With a degree in structural engineering, Peter Yang decided to go into the restaurant industry. As a second generation restaurateur who had a passion for creating tasty food, it made sense to launch his restaurant, Pokeworks. His parents owned a successful restaurant and ever since age 15, Yang has been working in the restaurant industry. He received his degree in structural engineering and worked in the field for a few months, but soon realized it was not the right path for him. So, he began helping his dad with his restaurant instead.
In 2015, Yang and some friends launched Pokeworks; a restaurant that specializes in Hawaiian inspired poke burritos and bowls. Poke means slice or cut in Hawaiian and refers to the seafood in the dish. Yang was inspired from some delicious Hawaiian dishes he had eaten and decided to introduce it to the mainland. Pokeworks’ focus is on responsibly sourced seafood and healthy, natural ingredients. They cater to people with a variety of diet restraints and emphasize on clean eating. Pokeworks offers traditional poke, signature works, and limited time bowls, but also incorporate a variety of flavors from different cultures, such as Korean gochujang, Sichuan peppercorn, or serrano and ghost peppers.
In 2018, Yang was recognized as one of Forbes 30 under 30. Yang took his passion and expertise in the restaurant industry and created something unique that meets an unusual niche. He doesn’t believe in just good food, but sustainable fishing practices and clean, healthy meals that you feel good about. I appreciate that Pokeworks has dishes catered to different dietary needs since I have dietary restrictions and know the frustration of trying to find tasty, but healthy food that I can eat. Yang didn’t let his lack of credentials for starting a restaurant or creating recipes hold him back from following his real passion of cooking and creating a community around sustainable fishing practices and tasty, healthy food.
Nice job with your post! I think it’s interesting how Peter started off as a structural engineer and then changed the entire trajectory of his career by going to culinary school. Also, for the record, poke is delicious. GCC needs a poke restaurant on campus!