Pho 101, 6125 S Tamiami Trail, 941-924-0039

Long before places like SoFresh and Vitality Bowls began offering their hefty bowls of greens, grains and proteins, Vietnamese cuisine had its bún (pronounced, “boon”). Comprised of chilled rice vermicelli noodles, lettuce or greens, fresh herbs like Thai basil or mint, julienned carrots and cucumbers, pickled daikon radish, nuoc cham sauce and any number of grilled meats, the dish offers a balance of nutrients, flavors, textures and temperatures.

The lemongrass chicken bowl at Pho101 on S Tamiami Trail comes with all of the above, placed in an orderly fashion inside a large bowl. The noodles and mixed greens fight for space at the base of the bowl, making a diner unsure if the dish is a salad or a noodle dish. Sitting atop the noodles and salad is a boneless thigh that’s expertly grilled with lemongrass, garlic, and soy sauce then topped with diced scallions and roasted peanuts. Finally, pickled carrots and daikon radish squeeze themselves into a small remaining space. In terms of bang for the buck, few meals compare to the size and flavor of the bowl. Salty and sweet, cool and warm, tangy and with a bit of kick (when chili sauce is added), it’s everything adventurous taste buds require. If you want to get really wild, add some crushed crispy egg rolls to the bowl.

Pho 101, 6125 S Tamiami Trail, 941-924-0039