Crowded Bowl: Lunch crowd for vegetarian food, beyond your wildest imagination

Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s thriving Biopolis at Buona Vista, Crowded Bowl has quickly become a favourite spot for those seeking a quick, nutritious, and delicious meal. Located within the Matrix Hawker Centre that has just been newly renovated, Crowded Bowl offers a variety of plant-based options. This bustling eatery reflects the growing demand for healthier, sustainable dining alternatives in the city.

Whether you’re a scientist working in the nearby labs, a visitor exploring the research hub, or simply a local looking for a wholesome lunch, Crowded Bowl provides a perfect blend of convenience and taste.

Before diving into the specifics of Crowded Bowl, it’s essential to understand its location, Biopolis. Biopolis is designed as a hub for biomedical sciences, research, and development.

With such a concentration of highly-skilled professionals, it’s only natural that the area’s dining options cater to the needs of a health-conscious and busy crowd. Many workers in the area have demanding schedules and a desire for balanced meals that don’t compromise on flavour or nutrition. This is where Crowded Bowl has made its mark.

What I tried at Crowded Bowl

Crowded Bowl is all about fast, fresh, and healthy eating. It focuses on providing plant-based meals that are as nourishing as they are delicious.

The stall’s build-your-own-bowl concept allows diners to customise their meals according to their tastes and dietary preferences. Customers can choose from an array of base options, like salad, potatoes, pastas and my go-to favourite – olive rice. You then select from a variety of toppings, including roasted vegetables, cucumber, crispy tofu skin, and protein balls.

The flexibility of the menu makes Crowded Bowl accessible to everyone, whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet. Its mission aligns with the growing awareness of sustainability, animal welfare, and environmental impact, making it popular among those seeking to reduce their carbon footprint through conscious eating.

A Regular (S$5.50) bowl for one comes with 1 green, 1 mains and 2 sides while the Large (S$15) comes with the same greens but with 3 mains and 5 sides can be shared between 2-3 people.

As I was there around the opening time to avoid the extremely long lines, many items were not ready to be served yet. Despite that, I still managed to get the fragrant olive rice for mains with crispy tofu skin, protein balls and seaweed tofu.

The olive rice had a rich, savoury taste with a subtle briny tang from the olives, balanced by the umami flavours of soy sauce or garlic. The dish offered an earthy, slightly salty profile that complemented the soft texture of the rice. This was coupled with the crispy tofu skin for that contrast in textures.

The seaweed tofu is infused with 7 aromatic spices and while it may look deceiving, it is extremely flavourful. The first flavour profile that struck me was the earthy notes of the seaweed and as I chewed into the soft strands of the fried tofu body, I could taste the herbaceous yet lightly spiced seasoning.

The protein balls, made from soy, were a bit dry, but this contrasted well with the mildly greasy olive rice, creating a balanced bite with both protein and carbs.

Although the other sides and mains weren’t available, based on my previous experiences at Crowded Bowl, I highly recommend the corn for its crunchy texture and subtle spicy kick in every bite. And of course, the scrambled egg is a must—warm, gooey, and perfectly tying all the ingredients together.

Final thoughts

For vegans, vegetarians or even meat-eaters working or living near Biopolis, Crowded Bowl is a welcome find. In an area where dining options may lean towards convenience over health, this eatery stands out by offering fully plant-based meals without sacrificing taste or variety. The colourful, nutrient-dense bowls are not just a feast for the stomach but also for the eyes.

If you’re in the area, my advice is to arrive early to beat the lunch crowd— things can get pretty chaotic, and the long lines can be frustrating.

Expected damage: S$5.50 – S$15 per pax

New Zai Xing Vegetarian: Addictive Mushroom Rolls at the heartiest breakfast I’ve ever had