Imagine that you are standing in front of the beautiful glass house. You have a rumbling stomach and the person walking behind you can hear it. You've already chosen your rice and your fish and now you look at this large colorful array of Poke bowls toppings. This is the make or break moment. This is what separates a boring lunch from the meal you will be craving tomorrow morning. Honestly anyone can throw some fish on rice and call it done but you are not just anyone. You are a topping master. You are a flavor magician and you are about to learn exactly what takes a decent bowl and turns it into something you will dream about.

Poke bowls need crunch. They really really do. Texture is what keeps your mouth interested. An amazing bowl surprises you with every unadulterated chew. It gives you that crunchy crackle that makes you stop mid chew and just appreciate the magic happening in your mouth. The crispy onions are absolutely the star here. They shatter like little flavor grenades and they bring that savory fried smell that takes you right back to summer cookouts and county fairs. Then you have those crispy garlic chips. They smell so incredible they should probably be illegal. The second you bite into one your entire mouth fills with that warm nutty garlic goodness that makes the fish taste even better. And never ever ignore sesame seeds. They are tiny but they pop between your teeth and release this toasty nutty flavor that makes everything taste fancy.

Poke bowls also need fresh vegetables. Not the sad limp kind- The bright snappy kind that actually taste like something. Quality toppings are the ones that come with the great refreshing chew that balances all the rich butterfish. The cucumber topping is the quiet hero of the bar. Cut into small half moon halves, it gives this watery crunch that makes it look like you are drinking cold water from a mountain stream. Then this is me. Those little inexperienced beans are a lot of fun to roast. They pop with saltiness keeping your taste buds happy with every unmarried spoonful. Plus they make you mean convenient about yourself due to you serving someone without experience and now don't get lost in the root. That kicks of pepper cuts through the greasy salmon like a little ninja and wakes up your whole face.

Dip a finger in the sweet, tropical part of the galaxy to make poke bowls even better. This is the true magic place. This is an essential ingredient you didn't know you needed – fresh mango chunks. They're so sweet and so juicy that they are like a piece of sunshine. One bite of creamy tuna, sweet mango and spicy, brain goes away for a second. It's sweet and savory spicy and somehow it all fits together like a perfect puzzle. Pineapple performs the same magic. The zingy tropical flavor is a perfect addition to all other flavors. A bite is all it takes to get away from the masses at lunch. You're on a warm beach somewhere, drinking a cold drink while you have no worries.

Poke bowls also need something creamy and indulgent because you deserve a little treat. Avocado is the absolute king here. When it is perfectly ripe it just melts like butter on hot toast in rice and fish. So clean and silky that it coats the tongue and makes the whole taste even more luxurious. The great cream balances all the highly spiced sauces and crisp bites so spectacularly and then of course you have the tobacco- the little orange fish eggs that pop and burst in your mouth and release this salty sea flavor that tastes like the sea itself. They add that fancy sushi restaurant feel to your everyday lunch and honestly they just make you feel special.

Poke bowls finish strong with the sauce game because balance is everything here. You cannot just pick one sauce and call it a day. That is not how winners do things. Spicy Mayo is creamy plus hot and sticks to the fish like a warm blanket. Ponzu has a bright citrusy zing, which cuts through all the richness like a sharp knife, writes Ponzu and sesame oil adds an authentic deep nutty flavor which lingers after the bowl- Layer after layer of flavor when all three are combined in one bite. One moment it's hot! Then it is tangy. When that happens, it is savory, nutty and you're hooked.

Poke bowls are at their best when the toppings are included that no one mentions but everyone should! Pickled ginger is the little "rest" button that will leave your mouth refreshed and allow you to taste each bite the same. It's tangy, a little sweet and then it's like a cool breeze on a hot sticky day and please don't forget the seaweed salad. Dark and slick, and oh so ocean-y in taste! The salty, earthy taste is another complement that brings the bowl to life and makes it truly memorable.

Poke bowls are very simple and come down to you and what you enjoy making. This is the one that makes you close your eyes and smile when you take that first messy chaotic bite, the best topping combination. Perhaps you're a crunch fan and layer on the triple crispy onions. Maybe you are a fruit lover who loads up on mango and pineapple until the bowl is overflowing. Maybe you are a heat seeker who adds every spicy option until your lips tingle. There is no wrong way to do this. There is only deliciousness. So next time you stand at that counter be bold. Be brave and mix the sweet with the spicy plus the creamy with the crunchy. Your taste buds will throw a little party and honestly after a long exhausting week you absolutely deserve that little moment of pure lunchtime joy.