Pack your bags and get ready for an incredible culinary adventure! With Mahatma® Rice is here to take you on a trip around the world in 7 rice bowl recipes. From Asia to the Mediterranean, the tropical islands, and back home, we’ve got a dish to please all tastes. Indulge your creativity—and your taste buds!—with these lunch and dinner rice bowls inspired by a trip around the world. But first, let’s take a look at what constitutes a rice bowl.
Origins of the Rice Bowl
Although it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where and when rice bowls came into existence, it seems the dish most likely originated in Japan and spread through China, Korea, and subsequently other parts of Asia.
Classic Components of a Rice Bowl
One of the great things about rice bowl recipes is that they are perfect for cooks who enjoy being creative and resourceful in the kitchen. When it comes to rice bowl ingredients, there really are no limits! Just remember to stick to a few basic principles.
- Use rice as your base. A perfect canvas for an abundance of delicious ingredients, rice is integral to any rice bowl. Be sure to prepare a healthy serving of rice so that you start building your dish with the perfect base.
- Use fresh ingredients. The strength of any rice bowl depends largely upon the freshness of the ingredients used. From fresh fish and meat to seasonal vegetables, you’ll want to choose carefully.
- Include a portion of protein. Korean rice bowl recipes tend to use beef, while chicken rice bowl recipes are also widely consumed throughout many parts of Asia. Perhaps the most common source of protein in rice bowls is fish, with tuna and salmon being popular options. For vegans and vegetarians, ingredients like beans or tofu work best.
- Spicy ingredients. Many rice bowls will include a spicy, element for an extra flavor kick. Sriracha, chili, wasabi, chipotle, and harissa are good ways to spice up your bowl, while quick-pickled vegetables add tang. Condiments, like soy sauce, salsa, furikake, and more, amp up every bite!
- The element of surprise. Rice bowls are designed for the daring. Bold flavors require imagination so feel free to think outside the box with ingredients when building yours. Experiment with fruits and berries, seasonal vegetables, and new sauces. The sky’s the limit!
Now, without further ado, let’s embark on our journey through the wonderful world of rice bowls!
1: Mexico – Veggie-Packed Vegan Tinga Bowl
The first stop our trip is to neighboring Mexico. Mexican dishes are always fun to make and creative, as this Vegan Tinga Rice Bowl demonstrates. Boasting a range of ingredients that are synonymous with Mexican cuisine, this dish explodes with flavor, color, and plenty of Latin flair!
2: Hawaii – Tropical Island Flavors
Next up, we take you to the Hawaiian Islands for a tropical treat! These Tropical Jasmine Rice with Quinoa Breakfast Bowls are a powerful way to start your day. They combine the fragrance of jasmine rice with nutty quinoa and are topped with pineapple, mango, and coconut. In short, try this recipe once, and breakfast will never be the same again!
3: East Asia – Salmon Rice Bowl Classic
Next up, have we got something special for you! This Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl is a classic choice for rice bowl connoisseurs. Sometimes two ingredients are just made for each other, and that’s certainly true for tender salmon and Mahatma® Wholegrain Brown Rice.
4: Japan – A Poke Bowl Masterpiece in Minutes
For a Japanese rice bowl recipe that pays homage to Hawaiian cuisine, this Orange Miso Tuna Poke Bowl is a must-try rice bowl. It’s recipes like these that have become the standard bearers of this culinary phenomenon. Made with miso paste, orange juice, asparagus, ginger, shredded carrots, edamame, and toasted sesame seeds, it brings a symphony of flavors to mealtime. Best of all, it takes just 25 minutes to prepare.
5: A Feast from the Middle East
Now it’s time to make our way across the continent of Asia to the Middle East. One of the marvels of the modern world is the way food traditions have spread and evolved, and there is no better evidence of this than in our Fried Rice Falafel Power Bowl with Tahini. Packed with delicious fruits and veggies—kale, cauliflower, garlic, onions, pomegranate, and avocado, to name but a few—what makes this rice bowl stand out is the addition of crispy falafel, adding a unique texture to the dining experience.
6: Greece – Unique Souvlaki and Rice Recipe
This Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Rice Bowl showcases all of the flavors of the Mediterranean. With its inclusion of juicy cherry tomatoes and succulent souvlaki chicken, it’s a dish that is guaranteed to satisfy.
7: USA – Rice à la Tex-Mex
Finally, what better place to round off our trip than back home in the good old USA? And like all good endings, there’s a hint of our beginnings in this comforting Tex-Mex Rice Bowl recipe. Made with convenient Mahatma® Ready to Heat Cilantro Limón Jasmine Rice, it also includes savory beef, black beans, and cheddar cheese. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s the perfect meal to enjoy after a long day.
For more culinary inspiration for every meal of the day, be sure to check out our blog.
