Ninety-one definition, a cardinal number, 90 plus 1. A.Z (Azamat Baybulatuly Zenkaev) Position: Leader and rapper. Born: September 28, 1993 in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. About A.Z: He has a sister.
Apparently it has not escaped people’s attention that I have fallen downa bit of a K-poprabbit hole recently. I won’t deny it, and to be honest, I’m having a grand old time. Which was why I was intrigued when I received a message asking, “So, have you tried Q-pop yet?” No, would be the answer to that question. I had never heard of Q-pop, but I was happy to look into it. Several hours later, I had fallen down yet another rabbit hole of Kazakhstan idol groups, cultural history, and Ninety One, the pioneering group where Q-pop began. Sometimes, I love the Daily Hart so much.
Ninety One were originally formed in 2015 by Kazakhstani record label JUZ Entertainment. They are described as a fusion between western and Asian pop music, but notably, all of their lyrics are in the Kazakh language. The group has said that this is a deliberate choice on their part. Not only do they want to help preserve the language, but they also want to expose it to a wider and more global audience. I had never heard the Kazakh language until I listened to their music, so in that regard, I’d say mission accomplished.
You would think that Ninety One would be applauded for their efforts, but their debut in 2015 didn’t exactly go as planned. Their overall look and style was seen as an insult to traditional Kazakhstani views of masculinity, and they were publicly mocked and insulted by the general population. Protests were organized against them, and the majority of their first tour had to be cancelled. Despite the backlash, they persisted, and in 2017, they released their second album. The tour in support of that album didn’t attract any protests, and today, Ninety One are considered to be the founders of Q-pop, meaning pop music from Kazakhstan. In fact, Q-pop is now one of the most popular genres of music in that country.
Until now, I knew relatively little about Kazakhstan. And let’s be honest, I still know next to nothing. But I’m fascinated by the idea that a male pop group could cause such an uproar. Yes, Elvis’ swinging hips were once considered scandalous, but since then, it’s mostly been woman who have born the brunt of moral outrage in the music industry. All I can say is that I’m happy that Ninety-One persisted. I am now 100% a Q-pop fan, and I’m looking forward to more music by them and the many other groups they’ve inspired.
Suggestions for artists I should check out? Please contact me with your ideas. I hope you enjoyed your daily helping of art!
Bowl Ninety-One features dishes that combine varieties of ingredients and flavors from Asia. We offer a selection of entrees including ramen, and some of our innovative signature dishes.
Appetizers
Hmong Egg Rolls (2) | $3.50
Chicken, cabbage, carrots, onions, and noodles fried until golden brown. Served with sweet and sour sauce.
Crab Rangoons (6) | $5.59
Imitation crab, cream cheese, and green onions. Served with sweet and sour sauce.
Fried Chicken Wings (6) | $8.75
Crispy chicken wings tossed in either chili lime, sriracha honey, or Gochujang.
Lemongrass Chicken Tacos (2) | $6.00
Marinated chicken with a lemongrass sauce. Topped with pickled daikon & carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, and homemade garlic chili mayo. Available with tofu *GF
Beef Bulgogi Tacos (2) | $7.00
Grilled Korean bulgogi, sesame seeds, cabbage, and kimchi Available with tofu.
Happy Belly Buns | (2) $6.95
Pork belly, sweet chili hoisin, and pickled cucumber
Tofu, bamboo shoots, ear wood mushrooms, bean sprouts, scallions, and noodles in a vegetable broth mixed with miso and chilies.
Curry Lover | $13.29
Creamy tonkotsu broth with Thai red curry sauce, chicken, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, cabbage, scallions, basil, lime, crispy shallots, and a marinated egg. *M Spice
Garden Ramen | $13.29
Vegetable-based broth with miso, soy milk, tofu, cabbage, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, scallions, and a marinated egg. *V
Tom Yum Yummy | $13.29
A spicy tangy broth with BBQ pork, meatballs, shrimp, and a marinated egg Topped with cilantro, green onions, bean sprouts, crispy shallots, peanuts and lime.
Soul Ramen | $13.29
Chicken or chashu, woodear mushrooms, bamboo, scallions, and marinated egg in a Thongkotsu & Shoyee broth.
Seasonal
Wonton Udon Noodle Soup | $13.99
Pork Dumplings, Choice of Chicken or Tofu, Bok Choy, Shiitake Mushrooms, Scallions, and Udon Noodle in a chicken broth Add Shrimp Tempura $4.00.
Squash Currye | $12.00
Sweet Potato, squash, and onions in a massaman curry sauce. Add Cashews and Cranberries $3.00. *GF
Jalapeno Gochujang | $12.00
Lightly battered chicken, onions, and jalapeno in a Gochujang and Sriracha Honey sauce. *M Spice
Creamy Tom Yum Ramen | $13.99
A spicy tangy broth with coconut milk, BBQ pork, meatballs, shrimp, and a marinated egg Topped with cilantro, green onions, bean sprouts, crispy shallots, peanuts and lime.
Shrimp Tempura Ramen | $13.99
Crispy shrimp tempura, shittake mushrooms, cabbage, bamboo shoots, scallions, and marinated egg in a savory seafood broth.
Curry
Ninety One South Africa
Choice of chicken, or tofu. Add beef for $2.00. Add crispy pork belly, chashu, or shrimp for $3.00. All curries served with rice. *M Spice
Pineapple Curry | $12.00
Pineapple, bell peppers, basil, and choice of meat in a red Thai curry sauce Served with a side of rice. *GF, V
Vegan Panang Curry | $10.99
Tofu, broccoli, bamboo, bell peppers, and carrots in a panang curry sauce.*GF, M Spice
Stir-Fry
Choice of chicken, or tofu. Add beef for $2.00. Add crispy pork belly, chashu, or shrimp for $3.00
Pad Thai | $12.00
Noodles, scallions, bean sprouts, and egg in a sweet and tangy sauce. Topped with crushed peanuts, cilantro, and lime. *GF, V
Ninety One Az
Vegan Pad Thai | $12.00
*GF, Vegan
Bangkok Flat Noodle | $12.00
Noodles stir fried with broccoli, bell peppers, onions, carrots, and egg in a garlic sweet soy sauce. *GF, V, Vegan
Drunken Udon | $12.00
Pan-fried udon noodle with chili, garlic, broccoli, bell peppers, onion and basil. *Spicy *V, Vegan
Veggie Surprise | $12.00
Broccoli, bell peppers, shitake mushrooms, carrots, and tofu in a sweet basil sauce. Served with rice *GF, V, Vegan
Curry Noodle | $12.00
Bell Peppers, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, eggs, and noodles stir fry with a red curry sauce.
Sweet Chili Chicken | $12.00
Lightly battered chicken, bell peppers, pineapple, onions, and basil in a sweet and tangy chili sauce. Served with rice.
Fried Rice
Choice of chicken, or tofu. Add beef for $2.00. Add crispy pork belly, chashu, or shrimp for $3.00
Simply Fried Rice | $9.99
Carrots, peas, onions, and egg
Fried Rice 91 | $11.99
A combination of chicken, beef, crispy pork, shrimp, egg, peas, carrots, and onions. Topped with an egg.
Pineapple Cashew Fried Rice | $12.99
Pineapple, cashew, cranberries, green onions, and egg.
Yee Lee, a local entrepreneur who has lived in the Fox Cities for more than 25 years, dreamed of an original restaurant that would amp up the city’s fine cuisine: Bowl 91. Taking on new twists in cross-cultural fine dining, Bowl 91 focuses on bringing people together as they share their lives over meals that are innovative, experimental, and tasty.
The story of Bowl 91 began long before its opening on College Avenue. Yee was only four years old when she and her family arrived to the United States in 1991 as refugees. As one of six children in a large family, Yee quickly became her mother’s assistant chef. Working hard to ensure that food was always on the table, Yee’s mother passed on a rich knowledge of traditions, spices, and recipes now infused into each of Bowl 91’s entrees.
Having obtained invaluable skills and values from her mother at a young age, Yee has always been passionate about quality home-cooked meals. As a daughter, she cooked for her parents and siblings; as a mother, she cooks for her four children; as a caring citizen, she now cooks for her community.
Bowl 91 is named in honor of 1991, the year Yee’s family arrived to the United States. 27 years of opportunity, hard work, and commitment to a dream have since manifested into a small but lively restaurant on College Avenue. Here, in a bowl, we invite you to taste that dream… the American Dream.
Bowl 91 features dishes that combine a variety of ingredients and flavors from Asia. We offer a selection of entrees, including ramen, pho, and some of our innovative signature dishes.