All killer no filler bowls of poke in new Telok Ayer joint Pololi

COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Of late, Singaporeans are suddenly getting woke in the aspect of eating Ahi Poke, the Hawaiian staple that’s basically a raw fish salad with thick chunks of uncooked tuna and salmon seasoned generously with sauce mix and an assortment of garnishes.

Despite that unconvincing description of what Ahi Poke is, it’s actually really good. Think of it as a bowl of chirashi don without all the rice, omelette, vegetables and auxiliary ingredients. At its basest form, poke is just your basic bowl of raw fish, and damn bruv, it’s a refreshingly solid meal on its own.

While some poke joints have already introduced the Hawaiian delicacy into the mainstream palate, none have really focused on pure bowls filled to the brim with chunks of fish — most of the time they’re half killer, half filler. Not quite enough fish for our liking to be called an authentic poke.

That is, until now. Asia’s first poke chain Pololi just opened its doors last Friday to spread the gospel of fresh marinated tuna chunks. Surfing over to our shores from its Hong Kong home grounds, the takeaway joint is known for its regularly rotating catalogue of poke flavours that fuse traditional Polynesian and Japanese sauces.

Photo: Pololi

The outpost here in the CBD is no different. Made fresh every day and served chill, Pololi’s version of ahi poke comes packed with protein and a generous serving of cubed fish that’s been marinated in signature flavours like Traditional Spicy, Thai Sweet Chili, Wasabi Mayo and even Sambal.

Each flavor (rotated daily from a repertoire of over 20 kinds) doesn’t differ in price — you only need to consider if you want to eat big with the Da Kama’aina poke bowl (180g at $17.99) or have a smaller serving with the Da Keiki poke bowl (150g at $15.99). Each serving comes with a base of white rice, brown rice or salad.

Da Kama’aina poke bowl with the double flavour combo. Photo: Pololi

Other Hawaiian treats include the likes of spam musubi, tropical granita and beer from Hawaii’s own microbrewers Kona Brewing Co. So it’s a full Hawaiian experience in the middle of the city.

Pololi poke bowls among Kona beers. Photo: Pololi
Spam musubi — your new guilty indulgence. Photo: Pololi

“Singapore seemed like the natural location for Pololi to expand & grow into,” enthuses Pololi founder and chef-preneur Steph Kudus. “For me, it is like coming home. Even though we have roots in Hong Kong, I grew up on this Little Red Dot, have family here & have been inspired by the cuisine of this island,” she says, assuring that many of the flavours will taste familiar to Singaporeans.

Pololi is at 51 Telok Ayer Street, 6909-0589. Mon-Fri 11.30am-10pm, Sat 11.30pm-9pm.



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on