed BUT ON EKIBEN'S STORY! During the weekend I was visiting! Both powerhouses would host a ONE DAY COLLAB! ON A SUNDAY WHEN EKIBEN USUALLY WASN'T OPEN! The stars aligned for us. Truly the powers that be (being Ekiben and Tabachoy) blessed us and the neighborhood with some delicious eats that day. The two restaurants had an exclusive menu of favorite items with a twist. Please see my photos as I triumphantly hold up the best "tofu brah bowl" (a collab with Tabachoy called the **Colonel Choy Tofu Bowl**) you can find-- complete with ADDICTING CRUNCHY TOFY NUGGS, extra asian-style pickles, filipino garlic rice (which I could eat with a shovel on its own ty Tabachoy!), special tangy tamarind sauce, and all the bells and whistles. My company got the pancit knife cut noodles with shrimp and they slurped them down in a flash. The shrimp were cooked to be bouncy and full of flavor, the noodles has the perfect amount of bite and satisfying chew that only noodles can give you <3 ((If you're truly metal you eat the whole shrimp + the fried shell! It's good for you!)) We were the last people served food. The collab was supposed to go later, but they sold out of half the menu... GOT MORE INGREDIENTS!... then SOLD OUT AGAIN! As always, the staff are cheerful, helpful, FAST AS HECK, and make the experience of Ekiben a joy. Truly the community here in this city is amazing and I'm so grateful Ekiben is a part of it, and now Tabachoy, too! So... Ekiben in Philly when? I'll bring out my crew and whole social circle to get some of the best chicken and tofu nuggets EVER! PS my friends are mostly die-hard "meat is the answer" and noodles > rice people. I had to slap their hands out of my tofu brah bowl cause they couldn't get enough of the tofu nuggets and garlic rice I let them taste hahaha.

I cannot stop thinking about the Tofu nuggets. They were amazing. This was a shocker for me. I’ve never been able to eat tofu. Now I just want more. Everything was delicious! I ordered the Tofu nuggets, Tempura Broccoli, Chicken box and the Eggroll. I cannot wait to go back!

A destination worth visiting-even if it is just the fried tofu or bird in a bun. Order at a fast food counter. Not many seats. Just two picnic tables and benches. Menu has like 8 items on it and there is a special or two and Thai ice tea and a black tea option.

4.5 Stars- I don't make the "trek" to Baltimore often, but when I do, Ekiben is always on my mind. I can still remember when Ekiben only had 1 location and now they have 3! This is a no-frills, good eats kinda deal. The menu is still just about the same with buns and bowls and now I see they've added a couple more items like drinks and extra sides. My family of 2 adults and 3 kiddos got tempura broccoli, crispy shrimp bowl, and neighborhood bird bowl. Thankfully, the food wasn't overly salty this time. I was a bit weary at first thinking how much I felt the prices had gone up, but these 3 items fed my family and we Still had leftovers. The yuzuade- yuzu, jasmine tea, and mint- was super refreshing. I loved that I could taste the jasmine tea and that it wasn't all sugar in a bottle. I was a bit annoyed that my food was prepared faster than the time they indicated on their online ordering platform because everything ordered is fried and really should be eaten straight away, so mine (although they kept the tempura broccoli top open) was mostly soggy by the time I got to it. This place is in the corner and there's street parking. Place is small (not really meant for anyone to really eat inside) but clean.

We made the "long" trek to Ekiben (Silver Spring to Baltimore ~45 minutes) for a pop up collaboration event with the owner of 886 (an awesome Taiwanese restaurant in NYC), so this review will focus more on the pop up event. While the pop up was scheduled from 2 to 6 pm, I'm so glad that we arrived around 1:45 because the line already was pretty long at that point. The pop up menu (Sze + Ekiben = Szekiben) included the following (in the order of my favorites): Scallion Pancake Sammich, Shrimp Dumplings, Vegetable Dumplings (vegan), Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup, and Chili Oil Hand Pulled Noodles. I'll say that everything was absolutely delicious, and the pancake sammich tasted like heaven. OMG, the lemongrass butter sauce that was served with the dumplings and the pancake sammich was out of this world delicious. I guess butter does make everything better. While I wasn't disappointed with the noodles, they were a bit tough for my liking. However, there were a bit better in the noodle soup since the heat of the soup soften the noodles a bit. The restaurant appears to be more of a grab and go spot because there was very limited seating. However, there is a small counter inside and a couple of picnic tables outside. Fortunately, for us, we had some towels in our car, so we were able to dry off the a table and eat outside of the restaurant (#phew). *I was kind of of surprised (and happy) that no one else thought to do this because we would have had to drive back home (a 45-min trip) to eat.* Since I live a distance away, I'm not sure I will be back because of the limited dining-in options. That said, it is a great spot for local folks.

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.

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.

We were in Baltimore for the weekend so we knew we had to try Ekiben. I was able to try it twice, at this location and at a night market. We got the neighborhood bird and ancho chile pork. I definitely recommend the neighborhood bird: it's seasoned well, good amount of batter, and juicy. The pickled veggies are a great pairing too. The ancho chile pork was good, juicy, and easily fell apart, however the neighborhood bird was everyone's favorite! The rice is $4 more than the bun, but they give a lot of rice and it's a huge portion. One portion is good enough for 1-2 people, as I had some trouble finishing one all by myself. We also got the yuzu drink ($6?) but wished there was more yuzu flavor, but overall good and refreshing. There are four bench seats inside, and two picnic tables outside so seating is very limited; it's more of a takeout spot. There is a bathroom inside. Condiments, utensils and water are inside. We had about a 20 minute wait after ordering in person, so I suggest ordering ahead.

Great tasting chicken that's apparently halal. Prices were a bit high but the portion size and taste was worth it. Cashier was nice and welcoming. Eager to come back to this place with friends in the future.

Ekiben is the best. Everything is good, but the tempura broccoli manages to stand out by being amazing. There are a lot of vegetarian options. Also, Ekiben are good people.

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.

One of our favorite places for Taiwanese food, the first time we tried it was at a food festival and since then we make sure we get food from from here every chance we get. This location is pretty neat, it has a couple of benches outside of you want eat right there but I usually like to place the order online and it is usually ready at the time they give. Food: Tempura broccoli is delicious with sweet and tangy taste to it. Crispy Tofu nuggets: Ah the peanut sauce is sol delicious, at other branches they sometimes forget add enough sauce but this branch does it really well. We have to get this appetizer every single time Tofu Bowl: The portion size on this one is huge! Can easily serve as an entree for two adults. The Spicy Bird: The buns are so soft and complement well with the juicy chicken.

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).

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.

Epic. Amazing. Flavorful. Fast. Homey. Ekiben hits everything you need in food that's good for you and is delicious. The flavors are so poignant and unique you can taste them even when you're sick. 12/10 would recommend. The owners have hit a sweet spot and are killing it!

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!

Eminem never ceases to amaze me. I am an absolute sucker for their tempura broccoli and chicken Sammy. The servings are also very large! Delicious and worth every penny

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!

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!

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.

I ordered the new beef menu item. It was solid the beef could have had a little more flavor, but good and healthy overall. The music at the Fed hill location was WAAAAY to loud.

I've come here a couple of times to this location, and each time has been a nice experience. I've gotten the shrimp snacks, neighborhood bird sandwich, beeeeef sandwich, and fried broccoli. Everything tasted delicious! You order at the counter and you can eat it at one of the small tables, or high bar area or take out. I like all the Ekiben locations. I hope that they will come to Howard County soon. Meanwhile, I'll be back to their Baltimore locations, they are all good!

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.

I am so mad at myself for not going to the other locations years ago. This food is CRAZY good!! We order the tofu bowl and the pork bowl. I will admit, the pork bowl wasn't really to my taste. Not bad, just not that exciting to me. The tofu bowl more than made up for it. The tofu bowl is soo soo tasty. One of the best things I have eaten all year. My words are failing me, but it was amazing and if you get it and don't like it, I'm sorry and please bring me your leftovers :p Service was very friendly. We had ordered online and everything was ready when we walked over 20 min later. The only downside is there isn't really anywhere to eat there. Only a few seats inside, and quite loud. Hoping that in the summer they might setup outdoor tables

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.

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.

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.

Ekiben is a Baltimore HOF (Hall of fame) food spot. Amazing food, good service (although sometimes takes a little bit due to the demand. One of my favorite places to eat in Bmore.

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!

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.

The fried chicken is excellent. The sides and sauce make it! One of Baltimores fast casual gems.

I absolutely love love love this place! I can't say enough good about them! I am in love with their spicy chicken bowl and sandwich. I also love the tempura broccoli! I usually can't try anything else but the last time I was there I tried their shrimp appetizer and it also blew my mind!

Service was superb and food delicious. Phoe...was the best. Sorry, not sure how to spell her name.

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.

Food is always great but the experience could be better. Been here quite a few times and the food is always good. When you walk in you notice, the music is obnoxiously loud. Sometimes they're playing Hardcore rap or booty club music filled with a bunch of explicit lyrics. The music is so loud that the person that takes your order is screaming at you and it's hard to hear what they are saying because the ridiculous music is just so loud. This time I had to wait a little bit longer and the music was awful and so loud it made me feel uncomfortable and I just wanted to wait outside, I guess they want to project some kind of edgy attitude but it makes for a unpleasant experience as a customer and it's not appreciated and doesn't match the quality of the food they serve. Time to grow up and get over yourself. Make it a little bit more comfortable for customers. The only thing more uncomfortable than blaring music is the rock hard metal chairs they have for you to sit while you wait for your food

Ekiben is a Baltimore staple, and it clearly deserves that title. I've never tried something here I haven't liked, the food is to die for. My favorite is the neighborhood bird, which comes with an insane chicken-to-rice ratio-- you know it's good when you run out of rice first! It's a more casual location that doesn't have much seating, but there are benches outside. The service is fast even during rush hour times. Bonus- check out their drinks, the Thai iced tea and lychee tea are SO delicious!

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.

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!

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.

I'm obsessed with the delicious offerings of Ekiben. I usually visit them at the farmers market but I've been to their store too and the service is always top notch. They always know how to organize themselves when dealing with large crowds so they can get orders out in a timely manner. There is a wait because everything is made to order, but it's so worth it. The sandwiches are so juicy, flavorful, and hands down the yummiest. Highly recommend giving them a visit

I've previously only been to the one in Fells Point but already know I love the food. This location is really similar to the Fells Point place, but of extra outside space. They have a couple park benches outside and a few counter seats inside. They weren't too busy when we were there for lunch, but since we were sitting outside, the worker was nice enough to bring our food to us outside and also checked on us while we were eating.

WOW is the best way to describe Ekiben. I decided to come here for lunch after reading the reviews and the menu. This is apparently their latest location to open, and I can understand why they opened another one. It is a small place with seating for a few people inside and picnic tables outside. But who cares when the food is this good. I had the Neighborhood Bird sandwich, taiwanese curry fried dar meat chicken with spicy sambal mayo, pickles, and fresh herbs. I got mine spicy, but you can get mild. It was fantastic. The meat was perfectly cook, still moist, the seasoning excellent, and the spice level just hot enough to let you know it, but not make you cry. The staff is polite but as everything is made to order, you do need to be willing to be patient for your order. This is definitely on my I'll be back list.

Ekiben in South Baltimore exceeded our expectations! The Neighborhood Bird Sandwich was a delightful blend of flavors, and the Crispy Shrimp Snack left us wanting more. The Tempura Broccoli was a lovely surprise, perfectly cooked and seasoned. While the Red Beans and Rice with Sausage was a bit heavy and spicy for my taste, it didn't overshadow the overall fantastic experience. Next time, we're excited to try the Garlic Chili Noodles! Can't wait to visit again!

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!

Very innovative. When you order something on a bun they make it out of that fluffy white bread you get in dim sum cut like big sandwich. Delicious!

Great chicken sandwich. Great quality and size. Definitely recommend. Everything else on the menu seems unique and worth trying.

Amazing! Must try the Philly cheesesteak egg roll! The usually neighborhood bird bowl and sandwich were great along with the tempura broccoli!

Ekiben is hands down my favorite place to eat in Baltimore! It's hard to describe the way their flavors pop and how everything goes together so well. That broccoli side dish will keep me coming back just by itself, but so would the neighborhood bird, or the tofu bun! This is not a place to pass by, this is a place worth a special trip. Also, the online ordering is very quick and easy from their website for pickup!

Incredible food and incredible service! Unfortunately the location is small so it gets crowded very easy, but they do have a few spaces inside and some outside of the weather is nice.

Ate at the South Baltimore location. Loved it. Never, ever disappoints. The tempura broccoli gets more and more delicious as you get deeper and deeper into it with the sweet vinegar, fresh herbs and red onion. Saturated with sweet goodness. Neighborhood Bird on the pillowlike steamed bun and spicy sambal sauce. Ancho Chili Pork was tender and a decadent flavor. The staff is great, nice and friendly. They truly care about their food. Another thing I noticed is that the food travels well. Let's hope for more locations out in the counties!

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!

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