Poke Theory has really come a long way ever since those days when they had just started business. Originally known as A Poke Theory when they had first launched at Boon Tat Street in 2016, they had moved out of the Boon Tat Street shophouse quite some time ago. That being said, Poke Theory is now a rather recognisable name all across the island with multiple outlets around — this includes outlets that are located at CIMB Plaza, 111 Somerset, Great World City, Velocity @ Novena Square, DUO Galleria, Park Place Residences @ PLQ and many more. Opening their newest outlet along Telok Ayer Street in July 2023, this can be said as Poke Theory’s return to its roots from where it has begun ever since they had moved out of the Boon Tat Street shophouse where everything had first started. Poke Theory’s outlet at Telok Ayer takes over the former premises that was tenanted by the now-defunct Park Bench Deli; not much has been done to the facade of the store, with much of Park Bench Deli’s fittings still adorning the entrance. That being said, the interior has seen a little bit of a revamp; the colour and decor scheme adhering to that black and white design theme that features furniture and fittings in wooden accents which can be found it most of their other locations. Given how the Telok Ayer outlet is one of Poke Theory’s more iconic openings in recent times, Poke Theory has claimed that new items available at the Telok Ayer outlet includes revamped fresh, warm and pickled toppings, revamped signature bowls, more choices of poke, as well as “guilt-free” sparkling drinks sourced from sodaly to pair up with the poke bowls here. Apart from the said new items, patrons can still go for the Build Your Own Poke Bowl option, and that açai smoothie bowls are also being offered at the Telok Ayer outlet as well.

We were a little bit overwhelmed with options when we were looking at the number of poke types, as well as the fresh, warm and pickled toppings to go for whilst skimming through the display containing everything that is available to choose from; this made us decide to go for the Signature Bowls instead — a fuss-free option where the poke bowls come with pre-determined combination of poke and toppings. Amongst the various Signature Bowls that they have to offer, we felt that the Spicy Lifey was one that we had stronger feelings for during the day of our visit — the Spicy Lifey Signature Bowl comprises of elements such as Spicy Mayo Salmon, Cucumber, Pickled Green Chilies, Cajun Sweet Potato, Honey Pineapple, Cherry Tomatoes and Spice Roasted Cashews. Despite coming with the poke and toppings being pre-defined, patrons still get to pick between five different Bases for their order — we went with the Lemon Herb Quinoa, while patrons also get to opt for two Crunches; of which, we went for the Tempura Bits and the Furikake. There is also a self-service sauce bar that one can help themselves to should there be not enough sauce, or if one wants to try a combination of different sauces together with the already-marinated poke. The presentation of the Spicy Lifey Signature Bowl sees most items piled in the middle; the two Crunches being sprinkled atop the poke, thus hiding the Spicy Mayo Salmon beneath. Digging into the Spicy Lifey Signature Bowl, we did feel that much of the Spicy Mayo used to marinate the cubed raw fish seems to have been overwhelmed by the other elements containing more water content; that being said, one could most certainly feel the freshness of the fish, while the spiciness was enhanced by other elements such as the Cajun Sweet Potato and Pickled Green Chilies. That being said, the entire combination did remind us somewhat of Chinese New Year Yu Sheng; the Spice Roasted Cashews were interestingly caramalised with a slight sweetness, further enhanced by the inherent sweetness of the sweet potato in the Cajun Sweet Potato — all that accompanied with various elements that introduced a zing such as the Honey Pineapple and Cherry Tomatoes. Other elements like the Cucumber provides a refreshing crunch to reset the tastebuds.

It has been quite a long while since we had last had Poke Theory; the last time that we could recall was when they had just opened their outlet at 111 Somerset. The brand had certainly grew in a way that most would probably not had expected it to be over the past couple of years — there had been more prominent players in the F&B scene that serves up poke bowls in the past such as the likes of Aloha Poke, but it does seem that Poke Theory is one of the few brands that have managed to go through an uprising when other concepts serving pretty much the same offerings started to fizzle out into obscurity. Being one whom have had Poke Theory for quite a number of times in the past, we did feel that Poke Theory had maintained the quality and freshness of their poke rather well over the years. That being said, we did feel that the flavours from the marinade seem to have been toned down over the years — perhaps in an effort to keep their offerings a little bit healthier for those whom are cautious about their calorie-intake. Still, we liked how Poke Theory somehow acknowledged this, and provided a self-service sauce bar where one can help themselves to more sauce should it be required — this allows their patrons to tune the flavours of their poke bowls to their own fancy; even if this means being a little “greedy” and wanting to go for more than one sauce altogether. Prices of the Signature Bowls at Poke Theory’s Telok Ayer outlet starts from $11.90, with the most expensive offering being listed at $14.90; those on a stricter budget can go for the Build Your Own Poke Bowl option, which starts from $9.90 for a “Light“ portion size consisting of one poke (either chicken or tempeh; tuna and salmon would cost $10.90 and $11.90 respectively) and five toppings — the prices can be said as rather competitive to similar grain / salad bowl offerings that can be easily found in the Central Business District. It does certainly feel like homecoming for Poke Theory now that they have yet another outlet again within the Telok Ayer neighbourhood; definitely a piece of good news for those who had patronised them at Boon Tat Street back then and still working in the vicinity!