What Is Poke? A Deep Dive into Hawaii's Favorite Dish

Poke (pronounced poh-keh) has roots going back centuries in Hawaiian culture. Long before it became a global food trend, Hawaiian fishermen were seasoning fresh-cut fish with sea salt, ʻinamona, seaweed, and limu right on their boats.

The modern poke bowl emerged more prominently in Hawaii during the 1970s, as Japanese culinary influences began blending with traditional Hawaiian preparation methods.

At Makai, we honor both the ancient and modern traditions of poke. Our base recipes use time-tested Hawaiian seasonings, while our chef-crafted signature bowls add contemporary flair — always with sashimi-grade fish marinated fresh daily.