It’s September 24th and technically the third day of fall, but I couldn’t help sharing one last warm weather dish with you because I love it so much. Also, because I like to break the rules. Also, because who says you can’t eat this Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke year round? I do what I want.
Hawaiian Inspired
The fella and I discovered Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke last summer while in Kauai. I was so excited about all of the ample poke to be had, that we purchased several varieties our first afternoon and sat on the lanai munching on them in the sunshine. Though we indulged in poke at several great places across the island, our favorite was surprisingly at the local grocery deli. We loved the creamy spice of the chili mayo and the additional kick from the crunchy kimchi.
When we returned home we couldn’t kick the habit, and though a few of our local restaurants had poke on the menu at the time, it wasn’t the Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke that we were after. I developed this recipe to satisfy that craving, and though we might not have a sunny lanai, the poke at my house is on point!
Quality and Sustainable Fish
This recipe is super easy to make as long as you have access to quality (and sustainable) sushi-grade fish. In the Portland area, we are lucky to have access to sustainably sourced fish at places like Flying Fish Co. and even our local Whole Foods. If you don’t have access to a local fishmonger, there are several great options for online ordering. I’ve read good things about Honolulu Fish Company, but have not used them myself yet.
10 minutes to Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke bliss
This Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke can be thrown together in 10 minutes or less and we love to eat it on a bed of salad greens, on top of cauliflower rice, or even traditional white rice if we’re feeling carby. If you’re not feeling ahi tuna, this sauce is also great on salmon!
Though we make an effort to purchase quality sushi-grade fish, I would not keep this dish in the fridge for more than 24 hours. But why would you have leftovers? You’re going to devour this.
A Note For Special Diets
This Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke recipe is Keto, SIBO, and easily adaptable for Paleo diets.
Looking for a soy sauce swap? Try Coconut Aminos, made from coconut tree sap and sea salt. Though it doesn’t exactly mimic the flavor of soy sauce it adds awesome salty and umami flavors that one expects of traditional soy and is awesome in this dish. For a paleo-friendly sriracha, you’re in luck because PaleoChef makes one for an easy swap. I find that the flavors are not quite as hot as a traditional sriracha, but it should give your dish a flavorful kick.

Spicy Kimchi Ahi Poke
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Total Time: 10 minutes
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Yield: 4 portions 1x
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Category: Mains
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Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
- 1 lb sushi-grade ahi tuna, diced to roughly 1 inch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or Coconut Aminos for Paleo)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp sriracha (PaleoChef makes a Paleo-friendly version)
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup kimchi
- chopped green onion
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, add diced tuna.
- Add soy sauce, sesame oil, mayo, sriracha to the bowl and toss to combine.
- Add diced avocado and kimchi to the bowl and gently combine.
- Serve on top of salad greens, cauli rice, or traditional rice and top with a sprinkle of chopped green onion and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
If you’re not feeling ahi, this sauce is also great on salmon!
Though we make an effort to purchase quality sushi-grade fish, I would not keep this dish in the fridge for more than 24 hours. But why would you have leftovers? You’re going to devour this.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 299
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 431 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Oh. Em. Gee! I need this in my belly ASAP!
I love poké bowls. This looks yummy and easy to make.
This looks so wonderful. I am always cooking and I definitely think it’s time to try something new like this.
This look is and sounds delicious! Anything with seafood I’m in. Love how versatile it is. On top of greens sounds amazing.
This recipe sounds so good! It’s great that it’s so accessible for people with different dietary restrictions, too!
This dish sounds so delicious. 4 words that I LOVE to hear – Spicy, Kimchi, Ahi, and Poke! All in one dish. Amazing!
★★★★★
I am in love with poke bowls but I don’t make them enough. They are so fresh and healthy! Yours looks delicious.
★★★★★
This looks fantastic! I love the idea of combining poke and kimchi! Yum.
★★★★★
This looks fabulous! I can’t have soy so I’ll have to leave that out but I’m excited to try it!
Tuna is my favorite! This recipe may convince me to make it at home!
I eat a lot of sushi and never tried buying sushi grade tuna at the store. Is it easy to find?
You can usually find it at seafood purveyors, though I’ve also had good luck at Whole Foods, New Seasons, and even Fred Meyer.
It looks delicious! I need to make it
Ahi poke is my favorite! I would eat it all the time if I could. I’ve never had it with kimchi though…
So I have recently started eating Poke (I know, too late :D) and I love it! I haven’t made a homemade version yet and your recipe looks like a good one to start with!
★★★★★
I am so crazy about ahi! I haven’t had kimchi yet, which I know is ridiculous, but the truth! This would be a great recipe to try it with! Hawaii is a bucket list destination, as well!
★★★★★
My nieces always order ahi poke when they can. This recipe looks amazing with all the flavors. I’m passing it on.
★★★★★
Sounds like such a flavorful dish. I love kimchi!
Looks so good and flavorful. It’s such a pretty dish too!
Looks delicious! An awesome high protein meal!
I love Asian dishes! I’ll swap the fish for tofu and turn it into a vegetarian dish ?~Xoxo
This spicy dish looks amazing!
★★★★★
Looks delicious, any idea for a vegan option?
This looks amazing! I’ve never attempted a poke bowl, I’ll have to give this a try
This looks and sounds really delicious!
This looks amazing! I need to make a Poke bowl, I love getting them out so much but it can be expensive for lunch.
★★★★★
I love everything about this recipe and can’t wait to give it a try!
What beautiful ingredients! I love kimchi and avocado especially. These flavors sound so good to me right now!
I LOVE kimchi but I have not made or eaten kimchi in years. This sounds so wonderful. Would make a perfect weekend meal in our home. Saving for later.
★★★★★
This sounds like a recipe I’d enjoy any time of year just like you. We do like our fresh tuna but we’ve never tried it this way. I’ll be saving this recipe to try our the Asian flavors.
★★★★★
I have to admit, I’ve never been a fan of raw ahi tuna, unless it’s super small pieces like in sushi. But this looks delicious, and I would definitely take your recommendation of making this with salmon insteadd
I love poke! I love the idea of combining the kimchi and avocado with it. Living in south TX, we always have ripe avocados, and I’ve been known to make my own kimchi. I’ll have to try it… P.S. We’d eat it year ’round for sure!
★★★★★
My husband loves poke bowls and I think I need to make this for him immediately!
★★★★★
My best friend just got back from vacation and kept telling me that she had poke bowls. I am going to share your recipe with her.
★★★★★
My husband has been begging me to make kimchee. This would be the perfect recipe I think. Thanks!
★★★★★
Love poke bowls! That sounds an interesting ingredients combo, definitely going to try it soon!
This looks so delicious and flavors are amazing. Honestly I can’t wait to make this for me and my family. I love how easy this is to make too. Perfect weekdays dinner!
★★★★★
Gorgeous!! My husband is addicted to poke bowls and this is one that is easy to make and looks amazing. Thanks for such a great recipe.
★★★★★
Man alive these bowls are gorgeous! I just love the different flavors and textures of poke bowls but haven’t tried making them at home yet! They sound perfect for the summertime though!
This looks like a winner for me. Love that its clean eating and lots of good flavors, I think this shall be on the menu soon!
I love anything with asian flavor, looks delicious
This looks like a really yummy lunch recipe! So tasty
I am not much of a fish lover, but the way you have this bowl presented, has my mouth watering!
Looks yummy and healthy! I’ve only tried poke once (a couple weeks ago) and I loved it
Hi Would you Share the Name IG the Local Deli in Kauai If you remember, I’m headed there in a 3 months and would love to check them out!
The deli was in the Foodland in Princeville. I would never dream of ordering poke from alot of delis on the mainland, but Hawaii is totally different. It was super fresh and delicious every day!