Elevated bowls and seared Spam rolls: This poké spot plans to take over Vancouver

Oct 31 2017, 3:05 am

Pacific Poké wasn’t the first poké spot to open in the city, but their expansion plans may soon make them the biggest family of such chains in Metro Vancouver.

It all started at the Main Street location in Chinatown in fall 2016, which was conceptualized long before the explosion of specialty eateries dedicated to the marinated Hawaiian delicacy happened in Vancouver.

Now, Pacific Poké serves its offerings by chef and co-owner Ryan Mah at their UBC location, which opened in September. This will be followed up by two new locations soon.

The next location in Kitsilano at 2151 West 4th Avenue is set to open in early-2018, and the second in Burnaby near Brentwood Mall on Lougheed Highway set to open in spring 2018.

With new menu items coming up, and two new restaurants on the way (along with a few more spaces in the works), the small but mighty Pacific Poké team has hopes of taking over Metro Vancouver and beyond.

Pacific Poke_The Main

The Main Bowl (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

While you may have to wait a few months to enjoy the first of many new locations, you’ll be able to enjoy Chef Mah’s new menu items within the next few weeks.

Expect drool-worthy offerings such as the Musubi Roll (seared spam, sesame miso hummus, beets and basil, pickled red onions, jalapeno salsa, wasabi mayo, basil and shiso pesto, sweet soy, wasabi crunch, sweet and tangy crunch), and the Pacific Roll (chopped scallops, seared spam, sesame miso hummus, spicy seaweed, sweet and spicy sauce, wasabi crunch, sweet and tangy crunch), which breathe new life into classic bites like Spam.

Pacific Poke_The Main_spam

From Left: The Pacific Roll, The Musubi Roll, The Main Bowl (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Of course, we can’t forget to mention the poké bowls themselves. Made with your choice of rice, quinoa, or greens, these bowls have been created, tried, and tested to ensure all of the fresh, local, and OceanWise products can be tasted in every bite.

The Georgia bowl will be added to the list of options for poké bowls in the coming weeks (although it can be made into a roll as well). This offering combines chopped scallops, seared spam, sesame miso hummus, spicy seaweed, avocado nori, basil and shiso pesto, sweet and spicy sauce, herbs and sprouts, and wasabi crunch.

Other new morsels include the House Miso soup made with white miso and organic tofu, and a rotating seasonal beverage such as the Mango Mint Yuzu Iced Tea.

Pacific Poke_The Main

The Main Bowl (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Pacific Poké has already made its mark on the Vancouver poké scene with its thoughtful and unique flavour combos.

Staple menu items such as the Main Street bowl (sockeye salmon, spicy ahi tuna, crab and shrimp, jicama and cucumber, organic seaweed salad, avocado nori, sesame miso dressing, citrus mayo, herbs and sprouts, wasabi crunch) and the Coco Panda – a perfect beverage for those who aren’t 100% into bubble tea but still want something slightly sweet and refreshing. This drink is a combinatino of coconut milk, pandan leaf, and young coconut juice.

Pacific Poke_Coco Panda

Coco Panda (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

The owners plan to take Pacific Poké beyond Vancouver, as they are currently in talks to establish a Calgary location.

Pacific Poké

Address: 625 Main Street, Vancouver
Address: UBC Computer Science Building – 2366 Main Mall, Vancouver

Instagram: @pacificpokeofficial

Hanna McLeanHanna McLean

+ Dished
+ Restaurants & Bars
ADVERTISEMENT