The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York (2024)

By Mary Jane Weedman

The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York (1)

The salmon in Chikarashi’s Sichuan-chile-spiced bowl is exceptionally fresh. Photo: Melissa Hom

Poke, a dish traditionally made with fresh raw fish and toppings like onions and seaweed, has been popular in Hawaii for decades. But in the past year or so, the poke bowl’s fandom in New York has exploded, and poke has moved from something you’d see once in a blue moon to the most popular “food concept” in the city. Credit the wellness movement, credit fast-casual obsession: Whatever’s the cause, your options for tuna bowls with rice or spicy salmon and seaweed have never been greater. These days you can even have it at venues like the Tommy Bahama store-restaurant on Fifth Avenue, and served fireside atop tablecloths at One If by Land, Two If by Sea. Here are the best poke bowls in New York.

The Absolute Best

1. Chikarashi’s Sichuan Chili Salmon Bowl
227 Canal St., nr. Baxter St.; 646-649-5965

Chikarashi makes the best poke bowl in New York for a number of reasons: The chefs — who previously worked at Neta — are using excellent (and sustainably sourced) fish, and the taste is just fresher than most of what you’ll eat around town. The Scottish salmon in this bowl is particularly great, and coated in a light but spicy Sichuan-sansho mayonnaise, with bites of onion throughout. The menu blends Hawaiian poke with the ideas of Japanese chirashi bowls — chirashi translates to “scattered” and is a dish of fish, veggies, and rice. So don’t be surprised by other Japanese ingredients, like daikon (flavored with shoyu) and furikake, the umami-boosting seasoning, on the warm, well-cooked rice. The bowl’s topped with thinly sliced scallions, white sesame seeds, and a nice helping of katsuo (skipjack tuna) panko bread crumbs; try to get a bit of each in every fantastic bite.

2. Noreetuh’s Big-Eye Tuna Poke
128 First Ave., nr. St. Marks Pl.; 646-892-3050

The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York (2)

Yes, it’s less of a standard bowl than the others — the poke’s not served on rice, for instance, and there’s no adding spicy mayonnaise, swapping tuna for salmon, or holding the crispy garlic. But that means this is probably the most considered creation on the list, and it shines for it. Chef Chung Chow strews squares of bigeye tuna with toasted macadamias, slices of jalapeño, bits of saltwort and red onion, and big squares of “real” Hawaiian seaweed (not the bright-green stuff you’ll see most places — so you get salinity but not the rubbery crunch). Most interesting is the inclusion of silver ear, sometimes called “white jelly mushroom,” a name that more accurately conveys its jumpy lightness. It’s all dressed with soy and sesame oil, and it’s downright delicious.

3. Sons of Thunder’s Tuna-and-Salmon Bowl
204 E. 38th St., nr. Third Ave.; 646-863-2212

The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York (3)

At the Shake Shack–reminiscent counter, choose the half-and-half bowl — ahi tuna and salmon — and get it “regular,” or marinated in a shoyu sauce. The fish, plus sweet slices of onion, white sesame seeds, tiny circles of scallion, and crunchy garlic crispies (they’re not chewy-sticky, like sliced fried garlic so often is) sit atop short-grain rice. If you’re feeling indulgent, order a side of the spicy mayonnaise, for dipping, but the gingery, vinegary shoyu marinade is delicious on its own, and the airy, relaxed back room makes the bowl all the more pleasant.

4. 2nd City’s Poke Me Bowl
525 Hudson St., nr. Charles St.; 917-639-3262

The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York (4)

One of the problems with many average takeout poke bowls is that the fish and toppings sit atop, not mixed into, the rice, and as they’re typically not warm, there’s nothing to imbue the grain with flavor. (Not to mention, lesser poke spots will sometimes serve rice that’s gluey, too.) 2nd City solves that problem by using excellently cooked coconut-flavored steamed rice. Arranged on top are little bites of sweet-miso-dressed tuna, slices of avocado, scallions cut on the bias, bright pickled red onion, and thin, crispy wonton strips. Pair it with the roasted tomato and jalapeño salsa if you want a mild kick.

5. Maui Onion’s Spicy Tuna Bowl
35 W. 26th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-377-5120

The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York (5)

Pretty Maui Onion has both counter-style, create-your-own poke, plus a large seating area (many poke spots, like Sweetcatch, are takeout only). Get the Spicy Tuna bowl, with square chunks of fresh tuna coated in a mildly spicy orange mayonnaise. There’s salty, soy-tasting hijiki, green seaweed, and raw red onion mixed with the tuna. Ask for Pringles-crispy garlic chips, pickled ginger, and bright, vinegary chayote-squash pickles.

Honorable Mentions

Dimes Deli’s Poke Bowl
143 Division St., nr. Canal St.; 212-240-9410

The takeout branch of the enduringly trendy, health-conscious restaurant serves a great bowl with bites of jelly-candy-pink ahi tuna, pieces of mashed avocado, mango, and candylike cape gooseberries over a blend of brown and wild rices. Those gooseberries and a bright yuzu-chile dressing make it.

Maple’s Salmon Poke Bowl
maple.com

The popular delivery-only lunch service recently added poke to its repertoire of prettily packaged meals: It comes with squares of pink salmon over a blend of grains (rice and quinoa, when we tried it), slices of daikon, cucumbers, and a delicious sesame-soy dressing, plus a side of spicy mayo for dipping. Not the best option, but a great, decently healthy, easy lunch choice.

Mighty Bowl’s Poke Special
120 Macdougal St., nr. W. 3rd St.; 212-777-5750

There’s “sashimi-grade” fresh-tasting tuna, drizzled with Japanese mayo and covered in crispy shallots. Also: tangy pickled carrots and white radish, matchstick carrots, and seaweed salad. Asking for a side of spicy gochujang improves the well-cooked but unflavored rice.

Seamore’s’ Tuna Poke
390 Broome St., at Mulberry St.; 212-730-6005

Sometimes, when on a wellness kick, or doing a one-month cleanse, you want your poke paired with zucchini noodles. And sometimes you want it with deliciously salty tortilla chips, like at Seamore’s, where the white-sesame-coated, jalapeño-flecked, crispy-shallot-and-peanut-topped tuna comes mixed with avocado, dressed in ponzu, and served in a chip-and-dip bowl. (At the poke-and-soft-serve takeout window, you can swap the chips for rice.)

Simple Authentic Food’s Salmon Bowl
109 Eldridge St., nr. Broome St.; 646-870-8292

Tiny cafe Simple offers a poke-bowl-centric menu with plenty of options, including ones you don’t see often (like octopus or lump crabmeat). The classics are great, like the salmon coated in sweet miso and accompanied by fresh avocado, pickled ginger, and masago fish roe.

Sweetcatch’s Spizy Yuzu Chile Bowl
642 Lexington Ave., nr. 54th St.; 212-593-1020

This midtown-east shop — which has plans to open two more midtown locations — comes from consulting chef Lee Anne Wong. The “chef’s recommendation” is the spicy yuzu chile, which comes with the “catch of the day” (we had salmon) mixed with onions, cucumber, and mango — it’s premixed, which allows the flavors to meld. There’s also fresh, good pickled ginger, black and white sesame seeds, and slices of red chile.

Tags:

  • best of new york
  • poke
  • seafood
  • bowls

Show Leave a Comment

The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York
The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York (2024)

FAQs

The Absolute Best Poke Bowl in New York? ›

The inclusion of fresh vegetables adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals, enhancing the meal's overall nutritional profile. With the right balance of ingredients, a poke bowl can be a powerful addition to a healthy diet.

Is pokebowl healthy? ›

The inclusion of fresh vegetables adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals, enhancing the meal's overall nutritional profile. With the right balance of ingredients, a poke bowl can be a powerful addition to a healthy diet.

How to get free poke bowl? ›

What rewards can I earn with the Poke Rewards program?
  1. Birthday – $5 off your next meal (expires 30 days)
  2. 50 Points -> Free Fountain Drink or 20 Ounce Pepsi Drink.
  3. 100 Points -> $5 Off Next Meal.
  4. 200 Points -> Free Regular Bowl.
  5. 350 Points -> Free Large Bowl.
  6. 500 Points -> $20 Off Next Meal.
  7. 1000 Points -> $50 Off Next Meal.

What is poke sauce made of? ›

While recipes may vary, traditional poke sauce commonly consists of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and a touch of sweetness, often from ingredients like honey or sugar.

Is it OK to eat poke every day? ›

That said, poke bowls are usually created using a base of white rice, a highly processed grain that is low in fiber. If consumed in excess, it may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes ( 8 , 9 ).

How many calories are in 1 poke bowl? ›

The number of calories in a poke bowl can vary widely depending on the ingredients and portion size. A standard serving can range from 500 to 800 calories. It's essential to be mindful of the toppings and sauces you choose if you're watching your calorie intake.

Are poke bowls only fish? ›

Poke doesn't necessarily have to be tuna or even seafood, nor does it have to be raw or cubed. Cubed avocado is sometimes used.

What makes a poke bowl poke? ›

Poke means "to slice or cut" in Hawaiian and refers to chunks of raw, marinated fish — usually tuna — which is then tossed over rice and topped with vegetables and umami-packed sauces. "It's the next generation of sushi," says chef Dakota Weiss of Sweetfin in Los Angeles.

Does poke always have rice? ›

The base of a poke bowl typically consists of rice, but it can also be made with salad greens or noodles. Unlike a sushi rice bowl, poke rice bowls often contain larger chunks of fish, such as tuna or salmon, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil.

Is poke Korean or Japanese? ›

Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish and sushi originates in Japan. Hawaiian food takes a lot of influence from Japanese food, but poke is Hawaiian. Traditionally, poke is made from ahi tuna or octopus (tako) that has been roughly cut into bite sized pieces and marinated with whatever was on hand.

Is a poke bowl hot or cold? ›

Poke is traditionally served cold. Some recipes include warm ingredients such as cooked tofu or seared tuna, but if we're sticking with the strictly traditional Hawaiian poke bowls, they are served cold.

What is a poke in American slang? ›

A push, thrust, or jab. 2. Slang A punch or blow with the fist: a poke in the jaw. 3. One who moves slowly or aimlessly; a dawdler.

What is the crunchy stuff in a poke bowl? ›

The Chia on Top

There's nothing like biting down on a mouthful of poke and hearing the satisfying crunch of tempura flakes, chia seeds, crispy beets, or crispy onions. Alternatively, you can keep it green and top off your poke bowl with cilantro and scallions.

What is the best fish for poke? ›

Protein: The main protein in a traditional poke bowl is raw, cubed Ahi tuna or salmon, but other choices include tobiko (fish roe), beef, chicken, and octopus. For vegetarians, protein options can include meatless options such as tofu and tempeh.

Why do Hawaiians eat poke? ›

Fishing and fish caught beyond the reef in the deep sea were reserved for chiefs according to the kapu system which regulated the way of life in Ancient Hawaii. Poke began as cut-offs from catch to serve as a snack.

What is the healthiest fish for poke bowls? ›

While ahi tuna is one of the most common choices, she suggests asking for raw salmon instead. “A lot of people talk about omega-3s fatty acids and why that is such a benefit to poke bowls,” she explains. “I always remind people that the ahi tuna doesn't have nearly the amount of omega-3s than salmon does.”

Why is poke bowl so good? ›

Most poke bowls are made with sustainably caught fish, which is an important consideration for many consumers when it comes to seafood. In addition, poke bowls often include a variety of fruit and vegetables as toppings, which are not only delicious but also provide a good source of vitamins and minerals.

How healthy is a fishbowl? ›

Everything we put in our bowls, and in turn our bodies, has to be fresh, delicious, healthy and ethically sourced. To this day our ethos still stands. Dressings are made from scratch, menus are centred around veggies and other planet-friendly ingredients, and every store has an open kitchen - Why?

Is pokémoto healthy? ›

Poké bowls are loaded with high-quality, nutritious vegetables. And if you get a little adventurous with your toppings, you can get a wide range of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. These nutrients are all key in supporting overall health.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 6017

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.