The rice bowl is perhaps the perfect Cooking for One dish. Besides the fact that it is assembled in individual portions, it offers variety and versatility and a fantastic opportunity to clean out the refrigerator. Read on for a roundup of rice bowl recipes.

Rice bowls are different than fried rice in that the flavor components are arranged on a bed of rice rather than mixed or stir-fried in. This gives the eater the opportunity to customize each mouthful, pulling a little here and there from each of toppings. The rice bowl is easily customizable, influenced only by your appetite and what's in the refrigerator. It can be vegan, vegetarian or meat-centric.

Many rice bowl recipes are influenced by Asian flavors; indeed the well-known and delicious Korean bibimbap is a form of rice bowl. But you can just as easily create a rice bowl with Mexican or Spanish flavors, or a hippie-style brown rice bowl with mushrooms, peas and green onions. A fried or poached egg is a classic topping and if the yolk is left runny, it will sauce the rice and add a lovely richness to the dish.

Brown or white rice are usually used, although other rices such as red, black or sushi rice make a nice change. Quinoa is also gaining in popularity and can often be substituted for rice in many recipes.

What are your favorite ways to assemble a rice bowl?

From The Kitchn:
Brown Rice Bowl with Tofu and Lemongrass
Easy, Nourishing & Delicious: Massa Brown Rice Bowl
Cool Recipe: Spicy Tuna Bowl
How to Make Chirashi at Home
Best Simple Supper: Miso Soup with Rice & Poached Egg
Vegetarian Recipe: Korean Dolsot Bibimbap
One Dish Supper Bowl

From Around the Web:
Shichimi Mushroom Rice Bowl Recipe (101 Cookbooks)
Sushi Bowl Recipe (101 Cookbooks)
Poached Eggs Over Rice Recipe (101 Cookbooks)
Delicious Big Bowl (with Quinoa, 101 Cookbooks)
Korean-Style Rice Bowl Recipe (Food & Wine)

Related: Cooking for One? Make a Big Pot of Rice

(Image: Kathryn Hill)