In 2016, New Yorkers lost their minds (and their mouths) for the poke bowl: a classic Hawaii dish made of cubed and marinated seafood or meat, typically served on top of a bed of rice and topped with green onions and seaweed. Soon, the city started chasing poke faster than Pokémon. With so many poke joints to choose from, the only proper thing to do is try them all.
Read More11 Poke Spots in New York City That You Need to Try
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Maui Onion
Maui Onion has an assembly-line poke counter with so many toppings to choose from, it is the Baskin Robbins of poke. Best of all — you can eat your poke in a bowl, temaki (hand roll) or burrito, to the delight of food- hybrid fans of Manhattan.
Noreetuh
What do you get when a Hawaii-native chef works at Bouchon, Per Se, Lincoln, and then opens his own restaurant? The answer is Noreetuh. The chef and owner of Noreetuh, Chung Chow, calls Hawaii home and it shows — the upscale Hawaii-themed restaurant has an expert touch for design and a flair for flavor. The mouthwatering big-eye tuna poke, served with macadamia nuts, pickled jalapeños, and seaweed, will make your eyes feel bigger than your stomach. Listen up, brunch lovers — the Hawaiian brunch is a must for the weekend.
Pokéworks
Pokéworks started when four friends, all children of Asian immigrants, went on a getaway to Hawaii. They were inspired, and then created a restaurant line that has turned into a national rage. These four culinary musketeers — Michael Wu, Kasper Hsu, Kevin Hsu, and Peter Yang — started a “poke your way” restaurant model that’s now expanded nationwide. Pokéworks sources sustainable seafood from Wild Fish Direct, and customers can customize their poke to their heart’s delight. Keep it simple and try the Hawaii Classic: ahi tuna, green and sweet onion, seaweed, cucumber, Hawaii sea salt, and the Pokéworks classic sauce.
Sons of Thunder
John and James Kim’s family came to Queens from South Korea by way of Hawaii. Their parents had a Kosher deli when they were growing up, which instilled in them a love of food. The brothers’ childhood nickname was “Sons of Thunder,” and these two thunderous sons opened their restaurant in 2015. Expect fresh-caught, high-quality fish with a hospitality that exudes the aloha spirit of Hawaii (and if you’re looking to add on to the poke bowl, try the sashimi salmon tostada).
Red Poke
Often called the “Chipotle of Poke,” Red Poke offers New Yorkers a poke “BYOB” (build your own bowl) on the go. It only recently opened in December 2016, under the culinary direction of Chef Brendan Yun, but it has quickly become a hot spot.
Seamore's
Seamore’s, the seafood venue from restaurateur Michael Chernow of The Meatball Shop, is known for fresh fish of all kinds. But the restaurant in Little Italy brings a little bit of the sea air with its shoreside vibe, and they make a killer poke bowl appetizer, made with the catch of the day and topped with peanuts, avocado, and ponzu dressing.
Chikarashi
Chikarashi is a Chinatown gem, but it draws inspiration from other Asian-style cuisines: Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. Chef Michael Jong Lim, formerly of Neta, expertly blends chirashi (a Japanese dish that translates to “scattered”) and poke — hence the name Chikarashi — to make fresh seafood bowls in 11 varieties, each served over a bowl of traditional Japanese rice.
Wisefish Poké
Founded by Drew Crane and Bryan Cowan in 2016, this beloved Chelsea eatery is known for its poke and the cozy and comfy setting. You’ll find a plethora of mix-ins for customizable bowls, but what has guests raving about this spot is the paleo-option base of of zucchini noodles.
Sweetcatch Poke Bar
Top Chef finalist Lee Anne Wong opened Sweetcatch Poke in the fall of 2016 to the delight of all New Yorkers. The restaurant holds strong to Hawaii's tradition by pre-marinating the fish and serving local favorites, like Hawaiian Snacks chips and Hawaiian Sun beverages. Most of the poke bowls on the menu are served with the “catch of the day,” so you’re guaranteed the freshest fish available.
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Suzume
When you enter Suzume, you won’t even believe you’re still in Williamsburg. You’ll find “Hawaiian mall food” at Suzume, prepared by chef J. Trent Harris. This little hole-in-the-wall dishes out poke in the sushi style of gunkan nigiri, and the salmon poke sushi and tuna poke sushi are menu favorites.
Onomea
With a wall glowing with images of the Hawaiian Islands, beachy colors, an inviting atmosphere, and poke prepared to perfection, Onomea will have you feeling the tropical vibes. Beyond their classic poke bowl, make sure to check out other lip-smacking Hawaiian dishes, like the loco moco (a teriyaki burger on a bed of rice, toppped with a sunnyside egg and gravy), shoyu chicken, kalua pig and cabbage, and their array of juices.
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