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Three vegetarian poke spots on Oahu that will satisfy your poke cravings.
Happy New Year and welcome to the first Healthy Food Friday article of the year!
Hawaii is known for its beautiful scenery and great island cuisine, with Poke being one of them.
Pronounced poh-KAY, the word itself means “chunks.” It is normally made with fresh fish such as Ahi, Hamachi, or Salmon.
Numerous places sell Poke, but finding a vegetarian option can be a little more challenging to find. Therefore, we went on a hunt to find vegetarian Poke that actually tastes good.
Poke Spot #1: Leahi Health
Located in the middle of Kaimuki, Leahi Health is a plant-based establishment with delicious food and drink options. While on my search, Leahi Health was actually recommended by a friend and I would have missed it if it wasn’t for GoogleMaps. I got their Beet Poke Salad which included: Organic steamed beets, mock tuna, avocado, tofu, tossed in their poke sauce, and garnished with roasted almonds and furikake. I loved the different textures and various flavors of slightly sweet, salty, and savory.
3441 Waialae Ave. • (808) 244-2607 • https://leahihealth.com
Poke Spot #2: Peace Cafe
I have been meaning to try Peace Cafe for YEARS, and I am glad I finally did. This quaint vegan cafe is currently closed for dine-in but is offering take-out. I got a side of their Tofu Poke which included: Yakitofu, house-made poke sauce, seaweed, scallions, and onions. The thinly sliced seaweed, the crunch from the onions, and their delicious sauce made this dish a well-seasoned one.
2239 S King St. • (808) 951-7555 • www.peacecafehawaii.com
Poke Spot #3: Redfish Poke Bar
If you’re craving poke after the Kakaako Farmers Market on Saturdays or exploring the “Art District” of Honolulu, head over to Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland which is located on the first floor of SALT Kakaako. Known for their variety of unique pokes, they offer two vegetarian options which included their Beet and Tofu Poke. I got both to compare. I personally enjoyed the beet option better as it had more of a “poke” flavor profile. However, I liked how the tofu option wasn’t fried and I could definitely eat this as a side every day.
Caution: The shoyu (soy sauce) they use is NOT vegan, as it contains dashi.
685 Auahi St. • (808) 532-6420 • https://www.redfishpoke.com
Susan Iverson is a Human Resources intern at Breast Cancer Hawaii. She is a junior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is majoring in Accounting and Human Resources. She is also the Vice President of Chapter Operations for the professional fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi: Rho Chi.