WaBa Grill is a popular fast casual restaurant chain that specializes in healthy rice bowls, plates, and salads inspired by Japanese and Korean flavors. Their menu features proteins like chicken, steak, salmon, and tofu that can be added to bowls with white or brown rice, noodles, or salad greens. Signature sauces and toppings like ginger dressing, sesame seeds, seaweed salad, and kimchi add delicious flavor. So what style of food does WaBa Grill serve? In summary, WaBa Grill serves fresh, fast casual fare with Asian fusion influences. Their rice bowls, plates, and salads take inspiration from Japanese teriyaki and Korean bibimbap while also offering diverse proteins and toppings to build your own healthy meal.
The Origins of WaBa Grill
WaBa Grill was founded in 2006 by former TelAvex executives Dennis Bay and Min Choe in Irvine, California. The name “WaBa” stands for “Wild Bowl Asian”. The founders wanted to create a fast casual concept that focused on healthy, freshly-prepared Asian rice bowls. Dennis Bay drew inspiration from his Korean heritage and from the bento box-style serving of rice with proteins and vegetables commonly found in Japanese cuisine. The open kitchen format, customized meals, and dedication to fresh ingredients aligned with rising consumer demand for fast casual dining with a focus on transparency and nutritious options.
Rice as the Foundation
At the core of WaBa Grill’s menu is premium white or brown rice sourced from northern California. Rice serves as the base of bowls, plates, and salads at WaBa Grill. The reliance on rice showcases WaBa Grill’s Asian influence – rice is a staple grain in many Asian cuisines. Both white and brown rice provide carbohydrates for energy. The nutritious grains also absorb flavors from sauces and toppings. Rice served hot or chilled provides the foundation for building customized healthy meals at WaBa Grill.
Signature Proteins
WaBa Grill offers signature proteins to add to rice bowls and plates. The proteins are grilled, demonstrating a commitment to fresh preparation in the open kitchens. Options include:
Chicken | All-natural chicken breast grilled and sliced, marinated in teriyaki sauce |
Steak | Grilled sirloin steak seasoned with garlic |
Salmon | Grilled and sliced salmon fillet seasoned with garlic |
Tofu | GMO-free organic tofu grilled and seasoned |
The variety of proteins showcases WaBa Grill’s diversity of options to suit different tastes and diets. Chicken delivers lean protein, while steak and salmon provide hearty, nutrient-dense options. Tofu caters to vegetarian and vegan diners looking for plant-based protein. WaBa Grill prepares the proteins by grilling without oil to reduce fat and calories while enhancing flavor. The open flame adds delicious smoky flavor while the teriyaki and garlic seasonings provide signature tastes. Overall, WaBa Grill’s proteins stay true to the bran’s commitment to fresh, nutritious ingredients.
Healthful Sauces and Toppings
Beyond the base of rice and grilled proteins, WaBa Grill elevates their bowls, plates, and salads with flavorful and healthful sauces and toppings. The sauces demonstrate Asian influences: 
- _Yakiniku Sauce_: Japanese-style barbecue sauce sweetened with pineapple juice and seasoned with garlic.
- _Ginger Dressing_: Bright tangy dressing made with grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
- _Spicy Korean Sauce_: Gochujang chili pepper sauce mixed with garlic and sesame oil.
Toppings like seaweed salad, edamame beans, kimchi, and sesame seeds also showcase Japanese and Korean flavors. Diners can select sauces and toppings to customize their meals for more healthy veggies, spice, or other flavors they crave. The sauces and toppings complement WaBa Grill’s signature proteins and rice while staying true to the restaurant’s Asian fusion concept.
Healthy Dining Focus
WaBa Grill emphasizes serving fresh, nutritious meals customized to meet each diner’s preferences. Their focus on healthy dining sets them apart in the fast casual space. All food is made-to-order in open kitchens, so customers can see the fresh preparation. The grilled proteins are lean and minimized in saturated fats, with sauces on the side so diners can control the amount and calories. Vegetables, herbs, spices, and nutrient-dense toppings provide flavors and nutrition without excessive oil or salt. Complex carbohydrates from rice provide energy and fiber. Overall, WaBa Grill succeeds in providing fast casual fare focused on fresh, nutritious ingredients served in customized combinations to promote healthy lifestyles.
Signature Menu Items
While diners can build their own bowls, plates, and salads, WaBa Grill’s menu highlights signature combinations:
Tokyo Caesar Salad | Romaine lettuce, grated parmesan, miso caesar dressing, toasted sesame seeds |
Chicken Bowl | Chicken breast, white rice, yakiniku sauce, ginger dressing |
Green Tea Chicken Plate | Chicken breast, brown rice, steamed veggies, green tea ginger dressing |
Chipotle Steak Bowl | Sirloin steak, brown rice, black beans, pico de gallo, chipotle sauce |
These selections showcase inventive recipes that blend WaBa Grill’s proteins, sauces, and toppings. Diners can enjoy the signature combinations or use them as inspiration to build their own custom meals. The mix and match options promote creativity and diverse flavors.
Popular Customizations
WaBa Grill encourages diners to customize their orders with the ingredients they crave. Some favorite customizations include:
- Tofu bowl with kimchi, seaweed salad, ginger dressing
- Salmon plate with edamame beans, miso caesar dressing
- Chicken bowl with brown rice, broccoli, Korean spicy sauce
Their variety of proteins, sauces, toppings, and grains means the options are limitless. Customization allows diners to get creative and find new flavor combinations that satisfy their tastes and health needs. Rice bowls end up as flavorful mix-and-match meals featuring spices, veggies, and sauces from multiple Asian cuisines.
Dining Experience
The WaBa Grill restaurant ambiance complements the fresh, nutritious menu. The open kitchen highlights the made-to-order preparation using high-quality ingredients. The sparse dining area decor helps emphasize the food itself. Servers call out diner’s orders upon completion, adding to the interactive, welcoming vibe. WaBa Grill also offers online ordering for takeout, delivery, and catering. So while dining in allows customers to see the healthy cooking process firsthand, WaBa Grill aims to share their nutritious fare however diners want to enjoy it. The brand values convenience, transparency about fresh food prep, and customization – from ordering to eating the healthy rice bowls.
Expansion
Starting in Irvine, California, WaBa Grill now has over 200 locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. New locations continue opening as the brand expands, especially on the West Coast. The growth demonstrates demand for WaBa Grill’s convenient, fresh, rice bowl-centered Asian fusion fare. As a fast casual chain, WaBa Grill competes with brands like Chipotle and Panda Express. Their focus on rice bowls carved out a specific niche that sets them apart. The signature proteins, sauces, flavors, and customized dining experience make WaBa Grill a go-to for healthy Asian food.
Conclusion
In summary, WaBa Grill’s style of food draws inspiration from Japanese and Korean cuisines while staying true to their identity as a Southern California-based fast casual chain. Their rice bowls, plates, and salads balance Asian flavors with diverse and nutritious ingredients. Customization adds creativity and caters to diverse tastes. The freshly made meals transparently prepared at each location satisfy cravings for healthy Asian fusion fare. WaBa Grill brings customizable rice bowls, grilled proteins, signature sauces, and flavorful toppings together into delicious options for any diner seeking a healthy, filling meal.