Little Bear Poke

- 1 Lackawanna Plaza Suite 8, Montclair, NJ 07042

Welcome to the vibrant world of Little Bear Poke, a local Montclair gem nestled right in the heart of Lackawanna Plaza. For residents and visitors across New Jersey seeking a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dining option, this spot delivers a delightful fusion of Hawaiian and Asian culinary favorites. Moving past the standard American diner fare, Little Bear Poke specializes in the popular Hawaiian dish, the poke bowl, along with a creative menu of Japanese rice balls (Onigiri), fluffy Bao Buns, and unique Asian-inspired snacks and beverages. This establishment is a perfect fit for the modern New Jersey lifestyle, emphasizing fresh, quality ingredients in a clean and inviting atmosphere.

Poke, at its core, is a simple concept: diced, raw fish marinated in savory sauces, typically served over a bed of rice or greens. Little Bear Poke takes this simple concept and elevates it, offering a customizable experience that ensures every customer leaves satisfied with a dish perfectly tailored to their tastes. From the base to the protein and all the exciting toppings and mix-ins, the menu is designed for exploration and personalized flavor creation. If you’re in the North Jersey area and craving something light, vibrant, and packed with flavor, Little Bear Poke should absolutely be on your radar.

The emphasis here is not just on food but on a holistic, contemporary dining experience. The bright, clean aesthetic, which has been noted by local patrons, complements the fresh nature of the ingredients. Little Bear Poke is committed to providing Montclair with delicious food that highlights sustainably caught and farmed fish, celebrates local produce and producers, and helps create a passion for fresh, homemade-style food. It’s more than a meal; it’s a commitment to a fresh, healthy culinary choice right here in our community.

The menu selection goes beyond the basic poke bowl, incorporating other trending and beloved Asian snacks and treats. Whether you’re stopping in for a full meal or just grabbing a quick treat and a specialty drink, Little Bear Poke offers a refreshing alternative to traditional quick-service establishments. It’s a true local favorite for those seeking high-quality, flavorful fusion fare.

We understand that an excellent dining experience involves more than just great food; it requires transparency and convenience. While the overall vibe of the store is cute and clean, as noted by community feedback, potential patrons should be aware of a few operational policies. For instance, the establishment currently operates on a cashless basis, which is a key piece of information for those who prefer to pay with cash. Furthermore, while the poke concept is highly praised, the quality and preparation of certain items like the boba tea and the seasoning of some ingredients have received mixed feedback from local customers, suggesting that Little Bear Poke is constantly evolving and listening to its community to fine-tune its offerings.

In an effort to provide a complete and honest overview, it’s important to note all aspects. The positive feedback highlights the aesthetic and the customizable nature of the primary offering, while constructive critiques center around value perception and consistency in secondary items, like the sealing of drink lids and the quality of boba. This demonstrates a local business actively working to meet the high standards of the New Jersey dining scene.

### Location and Accessibility

Little Bear Poke is conveniently situated in one of Montclair's central hubs: Lackawanna Plaza. Its address is 1 Lackawanna Plaza Suite 8, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA. This location makes it an easy stop for locals running errands, students, and commuters. Being a part of the greater Lackawanna Plaza complex means accessibility is a top priority for customers.

For drivers, paid parking is readily available in the dedicated lots accessible from both Bloomfield Avenue and Grove Street, which is a significant convenience in a busy town like Montclair. Payment for parking can typically be handled easily via QR code scanning or text message, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience from the moment you arrive. The central location also makes it accessible via various local transportation methods, placing it within easy reach of surrounding North Jersey communities. The integration of Little Bear Poke within Lackawanna Plaza ensures it’s surrounded by other local businesses, making it a great place to stop during a day out in Montclair.

### Services Offered

Little Bear Poke offers a variety of services to accommodate the busy schedules of New Jersey residents.

• Dine-in: Enjoy your fresh meal in the cute, clean, and inviting store environment.
• Takeout: Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner on the go.
• Build Your Own Poke Bowl: Customers can fully customize their meal with their choice of base, protein, sauces, and toppings.
• Signature Poke Bowls: Pre-composed bowl options like Mika (Salmon, apple, shiso miso sauce, seaweed salad) and Bear-I-Yaki (Salmon or Tuna with house-made Hawaiian teriyaki sauce, avocado, pineapple, house-roasted kale) are available.
• Online Ordering and Pickup: Available through various platforms, allowing for a seamless, commission-free ordering process directly supporting the restaurant.
• Specialty Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri): Simple, flavorful, and satisfying options like Tuna Mayonnaise and Scallion Cream Cheese.
• Bao Buns: Fluffy steamed buns with fillings such as Smoked Pork or Preserved Shiitake.

### Features / Highlights

Little Bear Poke stands out in the competitive Montclair dining scene thanks to several unique and appealing features designed with the customer in mind.

• Customization Focus: The core offering is the highly popular “Build Your Own” Poke Bowl, empowering customers to create their ideal, healthy meal, including a range of bases like white rice, zucchini noodles, brown rice, or mixed greens.
• Authentic Asian Offerings: Beyond poke, the menu features authentic and popular Asian snacks and drinks, including Ramune Soda, various Onigiri flavors, and an assortment of unique Japanese candies and chips like Pocky and HI CHEW.
• Contemporary & Clean Atmosphere: The store boasts a cute and clean aesthetic, providing a pleasant environment for dining in.
• Unique Drink Selection: Specialty drinks like the Brown Sugar Boba Tea, Sparkling Yuzu-Ade, and Young Thai Coconut Water offer refreshing alternatives to standard beverages.
• Commitment to Freshness: The mission emphasizes serving delicious food that highlights sustainably caught and farmed fish and local produce.
• Convenient Location: Situated in the accessible and central Lackawanna Plaza with dedicated paid parking nearby.

### Contact Information

If you wish to place an order or inquire about their services, please use the following details.

Address: 1 Lackawanna Plaza Suite 8, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA

Phone: (973) 444-8052

### What Is Worth Choosing

Little Bear Poke is the perfect choice for New Jersey locals seeking a modern, fresh, and health-conscious meal. The primary reason to choose this Montclair poke bar is the exceptional level of personalization available through the **Build Your Own Poke Bowl**. For $18.00 (as of the provided information), you get to design a complex, satisfying, and nutritious meal exactly how you want it, with fresh, high-quality ingredients as the foundation. This core offering ensures that whether you’re a seasoned poke enthusiast or a newcomer, you can create a bowl that hits all the right flavor notes.

Furthermore, the inclusion of **authentic and popular side items like Onigiri and Bao Buns** makes it a more well-rounded Asian-fusion spot than a typical quick-service restaurant. The savory Smoked Pork Bun or the simple, classic Tuna Mayonnaise Onigiri provides a great pairing or lighter snack option. While there have been a few noted inconsistencies regarding certain drink items and the no-cash policy, the overall value lies in the freshness of the main dish and the variety of unique Asian-inspired items not commonly found together in the region. It’s an ideal spot for a post-workout refuel, a quick but high-quality lunch break, or a convenient grab-and-go dinner that’s far healthier than fast food. The clean, welcoming environment and the focus on sustainable ingredients reinforce Little Bear Poke's position as a forward-thinking, valuable addition to the Montclair, NJ, culinary landscape.

Little Bear Poke

1 Lackawanna Plaza Suite 8, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA