Ekiben

Whether it’s debating the best dive bars or arguing about what to do with the Inner Harbor, it seems like nobody in Baltimore can agree on anything. That is, besides how good the Asian fusion food is at Ekiben. While they’re known for the extremely good Neighborhood Bird Bun, a giant slab of fried chicken tucked inside a pillowy steamed bun, the menu also has solid vegetarian options, like tofu nuggets and tempura broccoli.

Expect a wait if you come for dinner, so swing by for a casual lunch when it’s less crowded and you’ll be greeted by a blast of hip-hop, friendly staff, and the glorious smell of fried chicken. They have three locations, but we prefer their spot in Hampden because there’s way more seating and plenty of parking.