Foodie 15: Best Poke in Tucson

What’s better than poke? Poke that’s served with a side of miso and avocado as standard practice. And Fresh Sushi Pho is making it happen. Choose from salmon, tuna, or a salmon, tuna, and crab combo. You can’t go wrong either way.

With sashimi-grade ahi, why sear it? The Tuna Poke Salad features fresh tuna and seaweed on a bed of spring mix greens and a spicy dressing, so there’s no thought of over-filling on rice here.

For an upgrade from the Spicy Tuna Don, order it Volcano Style. A bowl of sushi rice is topped with spicy tuna, seaweed, sesame seeds, scallions, cucumber, unagi sauce, spicy mayo, and crunchy tempura flakes. A side of miso soup is included.

Although you can get your poke in a pita, the rice is so good that you don’t really need to make the switch. We dig the option to add jicama, which is a non-traditional topping choice but offers a nice bright crunch.

With the establishment of Kiwami Ramen in Tucson, chef Tani is excited to bring the “essence of genuine Japanese soul food” to the neighborhood community. That, of course, includes poke.

The Poke Bowl at OBON is available as tuna, salmon, or rainbow. Go for the rainbow if you’d like the biggest variety of seafood. The bowl is packed with sushi rice, cilantro microgreens, crispy onions, scallions, sunomono (cucumber salad), seaweed salad, jalapeño, avocado, and spicy poke dressing. It’s a huge portion but you’ll love every single bite.

Pure Poke specializes in authentic Hawaiian poke — fresh-cut, high-quality fish that is cut into cubes and then tossed in housemade marinades made with authentic Aloha Soy. Poke bowl mix-ins can be added to your belly’s content and include purple cabbage, organic mixed carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, cucumber salad, avocado, edamame, ginger, green onion, jalapeño, mango, seaweed salad, maple-soy roasted sweet potatoes, wasabi, watermelon radish, and white onion.

The Hawaiian Poki Salad features chunks of ahi over iceberg lettuce with carrot, daikon, sprouts, sesame, scallions, and onion with a gingery poki dressing. Make sure to squeeze the wedge of orange over it, as the fruity sweetness and acidity help balance the dish.

The Volcano Spicy Tuna Don also appears at Samurai, towering with rice, spicy tuna, masago, seaweed, scallion, cucumbers, spicy cucumber, tempura flakes, spicy mayo, and sweet sauce. A cup of miso soup is included.

Whether you like your poke bowl with or without rice, the options at Sushi Garden will always leave you feeling not-too-full. With fish options that include spicy tuna, salmon, and yellowtail — all bowls are served with a layer of spring mix, seaweed salad, avocado, cucumber, and radish, drizzled with a house poke sauce. If you like your poke spicy, let them know and you’ll get the added layers of jalapenos, spicy mayo, and spicy poke sauce.

This Poki Salad at Sushi Lounge includes chopped sashimi, cucumber, radish, seaweed, and squid salad mixed with ponzu sauce — a solid alternative to more simple starters like miso soup or seaweed salad.

While poke isn’t officially on the menu, chef Tommy Begay can whip up a special poke upon request. To indulge in a special meal, sit at the sushi bar and order omakase, which is essentially the chef’s choice for the entire meal.