The latest food trend to hit this side of world is quick to prepare and chock-full of nutrients. Poke, pronounced traditionally as po-kay but typically said as poh-key, is a Hawaiian dish that is steadily growing in popularity, especially in places like California. But first, what in the world is poke?
For around $7 - $14, you get a healthier version of a burrito bowl that requires no cooking appliances. This is because poke, just like sushi, uses raw fish. Before you say "eww," poke also has sauces and other ingredients like diced avocado and furikake, a seaweed seasoning, all placed on top of a bed of rice, noodles, or salad, Ozy reported.
There are no real rules to serving poke as it is reminiscent of make-your-own frozen yoghurt and Mongolian rice bowls. Options reign supreme. Zach Brooks, a food blogger at Midtown Lunch, says, "I see poke as having the potential to be the next Chipotle." He adds, "It's a faster, cheaper, more acceptable, more filling way to deliver raw fish."
But why the sudden change? For starters, the Hawaiian dish is super easy to prepare. In fact, you can be in and out of a poke shop in just 15 - 20 minutes. As an alternative to fast food, poke also does not have unhealthy ingredients like hamburger grease.
Poke uses marinated chunks of fish, usually tuna, Food Network noted. It is much closer to sashimi than it is to sushi which only uses tiny scraps of fish. As mentioned earlier, there are also many other ingredients that you can use.
Bon Appetit noted that scallion, sesame seeds, and toasted seaweed are just a few ways to add flavor to the poke bowl. For those a bit wary of eating raw fish, smoked salmon or cooked shrimp are suitable and very tasty replacements.
Are you willing to try a Hawaiian poke bowl? Share this article if you find it as interesting as us!
