Poki DC

Located about a five-minute walk from the White House, Poki DC is a popular spot for customizable poke bowls. With up to 2.29 billion possible combinations, the fun is in building your own bowl just the way you like it. I went with sushi rice topped with tuna (plain) and marinated tuna, finished with soy sauce for a Japanese-inspired style. Even leaning toward Japanese flavors, it still feels distinctly like a poke bowl rather than a traditional seafood rice bowl. Customizing your own bowl is part of the fun—and the result is fresh, satisfying, and delicious.

I tried the 3-choice poki bowl with brown rice at Poki DC, and it was honestly really solid. I went with salmon, tuna, and spicy tuna. The spicy tuna stood out—it tasted like it was made with some kind of Korean-style spice rather than the usual Sriracha heat. Different, but in a good way. The ponzu and citrus miso sauces on top were an excellent combination. They added just the right amount of flavor—enough to get some in every bite without drowning the bowl. Overall, really well-balanced. I also ordered a basic pearl milk tea at 70% sugar. The milk tea itself tasted good, but the sweetness was a little off. The sugar or syrup they used tasted more like a sugar substitute, almost like the sweetness you get from chewing gum. Not bad, just not the typical milk tea sweetness I expected. O

The restaurant has high quality food with a variety of different options for the bowls. Seating is adequate and atmosphere suits the theme. There is also a Gong Cha linked to the Poki DC which serves drinks and egg waffles with boba fillings. Location is also convenient.

Ordered the Poke Bowl with 2 Proteins via Doordash - spicy tuna and garlic sautee salmon. There is no protein. Not planning to order again from here.

I usually enjoy the food at Poké DC — the poke is fresh and very tasty. However, my recent experience was extremely disappointing due to the customer service. I had an issue with my DoorDash order and called the restaurant for assistance. The person who answered, Paul, was rude, dismissive, and actually raised his voice at me instead of trying to help resolve the situation. It was completely unprofessional and unnecessary. Good food does not excuse poor treatment of customers. Because of this experience, I cannot recommend this location.