A poke bar, also known as a poke restaurant or poke shop, is an establishment that specializes in serving poke bowls. Poke (pronounced poh-kay) is a traditional Hawaiian dish that has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. It traditionally consists of cubed raw fish, typically ahi tuna or salmon, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, and combined with various toppings and seasonings.

Thankfully, as Portland is so diverse, there are a good selection of Poke bars to choose from.

SeaSweets Poke

• Location: 1505 SE 31st Ave, Portland, OR
• Cuisine: Poke, Seafood, Hawaiian
• Health Score: Link
• Website: seasweetspoke.com
• Yelp Page: Link
• Reviews: SeaSweets Poke has received positive reviews for its fresh and flavorful poke bowls. Some of the popular items on their menu include the Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl, Truffle Salmon Poke Bowl, and Shoyu Ahi Poke Bowl.

Smokin Fire Fish

• Location: 2402 N Mississipi Ave, Portland, OR
• Cuisine: Asian Fusion, Poke, Hawaiian
• Health Score: Link
• Website: smokinfirefish.com
• Yelp Page: Link
• Reviews: Smokin Fire Fish is known for its fusion of Asian and Hawaiian flavors. Their menu includes a variety of dishes such as Korean Fried Chicken, Poke Bowl, Spam Musubi, Loco Moco, Kalua Pork, and more. The reviews highlight the quality and taste of their food.

QuickFish

• Location: 1122 SW Stark St, Portland, OR
• Cuisine: Sushi Bars, Poke, Hawaiian
• Website: eatquickfish.com
• Yelp Page: Link
• Reviews: QuickFish is a popular spot for sushi and poke in Portland. They offer a variety of poke bowls with fresh ingredients. The reviews highlight the quality of the food and the friendly service.

At a poke bar, you can typically expect to find a variety of fresh, high-quality ingredients that allow you to customize your poke bowl to your liking. Here are some common components of a poke bowl:

1. Base: Most poke bars offer a choice of base, such as white rice, brown rice, mixed greens, or even noodles. You can select one or mix and match.
2. Protein: The primary protein in a poke bowl is typically raw fish, such as ahi tuna, salmon, yellowtail, or octopus. Some poke bars may also offer cooked options like shrimp or tofu as alternatives.
3. Sauce: Various sauces are available to add flavor to your bowl. Traditional options include soy sauce, sesame oil, and ponzu sauce, while some poke bars may offer unique house-made sauces or fusion flavors.
4. Toppings: Poke bowls are known for their diverse range of toppings. You can expect ingredients like avocado, seaweed, cucumber, edamame, sweet onion, masago (fish roe), mango, pickled ginger, scallions, and more. These toppings provide additional texture, flavors, and visual appeal.
5. Additional Add-ons: Some poke bars offer extra add-ons like tempura flakes, crispy onions, tobiko (flying fish roe), furikake (Japanese seasoning), or even wasabi and pickled radish for added zing.

The process of ordering at a poke bar typically involves selecting your desired base, protein, sauce, and toppings. You can either choose from pre-determined combinations or build your own bowl by selecting each element individually. The ingredients are usually assembled in a bowl or to-go container, creating a colorful and vibrant dish.

Poke bars often strive to provide a fresh and healthy dining experience, allowing customers to enjoy a balanced meal with a variety of flavors and textures. Some poke bars may also offer additional menu items like sushi burritos (sushirritos) or poke tacos, expanding their range of offerings while maintaining the essence of poke cuisine.