Scarlet Bowls — Restaurant in New Brunswick

This place is Phenomenal. I can find good food anywhere as long as I look around so the thing I really look for as a certified foodie is service. The food is not the only thing that is serving. The ingredients are serving, the customer service is serving, and the owner herself (The Scarlet Empress) is serving. I got the sushi burrito and the sushi chips to go, and it was ready for me in a jiffy. I usually don’t write reviews for places but I knew I had too when I was taking my dog for a walk and the owner was standing outside Scarlet Bowls and took the time to play with my dog. On a brisk, gloomy day after hours of labor at work and class: the Scarlet Empress herself took the time to ask me how I enjoyed my food yesterday and consoled me during the darkest hours of New Brunswick. Just as we were in the midst of departing, she grabbed my shoulders with her warm, gentle hands and ushered me to go back home and get a jacket before I got a cold. Come on now. I teared up and walked back home to grab what a jacket because I knew the Scarlet Empress was right. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve been nearly naked during chaotic weekend nights and went on plenty of drunken food tours on Easton Ave.,however, never have I been advised out of genuine care to bundle up. In fact, I feel as if I’ve been encouraged to strip more but that’s a topic for another conversation… Scarlet Bowls is run by The Scarlet Empress herself and beware Rutgers University: she has started her reign. I have vowed to go back every week solely to be blessed by her presence again. Dear reader, you are ever so lucky to get a glance of her in the reflection of my attached picture. But do take it upon yourself to see her in person and support this electric new spot....

Scarlet Bowls is hands down one of the best hidden gems in the area! I’ve had Japanese food from plenty of spots around here—many charging $25+ for a single dish—but none come close to the flavor, freshness, and quality that Scarlet Bowls delivers every time.

Their Chicken Katsu Don is a comforting, crispy masterpiece with the perfect balance of savory and sweet, while the Japanese Curry is rich, flavorful, and satisfying without being overly heavy. And don’t even get me started on the Poke Bowls—fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor. You can truly taste the quality of the ingredients, and everything is consistently delicious.

What really makes Scarlet Bowls special, though, are the owners. They’re incredibly sweet, welcoming, and genuinely care about their customers’ experience. You always leave with a full belly and a warm heart.

Between the amazing food, unbeatable prices, and kind service, Scarlet Bowls easily outshines the fancier (and pricier) Japanese spots nearby. I’ll keep coming back—and bringing...

The restaurant wasn't busy so I got my food quickly. I lived in Japan years ago but when I moved to New Jersey I discovered most "Japanese" restaurants weren't Japanese. The menu items weren't the same. I took a chance on Scarlet Bowls and I'm happy with the results. I ordered 2 dishes from their small plates menu. I ordered Takoyaki, fried balls of potatoes with octopus in the center covered in spicy mayo, it was delicious. This was food available from street vendors in Japan. It brought back memories. The Pork filled Steamed Bun was a new dish to me but I enjoyed it. For the main dish I ordered one of my favorite dishes and hoped it was as good as I remembered, Curry Chicken Rice. Yeah! It was good. It's a simple dish but it was one of the first orders I made in a restaurant in Japan. I will be returning to this restaurant, I highly...