So what exactly is a Buddha Bowl and why are they so wildly popular?

If you haven't noticed, bowl food is a serious craze at the moment.

From smoothie bowls to burrito bowls, poké bowls to buddha bowls - it is safe to say that the plate is out and the dish we usually use for cereal is now taking over. The rise of bowl eating has focused on layering grains, nuts, pulses, protein and sauces leaving you with the knowledge of knowing exactly what is going into your food and helping you to clearly see whether or not you're hitting all the right food groups. The idea of the bowl is thought to be more nourishing and comforting than a plate too by the fact you can cup it and there is no annoying spillage or mess. Success. Even chef extraordinaire Nigella Lawson said that if she could, she would eat ALL her food out of bowls... so that is good enough for us. According to Charles Spence, who studies the psychology of food at the University of Oxford, he explained to The Guardian that eating from a bowl actually has its benefits as it makes you think the food tastes nicer plus you're brain thinks you are eating more due to the concentrated weight that you are holding. He said:

“That weight is likely to make your brain think the food is more substantial and you are likely to rate it as more intensely aromatic than exactly the same food sat passively on a plate.”

And a buddha bowl is pretty much exactly what we have described above, a bowl full of your choosing usually with some sort of leafy greens, falafel, nuts, avocado and hummus. Whatever you choose really. According to the author of Buddha's Diet, the name actually has a literal origin, he said: "Buddha woke up before dawn every morning and carried his bowl through the roads or paths wherever he was staying. Local people would place food in the bowl as a donation, and at the end he would eat whatever he had been given." And with a quick flick through Instagram, you will see tonnes of people now sharing their veggie creations as these bowls have become more and more popular. And now, plenty of restaurants and cafés are creating their own versions and our latest finding is from Kerala Kitchen in Dublin, who has teamed up with author and chef, Finn Ní Fhaoláin to create their own Chakra Buddha Bowl which launched during the summer. The Chakra Buddha Bowl is as delicious as it is beautiful - containing PLENTY of goodness including gut loving fermented foods, pickled red onion and cucumber, fresh raw ingredients such as pomegranate, lime, coriander and red cabbage and immune system loving turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli. The dish is made hearty and veggie friendly with chickpeas tossed in spices and lime juice and mouthwatering marinated sweet potato pieces. DELISH. You can check out all about Kerala Kitchen here.