Summer is the season of Poke in my opinion because you don’t want to eat anything too hot but need it to be filling and refreshing. Grayson and I usually get our poke to-go so we can enjoy it on the beach or at a park but this time around we decided to dine-in because….we literally couldn’t close the lids on our Steve’s Poké bowls!
Grayson and I haven’t been to many poke spots around the metro Vancouver area so we are trying to branch out this summer. We came across Steve’s Poke bar and decided to try it out since they had a free sample sign outside. I mean, who doesn’t love free samples?
Steve’s Poké toppings
Once we got into the store, we were given a sample of each of their protein items. They had 3 marinated choices and 3 spicy choices. They offer a soy marinated and spicy marinated version of the tuna and salmon but only offer the scallops spicy. The spicy versions weren’t too spicy but you definitely felt a bit of heat with it. I liked how they kept the scallops whole instead of chopping them up because this way you can taste how fresh they are.
After you choose your proteins, you get to select from a variety of toppings. They have mango, tobiko, massago and tofu as premium toppings. This means you have to pay a bit more to get them added on if you want. We didn’t go with them just because there we were happy with the toppings provided already.
There were cucumbers, imitation crab, corn, wakame seaweed salad, edamame, green onion, white onion, purple onion, kimchi, pickled ginger, pineapple, fried garlic, fried onion and dried seaweed. Yeah there was a lot to choose from!
Once your bowl is ready, you go to the end where you can add your choice of sauces to your bowl. They didn’t have as many selections as other poke spots but they did have the basics (sesame oil, ponzu sauce, soy sauce, spicy mayo, siracha).
Regular poke bowl
I opted for the regular size bowl with a quinoa and salad base. I liked how they gave you the option of having a mixed base here. Typically the regular size bowl is served in a cup but I think they thought I was going to go with a large size so they ended up giving me this type of bowl instead.
I didn’t complain because I find that these bowls made it easier to eat out of than a cup. I mean I wouldn’t know how to mix everything together in a cup container would you? Anyway, I added some ponzu sauce to the top of mine and then carefully mixed everything together before eating it. I was definitely more than full by the end of it even though I only got one scoop of protein on it.
Large poke bowl
Grayson was also happy with his poke bowl. Usually when we go for poke he complains about how the portions are on the small size even if he gets the large because all they really do is add an extra scoop of protein and call it a large. Here, it was different because even though the large size had extra protein, they also allow you to “tell them when to stop” when they add the toppings so it really is unlimited!
He ended up getting extras of all the toppings he wanted so his bowl ended up pretty heaped by the end of it. I really like how they let you add more toppings here if you want because usually they don’t let you do that even though they say the toppings are unlimited. All in all, we had a great experience at Steve’s poke bar and we will be back!
Quick bites
- Big portions due to unlimited toppings
- Not a lot of choices for sauces
- Try before you buy aka, free samples