Cover Image: Aloha Poke (Facebook)
Poke Bowls are quite the rage in Singapore. Originally from Hawaii, these bowls overloaded with goodness are healthy and tasty, a winning combination that has propelled their popularity.
Poke means ‘to slice or cut’ in Hawaiian, referring to raw, marinated fish cut into chunks. A typical poke (pronounced POH-keh) bowl features freshly sliced tuna heaped over jasmine rice, with sides like avocado and seaweed, and drizzled with umami-packed sauces. Scallions, sesame seeds and pink salt may also be sprinkled on top to add to the taste.
With so many poke shops opening across the island, where should you get your poke fix? Here are our picks of where to find the freshest and yummiest poke bowls in Singapore.
Aloha Poke
One of the largest chains of Poke restaurants across the island, Aloha! Poké serves true Hawaiian-style poke. Each bite of the perfectly seasoned fish transports one to the sandy Waikiki beach in Hawaii. They focus on fresh ingredients and pure flavours, never dressing up their bowls unnecessarily.
Sweetfish Poke
With rates as affordable as $9 for a small bowl, Sweetfish Poke is a popular lunch joint on Stamford Road. $14 gets you a large bowl with a whopping 300gm of fish. Choose between an array of sauces - Roasted Sesame, Sweet Yuzu Cream and Kimchi - to drizzle on your poke bowl. Weight watchers can also choose to substitute jasmine rice with brown rice or lettuce.
Superfudo
Holland Village folks swear by Superfudo, a healthy food destination which offers a wide variety of quality grains and sous-vided meat to retain the nutrients. This chilled café offers many vegetable toppings as well.
Rollie Olie
With multiple outlets including one at Tanjong Pagar and another in PasarBella within Suntec City Mall, Rollie Olie offers Asian fusion food, Californian style. You can choose between freshly rolled sushi rolls, healthy poke bowls and other fun creations. The PasarBella outlet allows you to pair your food with a drink from another stall and perhaps a spot of dessert too.
Salmon Samurai
Located in 100 AM Mall at Tanjong Pagar, Salmon Samurai (as the name suggests), is the go-to spot for salmon-lovers. Whole salmons are fileted onsite into sashimi, a theatrical spectacle that is as much of a draw as the food. Customize your order and choose how you want your salmon – raw, poke, grilled or mentaiyaki.
