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Poke Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to poke products
About poke
Many people don't know that poke is a description of seafood – not the seafood itself! Poke is the Hawaiian word for “sliced crosswise into pieces” and refers to chunks of raw, marinated fish, usually a type of tuna, such as ahi, yellowfin, or skipjack. Fishermen would chop and season the cut-offs from their catch to serve as a snack. This eventually became a popular appetizer and has transformed into a whole meal by adding rice and vegetables into what is now called poke bowls.
Originating in Hawaii, poke bowls are quite popular on an international level today. They are a popular modern dish typically made from fresh raw tuna, served diced along with fresh vegetables, lettuce, noodles, rice, bean sprouts, soy sauce, sea salt, Maui onions, green onions, seaweed, and limu. In a poke bowl, the ingredients are placed next to each other rather than mixed together, like in a sushi roll. The customizable options are almost limitless so use your imagination! A poke bowl may also include avocado slices, noodles, teriyaki sauce, ponzu sauce, sriracha sauce, pineapple, and cucumber. If looking for a wine to complement a poke bowl, try a dry sparkling wine or a simple red wine.
Some examples of poke:
- Hawaiian Style: This poke style includes de-boned, fileted raw tuna topped with sesame oil, soy sauce, fresh ahi, seaweed, and sea salt. A simple yet delectable dish, this a type of poke you must try.
- Salmon Poke: Salmon replaces the usual tuna and it is combined with different tastes, like radishes, ponzu sauce, and avocado slices. A modern version of poke, this combo is still quite a treat for the palate.
- Ahi Poke: Made with yellowfin tuna, ahi poke includes cubed raw fish covered in sesame oil and soy sauce and is often served over spiraled veggies, noodles, or plain rice.
- Sashimi Poke: As the name suggests, this type of poke bowl is served with sliced sashimi-style salmon or tuna along with a slew of mouthwatering spices and sauces to enhance the rich flavors of the meal.
Poke is said to have been originally brought to the people of Hawaii by the first Polynesian settlers, long before westerners had even discovered the island. Poke was a way of life. By salting and marinating the fish in sesame oil and soy sauce, the fish not only tasted better, but was preserved – reducing the risk of food poisoning or spoilage. In the last 30 years, the poke craze has exploded across North America. While there are loads of modern poke restaurants and dishes to choose from, there are still plenty of traditional poke restaurants to be found in and around Hawaii.
The first step to making a poke bowl is to open your Instacart app, start shopping, add some poke fish to your cart, complete your purchase, and sit back and relax while an Instacart shopper does the work for you. We'll aim to deliver it in as little as 2 hours!
Poke cooking tips
If you're considering making your own poke bowls at home, buy fresh fish and store it properly to avoid spoilage. Poke is eaten raw so, when preparing the fish, cut it crosswise against the grain since cutting through muscle fibers makes the small chunks of fish more tender. Discard any fish that does not pass the sight and smell taste. If fish was previously frozen, do not refreeze it.
Poke Near Me
Buy your favorite Poke online with Instacart. Order Poke from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about poke
Poke is as safe to eat as sushi. Provided you're getting either your ingredients or the dish itself from a reputable shop, you can be sure it is safe. Because the fish is raw, make sure it is adequately seasoned and only eat poke from trusted sources.
Bring your fish home from the store packed in ice, just like it is stored at the shop. Consume your fresh fish raw within one to two days from purchase and keep it on ice until you eat it. Do not use knives you use to slice raw fish with other foods. Whatever touches the raw fish should only touch the raw fish. To avoid contaminating other foods, use a separate surface to prepare your fish and only mix everything together once you're ready to consume it.
Traditionally, poke is sliced raw fish with seasoning and vegetables, often served as an appetizer only. However, modern versions of the poke bowl include hearty additions, like rice and noodles, to make the dish truly a meal.