POKE BOWLS!
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The poke bowl originally came from Hawaii, where local fisherman cut up raw fish (poke means “to slice” in Hawaiian) and seasoned it with sea salt, seaweed, and crushed nuts. Japanese immigrants later added rice, soy sauce and sesame oil to produce more of a meal than a snack (hence the “bowl”). In the 2010s, the dish became popular in mainland U.S.A., and today it is a staple among fans of Japanese healthy foods. Here are some we tried in the Gables.
ANABA
Anaba’s poke bowl ($20) is comprised of tuna, salmon, Kani salad, ikura (red caviar), seaweed, and edamame. When it arrived, we first noticed the portion size, easily enough for two people. What makes the Anaba bowl unique is the addition of Japanese mayonnaise and caviar, both adding a salty, creamy edge. We could also taste the freshness of both the tuna and the salmon (soft, not slimy), along with the crunch of the edamame and the Kani salad.
Anaba’s Poke Bowl With Tuna And Salmon
70 Aragon Ave.
305.476.0655
KAE SUSHI
At KAE Sushi you build your own bowl, starting with white rice, quinoa, or spring mix, then your protein (tuna, salmon, hamachi, or octopus), your topping (almond, avocado, carrot, cilantro, etc.) and finally the dressing (ajio amarillo, cilantro sauce, ponzu, spicy mayo, etc.) KAE Sushi prides itself on fusing Japanese food with Latin flavors (coconut, jalapeño, mango), but be careful: with rice or quinoa at $4-$5, protein at $10-$12, and most toppings and sauces at $1.50 each (some $2.50 or $3), it can quickly add up.
At Kae Sushi, You Build Your Own Bowl
143 Giralda Ave.
kaesushi.com
SUSHI MAKI
Some poke bowls lean more toward raw fish, while others, like Sushi Maki’s ASC Dragon Poke Bowl ($16), are more like a cooked meal. This bowl brings together the crunch of shrimp tempura with the rubbery, chewy texture of Krab stick. It also features mango chunks and avocado with togarashi, a Japanese salt-free seasoning that adds a spicy tingle. The portion is satisfying, though the shrimp tempura was slightly soggy.
Sushi Maki Bowl With Shrimp Tempura
2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
sushimaki.com
PURA VIDA
Pura Vida’s Spicy Tuna Bowl ($24.95) isn’t cheap but it’s packed with tons of flavor and nutrients. Slices of raw tuna rest on an earthy blend of arugula, radish, cucumber, cilantro, scallion, and jasmine rice. We also give Pura Vida props for including a healthy helping of avocado. While not super spicy, the aioli added savoriness that helped tie all the ingredients together.
Pura Vida Spicy Tuna Bowl With Avocado
244 Miracle Mile.
puravidamiami.com
PUBLIX
The Publix supermarket on Valencia at Lejeune – yes Publix – has one of the best poke bowls in town. The secret of in-store sushi master Khup (from Myanmar) is a layer of crunchy onions and teriyaki sauce on the white rice underneath the tuna, salmon, avocado, and seaweed, which is then drizzled with spicy mayonnaise and sesame seeds. Also good is the price for their “Big Wave Poke Bowl,” just $14.49.
Publix Supermarket Poke Bowl With Spicy Mayo
2551 S Le Jeune Rd.
publix.com