It took a few years for the poké craze to sweep Boston, but now the Hawaiian raw fish dish is no longer a West Coast novelty. Traditional poké bowls—influenced by Japanese and Korean cuisines—feature cubed raw fish on a bed of white rice with a light dressing of soy sauce, sesame seeds, and maybe some diced avocado. Modern day bowls, however, tend to favor maximalism; many fast casual poké bars offer at least a dozen topping options, from seaweed salad to wasabi peas, and enough sauces to appease every flavor preference. If sushi’s wilder and more customizable cousin is not already a part of your weekly lunch rotation, consider this a sign that it should be. Whether you prefer your tuna, salmon, or even tofu prepared simply or with all the fixings, we’ve compiled a list of shops that will make poké your way.
Banyan Bar + Refuge
Chef Phillip Tang describes Hawaii as a “melting pot of Asian cuisine,” so it’s fitting that he serves the island chain’s signature snack at Banyan, where the menu includes Chinese, Japanese, and Korean influences. Tang opts for ahi tuna cubes for his take on the classic Hawaiian dish, dressed up with fiery sambal aioli, fresh avocado slices, and a sweet, sticky glaze that will leave you scraping the bowl to lick up every last drop. For extra acidity and crunch, the meal also includes pickled red cucumber, carrots, and edamame. We’re all for build-your-own bowls, but in this case, we’re more than glad to let chef Tang take the lead.
553 Tremont St., Boston, 617-556-4211, banyanboston.com.
Hometown Café and Poké Bar
This Providence-based poké spot caters to Boston diners via its well-liked food truck, which sets up shop by Rowes Wharf Plaza and Massachusetts General Hospital. There, you’ll find bowls brimming with your choice of protein, plus a medley of house-made sauces and toppings like garlic crisps. For a palette-tingling treat, indulge in the jalapeño-garnished “Spicy Shrimp” bowl, drizzled with sriracha aioli. Not feeling fish? Try the “Veggie Works” dish instead; made with organic tofu and finished with ginger-shoyu sauce, the bowl is a hearty blend of carrots, kale, seaweed salad, and more.
Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, Rowes Wharf Plaza, Atlantic Ave. and High St., Boston; and 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday, Massachusetts General Hospital, 45 Blossom St., Boston, hometownpoke.com.
Kimchipapi Kitchen
Inspired by his mother’s lauded Somerville Korean restaurant, Wuchon House, Joon “Kimchipapi” Son opened his own kitchen in 2018 to honor his mother’s culinary legacy and the street food of South Korea. Alongside classic roadside eats such as ddukbokki (rice cakes and fish cakes covered in gochujang sauce) and obscenely delicious French fry-coated Korean corn dogs, Son also serves loaded poké bowls. Opt for one of his kimchipapi or kimchimama bowls on a bed of sushi rice with all the trimmings, or create a bespoke bowl with your choice of raw salmon, spicy crab salad, tofu, or shredded beef. If you decide to customize, make sure to choose at least two sauces ( spicy mayo and eel, perhaps?) for the ideal flavor-packed poké experience.
81 Harvard Ave., Allston, 617-208-8005, kimchipapi.com.
Manoa Poke Shop
Things were looking gloomy for this Somerville poké shop after a brief shutdown in 2019, but we are happy to report Manoa is back and brighter than ever. This lunch spot is only open on the weekends, so if you want to snag one of the team’s signature tuna and salmon bowls doused in a house-made spicy lilikoi sauce, it’s best to get there on the early side. The second you walk through the door, you’ll be greeted with murals of Hawaiian flora and a counter overflowing with colorful garnishes and glistening raw fish cubes. The ahi…
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