Poke's presence in San Diego is growing steadily, and the latest entry is Pokirrito, a new fast-casual concept from executive chef Junya Watanabe, who owns the adjacent and very popular RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen and is planning a yakitori-centric eatery for the same Convoy Street plaza. Pokirrito softly opens today and will grand open on Friday, April 29.
Now open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, Pokirrito offers speedy counter service in a sleek and modern setting. The concise menu features poke bowls available with various "bases", including non-GMO white rice and kale salad, topped with scoops of seasoned seafood, from tuna to octopus and scallops. The bowls come with a sauce, ranging from spicy aioli to red miso, and garnishes like seaweed salad and green onion. There are also six signature sushi burritos wrapped with seaweed and rice; the Pokirrito Classic contains handline-caught tuna, crab meat, tamago, broccoli slaw, butter lettuce, lotus chips, masago, cilantro and shiso tempura flakes while the Maui Sunrise swaps the tuna for RakiRaki's fried chicken karaage. Beverages range from craft iced tea to Stumptown cold brew, wine, sake and Japanese and local craft beer.
Watanabe tells Eater that there may be the possibility of additional Pokirrito outposts in the UTC-area or Mira Mesa, but the next spot in his booming Japanese food empire to come online will be the new RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen in Little Italy, which will also incorporate Pokirrito dishes and yakitori into its menu.
