10 Poké (Bowl) Stops to Satisfy Your Fishiest Cravings
PUBLISHED February 23rd, 2017 07:00 am | UPDATED March 26th, 2019 05:44 pm
Pronounced “poh-kay” (the Hawaiian verb for “section” or “to slice or cut”), poké is a raw fish salad that traditionally comprises of ahi (tuna) or octopus. Usually tossed with toasted sesame seeds, sweet onions, and scallions, the eat-clean phenomenon has poké bowls trending in all parts of the world, who have adapted the seasonings, toppings, and even the types of fish used. Here are 10 spots in Singapore to give the Hawaiian spin-off a try.
Aloha Poké
Possibly the pioneer poké establishment, the folks at Aloha Poké have claimed to retain as much of its Hawaiian heritage as possible. There are three standard sizes of Poké bowls to choose from: the Lil’ Swell ($11.90), the Standard Nalu ($15.90) and the Big Kahuna ($19.90). Every bowl is served with rice and salad, your choice of poké, and topped off with scallions, pineapple, lime, and other toppings of your choice. At night, the space transforms into a tiki bar, with a whole range of other dishes on the menu on top of their standard poké bowls.
Aloha Poké is located at 92 Amoy St, Singapore 069911, p. +65 6221 6165. Open Mon-Sat, 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm.
A Poke Theory
Just like Aloha, the bowls at A Poke Theory are fully customisable according to your preferences in two easy steps. Choose a base (sushi rice, quinoa or romaine lettuce) and then the flavoured sashimi cuts (Shoyu Tuna, Spicy Garlic Sesame Tuna, Spicy Mayo Salmon or Avocado Miso Salmon) and you’re ready to indulge. Small Bowls start from $11.50.
A Poke Theory is located at 27 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069623. Open Mon-Fri 11am – 8pm, Sat 11am – 4pm. Closed Sun.
Sprout
The first of its kind to appear in the Duxton area, Sprout offers a Basic B (one base and four toppings) from $11.90 and The Chiara (one base, four toppings, and one protein) for bigger eaters at $16.90. Not sure what to choose? Go for the Signature Salads and Salad Bowls that include grains like quinoa or cous cous, or the perpetually popular Japanese Salmon Bowl ($19.90) – salmon and avocado on a bed of buckwheat noodles.
Sprout is located at 41 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089505, p. +65 6221 1227. Open Mon-Fri 10am – 8.30pm, Sat 11am – 7pm. Closed Sun.
Dapper Coffee
Dapper Coffee is located at 73 Amoy St, Singapore 069892, p. +65 9005 4790. Open Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm. Closed weekends.
Katto
Katto puts a Japanese twist on our favourite healthy dish, allowing you to mix-and-match your meal with any two sashimi and two signature veggie sides to enjoy on one of the restaurant’s wholesome bases. Available from $7.90 for a Mini Bowl, you can also opt for a cooked meat option (go for their yakitori-style chicken!) or pick from one of the many preset combinations.
Katto is located at 1 Fusionopolis Place, #01-21 Galaxis Building, Singapore 138522. Open Mon-Fri 11am – 8pm, Sat 11am – 2pm. Closed Sun.
Ola Beach Club
What better place to get an iconic Hawaiian dish than from a Hawaiian-themed beach club? The Ahi Poke Bowl ($20) from Ola consists of diced tuna marinated in your choice of shoyu and kimchi or togarashi dressing, complemented by creamy guacamole, crunchy pumpkin seeds, pomegranate seeds, and refreshing cubed pineapples. An absolute fuss-free and healthy choice for a beachside bar snack.
Ola Beach Club is located at 46 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 099005, p. +65 6250 6978. Open Mon – Fri, 10am-10pm, Sat & Sun, 9am-10pm.
Loloku
Just over a month old, this new-kid-on-the-block is located along the heritage street of Keong Saik. Its flamingo-decorated Hawaiian themed shop stands out amongst the scatter of food establishments along the street, boasting Signature Bowls and DIY Bowls that start from $12. The most interesting: a vegetarian Nani Tofu bowl that comprises a (you guessed it) tofu base.
Loloku is located at 1 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089109, p. +65 9710 5306. Open Mon-Tue, Thu 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm, Wed & Fri, 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 12am. Closed weekends.
Pololi
From the shores of Hong Kong comes Pololi, operating as a takeaway store for the busy working crowd in the CBD. The shop serves their poké bowl in two sizes: Kama’aina ($17.99) – a regular bowl with 180g of fish and the smaller Keiki ($15.99) with 150g of fish. Select the base option of white rice, brown rice, or salad, then pick your poké from the variety of flavours that rotates on a daily basis. Easy peasy.
Pololi is located at 51 Telok Ayer St, #01-06A, Singapore 048441. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 9pm, Sat 11.30am – 6pm. Closed Sun.
Shinkansen
This hole-in-the-wall lunch stop can easily be overlooked if you don’t pay attention. Shinkansen has six signature dishes to choose from, including the energy-packed Omega 3 Donburi, alongside DIY bowls that go from $13.90. Tired of rice or greens? Swap them out for buckwheat soba. And if you notice the walls, they’re lined with an array of spirits – because after five the whole joint transforms into a watering hole that is The Secret Mermaid.
Shinkansen is located at #B1-08 Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315, p. +65 6634 8593. Open Mon-Fri 8am – 7pm.
Poke Doke
Poke Doke is the baby of the list, launched in February and already attracting crowds with its vibrant Hawaiian-themed slogan “Life’s A Beach“. With four flavours up on offer – The OG, Spicy Almighty, What’s Up Wasabi and The Hippie – comes three sizes of bowls ($12.50 for small) and premium condiments for you to add on at $1.50 each, including onsen egg, avocado, and crispy fish skin!
Poke Doke is located at 9 Raffles Blvd, Millenia Walk #01-95, Singapore 039596, p. +65 9181 9140. Open daily 11am – 9pm.
Top Image: A Poke Theory
