Just Poké Richmond - New Poke Spot in Oval District [Review]

As a poke lover, I enjoy trying out different poke eateries and this time I visited the newly opened Just Poké located in Richmond‘s Olympic Oval District. They are a Seattle-based poke chain with numerous locations in Washington and they have now expanded to Metro Vancouver.

Just Poké believes in environmentally responsible operations and they source line-caught-by-hand tuna and Marine Stewardship Council certified salmon, with all packaging and silverware biodegradable or compostable.

They offer bowls in regular ($18.99) and large ($21.99) in signature or build-your-own-bowl options.

They have more premium options than a typical poke spot. For sauces, they have Gluten-Free House Shoyu; Truffle Garlic Aioli; Eel Sauce; Wasabi Shoyu and more. They offer Organic Zucchini Noodles (add-on $1) and Torched Eel or Shrimp Tempura ($2.50 each). Their Torched Bowls (starting at $19.99) are more premium offerings and include Shrimp Tempura with Torched Crab Bowl; Torched Mentaiko Salmon Bowl; and Torched Eel Donburi Bowl.

I went for a regular Rainbow Roll Bowl which had Ahi Tuna, Salmon, Cucumber, Citrus Ponzu, Crab Salad, Masago, Pickled Ginger, and Sesame Seeds.

They weigh the protein instead of scoops. From my point of view as a customer, it seems a bit too technical for me watch them weigh just that bit of poke for a casual poke bowl. They don’t actually mention on the menu how many grams it’s supposed to be either. I kind of just prefer “scoops” and the need to be that precise seems a little overkill considering how little poke there is anyhow.

The poke was delicious and was of perfect temperature and texture. This particular bowl that I got wasn’t very sauce heavy and the clean taste of the ingredients shined through. However, the bowl came out to be $21.27 and the bowl wasn’t very heavy. I think other poke eateries in Metro Vancouver offer much better value but perhaps not as clean tasting and environmentally sustainable as Just Poké’s offerings. The presentation of the bowl with a lot of the rice showing on the bottom and the rest of the ingredients just sitting on top could be better.