Welcome to Ekiben
Ekiben, located in Baltimore, offers a unique Asian fusion dining experience with a focus on delicious takeout options. The menu features a variety of dishes, including the popular Neighborhood Bird Bun and tofu brah, all bursting with flavor and fresh ingredients. Customers rave about the generous portions of the fried chicken and the flavorful sauces that accompany each dish. The restaurant's casual atmosphere and friendly staff make for a pleasant dining experience. Ekiben is a must-visit spot for those looking for a tasty and satisfying meal in the Baltimore area.
- 1622 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States1622 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States Hotline:
Welcome to Ekiben, a beloved Asian fusion restaurant located in Baltimore, MD. Ekiben offers a diverse range of culinary options, including delivery, takeout, reservations, vegan and vegetarian options, and catering services. The restaurant is not wheelchair accessible but provides outdoor seating and has gender-neutral restrooms. Additionally, Ekiben is Asian-owned, black-owned, and prides itself on sustainable practices by offering compostable containers and plastic-free packaging.
When it comes to the food at Ekiben, customers rave about the flavorful dishes and generous portions. Reviewers praise the Neighborhood Bird Bun, a fan-favorite featuring crispy fried chicken with spicy sambal mayo, pickles, and herbs. The Tempeh Brah, red beans and rice, and Thai Tea are also highly recommended.
The restaurant has a casual atmosphere with moderate noise levels, making it a great spot for a laid-back lunch or dinner. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Ekiben has something for everyone. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the delicious offerings at Ekiben – it's a dining experience you won't soon forget!

My sister got takeout for us before the Springsteen concert and I had never tried Ekiben before. Even though it was takeout, the spicy fried chicken was still hot and crispy and the bao bun was not soggy. Deliciousness overall - and I ate the whole sandwich no problem! The tempura broccoli side was not so crisp (i didn't realize until just now when looking at the menu that it was tempura) but still delicious since I wasn't expecting it to be crispy. Now that I know, I can see the benefit of getting it in-restaurant as opposed to takeout. I don't typically like cilantro in any of my food, but didn't mind it at all in both items. I look forward to more Ekiben when I'm next in Baltimore!

A very cool spot with several locations! We went to the in fells point and got lucky since we didn't have to wait in any lines to get inside. The neighborhood bird bun was delicious, and so so so flavorful. The spicy sambal mayo, pickles and herbs went so well with the friend chicken. We were not huge fans of the tempura broccoli sadly. While it sounded like it would be great, it was just a tad bit too sweet for us. But if you're into sweet sides, would def recc it! Overall a great experience!

Thoroughly enjoyed the neighborhood bird bun, the protein was a bit large in proportion to the bun so it was very messy to eat (the insides kept falling out lol), but I eventually gave up and used a fork/knife. Chicken itself was extremely crispy and very well-seasoned. Bun was just as soft and pillowy as it looks. Staff were friendly, although you just order at the counter and get it when it's ready so not a ton of interaction there. Seating was pretty limited, more of a casual to-go place than a place to sit down but there are counter style seats for those who need a table!

Finally tried Ekiben for the first time after hearing all the positive reviews. They were at a local festival so I was happy I didn't have to drive too far. The neighborhood bird is definitely a top favorite. I prefer the bowl version rather than the bun as it feels very obnoxious to eat by hand due to how large the chicken is. The bowl is huge for being $5 more ($20 total). It comes with 2 large pieces of chicken. Overall, chicken and rice are seasoned well. The veggies are pickled and they give you a handful. Service is also very quick. I placed my order and within 5 minutes my food was ready. I've actually never visited their store but I've seen them at different pop up locations before. The one thing that does bother me is the box/container they pack their food in. I don't like the flaps and how it makes it very difficult to eat your food because of how it bends. If they could change their packaging that would be my only suggestion.

Food was bomb. Most places offer giant portions or giant taste, but this place has got both. They give very generous portions for fried chicken and it's a delicious late night bite. Yuzu-ade was so refreshing also. The pho beeeeef bowl was also good, but i think the chicken was a little tastier. Red beans and rice were good too. Will definitely come back again. Servers are nice also and there's barely any seating so it's best to walk towards fells point to eat.

Ekiben never disappoints!! The tofu brah is so so flavorful and has such a great texture, you don't even realize it's tofu. The toppings are always so fresh and yummy. I love a side bun to make my own bun burger. The what the bird eats patty is also incredible for vegetarians!! I don't know how these guys get so much flavor in their food!! The service is always on point and the vibes are always good.

This place is a gem I wish they had a location in northern Virginia because I would be a regular. Their chicken portion is huge and my boyfriend would say the bowl is equivalent to a whole chicken. The sauce for broccoli is chef's kiss if you like cilantro and some sweet tanginess with garlic. Definitely a must go spot if you're in Baltimore and they're open late too!

The best Asian fusion food I've had in a long time. Everything tasted amazing and this is an easy 5/5 star. Tempera broccoli was crispy and light. So flavorful. The toppings on top tasted very fresh.

Ekiben is still the one. I'm keeping that original bowl in business, but when I'm in the mood to throw down, the fried chicken bowl is everything. I placed an online order while I was in whole foods, and the order was ready by the time I finished shopping (yes, I went to the grocery store and ordered take-out directly after)! They have a small seating area in the front of the shop, but that's okay because I need the privacy of my home to enjoy the bowl the way I need to! Also, a Special s/o to whoever was on the aux cord playing the new Megan Thee Stallion album!