reading time: 3 min
Buddha bowls have become super popular over the past few years, and I consider myself a true fan of those veggie bowls. To be honest, I'm still not 100% sure what exactly constitutes a Buddha bowl but it does sound fancier than "a bowl of random veggies and stuff". Basically, it's a hearty filling dish made of a base of whole grains, topped with various greens, vegetables, legumes and more.
A "Buddha Bowl", as defined by the urban dictionary, is a bowl which is packed so full that it has a rounded "belly" appearance on the top much like the belly of a buddha.
So the common explanation is that the bowl resembles Buddhas full belly – however, if you are familiar with Buddhism you'll know that only the Chinese Buddha has a chubby belly and is overall a little fat, whereas the Tibetan Buddha is rather skinny. There is another explanation for the concept "Buddha bowl" that is based on a concept of mindful eating practised by Zen Buddhist monks – ōryōki, meaning to eat "just enough" or an "appropriate" amount. The biggest bowl in their collection of dishes (called "the Buddha bowl") is supposed to be big enough to contain a nourishing meal but small enough to prevent gluttony.
I have to admit, sometimes my own Buddha bowls are definitely more on the "gluttonous" side, but I mean, it's just veggies, right?!
Anyway.
Here are four different variations, inspired by Asian, African, Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine. Enjoy!
A "Buddha Bowl", as defined by the urban dictionary, is a bowl which is packed so full that it has a rounded "belly" appearance on the top much like the belly of a buddha.
So the common explanation is that the bowl resembles Buddhas full belly – however, if you are familiar with Buddhism you'll know that only the Chinese Buddha has a chubby belly and is overall a little fat, whereas the Tibetan Buddha is rather skinny. There is another explanation for the concept "Buddha bowl" that is based on a concept of mindful eating practised by Zen Buddhist monks – ōryōki, meaning to eat "just enough" or an "appropriate" amount. The biggest bowl in their collection of dishes (called "the Buddha bowl") is supposed to be big enough to contain a nourishing meal but small enough to prevent gluttony.
I have to admit, sometimes my own Buddha bowls are definitely more on the "gluttonous" side, but I mean, it's just veggies, right?!
Anyway.
Here are four different variations, inspired by Asian, African, Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine. Enjoy!
