Poke is a Hawaiian dish that consists of cubed, marinated fish served on top of either rice or veggies with a delicious sauce. It's becoming quite common across the United States with poke restaurants popping up in many cities. One of the best things about poke is how easy it is to customize. Most shops allow you to choose everything from your base and your fish to your toppings and sauces. While this variety is nice, it may leave you a little uncertain as you prepare to order poke for the first time. Here are some tips to help you order poke like a pro and create a bowl that's truly enjoyable.

Tip #1: Choose rice as a base.

Most poke places allow you to choose either salad or rice as a base. Rice is almost always the better choice. A good layer of rice in the base of the bowl will provide some carbohydrates and make your bowl more balanced and filling. You can add some of your favorite veggies to the bowl, too, so you won't be deprived of nutrition if you choose rice as a base. The rice used in poke bowls is often jasmine rice, which has a lovely, herbal scent that really balances out the flavors in your bowl.

Tip #2: Go with ahi tuna.

Many poke restaurants now offer salmon and yellowtail as options in their poke bowls. However, ahi tuna is the traditional fish option used in authentic Hawaiian poke. It's simply the best suited to this use. Ahi tuna is firm enough that it does not fall apart in the bowl. It grabs onto sauce and flavor well, and its mild flavor pairs well with most sauces and flavorings you're likely to choose for your dishes.

Tip #3: Choose a variety of toppings.

When choosing your veggies and sauces, try to choose ones with a variety of flavors. For example, you will want to pick at least one pickled topping, such as cucumbers or pickled onions. Choose something salty, like seaweed or roe, and something sweet, such as mango or pineapple. This blend of flavors is one of the big things that makes poke bowls so appealing, so play with your flavors in a balanced way.

If you follow the tips above, you're sure to end up with a delicious poke bowl. Find a combination you like, and then play with the ingredients and make small changes with subsequent orders.

To learn more, contact a restaurant that serves poke bowls.