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The Rapid Expansion of Poke in the Bay Area, Mapped

Raw fish served here, there, and everywhere

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In the Bay Area, the poke trend has become a thing, spawning many new fast casual poke bars and appearance of the fish dish on various menus. Originally from Hawaii, the dish is classically comprised of raw fish with a variety of mix-ins, toppings, and sauces. According to Eater National, it's the next big fast casual push nationwide, though San Francisco's strong connections to Hawaii make it particularly apropos in this city. Plus, it's light and healthy (depending whether you go for the spicy mayo), and plays into SF's love of sushi.

Here are 15 places to indulge in a hamachi, albacore, ahi, octopus, or whatever floats your boat. Try mix-ins like pineapple, wasabi, ginger, nori, avocado, jalapeño or even strawberries, tossed with sauces like ponzu, spicy mayo, sesame shoyu, and more.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments.

Note: map points are listed alphabetically, not ranked.

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#POKI (Hashtag POKI)

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In the former Mokka Cafe space has arisen a raw fish palace, including selections like tako and wakame salad. Order a mini, regular, or large size with varying amounts of fresh fish; unagi and sashimi specialty bowls also available.

Ellen Fort

Ahipoki

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The Southern California-based poke chain has opened its first location on Polk Street, serving bowls of raw fish to the masses. Like those that come before it, the standard options include protein options like tuna, salmon, and albacore, plus kimchi shrimp, atop salad or rice.

Ahipoki/Facebook

Basa Seafood Express

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A hidden gem in the Mission, Basa offers inexpensive boxes of no-frills, raw fish. For $9.99, grab a box of spicy salmon, rice, and seaweed with choice of coke or water.

Big Fish Little Fish

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The newest addition to the poke scene is embedded in the outdoor plaza of the Rincon Center. It stands out from neighboring Eatsa and Organic Coup with glistening bowls of fish that is served in a bowl, or in a "pokerrito," a seaweed-wrapped tube of fish, shrimp, sukiyaki beef, or another protein. Order one of the involved-looking signature bowls, or create your own.

Big Fish Little Fish/Facebook

Blue Hawaii Açaí Café

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The Financial District seems to be ground zero for San Francisco poke, and Blue Hawaii Acai Cafe has been serving it up for a few years now, counter-service style, at Two Embarcadero Center, in addition to acai bowls.

Bowl'd Acai

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Roving food truck Bowl d'Acai has added poke bowls to its offerings, giving 622 Sacramento St. and 14 Mint Plaza another raw fish option Thursday through Monday.

I'a Poke

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This counter-service spot lets you choose from signature bowls, or design your own poke bowls and sushi burritos. It's open seven days a week for raw fish feasting; hours vary.

Limu & Shoyu

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Limu & Shoyu offers pre-determined options, or the ability to make your own for a $13 large bowl. They've got an eye on sustainability, and an additional menu of onigiri with fillings like spicy tuna and bean curd.

Ohana Poke Bar

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Choose proteins like hamachi and albacore, and mix-ins that include strawberry and mango at this Financial District poke place. It's fresh, and filled with worker bees hungry for the bounty of the sea.

Poke Bowl

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Choose from 13 different protein options — including eel and scallop — at Poke Bowl. It's open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. It also has a rather extensive crepe dessert menu, which follows raw fish quite nicely.

Poke Delish

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Within the multi-vendor food hall The Myriad is Poke Delish, a standard poke bar with fish and mix-in options. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Pokeganda

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Located within a shaved-ice store called Vampire Penguin on Telegraph, Pokeganda just opened serving standard poke bowls for $11.95 alongside teas, and icy desserts. No word on why a militant fish is the mascot.

Poki Time

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Grab a bowl topped with yellowtail, tuna, or crabmeat, and spicy Seoul sauce. It’s open daily from 11 a.m to 9 p.m. There's a second location on Lombard, occupying the former Taco Bell/KFC space.

Poké Bar

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Located in the base of The Market on Market (aka the Twitter building), Poké Bar has the standard choose-your-own-adventure poke menu. Standout mix-ins include pineapple and crabmeat. Also check out other locations in Mountain View and San Jose (opening soon).

Sammy's Aloha

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Cruise down to the Embarcadero at Pier 33 for a bowl of ahi tuna poke with all the trimmings, including the option of a poached egg. If poke's not your thing (then immediately stop reading this map), grab a Hawaiian-flavored sandwich or rice bowl instead.

#POKI (Hashtag POKI)

In the former Mokka Cafe space has arisen a raw fish palace, including selections like tako and wakame salad. Order a mini, regular, or large size with varying amounts of fresh fish; unagi and sashimi specialty bowls also available.

Ellen Fort

Ahipoki

The Southern California-based poke chain has opened its first location on Polk Street, serving bowls of raw fish to the masses. Like those that come before it, the standard options include protein options like tuna, salmon, and albacore, plus kimchi shrimp, atop salad or rice.

Ahipoki/Facebook

Basa Seafood Express

A hidden gem in the Mission, Basa offers inexpensive boxes of no-frills, raw fish. For $9.99, grab a box of spicy salmon, rice, and seaweed with choice of coke or water.

Big Fish Little Fish

The newest addition to the poke scene is embedded in the outdoor plaza of the Rincon Center. It stands out from neighboring Eatsa and Organic Coup with glistening bowls of fish that is served in a bowl, or in a "pokerrito," a seaweed-wrapped tube of fish, shrimp, sukiyaki beef, or another protein. Order one of the involved-looking signature bowls, or create your own.

Big Fish Little Fish/Facebook

Blue Hawaii Açaí Café

The Financial District seems to be ground zero for San Francisco poke, and Blue Hawaii Acai Cafe has been serving it up for a few years now, counter-service style, at Two Embarcadero Center, in addition to acai bowls.

Bowl'd Acai

Roving food truck Bowl d'Acai has added poke bowls to its offerings, giving 622 Sacramento St. and 14 Mint Plaza another raw fish option Thursday through Monday.

I'a Poke

This counter-service spot lets you choose from signature bowls, or design your own poke bowls and sushi burritos. It's open seven days a week for raw fish feasting; hours vary.

Limu & Shoyu

Limu & Shoyu offers pre-determined options, or the ability to make your own for a $13 large bowl. They've got an eye on sustainability, and an additional menu of onigiri with fillings like spicy tuna and bean curd.

Ohana Poke Bar

Choose proteins like hamachi and albacore, and mix-ins that include strawberry and mango at this Financial District poke place. It's fresh, and filled with worker bees hungry for the bounty of the sea.

Poke Bowl

Choose from 13 different protein options — including eel and scallop — at Poke Bowl. It's open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. It also has a rather extensive crepe dessert menu, which follows raw fish quite nicely.

Poke Delish

Within the multi-vendor food hall The Myriad is Poke Delish, a standard poke bar with fish and mix-in options. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Pokeganda

Located within a shaved-ice store called Vampire Penguin on Telegraph, Pokeganda just opened serving standard poke bowls for $11.95 alongside teas, and icy desserts. No word on why a militant fish is the mascot.

Poki Time

Grab a bowl topped with yellowtail, tuna, or crabmeat, and spicy Seoul sauce. It’s open daily from 11 a.m to 9 p.m. There's a second location on Lombard, occupying the former Taco Bell/KFC space.

Poké Bar

Located in the base of The Market on Market (aka the Twitter building), Poké Bar has the standard choose-your-own-adventure poke menu. Standout mix-ins include pineapple and crabmeat. Also check out other locations in Mountain View and San Jose (opening soon).

Sammy's Aloha

Cruise down to the Embarcadero at Pier 33 for a bowl of ahi tuna poke with all the trimmings, including the option of a poached egg. If poke's not your thing (then immediately stop reading this map), grab a Hawaiian-flavored sandwich or rice bowl instead.

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