How to Price Poke Bowl: Food Cost Breakdown & Menu Price Guide
Last reviewed: July 28, 2026
Short answer
Poke Bowl typically runs a food cost of 30–36%, supporting a menu price of $13–$17 depending on portion size and ingredient quality. A worked example below shows the exact math for one common version.
What Drives Poke Bowl Cost
Base protein (fish, tofu, chicken)
40–50% of costFish drives the price tier; tofu and chicken are much cheaper substitutes
Rice or greens base
8–12% of costCheap per bowl
Mix-ins and toppings
25–35% of costBuild-your-own models make this the hardest cost to control
Sauce
5–10% of costSmall per bowl but adds up at volume if unmeasured
Worked Example
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ahi tuna | 5 oz | $3.20 |
| Sushi rice | 6 oz | $0.50 |
| Edamame, cucumber, avocado, onion | — | $1.10 |
| Sauce (spicy mayo, ponzu) | — | $0.30 |
| Total ingredient cost | $5.10 | |
Target Food Cost
33%
Suggested Menu Price
$15.45
Actual food cost: 33.0%
Common Pricing Mistakes
Not standardizing scoop sizes on a build-your-own model
Poke bowls built with unmeasured scoops are one of the most common sources of cost creep in fast-casual, since a slightly generous fish or avocado scoop compounds across hundreds of bowls.
Pricing all proteins the same regardless of actual cost
Ahi tuna, salmon, tofu, and chicken have very different costs. A flat base price across all protein choices either overprices the cheap ones or loses money on fish.
Underpricing 'premium' mix-ins like avocado or extra fish
Avocado and extra protein upcharges need to reflect actual market cost, which for avocado specifically can swing significantly by season.
Price Every Poke Bowl Dish on Your Menu
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