From Polynesia to Your Palate: How the Poke Bowl Came to Be

Aloha foodies! When munching on some poke and contemplating life’s great mysteries, it’s important to look back and appreciate the origins of this traditional Hawaiian dish. While you may enjoy your poke bowl with ahi tuna and an assortment of delectable toppings, you’d be surprised to find that poke bowls looked completely different in years past. Below, we discuss the historical origins of one of our signature staples here at Kaia Bowls, where you can find the best poke bowl in Clearwater Beach

Made With Reef Fish 

The origins of poke can be traced back to pre-colonial Polynesia, where fishermen would spend their days catching fish that they would later chop up into chunks and marinate with

whatever spices were on hand. The fish of choice was usually a reef fish as opposed to the ahi tuna or salmon of today. Fun fact: the state fish of Hawaii is a reef fish by the name of Humuhumunukunukuapua’a.  

It wasn’t until the late 1800s that reef fish were replaced by ahi tuna as the dominant ingredient. And it was later still, in the 1970s, when poke bowls began to gain in popularity, journeying from kitchens to supermarkets and, finally, to the mainland. 

Sold in Supermarkets 

Even with the growing love of Poke, it wasn’t until the past few years that the cultural impact of poke bowls could be felt in the mainland United States. Before that, poke was unceremoniously sold in Hawaiian supermarkets as a pre-marinated dish sold by weight — a far cry from the beautiful poke bowls that so often grace our Instagram page. Don’t forget to tag your bowl with the hashtag #EatKaiaBowls when you visit us! 

Our Take on Poke Bowls 

At Kaia Bowls, it’s our pleasure to carry on this Hawaiian tradition by serving the tastiest bowls with the freshest ingredients available. Our signature bowls — the Ono, Apikai, Kilauea, and Hana bowls — feature a mouthwatering combination of perfectly paired ingredients. Of course, you are welcome to build your own bowl and pick from three bases, four proteins (ahi tuna, chicken, salmon, and shrimp), a head-spinning seventeen fillings, eight add-ons, and ten sauces. 

With its sandy beaches and constant sunshine, Clearwater Beach seemed like the perfect spot to set up shop and provide customers with an authentic taste of Hawaiian cuisine. We go all out to provide guests with an experience that will make their visit to Clearwater truly unique. If you’re in the mood for a delicious treat that’s been satisfying cravings for hundreds of years, order delivery, order online, or stop by Kaia Bowls for the best poke bowl in Clearwater Beach

Are you looking for authentic Hawaiian flavors? Kaia Bowls serves the best poke bowl in Clearwater! For more information, please call (727) 223-3073 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute health advice and is not intended to be a substitute for professional dietary counsel.

Today, hungry foodies have more choices than ever before when deciding what to eat. There are an abundance of amazing flavors vying for your attention, which means every meal counts. You don’t want to miss out on the foods you love, especially when the foods you choose to eat love you back! Whether you’re at home, on the beach, or leaving the gym, you want fast access to your favorite healthy eats, like the best acai bowls in Clearwater — only found at Kaia Bowls.

Are you craving a fresh, healthy, and delicious meal from the best acai bowl restaurant Clearwater Beach?

Kaia Bowls serves:

At Kaia Bowls, all of our bowls can be tailored to your taste buds with an array of your favorite toppings and add-ons. Of course, you also have the option of choosing one of our signature bowls, which feature some of our favorite combinations. Best of all, you have several ways to order and get your hands on a fresh bowl whenever (and wherever) you’re craving one.

Hawaiian Dining in Clearwater Beach

Located at 483 Mandalay Avenue in Clearwater Beach, the original Kaia Bowls is open every day from 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Kaia Bowls is only minutes from Clearwater Beach, making it the perfect meetup spot for those looking to fuel up before (or after) a long day at the beach. Feel free to stop by and say aloha to our friendly staff. We’re happy to answer any of your questions, and we’ll do our best to help you assemble a bowl that satisfies your appetite, palate, and dietary needs!

Your Favorite Delivery Apps Have Partnered with Kaia Bowls

Why leave home for your favorite bowl when you can stay in and enjoy one from the comfort of your living room? Kaia Bowls offers delivery via Uber Eats, Bite Squad, and DoorDash. Simply download one of these apps, sign up (it only takes a few minutes), and see for yourself why over 38 million people in the United States are using delivery apps to get their favorite meals delivered! Remember, you can always update your current location to have Kaia Bowls delivered to you wherever you are.

On the Move? Grab Takeout!

There’s nothing quite like an acai bowl from the best acai bowl restaurant Clearwater Beach to help you refuel on a busy day. We totally get it; there’s not enough hours in the day to get to all the things you need to do, which means you don’t even have time to think about sitting down for a meal at your favorite restaurant. Luckily, Kaia Bowls offers takeout via ChowNow (or you can call directly at 727-223-3073), so you can grab a bowl without missing a step!

Are you looking for authentic Hawaiian flavors? Kaia Bowls serves the best acai bowls in Clearwater! For more information, please call (727) 223-3073 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute health advice and is not intended to be a substitute for professional dietary counsel.

We. Love. Fish. We love it so much that we’ve made several signature dishes that incorporate ahi tuna, shrimp, and salmon. We also love nutrition, which is why we want to talk about the many benefits of having fish in your diet and dispel some common concerns regarding this delectable treat. There’s no reason you can’t treat yourself to the best poke bowls in Clearwater Beach: the Ono Bowl, Apikai Bowl, and Kilauea Bowl from Kaia Bowls. 

Protein With Fins  

Fish is incredibly nutritious for you, but don’t take our advice. Take the advice of the FDA and EPA. They note that fish-friendly diets are “part of a healthy eating pattern” with potential heart health benefits. It may also lower the risk of obesity, which is important for those trying to make gains, stay fit, and live a lifestyle they can be proud of. A key component of that is eating the right amount of protein. Fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Tuna, for example, is “an almost pure-protein food” while remaining low in fat and calories. 

In addition to being packed with protein, fish provides healthy omega-3 fats, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, selenium, zinc, and iodine. In fact, fish contains “more vitamin B12 and Vitamin D than any other type of food.” Instead of grabbing an energy drink shot, maybe you should try a bite of our Apikai Bowl. This fresh salmon bowl comes with avocado, scallions, pickled and crispy onions, mango, edamame, and jalapeño to give it that extra kick. 

Keeping Track of Mercury

Mercury levels are the chief concern for people with a fish-centric diet. The FDA and EPA advise that adults eat two to three servings of fish from their “Best Choices” list. Children under four should eat only one ounce of fish per serving. They can eat four ounces by age 11. Both shrimp and salmon are on the “Best Choices” list, so have at it. By keeping these numbers in mind, there’s no reason why you can’t regularly enjoy the best poke bowls in Clearwater

Moms and Their Little Mackerels 

Despite what you might have heard, yes, you can eat fish while pregnant or breastfeeding. In fact, our friends at the FDA and EPA recommend it. “Fish and other protein-rich foods have nutrients that can help your child’s growth and development.” Pregnant and breastfeeding women still need to watch out for mercury in their diets and their children’s diets, but it’s clear that fish is a healthy choice that can be enjoyed by everyone. 

Try One of Our Signature Poke Bowls! 

We’ve already mentioned our Apikai Bowl, but have you tried our Ono Bowl and Kilauea Bowls? Our Ono Bowl features ahi tuna and comes with nori, avocado, grape tomato, cucumber, and candy cane beets. There’s also our Kilauea Bowl that features shrimp along with watermelon radish, mango, nori, avocado, scallions, corn, and pickled red onions. Whatever your speed, we’ve got a bowl for you. Stop by Kaia Bowls or order delivery for the best poke bowls in Clearwater Beach

And hey, there’s always chicken.

Are you looking for authentic Hawaiian flavors? Kaia Bowls serves the best poke bowls in Clearwater! For more information, please call (727) 223-3073 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute health advice and is not intended to be a substitute for professional dietary counsel.

The South Tampa “Bowl Boom” has spread to nearly every corner of Tampa Bay’s sprawling sun-drenched community. Whether you’re coasting down Kennedy Boulevard on a public e-scooter or taking a quaint stroll down Clearwater Beach with loved ones, there’s never been more places to satisfy your craving for fresh flavors, powerful antioxidants, and guilt-free dining. 

The burgeoning bowl industry is empowering foodies to eat foods that provide them with a much-needed energy boost and support their overall wellness. Needless to say, as the best acai bowl restaurant in Clearwater Beach, we’re ecstatic to see more and more people embracing the delightful treats we serve each and every day. 

At Kaia Bowls, our customers expect their ingredients to be fresh and unperturbed by excessive processing. We believe that the fewer hands that touch our ingredients, the fresher they will be when served atop our acai, pitaya, and spirulina bowls. Putting a smile on our customers’ faces is our ultimate goal, and we know that this can only be achieved through a combination of fresh ingredients, top-tier service, and a willingness to go above and beyond for every customer!

Next time you decide to grab an acai bowl, whether in person or via delivery, take a second to consider whether or not your bowl is meeting these five important criteria. 

1. Is My Bowl Fresh?

When you purchase an acai bowl, you want to be certain that you’re treating your body to the best ingredients available. Seriously, what’s the point of eating an acai bowl if the ingredients are lacking in nutritional value or have been sitting in a freezer for weeks or months? Plus, fresh fruits taste better than frozen ones!

2. Will the Serving Size Satisfy My Appetite?

Although most restaurants sell acai bowls for around $10, what you receive for your money can be inconsistent. If you want to be filled up, not every restaurant offers the same gracious serving sizes as Kaia Bowls. We recognize that balancing serving size and quality of ingredients is something that a lot of restaurants find challenging, but we’ve managed to boost both at a price that is 10-20 percent less than some of our competitors.

3. What Are My Options?

At Kaia Bowls, we offer more than just acai bowls. As an authentic Hawaiian restaurant, we also serve pitaya, spirulina, green (kale), bananaberry, coconut, chia pudding, and oatmeal bowls. Hungry for protein? We also serve signature poke bowls featuring ahi tuna, fresh salmon, shrimp, or chicken. We find that many first-timers and acai enthusiasts alike want to let their taste buds explore new flavors. Our staff is always happy to provide suggestions based on your dietary needs and preferences, too!

4. What Can I Add to My Bowl?

Is there anything more exciting than the moment you’re asked if you want any additional add-ons for your fresh creation? The best acai bowls in Clearwater, FL, allow you to break the mold and let your unique palate flourish with a wide variety of add-ons, including hemp seeds, raw cacao nibs, almonds, granola, agave/honey, coconut flakes, chia seeds, almond butter, peanut butter, chocolate/vanilla protein, white chocolate, pomegranate seeds, nutella, and more!

5. Do They Care About Their Customers?

Fostering a AAA customer experience is one of the most important aspects of restaurant ownership. When you walk through the doors of Kaia Bowls, you can count on being greeted with a smile. All of your questions will be answered by a knowledgeable employee, and you will be served promptly. If you’re vacationing in Clearwater, stop by for an energizing snack; we’re happy to point you in the direction of the best locales and attractions in the area! 

Next time you venture out for an acai bowl, keep this list in mind to ensure that you are served generously with the freshest ingredients available! If you want more options, more add-ons, and superior customer service, visit the best acai bowl restaurant in Clearwater Beach, Kaia Bowls!

Are you looking for authentic Hawaiian flavors? Kaia Bowls serves the best acai bowls in Clearwater, FL! For more information, please call (727) 223-3073 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute health advice and is not intended to be a substitute for professional dietary counsel.

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