On Hawaii Island, in the historic town of Hilo, is a no-frills sushi restaurant opened in 2011. There are only two sushi chefs, and top secret recipes from the owner’s grandmother. While Sweet Thunder Local Fusion Sushi serves up some delicious sushi, it is known for their Poke Challenge. In fact, the casual eatery serves poke so spicy that it was featured in Thrillist’s "9 Dishes So Spicy You Have to Sign A Waiver."
The challenge: consume two pounds of rice and one pound of ultra-spicy ahi poke in less than 30 minutes.
Just how spicy is this poke, you ask? The Ahi poke is made with wasabi oil, sriracha, homemade Hawaiian pepper (with ghost chili peppers), and a special secret sauce.
And since you aren’t allowed to drink any water (or other beverages), the two pounds of rice underneath is a lifesaver. Oh, and you can also use Shoyu if you’d like to tone down the spice - but it’ll only help so much.
The challenge is so difficult that, according to Sweet Thunder’s website, only four people have ever successfully completed the Poke Challenge. Keoni, pictured, completed the challenge once, and then upon hearing that someone else had beaten his time, came back to reestablish his first place spot.
We can’t find evidence that you are required to sign a waiver to exonerate the sushi spot of all liability associated with your inflated sense of spice tolerance before you partake in the Poke Challenge on Sweet Thunder’s website, but we’d like to think Thrillist would never lie to us.
While you must give two days notice to the restaurant, and have to pay for the challenge ($30, subject to market price), you should feel good that all of the proceeds benefit a charity, which changes each month.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Head to Hilo and find out if your tastebuds are ready for the terror that is the Poke Challenge. Or, if you like your poke to not burn your mouth, check out these 15 eateries that serve up the best poke in Hawaii.
Sweet Thunder Products Local Fusion Sushi
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
811 Laukapu Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
808.987.0222
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