Ekiben is expanding beyond Baltimore for the first time, with a new Frederick location aiming for a March opening, according to Frederick City Media. The popular Asian fusion restaurant, co-founded by Quince Orchard High School graduate Steve Chu, will mark a major milestone for the brand as it continues its growth in Maryland.
The Frederick restaurant will be Ekiben’s first location outside of Baltimore, where it currently operates three brick-and-mortar spots in Fells Point, Hampden, and South Baltimore, along with a catering operation. Founded in 2014 by Ephrem Abebe, Steve Chu, and Nikhil Yesupriya, Ekiben began as a hotdog cart at the Fells Point Farmers Market, serving bold, creative takes on Asian and Ethiopian cuisine. What started as a small fast-casual concept quickly gained a devoted following for its steamed buns, rice bowls, and signature fried chicken, helping the brand grow into one of Maryland’s most nationally recognized restaurants.
Ekiben recently earned major national recognition when Yelp named it the fourth-best fried chicken spot in the United States and Canada, based on reviews from Yelp Elite Squad members. Yelp praised the restaurant for its inventive Asian fusion menu, fresh ingredients, and standout items like its famous fried chicken bun. Beyond fried chicken, Ekiben has appeared on Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. list for three consecutive years and was named the best place to get a sandwich in Maryland by Travel & Leisure in 2017.
Chu, a Gaithersburg native and Quince Orchard High School alumnus, has also received individual recognition for his work in the industry, including a semifinalist nomination for Eater’s Young Gun Awards in 2018 and a 2023 semifinalist nod from the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef of the Mid-Atlantic.
In addition to its culinary success, Ekiben has built a reputation for its community-first approach. Chu has been actively involved with Youth Works, a Baltimore-based summer program that provides job training and mentorship for young people, and has emphasized creating welcoming spaces through the brand’s restaurants.
