Foodbowl: Quick and Healthy Salad Bowls in Pacific Century Place
Upon entering Foodbowl in Pacific Century Place, we were instantly reminded of The Mission, the burrito outlet in China World Mall, in that customers line up in front of the counter to build their meal. The difference here is that instead of making a hulking log of chewy Tex Mex goodness, here you rein things in with a base of brown rice, broccoli with white rice, Mexican red rice, or mixed greens.
From there, you can select a mixture of black bean sauce, corn, and peas, and then move onto the meat (RMB 8-30), such as Japanese tofu, chicken breast or drumsticks, stewed beef brisket, fried snapper, and pan-fried salmon. Next up, add veggies like spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower, along with seasonal and roasted vegetables and a range of toppings: tomato salsa, apple salsa, chopped peanuts, or chopped corn flakes. Finally, choose your dressing: tomato chili sauce, “guacamole goodness," or sour cream. The bowls run between RMB 35-52 if you choose only one protein, and if you're tired of mixing your own, they also offer premade salads (RMB 30-52), including vegetarian tofu, chicken, beef brisket, salmon, and snapper bowls.
Our salmon with “guacamole goodness“ dressing came with four chunks of pre-cooked fish that we found a bit dry but seasoned well with black pepper. The guacamole dressing was garlicky, smooth, thick, and flavorful and a slice of lemon added some acidity to the salad. However, we were somewhat confused by a clove of raw garlic that was hiding within the dressing, lying in wait to see us offend at afternoon meetings.
Other than that, the bowl came with abundant walnuts, cranberries, peanuts, cashews, and almonds, as well as a decent base of fresh leafy greens, keeping each bite varied so as to not regret buying something more flavorful. During our visit, they also offered diners an additional bowl of soup for RMB 6. Unfortunately, we got what we paid for – the pumpkin soup was watery and flavorless.
The staff was helpful and efficient, and though not inexpensive, Foodbowl serves a much-needed and sturdy healthy lunch option compared to nearby establishments. Judging by the long lines that lingered even after the lunch peak, it seems workers near Pacific Century Place agree.
Foodbowl
Daily 10am-10pm. B1-101, Pacific Century Place, 2 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (153 1305 6920)
超级碗餐厅：朝阳区三里屯北路2号盈科中心B1-101
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Photos: Tracy Wang
