The final days of summer may be upon us here in Maryland, but that’s no reason to leave the bright and flavorful meals of the sunny season behind. Regardless of the season, fresh seafood can help bring an island vibe to any occasion. While I am a huge fan of the Japanese delicacy sushi, recently I’ve been exploring the Hawaiian variation of the raw fish meal: poke bowls. These delectable full meals are packed with fresh fruit, veggies, rice, and of course the seafood that makes them sparkle like waves on the Hawaiian coast. If you’re looking for a taste of island life from right here in the Old Line State, Blowfish Poke & Grill in Marriottsville has you covered.
Located right off of Marriottsville Road in a quiet corner of the shopping center, Blowfish Poke & Grill is a small place with a lot of heart. The Hawaiian spirit of this restaurant doesn’t stop at the alohas printed on the door.
Blowfish does poke bowls in a build-your-own sort of way. You choose your rice, your veggies, your proteins, and any sauces you may want to garnish them all with. They cycle the available toppings routinely, so it’s easy to have fun experimenting with lots of different options!
I chose a tuna bowl with red rice - a combination of white and black rice that looks more purple than anything - and topped it with cucumber, carrot, onion, and pineapple. The final touch was a delicious dousing of eel sauce.
If raw fish isn’t your thing, never fear - Blowfish also makes some incredible mochiko fried chicken, a Hawaiian classic. What sets this meal apart from your run-of-the-mill fried chicken is the glutinous rice flour that it's breaded in, which gives it a remarkably sweet and fluffy crunch!
