If you ask Philadelphians what restaurants closed during the pandemic should reopen, Poi Dog is at the top of the list.
Good news: Philadelphia chef/owner Kiki Aranita is keeping Poi Dog alive with a Poi Dog sauce line, now available at Whole Foods in Fairmount at 2101 Pennsylvania Avenue. Poi Dog Huli sauce ($17/12 oz.) and Guava Katsu ($16/12 oz.) are two at-home condiments that bring the flavors of Aranita’s childhood in Hawai’i to the East Coast.
“This launch is huge for us because it means we’re reaching so many more at-home cooks, sauce lovers, and dedicated fans of Hawai’i’s local food,” says Aranita. “I’m so excited for folks to dip into the flavors of my childhood on O’ahu in their own homes.”
Poi Dog Huli sauce has notes of sweet pineapple, savory miso, and fragrant Chinese five-spice and goes well with spit-roasted meats like one of Hawai’i’s favorite dishes: “Huli Huli” (which means “to turn”) chicken. This versatile sauce is ideal for marinating chicken, pork, and steak before grilling, topping off hot dogs and sandwiches, using it as a dipping sauce to replace ketchup, and more.
Poi Dog Guava Katsu is a tropical, fruity, gingery, Japanese-style BBQ and dipping sauce that pairs well with proteins. Aranita has also used it in recipes for trout, pig tostadas, sausage rolls and other dishes. Both sauces are vegan and gluten-free.