International Poke Day

Poke is diced raw fish served either as an appetizer or a main course and is one of the main dishes of Native Hawaiian cuisine. Traditional forms are aku and heʻe (octopus). Heʻe poke is usually called by its Japanese name tako poke, except in places like the island of Niʻihau where the Hawaiian language is spoken. Increasingly popular ahi poke is made with yellowfin tuna. Adaptations may feature raw salmon or various shellfish as a main ingredient served raw with the common poke seasonings. Poke differs from other raw fish dishes like ceviche, kinilaw or umai in that it does not use citrus fruits as a curing agent.

This day is all about Poke, a dish native to Hawaiian cuisine consisting of raw fish with an arrangement of spices mixed in. Poke Was A Popular Fishman Snack. While the true origin of Poke still remains a big mystery, there is a popular belief among the locals that the fishermen of Hawaii first created this infused dish of raw fish with seasoned ingredients.

The fishermen had Poke as an evening snack after a tiring fishing day. They seasoned the fresh fish they captured, dice it and have a bowl full of goodness. A Hawaiian cuisine, poke began when fisherman would season the cut-offs from their catch and eat it as snack. That is also where poke gets its name, as poke is a Hawaiian word that means “to slice, or cut crosswise into pieces”.

However you pronounce it, one thing is certain: poke bowls are super delicious and super popular! They now even have their own holiday - International Poke Day celebrated on 28 September.