Poke and Dole Whip in Seattle

Poke (pronounced POH-kay) is a popular meal in Hawaii. Freshly caught ahi tuna is cut into cubes, seasoned with shoyu (soy sauce), garlic, onions, and maybe another ingredient or two at most, then served over sticky white rice. That's right, raw fish and rice. It sounds very simple and it is, simplicity at its most delicious.

Of course, you can have other types of poke: octopus, tofu, and shrimp, just to name a few. Do you like things spicy? You got it! Poke is lunchtime perfection and makes a great beach snack. Swing by your local Foodland and don't forget the chop sticks, you're ready to go beach! 

Poke used to be unheard of in Seattle, but it is now rapidly taking over Seattle and other parts of the mainland. There are poke restaurants opening here almost every month and we've even got a poke food truck, thanks to Sam Choy! Shoooots. 

Last Saturday I was perusing Instagram when I discovered Go Poke in Seattle's International District. Not only did they serve poke, they also have Dole Whip! I had to go. My girl, Lilah, is from the Big Island and we went to Go Poke dinner on that very same day.  

Seattle even provided some of that Hawaiian sunshine for our poke date!

Go Poke was jamming on a Saturday evening. The staff was quite polite and eager to explain to us just what poke is all about. They alerted us that their fish is from Hawaii, I exclaimed that Lilah is, too! We all giggled and I let them know that even this haole (white) girl spent almost 6 years on Oahu. We're both very familiar with poke...and Kona Brewing Co. 

We each enjoyed a brew with our poke. My dinner was the classic poke bowl which included ahi tuna, white rice, seaweed salad, crunchy garlic, crab meat, fish eggs, ginger, and some sort of cucumbers. Lilah had the pokeritto (poke + burrito) and she loved it!

Can you tell I'm excited for so much Hawaii goodness in Seattle?

The poke bowl was delicious. The fish is hands down the freshest I've had in a poke bowl outside of Hawaii. While I do love the crab meat and other fancy toppings, all of that fuss seems to be more for those who just now learning about poke. Next time I'll try it with double fish and less of everything else, the Foodland way! 

And now for the DOLE WHIP! This pineapple soft serve ice cream can only be found in a handful of magical places: 

1. The Dole Plantation on the North Shore of Oahu
2. Disneyland in Southern California
3. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Go Poke takes Dole Whip to another level, dousing it in li hing powder, another Hawaii classic. It's a powder made of dried, pickled plum and it's nature's sour patch kid: sweet and sour at the same time. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to Go Poke for this Dole Whip with li hing!

Just when you think you're ready to leave Go Poke, you cannot. They have Bubbies mochi ice cream. While I'm aware that poke and Dole Whip can both be found on the mainland, I've never seen Bubbies outside of Hawaii and couldn't resist ordering a second dessert.

That all being said, Go Poke brings Hawaii to Seattle on so many levels. I imagine warmer days this summer filled with cold Kona beers, fresh ahi poke bowls, and so much more Dole Whip and Bubbies mochi ice cream!