The 28th of September is International Poke Day, and we are preparing for the Hawaiian manner of doing things by eating poke. In Hawaiian slang, poke is referred to as a ‘chop.’ The dish is prepared with raw fish slices, sea salt, candlenuts, seaweed, and a dark green marine plant known as limu. Similar to sushi, poke is consumed raw, but it is seasoned with a variety of seasonings. It is a popular snack in Hawaii and should join the Acai bowls on the popular bandwagon as quickly as possible. Did you know that poke has only been consumed in Hawaii since the 1970s, and is only now infiltrating the continental United States?
The background of International Poke Day
Poke was incorporated into Hawaiian culture in the spirit of Aloha. Aloha is the Hawaiian word for greeting, and the dish is prepared as a snack to welcome visitors. Previously, the raw fish used to create poke was primarily ‘aku’ or octopus, but nowadays, poke is made with salmon and shellfish as well. There are regional variations in the ingredients used in poke, which is considered a comfort cuisine. When salmon was first exported to nations such as Japan, it was exchanged for marine salt. In Japan and Korea, soy sauce, fish, eggs, and green scallions are used to prepare poke. After the migration of the Hawaiian population, the dish is extensively consumed in cosmopolitan cities such as New York, Tokyo, London, San Francisco, and Johannesburg. In one of New York’s restaurants, the poke dish receives nearly 600 orders per day.
Due to poke, the number of Hawaiian restaurants on Foursquare doubled between 2014 and 2016, from 300 to 700. In these restaurants, traditional and contemporary versions of poke are in high demand. International Poke Day is celebrated as any other holiday in Hawaii. Sam Choy, a well-known chef in Hawaii, begins the festivities with a three-day ‘I Love Poke’ competition. The contest is to determine who submits the finest poke recipe. Avocado, ponzu sauce, mushrooms, crispy onions, pineapple, and cucumber are distinct ingredients found in a few of the recipes.
Activities associated with International Poke Day
Participate in a poke tasting excursion at your preferred restaurant.
Today, there are nearly 100 varieties of poke; therefore, it is time to take your companions on a poke tasting tour. Take tastes from one another’s dishes and experiment with raw flavors.
Master your preferred poke recipe and post it on Instagram.
It is time to visit the farmer’s market, don a chef’s uniform, and begin preparing a nutritious and delicious bowl of poke. The colorful vessel is worthy of being featured on Instagram.
Go on an excursion for lunch
Today, hike your beloved mountain, set up camp, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Make sure poke is the primary course.
5 FACTS ABOUT POKE THAT WILL STUN YOU
The Hawaiian word ‘poke’ means ‘portion.’
Poke is not pronounced as you may believe; it rhymes with the word ‘okay.’
Poke is referred to as the next iteration of sushi because it is a deconstructed version of sushi.
This low-calorie, high-protein dish is one of the best methods to lose weight.
The majority of culinary requests worldwide are for poke bowls.
INTERNATIONAL POKE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | September 28 | Thursday |
2024 | September 28 | Saturday |
2025 | September 28 | Sunday |
2026 | September 28 | Monday |
2027 | September 28 | Tuesday |