Get ready to have your taste buds transported to the sunny shores of Hawaii with Steve’s Poke Bar! This beloved Vancouver go-to food spot has definitely captured many hearts in the city with their mouth-watering signature dish, Steve’s Traditional Poke bowl.
We sat down with Clement, the VP of Operations at Steve’s Poke Bar, to get the inside scoop on how this family recipe became a Hawaiian sensation. Not only did we get inside stories, but we also got to indulge in a bowl of heaven ourselves – lucky us!
Now, if you’re wondering what Poke is, let us tell you. This popular Hawaiian dish is made up of bite-sized cubes of marinated raw fish, and it’s pronounced “POH-keh.” The name comes from the Hawaiian word “poke,” which means “to cut into pieces.” It’s typically marinated with a variety of sauces, such as furikake and sesame seeds, and at Steve’s Poke Bar, they use their own family recipe which includes their top two sauces: Steve’s spicy mayo and Steve’s shoyu sauce.
Clement spilled the beans on the secret to great poke – it’s all in the marination process! That’s why at Steve’s Poke Bar, they take their time to marinate their poke just like they do in Hawaii. And let us tell you, it’s worth the wait. Their poke is bursting with flavour, thanks to the freshest ingredients they use.
If you haven’t tried poke yet, don’t worry, Steve’s Poke Bar is the perfect place to start your culinary adventure. So hop on over and get ready to experience a taste of Hawaii!
The Beginning of Steve’s Poke Bar
With Steve’s in-house Hawaiian sauces made from a family recipe, Steve’s Poke Bar offers the perfect complement to their pre-marinated poke bowls. But Steve’s story is even more exciting than the taste of their food. Their passion for poke began with Steve’s family recipe, which he perfected at home with rave reviews from family and friends. It wasn’t until 2017 that Steve’s Poke Bar introduced this Hawaiian dish to the Vancouver market with their first location at SFU.
Since then, they’ve expanded to a second location at Guilford and hope to continue expanding across BC and Canada. With poke becoming increasingly popular on the West Coast, Steve’s Poke Bar saw the opportunity to share their authentic Hawaiian poke with the world. And with 15 or more free toppings to customize your bowl to your liking, there’s no better place to experience the taste of Hawaii.
“We are grateful and honoured to continue this tradition of serving authentic Hawaiian poke to our customers, and we hope to continue expanding our reach across BC and Canada,” thanked Clement.
Getting the full Hawaiian experience at Steve’s
Steve’s Poke Bar has seen remarkable growth since its inception, with a total of 15 locations currently in operation and plans for further expansion in the future. The establishment takes pride in being at the forefront of the poke trend, not only in Vancouver but also beyond.
What sets Steve’s Poke apart from its competitors is its unwavering dedication to the traditional Hawaiian method of serving the dish. In Hawaii, poke is typically sold by the pound, much like groceries. Steve’s Poke has adopted this approach, allowing patrons to purchase their poke in bulk or by the pound.
This distinctive strategy offers customers the convenience of enjoying the restaurant’s fresh and flavorful poke at their leisure. “We follow this concept at Steve’s, allowing customers to purchase our poke in bulk or by the pound. This unique approach provides customers with the opportunity to enjoy our flavorful and fresh poke at their convenience,” explained Clement.
Poke is a delectable and nutritious dish that has gained significant popularity in Vancouver. At Steve’s Poke, customers can indulge in a traditional Hawaiian poke experience that is infused with the restaurant’s unique twist on the beloved dish.
What’s different about Hawaiian Poke and Vancouver Poke?
When it comes to Poke, the popular Hawaiian dish of diced fish served over rice, there are many variations to be found. While the traditional Hawaiian Poke is usually served with minimal toppings, the Poke found in Vancouver, Canada has taken on a West Coast flair with a variety of side toppings. This has allowed for greater customization and catering to individual dietary restrictions.
In Vancouver, Poke has become a popular dish due to its healthy and flavorful nature. By incorporating side toppings, such as avocado or edamame, Poke becomes a complete meal with a balanced mix of protein and vegetables. This customization has allowed Poke to become a staple dish for those following specific diets, such as vegan or gluten-free.
During our conversation with Clement, we couldn’t help but draw comparisons between Poke and another popular dish from Korea known as Bibimbap. Clement, who had tried Bibimbap before, saw similarities between the two dishes in their focus on providing a balanced meal with a variety of food groups. Both dishes are equally concerned with satisfying the taste buds while promoting good health.
“I can certainly see the similarities between this Korean dish and Poke. Both dishes aim to provide a balanced meal, and that’s something that we aim to provide to our customers. By offering a range of toppings and ingredients, we hope to provide a delicious and nutritious meal for everyone to enjoy.”
Clement, who knows his Poke bowls like the back of his hand, was kind enough to let us in on his top pick, the Spicy Scallop Poke. But he’s also got some great advice for anyone new to the Poke game. He suggested we start with Steve’s Traditional Bowl or Shoyu a Good Time if we really want to get the full Hawaiian experience.
Looking for a tasty deal? Steve’s Poke Bar is offering a free scoop of Poke when you download their app as their ongoing promotions. Plus, their website (https://www.stevespokebar.ca) has a full menu and even more promotions to make your taste buds dance. Want to find the nearest location? Simply click here for a full list of Vancouver locations. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy awesome poke and awesome people at Steve’s Poke Bar.