Big Bowl Noodles and Rice: Fresh Asian Cooking From the Renowned Restaurant

by Bruce Cost

When the first Big Bowl restaurant opened in 1997, its founding partners had one to make good, authentic Asian food accessible to American diners. Tired of greasy takeout and soggy egg rolls, they created an entirely different kind of Asian menu-one based on healthy techniques, market-fresh ingredients, and vibrant, traditional flavors. From steaming bowls of handmade noodles to fiery curries and fragrant stir-fries, every dish at Big Bowl became a delicious celebration of homestyle Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai cooking.
Now Bruce Cost, the celebrated cook and a culinary partner behind Big Bowl's spectacular food, reveals how to prepare the house favorites in your own kitchen. Beginning with a basic explanation of Asian ingredients and cooking techniques, Cost's beautifully illustrated guide takes home cooks through the simple steps needed to create an Asian meal, whether it's a one-bowl dinner or a multicourse feast for family and friends. From Thai Chicken Noodle Salad to Blazing Big Rice Noodles with Beef to Shanghai Shrimp, all of Cost's recipes are incredibly flavorful yet easy enough for even the beginning cook to master. The instructions are clear, the ingredients are widely available, and the results are dramatic and delicious.
So if you think Asian food at home means little white boxes, think again. Big Bowl Noodles and Rice will show you how to bring the fresh, authentic flavors of Asia to your table any night of the week. Hailed by Alice Waters as "one of the greatest cooks I have ever known," Bruce Cost is an award-winning restaurateur and chef, cooking teacher, and former food columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle . He currently serves as the culinary partner in Lettuce Entertain You's immensely popular chain of Big Bowl restaurants. Cost is also the author of Asian Ingredients , a comprehensive guide to Asian foodstuffs now available as a companion to this book.  

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Asian Literature, Nonfiction, Food

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Faysalahmed]

★★★★★

“Big Bowl Noodles and Rice” is a wonderful collection for anyone who enjoys fresh, flavorful Asian cooking. The recipes offer an inviting mix of noodles, rice dishes, vegetables, proteins, and vibrant sauces, making it easy to bring restaurant-inspired flavors into the home kitchen. The book captures the appeal of Asian cuisine with approachable recipes and delicious combinations that are perfect for both everyday meals and special occasions. A great choice for home cooks who love noodles, rice, and bold Asian flavors. Highly recommended!

[Dray]

This is a worthwhile collection of Chinese recipes centered on rice and noodles, mainstays of the cuisine. Well curated and accessible to the everyday cook. Recommended.

[Kecia]

Another reviewer has this listed on a shelf titled "Cookbooks I Actually Use." I like that description, since I have yet to make a bad recipe from this book. In fact I'm about to try the Char Siu recipe (Chinese BBQ pork) since I've been jonesing for it.

My only gripe is that you have to double most of the recipes, or make several different ones (which can be time-intensive) if you want to feed a group of three or larger.

[Alicia]

I'm hungry!

[Laura]

a cookbook that is less about appealing pictures and stories and rather just about the range of recipes. all from a home cooking perspective.