Poké may have been 2016’s hottest trend, but it’s still riding the wave in SA. Fans of this raw-fish dish are clambering for fresh, zingy bowls of poké in exciting variations. While the sun’s still out, here are five spots to get your summery poké bowl fix across the country.

Hokey Poke (City Bowl and at Mojo Market in Sea Point, Cape Town)

The menu at Mother City’s standalone poké eatery lets purists get creative with build-your-own options or set bowls. The No. 1 option features fresh tuna, shredded kombu, sweet onions and furikake seasoning, while the No. 4 offers a twist on the classic with hot tuna, jalapeños, charred pineapple and nacho dust. The real favourite, though, is No. 5 bowl, with fresh salmon, beets and ponzu dressing.

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Manga (Mouille Point, Cape Town)

Manga is known for sea views, great sushi specials and poké bowls. Its version comes with sriracha, soy and raw tuna mixed with sushi rice, a crunch of macadamia nuts and red onion, and a finishing of pickled ginger and creamy avocado.

 

 

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Surf Riders (OR Tambo Parade, Durban)

This buzzing shack has brought the poké trend to Durban’s shores with a vibrant array of bowls. Seafood lovers can build their own colourful dishes with a base of tuna or salmon sashimi, tiger prawns, steamed mussels, or – for seafood phobes – smoked chicken. For the sauce and crunch, there are options of ponzu, sesame seeds, Japanese mayo, red onion, green pistachio or soy and ginger, all on a bed of sticky sushi rice. To end off, customers are encouraged to trim their bowls with toppings of edamame beans, avo, seaweed salad, or wasabi paste.

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Three Wise Monkeys (Sea Point, Cape Town)

It may be a ramen joint, but Three Wise Monkeys also offers bowls of diced tuna or salmon, a bed of sushi rice, and the likes of soy sauce, green onions and avocado. For a final flavour flourish there’s also pickled ginger, mung bean sprouts, edamame beans and a deliciously spicy togarashi mayo. 

 

 

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Warm & Glad (Craighall Park, Johannesburg)

This easy-going Jozi spot revamped itself recently with a more Asian-inspired menu including ramen bowls, congee, panko-dusted meats, and poké. You’ll find two versions here, one with tuna and one with salmon. Both are served with fresh coconut rice, cabbage, avo, a soy-sauce egg, nori and a sprinkling of coriander. If you’re not into seafood, there’s also a sticky beef bowl on offer with house kimchi and roasted lime.

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