Seaweed-topped steak and avocado poke bowls in Gangnam: Ola Poke

Why poke for a light but filling lunch near Gangnam Station

Picking lunch near Gangnam Station, it's easy to end up stuck between something too heavy and a salad that feels a bit lacking. This day I wanted something light, but I didn't want just vegetables either — I wanted a mix of things together, so I went with poke.

Bottom line first: Ola Poke lets you add toppings like steak or avocado to the vegetables, so it felt more like an actual meal than a typical salad.

Inside Ola Poke Gangnam: atmosphere and eating alone

The store overall had a clean, comfortable atmosphere.

I went a little after the peak lunch rush, but there were still people eating alone. The place itself didn't feel awkward at all for solo dining, so anyone looking for a place to eat lunch alone near Gangnam Station could visit comfortably here.

Ordering steak poke and avocado poke to go

I went with takeout this time and ate at home.

What I ordered that day was steak poke and avocado poke.

After bringing them home, I set the two bowls side by side and tried them — the feel was quite different depending on the menu. Ola Poke also has a wide range of menu options, so beyond what I tried this time, there were plenty of other choices to pick from. I haven't tried every menu myself, but with so many options, it seems like a good place to pick something different each visit.

Steak poke: plenty of meat, eats like a full meal

I tried the steak poke first, and I liked that there was quite a bit more meat than I expected.

I'd assumed poke would be mostly vegetables with just a little meat, but eating the vegetables together with the steak gave it some chew, and it felt more like an actual meal than just a salad.

The vegetables were also generous, so eating a spoonful with the meat mixed in, the different textures blended together and made it fun to eat.

Avocado poke: soft texture with the vegetables

The avocado poke had a completely different feel from the steak poke.

The avocado's soft texture went well with the vegetables, and ordering both meant I could alternate between the steak bowl and the avocado bowl, which was fun.

The seaweed that made these bowls stand out

What stood out to me personally was the seaweed. There was seaweed like miyeok (Korean seaweed) mixed in, which gave a texture a bit different from a regular salad. With more variety of ingredients than just vegetables alone, it ended up tastier than I expected.

Eating both side by side, I noticed that even with the same poke, the whole feel changes quite a bit depending on the main topping. So next time, I'd like to try a different topping and compare it with this round.

Steak or avocado: which bowl to pick at Ola Poke Gangnam

After trying this, I felt like the real fun of poke is combining several ingredients together all at once.

With steak or avocado added to the vegetables, plus the seaweed, it felt a bit different from the salads I usually eat. I especially liked that Ola Poke has so many menu options, so you can choose based on what ingredients you're in the mood for that day. This time I took it home, but the store atmosphere was comfortable enough that I think I'd be fine dining in alone next time too.

If you're near Gangnam Station craving a salad but want a bit more variety in your ingredients, take a look at Ola Poke's menu and pick out the poke bowl you're in the mood for.