With summer temperatures currently scorching, it’s hard to imagine wanting a bowl of hot soup. But that’s exactly what the owner and cook of Chico’s newest restaurant downtown — Momo’s Poke — says she craves.
"That is like a bowl of comfort,” Cassandra Srisruanpunt told NSPR. “Even if it's 100 something outside, I still crave a bowl of pho, as crazy as that sounds.”
From the name, you might think Momo’s Poke solely focuses on one of Hawaii’s favorite dishes — poke. But other small bites and Asian-fusion comfort dishes are also on the menu.
“Even if it's 100 something outside, I still crave a bowl of pho, as crazy as that sounds.”— Cassandra Srisruanpunt, owner and cook of Momo's Poke
Teriyaki and salmon bowls, chicken wings, and egg rolls are all highly significant to Srisruanpunt. She says the inclusion of pho on the weekends keeps her family tradition alive because growing up, there was always a pot of boiling noodle soup simmering on the stove.
"To have that and to share that with everyone, it's just something nice to kind of conversate over,” she said. “It's pretty much like a big hug in a bowl.”
But what about the poke?
If you are unfamiliar with poke, it means "to slice or cut" in Hawaiian. It refers to the cubes of marinated sushi-grade fish tossed over rice and topped with Asian-inspired sauces.
"It's a deconstructed sushi roll. Essentially, you know, instead of having the hustle and fuss of sitting down eating like ordering a roll or taking that with you, it's kind of messy," Srisruanpunt said. "This is like a little Chipotle-style bowl for you."
Poke has its origins in the traditional practices of native Hawaiian fishermen. They would slice up smaller reef fish and serve them raw, seasoned with whatever ingredients were available.
In Hawaii, the development of the poke dish was significantly influenced by Japanese and Chinese immigrants. They introduced ingredients commonly used in island cuisine such as soy sauce, sesame oil, and more, which greatly impacted the flavor profile of the poke.
Now off the island, poke has spread in popularity throughout foodie culture and, like tacos, ramen, and sushi, has developed a life of its own.
"Here, a lot of people like the extra toppings, like crab salad, the seaweed salad, pineapple, something to give it a different flavor palette," Srisruanpunt said.
Srisruanpunt says the restaurant is committed to serving fresh ocean flavors, using high-quality ingredients in each poke bowl.
"Poke is a very sensitive type of food, so everything does have to be fresh," Srisruanpunt said. "Fish is always cut the day of."
Lost in the sauce
The restaurant takes pride in its sauces, which are all made in-house. They aim to offer a wide range of flavors to accommodate everyone's taste buds.
"All the sauces are made in-house, so we kind of pride ourselves in giving people a flavor variety," Srisruanpunt said.
They offer eight to nine distinct sauces, which provides customers with a wide range of options. The establishment plans to introduce additional sauces or featured flavors in the future.
One of their unique sauces is their wasabi aioli, which is not commonly found. It is recommended for those who enjoy the kick wasabi provides. Also popular is their honey garlic soy sauce. It offers a delightful sweetness that is complemented by a subtle umami finish derived from the soy sauce.
A family affair
Srisruanpunt, her brother Armany Thammavong, and her husband collaboratively manage the newly established operations.
"Literally, without them, this business would not be standing or be on its two legs. It takes a village to raise this business how it is," Srisruanpunt said.
Originally from the Bay Area, Srisruanpunt and her family made their way to Oroville when she was young.
Her family comes from a line of restaurateurs, initially specializing in Thai food. Subsequently, they began incorporating pho into their Thai cuisine. Upon looking for a location in Chico, they recognized the absence of poke in the area.
Srisruanpunt said customer feedback on the food has been positive, particularly regarding the sauces. This is a plus for her because, ultimately, cooking is her reward.
"I just enjoy cooking, I've always been a foodie at home for all my friends and family, and now that I get to share it with everyone else, hopefully they can enjoy that too," Srisruanpunt said.
Momo's Poke is open from 11 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
