Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish that is believed to be centuries olddating back to native Polynesians, but did not acquire its current name until the late 1900s. Poke translates to “to cut crosswise into pieces,” in Hawaiian and in its simplest form, that is all it is: diced, raw fish.
Poke’s Evolution
In its original form, poke was made with reef fish, was seasoned with salt alone and paired with seaweed. In subsequent centuries, reef fish was replaced by ahi tuna, today’s poke fish of choice, and additional seasoning variations were created. Traditional Hawaiian poke incorporated sea algae and candle nuts while the hallmarks of the more modern Hawaiian poke recipe are soy sauce, sesame oil, and Maui onions.
Today, there are countless variations of poke and its cousin, the rice-based poke bowl and no shortage of passionate opinions about what constitutes “real” poke. Perhaps the only thing people seem to agree on when it comes to poke is that FRESH AHI is key.
The Best Poke on Maui
Like a lot of people, I have only come to know and love poke within the past decade. Fortunately, it’s abundant in California, where I’m based, but Hawaii is THE spot for it, so I had to get some during our trip to Maui even though the rest of the family was less interested due to food preferences and dietary restrictions. I loved the Sunrise Poke Bowl from Tamura’s – it was like a really good spicy sushi roll in a bowl, and since it was to-go, I enjoyed it overlooking the ocean from our Hanua Kai vacation rental. (I know, I know – the mayo based, non-traditional version I had will draw the ire of some, but no shame in my game, it was delicious)
You can find some variation of poke on the menu at most restaurants in Maui, Hawaii, but some of the island’s best poke can be found in two surprising places: grocery storesand Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquors, a chain of liquor stores. Of course, not all grocery store poke is created equal. Fortunately, the Hawaii Ocean Project pulled together a list of the Best Poke in Grocery Stores and Shops on Maui. Make sure you buy the fresh pokeas Tamura’s and some grocery stores offer previously frozen poke as well. It’s cheaper, but I promise the extra few dollars for fresh are worth it.
If you’re not into poke, or don’t want to have it for all your meals, check out Maui Hawaii: Where to Eat and What to Get, a list of my family’s favorite places and what I’d recommend ordering at each, or Trip Advisor’s list of Maui restaurants with hundreds of thousands of reviews.
