You know those days when all you want is a light, tasty, colorful meal that still looks like it came from a fancy restaurant on the beach? Well, that's exactly what Hawaiian poke offers!
More than just a meal, putting together your own bowl is almost like therapy. You choose the ingredients calmly, assemble everything with care, give it a personal touch and… voila!
An explosion of flavors and textures. If you like practicality, freshness and an exotic touch, this recipe will win your heart!
Curiosities
THE poke (pronounced “pou-ke”) is a traditional Hawaiian dish that was originally made by local fishermen with raw pieces of freshly caught fish, seasoned with salt, seaweed and local nuts.
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Over time, it has conquered the world and mixed with influences from Japanese, Korean and Californian cuisine — and today, it has become a healthy craze in the “do it your way” style.
In literal translation, poke means “cut into pieces”. In other words, it all starts with fish cubes (usually tuna or salmon), but the magic is precisely in the personalization.
Ingredients (Serves 2 hungry people)
Basis:
- 300g fresh salmon (or tuna), cut into cubes
- Tip: You can substitute grilled tofu, sautéed mushrooms or shredded chicken if you want a different version.
Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- White or black sesame seeds to taste
Toppings (use whatever you have!):
- 1/2 Japanese cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 ripe mango cut into cubes
- 1/2 avocado or sliced avocado
- Grated carrot
- Cooked edamame
- Nori seaweed strips
- Chopped chives
- Sriracha sauce or seasoned mayonnaise (optional)
Step by Step Preparation Method
- In the first place, start from the base:
First, cook the rice and, if you want to give it a Japanese touch, mix in the rice vinegar once it's ready. Set aside until it cools down a bit (poke isn't steaming rice, okay?). - Secondly, marinating the fish:
Then, mix all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and add the salmon cubes. Leave to marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Tip: the longer you marinate it, the tastier it will be — but don’t overdo it so you don’t “cook” the fish with the lemon! - Thirdly, it is the time to assemble the bowl (the most fun part!):
So, in a deep bowl, place a portion of rice on the bottom. Then, carefully arrange the ingredients on top: the fish, vegetables, mango, avocado, all colorful. Then, finish with sesame seeds, nori and a drizzle of sauce (sriracha or seasoned mayonnaise, if you want to spice it up). - Finally, serve and enjoy!
You can eat with chopsticks, a fork, a spoon… the important thing is to be happy!
Side Dish Suggestions
To make the atmosphere even more beachy, you can serve your Hawaiian Poke with:
- Crispy Sweet Potato Chips
- Miso soup (light Japanese soup)
- Iced Green Tea with Lemon
- Or even a very tropical caipirinha for those who want to get into the mood. Hawaiian-Brazilian
Have leftover fish or chopped ingredients? Assemble mini poke wraps in seaweed sheets or tortillas and voila: guaranteed next-day snack!
SEE ALSO:
- Paella: A Flavorful Journey Through Spain
- Pancake Recipe
- Ratatouille: the taste of France in a colorful dish full of love!
Extra Curiosities
- In fact, in Hawaii, it’s very common to buy poke in supermarkets and eat it on the beach, like our “set meal” there.
- There are variations like the spicy poke (with spicy mayonnaise), soy poke, or even versions with octopus, or shrimp!
- Furthermore, the vegetarian version with marinated tofu or mushrooms is a huge hit among those who don't eat meat.
Finishing – Hawaiian Poke
Eating poke at home is almost like traveling without leaving the kitchen. It's fresh, it's flavorful, it's colorful — and best of all: it's your way. So, each bowl tells a different story, with the ingredients you like most.
So let's get creative and let Hawaii invade your table? Then tell me how your dream bowl turned out!