Day 57 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland brought me back to the GOAT, and yeah, I said back. If you’ve been here a while you already know I’m a HUGE Ekiben fan, so this time I made my way over to their South Baltimore location in Locust Point, and I’m glad I did. It’s still some of the best food in Baltimore, and it’s got a breakfast sandwich you literally can’t get at any of their other spots.
Ekiben’s the rare place that’s blown up and stayed genuinely worth the hype, Asian-American comfort food packed into pillowy steamed buns and big rice bowls. The move here is to roll up with a group and get a massive spread so you can try a bit of everything. If you haven’t been to any Ekiben yet, RUN, and if you have, this Fort Ave spot’s worth the trip too!
View this reel on Instagram
What Makes Ekiben a Standout Restaurant in Charm City
Ekiben started back in 2015 as a humble hot-dog cart at the Fells Point Farmers Market, run by two UMBC friends, and it’s grown into one of the most beloved names in Baltimore food. Their whole thing is Asian-American fusion done with real skill and zero pretension: crispy fried chicken and crackly tofu tucked into fluffy steamed bao, bold sauces, fresh herbs, and rice bowls that actually fill you up. The Baltimore Magazine feature on them tells the origin story better than I can, but the short version is these guys earned every bit of the love. This Locust Point spot’s got the same menu greatness plus that exclusive breakfast sandwich, and it’s a perfect quick stop when you’re down in South Baltimore.
What to Order at Ekiben
Everything’s SO freaking good, so you genuinely can’t go wrong. But if you want a game plan, this is where I’d start.
Neighborhood Bird Bun ($14.50)
This is THE one, Ekiben’s signature dish. It’s a Taiwanese-style curry fried chicken thigh with spicy sambal mayo, pickles, and fresh herbs, all folded into a soft steamed bao. If it’s your first time here, this is what to get first!
Breakfast Sandwich ($14.50)
Here’s the reason to come to THIS location specifically. The breakfast sandwich’s only available at the South Baltimore spot, so it’s a proper little exclusive. If you’re in Locust Point in the morning, you know what to do.
Tofu Brah Bowl ($17.99)
Proof the veg options here aren’t an afterthought. It’s crispy tofu tossed in a spicy peanut sauce with herbs, roasted aromatics, and onions, served over jasmine rice with pickled veggies on the side. It’s vegan and it’s hearty, so it’s a great pick if someone in your crew doesn’t eat meat. Heads up, it does have peanuts.
Shrimp Snacks ($19.99)
Crispy shrimp coated in Ekiben’s special Cantonese-style dry rub with herbs, roasted garlic, and onions. Order them for the table, they’re easy to share, and they’re gluten-free if that’s on your radar.
Round out the table with the Tempura Broccoli ($10), crispy battered broccoli tossed in a house-made vinegar (it’s GF and vegan), and the Crab Rangoon Egg Roll ($10), which is exactly the cheesy, crabby, duck-sauced situation it sounds like. Get a bunch and share it all.
How Many Ekiben Locations Are There?
Four right now. The original’s in Fells Point, and they’ve since added Hampden, this South Baltimore spot in Locust Point, and a Frederick location that opened in spring 2026 (their first outside Baltimore city). If you want a different sit-down feel and a slightly different order, I broke down the Hampden location in its own review. Honestly you can’t go wrong at any of them, but the breakfast sandwich makes this Fort Ave one its own little thing.
Go With a Big Group
My biggest tip for Ekiben, at any location, is to bring people. The menu’s built for sharing, and half the fun’s getting a massive spread and passing everything around so you get to taste way more than you could solo. Buns, bowls, the tempura broccoli, an egg roll or two, maybe those shrimp snacks. It turns a quick counter meal into a whole thing, and it makes the meal feel like more of an event. A huge thanks to the team for having us and taking the time to film with us.
The Vibe and Experience
Ekiben’s counter service, so you order at the register and grab your food to go or post up casually, no fuss. It’s fast, it’s friendly, and it’s the opposite of stuffy. Seating’s on the casual, limited side (it’s built for grabbing and going), so a lot of folks take their spread to eat elsewhere. It’s an easy stop whether you’re exploring the neighborhood or grabbing lunch on a work break, and it fits right into a South Baltimore afternoon. Come as you are, leave very full.
Good to Know
- 📍 801 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230, in the Locust Point neighborhood of South Baltimore
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 to 3:30PM and 4:30 to 10PM, Friday and Saturday 11 to 3:30PM and 4:30 to 11PM, closed Sunday
- Counter service, order at the register, with online ordering available too
- Prices are moderate, with most buns and bowls landing in the $10 to $20 range
- The breakfast sandwich’s exclusive to this South Baltimore location
- Other Ekiben locations: Fells Point, Hampden, and Frederick
- Great for groups and sharing, casual and quick
- Browse the full menu on their website
Is Ekiben Really THAT Good?
10000% YES, and I’ll keep saying it. Ekiben’s one of the few spots that got famous and still delivers, and this South Baltimore location’s no exception. It’s a must for the Neighborhood Bird Bun alone, plus that location-only breakfast sandwich. If you want another quick Asian bite in the area, Ejji Ramen in Harbor East is a solid follow-up, but Ekiben’s in a league of its own for me.
Have you guys made it to the South Baltimore Ekiben yet?! Tell me your go-to order in the comments, Nomsters, I’m always curious what everyone can’t stop getting. It also earned a spot on my list of the best Asian restaurants in Baltimore, so save this and go grab a spread with your people!