If you haven’t tried a poke bowl yet, you are definitely going to need to catch the nearest wave to a restaurant that’s serving up one of these hot new sushi salads. The poke bowl is the perfect dish if you're looking for a fresh take on sushi with a little Hawaiian twist. Here are the five best Poke places in the Valley to take your taste buds on a sea voyage Captain Nemo would endorse.
Pacific Catch
The Poke Bowls here are fresh and flavorful. As a restaurant committed to serving both quality food and giving back with community outreach, Pacific Catch provides a great selection of poke bowls. Pacific Catch also has a huge variety of dishes like fish tacos, salads, and sandwiches for those who aren't the biggest sushi fans. But truth be told, it's the poke bowl that will keep you coming back for more. They have a variety of fish, sauces, and other toppings to customize your bowl just how you like it, and their “Chalkboard” specials keep things fresh as they continue to bring in tastes from many places around the coast. The modern vibes and the very personable seating arrangements make Pacific Catch a great first date spot or the perfect place to get a meal with a close friend or relative.
Poki Bowl
Customization is the key to success for this poke bowl restaurant. With a large assortment of ingredients to add to your poke bowl, you’ll never have to get the same thing twice. Think Subway meets Flat Top, while providing fresh food and friendly service. You’ll have fun exploring the seemingly limitless possibilities as you create your perfect poke. I mixed octopus and yellowtail, and was surprisingly thrilled with the resulting flavors. You get the best of both worlds at Poki Bowl - the ability to customize your poke to your liking with tons of fresh ingredients to mix and match. They ensure you get an amazing dish every time.
Pokéworks
Pokéworks is another restaurant that focuses on the customization of your poke bowl, but offers a lot of great signature dishes that simplify some of the complexities of the poke assembly. Pokéworks has an easy to read menu that is very helpful for those who are new to crafting their own poke bowls. Where this restaurant shines is its variety of sauces that add a whole other level to the poke bowl’s flavor. With eight sauces to choose from, you can easily change the flavor of your poke, allowing for tons of new tasty discoveries. The service is great here, so you won’t be waiting long to get your fresh food fix. This is an awesome establishment for poke first-timers, and likewise for those who are experienced in poke eating.
PokéLOVE
PokéLOVE may have unlocked the equation for the perfect poke. By mixing fresh fish, fresh toppings, homemade dressings, and adding a dash of love, they seem to have indisputably proven that a perfect poke is not a fantasy. Along with a delicious variety of poke bowls, PokéLOVE has a sizable tea selection that pairs excellently with their bowls. The general vibe here is that eating healthy doesn’t have to be a miserable experience for all involved. Whether it be after a workout or a long day on the move, PokéLOVE will let you fill your belly without feeling guilty about it. I have to say that I’m finally convinced eating healthy can be easy and enjoyable. PokéLOVE simply makes eating healthy feel that much better.
Pokeatery
You’ll come here with your stomach grumbling, and leave full with a grin from cheek to cheek. Pokeatery is at the forefront of the poke bowl craze, leaving behind the bowl in favor of their poke box. You get more space in the box to pack as many deliciously fresh ingredients as you can into your poke. With their large amount of protein selections and toppings, (not to mention you can add as many you would like), Pokeatery will make you ask the question, “Why has no one has thought of a poke suitcase yet? (patent pending).” With high quality ingredients and prices that won’t make you jump overboard, Pokeatery is your destination for excellent and innovative poke.
So, if you're already a sushi fan, or are just looking to expand your palate to other cuisines, give poke a try! It is the perfect meal to keep things light, fresh, and flavorful. With all of the unique combinations and flavors possible, you are sure to find something that suits you.
Written By: Maxine Kasznia
Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram
Author bio: Maxine is a Chicago Native and UCLA grad. She has a passion for sustainable eating and loves to find the best environmentally friendly spots in every city she visits. After living in both Chicago and LA, she has an appreciation for local cuisines and continues to look for ways to expand her palate.