Pakalana’s poke wagon
On Sunday my pretty lady and I went to the World of Flavors Food Truck Invasion in Louisville specifically to meet Isa and Chuck of Pakalana's Poke Wagon from Madison, Indiana. You may recall from a previous blog post that the best poke bowl I have ever had was made by Pakalana’s. I had been looking forward to their visit to Louisville for quite some time.
I reached out to Isa and Chuck on Instagram to let them know I was coming and excited to meet them both in person. Isa, Chuck, and their son gave us a warm welcome with a behind-scenes look inside their poke wagon. I was truly impressed by the array of fresh ingredients they use to craft their mouthwatering poke bowls. They have two rice cookers going that make 62 cups each along with a special rice cooling area. As far as the rice recipe, it’s top secret ya’ll! I loved their their newly installed large cooler that holds all their fresh ingredients including sauces
It was nice to learn about Isa’s Hawaiian heritage and her family’s cherished recipes that inspired her to start Pakalana’s. I couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in Isa’s eyes when talking about poke bowls! Her mission to educate the public on the cultural significance of authentic poke is at the heart and soul of what she does. Isa also talked about how she has learned how customers in this area want their poke bowls and how she has adapted to their preferences.
The highlight of my visit was ordering the Kilauea Volcano poke bowl (again!), a masterful blend of white sushi rice, succulent ahi tuna, spicy crab, and a fiery mix of red chili flakes, cucumber, jalapeños, sriracha, sweet chili sauce, wasabi mayo, topped with green onions, crispy nori, and bursting masago. This delicious creation not only satisfied my taste buds but also gave me a deeper appreciation for the art of poke.
Thank you, Isa and Chuck for your generous hospitality Sunday!
I love Pakalana’s!
Isa is amazing!
Loved hearing about Isa’s Hawaiian heritage and her family’s cherished recipes!
It’s not the easiest decision. Every poke bowl looks so good!
Savoring every bite!
