The flavor gods have smiled upon us! Lee Kum Kee, the iconic producer of authentic Asian sauces, has just teamed up with Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar, the fast-growing Hawaiian-inspired poke chain, to launch something truly delicious: a brand-new Chicken Teriyaki Poke Bowl. Hold on to your chopsticks, because this partnership is about to take your taste buds on a wild ride! If you’re a fan of poke bowls, teriyaki, or just good food in general, this new menu addition will definitely make you want to dive in headfirst. Let’s break down why this flavor-packed combo is so exciting, and why you should be first in line to try it.
Teriyaki meets poke
So, what happens when you combine the savory, sweet goodness of Lee Kum Kee’s Teriyaki Glaze with fresh, flavorful poke bowls? Magic. Pure magic. For those who aren’t familiar, poke bowls are a Hawaiian staple made with fresh raw fish, rice, and all sorts of delicious toppings. Think: tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumbers, and seaweed. But Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar is giving your classic poke a new spin by introducing Lee Kum Kee’s Teriyaki Glaze—a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and other seasonings.
The glaze is the perfect complement to the fresh ingredients in a poke bowl, adding an extra layer of flavor that takes your meal from good to “WOW!” Whether you’re getting grilled chicken or a more traditional fish poke bowl, the Teriyaki Glaze is going to tie everything together in the most delicious way possible.
“We are thrilled to partner with Uncle Sharkii to bring our Teriyaki Glaze to their menu,” said Grace Chow, VP of Mainstream Foodservice and Industrial Sales for Lee Kum Kee (USA). “Our glaze is a perfect complement to the fresh seafood and vegetables in poke bowls, and we know customers will love the added depth of flavor it provides.”
From Hawaii to your plate!
In case you’re wondering, the teriyaki we’re all obsessed with didn’t just magically appear. It actually has deep historical roots in both Japan and Hawaii. In the late 19th century, Japanese immigrants brought their cooking techniques to Hawaii, where they worked on sugar plantations. They introduced teriyaki—a cooking method that involves grilling meat glazed with a sweet soy-based sauce. “Teri” refers to the shine that comes from the sugar, and “yaki” translates to grill. Over time, teriyaki became a beloved staple in Hawaiian cuisine, and now it’s making its way into your poke bowls.
Lee Kum Kee’s Teriyaki Glaze is a rich blend of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and other traditional seasonings that make it perfect for grilling, marinating, or, in this case, drizzling over poke bowls. It’s a sauce that’s steeped in history but always ready for a modern twist—just like Uncle Sharkii’s poke.
Other News
The April Fools’ chili crisp stunt is not Lee Kum Kee’s first move to build brand visibility through strategic partnerships and creative activations in the U.S. market. The company previously partnered with Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar to bring its Teriyaki Glaze to a new Chicken Teriyaki Poke Bowl, using a fast-growing Hawaiian-inspired poke chain as a foodservice channel to introduce its sauces to new consumer occasions. Together, the Uncle Sharkii partnership and the gold chili crisp stunt illustrate two complementary sides of Lee Kum Kee’s U.S. brand strategy: serious foodservice integration that puts its products into working menus at growing chains, and social-first earned media campaigns that generate awareness at the consumer level without paid distribution. A brand that can operate credibly in both modes is building the kind of market presence that holds up across channel and consumer segment.
We love collabs
When it comes to brand collaborations, food partnerships have become the secret sauce for creating exciting and innovative products that delight consumers. Collabs not only create buzz but also open up new avenues for creative product development and consumer engagement. Lee Kum Kee and Uncle Sharkii’s partnership is no exception, bringing together a beloved Asian sauce brand with a fast-growing poke chain to elevate the poke experience with a twist of teriyaki goodness, proving once again that when two brands blend their strengths, they can deliver something truly special to the table.
The Chicken Teriyaki Poke Bowl is now available at all Uncle Sharkii locations nationwide. It’s a permanent menu item, which means you can get it any time you’re in the mood for something savory, sweet, and downright delicious.
Not in the mood for chicken? No problem! The Teriyaki Glaze is available as an add-on to any poke bowl on the menu, meaning you can drizzle it on salmon, tuna, or even your favorite vegetarian poke bowl. It’s versatile, it’s tasty, and it’s about to become your new favorite topping.
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