Poi Dog

Fusion

Seafood

Asian

American

TRUCK OWNER

Kiki Aranita

Kiki Aranita is a multifaceted chef, food writer, and entrepreneur, best known for co-founding Poi Dog, a Philadelphia-based food truck and restaurant that celebrated Hawaii's diverse culinary heritage. Born in New York City, Kiki was raised in both Honolulu and Hong Kong, immersing her in rich, multicultural food traditions. She pursued higher education at Bryn Mawr College, earning a master's degree in classics in 2011. During her time there, she developed a keen interest in food culture, which eventually led her to transition from academia to the culinary world.

DESCRIPTION

Poi Dog was a beloved Philadelphia-based food truck and restaurant that brought the vibrant flavors of Hawaiian local cuisine to the city. Founded by Kiki Aranita and Chris Vacca, Poi Dog started as a food truck, serving up Hawaiian-style lunch plates, fresh ahi poke, musubi, and mochi, all crafted in-house. Their unique fusion of Hawaiian and local flavors quickly garnered a dedicated following, leading to the establishment of a brick-and-mortar location in Center City. Unfortunately, due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Poi Dog permanently closed its physical location in July 2020. However, Kiki Aranita has continued to keep the spirit of Poi Dog alive through large-scale pop-ups and a line of retail sauces, allowing fans to bring a taste of Hawaii into their own kitchens.