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Poke Bowl at Pure Poke & Prep (Photo credit: Adam Lehrman)

Foodie 15: Best Poke in Tucson

Updated March 8, 2024

Primarily influenced by Japanese cuisine, poke is usually seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and scallions. Though poke is traditionally served as an appetizer, it has evolved to rice bowls and vegetable salad toppings.

We’re lucky enough to have a list of excellent poke options here in the desert.

Learn how we create our guides here.

a bowl of salad
Poke Bowl (Photo courtesy of Fresh Sushi Pho)

Fresh Sushi Pho

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.

Tuna Poke Style Salad at Ginza Sushi (Credit: Ginza Sushi)

Ginza Sushi & Izakaya

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.

Volcano Tuna Don at Ikkyu (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Ikkyu

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.

Izumi Sushi Bar Seafood (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Izumi

Izumi’s relaxed, roomy dining room reflects the same blend of contemporary and Japanese traditions that you’ll find on their menu. While kept simple, their poke bowls are stacked with flavor, and we recommend checking out their a la carte and happy hour menus while you’re there.

Jimmy's Pita & Poke on River & Orange Grove (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Jimmy’s Pita & Poke – University

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.

a bowl of salad
Salmon Poke Bowl (Photo courtesy of Kiwami Ramen)

Kiwami Ramen

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.

Rainbow Poke Bowl at OBON (Photo by Jackie Tran)

OBON

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 & Prep (Photo credit: Adam Lehrman)

Pure Poke and Prep – Oracle Road

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.

Hawaiian Poki Salad at Sachiko on Wilmot (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Sachiko Sushi on Wilmot

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.

a photo of a sushi bowl
Volcano Spicy Tuna Don at Samurai (Credit: Shana Gegantoca)

Samurai

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.

Solid Grindz (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Solid Grindz Hawaiian Food

Want something fresh with a Hawaiian twist? Opt for a Hawaiian Poke Plate at Solid Grindz. This simple dish features raw Ahi tuna, two scoops of rice, and is tossed with your sauce of choice, onions, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and sesame oil.

Wanting something fresh with a kick? Get their Creamy Spicy Poke — the traditional poke is elevated with a drizzle of spicy mayonnaise-based sauce.

Poki Salad at Sushi Cho (Photo credit: Shana Gegantoca)

Sushi-Cho Restaurant

The Poki Salad proves to be a surprisingly hefty starter. Made with a medley of squid salad, seaweed salad, and sunomono salad splashed with ponzu sauce and topped with sesame seeds, you may not need to order an entree.

a bowl of salad on a plate
Poke Bowl (Photo courtesy of Sushi Garden)

Sushi Garden

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.

Poke Salad at Sushi Lounge (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Sushi Lounge

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.

Mini-poke at Sushi on Oracle (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Sushi On Oracle

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.

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