Hawaiian-style marinated raw tuna over sushi rice with fresh toppings
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2
2 bowls
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Premium
$$$
Hawaiian-style marinated raw tuna over sushi rice with fresh toppings
Cubes of sushi-grade ahi tuna tossed in a sesame soy marinade, served over warm sushi rice with avocado, cucumber, edamame, and pickled ginger.
20m
Prep Time
20m
Cook Time
40m
Total Time
2
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Premium $$$
Cost
(Updated )
Poke bowls have taken the world by storm, and for good reason. At their core, they celebrate the pure, clean flavor of fresh fish with simple but perfectly balanced accompaniments. This ahi tuna version stays true to the Hawaiian roots of poke while incorporating the customizable bowl format that makes it such a hit.
The key is starting with the freshest sushi-grade tuna you can find and a marinade that enhances rather than masks the fish. Sesame oil, soy sauce, and a touch of rice vinegar create a savory-nutty dressing that coats each ruby-red cube beautifully. Pile it over seasoned sushi rice and top with creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and whatever else your heart desires for a meal that is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Cook sushi rice according to package directions. Season with rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar while still warm. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Add the cubed tuna and toss gently to coat. Marinate for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
Divide warm sushi rice between two bowls.
Arrange marinated tuna, sliced avocado, diced cucumber, and edamame in sections on top of the rice.
Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced scallions, pickled ginger, and nori strips.
Drizzle any remaining marinade from the bowl over the top and serve immediately.
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Salmon poke is equally delicious with a richer, fattier flavor
Either makes a nutritious base with a nuttier flavor
Tamari is gluten-free while coconut aminos is lower in sodium
Always buy sushi-grade or sashimi-grade tuna from a trusted fishmonger. This designation means the fish has been frozen to kill parasites and is safe to eat raw.
Cut the tuna with a sharp knife in clean, decisive strokes — sawing will crush the delicate flesh.
Prepare all toppings before cutting the tuna so the fish stays cold and fresh.
A drizzle of sriracha mayo adds a creamy, spicy element if you want extra punch.
Poke bowls are best eaten immediately. Raw tuna should be consumed within a few hours of cutting. Leftover rice and toppings can be refrigerated separately for 1 day.
This is a no-cook dish best served fresh. Do not reheat the raw tuna. Leftover rice can be reheated and repurposed for a different meal.
Per serving (1 bowl) · 2 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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