A vegan poke bowl is easily made using this easy plant-based substitute: watermelon. If you’ve ever tried a traditional poke bowl, you know it’s all about fresh, vibrant flavours and textures. During my trip to Costa Rica, I discovered this refreshing twist on the classic poke bowl. By swapping the fish for watermelon you get a plant-based twist on the beloved classic. It was a dish so amazingly delicious that I haven’t stopped thinking about it since, and that was 6 months ago.
Travelling to Costa Rica
Let’s quickly chat about my trip to Costa Rica because it was such an incredible experience. It was organized by KeepFit Women, a community fitness group that strongly believes in the wellness and empowerment of women. A friend of mine strongly encouraged me to go and I can’t thank her enough. I highly recommend signing up for their next retreat (and packing me in your suitcase).
This experience had everything you would want in a wellness retreat. It was situated in a stunning, tranquil and tropical eco-lodge, the perfect place to get some serious R&R. As you’d expect from a trip centred on wellness, it was truly designed for the mind, body and spirit. Whether you want to be poolside, veg out on some lounge chairs, workout or take a yoga class, Danyasa Resort has everything covered.
Click here for KEEPFIT WOMEN RETREAT info
The Wellness Retreat That Inspired This Bowl
The trip embraced physical wellness with KeepFit Women, which included workouts by the incredible Jeenie on the beach (how dreamy), hikes through the jungle to waterfall views, and rejuvenating yoga classes taught by the lovely Carly Deslippe. I was even able to try aerial yoga for the first time and it was so much fun! These activities were optional as it was a “choose your own adventure’ vibe, but you couldn’t help but be envirograted by the energy of Costa Rica. I ended up participating in almost every workout and yoga class and my body was so grateful for that.
In the true spirit of a wellness retreat, there was also a big emphasis on mindfulness, relaxation and spiritual wellbeing. This looked different for everyone but for me, it meant taking moments to meditate, journal, and reflect. Beyond these individual moments, the retreat also had reiki sessions, oracle readings, cacao ceremonies, and ecstatic dancing. To some, it may sound a little too woo-woo but I promise you, it felt so authentic and spiritually necessary to be open to these experiences.
The package for this retreat consisted of plant-based meals, most of which were entirely vegan. I obviously requested that all my meals were vegan and the resort staff was so friendly and accommodating. Each dish was gorgeously vibrant, nourishing, and incredibly filling. Many of the lunch and dinner options were some sort of plant-based bowl which I loved!
I mostly ate at the resort because the food was included but I did venture out for a few meals to check out the vegan scene in Costa Rica. If you’re looking for more Vegan Travel content, click here.
Vegan Poke Bowl – The Inspiration
The trip to Costa Rica was life-changing for many reasons but having nourishing, fresh delicious plant-based meals like this was definitely one of the highlights. The resort we stayed at provided all plant-based meals, all of which were filled with fresh, local produce and bursting with flavour. Inspired by the tropical flavours of Costa Rica and one of the dishes we were served at the resort, this vegan poke bowl brings together juicy watermelon marinated in savoury umami flavours, creating a dish that’s light, nutritious, and incredibly satisfying.
Whether you’re reminiscing about a tropical getaway or simply want to indulge in a fresh, plant-based meal, this watermelon poke bowl will transport your taste buds to paradise. This bowl includes all of the fresh flavours I remember from my trip to Costa Rica including watermelon, edamame, mango, avocado and other deliciously fresh veggies. This vegan poke bowl has it all.
I’ll Take A Poke Bowl, But Make It Vegan
Making a Vegan Poke Bowl: Why Watermelon?
Watermelon might seem like an unconventional choice for a poke bowl, but its juicy texture and ability to absorb marinades make it a fantastic alternative to raw fish. When marinated, watermelon takes on a savoury, almost tuna-like flavour, while still retaining its refreshing sweetness. Plus, it’s hydrating, and packed with vitamins and essential nutrients. It’s a win-win for taste and health!
This savoury watermelon is so delicious and full of flavour, once you try it, you’ll see why it works so well. When marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and other flavorful ingredients, the naturally juicy and firm texture of watermelon mimics the texture of raw fish. It’s refreshing, slightly sweet, and absorbs the salty, umami flavours of the marinade beautifully.
To make this plant-based poke bowl substitute, dice your watermelon and place it in a container with the marinade ingredients. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes to really absorb the flavour. The longer it sits in the sauce, the more flavour it will soak up.
Watermelon Marinade:
- watermelon
- tamari
- sesame oil
- garlic cloves
- ginger
- rice wine vinegar
- green onions
The Other Players
While watermelon is a large part of what makes this dish a Vegan Poke Bowl, the addition of other vibrant veggies takes this to the next level. This bowl is full of crisp, juicy, flavourful fruits and veggies making it very nourishing and a delight for the tastebuds.
Keeping to the bowl I was inspired by, I added diced mango, sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, steamed edamame, pickled cabbage and avocado. This medley of delicious fresh produce really made this dish powerful and drool-worthy with every bite.
A tahini dressing was also the perfect companion for this poke bowl, balancing out the umami flavour of the watermelon. It is a simple dressing that simply requires adding the seven ingredients to a blender and you’re good to go.
Poke Bowl:
- rice
- mango
- edamame
- cucumber sliced
- cabbage
- avocado
- carrots
Tahini Dressing:
- tahini
- garlic cloves
- lemon juice
- nutritional yeast
- tamari
- water
- sesame oil
Garnish
To add a little something extra to this bowl, I added fresh basil and black sesame seeds.
I hope you give this Vegan Poke Bowl a try! If you make it, please leave a comment below (it helps others to find the recipe). As always, please feel free to share your creations with me! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest so that I can see your yummy dishes.
Vegan Poke Bowl
Ingredients
Marinated Watermelon
- 2 cups watermelon chopped
- 2 tbsp tamari
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 – 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp ginger minced
- ½ tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 – 2 tbsp green onions chopped
Tahini Sauce
- ½ cup tahini
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp tamari
- ½ cup water
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
Other Bowl Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice cooked
- 1 mango diced
- 1 avocado
- ½ cup edamame steamed
- 1 cup cucumber sliced
- ½ cup cabbage picked or raw
- ½ cup carrots shredded
Garnish
- 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
- 1 handful fresh basil
Instructions
- Marinate watermelon. Add all the ingredients to a container with a lid and gently shake. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Make tahini sauce. Add all of the ingredients into a blender or whisk.
- Add all of your other bowl components to a large bowl and drizzle tahini sauce on top.
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