LA meets South Whitehall
As spring’s temperatures rise, so does the selection of locally grown goods. Some of my favorite warm weather finds include peaches from Bechdolt Orchards in Lower Saucon Township, strawberries from Trauger’s Farm Market in Kintnersville and sweet corn from Newhard Farms Corn Shed in North Whitehall Township.
At South Whitehall Township’s newest fast-casual restaurant, Poke
Kai, a bounty of farm-fresh produce is used in making various poke (pronounced POH-keh) bowls.
The dishes, which originated in Hawaii, consist of a base of lettuce, spinach, spring mix or brown or white rice topped with diced raw fish or other protein (crab meat, shrimp, tofu, grilled chicken or steak), mix-ins such as jalapeno peppers and mangoes, a sauce such as ponzu or ginger dressing and toppings such as crispy garlic and scallions.
Customers can create their own bowl for $8.95 or opt for a signature combination, $8.95$12.95, such as the House Special Poke (tuna, salmon, shrimp, cucumber, edamame, seaweed salad, tobiko, ginger and fried onion with spicy mayo and eel sauce).
“I’ve done a lot of traveling in California, where poke restaurants are all over the place, and it really made me want to open a similar restaurant here in the Lehigh Valley,” owner Hui Lin said.
The 40-seat eatery, which opened April 21 at 3337 Hamilton Blvd. in the Dorneyville Shopping Center, also specializes in bubble and fresh fruit teas.
Bubble tea, $3.65 for a medium cup, is a Taiwanese-born beverage featuring a tea base with added milk and/or fruit flavoring and small gelatinous
balls such as lychee jelly or tapioca pearls. At Poke Kai, customers can choose from eight flavors, including coconut, honeydew and taro.
Other menu highlights include crab rangoon, chicken wings and vegetable dumplings.
“Everything is super fresh and made to order,” said Lin, who also helps his family operate the longstanding Asian Bistros restaurant in Upper Macungie Township.
Poke Kai, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, supplements a handful of other Lehigh Valley poke spots, including Hawaii Poke Bowl in Forks Township, Playa Bowls in south Bethlehem and Yaro Poke Bowl & Hand Rolled Ice Cream in Upper Macungie Township. Info: 610351-2222.