BBQ Joint Opens Grab-and-Go Spinoff, Smokin' Bowl Packs the Craft Into a Torta
Smokin' Hog has opened Smokin' Bowl, a fast-casual spinoff, next to its Wuding Road flagship in Jing'an. Ditching brisket and ribs for bowls, tortas and tacos, chef Nacho's two torta options are where the real ambition lies.
A canteen-like space with Pac-Man painted on the wall, a photo of the shop's mascot pug Lisa hanging in the corner, and food served in disposable containers for a grab-and-go setup—that's the first impression Smokin' Bowl gives off. It's the new sister restaurant to Jing'an BBQ favorite Smokin' Hog, sitting right next door to the original on Wuding Road, specializing in fast-casual bowls, tortas, tacos and burritos.
There's no brisket here, no ribs—those two signature smoked meats stay next door at Smokin' Hog. Smokin' Bowl uses the same smoking technique on other cuts, reworked into something lighter, faster and relatively healthier, with no wait and no table service needed.
Bowls come with Mexican long-grain rice or white rice, topped with green salsa and roasted vegetables, priced from RMB45 to 73. Signature flavors include Pulled Pork (RMB55), Barbacoa (RMB65) and Carne Asada (RMB73), with add-ons like guacamole (RMB10), cheese (RMB8), sour cream or jalapeños, plus vegetarian options. The same meats also come as burritos, quesadillas and tacos—bowls are just one of several ways to go.
The chef's personal favorites: two tortas
The real care shows in the tortas. Chef-owner Nacho puts it plainly: "When it comes to Mexican sandwiches, you won't find anything more authentic than this." The bread recipe is the key here—oval-shaped, like a mini football, crispy on the outside and soft inside, a house-made bread the team perfected through countless rounds of testing.
Choriqueso Torta (RMB69) is the top pick, with chorizo and cheese melted into a crispy, web-like layer that's savory with a kick of spice. The Torta Ahogada (RMB74) is Nacho's most treasured creation—"Ahogada" means "drowned," and the sandwich is literally submerged in a tomato-based red salsa, the bread soaking up all that sauce, paired with smoky pork carnitas. Nacho says it's the way they make it back home in Culiacán, Sinaloa, and this one requires a knife and fork.
On the taco front, the Hog Taco (RMB46/one) stuffs burger toppings into a tortilla: a beef patty the same width as the tortilla, topped with house-made burger sauce, salsa and pickled onions—essentially a lower-carb take on a burger. For something heartier, go with the Carne Asada Tacos (RMB62/two), where the meat is juicy and well-seasoned. The newly launched Al Pastor (RMB62/two) comes with pineapple salsa and can also be made into a quesadilla or burrito; the cut used has a bit more fat, delivering a juicy bite with every mouthful.
There's plenty of small plates too. The Mexican Buffalo Chicken Wings (RMB48 for six, RMB78 for twelve) are seasoned with the same brisket rub used at Smokin' Hog, deep-fried and tossed in a house-made Frank's-style buffalo sauce with tangy, spicy, smoky notes. The Taquitos Ahogadas (RMB65) come as three fried tortilla rolls filled with pulled pork, also drenched in red salsa and served with sour cream and guacamole—best eaten quickly to catch that half-soaked, half-crispy texture. The Reuben Spring Rolls (three for RMB48) are a mashup of the classic deli sandwich and Asian spring rolls, deep-fried and served with burger sauce for dipping.
Smokin' Bowl is located on Wuding Road in Shanghai's Jing'an District, right next to the Smokin' Hog flagship, with delivery also available.
