Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (2024)

A traditional Hawaiian ahi poke bowl recipe made with sashimi grade ahi tuna, sweet onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, chopped macadamia nuts, and scallions.

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (1)

The weather is finally warming up here in Chicago, which means I’m officially on summer mode and gravitating towards meals that are flavorful, satisfying, but quick to come together.

This shoyu ahi poke checks all of those boxes. Simple, crave worthy, and incredibly well balanced in flavor.

As a raw seafood fan, it is no surprise that I have a special place in my heart for poke and this is the best ahi poke bowl that I’ve had to date.

If you’re a poke fan or enjoy raw tuna, you’ll absolutely love this recipe and preparation!

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (2)

Aloha Kitchen Cookbook:

This classic ahi poke bowl recipe hails from my friend Alana Kysar’snew cookbookAloha Kitchen[affiliate link],which is a beautiful celebration of local Hawaiian cuisine and culture.

Having grown up in Maui, Alana does an amazing job of weaving Hawaiian history (and how its food culture has been shaped) with more than 85 recipes for local Hawaiian food.

You’ll find recipes for everything from lumpia to soy-glazed spam musubi, Shoyu chicken, loco coco, haupia pie, to guava cake.

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (3)
Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (4)

It is a trulystunning book in photography, layout, and design! To be honest,I have very little experience eating, let alone preparing local Hawaiian food (as I’ve only traveled to Hawaii once and it was many, many years ago), but that is exactly what drew me into the book.

The best cookbooks offer the abilityto experience a culture and place through its food, and that is exactly what Alana accomplishes with Aloha Kitchen.

The caveat? You’ll want to book a vacation to Hawaii immediately!

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (5)

What is Poke?

If you’re unfamiliar with poke (pronounced PO-kay), it is a Hawaiian dish, served as an appetizer or main course, traditionally made with raw fish. Poke translates to ‘section’ or ‘to slice or cut’.

It can be prepared a number of ways, but I’ve always preferred simpler preparations like this one that are made without mayonnaise.

Traditional poke is usually made with cubed ahi or yellowfin tuna that is tossed with a soy sauce (shoyu) and sesame oil, and served with raw onion, green onions, and chopped macadamia nuts.

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (6)

Shoyu Ahi Poke Ingredients:

If you’re squeamish or nervous about preparing poke at home, I’ve includes helpful tips and guidance below.

  • Ahi or Yellowfin Tuna – since you’ll be eating raw fish, it isvery important to get your hands on the highest-quality ahi or yellowfin tuna possible.I always recommend sourcing the fish from the best seafood market available (or don’t make it at all). Tuna is often labeled sashimi or sushi grade. These are not regulated terms, but can be used to indicate higher-quality cuts/types of of tuna better suited for raw preparations. Tell your fish monger that you’ll be preparing poke, and they’ll probably point you in the right direction.
  • Soy Sauce (Shoyu) – use regular soy sauce for this recipe, please do not substitute with low sodium or other popular soy sauce substitutes. Soy sauce, which is made with fermented soybeans, is rich in umami and very important to the overall flavor of the dish.
  • Sesame Oil – whenever you’re preparing a dish with very few ingredients, it’s aways important to seek out the best. Sesame oil can become rancid over time, so if you’ve had a bottle sitting in your pantry or fridge for months, it might be worth double checking.I use and recommend Kadoya brand[affiliate link]. It has a great, pure tasting sesame flavor.
  • Hawaiian Salt (‘alaea) – this recipe calls for alaea sea salt, which is an unrefined sea salt that is mixed with volcanic clay (alaea). It has a unique flavor and is called for in recipes throughout the book, but if you can’t find it or don’t wish to purchase it, Alana recommends substituting a coarse pink hamalayan salt. You can purchase Hawaiian alaea sea salt on Amazon. [affiliate link.]
  • Maui or Yellow Onion – traditional poke calls for raw sliced Maui onion. You can use yellow onion in this recipe too.
  • Green Onions – you’ll need lots of sliced green onions (green parts only) for this recipe.
  • Gochugaru – this recipe calls for a small quantity (1/8 teaspoon) of gochugaru, which is Korean red chili flake. You can substitute it with Aleppo pepper, or finely crushed red pepper flakes. It adds just a touch of heat.
  • Macadamia Nuts – toasted finely chopped macadamia nuts add texture and flavor.

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (7)

How to Make Ahi Poke:

Since this dish is made with raw tuna, it is very important that you prepare this dish just before serving it (and don’t plan on leftovers). In addition, many of the other ingredients, such as the raw onion slices, chopped macadamia nuts, and scallions, will be at their best texture.

For this preparation, you’ll want to slice the tuna into 1-inch cubes. Always slice against the grain when cutting tuna (and other meats), as it will yield the best texture and improve tenderness.

While you can enjoy it on it’s own, poke is great served with steamed rice! I like to use a sticky sushi rice, just make sure your rice isn’thot when serving.

If you enjoy this recipe (we absolutely loved it), be sure to check outAloha Kitchen for more beautiful Hawaiian recipes!

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (8)

Shoyu Ahi Poke

4.7 stars (42 ratings)

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Yield: 3 Servings

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 10 minutes minutes

Shoyu Ahi Poke Recipe - a traditional Hawaiian ahi poke bowl recipe made with sashimi grade ahi tuna, sweet onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, macadamia nuts, and scallions. This amazing recipe from Alana Kysar's Aloha Kitchen Cookbook comes together so quickly and makes you feel like you've been transported directly to Hawaii! Best served with steamed short-grain rice or on its own.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh sashimi-grade ahi steak chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes*
  • tablespoons soy sauce plus more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ¾ teaspoon Hawaiian salt ('alaea) plus more to taste
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced Maui or yellow onion
  • ½ cup chopped green onions (green parts only)
  • teaspoon gochugaru (Korean red chili powder)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped toasted macadamia nuts
  • 2 cups steamed rice for serving

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine the cubed ahi, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, Maui (or yellow) onion, green onions, gochugaru, and toasted macadamia nuts and gently toss with your hands or a spoon. Adjust the seasoning to your liking.

  • Serve over rice and enjoy immediately.

Tips for Success:

  • Feel free to substitute the gochugaru with Aleppo pepper or finely crushed red pepper flakes.
  • If you don't wish to purchase Hawaiian alea salt for this recipe, substitute with a coarse sea salt, such as Pink Himalayan. Please keep in mind that differnet kinds of salts have various densities - I advise starting with a small portion (if you're substituting) and always seasoning to taste.

Reprinted with permission from Aloha Kitchen by Alana Kysar (Ten Speed Press, March 2019).

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 476kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 165mg, Sodium: 726mg, Fiber: 1g

Author: Laura // A Beautiful Plate

Course: Seafood and Shellfish

Cuisine: Hawaiian

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my privacy policy for more information.

Shoyu Ahi Poke (Hawaiian Ahi Poke Bowl Recipe) - A Beautiful Plate (2024)

FAQs

How many calories are in shoyu ahi poke? ›

Ahi Shoyu Poke
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 serving (266.46g)
How many calories are in Ahi Shoyu Poke? Amount of calories in Ahi Shoyu Poke: Calories 396.4Calories from Fat 154.7 (39%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Ahi Shoyu Poke? Amount of fat in Ahi Shoyu Poke: Total Fat 17.2g-
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What is the best base for a poke bowl? ›

  1. Choose a base: Brown rice, coconut jasmine rice, white sushi rice, soba noodles, or leafy greens.
  2. Choose a protein: The foundation of poke is best-quality fresh raw fish. ...
  3. Choose a dressing: The fattier and firmer the fish, the more aggressive the dressing can be. ...
  4. Add the fun stuff:
Jan 30, 2017

What sauce should I get on my poke bowl? ›

Sauces. Common dressings you'll see on menus are: sweet shoyu (soy-based, light), ponzu (soy-based, more citrusy; also “chili ponzu”), and aioli (garlic, wasabi, sriracha).

Do you mix everything in a poke bowl? ›

Unlike traditional mixing, poke bowls are meant to be enjoyed by combining different elements as you go. Chopsticks are a popular choice for enjoying poke bowls as they allow you to create unique flavor combinations in each bite.

Are Poke bowls high in calories? ›

The number of calories in a poke bowl can vary widely depending on the ingredients and portion size. A standard serving can range from 500 to 800 calories. It's essential to be mindful of the toppings and sauces you choose if you're watching your calorie intake.

How many calories in a poke bowl without rice? ›

For example, a poke bowl with mixed greens, ahi, vegetables, and a sauce will only be around 400 to 500 calories.

Do you use hot or cold rice for poke bowls? ›

Only the freshest fish will do, but you can veer away from seafood using anything from tofu to chicken. Temperature is important – rice should be warm and fish cold. Use a rice cooker. Wet or starchy rice ruins a good poké bowl.

Is white or brown rice better for poke bowls? ›

If you're choosing a rice: brown comes out ahead of white in terms of fiber and protein, but white has less sodium and more calcium and iron; the “best” choice really depends on what your personal nutritional needs are.

What are the crunchy things in poke bowls? ›

Coconut Flakes •Onion Crisps •Rice Pearls • Sesame. Seeds •Shredded Nori •Tempura Flakes • Wonton. Chips.

What is OG sauce in a poke bowl? ›

OG Sauce. You won't find this sauce anywhere else, it is so original it even has a secret recipe! This sweet sauce is soy based and has garlic and ginger notes. We put this on pretty much everything, and that's what makes it the true OG. Gluten Free and Vegan Friendly.

What is the orange stuff in the poke bowl? ›

Tobiko, or flying fish roe, are those crunchy, bright-orange fish eggs pressed into the outside of California rolls. Masago come from a different fish and are smaller, less crunchy, and duller in color.

What side dishes go with poke bowls? ›

Most commonly, poke bowls are served with a side of kimchi. However, you can also add pickled vegetables. The sharp salty flavor of fermented or pickled ingredients adds a bold punch to the poke bowl.

What to avoid in poke bowls? ›

While poke bowls are generally made with healthy ingredients, it's important to be aware of the potential risks of consuming raw fish and ingredients that may not offer many nutrients, such as white rice and large amounts of oil or soy sauce.

What to add to a poke bowl? ›

Additionally, many poke bowl restaurants offer garnishes such as sliced avocado, cucumber, edamame, radishes, sesame seeds, chopped kale, bean sprouts, sun-dried tomatoes, macadamia nuts, Napa cabbage, shimeji mushrooms, daikon sprouts, asparagus, shiitake, and crispy garlic.

How many calories are in a Costco ahi poke? ›

There are 148 calories in 4 oz (113 g) of Costco Ahi Wasabi Poke.

How many calories are in a ahi poke stack? ›

Duffy's Ahi Tuna Stack (1 serving) contains 16g total carbs, 11g net carbs, 11g fat, 29g protein, and 290 calories.

Is ahi tuna poke healthy? ›

Yes! Tuna poke bowls can be very healthy, and a great way to get more fish into your diet. For this poke recipe, I use tuna and avocado, which have healthy fats served over brown rice for extra fiber. For the poke sauce, I use a small amount of light mayo and soy sauce, which is low in calories.

How many calories are in a poke bowl with rice and salmon? ›

Sushi Shop Salmon Poke Bowl With White Rice (1 serving) contains 52g total carbs, 49g net carbs, 23g fat, 22g protein, and 510 calories.

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