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Published on March 01, 2024
11+ Best Chicago Poke Restaurants to Get Fresh Poke Bowls in 2024

Chicago, a city renowned for its culinary diversity, has embraced the Hawaiian poke trend with open arms, and it's not hard to see why - it's the perfect antidote to those icy Windy City winters, offering a vibrant burst of tropical flavor that transports you straight to the sun-soaked shores of the Aloha State. With the city's top-notch seafood scene, it's no surprise that poke, a dish traditionally featuring raw, marinated fish tossed with an array of fresh, crunchy toppings, has found a home here. In this listicle, we'll be diving into the 11 Best Poke spots in Chicago, each one a testament to the city's ability to take a dish from far-flung shores and make it their own, with innovative twists and turns that'll have you hooked (pun intended) and, in true Chicago style, there's a poke spot for every budget, every craving, and every corner of the city.

 

Mammoth Poke


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#1 of 11 Best Poke in Chicago
☆☆☆☆☆

Mammoth Poke, a popular dining spot, has carved out a niche for itself with its customizable poke bowls. The build-your-own style allows patrons to choose from a variety of fresh ingredients, including spicy salmon, succulent shrimp, and marinated tofu. The ability to add unlimited toppings to your bowl is a highlight, with a few premium options available for a reasonable price. Mammoth Poke's sushi burritos, though reportedly heavy on the rice, are another interesting offering. The steamed dumplings, on the other hand, have garnered high praise and are a must-try. However, the poke bowls truly steal the show, with the three-scoop protein option being a favorite. The bowls are generously filled with fresh seafood, vibrant veggies, and are complemented by a choice of house-made sauces. The Hawaiian poke sauce and lemon miso combo, though a bit on the saucy side, are a hit. The freshness of the ingredients and the speed of service are standout features, making it a go-to spot for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal. The outdoor seating adds to the appeal, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal on a pleasant day. The cuisine style here is distinctly Hawaiian, and the poke bowls are a testament to this. Despite being located in Chicago, Mammoth Poke manages to bring a slice of the Pacific to your plate. The only downside seems to be the size of their protein scoops, which some find to be on the smaller side. But, with the option to upgrade to a five-scoop bowl, this is a minor issue.

2035 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

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En Hakkore


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#2 of 11 Top Chicago Poke Restaurants
☆☆☆☆☆

En Hakkore sets itself apart with its unique sushi tacos, sushi burritos, and poke bowls. Situated in the heart of Chicago, this restaurant has made a name for itself with its distinctive fusion of flavors and textures. What makes it stand out from the competition is its commitment to freshness and quality, with patrons frequently complimenting the freshness of the fish, the flavorful sauces, and the well-balanced mix of ingredients. The sushi tacos, for instance, are a delight with their crispy fried nori shells and well-marinated fillings. The poke bowls, too, are a sight to behold with their generous portions and colorful array of vegetables. The kimchi fries are another crowd favorite, known for their addictive flavor. However, it's not just the food that's commendable, the service is quick, friendly, and efficient, making it a perfect spot for a casual dine-in experience. One thing to keep in mind when considering En Hakkore is that while the sushi burritos are delicious, they tend to be a bit challenging to eat due to the rice exterior, so you might want to opt for the poke bowls instead, which are considered a better deal in terms of portion size. But regardless of what you choose, you're sure to have a memorable dining experience.

1467 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States

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Pono Ono


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#3 of 11 Amazing Poke Bowls in Chicago
☆☆☆☆☆

Evanston's Pono Ono Poke is committed to freshness and quality, serving up a variety of poke bowls that are sure to satisfy poke aficionados and novices alike. The interior is adorned with lush greenery, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall dining experience. Patrons can expect to find a wide range of options, from the popular Spicy Tuna Bowl to the Vegetarian one, and even the option to customize their own bowls, allowing for a truly personalized experience. The seafood is noted to be fresh and the service is quick, making it a great spot for a casual meal. However, some reviews indicate that the rice can be a bit dry and the flavors may not hit the mark for everyone, so some might find it necessary to carefully select their sauces and toppings to fully enjoy their poke bowls. Despite these minor hiccups, Pono Ono Poke has managed to quickly become a beloved spot in the city, with many customers returning for more. It's a place where you can not only expect to get a good meal but also to thoroughly enjoy your dining experience.

1630 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

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Poke Poké


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#4 of 11 Delicious Chicago Poke Spots
☆☆☆☆☆

Poke Poké offers an array of mouth-watering Poke bowls that are customizable to individual tastes, making it a unique spot for Poke lovers. The place is renowned for its fresh and flavorful ingredients, with the purple rice being a standout, despite its mysterious color. The bowls come in two sizes, regular and large, catering to varying appetites. However, some patrons have found the large bowl to not be as large as expected, indicating the need to carefully consider the size choice. The business does not shy away from offering a spicy kick to their bowls, a trait that spice enthusiasts are bound to appreciate. The venue's seating arrangement might be a bit tight, especially during peak hours, suggesting an off-peak visit might be more comfortable. The staff is known to be quick and efficient, ensuring a fast service. It's important to note that the venue offers a student discount, a feature that sets it apart from competitors. One of the unique offerings is the tempura crunch, which adds a delightful crunch to the bowls. However, the establishment's quality seems to have dipped over the years, according to some customers, so it's crucial to manage expectations. Despite this, the business remains a popular choice for its high-quality ingredients and friendly service, making it a worthy contender in the Poke scene.

118 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, United States

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Poke Burrito


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#5 of 11 Best Chicago Poke Restaurants
☆☆☆☆☆

Poke Burrito stands out in the crowded poke scene with its fresh, flavorful, and customizable offerings. This top-tier establishment offers a unique blend of Japanese and Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, making it a foodie's delight. The diverse menu, which includes a variety of protein choices such as tuna, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and chicken, caters to a wide range of dietary preferences. The option to create your own bowl or burrito allows customers to personalize their meal, a feature that sets it apart from competitors. However, the true highlight of the dining experience is the poke bowls and burritos, which are made with impressively fresh ingredients. The combination of textures and flavors, from the creamy avocado to the crunchy tempura flakes, creates a palate-pleasing adventure. While the food is commendable, the service could be a mixed bag, with some customers praising the quick preparation and others noting less than ideal experiences. To fully enjoy Poke Burrito, it might be best to carefully consider the timing of your visit and potentially avoid peak hours. Despite these minor hiccups, the overall value offered by Poke Burrito makes it a worthy contender in the poke scene. The solid prices for creating a bowl and the generous array of topping options add to its appeal.

4301 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

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Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill


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#6 of 11 Top Poke Places in Chicago
☆☆☆☆☆

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill, located at 1751 W Chicago Ave, stands out in the competitive world of sushi restaurants with its unique offerings and distinctive ambiance. The restaurant prides itself on its sushi artistry, using colorful sauces to create intricate designs on their specialty rolls, making the dining experience visually delightful. However, it's not just about aesthetics; Yuzu's menu is a testament to the quality of their offerings, featuring a variety of rolls, poke bowls, and robata grill items. Their poke bowl is a crowd favorite. The sushi rolls, while sometimes criticized for their size and lack of spice, are generally praised for their freshness and creativity. Patrons also commend the attentive staff and cool decor, which includes wooden anime designs. However, it's important to note that the restaurant can get quite busy, so making a reservation is highly recommended. Despite some mixed reviews, the overall consensus is that Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill offers a unique sushi dining experience that is worth checking out, but be prepared to pay premium prices for the experience. Also, they have a happy hour from 4-6:30 on weekdays, which is a great time to explore their menu.

1751 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

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Pokiology


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#7 of 11 Amazing Chicago Poke Spots
☆☆☆☆☆

Pokiology, a highly rated Poke joint, offers a unique dining experience that allows its patrons to fully customize their poke bowls. Standing out from its competitors, Pokiology's appeal lies in the freedom it gives its customers to create their own culinary masterpiece from an array of fresh and flavorful ingredients. From a variety of proteins like spicy tuna, salmon, and shrimp, to a plethora of toppings including seaweed salad, tempura crunch, and crab salad, the combinations are virtually endless. This freedom to customize, however, may be overwhelming for some, so first-time visitors might want to do a bit of research on the ingredients before they go. Pokiology is also known for its friendly and patient staff, who are always willing to guide customers through the ordering process. However, some customers have noted that the protein portions can be a bit sparse, and there have been a few complaints about the freshness of the fish. Despite these minor issues, Pokiology's commitment to providing a unique and personalized dining experience makes it a must-visit for poke lovers. Just remember, the restaurant's entrance is on Wilson, not Magnolia, and it's BYOB, so feel free to bring along your favorite beverage to complement your meal.

4600 N Magnolia Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

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Poke Gu


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#8 of 11 Delicious Poke in Chicago
☆☆☆☆☆

Poke Gu is known for its fresh ingredients and generous portions. The business offers a unique build-your-own-bowl option, allowing patrons to customize their meals with three or five scoops of protein. This flexibility in choice sets Poke Gu apart from its competitors, as customers can tailor their poke bowls to their exact preference, creating an individualized dining experience. However, it's important to keep in mind that some have found the sauces to be a bit heavy, suggesting a request for light sauce might be beneficial. Additionally, the restaurant has faced criticism for its pricing of certain premium toppings, which some customers perceive as a slight overcharge. Despite these minor issues, the overall quality of the food remains high, and the poke bowls are widely appreciated for their freshness and taste. Poke Gu also offers a selection of other dishes, such as shrimp shumai and ramen, but it seems to be the poke bowls that really shine and make the restaurant stand out. In the future, the restaurant could benefit from refining its ramen recipe, as some find it too salty, but the poke bowls are definitely worth trying. Poke Gu is located in Chicago, and it's clear that it has won over many locals with its quality offerings.

2931 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

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Sunda


Source:
#9 of 11 Best Poke Places in Chicago
☆☆☆☆☆

Sunda, an Asian fusion restaurant, serves up a unique dining experience that sets it apart from its competitors. Located in Chicago, this eatery offers an extensive menu that caters to a wide range of dietary preferences. The standout feature of Sunda is its ability to accommodate large groups, making it the perfect spot for company dinners or gatherings. The restaurant provides exceptional service, with staff members known for their enthusiasm and attentiveness. The Brussels sprouts are a crowd favorite, offering a surprising blend of flavors that delight the palate. The sushi is fresh and high-grade,  albeit with a high price tag. As for the poke, it's not necessarily the focus of this restaurant, but it's not to be forgotten, either. Those considering Sunda should keep in mind that the pricing is on the higher end, and the portion sizes may not align with the cost. Despite this, the overall experience at Sunda is deemed to be worth the visit.

110 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654

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Poke Okie


Source:
#10 of 11 Top Chicago Poke Spots
☆☆☆☆☆

Poke Okie, located in the heart of Chicago, is a standout dining establishment that has quickly become a favorite among the locals for its fresh and delicious poke bowls. What sets this place apart from the competition is its Chipotle-style 'make your own poke' concept, which allows customers to customize their poke bowls with a variety of options such as salmon, tofu, shrimp, and a plethora of veggies and sauces. Not only that, they also offer signature poke bowls like roasted duck and teriyaki mushroom, adding an innovative twist to the traditional poke offerings. The freshness and quality of their ingredients are consistently praised, ensuring a satisfying meal every time. However, it's not just the food that makes this place special, the service is also excellent, and the staff is known to guide customers through the menu and process, ensuring a seamless dining experience. The interior is light and airy, creating a tropical ambiance that enhances the overall dining experience. However, while the majority of the reviews are positive, some customers have reported inconsistencies with their orders, particularly with the number of protein scoops, so this is something to keep in mind when placing an order. Despite this, Poke Okie's commitment to quality and innovation makes it a worthy contender in the competitive poke scene.

2945 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, United States

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Aloha Poke Co


Source:
#11 of 11 Amazing Poke in Chicago
☆☆☆☆☆

Aloha Poke Co. is a standout in the world of Poke cuisine, making a name for itself with its efficient service and customizable menu. This eatery offers a Create Your Own Bowl (CYOB) feature, allowing customers to double up on proteins for the price of one, an option that sets it apart from competitors. This includes a variety of proteins to choose from, such as naked/marinated Tuna, Tofu, Salmon, Chicken, and Shrimp, alongside unlimited veggies and a selection of sauces. The seafood is always fresh, as are their vegetables, and the simplicity of their bowls has been praised. However, those considering Aloha Poke Co. should be aware that some have found their tuna to be of lesser quality, and their miso soup has been described as tasting like hot water. Despite these criticisms, many customers find the quality and value of their meals to be worth it, with a meal costing between $10-13, a steal considering the quality and quantity of food you receive. The restaurant also offers a rewards system, further enhancing its appeal. However, the location is takeout only and it's recommended to order online during peak times. Overall, Aloha Poke Co. offers a unique dining experience with its customizable menu and efficient service, making it a worthy choice for Poke lovers.

131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States

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