Where To Find The Best Poke In Hawaii
Hawaii has been a longtime innovator in the world of seafood, bringing the sushi craze to the islands well before it swept the rest of the US in the 1990s. Poke, meaning ‘to cut,’ is a simple Hawaiian dish made from cubed pieces of raw fish; it has remained a favorite amongst locals for decades and is available almost everywhere – from local markets and delis to upscale restaurants. The fish – usually ahi tuna, salmon, or octopus (called tako) – is marinated with soy sauce, green onions, and sesame oil; other variations have included ingredients like bonito fish flakes, kimchi, seaweed, algae, Maui onions, and wasabi. For the six best spots for poke in Hawaii, read on.
1. Alicia's Market
Market, Seafood, American
2. Tanioka's Seafoods and Catering
Tanioka’s Seafoods and Catering
Tanioka’s may not look like much from the outside, but this joint has been a veteran on the poke scene since the late 1970s. The go-to spot for ahi limu poke, Tanioka’s has expanded to include all kinds of variations (such as wasabi miso tako and spicy marlin); seafood enthusiasts can also get their hands on poke salads and fresh shellfish. For a unique spin on the traditional, go for the spicy ahi tempura bowl with eel sauce and masago mayo, and be sure to grab a musubi, a traditional Hawaiian snack, for the road.
Tanioka’s Seafoods and Catering, 94-903 Farrington Highway, Waipahu, HI, USA, +1 808 671 3779
http://instagram.com/p/BGnlLKxQ6b4/?taken-at=47604
3. Tamashiro Market
Market, Seafood
4. Poke Stop
Poke Stop
Just off the H2 in Mililani, find Poke Stop – a little, hidden treasure dishing out prime poke in a whole spectrum of flavors, including blackened ahi, sweet onion ahi, and creamy, spicy salmon. Go for the wasabi tako – raw octopus packing a punch – or the Cali bowl, creamy ahi served on a bed of steamed rice, with avocado, masago, and crispy wonton strips. Plus, first-timers can make their own poke bowl, or opt from a list of rotating hot items like burgers, Korean-style kalbi, or the tempura fried spicy poke roll.
Poke Stop, 95-1840 Meheula Pkwy (behind McDonalds), Mililani, HI, USA, +1 808 626 3400
http://instagram.com/p/BGF4xPzwNr_/?taken-at=312375195
5. Yama’s Fish Market
Deli, Market, Seafood, American
6. Da Poke Shack
Da Poke Shack
Da Poke Shack has become a Hawaiian craze. Opening up shop in Kailua-Kona in an unpretentious tiny storefront below an apartment complex, this little joint has had such success that it has expanded to other locations, including Captain Cook and Honolulu. The original location, nestled just north of Pahoehoe Beach, is still a prime spot for first-class poke. Choose between a bowl (two choices of poke) or a plate (four choices of poke), pick your fish (the kimchi tako poke, creamy ahi poke, and dynamite poke with avocado aioli are recommended), and dig in. You won’t regret it.
Da Poke Shack, 76-6246 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI, USA, +1 808 329 7653
http://instagram.com/p/BGimJRIS9ib/?taken-at=1029467047
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.