5 purveyors of poke bowls in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

The Hawaiian-inspired poke bowl has finally surfaced in Malaysia – basically a rice bowl for sashimi and salad devotees; this might remind some customers of the chirashi mixed-fish bowls served at Japanese restaurants, but there are key differences – the type of rice, the way the fish is cut, the focus on solely one type of fish per bowl, and the accompaniments.

1. The Fish Bowl Poke Shop

The Fish Bowl represents the Klang Valley’s most full-hearted poke bowl initiative so far, paying admirable attention to freshness and flavour across a satisfyingly extensive stable of produce. Choose a base (brown rice, white rice or baby greens), then four predominantly vegetable-based sides (cucumber, carrots, onions, shallots, red radish, edamame, corn, cherry tomatoes, mango, pineapple, almonds or walnuts), followed by an ocean-sourced protein – multiple varieties of cubed marinated salmon (shoyu, kaffir lime or sriracha), tuna (shoyu, kaffir lime or shoyu chilli) and shrimp (garlic) – plus toppings (green onions, pickled ginger, wasabi, ebiko, chilli flakes, furikake, seaweed flakes, sesame seeds, fried garlic chips, fried shallots) and a sauce (mild or super-spicy sriracha, shoyu mix, garlic or lime aioli) as well as optional premium add-ons (salmon skin, avocado or poached egg).

Address: 77, Jalan PJS11/9, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Read review: The Fish Bowl Poke Shop at Bandar Sunway
Find: Contact details and map for The Fish Bowl Poke Shop

2. Eatomo Food Co

Fans of seafood medleys should check out Eatomo’s California Poke Bowl, a satisfyingly balanced combo of steamed rice blanketed with various sashimi, a tasty poke marinade, creamy guacamole, crab salad, masago and spicy mayo.

Address: 11-1-1 Jalan 3/109F, Taman Danau Desa 58100 WP Kuala Lumpur
Read Review: Eatomo Food Co at Taman Desa
Find: Contact details and map for Eatomo Food Co

3. Poke Bowl Rice

Warm steamed rice topped with cubed raw salmon and your choice of fresh veggies and sauces, such as broccoli, corn, carrots and cauliflower with togarashi, shoyu and sriracha, makes for sheer comfort food.

Address: Inside the Korea Wallpaper showroom, 2-1, Jalan Merbah 147170 Bandar Puchong Jaya, Selangor
Read Review: Poke Bowl Rice at Puchong
Find: Contact details and map for Poke Bowl Rice

4. Rubberduck

The cafe delighted its fans this year by announcing the arrival of aloha flavours in this poke bowl with salmon sashimi in a special marinade and cucumber sesame salad cushioned with white rice.

Address: Lot K-06 (Dorchester Service Apt.), Plaza Damas opposite Don’s Warong 50480 WP Kuala Lumpur
Read Review: Rubberduck at Plaza Damas: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for Rubberduck

5. The Poke Guys

The Poke Guys haven’t launched yet, but they’ve promised to set up online ordering facilities or a full-fledged store, potentially in Petaling Jaya or Subang, once they’re ready. Judging from their own photos of their temptations, they should be worth the wait.