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    Home » Kids in the Kitchen

    Updated: Aug 5, 2024 · Published: May 18, 2019 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Kid-Friendly Poke Bowls

    Jump to Recipe

    The most popular bowl right now is POKE, (pronounced poh-kay), and my kids and I absolutely agree. Making kid-friendly poke bowls at home is fun, easy, & a money saver! Here are my tips & recipe ideas for the best DIY poke bowls no matter what your age is.

    My poke bowl from our local place with lots of spicy tuna and zucchini noodles

    Why this recipe for Homemade Poke Bowls is amazing: one word - customization! Buying, prepping, & building a poke bowl at home means it is exactly how you want it & includes everything you love.

    With a grandma that grew up on Maui, I was destined to fall in love with poke at a young age. My kids are the same but going out for it can be pricey especially for the whole family.

    We started making this at home as soon as the kids were tall enough to get on the step stool to spoon everything into their own bowls. We started with fake crab but now traditional raw marinated fish like ahi are their favorites.

    2 photos of ingredients on a table and kids at the counter making poke bowls with rice, veggies, & fake crab.

    This recipe is a kid-friendly version of my more traditional Hawaiian Salmon Poke Bowl. Both are fresh, flavorful, & have tropical vibes. Ok, now let's start building the best poke bowl ever!

    Ingredients for Poke Bowls

    There is no right or wrong ingredient it when it comes to making this at home. If you have been out to eat & ordered a poke bowl, you may already know what your favorites are.

    I recommend starting with the bases, sticky sushi rice or brown rice, lettuce or any salad mix, & other items. Then move onto the seafood items & finally the fun mix-ins, veggies, & toppings.

    TIP: if you have seafood allergies or want a substitute; try diced cooked chicken, leftover teriyaki flank steak, or shredded jackfruit for a vegan option.

    fixings ready to make a poke bowl

    Here are the ingredients needed to make kid-friendly poke rice bowls:

    • Rice - sticky white sushi rice, brown rice, or whatever your favorite is.
    • Salad Mix - mixed greens, hearty iceberg, or any fresh lettuce combination.
    • Imitation Crab - kanikama or surimi is a kid favorite - this mild & sweet fish substitute (typically pollock) for crab is popular in California rolls & is a great first seafood item for young kids.
    • Veggies - chopped items like tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, & carrots are kid-approves.
    • Avocado - the creamy healthy fat is a traditional item in most poke bowls.
    • Pickled Veggies - something sweet, sour, & salty is a great compliment to any fish.
    • Toppings - crunchy items like sesame seeds, chopped macadamia nuts, green onions, or fried onion strings are fun.
    • Sauce - soy sauce, sesame oil, teriyaki, unagi sauce, asian salad dressings, etc all are great.
    • Optional - wasabi, edamame, or tofu.
    • Spicy version - if anyone likes some heat, try my Spicy Salmon Poke.

    See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.

    Child and his to go poke bowl from the local place - shrimp, crab & mango madness

    How to Build Your Own Poke Bowls

    This may seem complicated but try me, it is so easy. If you can steam rice, you can make these. In less than 30 minutes you will be grabbing your chopsticks & digging in.

    Here are the easy steps for prepping & building layers:

    1. Make the Rice & Prep Items
    2. Add the Poke Bowl Base
    3. Top with Seafood & Veggies
    4. Add Sauce & Toppings

    See the recipe card for full instructions.

    1 - Make the Rice & Prep Items

    • Cook your rice to the instructions on your rice cooker or with the stovetop method you prefer.
    • While the rice is cooking, gather all the ingredients you will be using to make the poke bowls. If any proteins need to be cooked, do so at this time. Wash & dry your lettuce, veggies, etc.
    • Once the rice is done cooking, let it cool and come to room temperature. You do not want it to be hot nor do you want it to be cold.
    Poke Bowl ingredients on the table.

    2 - Add the Poke Bowl Base

    Once the rice is ready, scoop a cup into each individual bowl and add any salad greens you may be using as well.

    TOP TIP: Other yummy & fun items for the base (some low-carb & healthy) include:

    • Spiralized Zucchini Noodles
    • Cauliflower Rice
    • Quinoa
    Poke making madness with 3 kids at the counter scooping items.

    3 - Top with Seafood & Veggies

    • Add the proteins - seafood, imitation crab, etc.
    • Scoop on your favorite chopped veggies - tomatoes, corn, avocado etc.
    • Add pickled or spicy items like spicy asian cucumber salad or pickled julienne vegetables.

    4 - Add Sauce & Toppings

    • Drizzle on any sauces or dressing - sesame oil, soy sauce or gluten-free tamari, sweet & savory unagi sauce, or your favorite salad dressing.
    • Sprinkle on any crunchy toppings such as sesame seeds or chopped nuts.
    Landon showing off his bowl of poke

    Serving Suggestions

    Making everything bite-sized is key. Bowls that are big or small enough for each person's appetite is a must. Also, try using chop sticks - even a beginner can learn to use chopsticks with some practice.

    What to Serve with Poke Bowls : this recipe is great any time of year but we seem to crave them more in summer. Serving them with favorites like pickled burdock root, yamagobo, and finish the meal with some Homemade Mango Ice Cream. Tastes of Hawaii were never better!

    Poke salad bowl with imiatation crab, avocado, sesame seeds and veggie.

    Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes

    Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, funny stories or bloopers, and more.

    • #1 tip - get the kids involved in deciding what to serve, chopping, & making each bowl.
    • If you want raw seafood, ONLY buy sushi-grade fish & be 100% sure your butcher, fish store, or grocer has it labeled that way.
    • Try other proteins like cooked shrimp, octopus, salmon, teriyaki chicken, or tofu.
    • "POKE" is the Hawaiian term for "to slice or cut".
    • I am all for letting my kids to get creative & have fun but when one of them asked to add chopped hot dogs - I did have to play the mom card & over rule!
    • What is your favorite thing on a poke bowl?

    POKE BOWLS: KIDS LOVE TO MAKE AND EAT recipe image of a bowl ready to eat

    Kid-Friendly Poke Bowls (build your own)

    Angela
    This DIY at-home recipe for poke bowls is a fun and delicious idea. The kid-friendly ingredients will be sure to please the entire family. Mix it up with different proteins, vegetables, and more for a different poke bowl every time you make them.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Japanese
    Servings 2

    Equipment

    • rice cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Cups cooked white sticky rice cooled to room temperature
    • Salad / lettuce greens

    Choose any of the following to make your own custom Poke Bowls

    • Cooked Teriyaki Chicken
    • Cooked Shrimp
    • Cooked Octopus
    • Imitation Crab
    • Ahi Tuna plain or spicy
    • Tofu
    • edamame
    • pickled vegetables
    • corn
    • avocado
    • tomatoes
    • mango
    • green onions
    • sesame seeds
    • wasabi
    • sesame oil
    • soy sauce / Tamari
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Cook your rice to the instructions on your rice cooker or with the stovetop method you prefer.
    • While the rice is cooking, gather all the ingredients you will be using to make the poke bowls. If any proteins need to be cooked, do so at this time.
    • Once the rice is done cooking, let it cool and come to room temperature. You do not want it to be hot nor do you want it to be cold.
    • Once the rice is ready, scoop a cup into each individual bowl and add any salad greens you may be using as well.
    • Top with proteins, vegetables, fruits, and other toppings.
    • Drizzle with sesame oil, soy sauce, or other dressings you may like.

    Notes

    Enjoy all items while fresh. Some proteins & chopped veggies can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
    ** RAW sushi-grade marinated seafood is best enjoyed within 48 hours. 
    Keyword Asian, dinner, easy, kid-friendly, lunch, make ahead, seafood, vegetable
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Hawaiian Recipes

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    • AHI TUNA POKE NACHOS
    • GRILLED PINEAPPLE SUNDAES
    • MANGO PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIES
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Carrie says

      August 18, 2019 at 10:15 am

      I like this idea. We do sort of the same idea with either smoked salmon or shrimp, but I hadn't thought of using imitation crab. I bet my kids would like that one too! I'll try it for sure! Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Shavon says

      August 18, 2019 at 10:43 am

      I have not had a poke bowl yet, but I hear everyone talking about them. Now I need to try one in a restaurant AND make my own! This is such a wonderful idea to get kids involved in choosing what they want in their bowls, my girls would love this. They love anything that gives them independence in the kitchen. They are 10 and 11 so I'd have them help cook the rice and chop foods too, lol.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        August 18, 2019 at 4:39 pm

        Great plan and so glad you plan to get them all involved. I would love for you to share photos of your tasty fun poke adventures. If you remember and are on social media - tag me on FB or IG @theshortordercookblog.

        Reply
    3. Stacey Kyle says

      August 18, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      First of all, I love your writing style! It is like we are there with you. I watch a lot of cooking shows, and poke bowls are one of those ideas that sounds interesting. I haven't tried one yet, but this seems easy enough to try at home, even if I choose real crab. Thanks for sharing this one!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        August 18, 2019 at 4:38 pm

        Stacey, thank you for the wonderful compliment. It really means a lot. I have always loved cooking and having people over so I had hoped this blog would stretch that feeling of being connected through food would transpire to the readers. I couldn't be happier to read this - made my day! And do try the poke bowls, good stuff no matter what proteins and vegetables you use.

        Reply
    4. Anne says

      August 18, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      This recipe looks perfect for me to try! Thanks so much for sharing. A close friend of mine just gave me some crab meat and I wasn't sure wwhat to do with it until now!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        August 18, 2019 at 4:36 pm

        Sounds great, I need close friends with crab connections! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Josi says

      August 18, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      Wow! What a great idea. I love poke bowls and will defiinitely keep this in mind for when my kiddo is bigger!!

      Reply
    6. Natalie says

      August 18, 2019 at 6:48 pm

      This is such a good idea!!! It’s easy for me to get in the same meal ruts with my kids so I’m looking forward to trying this idea with them! While I have one that will eat shrimp, octopus, and pretty much anything, the other 2 will prefer the fake crab sticks! I’ve pinned it so I don’t forget!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        August 18, 2019 at 7:26 pm

        Great, thanks for pinning. I hope you all have a fun and delicious adventure with poke bowls!

        Reply
    7. Kendra says

      August 19, 2019 at 11:28 am

      What a great idea! And, not to mention YUMMY!

      Reply
    8. LaRena says

      February 04, 2020 at 4:32 pm

      What a great way to get kids to eat vegetables.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. As a former personal chef & caterer, I specialize in family recipes that taste great & are easy to make. I rely on my trusty stool every day to create & test recipes I know you will love.

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