Unfried Fried Rice

So far the early favorite on the new vegetarian menu has been a dish we call Unfried Fried Rice.  Based on a popular Chinese white fried rice typically made with sweet Chinese sausage (lap chong), egg, and green vegetables. Our vegetarian version starts off with Sichuan preserved vegetable, spicy red Fresno chilies, and fresh ginger. It’s topped with an optional sunny side up egg and loaded with pressed tofu, bean sprouts, and cilantro.

Made from the swollen stem of a special type of mustard grown only for pickling, Sichuan preserved vegetable is a spicy pickle with a kim chi like aroma and great texture.  The stem is salted, pressed and dried before rubbing with chili paste and fermenting in earthenware crocks.  The flavor is salty, spicy, and sour with a pleasant crunch.  At Big Bowl, we use Sichuan preserved vegetable in Unfried Fried Rice, Crispy Tofu, and in our vegetarian broth where it adds a meaty richness to the broth. 

Throughout the vegetarian menu, we combine both unique and familiar ingredients to create dishes unlike any other on our regular menu.  Dishes we believe all our guests, vegetarian or not, will enjoy for their bold fresh flavors.