Want to eat a healthy meal? I’m excited to share this Zen Bowl recipe from Toronto’s FAB restaurant bar and kitchen concept.
This dish is perfect for anyone looking for a healthy vegetarian rice bowl that also tastes great. This recipe is versatile, packed with colorful veggies, and topped with a fried egg for an extra touch of comfort.
I love discovering restaurant recipes that I can recreate at home. It made me feel like I was back in the city, enjoying the evening.
Now you can get one Travel to Toronto At Home, we have the inside scoop on how to make their popular Zen bowls at Toronto restaurants like Pour House and Pogue Mahone, thanks to chef Kai Chan.
This is an easy one-dish meal that’s perfect as a main course for lunch or dinner. Let’s go cook!
Want more recipes? try other Toronto restaurant signature recipes or Ninja Speedi Thai Beef Bowl.
What is a Zen Bowl?
Zen Bowl is the signature dish of Toronto’s FAB restaurant Pub and Kitchen Concept. This is a vibrant Canadian rice bowl packed with flavor Asian influence.
Think of it as a healthier, fancier version of fried rice. It combines hearty brown or jasmine rice with fresh vegetables like kale, asparagus and Brussels sprouts.
The real magic happens with the pineapple and signature soy ginger sauce, which brings everything together for a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
This vegetarian rice bowl is designed to be a complete meal that both delights the taste buds and nourishes the soul.
Why you’ll love this rice bowl recipe
“The Zen Bowl is one of FAB’s most popular dishes, and it has a lot going for it besides being gorgeous. This stunning creation is a simple one-dish meal made up of rice, colorful vegetables, and an abundance of unforgettable flavour. This versatile recipe is sure to satisfy your taste buds while nourishing your body, mind, and soul.“
– FAB Restaurant
This bowl will become a staple in your weekly rotation.
- it’s very healthy. You’re getting a ton of superfoods like kale and Brussels sprouts in one go.
- it is customizable. Although this is a vegetarian recipe, you can easily add chicken, salmon, or tofu if you want more protein.
- very fast. With just 15 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in less than an hour.
Zen Bowl recipes and pictures provided by FAB Restaurants will be included in the list below: Toronto restaurant signature recipes. If you make this Toronto recipe, please share your creation on Instagram and tag @fabeventsto and @travellingfoodie.
What does this zen bowl need?
Here are the ingredients you need to make delicious and healthy rice bowls.
equipment
raw material
- cooked rice: You can use whole grain brown rice or jasmine rice. Day-old rice works best as it fry better and doesn’t become mushy.
- Pineapple: This adds a surprising amount of sweetness and tartness that breaks up the saltiness of the sauce.
- Snow peas: They provide a lovely crunch and fresh green color.
- asparagus: Adds earthiness and good texture to the mix.
- Brussels Sprouts: Chopping them allows them to cook quickly and absorb the sauce perfectly.
- Fresh garlic: Essential for aromatic groups.
- Green baby kale: A source of rich nutrition that blends perfectly into rice.
- red pepper: Finely chopped for a pop of color and sweetness.
- White onions: Provides a delicious base for stir-fries.
- soy sauce: The salty, umami base of the signature sauce.
- sesame oil: Adds classic nutty flavor and rich aroma Asian style bowl.
- Fresh ginger: Gives the sauce a spicy, warm feel.
- chili flakes: Just for a little warmth.
- Egg: The fried egg on top adds richness and protein.
- rapeseed oil: Neutral oil, ideal for high temperature cooking.
How FAB Restaurant Bar and Kitchen Concept Makes a Zen Bowl
This recipe is all about prep, so get the chopping done first and the cooking part will be a breeze.
First, make the signature soy sauce. Peel and chop the ginger and garlic. In a clean bowl or jar, stir together the soy sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, and minced garlic. Put it in the refrigerator.
Next, heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want to see ripples in the oil so you know it’s hot enough.
Add minced garlic, diced onion and pineapple chunks to the pot. Sauté until the onions look shiny and smell delicious, about 2 minutes.
Add vegetables, including chopped Brussels sprouts, chopped asparagus, and snow peas. Saute for another 2 to 3 minutes, until they turn bright green.
Season the mixture with salt, pepper and chili flakes. Feel free to add more chili flakes if you like it spicy.
Add the kale sprouts to the pot and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cooked rice and stir until everything is evenly combined.
Pour in about 2 ounces (two cups) of the prepared soy sauce. Mix well.
In a separate small pan, fry the eggs to your liking. Recommended serving sunny side up for a runny yolk experience.
Transfer the rice and vegetable mixture to a bowl or plate and top with the fried egg. Garnish with finely chopped red pepper and serve immediately.
Want a kitchen gadget rice bowl recipe? try our Instant Pot Beef Biryani.
Zen Bowl Beginners FAQs and Helpful Tips
Here are some tips to ensure your bowl comes out perfect every time.
Yes, soy ginger juice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. It’s also delicious mixed with noodles.
The standard recipe uses soy sauce that contains wheat. To make it gluten-free, simply swap out the soy sauce for soy sauce or a gluten-free soy substitute.
A large, wide griddle or griddle works well. Just make sure it’s big enough so the veggies aren’t crowded or they’ll steam instead of sauté.
Absolutely. You can make the rice mixture ahead of time before lunch. Simply fry the eggs fresh when ready to eat, or use hard-boiled eggs for easier transportation.
Use the flat side of a knife to press the garlic clove against the cutting board. This breaks down the skin and makes it easier to peel.
About FAB Restaurant Concepts Toronto
Since 2000, FAB Restaurant Concepts continues to make a huge impact on the Toronto restaurant scene by serving delicious beverages, top-notch cuisine, and consistently delivering an exceptional guest experience.
FAB owns and operates multiple restaurants happy hour This particular recipe comes from Pub and Kitchen Concept, Dominion, East of Brunswick, Murphy’s Law, Pogue Mahone, Pour House, and The Goodman.
What dishes are suitable for Zen bowls?
While this bowl of rice is a meal in itself, here are some other delicious dishes to pair with it or to round out a hearty feast.
Zen Bowl Recipe from FAB Restaurant Concepts
Be sure to bookmark/save/pin this post so you know how to make a Zen Bowl at home from FAB Restaurant Concepts Toronto!
I would love to see this recipe work for you! Please share your creations with me on social media and tag me so I can check them out: @TravellingFoodie on Instagram & Facebook with @TravellinFoodie on twitter.
raw material
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8 ounces cooked rice (whole grain brown rice or jasmine rice) – it all depends on which one you choose.
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1 egg
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3 tablespoons pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
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10 snow peas, chopped
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2 slices asparagus, cut into 1/2-inch slices
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4 Brussels sprouts, chopped and stems removed
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3 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and minced
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2 ounces green kale, cut into ribbons
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1 tablespoon red pepper, brunoise (that’s just the chef’s word for fine dice)
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3 tablespoons white onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
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1 cup soy sauce
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1 cup sesame oil
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1 inch ginger, peeled and chopped
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1 teaspoon chili flakes
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1 ounce Florida canola oil
instruct
- Let’s start with the sauce, our signature soy ginger. This one is very quick and easy. First peel and chop the ginger. You want to make sure it’s chopped very fine, an unexpected chunk of ginger can be quite spicy.
- Next, do the same with the garlic, peel and mince it. A quick way to do this is to squish the garlic with the flat side of a knife, which breaks the skin so you can peel it more easily. Chop and set aside. Reserve a teaspoon of garlic, you’ll need it later.
- Now, using a clean bowl, add 1 cup of soy sauce, 1 cup of sesame oil, 2 ounces of minced ginger, and 2.5 oz of minced garlic and stir well until everything is combined. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 14 days and is also great with sautéed vegetables or noodles.
- Now that the sauce is ready, it’s time to start cooking! In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat until you see ripples forming in the oil. This means you’re ready to get started.
- Start by carefully adding the chopped garlic, chopped onion, and pineapple to the pan and sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the onions look nice and shiny. You can then add your vegetables; chopped Brussels sprouts, chopped asparagus and chopped snow peas. Sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the vegetables turn bright green.
- Season with salt, pepper and chili flakes. If you’re feeling adventurous or just like spicy food, you can add more chili flakes.
- Once everything is mixed and cooked, add the kale. It looks like a lot, but it shrinks a lot once cooked. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, add the cooked rice and stir until everything is combined.
- Now you can add soy sauce. About 2 fluid ounces, or two cups. This will loosen any rice stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- The last step is to fry an egg. In a new pan, add a little oil and cook the eggs to your liking. I usually fry it sunny side up, but if you have a preference, by all means!
- Using tongs or a spoon, carefully transfer the sautéed vegetables and rice to a plate or bowl (whichever you choose) and top with the fried egg.
- Garnish with diced red pepper, then sit back and enjoy your zen bowl.
- This is a great vegetarian dish, but you can add any protein you want. Pair your zen bowl with grilled salmon, chicken or even tofu.
- enjoy!
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Nutritional information:
yield: 2
Serving size: 1
Amount per serving:
Calories: Chapter 1497Total fat: 139 gramsSaturated fat: 20 gramsUnsaturated fat: 119 gramscholesterol: 95mgsodium: 1162 mgcarbohydrate: 65gfiber: 10 gramssugar: 16 gramsprotein: 15 grams
Please note that the nutritional information you see is provided and automatically calculated by Nutritionix. This may vary depending on the specific ingredients you use. To ensure you get the most accurate information, I recommend entering your specific ingredients into the nutrition calculator.
Hopefully this rice bowl recipe will give you an idea of what to make for lunch or a lazy night’s main course. This vegetarian Zen bowl proves you can easily make restaurant-quality, healthy food at home.
Let me know what other rice or vegetarian recipes you’d like to see or from which Toronto restaurant.