Ekiben — Restaurant in Baltimore

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 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...

Ekiben has been on my Baltimore dining list for a long time, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. After seeing the never-ending lines at their Night Market pop-up in Fells Point, I finally made my way to their South Baltimore restaurant to try the famous Softie sandwich before it disappeared from the menu.

The Softie is a masterpiece and one of the most creative sandwiches in Baltimore: a crispy soft shell crab paired with a jumbo lump crab cake, tucked into a pillowy bao bun with melted cheddar and bold sauces. I ordered the Ekiben Softie, seasoned with a Cantonese dry rub that delivers incredible flavor. The Maryland Softie, with Chesapeake remoulade and Old Bay, is next on my list. Both are indulgent, inventive, and uniquely Baltimore.

This location is the only one offering the Softies, but the regular menu at Ekiben Baltimore is just as impressive. Their Asian fried chicken sandwich on bao is a local favorite, and the fried broccoli has a cult following. Other standouts include garlic oil noodles, sticky ribs, and crispy shrimp bowls. It’s the type of menu that makes you want to return with friends and order everything to share.

The space is casual with limited seating inside and picnic tables outside, but the vibe is vibrant and welcoming. The staff was warm and attentive, and the music gave the restaurant an energy that made waiting enjoyable.

With three locations across the city, Ekiben has earned its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. It’s inventive without being gimmicky, crave-worthy without being overdone, and absolutely worth the line. I can see why food lovers consistently rank Ekiben among the top Baltimore spots. I’m already planning...

I am in a peaceful food coma after eating at Ekiben. I love all kinds of cuisine and have eaten food all over the world. I found the food at Ekiben to be truly and memorably amazing. I would say the restaurant falls in the "hole in the wall" category. You do not come here for a fine dining experience. But you will be truly blown away by the mouth-watering menu and amazing flavors. My daughter told me that they were particularly noted for the chicken dish "the neighborhood bird", an honor that I soon discovered was richly deserved. So that's of course what I ordered. There was an explosion of delicious flavors in my mouth when I took the first bite. It ranks as one of the most memorable dishes I have eaten in a long time. Other reviewers have noted how generous their portions are: TRUTH! My one dish could have easily fed three people. My daughter had the shrimp bowl and her finance had the catfish bowl. We all fell instantly in love with what we ordered. The lychee iced tea is not to be missed either. There is no place to eat inside. There's only a long bench where people are waiting for their orders. They are very precise when they tell you how long it will take: our order took 14 min. That's what we were told and that's what they held to. Outside, there are only 2 tables so unless you may be one of lucky ones to snatch one of those tables (when it's not to scorching hot to sit outside), you need to assume that your order is take out. I implore you to try their explosion of flavors! You will not be disappointed. I personally can't...