Ask anyone who's spent time in the islands and they'll tell you: no trip to Hawaiʻi is complete without a bowl of poke (pronounced POH-keh, not "poh-KEY"). This simple dish of cubed raw fish is one of the most beloved foods in Hawaiian cuisine, found everywhere from gas station counters to high-end restaurants. But what is poke, really, and where did it come from?
What Does "Poke" Mean?
In Hawaiian, "poke" simply means "to slice" or "cut crosswise into pieces." That's exactly what the dish is at its core: fresh raw fish, cut into bite-sized cubes and seasoned. Traditionally, Native Hawaiians used whatever fish was caught that day, along with sea salt, seaweed (limu), and crushed kukui nut (inamona) for flavor and texture.
From Traditional to Modern Poke
Over the centuries, poke evolved as new cultures arrived in Hawaiʻi. Japanese immigrants brought shoyu (soy sauce) and sesame oil, which became the backbone of the shoyu poke most people know today. Modern poke bowls now come in dozens of styles: spicy ahi with sriracha mayo, Hawaiian-style with limu and inamona, or build-your-own bowls loaded with rice, avocado, edamame, and furikake.
The Fish Matters
Ahi (yellowfin or bigeye tuna) is the classic choice, prized for its deep red color and clean flavor. Tako (octopus) poke is another local favorite, along with salmon, which has become popular in poke shops on the mainland. Whatever the fish, freshness is everything — good poke should taste clean and oceanic, never fishy.
Where to Try Poke in Hawaiʻi
You'll find poke nearly everywhere: grocery store poke counters (Foodland and Tamura's are local legends), farmers markets, and dedicated poke shops in every town. It's typically sold by the pound and eaten straight from the container, no fork required if you're doing it right — though a fork helps.
Make It Part of Your Island Style
If poke has become part of your Hawaiʻi story, you can wear that love for island food every day. Check out our Food & Drink collection for tees that celebrate the flavors that make the islands unforgettable.
Bring the islands home: Explore our Food & Drink collection — original designs from our Native Hawaiian–owned studio in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. Here are a few of the newest additions:
Aloha Wine O'Clock Tee — a sunset-hued shirt for the island happy hour crowd.
Hawaii Foodie Life Tee — a tribute to plate lunch, poke bowls, and ono grindz.
Craft Beer Hawaii Tee — for fans of Hawaiʻi's local taproom scene.