+++ Advertisement: This post was created in cooperation with Poké Bay Munich. Thank you! +++

Poké Bay – Pacific Cuisine – Hawaiian Bowls in Schwabing – I recently visited Poké Bay, the second Hawaiian bowl restaurant in Munich, specifically in Schwabing. Just a while ago, I told you about a new bowl restaurant opening, and thankfully, it wasn't long before another one opened. Again Hawaiian, but – at least that was my first impression upon arrival – quite different. I was curious and now I want to tell you about it.

The Tropical Shrimp Bowl

What can you expect at Poké Bay?

Poké Bay is located on Leopoldstrasse, right in the heart of Schwabing, which is clearly an advantage in terms of accessibility. However, there's a slight drawback: The location itself is less than ideal, and in my opinion, the only minor downside, although it's very practical and understandable from a business perspective. Poké Bay is situated inside a building where, immediately upon entering, an escalator leads down to and up from the Rewe supermarket. This in itself isn't a problem and doesn't detract from the taste of the Poké Bay bowls, but it does make it difficult to create a cozy atmosphere or any ambiance at all that one would want to linger in. However, if you ask around and understand the Poké Bay concept as a whole, this makes sense. The concept is deliberately and almost exclusively designed for "to-go" customers. The two large high tables for about 6-7 people in the entrance area, beneath the huge "Poké Bay" sign, are of course for sitting down and eating in, but are rather an occasional option. So, a heads-up: If you're ordering a bowl at Poké Bay, you should focus on "takeaway" and be aware that seating is limited. There's no getting around that, unfortunately, but the same goes for the truly delicious bowls, which you can order at the counter using the self-service option.

First impressions

Okay, let's get started. When my companion and I arrived, the bright, L-shaped counter, complete with another Poké Bay logo on the wall, fresh containers of ingredients, and menu boards, greeted us. We passed a few people carrying bags here and there, and then we could choose from the menu with the help of the friendly staff. You'll find it very easy to navigate thanks to the clearly and simply explained boards above the ordering counter. There, the individual steps leading you to the perfect bowl are explained in simple and easy-to-understand steps.

Offer and selection of your bowl

Fresh „proteins“ to choose from

First, you choose your base: white rice, quinoa, baby leaf salad mix, or zucchini noodles. Then, you select your protein: salmon, tuna, shrimp, chicken, tofu, or spicy tuna. Next comes the finishing touch: choosing your "mix-ins." There are tons to choose from, including cucumber, surimi salad, edamame, wakame salad, hijiki seaweed, mango, red onions, pineapple, enoki mushrooms, avocado, pickled ginger, spring onions, and masago. After selecting one of the sauces (some homemade) and your toppings (wasabi sesame, fried onions, nori strips, sesame seeds, cashews, beetroot chips, garlic crisps, coriander, coconut chips, or fresh chili), you're all set. Afterwards, you can grab the bowl, packaged in a cardboard tray with a lid, and enjoy it on site as mentioned, or take it home or outside to the Isar river, the park, etc.

The different mix-ins for your bowl

What else you should know about bowls

Choosing the right bowl size is easy: simply select regular or large. A regular bowl includes a base, a protein option (such as salmon, tuna, or similar), two toppings, and a sauce for €8.50. For a larger appetite, a large bowl also includes a base, two protein options, four mix-ins, two toppings, and a sauce for €10.50. Of course, you're welcome to load up your bowls with as many toppings and mix-ins as you like. Additional mix-ins cost €1 each, and extra protein options are €2 each. Tuna (plain or seasoned) is always €1. You can also order soft drinks (€2.50) and water (€2). As a side dish, the Poké Bay team also offers miso soup and seaweed snacks, as well as "mango coconut desserts" for a sweet finish (for €2.50 each).

The Signature Bowls

For those who find all of this too complicated, there are six signature bowls to choose from, each with a pre-made recipe and fixed price. While my companion assembled her own bowl, I opted for the "Tropical Shrimp" bowl (€9) – one of the six signature bowls (see right). Even with these bowls, you can choose your base, and I went for a 50/50 combination of zucchini noodles and quinoa, which is entirely up to you. The "Tropical Shrimp" bowl also includes shrimp, wakame salad, mango, surimi salad, edamame, sesame seeds, coconut chips, and roasted sesame sauce, as you can see in the gallery photos. The sauce particularly intrigued me, so I asked about it.

These are based on Japanese recipes, are prepared fresh daily – like everything else – and, as mentioned, some are homemade (namely the "Wasabi Mayonnaise," "Spicy Mayonnaise," and "Sweet Chilli"). The vegetables are sourced from Munich, and the top-quality fish comes from the renowned Kagerer fishmonger. Before we get to the bowl reviews, here's the composition of my companion's "custom bowl" so you can imagine the possibilities. The base was a 50/50 mix of quinoa and rice, then salmon and tuna. On top were mango, edamame, avocado, and wakame. Beetroot chips and sesame seeds, along with sweet soy sauce, completed the bowl (for €10.90). There's an additional €1 charge for tuna bowls.

Two bowls including desserts and drinks

Hard facts and personal information

The bowls are incredibly generously portioned, and you'll definitely leave satisfied. Even the base bowl is a very good size, and the large portions are extremely filling. Even my bowl, with zucchini noodles as a base, kept me full until late in the evening. With the numerous mix-ins, toppings, and sauces, there are countless combinations to choose from. The fish is incredibly fresh, and I recommend trying it on its own – you'll really appreciate the freshness of the Poké Bay bowls. Initially a little taken aback by the atmosphere and location, I left happy and satisfied. Stop by and find out for yourself which bowl wins you over. Poké Bay is open at the same time as the adjacent Rewe supermarket, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Details:
Tested: Poké Bay
Address: Leopoldstraße 53, 80802 Munich
Website

Pictures: