Vegan or loaded with ahi tuna, this refreshing poke bowl is filled with big flavors and lots of veggies.
Here’s something I’ve been loving this week – so fresh, healthy and fast: a Poke Bowl! (And a little secret . . . . you can keep this vegan. Yes, vegan Poke.) 
Poke, if you are unfamiliar, is a marinated fish salad, hailing from Hawaii, traditionally seasoned with soy, sesame oil, seaweed and scallions. But what’s great about it is how creative you can get with it. Place the poke salad over a bed of brown rice – or go carb-free with zucchini noodles, seaweed salad or kelp noodles, shredded cabbage, or cauliflower rice. Very customizable. You don’t even have to use fish, keeping it totally vegan!
This Tofu Poke Bowl is just as good as the one with fish and it’s a very affordable alternative. Use extra firm tofu, or purchase baked tofu.
Here I’ve used Ahi tuna, cut into small cubes. I used a frozen block of sushi grade tuna (AAA) because fresh tuna, in our area, is over-the-top expensive.
Tofu is the least expensive option and is just as good in my opinion.
But if you have access to good fresh tuna, obviously it’s the BEST!
You can really elevate Poke by using a good quality Shoyu Soy Sauce, or keep it simple and GF with Bragg’s Liquid Amino Acids. Regular old soy sauce works just fine too.
Be sure to use TOASTED sesame seeds and TOASTED sesame oil for better flavor.
Assemble your bowls using what you already have. Here I’ve added cabbage, edamame, watermelon radish, avocado and cucumber. Then make the easy Ponzu Sauce to spoon over top.
STEP BY STEP TO BUILDING THE BEST POKE BOWL!
Pick a base for the bowl:
- brown rice or try jade rice
- kelp noodles or seaweed salad
- zucchini noodles
- kale, baby spinach or mixed greens
- shredded cabbage, jicama or carrots
Pick a Protein:
- ahi tuna
- wild salmon
- albacore tuna
- scallops or cooked shrimp
- tofu
Pick “mix-ins”:
- scallions, red onions, pickled onions
- cilantro, dill, basil, shiso
- toasted sesame seeds
- kimchi
- nuts- almonds, macadamia, cashew, peanuts, pine nuts
- seaweed- like hijiki
- fresh chilies
- fresh ginger
Pick Bowl Toppings:
- avocado
- sprouts
- edamame
- roe
- grated carrots, beets
- cucumber
- fresh mango
- radishes
- crispy shallots
- shredded cabbage
- nori
- pickled ginger
- shiso leaves
- pomegranate
- furikake
- kimchi
- chili threads
THEN ASSEMBLE!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tofu should I use for the vegan poke bowl?
Use extra firm tofu for the best texture, or you can opt for pre-baked tofu for added convenience.
What is the benefit of using toasted sesame oil in this recipe?
Toasted sesame oil enhances the flavor of the poke bowl, providing a rich, nutty taste that complements the other ingredients.
Can I substitute the Ahi tuna with another type of fish?
Yes, you can substitute Ahi tuna with any sushi-grade fish of your choice, but if you prefer a vegan option, stick with the tofu.
