Poke – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is poke?

In the Hawaiian language, the term “poke” literally means “cut into pieces.” This translation is fitting because that is the exact technique used to create your traditional poke bowls. Poke—pronounced poh-KAY—is a Hawaiian dish comprised of slices or cubes of raw fish served in a bowl with rice, vegetables, and dressing.

While poke has been a staple in Hawaiian cuisine, it has recently grown in popularity across other cultures in the last few years. Tasty poke bowls can be found at various restaurants; however, it is absolutely possible to make your own fresh poke at home.

Where did poke originate from?

Many people wonder if poke originates from Hawaiian or Japanese cuisine. The answer is slightly blended, but at its core, poke originates from Hawaiian cuisine.

Towards the end of the 19^th century, a massive number of Japanese immigrants traveled to Hawaii. In fact, in the 1920s, it was believed that 40% of Hawaii’s population was Japanese. With such a huge presence, it’s no wonder that the food, culture, and people are a harmonious blend of both Hawaii and Japan.

Both Hawaiians and Japanese people incorporate raw fish into their cuisines, and in the 1970s, poke appeared on menus. Traditionally, poke was minimal and included cubes of raw ahi tuna, seaweed, Hawaiian salt, and ground kukui nuts.

However, as times have changed, so has the food. Now, poke doesn’t just include raw tuna but includes a variety of raw fish, including salmon, yellowtail, octopus, and more. You can also find poke options that have raw, plain fish, or marinated fish.  

What should you look for when buying poke?

When buying poke, the most important thing you need to ensure is that the fish you purchase is of “sushi-grade” or “sashimi-grade.” Not all fish can be consumed raw. Raw fish used in poke is of the highest quality and freshness to avoid any food-related illnesses.

Take a look at the fish’s appearance before buying your poke. Make sure the colors are vibrant and not dull. Also, look out for any milky or slimy texture, as this is a sign of spoilage.

When purchasing raw fish, make sure the store, restaurant, or local market you buy it from is also of high quality. With the help of online food grade databases, you can search for the health scores of stores and restaurants.

How to store poke

Because poke is raw fish, it is best to consume it the same day you purchase and cut it for optimal freshness. However, when properly stored in the fridge, your poke can be consumed within a day or two. When storing poke, be sure to use clean, airtight containers to prevent any premature spoilage. If you do not plan on using your raw fish for a few days, you should store it in the freezer. To maximize your poke’s shelf life, wrap the unopened store packaging with aluminum foil, plastic saran wrap, or freezer paper. Place the double-wrapped fish in a resealable bag made especially for freezers to prevent freezer burn. If stored properly in a freezer, frozen raw fish can last up to two to three months. 

How to tell if poke is bad

You can tell when poke is bad by looking at its appearance and analyzing its smell. While raw fish used for poke will always smell fishy even when fresh, when poke starts to spoil, it will have an overwhelmingly foul, sour, fishy odor.

You can also tell if poke has gone bad by its appearance. If the fish has changed in color and has become gray or dull, that could be a sign of spoilage. Another indication of spoilage is if the texture of your raw fish has become slimy. Keep an eye out for any milky slime on or seeping out from the fish, as this is a sure sign that you should replace your poke with fresh fish.

What can I substitute for poke?

If you do not like raw fish or are looking for a vegetarian substitute, you can try modifying the raw fish for cooked alternatives. If you’re okay with seafood, but are wary of the raw texture, you can try using cooked shrimp instead. For vegetarian alternatives, substitute the raw fish for cooked mushrooms to support that meaty texture, firm tofu for high protein, or even cubed beets to mimic the ruby red hue of fresh tuna.

How to prepare poke at home

To prepare poke at home, purchase sushi-grade or sashimi-grade fish (typically tuna, salmon, or yellowtail) from a high-quality store. If your fish has not been prepared, you will need to remove the skin, remove any bones (if applicable), and fillet the fish.

Once your raw fish has been thoroughly cleaned and prepped, you can cut your fish into fillets for easy cutting. Unlike sashimi that serves raw fish in thin, rectangular strips, poke uses raw fish that has been cut into small, bite-sized cubes.

With your fish cut into uniform cubes, you can now assemble your poke.

How to assemble a poke bowl

Traditionally, poke is made with a few high-quality ingredients by combining rice, raw fish, and seaweed. However, nowadays, modern poke adds a variety of ingredient toppings and sauces. To elevate your poke bowl, try adding a combination of your favorite ingredients from the list below with your choice of raw fish.

Base

• Rice
• Mixed greens
• Combination of half rice and half greens

Additional toppings

• Cucumber
• Watermelon radish
• Pickled red radish
• Masago (fish eggs)
• Edamame (remove the pods and only use the beans)
• Seaweed
• Mango
• Cilantro
• Chopped green onions
• Pickled ginger
• Corn
• Diced carrots
• Avocado
• Crab mix

Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Ponzu
• Spicy mayo
• Sesame oil
• Ginger

Shop for poke

Contrary to popular belief, poke doesn’t always have to come from a restaurant and instead can be easily made from the comfort of your own home. When shopping for poke and fresh raw fish, the number one requirement is to purchase raw fish with sushi-grade or sashimi-grade quality. Not sure where to start? Browse your options (including ready-to-eat poke bowls) by ordering your groceries online via Instacart. Once you’ve added all your groceries to your list, you can either pick up your items curbside or have your groceries conveniently delivered.

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