Over the past several years, the concept of the “food bowl” has become increasingly popular—for a number of reasons. First, they’re versatile, allowing operators to combine an array of ingredients for a complete meal all in one convenient bowl. Second, they’re infinitely customizable, so diners can pick and choose the foods they want—and don’t want—to eat. And finally, they allow operators to experiment easily with different flavors, textures and ingredients, while still offering their customers a familiar format they’ll be comfortable trying. As bowl meals continue to trend, here’s why operators should add them to the menu—and some recipe inspiration for doing so.
Versatility
Food bowls have become popular among operators thanks to the versatility they offer—many meals can be created from a combination of ingredients, and there are different options to fill menu spots all day long—smoothie bowls for the breakfast rush, grain or salad bowls for the lunch hour and noodle bowls for dinner, for instance. Operators can offer comfort foods or better-for-you options, both of which have risen in popularity over the last few years. Comfort foods, including dishes such as macaroni and cheese, pizza, fried chicken, pasta, Mexican options and more, lend well to bowl meals and according to a study from One Poll and Farm Rich, two in three Americans turned to more comfort foods during the pandemic, and 69% of them plan to continue enjoying comfort foods post-pandemic. Better-for-you options, such as grain bowls, have also proliferated as consumers have prioritized their health more in recent years. And because bowl meals are the perfect platform to pack lots of healthful ingredients in one place, many consumers enjoy eating them, not just for convenience or great taste, but also for their health benefits.
Customization
Food bowls are also popular among consumers. Not only do they allow for maximum customization, from the base to the toppings to the sauces and add-ons, but customization helps create value for consumers as well, with nearly one in four consumers saying so, according to Technomic’s 2023 Value & Pricing Consumer Trend Report. For operators, creating value for diners is crucial, as it helps boost interest in repeat visits. Customization also helps with dietary needs/preferences as well as allergies—since customers get to pick what they want in their bowls, they can simply avoid foods they can’t eat or don’t like. Customization allows diners to create food bowls with the flavors and textures they love most, from crunchy vegetables to al dente grains, spicy sauces, herbaceous dressings and more—the possibilities are endless!
Variety
Bowl meals come in many forms—acai bowls and smoothie bowls, which use fresh and frozen fruits; poke bowls, comprised of raw fish, rice and other toppings; and grain bowls, which can feature any number of mix-ins, just to name a few. Grain bowls include grains such as quinoa, brown rice, farro and others, and are often paired with vegetables and proteins to make a complete meal. They represent a high-protein, plant-forward option, and when the grains are ancient grains, the superfood factor gets punched up even more. No matter what diners are interested in eating, there’s a food bowl out there they’ll love.
Recipe inspiration
From globally inspired options to riffs on classics, there’s a bowl meal for everyone. Try offering one of these options on the menu:
- Gochujang Farro Bowl: Featuring Korean gochujang paste, this hearty bowl packs a punch with cabbage, snap peas, Furmano’s Fully Cooked Farro, green onions, tomatoes and more. It’s sure to satisfy.
- Falafel Bowl: Perfect for vegetarians or diners who want a plant-based option, this dish features Furmano’s Lentils, Quinoa and Garbanzo Beans complimented with flavorful shakshuka sauce, hummus, lettuce, and cucumber. A Mediterranean favorite made easy!
- Sorghum Brunch Bowl: An interesting addition to any brunch menu, this dish offers sweet and savory flavors, using Furmano’s Fully Cooked Sorghum as well as pork belly, eggs and more—a hearty way to start the day!
- Sorghum Tabbouleh: For a flavorful bowl packed with nutrients, try this option made with Furmano’s Fully Cooked Sorghum, parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, green onion, mint, garlic, lemon juice and more. Perfect on its own or with a protein added, it’s great for lunch or dinner.
To learn more about crafting the perfect bowl meal using ancient grains, visit http://furmanosfs.com/.
This post is sponsored by Furmano’s
FAQs
For operators, creating value for diners is crucial, as it helps boost interest in repeat visits. Customization also helps with dietary needs/preferences as well as allergies—since customers get to pick what they want in their bowls, they can simply avoid foods they can't eat or don't like.
What is the food bowl trend? ›
A complete, balanced meal in a single bowl – that's the idea behind the food bowl trend. The ingredients used can vary, usually consisting of nutritious classics, popular superfoods and foods unique to other dietary choices.
Why are wellness bowls so popular? ›
The trend was promoted by wellness bloggers for the loads of nutrients piling into the bowl and for how aesthetically pleasing it looks. Like most trends starting on social media, it then spread to local hipster restaurants in various cities, eventually moving to chain restaurants.
What is the meaning of food bowl? ›
A food bowl, much like the name suggests, is a dish in which all of the ingredients are served in a bowl. While people have been eating food bowls for hundreds of years — the now-famous poke bowl is a part of native Hawaiian cuisine — they've only recently become a mainstream, dedicated menu item.
What is the purpose of a bowl? ›
A bowl is a typically round dish or container generally used for preparing, serving, storing, or consuming food.
What makes a food trend? ›
The meaning of food trends refers to any consumer behavior shift in the direction of a particular food or meal. Trends are local, regional, or national. Some trends exist for years whereas others are around for a short period of time. For a food item to be considered a food trend vs.
Why do dieticians and nutritionists support the trend of these wellness bowls? ›
Bowl meals are a great way to include a variety of vegetables, protein sources and whole grains into your diet and are perfect for meal planning.
What are healthy food bowls called? ›
Whether you call them Buddha bowls, grain bowls, meal prep bowls or just veggie bowls, these vegetarian dishes served in a single bowl or a high-rimmed plate, are the perfect way to pack a lot of goodness into one meal.
Why is acai so expensive? ›
The cost of acai is attributed to several factors. Firstly, the berries are harvested in the Amazon rainforest, which can be a labor-intensive process. Additionally, the berries are highly perishable, requiring them to be processed (usually frozen or dried) soon after harvesting to preserve their nutrients and flavor.
What does bowl food mean? ›
More substantial than a canape, bowl food is served in miniature or hand sized bowls where food can be eaten with a fork. Bowl food allows guests to stay standing and mingle whilst they are eating, perfect for a more informal wedding or function as there is no need for designated seating.
Melbourne's foodbowl comprises many small, highly productive regions scattered around the fringe of the city. It produces a wide variety of fresh foods, particularly fresh fruit and vegetables, but also eggs and chicken meat, and some beef, lamb, pork and dairy.
What is the significance of a bowl? ›
They are often seen as a powerful symbol of our connection to nature and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. In many cultures, wooden bowls are still used today as a practical item for holding food and other items, but they also continue to hold important symbolic significance.
Why are bowls so popular? ›
there are hundreds of options to eat in a bowl. A bowl is wide enough to contain a whole balanced meal with meat, veggies and starch. It is a one way, simple dish that can make everyone happy and that can provide you all the nutrients someone needs.
What does bowl mean in slang? ›
A bowl is the part of a cannabis pipe or bong used to hold the flower. A “bowl” is also a slang reference to consuming a small amount of cannabis — usually, what fits in a bowl. When part of a pipe, a bowl usually features a carved-out space for cannabis flower and a small hole on the side of it called the carb.
Why is a bowl called a bowl? ›
The term “bowl” comes from the Rose Bowl Stadium which is shaped like, you guessed it – a bowl! This stadium is considered the prototype for many football stadiums around the country.
What is bowl food at a party? ›
More substantial than a canape, bowl food is served in miniature or hand sized bowls where food can be eaten with a fork. Bowl food allows guests to stay standing and mingle whilst they are eating, perfect for a more informal wedding or function as there is no need for designated seating.
What are the most popular food trends on TikTok? ›
From 'girl dinner' to #Watertok: The 13 most viral TikTok food trends of 2023
- Parmesan Espresso Martini: 318K views. ...
- Hash Brown McFlurry Sandwich: 8M views. ...
- Cowboy Candy: 20M views. ...
- Pickle in a Blanket: 25M views. ...
- Feta Fried Eggs: 39.8M views. ...
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream: 44.2M views. ...
- Lemon Sprite Tea: 48M views.
The bowl method mainly involves choosing a small bowl to measure your food portions so you do not overeat. This also helps keep your weight in check, without having to compromise with your taste buds.
What is the Buddha bowl food trend? ›
Local people would place food in the bowl as a donation, and at the end he would eat whatever he had been given," explains Zigmond. "So that was the original Buddha Bowl: a big bowl of whatever food villagers had available and could afford to share.
