Some restaurants are worth scrolling past.
Others are worth sitting in traffic for. Ekiben falls firmly into the second category.
What started as a Baltimore favorite has quietly turned into one of Maryland’s most viral food success stories, earning cult-like loyalty, nonstop social media buzz, and now… a highly anticipated expansion into Frederick. For a restaurant that doesn’t take reservations, doesn’t follow trends, and doesn’t need gimmicks, Ekiben has managed to do what few places can: stay consistently relevant while everyone’s watching.
Mr. 8 That visited one of Ekiben’s Baltimore locations when Ekiben was promoting their specialty item, “The Maryland Softie,” a soft bao bun stuffed with crispy soft shell crab, a jumbo lump crabcake, old bay, melted cheddar cheese and a chesapeake remoulade.
Mr. 8 That rates every restaurant using two simple categories: price and taste, each scored on a scale of 1-5. Add the two scores together, and if a restaurant reaches a total of 8 or higher, it officially “8 that.”
Ekiben has received recognition from Yelp as the #4 Best Fried Chicken Spot in U.S. and Canada and features other menu items such as their asian-fusion bao buns and bowls, as well as crispy fried snacks like crispy fried shrimp and tempura broccoli.
Mr. 8 That: “Having been to Ekiben multiple times, they continue to deliver on strong flavors, and really push the envelope when it comes to menu creativity with their specialty cuisine. The Neighborhood Bird is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches i’ve had because not only is it fried crispy, but the strong marinade penetrates into the chicken and leaves every bite flavorful. The tempura broccoli is lightly battered, with their house made vinegar, its the perfect balance of sweet, earthy and a touch of salt. The Maryland Softie was a CRAZY must-try experience; a soft shell crab in addition to a crab cake made every bite packed with that beautiful Maryland crab flavor.”
During his visits, Mr. 8 That has tried The Neighborhood Bird, the Shrimp Snacks, the Tempura Broccoli and the Maryland Softie Bao Bun. In the linked video below, he gave the flavor a 4.5 and the price a 4.0, with a total score of 8.5 That means that Ekiben 8 That! Mr. 8 That has given Ekiben a score as high as 8.9 in previous videos, meaning this is a must-try if you’re a local or taking the drive.
As previously mentioned, Ekiben is looking to expand in the very near future, with a new location opening up in the Downtown Frederick area, expected around March of 2026.
@mr.8.that This Softie Sandwich hits HARD with the Crab 🥪 🦀 💥- @ekibenbaltimore – Baltimore, MD #RestaurantReview #foodietok #foodtok #foodie #food #crab #ekiben #tiktokfood #baltimore #DMVEats #mr8that ♬ original sound – mr.8.that
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