Hibachi Bowl vs. Poke Bowl | Comparing Two Tasty Dishes
Confused about the difference between a hibachi bowl and a poke bowl? Well, you’re not the only one.
Since both look quite similar and come with a protein-veggie combo, it is hard to distinguish them when you have yet to try either.
To give you a simple answer, hibachi bowls are cooked on a hot plate and typically contain grilled meat, seafood, vegetables, and rice. In contrast, poke bowls are cold and have raw fish, vegetables, and rice.
But is that all you need to know? Probably not!
In this post, we’ll break down the differences between the two and help you decide which one you should eat for next weekend’s dinner.
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What are a hibachi bowl and a poke bowl? An in-depth overview
Before we jump into a point-by-point comparison between the hibachi bowl and poke bowl, let’s have a look at a brief overview of both:
Hibachi bowl
A hibachi bowl is Japanese cuisine consisting of rice topped with grilled vegetables, meat, and seafood served with a special condiment.
The condiment is usually hibachi yellow sauce if you are eating the dish in a teppanyaki-style restaurant. However, in authentic hibachi restaurants, the condiments election can differ.
All the ingredients are cooked on a hibachi grill, which is a Japanese version of the charcoal grill.
It is usually a part of a larger meal, like a complete hibachi buffet at a restaurant.
The hibachi bowl is a great way to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures in one meal. The vegetables, meat, and seafood, e.g., shrimp, are cooked on the hibachi grill, attaining a signature hot and smoky flavor.
It is further accentuated by the addition of myriad different condiments served with it, turning your meal into a full-fledged bowl of satisfaction.
The hibachi bowl is an excellent option for people looking for a yummy yet healthy cheat meal.
Moreover, it is an excellent option for people looking for a quick and easy meal.
The ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and cooked quickly on the hibachi grill, making it ideal for busy individuals.
Poke bowl
A poke bowl (sometimes called sushi bowl as well) is a Hawaiian dish that’s becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
It’s a delicious mix of raw fish, vegetables, and other ingredients served over a bed of rice.
The fish is usually tuna, salmon, or octopus, and it’s marinated in various sauces and spices.
The vegetables can include cucumber, avocado, seaweed, and edamame, with toppings such as sesame seeds, furikake, and pickled ginger.
Poke bowls are a great way to get a healthy, balanced meal.
Fish is an excellent protein source, and vegetables provide plenty of vitamins and minerals.
The best thing? Poke bowls are also incredibly easy to make. All you need to do is cut up the fish and vegetables, mix them with the marinade, and serve them over a bed of rice.
You can add other toppings, such as sesame seeds, furikake, or pickled ginger.
Just like hibachi bowls, poke bowls are also an excellent option for a quick, healthy meal. They’re also perfect for a light lunch or dinner and easy to customize to suit your taste.
Plus, a poke bowl is healthier than a hibachi due to zero unhealthy fat content (unless you add Japanese mayonnaise), so that’s another thing to consider.
Fan of yummy food bowls? Then you’re probably also keen to learn how to make Yoshinoya teriyaki chicken bowl at home (recipe)
Hibachi bowl vs. poke bowl: the ultimate comparison
Following are all the significant differences you need to know about both to differentiate them:
Main ingredients
A hibachi bowl typically contains grilled meats, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, vegetables, and rice. It is usually served with a teriyaki or soy-based sauce.
On the other hand, a poke bowl is a Hawaiian dish typically made with raw fish, such as tuna or salmon, and a variety of vegetables, such as seaweed, cucumber, and avocado.
It is usually served with soy-based sauce.
Preparation methods
Hibachi bowls are typically prepared by grilling the meats and vegetables on a hibachi grill.
The ingredients are then mixed with the sauce and served over a bed of rice.
On the other hand, Poke bowls are typically prepared by marinating the raw fish in a soy-based sauce and mixing it with the vegetables and other ingredients.
Serving styles
Hibachi bowls are typically served in a bowl with the ingredients arranged in a specific order.
On the other hand, Poke bowls are usually served in a bowl with the ingredients arranged in a more random order.
There are no traditional ways of eating, but using a chopstick is convenient as it allows you to mix up the selected ingredients pretty conveniently.
Nutritional content
Due to the grilled meats and rice, hibachi bowls are typically high in protein and carbohydrates. They are also generally high in fat due to the teriyaki or soy-based sauce.
Poke bowls, on the other hand, are typically high in protein and healthy fats due to the raw fish and vegetables.
They are also typically low in carbohydrates, depending on the amount of rice you add.
In other words, a hibachi bowl can be your ultimate choice if you want a traditional hot and spicy Japanese taste.
Still, a poke bowl is generally better if you’re more into a healthy diet.
Cost
Hibachi bowls are typically more expensive than poke bowls due to the cost of the ingredients and the time required to prepare them.
On the other hand, Poke bowls are typically less expensive, as the ingredients are usually cheaper, and the preparation time is generally shorter.
However, this also depends on where you eat them. Prices can significantly differ from restaurant to restaurant.
If I tell you an average cost, it would definitely sit at $10-$15 for both.
Conclusion
Both hibachis and poke bowls are delicious and nutritious meals. It’s hard to choose between them, as they offer unique flavors and textures.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a more traditional Japanese dish, go for the hibachi bowl.
The poke bowl is the way to go if you’re looking for something more modern and creative. Whichever you choose, you will be satisfied!
Why not use a beautiful traditional donburi bowl to serve your poke or hibachi bowl (review here)?
Check out our new cookbook
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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
