Mahalo Poké

The Verdict

It's back, baby. The team behind south-east Asian haven Botherambo have re-opened their barbie-pink poke bar on Swan Street!. Mahalo Poké has been one of the stalwarts of Melbourne’s booming poke scene, serving takeaway-style Hawaiian-Japanese. It hibernated over winter (poke bowls don't go so well when it's 6 degrees outside), but it's gearing up for another big summer season. 

Breakfast will never be boring again with togarashi, jalapeno tomato salsa and avocado topped sourdough—feta and avo is so 2016. Vibrant, fresh Breakfast Poké served with a poached egg, raw Atlantic salmon, broccolini, kale, flaked raw almonds and Furikake is a delectable morning solution if you’re still in summer #fitspo mode.

For lunch, a bright, flavour-packed selection of Poke bowls means you’ll be poking your friend for a taste, regardless of your order. Four bases of kale (pshh), brown rice, jasmine rice or soba noodles are available, along with DIY poke bowls if you’re particular about what makes it onto your chopstick. We’re partial towards the crispy soft shell crab with corn, kimchi, ka’ukama, red onion, carrot and jalapeno Sriracha cream.

Burgers on Hawaiian sweet buns, Japanese-inspired fries (expect all the kimchi) and a range of smoothies are also served in this summery, pink and white corner venue. It’s pok-ing awesome. 

Image credit: Jess Prince