Restaurant Big Bowl — Restaurant in Moncton

My wife and I went to the Big Bowl on Elmwood Dr to try something different. Upon going inside, the impression is not good visually. Small space and zero privacy if you wanted to have a private conversation. I ordered the double shoyzu ramen and my wife got the bibmibap. NEVER AGAIN! The bibmibap was cold, including the rice and they had to microwave it to warm it up to edible standards, which is just wrong. My double shoyzu was awful. No flavor, tasteless, and it looked like Mr Noodles with pork that tasted like it was 2 days old. It looked like it was made by someone with very little cooking training because presentation is everything and whoever made this didn't seem to care. It certainly wasn't appealing!We had no service at all for the entire meal. To say that I was pissed is an understatement. I have a palette and this drivel passing as food is an insult to the tastebuds. I felt awful and guilty eating it. I didn't finish it because it just made me angry that an establishment would serve cold and tasteless food and smile about it. This was our first time there and it will certainly be the last. I eat at a lot of places and recommend to family and friends but I cannot recommend The Big Bowl. It was a MASSIVE DISAPPOINTMENT and I can't overstate it enough. If you care about food and flavor, texture and atmosphere when dining, AVOID...

Invited a coworker to eat at this place - we were both interested in the big bowl of ramen. My coworker ended up ordering the small wanton soup and unfortunately couldnt get a side of fried rice so opted out of fried rice. I wanted a ramen bowl, and although one waiter was accommodating and said I could get a non-pork based broth and substitute the pork for beef - the other waitress came and when I expressed what I wanted - she was so rude in her tone and her way of speaking to me, after a long while of going back and forth she finally understood what I wanted and said id either have to have tofu or pay for the additional charge of beef even though it was a substitute (im taking away pork and putting beef....for a dietary restriction). I dont mind a $2 charge, but to be charged $5 for a protein substitute is absurd. It wasnt very accommodating- and then the waitress kept giving us the side eye and dismissing our table (we had to ask for water even though our food had already arrived for a while). Its unfortunate- this place seems to have good food, but their service is not and they have rude and poor communicative workers. My feedback would be to consider allowing protein substitute fee that isnt the same as "additional" item fees. And to have servers that talk to their customers kindly - enough with the attitude. It was so...

Update: September 2025

Today Big Bowl did not make a good impression for long time customers. Two appetizers were very good, however the two chicken bento box lunches ordered, arrived with the chicken being ice cold. After getting the server's attention, she came to our table, and we made her aware that the chicken was cold. She looked at us confused, turned around and just walked away. After a couple of minutes of being ignored my wife got up and spoke to the owner's daughter. She took our meals and told us that new one's would be made. Our "new" meals arrived back at our table. The chicken was reheated and tough, the rice, and spring rolls were now cold. The owner's daughter came over at the end of our meal to ask was everything better. We made her aware that we were dissatisfied. She did offer to comp our meals, but we paid our bill. My wife and I have decided not to return to Big Bowl ever again.

My family and I were very happy with the excellent service of the hostess. The quality of the food was fantastic. Having been to Japan numerous times, Big Bowl ranks at the very top of my list for Japanese cuisine in Moncton. We had the shrimp tempura, Gyoza, Onigiri, Yaki Soba, Bento box Teriyaki beef & Bento box...