The “bites” concept is becoming increasingly popular in modern restaurants. Instead of offering a few standard appetizers, a “bites menu” provides a wide variety of small dishes perfect for sharing or individual snacking.
This guide is designed to help you create a delicious and appealing bites menu for your restaurant, bar, or event. We’ll cover everything from key considerations and menu categories to how to accommodate different dietary needs.
Appetizers and Small Bites
Appetizers are meant to whet your appetite and set the stage for the courses to come. Small bites, on the other hand, are about giving you a wider variety of flavors and textures, all in smaller servings.
Menu Ideas and Examples
At Bites, we’re all about Asian-inspired small plates. Here are some of our favorites:
- Basil Cream Mussels
- Bites Wings
- Jumbo Shrimp Shumai
- Tuna Tostada
- Crying Tiger
- Jumbo Shrimp Wontons
- Coconut Shrimp
- Satay Chicken Skewers
- Soft Shell Crab Sliders
- Taro Fries
- Emerald Gyoza
- Spicy Crab Rangoon
- Garlic Edamame
- Seaweed Salad
Bao/Buns
And don’t forget our bao and buns! We’ve got:
- Roast Duck
- Braised Chashu Pork
- Avocado Katsu
- Mom’s BBQ Pork
Dietary Considerations
We also have a range of vegetarian and vegan options, including our Taro Fries, Emerald Gyoza, Garlic Edamame, and Seaweed Salad.
If you’re avoiding gluten, try our Tuna Tostada or Satay Chicken Skewers.
Handheld Bites: Sandwiches, Sliders, and More
Sometimes you want a satisfying, flavorful meal, but you don’t want to commit to a plate, a knife, and a fork. That’s where handheld bites come in!
What are handheld bites?
Handheld bites are single-serving sandwiches and other easy-to-eat foods that typically feature a protein served with bread or a bun.
Menu Ideas and Examples
The possibilities are endless, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sandwich Variety: Offer a Honey-Bourbon Sesame Chicken Sandwich, a Bites Burger, or a General Tso Good Chicken Sandwich.
- Slider Options: Feature mini burgers, pulled pork sliders, or even vegetarian options like black bean sliders.
Bread and Filling Considerations
The right bread can elevate a handheld bite from simple to sublime. Buns, rolls, croissants, and flatbreads all offer different textures and flavors.
Don’t forget the fillings! Meats, cheeses, vegetables, and flavorful sauces can all be combined to create a balanced and unforgettable bite.
Big Bites: Entrees in Smaller Portions
Sometimes you want a little bit of everything, right? That’s the idea behind “Big Bites.” These are entree-style dishes served in smaller portions, perfect for sharing (or not!). They let you sample a bunch of different flavors and cuisines without committing to a huge plate of just one thing.
Menu Ideas and Examples
Think globally! Asian-fusion is always a winner. Imagine a platter of Walnut Shrimp, Seared Sesame Tuna, Panang Salmon, General Tso Good Chicken, Kalbi Short Ribs, Mongolian Beef, Honey-Bourbon Sesame Chicken, and Thai Garlic-Pepper Shrimp. Yum!
But don’t stop there. You could also incorporate Mediterranean, Mexican, or Korean influences. The possibilities are endless.
Plating and Presentation
Visuals matter! The way you plate these “Big Bites” is key. Use attractive plating techniques to make the food look as good as it tastes. And, of course, keep those portion sizes consistent. That helps manage costs and keeps customers happy (and knowing what to expect).
Noodles and Fried Rice: Asian-Inspired Bites
Craving something slurpable? Our Asian-inspired noodle and fried rice dishes really hit the spot.
Noodle Dishes
We offer a variety of noodles, from ramen to udon to soba to rice noodles, each with its own unique texture and flavor.
Menu examples include:
- Beef Rib Ramen
- Creamy Tonkotsu
- Creamy Mentaiko Pasta
- Yakisoba
- Singapore Noodles
- Smoked Brisket Chow Mein
- Rama Noodles
- Bites Pad Thai
Fried Rice Dishes
Our fried rice dishes are customizable, with options for different proteins, vegetables, and sauces.
Menu examples include:
- Seafood Paella Fried Rice
- Hawaiian Fried Rice
- Angus Steak Fried Rice
Dietary Adaptations
We’re happy to adapt our noodle and fried rice dishes to meet your dietary needs.
- Gluten-free options: Singapore Noodles, Seafood Paella Fried Rice, and Hawaiian Fried Rice can all be prepared gluten-free.
- Vegetarian options: We also offer a wide variety of vegetable-based noodle and fried rice dishes.
Sushi and Maki: A Japanese Bite Experience
If you’re in the mood for sushi and maki, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a rundown of what we offer:
Sushi and Maki Options
- Classic Maki: California Maki, Tekka, Sake, Kappa, and more.
- Signature Maki: Bite Me, Lava, One Night In Tokyo, End Of The Rainbow, Ocean Sundae, Maki Fresco, Mad Crabber, Samurai, Bites Spicy Tuna, Crazy Dragon, Big Alaska, Hot Chef, Pacifico, 24K Maki.
Dietary Considerations
- Vegetarian Options: Sweet Potato Katsu, Avocado, Shiitake, and Kappa Maki.
- Gluten-Free Options: Many Maki can be prepared gluten-free.
Sides, Desserts, and Beverages
To round out your meal at Bites, we offer a variety of sides, desserts, and beverages.
Complementary Sides
Choose from a selection of sides to accompany your bites. We have crispy fries, fresh salads, and comforting soups.
“Last Bites”: Desserts
Even our desserts are bite-sized! Try our tempura brownies, blueberry-yuzu cheesecake, coco-mango sorbet, or banana wontons. The portions are small, so you can indulge without feeling too full.
Beverage Pairings
We have a wide selection of drinks to complement your meal.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Choose from our cocktails, beers, and wines, selected to pair perfectly with our food menu.
- Non-Alcoholic Options: We also offer coffee, tea, juices, and sodas to suit every taste.
Key Takeaways
To create a successful “bites” menu, offer a range of options, consider different dietary needs, and aim for a memorable dining experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors and presentation. And be sure to keep the menu fresh by updating it regularly based on customer feedback and seasonal ingredients.