A passion for food started early for Chloe Leung, co-owner of BowlBa Taiwan Eatery in Garfield. Her story begins in Taoyuan, a small city in Central Taiwan. This is where Chloe worked at her family’s restaurants. After school, she was scooping boba and brewing milk tea. On weekends, she turned skewers and entertained patrons at the night market stand.
For Chloe, Taiwanese food is synonymous with childhood and joy. She co-founded BowlBa in order to share these memories through food with the community. The restaurant is a trendy Taiwanese fast-casual eatery that offers a modern twist on traditional Taiwanese cuisine. Clement – Chloe’s husband and co-owner – says they serve traditional homecooked recipes, street-food snacks, and crafted beverages.
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Menu Favorites
Popular menu items at BowlBa include shrimp tempura bao (a fluffy white bun stuffed with filling), and beef noodle soup. Other standouts include the braised pork belly rice bowl with a marinated egg, and salt and pepper popcorn chicken.
BowlBa also serves artisanal mocktails. These bubble tea beverages are made with authentic boba they cook fresh daily. Flavors include Passion Fashion, Peachy Summer, Lychee Sunshine, and Oreo. Likewise, their shaved ice is a hit. Taiwanese shaved ice is snow-like shaved ice with sweet toppings. Flavors here range from honey red boba milk or red bean milk to Oreo chocolate milk and strawberry chocolate milk. Patrons can also add toppings such as marshmallows, coffee jelly, sprinkles, and cereal.
Their customizable shaved ice comes with volcano dry ice in the center. Patrons start by selecting a base (mango puree, coconut milk, Thai milk tea, rose milk tea, or lavender milk tea). Then select their fruits (cherry, strawberry, pineapple, lychee, mixed fruit, and honey peach). Next come the chewable options (such as honey boba, mixed fruit jelly, or red bean). Finally, orders include up to two candies (sprinkles, cereal, gummy bears, M&Ms, crushed Oreos, or marshmallows).
About the Restaurant
“We are inspired by traditional Taiwanese street food so the vibe inside is modern Taiwanese and trendy,” Clement says. For instance, BowlBa features neon accents throughout the store to reflect the neon signs along the streets of Taipei. Meanwhile, the walls feature posters, street art imported from Taiwan, and “our infamous Godzilla.”
Future plans include holding special events such as game nights and kids’ birthday parties. They also hope to partner with local organizations and host community events.
Visit BowlBa Taiwan Eatery at 59 Passaic St in Garfield. Look for them online to learn more.
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BowlBa Taiwan Eatery FAQs
No, they do not accept reservations.
No, they do not have gluten-free options.
Bowlba Taiwan Eatery offers vegetarian options yes.
They do offer takeout, yes.
Yes, they offer delivery via Uber Eats & DoorDash.
No, they do not serve alcohol. But they make Mocktails instead.
They do not have a kids’ menu, no.
All Photos: © Chloe & Clement Leung
