Dashi-Braised Poke Pockets

Customers who can’t get enough of the new, umami-rich Poke Bombs at fast-casual Pokeworks can thank the potency of childhood memories for this craveable snack. “I’ve always loved inari, a tofu wrap stuffed with sushi. I’d eat a ton of it at my parents’ Japanese restaurant growing up,” recounts Mike Wu, co-founder and head of culinary. “I kept thinking about how much flavor that sweet, dashi-braised tofu pocket had on its own. It’s not just a wrapper. It’s seasoned, textural and carries umami before you add anything to it. Could we take this simple snack I grew up with and turn it into the perfect vessel for our poke?” After some experimentation in the test kitchen, Wu and his team had their answer: Most definitely yes.

Poke Bombs are bite-sized inari tofu pockets filled with fresh poke and rice, finished with a sweet-savory soy glaze, sesame seeds and bright garnishes. Four poke varieties deliver distinct flavor profiles: Ahi Tuna; Fresh Salmon; California, with avocado and surimi; and Dynamite Lobster. “Each two-piece order delivers a rich, umami-forward bite guests can enjoy anywhere,” says Wu.

Poke Bombs unlocked a new service occasion for the brand. Bowls are the foundation of the menu. “But they’re a sit-down, fork-or-chopsticks-required, 12-minute commitment,” Wu admits. “There are occasions like the afternoon pick-me-up or the quick bite between meetings that the bowl just can’t reach. Poke Bombs go where the bowls can’t.”

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