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Menomonie will soon welcome Poke Bowl and Tea, a fresh and unique dining experience brought to you by Sandy and Tony Chen, the owners of the China Buffet. The restaurant will be located at 2321 Hwy 25 N, Suite 308, with an anticipated opening at the end of March.
“We wanted to bring something new to the area,” said Sandy. “Poke is really popular right now, and we felt like it would be a great addition to Menomonie.”
What’s a Poke Bowl?
Pronounced POH-kay (rhyming with "okay"), poke is a Hawaiian dish featuring fresh raw, or marinated fish—typically tuna or salmon—served over rice with a variety of toppings. The word poke means "to cut" in Hawaiian, referring to how the fish is prepared.
Poke Bowl and Tea will offer cooked protein options as well, including chicken, shrimp, and tofu. Poke bowls are highly customizable, allowing diners to create their perfect meal by adding toppings like spicy mayo, soy sauce, seaweed, avocado, and crispy onions.
Alongside fresh poke bowls, the restaurant will feature a variety of teas, including milk tea, fresh fruit tea, and slushies.
A Local Family Business
The Chens have been a part of the Menomonie community since 2002, taking ownership of China Buffet shortly after moving to the area. Their children, Helen and Kai, are both graduates of Menomonie High School.
Helen will be familiar to Mustangs fans. She was a standout athlete, making two trips to state her senior year—first with the cross-country team, then as a starter on the girls’ basketball team. She’s now playing basketball at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and majoring in Chemical Engineering. Son Kai is currently pursuing a degree in Packaging at UW-Stout.
With deep roots in the community, the Chens are excited to introduce something new to Menomonie’s food scene. Stay tuned for updates on the grand opening!
