Where You Can Get Real Hawaiian Poke in Pasadena

Mar 10, 2015

PokeMix in Pasadena shares a space with the popular tea and pastry shop, Flour + Tea and lets you make-your-own Poke bowl for lunch or dinner. It’s a casual space, perfect for locals in the area to grab a quick bite or healthy lunch.

@chef_jay serving it up!

When I visited the big island of Hawaii a few years ago, I had the pleasure of trying Poke for the first time. I was starved, in-between work events, and based off a local’s recommendation, I pulled over to a roadside shack. I fell in poke-love. I hadn’t quite found a place in LA that serves up the classic Hawaiian dish properly… that is until now…

Ahi and Spicy Tuna with Salad and Rice Bowl

Chef Jay Terauchi of Jayeats.com wanted to present customers with the kind of Poke he grew up with in Hawaii. The fish is lightly seasoned with a drizzle of sesame oil and a few Asian inspired secret ingredients. You can order it with rice, salad or both and can choose from ahi, spicy tuna, crab, salmon or shrimp. Ingredients will change regularly.

Japan and other Asian countries have had a large influence on Hawaiian food, and Poke is no exception. Poke is like a Hawaiian version of carpaccio or tartare – A sushi grade selection of raw fish that is cubed, marinated and seasoned with various spices.

It is usually made with ‘ahi (yellowfin tuna) or another raw fish like salmon, shrimp, octopus or other sashimi. Sprinkle in some Hawaiian sea salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili pepper, furikake, tobiko (flying fish roe), garlic or any other type of spice or seaweed and you got yourself a delicious meal!

Add some seaweed, cucumber, garlic crisps — and do yourself a favor and try the wasabi mayo and spicy chili sauce. Not too spicy, but adds a nice kick.

The current form of poke became popular around the 70s and it is served up everywhere in Hawaii — food trucks, roadside stands, fish markets, restaurants etc. You’d be surprised to find poke available at most grocery stores just as regular fish selections are presented here on the Mainland.

Sip on some hot tea or boba and after your meal, grab a sweet bread or mochi for desert too!

Milk tea is a common Taiwanese drink (aka Milk Pearl) and is a good way to test out if the tea shop is legit. If the boba milk tea in a place is good, then you know they know what’s up!