Ekiben Neighborhood Bird Bun Price

Ekiben's Neighborhood Bird Bun features a Taiwanese curry fried chicken thigh topped with spicy sambal mayonnaise, pickles, and fresh herbs, all served in a soft and fluffy steamed bun. This handheld sandwich, a signature item for the restaurant, is available in either a spicy or mild version. The price for the Neighborhood Bird Bun is between $9.75 and $13.91.

The preparation of the bun involves frying a chicken thigh with a Taiwanese curry seasoning until it is crispy on the outside and tender inside. The chicken is then placed into a soft, pillowy steamed bun and finished with toppings that provide creaminess and acidity, like the spicy sambal mayonnaise and pickles. This item can be paired with one of Ekiben's specialty drinks, such as the Yuzuade or Lychee Black Tea.

Ekiben Neighborhood Bird Bun reviews praise the sandwich for its flavorful chicken, which is described as being perfectly crisp and tender. Customers also compliment the high quality of the steamed buns. The Neighborhood Bird Bun contains 620 calories. The sandwich's use of a steamed bun and Asian curry flavors makes it a distinct alternative to Southern-style chicken sandwiches like the one from Popeyes, which is served on a brioche bun with a different spice profile.

Ekiben was founded in Baltimore in 2014 by college friends Ephrem Abebe and Steve Chu, who started by selling their fusion of Asian and Ethiopian cuisine from a food cart. The concept quickly gained a loyal following, allowing for expansion into three brick-and-mortar locations. The restaurant has received significant recognition, including being named a James Beard Award semifinalist and earning a spot on Yelp's Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list for three consecutive years (2022-2024).