She’s referring to food bowls—the bottomless trend that’s barreled its way onto menus of Music City. And though slurping a steamy bowl of noodles in Pho or jabbing chopsticks into a sizzling pot of rice in Bibimbap aren’t new to Nashville, bowls with untraditional ingredients and flavors have definitely become a thing on menus all over town.
Meals in a bowl aren’t new, of course. Noodle bowls have been a comfort and convenience across the continent of Asia for centuries, being sold in food stalls from early morning to late at night. More locally, Japanese ramen, served in a scalding stock that’s been simmered for hours and layered with flavors that deliver a glutamate-laden (read umami) delight, has been served at Two Ten Jack and Otaku for several years now.
But mixing it up with new ingredients, notably grains, “is a trend on the rise,” says Sarah Gavigan, owner of Otaku Ramen and Little Octopus, both notable for their beloved bowls. “That healthy, on-the-go lifestyle is really starting to happen here, and I’m excited to provide something that’s both healthy and hearty.”
Little Octopus, Germantown’s Lulu, and Charlotte Pike’s EiO & The Hive are just three eateries praised for their nourishing grain bowls that utilize fresh, vibrant flavors as well as creative combinations. Influences from the eastern Mediterranean, western Asia, and the Caribbean are all found in the Farro Bowl on the lunch menu at Little Octopus.
“You’re experiencing many flavors in a one-dish meal,” Sarah adds. That’s what’s great about it for me—blending multiple cultures in a single bowl. I love that style of eating. It can be new and different every day.”