Poke bowls are a traditional Hawaiian dish, although there’s a strong Japanese influence in most recipes.
The culture of Hawaii and Japan are intrinsically linked through migration and ancestral ties.
For foodies, the relationship works out well, creating flavor profiles that are both fresh and exciting.
If you’re wondering what Japanese poke is; it’s any kind of poke bowl that primarily relies on a Japanese influence.
It’s all down to the ingredients that you choose.
Here are some ideas to get started with Japanese poke bowls at home.
Selecting Your Rice
You don’t need to choose sticky rice to make a poke bowl.
But for a Japanese-inspired poke bowl, it can make a huge difference.
Try using sushi rice, prepared with vinegar and sugar.
- Start by combining ½ cup of Japanese Rice Vinegar, ¼ cup of standard white sugar, and 1 teaspoon of table salt. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
- Cook sushi rice according to the packaged instructions. Once fully cooked, slowly incorporate the vinegar mix into the rice by gently mixing and turning the rice.
That’s it, your sushi rice is ready.
Choosing the Fish
Raw tuna is the best fish for a Japanese poke bowl.
If you buy fillets locally, choose ahi tuna and slice the fillets into half-inch cubes.
Marinate the fish in light soy sauce or poke sauce.
This Poke Sauce is a great choice and it’s preservative-free.
If you can’t get tuna locally, you can purchase frozen sushi-grade tuna online.
Ahi Tuna Cubes are made to be perfect for poke bowls.
The Right Toppings for Japanese Poke
Creating your own poke bowls leaves a lot of room for creativity.
But if you want to go with a specific Japanese flavor profile, you’ll need to be a little more rigid with your toppings.
- Edamame beans are a popular Japanese topping. Because crunch is a big part of poke toppings, you can try something different by using Edamame Beans. You can lightly process them in a food processor or crush them with a pestle and mortar, before sprinkling them over the poke bowl. You can also use fresh shelled edamame beans, it’s up to you.
- Finely shredded red cabbage is another Japanese-inspired topping that you can add to your bowl, and it also introduces some color. If you aren’t a fan of fresh cabbage you might prefer the pickled variety. You could try this Red Cabbage that comes pickled and ready to use.
- Onions are also important for adding some sharpness to the overall flavor. Red onions are best, but shredded white onions will also do. Be sure to finely slice your onion so that it’s crunchy without being overwhelming.
- Finish everything with nori (seaweed) and sesame seed. This Nori Komi Furikake contains seaweed, salt, sesame seed, and sugar, making it the perfect topping for a Japanese-inspired poke bowl. You can add this before or after the dressing.
Adding a Dressing
The final drizzle adds both flavor and a visual aspect to the poke bowl.
If you’re going strictly Japanese, stick to soy sauce, mayonnaise, or sesame dressing.
- Sesame Dressing or Kewpie Mayonnaise is ideal for poke bowls, sashimi, and sushi roll.
- This Sushi Sauce is similar to soy sauce with a rich umami flavor. It’s the perfect pairing for a Japanese poke bowl.
- For a unique topping, you could also try Japanese Barbecue Sauce. It is rich with umami flavor notes and works with fish as well as any kind of meat.
Delicious Japanese Poke Bowl at Home
Poke bowl is one of the easiest gourmet foods to make at home.
If you want to experiment with flavors and expand your cooking skills, poke is a great place to start.
With rich Japanese flavors, this is something that everyone in your home will enjoy.