Page 14 - AHATA

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LOCAL Tuesday 24 March 2026

Po-Ké Ono Brings Bold Asian Fusion to Aruba’s Dining Scene

Innovative eatery blends island culture with modern Asian cuisine

around accessibility and en- bao. Its growing popularity is a
joyment. Whether dining in- testament to Aruba’s evolving
doors or grabbing a quick food culture—one that em-
bowl on the go, guests can braces global influence while
expect a consistently high staying rooted in community
standard in both service and and craft.
cuisine. With extensive menu
options, including selections For those seeking a modern
for vegan diners, Po-Ké Ono taste of Asia in the heart of the
caters to a wide range of Caribbean, Po-Ké Ono offers
tastes and dietary preferenc- a flavorful and memorable
es. experience worth exploring.q

In a culinary landscape known for its diversity While the concept leans into
and creativity, Po-Ké Ono stands out as a vi- fast-casual dining, the quality
brant and contemporary addition to Aruba’s of ingredients and thoughtful
restaurant scene. With locations at Azure in
Palm Beach and the Renaissance Market-
place in Oranjestad, the concept introduces a preparation reflect fine-dining
refreshing take on Asian fusion dining—casual roots. Many of the restaurant’s
in style, yet refined in execution. core ingredients are sourced
locally, emphasizing sustain-
Established in 2020, Po-Ké Ono was envisioned ability and support for Aruba’s
as a space where flavor, culture, and creativ- agricultural community. The
result is a dining experience
ity intersect. The menu features an array of sig-
nature dishes including poke bowls, steamed that honors both the island’s
spirit and the culinary tradi-
bao, and sushi, crafted with precision and a
focus on freshness. Drawing on Asian influenc- tions it draws inspiration from.
es, the restaurant delivers bold flavors in an
approachable format, appealing to a broad Open daily from 11:00 AM to
10:00 PM, Po-Ké Ono contin-
audience of locals and visitors alike.
ues to gain recognition as one
The ambiance is designed to be welcom- of the island’s premier desti-
ing and relaxed, with a philosophy centered nations for sushi, poke, and
Fun facts about cacti hedges “Trankera”

(Oranjestad) – When off-road- common, and those that still
ing in inland Aruba, you may stand are often not main-
notice some cacti hedges tained. On the surface this
around various properties or seems like a bad develop-
lined up by certain pathways. ment, however this proved to
These man-made hedges are be beneficial for our flora and
called “trankera” and play an fauna. Naturally developed
important role in maintaining flora around the hedges of-
our flora and fauna. fers more shelter for fauna.
Another aspect is the propa-
The trankera dates to colo- gation process. When pruning
nialism, where settlers estab- hedges, flowers and seeds
lished several ‘cunucu’ (farm) were removed, which limits
on the island. People either propagation to a minimum.
used stone walls or trankera
as a fence to ward off strang- So, though trankeras don’t
ers and wild animals that can play that big of a role in Aru-
feed on the cunucu vegeta- ba’s agriculture anymore,
tion or cattle. our environment still reaps
the benefits of these long-
Nowadays, trankeras are less standing natural structures.q