The Ninja Bowl (regular $10.95 and large size $12.95) is packed with salmon, edamame, green onions, wasabi peas, and spicy mayo, but beware the size of the bowl. Photo by: Diana Duong
The Poké Bowl is the latest food trend hitting Toronto’s local foodies and it has nothing to do with the exceptionally popular mobile game.
Traditionally a Hawaiian dish, the Poké bowl is made with bite-sized pieces of raw fish accompanied by a variety of vegetables on top of a bed of sushi or brown rice. The dish is heavily inspired by sushi minus the seaweed wrapping that often accompanies rolls like futomaki.
One of the only places to try out this new trend in Toronto is at Big Tuna Poké Bar down on Bloor Street West.
The small restaurant is nicely lit with a number of bars where patrons can sit. In Toronto’s sweltering heat, a little bit of air conditioning would have been nice, but if you can get a seat close to the drinks fridge you’ll be all right.
There are a number of offerings available to patrons on Big Tuna’s menu including the Ninja Bowl, the Big Katuna (a bowl made with raw tuna, sweet onions, macadamia nuts, and an amazing ponzu sauce), El Guapo, and the Green Ranger.
You can also make your own bowl with the same variety of ingredients available in the other dishes. The amount of ingredients will be relatively the same as the regular menu items.
However, for what you pay, the bowls are relatively small. The regular bowl is about the size of your palm while the large bowl is about the size of your hand. Much like eating a roll of sushi, these bowls will fill you up rather quickly, but the cost might make you think twice about going back.
A regular bowl plus a large bowl and a bottle of water came out to $32.20, which is a steep price to pay to try out the latest food trend to reach Toronto.
Despite the cost, it may be worth your while to try out this new food trend if you’re feeling a little sushi fatigue.