OCTOBER 2 0 1 7 I BOROMAG.COM 39
Born in Gramercy, brothers Chris and
Jonathan “JT” Tsang spent the majority of
their lives in Flushing, Queens. Hitting the
workforce at a young age, they’ve been
exposed to the ins and outs of the restaurant
business through the many hats
they’ve worn.
“Everything that we picked up was
just from growing up in restaurants,” explained
Chris Tsang, the elder of the two.
It is through this hands-on exposure
that the brotherly duo built up their confidence
to share with the community the
inspiring richness of their Polynesian culture.
More than just a sandy hotspot, the
islands of Hawaii have a way of life unlike
anything you’d find here on the East
Coast. Enriched by a fusion of cultures
from its floating neighbors, Hawaii acts as
the northernmost tip of Polynesia — one
of three areas that make up the diverse
islands of Oceania. Now, thanks to the
Tsang brothers, we mainlanders can experience
a taste of what this group of islands
has to offer without the burden of a
pricey plane ticket.
As an essential dietary staple, poke is
to a Hawaii native as a bodega egg and
cheese is to a New Yorker: quick, delicious
and seemingly everywhere. Traditionally
served as an appetizer, classic
poke refers to marinated raw fish, typically
ahi tuna, and can be found just about
anywhere in Hawaii: gas stations, delis,
you name it.
The poke bowl is somewhat of a newer
concept, taking this delicious snack to
the next level as a well-rounded, satiating
meal. The poke bowl, which has already
taken the West Coast by storm, consists
of poke typically accompanied by scallions,
vegetables and onions, tossed with
soy sauce and garnished with sesame.
At PokeWave, the classic poke bowl is
modernized to accommodate the everchanging
palates of a diverse community,
giving a build-your-own option to those
looking to add a personalized touch.
From eel and chicken to shrimp and tofu,
the options are truly endless for any diner.
As much of a picky eater as I can be, I
succumbed to the idea of adventuring
outside of my comfort zones the moment
I saw what the Tsang brothers were offering.
They started me off with a classic of
theirs titled Big Island, which is the closest
representation the eatery offers to the
original poke bowl. Accented with fresh