Bowl Bar Ramen & Asian Food — Restaurant in Citrus Park

I recently visited Bowl Bar, a small Asian fusion restaurant located at Anderson Rd and Gunn Hwy in Tampa, FL. Here's a quick rundown of my experience:

Location and Parking: The restaurant's location is convenient, and ample free parking is available, making it easy to access.

Food Variety: Bowl Bar offers a diverse range of dishes from Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisines, including noodles, bowls, fried items, soups, appetizers, and Boba tea.

Price: The prices at Bowl Bar are above average, which might be expected for an Asian fusion eatery.

Food Quality and Ingredients: Unfortunately, I found both the quality of food and ingredients to be below average. This was especially evident in the dishes I ordered.

Taste of Food: The taste of the food was poor overall. The bibimbap I had was poorly prepared, and the meat quality was lacking. The fried noodles were made using instant noodles commonly found at Walmart or Asian grocery stores, rather than the expected restaurant-grade ingredients. The noodles were not cooked well, resulting in an unsatisfactory texture. Comparatively, other typical Chinese takeout places might offer better-quality dishes.

Boba Tea: The boba tea, often a highlight at Asian fusion restaurants, was subpar considering the price. The suggestion was made to explore nearby options near the University of South Florida (USF) for better quality boba tea.

Staff and Environment: On a positive note, the staff at Bowl Bar were very friendly, contributing to a welcoming environment. The restaurant itself was clean, both in terms of tables and restrooms.

Cash Discount: Similar to practices in New York and California, Bowl Bar offers a 10% discount if customers pay in cash.

Menu Variety: The restaurant boasts a wide range of options on the menu, though my doubts linger regarding the overall satisfaction these choices can deliver.

Final Verdict: If you're seeking a quick option for takeout and dine-in, Bowl Bar might fit the bill. However, based on my experience, the poor quality of food and ingredients, coupled with disappointing taste, leaves much to be desired. While the staff and environment were pleasant, the culinary aspect fell significantly short. If you're looking for a satisfying Asian fusion meal, it might be advisable to explore other dining options in the area.

Remember, this review reflects my personal experience and taste preferences, and others may have...

I love Bowl Bar's food, aesthetic, and of course the wonderful staff! The Maneki Neko (lucky cat) imagery is totally me lol. The atmosphere is chill vibes, if you're dining in this is a great place to study (boba + bowl + pomodoro) or collab on a group project (there's seating indoors and outdoors). It's also a great spot for a lunch or dinner date; I really like their dinnerware (plates, bowls) and there are sustainable options too (cups, cutlery, to-go bags). The food is IMPRESSIVE, there's so much variety, very fresh, tasty, and it's perfectly portioned; if you're like me and have a Ph.D. in Applied Indecision, there are images of many dishes alongside the wall to help guide you to a selection. ALSO, if you have dietary restrictions, there are gluten-free options and plant-based substitutes

Excellent service! The young man at the counter polite, attentive and courteous!

I ordered a Coke and was offered a cup of ice also.

Also ordered the Katsudon ( a dish I love, and make occasionally) and also the veggie spring rolls which are apparently very popular

Spring rolls were very good, and very hot. The dipping sauce was was like a very watered down plum sauce - consistency was basically water... did not stick to the spring rolls like a thicker sauce would. Not much flavor either, just a mild sweetness.

Katsudon - ultra crispy on the outside, with a layer of mushy batter under the crisp layer which tells me these were probably cooked from frozen. Not very much flavor... meat was not salted or marinated, and crust was not spiced or salted. It was ok... but I love Katsu, and have had much better. I would eat it again probably, but will try other items when I return. Lettuce in the bowl was fresh and tasty. Rice was good too! The accompanying plum sauce was also watered down... and the spiced mayo was ok. It made the Katsu more enjoyable.

So about three stars for the food... and an extra star for the...