The story of poke goes back to Hawaii, where “poke” means “to slice or cut.”
Traditionally made with diced raw fish, poke bowls have become a weeknight favorite all over the world. And yes, you can absolutely make the best poke bowl recipes at home.
All you need are some fresh ingredients, rice, and a few easy sauces to make it sing.
The best part?
There’s no single way to build a poke bowl. Swap in your favorite protein, pile on the veggies, top with whatever makes you happy, and finish with our Boombay sauces for that final creamy, smooth, and delicious kick.
Ready? Here’s how we do it, quick, easy and healthy.
Step 1: Prep the Rice
The base matters. Brown rice, white rice, or even quinoa. Just keep it fluffy, not sticky.
Ingredients:
-
1 cup uncooked short-grain brown rice or white sushi rice (or use microwave rice to save time)
Instructions:
- Rinse rice under cold water.
- Cook according to package directions, then let it cool a bit.
- For flavor, add 1 tsp rice vinegar and a pinch of salt once cooked and still warm. Toss gently.
Step 2: Make the Poke
The classic is ahi tuna, but salmon, tofu, or even cooked shrimp work. For extra flavor (and a shortcut), add a spoon of Boombay Teriyaki Sauce.
Ingredients:
- 250g sushi-grade ahi tuna, diced (or cooked tofu, tempeh, or salmon)
- 1 tbsp chopped scallions
- 2 tsp Boombay Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
- Optional: 1/2 tsp sriracha
Instructions:
- Dice the tuna (or your protein of choice) into bite-sized cubes.
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, Boombay Teriyaki Sauce, scallions, and sesame seeds.
- Toss in the tuna. Stir gently to coat.
- Let it chill in the fridge while you prep the toppings. (Don’t marinate fish for more than 30 minutes.)
Step 3: Chop the Veggies
A poke bowl recipe is about color and crunch. Go big or keep it simple.
Veggie Options:
- 1 cup edamame (shelled, cooked)
- 1 small cucumber, sliced or diced
- 1 large carrot, shredded
- 1 avocado, sliced or cubed
- 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 2 radishes, sliced
- 2 tbsp pickled ginger
- Microgreens or sprouts
Just prep and keep everything ready in bowls. Super flexible.
Step 4: Whip Up the Sauces
Here’s where we at Boombay make things pop. Creamy, smooth, and delicious sauces, but healthy.
Spicy Garlic Chilli Mayo (with Boombay):
- 3 tbsp Garlic Vegan Mayo
- 1-2 tsp Garlic Chilli Sauce
- 1-2 tsp water (to thin if needed)
Instructions:
-
Stir everything together in a small bowl. Taste, add more Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce for extra heat, more Boombay Vegan Mayo for that smooth, creamy texture.
Step 5: Build Your Bowl
Here’s the fun part. Grab a deep bowl. Start with a scoop of rice. Arrange veggies in sections but don’t mix yet. Add your chilled poke. Spoon on extra toppings: avocado, microgreens, nori, or even a sprinkle of furikake if you have it.
Drizzle with the Spicy Garlic Chilli Mayo you made earlier. Sprinkle it with sesame seeds and green onions for crunch. Grab chopsticks, dig in.
Step 6: Make It Yours
Mix and match. Love extra crunch? Add crispy shallots. Want more heat? Drizzle more Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce.
Vegan? Use tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas.
No pressure, no rules. Just fresh, creamy, and delicious flavor, but healthy.
Step 7: Store or Share
Poke bowls are best the day you make them, but you can prep most ingredients ahead. Keep fish and sauces in the fridge (separate), and build bowls just before serving. Share with friends. Or just enjoy alone, right from the bowl.
Sauces, Dips, Marinades, but Healthy & Convenient?
At Boombay, we never use refined sugars or refined oils in any of our products. Instead, we craft each jar with nuts, seeds, and globally-inspired flavors. You get sauces that don’t just taste good, but make you feel good.
Real ingredients, bold flavors, and zero compromises.
Choose from our complete range of products here →
Premium quality without the premium prep time.
Made your own? Show us your creations and tag us @boombayway on Instagram. We can’t wait to see your best poke bowl recipe, Boombay style.
FAQ
Is a poke bowl really healthy?
A poke bowl can be as healthy as you make it. The base is usually rice, millets, grains or greens, the protein of your choice is lean and fresh, and you load up with raw veggies. At Boombay, we keep everything healthy, smooth, and delicious, but healthy by skipping heavy dressings and using real ingredients in all our sauces.
Why is it called a poke bowl?
“Poke” (pronounced poh-kay) is a Hawaiian word that means “to slice or cut.” Traditionally, poke referred to chopped raw fish tossed in simple seasonings. When served as a meal over rice and veggies, it becomes a poke bowl. A complete dish in one.
What sauces are in poke bowls?
The most popular sauces for poke bowls are soy or tamari-based marinades, spicy mayo, and sesame dressings. We love using Boombay Teriyaki Sauce for that umami, sweet flavor always, but healthy.
What's the difference between a sushi bowl and a poke bowl?
A sushi bowl uses the ingredients of sushi (vinegared rice, fish, veggies, sometimes nori) but in a bowl, often with Japanese flavors. A poke bowl is inspired by Hawaiian poke. Marinated diced fish, more tropical toppings, and always fresh, colorful veggies. The feel is relaxed, customizable, and always a little creamy and smooth, but healthy with Boombay.
