Ekiben - Baltimore

So happy I made it here for lunch during my visit. Spicy chicken roll, probably the best one I've had. The curry brine (I think that's how they get that flavor)... read more So happy I made it here for lunch during my visit. Spicy chicken roll, probably the best one I've had. The curry brine (I think that's how they get that flavor) on the chicken thigh was so damn tasty. The roll was the sneaky star, cause that streamed bun was up for the task to contain the mighty bird. And the pickles, the secret to the chicken sandwich and again, tip top. If I come back to this Earth as a chicken, I would be happy to go out with team Ekiben, but only spicy . Broccoli ramen was amazing as well. The soy aoli was the perfect pairing. Would eat both again. Maybe today . They were slammed on a lunch rush, but the staff were cheerful and chatty and were working hard... It was appreciated. Not a lot of space to eat in, so plan accordingly. Service: Takeaway Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Tofu Brah Bowl

One of the best meals I had during my 6 days in Baltimore. The shrimp were perfectly seasoned and crispy, served with a generous portion of rice. Highly recomme... read more One of the best meals I had during my 6 days in Baltimore. The shrimp were perfectly seasoned and crispy, served with a generous portion of rice. Highly recommended! Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Ekiben is one of those Baltimore spots you just have to try. We stopped in on a Friday afternoon right before the rush hit, which was perfect timing since it di... read more Ekiben is one of those Baltimore spots you just have to try. We stopped in on a Friday afternoon right before the rush hit, which was perfect timing since it did get busy. I ordered the Neighborhood Bird and went for the spicy version. It took a little longer than I expected to come out, but honestly it was well worth the wait. The chicken was super juicy inside, perfectly crispy outside, with just the right amount of heat. Some people might find it overly spicy, but for me it was spot on. The herbal mayo added a rich, creamy balance that really tied it all together. The steamed bao buns themselves were excellent. Super soft and pillowy, they tasted fresh and likely made in-house or locally. Pro tip: Eat your sandwich as soon as you get it so the chicken keeps all its crunch and texture. It’s a fast-casual spot with both dine-in and takeout options. The interior was clean and inviting, and the bathrooms were well maintained. The staff was friendly and helpful even as the place got busier. Price-wise, my sandwich was about $14–$15. Sure, that might seem a bit much for a casual lunch, but the portion was solid and it definitely filled me up. All in all, Ekiben is a great spot in Baltimore for bold, flavorful food. If you’re craving a killer steamed bun sandwich, this is the place. Highly recommend checking it out. Rating: 4.5/5 stars. Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

First time here, inadvertently ordered the original sandwich thinking it was the chicken breast sandwich ???????????. However I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is sp... read more First time here, inadvertently ordered the original sandwich thinking it was the chicken breast sandwich ???????????. However I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is spicy. My American palette could barely handle it. It was flavorful but I wouldn?t order it againdue to the spice level. The crispy shrimp snack was also good. The shrimp were surprisingly bigger than expected. Something inthe shrimp box was extremely salty and I?m not sure if it was the crispy fried onions or the aromatics. I?m leaning towards theonions. If I get it next time, I?ll be sure to ask for all of the fixings on the side to add as I see fit. I will definitely beback to try the chicken bun that I thought I had ordered .

I did a food tour today of Baltimore and this was the first stop on the list. They did not disappoint. Food: The Neighborhood Bird (bun), Tackle Box, Tempura Br... read more I did a food tour today of Baltimore and this was the first stop on the list. They did not disappoint. Food: The Neighborhood Bird (bun), Tackle Box, Tempura Broccoli. The chicken was so flavorful and SOFT. The broccoli had a slight hint of sweetnessand the sauce was very delicious. The fish was very crispy just how I like. But my all time favorite was the bun. I'm lookingforward to my next trip.