No, Boston’s food scene isn’t just bowls. But there are some tasty ones.

One word typically comes to mind when thinking of Boston’s cuisine: Seafood, and lots of it, either in the form of lobster on a buttered bun, or clams in piping hot chowder, or a platter of oysters waiting to be slurped down. But those who live here really know that Boston’s food scene goes beyond that, with diverse foods centering our 23 vibrant neighborhoods. 

Does that include bowls? According to one recent visitor from Europe, who happens to be a columnist for The Guardian, she noted that Boston was swimming in bowls, and she was baffled.

To be fair, bowls can include bibimbap, taco bowls, or bento boxes, which have heavily influenced menu items at popular chains that offer bowls. But the bowls it seemed this writer was arguing against were the ones from fast-casual chains such as Cava, Sweetgreen, and Chipotle or similar locally-owned, health conscious lunch spots. 

We asked Boston.com readers if this was a fair assessment to say that Boston has too many bowl options. But we were also curious where people were eating bowls that weren’t “spookily soulless,” as writer Emma Beddington described her “not Sweetgreen but similar” lunch.

Most of the more than 100 readers who responded to our form (71%) were rather puzzled by this writer’s observation of Boston’s food scene, but that doesn’t mean you don’t love a bowl. Some readers gave their non-salad recommendations.

But other readers thought that maybe this writer was onto something — the bowls have taken over Boston. We heard from a few readers who said yes, but still put preferences down between the big 3 (Cava, Sweetgreen, and Chipotle), but most of the yays offered no bowl suggestions.

Some respondents came out to defend the bowls, either because they taste great, or because they’re one of the only foods some with dietary restrictions or gastrointestinal health issues can find.

No, there are tons of other options

“The bowls don’t look so different from bento boxes. Is writer Emma Beddington for The Guardian going to pick on Tokyo next after Boston?” – Fred, Derry

“Pho Le Vermicelli” – Philip W., Boston

“The French Onion Uncommon Ramen from Bone & Bread at Widowmaker Taprooom & Kitchen is unreal!  Since they opened I stop in weekly. I love adding the pork belly as well! (A) must try, nothing like it. Give me all the bowls!” – Bobby V., Allston

“Bibimbap (from) Misono in Chestnut Hill. Very affordable (chicken bulgogi only $18.95), a lot of food, tasty, (and) rice is always crispy on the hot stone bowl. It is rarely crowded for such a great restaurant, most likely because it is in a strip mall off the VFW.” – Tim O., West Roxbury

And even though most of you said Boston was not overwhelmed with bowls, you still love the convenience and choice at the bowl restaurants that were clearly the target of Beddington’s opinion piece. 

“The Roasted Mushroom, Spinach and Potato bowl from Tatte. Where? Just look out the window. There’s probably one there.” – Michele, Needham

“Greek Vegetable Chicken Farro Bowl from Pressed Cafe.” – Dawn, Malden

“Pretty much anything from Sweetgreen. I particularly love the crispy rice bowl or the harvest bowl with modifications, of course! I have tried bowls from most of the local downtown places.” – Dawn A., Brockton

“An acai bowl from Sol Bean in Middleton, MA.” – Jocelyn N., Peabody

Yes, what’s with all the bowls?

“It all looks like slop to me. Bowls are for soups (and) stews in my book. So, I agree with the nice British lady.” – Bill B., Newton

Not yes, not no, but in defense of bowls

“Bowls suck. Low FODMap restrictions sucks. There is no ‘favorite’ regarding anything involving food right now; rather, what makes me feel physically terrible or physically OK.” – Chelsea, Charlestown

“Our bowls in the Boston area come in so many flavors. They are mostly plant-first and healthy as heck. I also love (the) bowls just recently introduced by Clover Food Lab.  They’re all wonderful.” – Nina, Cambridge