East Midlands foodies looking for a taste of the tropics can enjoy fresh Hawaiian cuisine from the region’s first Poké bar which opened in Nottingham city centre on Sunday 7th April, creating 10 new jobs in the city.
Pokéwaves specialises in serving up Hawaiian Poké cuisine (pronounced poke-ay) at its venue on the first floor of the intu Victoria Centre’s Clock Tower Dining area, and is the first Poké bar with seating in the East Midlands region – offering fresh, healthy and wholesome fish and vegetarian dishes.
The oceanic inspired tropical cuisine, originally invented by fishermen who would season raw cut-offs from their daily catch known as ‘Pohkay’ and eat whilst sat on their boats, has gained a solid following across the pond in the US that is catching on in the UK capital.
Bringing the trend further north to the East Midlands, Pokéwaves focuses on using fresh ingredients from local suppliers and its signature cuisine – the Poké bowl, consists of raw marinated fish such as ahi or yellowfin tuna that has been cubed and layered with sticky rice and pickles.
As well as a selection of specially crafted bowl menu options, customers have the option to create bespoke dishes with the ‘design your own’ option, which includes choosing a base, protein, toppings, sauce and garnish – with a variety of fish, chicken and tofu options available freshly made to order at affordable prices.
Side dishes include miso soup, seaweed salad and salted edamame beans for a variety of choice.
Erin Vickers and Alicia Yilmaz at Fraser Brown Solicitors acted on behalf of Pokéwaves Island Ltd. co-owners Kent Hau and Kelvin Lam, to secure the lease for the new 128ft² kiosk, which has use of the associated communal mall seating.
On the opening of the first Pokéwaves outlet, co-owner Kent said: “Having attended Nottingham Trent University with my business partner Kelvin, we wanted to start a venture here in the city that we love.
“Following eight months of preparation including research, ingredients studies, experiments and food testing we nailed our concept. We chose to set up our first Poké bar in the Nottingham intu Victoria Centre, as the shopping centre is in a prime location with good all-round access to public transport, offices and the universities.
“The current food scene in Nottingham is vibrant and blended and there is a clear demand for innovative, fresh and healthy cuisine here, so we are very excited to be introducing a new type of eating experience to the local community.
“Poké is fresh, healthy, fun and different and we welcome foodies from all walks of life to come and enjoy healthy Hawaiian dishes freshly made to order, to eat in or takeaway. As well as our delicious in-house signature bowls, there is the option to personalise dishes – for a versatile and enjoyable eating experience.”
Alicia Yilmaz, paralegal, commercial property at Fraser Brown, said: “Pokéwaves is a welcome addition to Nottingham city centre and its prime location in the intu Victoria Centre situated in close proximity to other dining and retail outlets, will ensure good footfall and ease of trading.
“Nottingham already has a vibrant and varied food scene and with fresh fast food concepts flourishing, Poké cuisine is uniquely positioned and has opened at the right time. I wish Kent and Kelvin every success in the future.”
Starting opening hours for Pokéwaves will be from 10:30am to 6:30pm.
