Over the last few years, the number of places you can get poke bowls in Philly has surged. And why shouldn’t it? The native Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish piled high with various fruits, veggies and crunchy, spicy or sweet toppings is definitely a healthy, exotic and fresh alternative to a lot of the other fast-casual options for people on the go in the city.
And the proprietors of one of the new poke establishments want you to know their place is the real deal.
The chefs at Wiki Poke, 44 S. 17th St., studied the eateries that originated poke in Hawaii to make sure they got it right. As it turns out, if the fish in your poke bowls is marinated in sauce before getting inundated with whatever bountiful toppings you choose to pile on, it isn’t authentic. (We tried to get the powers-that-be to fund a trip to Hawaii to fact-check this firsthand but, alas, they said no.)
Wiki Poke bowls ($11-$11.50) start off with small-batch marinated ahi tuna and/or salmon in shoyu sauce, letting the flavors soak into the raw fish before being generously piled onto a bed of rice. Then come the freshly chopped toppings, with the sweetness of mango and the spiciness of the mayo. The bowls also come with the distinct and varied crunch of fried shallots, seaweed salad, sesame seeds, coconut crisps and cucumber or onions.
Yes, it sounds like a confusing convergence of flavors and textures — but, trust us, it all works when they hit the bowl together. And each bite is an adventure you will never find in a cheesesteak.
Some variations on the theme are available to mix things up. You can opt to pile your poke mix on top of greens, or try tortilla chips for a healthier or more-familiar twist.
So, no disrespect to the other poke establishments in town, but we’ve been told you might want to step up your game. If you find yourself trundling through the hustle and bustle of the business district and you want to see where native Hawaiians get their authentic poke fix, give Wiki Poke an “Aloha!”
If you go
Wiki Poke
44 S. 17th St.
215-665-8725
www.wikipokephilly.com
Mon.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.