Satisfy your Chinese cuisine cravings at Green Street’s Rice Bowl in Champaign, IL
As an individual who absolutely loves Panda Express — you can never go wrong with a plate of Fried Rice, Orange Chicken, and Honey Walnut Shrimp — it’s sometimes difficult for me to not think of the restaurant whenever I try other restaurants that serve similar food items. However, after trying Rice Bowl on Green Street during a random Monday afternoon, I can definitely say I will visit the restaurant again sometime soon.
Rice Bowl recently opened a few weeks ago where the old Howdy Burger restaurant used to be. The convenience of the location cannot be understated, as the times I visited Rice Bowl have been when I have been somewhat pressed for time and needed a quick pick-me-up for lunch. When you walk inside, the place is accented by red chairs and partially red ceilings. The aesthetic overall is nice and quaint and does carry over from what Howdy Burger looked like. The individual who usually serves the food and mans the register has always been friendly, which is an aspect I appreciated when I went for the first time and was indecisive with what I wanted to eat.
Speaking of the first time I went to eat there, I ordered a 1-Item Bento, which is the equivalent of a Panda Express Bowl. I decided to try Rice Bowl’s Fried Rice and General Tso’s Chicken, and when I took that first bite, I certainly was not disappointed. What I especially appreciated was the amount of sauce that doused the General Tso’s Chicken and added a strong, rich flavor, and that chicken combined with the Fried Rice that had the usual additions of peas and carrots left me with a full stomach for the rest of the day. This combination for a 1-Item Bento is what I recommend for anyone trying Rice Bowl for the first time, as I consider this combination akin to ordering a bowl of Fried Rice and Orange Chicken at Panda Express. I honestly cannot say that one is better than the other since both are good in their own right.
When I visited the restaurant again a few days later, it was very tempting to order the exact same thing. However, I knew I was curious about how Rice Bowl’s Chow Mein and Pineapple Walnut Shrimp tasted, so those two food items were exactly what I ordered as part of the 1-Item Bento I got that day. On a last-second whim, I also added an order of Crabmeat Rangoon since that item tends to be one of those appetizers I love ordering at similar places such as Panda Express. Like my previous order, I later left with a full, satisfied stomach. I will acknowledge that the shrimp was slightly drier than I was used to, but the pineapples added a unique sweetness that provided a sense of balance to the flavor of the shrimp, and the Chow Mein had a more prominent taste compared to other similar noodle dishes I have had in the past, which was a bonus. If you’re ever interested in ordering the Pineapple Walnut Shrimp, just remember that the item does cost a little extra since it is a specialty item.
I am planning on visiting Rice Bowl again sometime soon, and I cannot deny that the portion sizes that I have received are worth the price. One advantage that Rice Bowl currently has over the Panda Express on Green Street is that Rice Bowl is open during lunch and dinner hours while Panda Express is only open later in the day. Next time you’re on Green Street and craving Chinese cuisine, I highly recommend visiting Rice Bowl and, of course, bringing an empty stomach.
