Along with New Year resolutions related to weight-loss and healthier eating, you will see even more Poké Bowls shops sprouting around. Especially in the CBD Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar areas.
Poké (poh-keh) Bowls have been a staple in the Hawaiian islands, and became a food trend in major US cities, and Singapore in recent times. Poké is the Hawaiian verb for “section” or “to slice or cut”.
If you are confused between Poké Bowls and Bara Chirashi don, the main difference is, the cubed raw sashimi fish used are seasoned in varied, colourful ways, topped on grains or greens.
As to why they have become so popular, it is largely because they are healthy, delicious, filling, and unique with varied sauces. Some shops also allow customisation, and even have quinoa and green options (not so ‘traditional’ anymore).
Here are some of the 8 Poké Bowls you can find in Singapore:
Aloha Poké
Marina Bay Link Mall, 8A Marina Boulevard, #B2-46, Singapore 018984
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 2:30pm (Sat)
92 Amoy Street, Singapore 069911 (Telok Ayer MRT)
Tel: +65 6221 6165
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm (Mon-Sat, Closed Sun)
The pioneer of Poke Bowls in Singapore
The first player’s advantage. Aloha Poké is probably the ones who started the Poké Bowl trend in Singapore itself.
There are three standard sizes of Poké bowls – the Lil’ Swell ($11.90) that comes with 1 scoop of 75g Poké, Standard Nalu ($15.90) with 2 scoops of 150g Poke and Big Kahuna ($19.90) with 3 scoops of 225g Poké.
As for the poké, you can pick either Raw Ahi Tuna or Raw Salmon in three different flavours – original, wasabi mayo or spicy. Sometimes there are seasonal specials.
Complete your poké bowl with a base of white rice, brown rice, a mix of both, or salad only, followed by two complimentary add-ons and one complimentary superfood.
If in doubt, get the Standard Nalu Salmon ($15.90) which contains chunky cubes of salmon with zesty sweet fruits such as mangoes, served on crunchy lettuce over a bed of rice.
I ordered a Spicy version before, and its fieriness kicked almost every bite. Can be satisfying, but may be distracting for those who enjoy simple plainness in your healthy lunch. Still one of my favourite bowls around. Aloha Poké (Amoy Street)
A Poké Theory
27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon-Fri), 9am – 3m (Sat), Closed Sun
Poké Bowls And Superfood Smoothie Bowls
Unlike Aloha Poké with both Signature and Customised Poké bowls, A Poké Theory’s is fully customised according to our preferences.
First, we will choose one of the 3 options as the base: Sushi Rice, Lemon Herb Quinoa or Romaine Lettuce.
Next, we will choose from 4 different flavoured cuts: Shoyu Tuna, Spicy Garlic Sesame Tuna, Spicy Mayo Salmon or Avocado Miso Salmon.
A regular bowl (100g) of tuna will cost $11.50 and salmon at $12.50, whereas a large bowl (150g) of tuna will cost $15 and salmon at $16.50.
Our favourite was the Avocado Miso Salmon with a creamy texture, topped with sushi rice. Oishii. Becoming very popular among the CBD folks. A Poke Theory (Boon Tat Street)
Alter Ego
8 Raffles Avenue #01-13D, Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 6327 9301
Opening Hours: 11am – 1am (Mon-Thu), 11am – 2am (Fri), 10am – 2am (Sat), 10am – 1am (Sun), Poké bowls served from 11am – 8pm
The Evil Twin of A Poké Theory
Instead of customizing your own, the Poké bowls here are all pre-set with the familiar A Poké Theory’s marinade; Shoyu, Spicy Garlic Sesame, Avocado Miso and Spicy Mayo.
The marinade pairing with type of fish used were also swapped – i.e., A Poké Theory uses Shoyu on Tuna and Alter Ego uses Shoyu on Salmon.
I generally preferred the Spicy Garlic Sesame ($16) over the Dynamite ($15), as you would still taste of the natural freshness of the fish, rather than the seasoning overpowering everything else.
On a side note, I also wondered about the size and shallowness of the bowl, as ingredients kept falling out as I dug inside. Alter Ego (Esplanade)
Katto
1 Fusionopolis Place, Galaxis Building, #01-21/22, Singapore 138522
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 2pm (Sat), Closed Sun
Poké Bowls With Asian, Singaporean Flavours
Katto is a quick-service restaurant which serves these Poké Bowls (or boxes) with some fun flavours, think Chicken Rice Chilli Salmon, Creamy Goma Tuna, Tangy Thai Tuna, Classic Shoyu Salmon and California Unrolled Salmon.
There are 6 flavours of Sashimi for you to choose from, 6 different vegetable supplements, and 3 bases of white rice, brown rice or salad.
The one thing I noted was its pricing, more affordable than shops nearer the CBD.
A Mini Size which contains one portion of 70 grams fish, one base of 250 grams of white rice, brown rice or salad base, and a vegetable side is quite affordably priced at $7.90. I found the portion filling enough (but that’s me).
The Main Size with has an additional serving of fish and side cost $12.90. The rice is of the same grammage.
Good to know that a salad base is available for both size, and you can also choose a half-half option for your base. An affordable choice for lunch-goers. Katto (Galaxis)
Ninja Bowl
15 Duxton Road Singapore 089481
Tel: +65 6222 8055
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 7:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 6pm (Sat – Sun)
Japanese Inspired Rice Bowls
Ninja Bowl does not specialise in Poke Bowls per se, but Japanese inspired rice bowls.
Their Yasai Bowl ($16) is a quite a value-for-money lunch option with generous servings of salmon poke, along with mixed sultans, onsen egg and tomatoes.
You can add on $2 for ‘Ninja Rice’ – a blend of vinegared Japanese pearl rice and brown rice, as its base, or $3 for quinoa.
I like the rice bowl which gave the feeling of being both healthy and tasty at the same time. They have salad options as well. The gym-going, need-protein people should love this. Ninja Bowl (Duxton Road)
Sprout
41 Duxton Road Singapore 089505
Tel: +65 5221 1227
Opening Hours: 10am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 7pm (Sat)
Not the traditional Poké Bowls
Just a few shops away from Ninja Bowl is Sprout, serving Salad Bowls such as Ahi Poke Bowl, Beef & Broccoli Bowl and Korean Chicken Bowl.
Their version of Ahi Poke Bowl is different from the rest, with yellowfin tuna neatly arranged with creamy avocados, added with other ingredients of pineapple, rocket, red onion, Japanese cucumber with scallions.
Instead of rice, the bowl is served with warm quinoa which was actually quite tasty. (And I thought there was some wasabi-like aftertaste in the sauce used.)
Rollie Ollie
Suntec City Mall Pasarbella #01-K42, North Wing 3 Temasek Blvd Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 8188 1531
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
Sushi Rolls and Poke Bowls
An Asian fusion kiosk with a touch of California style. The Poke Bowls are only available at their Suntec outlet, not Star Vista.
First, pick your rice preference – sushi, brown or tea infused rice.
Then add the Poke which are available in some Asian and fun flavours such as Wild About Wasabi ($14.95, $17.95), Seoul Surfer which includes Korean spicy sauce ($13.95, $16.95), Thai Twist ($13.95, $16.95) and Yuzu Bliss ($14.95, $17.95).
Pololi Singapore
51 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048441 (Near Telok Ayer MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm (Mon – Tue), 11:30am – 6pm (Wed – Thu), 11:30am – 10pm (Fri), Closed Sat & Sun
1st Hawaiian Poke Shack From Hong Kong Opens In Singapore
The pioneer poke shack to spread the love of Hawaiian poke bowl concept in Hong Kong, is now available in Singapore.
Their poke bowls come in two sizes – Kama’aina ($17.99), regular size with 180g of fish and Keiki ($15.99), small size with 150g of fish.
Here’s how it works: First, select the base option from white rice, brown rice or salad.
Next, pick the choice of poke from the variety of flavors which changes on a daily basis.
The shop does not explicitly list down their flavors, but some of the flavors I came across were Traditional Spicy, Yuzu Shoyu, Thai Sweet Chili, and Wasabi Mayo. Not the typical ones. Pololi (Telok Ayer Street)
Other Related Entries
12 Unique & Healthy Salads Places In Singapore’s CBD
10 Healthy Food Places & Cafes Found Within Singapore’s CBD
Aloha Poké (Marina Bay)
Katto (Galaxis)
A Poke Theory (Boon Tat Street)
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