How to Build the Perfect (and Most Insta-Worthy) Poké Bowl

by Renée Tse March 15, 2017

One-bowl meals have been popping up on our Instagram feeds for quite some time, but it seems like lately there’s a surge of interest in a certain one-bowl concoction: poké bowl.

What is poké? For starters, it has nothing to do with the Nintendo phenomenon Pokémon. Poké is a traditional Hawaiian dish commonly made with white rice and raw chunks of yellowfin tuna. Since its rise in popularity, locations across Canada, including Toronto’s very own Calii Love, have put their own spin on it, adding all sorts of vegetarian-friendly, raw toppings to the menu including wakame (seaweed salad), edamame, sweet onion and avocado. You can also find delicious sauces like shoyu, sriracha aioli and wasabi aioli to spice things up. Basically, imagine a deconstructed sushi roll in a bowl.

The Hawaiian and L.A.-inspired café/restaurant has been a staple spot for poké lovers – celebrities included. Many of the creations by Chef Jo Friday were inspired by his travels to Japan and Hawaii and are named after feelings like Grateful, Humble and Confident. If you’re feeling adventurous, Calii Love also gives customers the chance to build their very own bowls.There’s no real science behind building the perfect poké bowl because it depends on your palette and preferences. If you need to brush up on the basics, we (or rather the poké masters at Calii Love) are here to help.

Check out our Facebook live stream video for a step-by-step visual guide.

If you’re looking to switch up your regular ol’ salad regimen, look no further than the gallery below for healthy alternative inspo, courtesy of Calii Love.