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Haven't heard of poké yet? Pronounced 'poh-keh', this summery, Japanese-inspired Hawaiian dish of raw fish marinated in soy and sesame and mixed with rice as a salad is essentially a step up from sushi and ceviche. Huge in LA and New York, it has now hit British shores with even Pret getting in on the act, so here's where you can get your hands on it this weekend.
Tombo Poké and Matcha Bar
This new spot in Soho has got a poké menu serving salmon, tuna, prawn, kimchee, avocado and edamame served over sushi rice, courgette noodles or black and white rice.
You can choose between six signature poke bowls, such as Classic Tuna Poké, Salmon Avo Lux and Matcha Miso Tofu, or you can mix your own poké bowl. The bar will also offer side salads, such as Hijki black seaweed and root vegetable as well as miso soup.
Tombo, which is also in Kensington, specialises in tea so expect to see lots on offer, as well as Tombo matcha lattes, and matcha brownies, cakes, sundaes and matcha soft-serve.
Eat Pokē
Street food stall Eat Pokē has been serving poké to go at markets across the city since June 2015, after founders Guy Jackson and Celia Farrar discovered it on a trip to LA. They pride themselves on their vibrant poké bowls with fresh, vibrant salads and glorious locally sourced fish.
The meal starts with a base, such as their 'forbidden black rice' (traditionally poké is served on white rice, but they wanted a tastier and healthier alternative), kelp noodles or wakame salad, which they pair with ahi tuna in a tropical coconut sauce, salmon in a shoyu sauce or for the vegetarians, tofu in a spicy ponzu sauce and top with your choice of anything from macadamia nuts to edamame, mango to avocado.
You can find them on Thursdays at King's Cross with Kerb noon–2pm, Friday lunchtime at West India Quay with Kerb noon–2pm, or Friday and Saturday nights at Street Feast Dalston Yard from 5pm until late.
Granger & Co
With branches in Clerkenwell, King's Cross and Notting Hill, there is no excuse not to be able to get your fix of poké from this Aussie brasserie. Granger & Co serve raw tuna and avocado poké, with brown rice, cherry tomatoes, shimeji mushrooms, samphire and a sprinkling of crunchy toasted buckwheat.
Ahi Poké
Brand new to the London scene, Ahi Poké in Fitzrovia is a laidback all-day restaurant where customers can build their own bowl choosing a base of quinoa, sushi rice or red kale, a protein such as ahi tuna, sea bream, salmon (all sourced from socially responsible fisheries), or marinated mushrooms, a sauce and toppings. Brought to you by Jeremy Coste, Gabriel Cohen-Elia and David Bellaiche, the young trio behind Mayfair’s NAC (North Audley Cantine) and Chez Chow, Ahi Poké provides food to eat in, takeaway and delivery, with a big focus on nutrition, sustainability, quality and variety.
For more top nosh, check out our best restaurants, cafés and gastropubs in London.