Hi everyone! I know it’s been a little while since I last posted—and for a great reason: I graduated from college!🎉 After all the hard work, late nights, and unforgettable memories, I finally walked across that stage. Before stepping into this next chapter, I’ve been taking time to unwind, recharge, and enjoy being home with family.

Now that I’ve caught my breath, I’m excited to return to something I love: sharing food adventures with you. And what better way to kick it off than with a celebratory dinner at The Bowl Vietnamese Cuisine in Richmond, VA?

🥢 About The Bowl Vietnamese Cuisine

Located in the heart of Westchester Commons, Richmond, The Bowl blends traditional Vietnamese recipes with a modern twist. Their menu offers a variety of comforting, flavorful dishes—pho, vermicelli bowls, rice plates, banh mi, garlic noodles, and more. It’s casual, stylish, and perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion dinner.

You can check out their full menu here: thebowlrva.com

👀 First Impressions

The restaurant itself was super clean and nicely organized. The ambiance is modern, with simple decor and cozy lighting, but I noticed the noise immediately. It was so loud that we almost didn’t hear the host when they said we’d have to wait for a table, even though a section was open.

Thankfully, we were seated less than two minutes later, so it wasn’t a problem. From there, things went smoothly!

🍽️ What We Ordered

The service was excellent from start to finish—friendly, fast, and wonderful about refilling water (which is always a bonus in my book!).

🥣 Dad’s Pick: Pho with Rib Eye, Brisket, Tendon & Tripe

I snagged a taste of my dad’s pho broth, and wow—it was rich, buttery, and bursting with depth. You could taste the homemade quality and even pick up hints of cinnamon and spice. Warm, comforting, and super authentic.

🥩 Mom’s Pick: Shaken Beef with Garlic Noodles

This dish was a standout. The steak was perfectly cooked with a nice sear, and the garlic noodles were packed with savory, silky, and slightly chewy flavor. It was a perfect pairing.

🍜 My Pick: Vermicelli with Grilled Shrimp, Pork & Egg Roll

My bowl had great texture and flavor across the board. The egg roll was crispy and flavorful, the pork was incredibly tender, and the shrimp tasted fresh (although there were only two, which was a bit of a letdown). Once I poured on the fish sauce, everything tied together beautifully. I’d order this again—with maybe an extra shrimp or two next time.

🥤 My Drink: Blue Ocean Soda

This was such a fun surprise! It tasted like a sweet, fizzy, refreshing blue raspberry limeade. I’m a big blue raspberry fan, so I loved this.

✅ Final Thoughts

The Bowl Vietnamese Cuisine was an excellent choice for a graduation celebration dinner. The food was fresh and full of flavor, the service was solid, and the menu offers a lot more I’d love to try. While it was a little noisy and my dish could’ve used one more shrimp, those small things didn’t detract from the overall great experience.

Would I go back? Absolutely.

✨ Life Update

Graduating from college is a significant milestone, and this dinner felt meaningful. Sitting down with my family, sharing good food, and reflecting on how far I’ve come all felt right.

I’m so excited (and a little nervous) for whatever comes next, but I’m grateful for this new chapter, and for the time I now have to explore more places, try more food, and share it all here with you.

Thanks for sticking with me through the break—more posts are coming soon! 💛