Photos: Pokérrito serves up poke and sushi burrito combo in downtown Vancouver

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      It’s not a secret that people in Vancouver have a strong love for poke, but what you don’t know is that you can now order the popular dish with a Mexican twist.

      Pokérrito (558 Dunsmuir Street) is the newest poke spot to open in Downtown Vancouver, occupying a space that was previously a bubble tea shop.

      The counter-service eatery offers poke sushi burritos—a combination of seafood, greens, toppings, and white rice wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed).

       “I’ve been running sushi restaurants for over ten years, and there are already a lot of sushi restaurants [in Vancouver],” Jung Moon, owner of Pokérrito, tells the Straight. “I wanted to do something different, so that’s why I chose poke.”

      The Korean-born owner grew up in Mexico, and his travels to Hawaii made him fall in love with fish and seafood—specifically poke. If you’re still wondering why he decided to create poke burritos with a Japanese flair, just try one for yourself and it will all make sense.

      Besides its popular fusion item, guests can also build their own poke rice or salad bowls. Protein options include ahi tuna, spicy tuna, albacore tuna, tofu (for the vegetarian and vegans) and salmon, among others. Mix-ins, sides, and toppings range from cucumber to crabmeat, and seaweed salad to wasabi.

      Poke-lovers will enjoy its menu items.
      Tammy Kwan

      Top off your poke creation with sauces like umami (house dressing), wasabi-basil mayo, and citrus ponzu, to name just a few.

      The poke shop has a few signature creations if you’re running short on time. Its best-selling “North Shore” option includes flame-seared albacore tuna with green onion, sweet onion, lettuce, cucumber, masago, seaweed salad, crabmeat, pineapple, grape tomato, radish sprout, furikake (dry Japanese seasoning), and umami sauce.

      The 850-square-foot restaurant is simplistic with a wooden-theme, and boasts a fair amount of natural lighting to get a good Instagram shot of your food.

      For those who are not too keen on the grab-and-go format, there are 15 seats inside the shop. Pokérrito will also be adapting Vancouver’s green-living philosophy, and will offer guests a 10 percent discount when they bring in their own bowl.

      When asked why Vancouverites should be excited about his new restaurant, the owner was quick to answer.

      “Because the best poke in Vancouver are poke burrito,” said Moon with a laugh.

      Scroll through the photos below if you love poke.

      Tammy Kwan

       

      A flame-seared albacore tuna poke salad bowl.
      Tammy Kwan

       

      A spicy salmon poke rice bowl.
      Tammy Kwan

       

      Some of the options to customize your poke meal.
      Tammy Kwan

       

      Pokérrito's menu.
      Tammy Kwan

       

      The owner's father helped build the shop's counter.
      Tammy Kwan
      Follow Tammy Kwan on Twitter @ch0c0tam and Instagram @ch0c0tam.

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