5 of the best poke bowls in Hong Kong: from Pokeworld in Sheung Wan to Pololi Flagship in Causeway Bay
The Hawaiian dish made from diced raw fish has gained massive popularity in recent years
Poke bowls is a Hawaiian dish made from diced raw fish.Poke, or raw diced fish, is a Hawaiian dish that’s gained mainstream, global popularity in recent years. If you’re chronically craving sashimi, but looking for a twist, it’s a perfect solution. Here are our top five poke restaurants in town. You’re welcome.
Pokeworld
This hidden gem in Sheung Wan is hands-down our favourite. You can choose from a wide variety of proteins, including salmon, tuna, marlin, octopus, prawn, smoked chicken and tofu. The eel poke is also a good option if you’re in the mood for something hot. There is also the option to swap out the white rice base for brown rice, salad or soba noodles.
Obviously, with so much choice, you should feel free to experiment, but we absolutely insist you try the vinegar sesame dressing, which adds the perfect acidity to your dish.
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The restaurant’s sky-blue and white motif, and the upbeat playlist makes us feel like we’re on holiday, no matter how far from the truth that might be. What more could you ask for?
Our only complaint is that the seating area is quite cramped, and there’s a good chance you might not be able to find a seat during peak hours. It’s worth the wait though!
Price: Poke bowls start at HK$85, while the salads and rolls start at HK$70.
Address: 8 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan
Pokehood
While the side dish options at Pokehood are limited, meat lovers will be happy to know that both beef and chicken poke bowls are available, as well as the usual seafood.
But we couldn’t resist the mixed sashimi bowl which had tuna and salmon belly mixed with a Hawaiian sweet soy sauce. The seaweed salad makes the dish even more flavourful.
Compared to poke places on Hong Kong Island, this is definitely on the cheaper end, but the quality of sashimi is just as good!
Price: House bowls start at HK$43.
Address: Kinho Industrial Building, Flat B2, G/F, Block 1, 20-24 Au Pui Wan Street, Sha Tin
Pololi Flagship
Pololi (which means “hungry” in Hawaiian) really tries to bring the tropical feel to the city, by decorating its shops with surfboards, ukuleles, and leis. Add all this to the uber soft cushions on the chairs, and you have the perfect spot to chill with a bowl of poke. The staff are also incredibly friendly, which makes the dine-in experience all the more enjoyable.
The restaurant serves an array of appetising poke bowls, from avocado mayo ahi tuna to yuzu sesame salmon. But if you’re not in the mood for raw fish, there’s also an interesting variety of side dishes, including avocado fries, Flyin’ High (grilled BBQ chicken), or spam musubi, a sort of spam sushi.
If you’re feeling particularly pololi, go for Da Big Kahuna, a build-your-own poke bowl with 270 grams of protein, rather than the regular 180 grams. Good luck choosing between their 20-plus toppings.
Price: Poke bowls start at HK$90 while musubis and small dishes cost HK$25-HK$128.
Address: Shop C, G/F Fashion Walk, Great George Street, Causeway Bay
Poke HK
This shop offers a wide selection of bases, toppings and sauces, but if you’re too hungry to decide between all the different options, pick one of their house bowls.
We like the Ahi San, which mixes tuna, edamame and spring onions with a wasabi yogurt sauce, and the Vegan, which combines mushrooms, tofu, and edamame with a mushroom and kelp sauce. It’s not all “super food”, though; their sweet potato fries are some of the best in the city.
The ingredients always taste fresh, and every dish features generous amounts of your chosen protein. We also love the help-yourself water station, with the stack of reusable cups and paper straws earns them bonus points.
Price: Poke bowls start at HK$62, and sides cost HK$18-HK$45.
Address: G/F, 124 Leighton Rd, Causeway Bay
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Peek-A-Poke
This joint, which opened less than a year ago, is a relaxing hideaway amidst the hustle and bustle of Causeway Bay. While the menu is almost identical to that of Poke HK, the seating area is a lot more spacious.
They have a selection of signature bowls to choose from, including a vegan option made with tofu, edamame, and seaweed. Alternatively, you can mix and match your favourite toppings and select the base yourself. We loved the salmon poke with “Nutty Buddy” dressing, a mayo-based sauce, and the salmon with honey vinaigrette.
The staff are also very friendly here.
Price: House bowls start at HK$66, and sides are between HK$20 and HK$45.
Address: 16 Haven Street, Causeway Bay
Edited by Nicole Moraleda