The Pokéspot

Try describing Poké to someone and you’ll quickly descend into frustration over the list of ingredients: “It’s like three kinds of raw fish, seaweed, rice, and like a sauce…It’s just really, really good!”

And really, that’s all it is: Some fresh, raw fish and condiments, a Hawaiian dish that’s been popular on the West Coast forever but has just began to make its way east. Think sushi, only all the ingredients have been separated and tossed in a bowl.

The Pokéspot currently offers the most convenient and best example in Union Square. Like most make-your-own bowl spots around town, the concept is simple: Choose a starch base, a protein, add some condiments and a sauce. We’ve tried a few of the preselected bowls and all are notably refreshing and a good amount of food for the price point. The snow crab impressed the pants off of just about all of us. The add-ins are fun (at no added cost!) but be wary of forging your own path. You may end up with four kinds of seaweed in a combo that doesn’t quite work, or pay a pretty penny for thinking you’re freely adding to a pre-selected option, while in reality you’re creating your own bowl from scratch. Be warned.  

As if avocado needed any more attention, you can get half of one filled with some fish and toppings, as well as some fascinating looking crab guacamole with chips. Do we really need MORE options for chips and guac below 14th street?

No, but we do need Poké. the Pokésnobs will feign relief that this thing they have so long admired has finally arrived in full. They probably just saw it on Instagram. Ignore the cynics, we’ve all been missing out and let’s all have a party now that it’s so accessible.