Shrimp poke bowl with fresh veggies
This delicious shrimp poke bowl, marinated in honey and garlic, is a healthy and flavorful meal served with fluffy white rice, crisp radishes, marinated carrots, fresh scallions, and cucumber.
Traditionally made with raw tuna, this poke bowl (pronounced po-kay) is reimagined with marinated shrimp—a tasty, family-friendly alternative.

Shrimp Poke Bowl with Honey Soy Marinade – Healthy, Easy, and Family-Friendly Recipe
This colorful shrimp poke bowl has quickly become one of my son’s favorite dishes.
Inspired by Hawaiian tradition yet adapted for family meals, it combines juicy shrimp marinated in a honey-soy garlic sauce, fluffy rice, crunchy vegetables, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Traditionally, poke bowls are made with raw tuna or salmon, but in this version I swap the raw fish for marinated shrimp – a safer and equally delicious choice for kids.
Fresh, healthy, and endlessly customisable , this poke bowl is a perfect quick lunch or dinner idea.
What Is a Poke Bowl?
Originating in Hawaii, a poke bowl (pronounced po-kay) is typically made with cubes of raw fish, rice, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful sauce.
Over time, the dish has evolved into a versatile meal that can be personalised with different proteins, grains, and toppings.
From salmon and tuna to tofu, chicken, or shrimp, the poke bowl adapts to everyone’s taste while staying light, nourishing, and vibrant.
Ingredients for Shrimp Poke Bowl with Honey Soy Marinade
Main Ingredients
- 350 g (12 oz) sautéed shrimp – tender and lightly golden.
- 380 g (13 oz) cooked rice – rinsed and cooked in salted water, ideally white jasmine or sushi rice.
Honey Soy Marinade
- 450 ml (2 cups) fish stock – adds depth and umami.
- 70 g (⅓ cup) brown sugar – for sweetness and balance.
- 80 g (¼ cup) honey – rich and slightly caramelized flavor.
- 60 ml (¼ cup) light soy sauce – a subtle salty kick.
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed – for aromatic depth.
- 1 tbsp cornstarch, diluted in a little water – to thicken the sauce.
Garnishes
- 2 carrots, julienned – crisp and fresh.
- ½ cucumber, sliced – refreshing.
- 3 spring onions, sliced – light and fragrant.
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or rice vinegar).
- Juice and zest of ½ lime – for freshness.
- 3 radishes, thinly sliced – peppery crunch.
- Steamed green beans – tender and nutritious.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Sesame seeds and nigella seeds – for garnish and crunch.
How to Make a Shrimp Poke Bowl with Honey Soy Marinade (Step-by-Step Recipe)
1. Cook the Rice
Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch. Cook in salted water until tender, then drain and let cool.
2. Prepare the Carrots
- Julienne the carrots using a sharp knife or julienne peeler.
- Place in a bowl with balsamic vinegar (or rice vinegar), lime juice and zest, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a little sugar.
- Mix well and let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
3. Make the Honey Soy Sauce
- In a nonstick skillet, pour in the fish stock, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and soy sauce.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, simmering another 5 minutes.
- Add the sautéed shrimp and spring onions, tossing to coat in the glossy sauce.
4. Assemble the Poke Bowl
- Start with a base of rice in each bowl.
- Arrange the vegetables (carrots, cucumber, radishes, green beans, onions) around the rice.
- Top with the honey soy shrimp.
- Sprinkle with sesame and nigella seeds.
- Serve with extra sauce in a small bowl on the side.
Are Poke Bowls Healthy?
Yes! Poke bowls are naturally healthy and nutrient-rich.
They often combine lean proteins (like shrimp or salmon), healthy fats from avocado or sesame, and plenty of fresh vegetables for fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
The base, usually rice, provides energy, but you can easily make it healthier by swapping white rice for brown rice or quinoa.
The sauces are typically light, especially when homemade, keeping the balance between flavor and nutrition.
Why This Shrimp Poke Bowl Is Family-Friendly
Unlike traditional poke bowls with raw fish, this recipe uses cooked shrimp, making it safer for kids and more approachable for anyone hesitant about raw seafood.
It’s quick, flavorful, healthy, and easy to adapt to everyone’s taste – the perfect family dinner.
FAQ – Poke Bowl with Shrimp
– Can I use brown rice instead of white rice? Yes! Brown rice adds more fiber and keeps you full longer.
– How do I store leftover shrimp? Cooked and marinated shrimp keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
– What if my kids don’t like garlic? Reduce the amount or replace it with grated ginger for a milder flavor.
– Can I meal-prep poke bowls in advance? Yes, prepare the rice and vegetables ahead of time. Assemble just before eating for maximum freshness.
– Are poke bowls good for weight loss? They can be! Use lean protein, extra vegetables, and light sauces to keep the bowl balanced and low in calories.

Shrimp Poke Bowl – Healthy, Quick, and Kid-Friendly Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowl
Description
This delicious shrimp poke bowl, marinated in honey and garlic, is a healthy and flavorful meal served with fluffy white rice, crisp radishes, marinated carrots, fresh scallions, and cucumber.
Ingredients
-
- 350 g (12 oz) shrimp – sautéed
- 380 g (13 oz) rice – cooked in salted water
For the Honey Soy Sauce
- 450 ml (2 cups) fish stock
- 70 g (⅓ cup) brown sugar
- 80 g (¼ cup) honey
- 60 ml (¼ cup) light soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp cornstarch, diluted in a little water
For the Garnish
- 2 carrots, julienned
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- 3 spring onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Juice of ½ lime
- Zest of ½ lime
- 3 radishes, thinly sliced
- Steamed green beans
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds
- Nigella seeds
Instructions
- Cook the rice
- Rinse the rice well, cook it in salted water, drain, and let it cool.
- Prepare the carrots
- Place the julienned carrots in a bowl.
- Add balsamic vinegar, lime juice, lime zest, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
- Mix well and set aside to marinate.
- Make the honey soy sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the fish stock, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, and garlic.
- Bring to a boil while stirring, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Dilute the cornstarch in a little water, add it to the pan, and stir.
- Simmer another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add the shrimp to the sauce and stir for 2 minutes until warmed through.
- Assemble the poke bowl
- Start with a layer of rice in the bowl.
- Arrange your choice of vegetables and salad toppings around it.
- Add the honey-garlic shrimp on top, drained from the sauce.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.
- Serve the remaining sauce in a small bowl on the side.
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: dish
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480 kcal