SuppliedWhat: Hula Poke
Where: SUB Food Court
How much: roughly $13
Like many hot food trends from Southeast Asia, poke (pronounced poh-kay) — a traditional Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish mixed with various sauces and condiments — has recently exploded in popularity in North America. Located on the main floor of SUB, Hula Poke aims to bring a small taste of the tropics to the University of Alberta.
Open for the 2018 fall semester, Hula is one of two newest additions to the SUB food vendor roster. Boasting one of campus’s most eye-catching storefronts, the restaurant radiates an easygoing beach house atmosphere. From its smooth faux wood finish to its laid-back staff uniforms, Hula aptly portrays the radiant island aesthetic for which it aims.
The menu offers a wide selection of dishes, although almost all of these are based on the same combination of edamame beans, kale, and crispy onion, albeit with different sauces. The menu also includes vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and double protein options.
While one might be rightly skeptical of fish quality in our landlocked province, Hula offers a pleasant surprise. Its “Ocean Fresh” guarantee stands true as the fish retains its structure but is still soft.
The only downside is that the small amount of fish in a bowl can easily drown in the sea of kale accompanying it. Moreover, the sauces are sometimes overpowering. In the “traditional” dish, the yuzu flavour overshadows the bowl’s other flavours, and in the “Tiki,” the numerous Thai chilis spoil the bowl with their intense heat. The portion size also seems small for the high price, especially considering the proportion of fish to kale and rice. However, the bowl does leave one decently full without feeling heavy at the same time.
Overall, Hula’s fast and casual style of poke offers a range of solid dining choices packed with immense flavours while catering to a variety of dietary needs. Although it does have its shortcomings, Hula provides a meal that is neither too big nor too small and will generally leave you pretty satisfied for a decent price.
