When looking for a quick, easy, and healthy lunch or dinner in Laguna Beach, bowls are a go to. Many establishments concoct bowls from favorite ingredients such as beans, rice, and veggies, or acai, nuts, and coconut. The trend is here to stay. Here are just a few establishments in town serving up locals’ favorite bowls.
Poke Bowl, Poke Tiki
At Poke Tiki in the HIP District, customers build their own Hawaiian poke bowls starting with the base – white rice, brown rice, urban salad or chips. Next, they choose one of seven raw or cooked protein options, such as raw spicy tuna or tofu. Then come the toppings. There are 12 options including avocado, ginger, or mango, as well as dry seasonings that include sesame seed, furikake, crunchy onion or dry seaweed. Lastly, a sauce ties it all together. Sauces come is 8 flavors like wasabi cilantro, poke sauce, and volcano. A traditional Poke Bowl is made with tuna and salmon, white rice, poke sauce and topped with sesame seeds. These types of poke bowls are a popular food item in Hawaii, inspired by the fresh seafood found in the islands, and are embraced by the surf culture here in Laguna. https://www.poketiki.com.
Wholesome Bowl, Active Culture
One of the most popular items on the menu at family-owned Active Culture is the Wholesome Bowl. The gluten free concoction is made with Organic brown rice, organic black and red beans, cheddar cheese, green cabbage, salsa, avocado, cilantro, seasoning, and the secret OG sauce that locals are obsessed with. OG stands for Organic Goddess. The sauce is made from scratch daily. Many locals have tried to recreate the sauce at home, but the recipe remains a secret. Customers can buy the sauce separately to add to their homemade bowls. On the sweeter side, Active also makes acai bowls, such as the Protein Bowl that includes Organic Sambazon© Açaí and peanut butter topped with organic granola, banana, almond slices, cashew pieces, cocoa nibs, coconut flakes, and honey. Their mission is to provide the community with “simple, fresh, wholesome ingredients crafted into great tasting dishes that nourish your body.” http://activeculturecafe.com/laguna-beach.
Read full article in Laguna Beach magazine.