It is no exaggeration to say that ahi poke is the top gourmet food in Hawaii!
In Hawaii, where heavy foods like burgers and steaks are mainstream, your body naturally craves light and fresh poke. Haha.
In this article, Aloalo Travel tour guides have compiled a list of 8 popular ahi poke shops in Hawaii recommended for you.
We thoroughly compare all types of poke available in Hawaii, from supermarket deli corners to authentic specialty stores.
We have selected only the truly recommended spots, so please use this as a reference for your Hawaii trip.
Ono Seafood
Ono Seafood is one of Hawaii’s leading poke shops, boasting overwhelming popularity through word of mouth.
It is an ahi poke shop with an outstanding track record, having ranked 18th in the Top 100 Places to Eat in the US on Yelp, the world’s largest review site!
The shop is small and the location is a bit hard to find, which gives it a nice hidden gem atmosphere.
By the way, "Ono" means "delicious" in Hawaiian. Many people think it is Mr. Ono’s shop, so I am clarifying that here just in case. Haha.
They are particular about every flavor, and it is definitely one of the top 3 popular shops in Hawaii, so be sure to check it out.
Recommended Menu at Ono Seafood
Ono Seafood occasionally has salmon, but basically, your choices are Ahi (tuna) or Tako (octopus).
There are 5 types of seasonings for Ahi: Shoyu, Miso, Spicy, Hawaiian, and Wasabi.
There are 3 types of seasonings for Tako: Shoyu, Miso, and Hawaiian.
There are a total of 8 types of poke available.
You can choose from 2 types of rice: White Rice or Brown Rice.
The most popular combination is Brown Rice, Spicy Ahi, and Miso Tako.
Despite being a popular shop, they operate on a "close when sold out" style, and their business hours are shorter than other shops, so be careful when visiting!
They are open from the morning, so it is recommended to visit for breakfast or lunch.
Ono Seafood Locations
Ono Seafood can be a bit difficult to access due to business hours, holidays, and location.
Actually, in addition to the main store on Kapahulu Avenue near Waikiki, they also have stalls at the Hawaii Kai and Kakaako Farmers Markets.
The Kakaako Farmers Market, in particular, has become a popular standard tourist spot on Saturdays, so it might be the most accessible location.
The menu is the same, and there are plenty of tables and benches, so I think it’s just right for a casual breakfast or lunch!
Perhaps because there are other food choices around, it is often relatively less crowded than the main store, so it is recommended.
Off the Hook Poke Market
Off the Hook Poke Market is the No. 1 locally popular specialty ahi poke shop in Hawaii.
Popular for their fresh fish procured every morning and carefully selected seasonings, crowds of people visit constantly!
Since one of the co-owners is Japanese, the seasoning suits Japanese tastes, creating a wonderful match between Japanese-style flavors and Hawaiian ingredients.
It is so popular that there is a line before it opens, so it might be good to visit while sightseeing in Manoa.
By the way, it is located right next to the famous green Starbucks, so be sure to visit both together.
How to Order at Off the Hook Poke Market
The ordering method is basically the same as other ahi poke shops.
The method differs depending on whether you order a Poke Bowl or buy just the poke by weight.
Ordering a Poke Bowl
When ordering a Poke Bowl, first choose the "Size."
There are two sizes, Mini and Regular, with the Regular being about 1.5 times the volume of the Mini.
For many, the Mini might be sufficient, but the Regular isn’t overwhelmingly huge either.
Next, choose the "Base."
You can choose from White Rice, Brown Rice, Green Salad, or Sushi Rice (+$1).
Incidentally, it is possible to go half-and-half with Brown Rice and Green Salad!
The Sushi Rice is mixed with spinach, and I think this unique seasoning can only be found here in Hawaii.
Finally, choose your favorite "Poke."
Basically, you choose one type, but you can choose two types for an extra $0.50.
This is a very reasonable price, so I recommend choosing two types!
Ordering Poke Only
When buying poke by weight, it is very simple: just specify the weight of the poke you want.
In the US, the unit used is pounds (lb) rather than grams (g).
One pound is 453g, a half pound (1/2) is 227g, and a quarter pound (1/4) is 113g.
So, you can simply order by saying, "I’d like a quarter pound of [Name] Poke!"
When you want to eat various types of poke, buy them by weight and share!
Recommended Menu at Off the Hook Poke Market
For a poke shop, the menu is not very large, with a total of 8 varieties.
There are 7 types of Ahi and 1 type of Tako, and you can really feel their dedication to seasoning!
The Ahi flavors are Shoyu, Spicy, Wasabi Furikake, Cold Ginger, Hawaiian Style, Japan Deluxe, and Kilauea Fire, while the Tako is Miso Ginger.
#1 Popular Cold Ginger & #2 Popular Spicy
This is a Mini size, and I chose Cold Ginger and Spicy.
You definitely have to try Off the Hook Poke Market’s number one favorite, Cold Ginger!
It is a unique flavor in Hawaii, an original ginger sauce made from cold ginger chicken sauce.
This is truly surprisingly delicious!
The second most popular is Spicy, which is a standard everywhere in Hawaii.
Locals in Hawaii just love Spicy, so it is an absolute favorite at any shop. Haha.
By the way, even this Mini size is quite voluminous compared to typical Japanese portion sizes.
#3 Popular Japan Deluxe & Recommended Miso Ginger Tako
This is a Regular size, featuring the 3rd most popular Japan Deluxe and my personal top recommendation, Miso Ginger Tako.
Japan Deluxe is a popular menu item with many fans at Off the Hook Poke Market, featuring a miso base with shiso (perilla) and ginger added—a flavor that goes perfectly with rice.
And personally, Miso Ginger Tako is my number one recommendation. Haha.
The sweet miso sauce is just the best.
The Other 4 Varieties
All the menu items other than the recommendations are delicious, and there are truly no misses at Off the Hook Poke Market.
Hawaiian Style is a simple seasoning where the ahi is highlighted by Hawaiian limu (seaweed) and inamona (roasted kukui nut)!
The most classic Shoyu flavor also goes very well with the ahi thanks to the shop’s homemade sauce.
Kilauea Fire contains chili miso, jalapeño, and chili peppers, making it an irresistible flavor for those who love spicy food.
And the Wasabi flavor, popular with Hawaiians, has a nice balance of wasabi mayo and furikake, making it not too spicy.
There is also a wonderful menu item called the "Poke Sampler" which contains a little bit of all 8 types of poke, so please try it out.
Tanioka’s Seafood
Tanioka’s Seafood is a famous ahi poke shop known by everyone living in Hawaii.
Since its establishment in 1978, it is a shop that consistently ranks in the TOP 3 of local popularity rankings!
Because it is located in Waipahu, a place not often visited for sightseeing, it might not be in guidebooks and may be less known to visitors.
They have not only poke but also fried foods, musubi, and Hawaiian food, making it a very Hawaii-style shop.
Since it has been loved by locals for many years, you can trust the taste and price!
Recommended Menu at Tanioka’s Seafood
Tanioka’s Seafood’s number one favorite is undoubtedly the Spicy Ahi, where the spicy sauce and ahi match perfectly with rice!
They compete on taste and ingredients rather than increasing the number of menu items, so poke is basically just tuna and octopus, and there aren’t that many varieties.
You can buy poke by weight or have them make it into a Poke Bowl.
When ordering a Small size, you choose one poke you like for the bowl.
On this day, the Garlic Ahi happened to be running low, so even though it’s usually one type, they gave me two types as a bonus. Haha.
This is the version with two choices selected; the price is 1.5 times the Small size, and the volume is double.
It gives the impression of being a bit pricey compared to typical Poke Bowls, but the taste is truly top-class in Hawaii, so you won’t regret buying it.
My personal best combination is Spicy Ahi & Miso Tako!
If you think the amount is still small, they have a full selection of fried foods like fried chicken and croquettes, so you can enjoy side dishes too.
Of course, the poke is famous, but the "Hawaiian Plate" containing Kalua Pork, Poi, and Haupia (coconut) is also popular.
Original Goods at Tanioka’s Seafood
Inside the store, original goods unique to a popular shop are also sold.
Locals buy them often, so you might see Tanioka goods while walking around town. Haha.
They range from items with the shop logo to collaborations.
Tamashiro Market
Tamashiro Market is a long-established supermarket where you can get the freshest seafood in Hawaii.
The shop’s selling point is its thorough dedication to freshness, such as air-freighting live lobsters and crabs from the US mainland!
For daily fish procurement, they use not only the wholesale market at Honolulu Harbor but also their own unique routes as a long-established store to buy directly from local fishermen.
From simple plate lunches to various cooking ingredients, everything is of a freshness hard to find elsewhere in Hawaii.
It is in a location slightly difficult to access, but the pink building and large crab sign make it easy to spot, so please extend your trip there.
Tamashiro Market’s Exquisite Poke
Nowadays, Poke Bowls are sold everywhere in Hawaii.
It is said that Tamashiro Market was the very first to sell this rice bowl style in the 1970s!
The shop has been operated by the Tamashiro family, Okinawan-Japanese immigrants, for generations since 1941.
Although not well known to tourists, it is popular enough that locals in Hawaii are always lining up.
The poke features freshness from being freshly cut and a variety of over 30 types constantly available.
Tamashiro Market’s Hawaii-Style Product Lineup
Products other than poke are also recommended at Tamashiro Market!
Most people come to buy poke by weight or Poke Bowls, but Hawaiian bento boxes and Hawaiian-made products are also plentiful.
Of course, the fish sales area is the largest, but they have a surprisingly wide product lineup including souvenir goods like T-shirts, vegetables, seasonings, and bread.
It is a local Hawaii supermarket, so try procuring local products here.
Trying fish unique to Hawaii that isn’t sold in large supermarkets will surely be a good experience. Haha.
Hawaiian-made products that are expensive when bought as souvenirs are about 30% cheaper at local supermarkets like this.
Tamura’s Market
Tamura’s Market is a famous ahi poke shop that always ranks high in Hawaii popularity polls.
Loved by locals for many years, they operate 2 market stores and 3 fine wine stores.
The feature of this shop is that there are simply so many types of poke available.
You can buy poke that you won’t see at other shops, such as King Crab and Crawfish!
If you love poke, it is a shop you want to visit at least once, so please try eating and comparing everything from classics to rare seafood.
How to Order at Tamura’s Market
When you enter the shop, the first thing you see is rows and rows of alcohol.
Yes, actually, the main focus of Tamura’s Market is the liquor department!
Both the market stores and wine stores have poke corners, so you can go to either.
It’s a shop that originally started selling poke as snacks for alcohol. Haha.
To order, just speak to the staff in front of the showcase.
If you want to buy just the item, order in units like "Half pound (227g)" or "Quarter pound (113g)."
If you want to buy a Poke Bowl, the menu has photos and numbers, so it’s easy to order by that content!
Tamura’s Market’s Pride: A Rich Variety of Poke
The selling point of this shop’s poke is, without a doubt, the abundance of variety.
In addition to classic ahi poke, they have Salmon, Tako, Hamachi, Shrimp, Mussels, Scallops, and things rarely seen elsewhere like King Crab and Crawfish.
Moreover, there are several types of seasonings for each.
You can even do a half & half with Kalua Pork.
With so many varieties and seasonings, you’ll have trouble deciding what to eat. Haha.
Popular Menu at Tamura’s Market
My recommendations are Ahi, King Crab, and Hamachi.
Popular choices include the classics: Tuna, Salmon, and Hamachi.
If you are drawn to exclusive items you can only eat here, go for King Crab or Crawfish.
For seasoning, the orthodox Original or Spicy are popular.
If you want some punch, there are also Garlic and Kimchi flavors.
Nico’s Pier 38
Nico’s Pier 38 is a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood delivered directly from Honolulu Harbor.
You can enjoy ingredients caught that very day inside a shop with a very Hawaiian atmosphere!
The menu items are cheap, delicious, and voluminous, and they also have an even better value Happy Hour.
A secret to their popularity is that since they procure seafood from that port every morning, the menu can change depending on the fish caught.
By the way, the nearby Honolulu Fish Auction is famous for hosting the only tuna auction in the United States!
With a menu that never fails, including not just seafood but meat dishes and pasta, it is one of the leading popular lunch spots in Hawaii.
How to Order at Nico’s Pier 38
Nico’s Pier 38 has different ordering methods for lunch time and dinner time.
Lunch has an open feel, operating as a self-service style like a plate lunch shop where you order at the register, pick up your food, and seat yourself.
The restaurant is spacious and clean with an open terrace and bar, so if the weather is good, eating outside feels very pleasant.
At night, it switches to a style like a standard restaurant where a waiter guides you to your seat and takes your order.
The menu changes slightly but is basically almost the same, yet it becomes quite a bit more expensive compared to lunch, so lunch time is recommended!
Incidentally, for any plate, you can choose White Rice or Brown Rice, and Green Salad or Macaroni Salad, so pick what you like.
Recommended Menu at Nico’s Pier 38
There are many delicious things at Nico’s Pier 38, but I would like to introduce a few especially recommended menu items.
I hope you find it useful when you visit!
Furikake Pan Seared Ahi
First, the number one popular menu item is the Furikake Pan Seared Ahi.
You might think, "Turning tuna into a steak?" but it is incredibly juicy and delicious!
If you want to eat plain raw tuna, you can go to the adjacent Fish Market and purchase your favorite poke (Tuna, Salmon, Octopus, Bonito, etc.).
By the way, for Poke Bowls, the price doesn’t change whether you choose 1, 2, or 3 types, so it feels like a better deal than other shops. Haha.
The ahi poke at Nico’s Pier 38 is also quite popular in Hawaii, so give it a try.
Fried Ahi Belly
The Ahi Belly plate, using the belly part of the tuna, is another very popular menu item.
It has a juicy flavor with just the right amount of fat—this cut corresponds to the fatty tuna (Chutoro or Otoro) in sushi—so getting it cheaply makes you feel like you got a bargain. Haha.
The tomato-based salsa is also exquisite, providing a refreshing flavor that goes well with fried food.
It isn’t widely advertised so it’s not well known, but it is a hidden gem of a dish!
Seafood Pasta
Seafood Pasta filled with squid and shrimp is hugely popular with locals!
It feels like a truly American-style pasta, a combination you don’t see often in some places, but the tomato-based sauce is delicious and encourages your appetite.
Unlike typical bland American pasta, it is finished with a flavor that suits Asian palates!
It is a menu item hard to eat elsewhere, so it is recommended for those who want to try something different.
Garlic Pesto Shrimp
Garlic Shrimp is a Hawaiian gourmet staple, but serving it as pasta is actually a bit rare.
Shrimp and garlic is a crowd-pleaser without a doubt, but the seasoning at Pier 38 is very high level, comparable even to specialty pasta shops.
The price is reasonable, making it a menu item I want to recommend even though it’s not strictly a pasta shop.
I think it can be called a sure-fire classic menu item.
Fisherman’s Stew
Fisherman’s Stew is ordered almost as frequently as the main seafood menu.
Even among the various media features on Pier 38, this menu item is often highlighted!
It tastes delicious and isn’t too heavy, acting almost like an appetizer, making it a valuable existence in Hawaii where hefty options dominate.
Although named a stew, it is more like a clam chowder—a hearty soup filled with large chunks of fish and potatoes!
Fish & Chips
Fish & Chips with plenty of volume and satisfaction!
Originally a British specialty found on many restaurant menus in Hawaii, Nico’s Pier 38’s Fish & Chips is reputed to be top-class deliciousness in Hawaii.
Not only is the fish thick, but it also comes with malt vinegar for the French fries.
While not familiar to everyone, the combination of French fries and malt vinegar is exquisite.
You will undoubtedly be shocked the first time you eat it. Haha.
Foodland Farms
Foodland Farms is a local supermarket with the largest scale and fame in Hawaii.
It is a popular grocery specialist that almost everyone living in Hawaii uses.
Various products are sold, but the poke is reputed to have the No. 1 selection and taste in Hawaii.
You might wonder, "Is poke sold at a supermarket deli really that good?" but it actually consistently wins 1st place in Hawaii popularity rankings every year!
There are over 30 locations across Hawaii, so you will see them everywhere, but the store at Ala Moana Center is the largest in Hawaii, so it is recommended.
Recommended Poke at Foodland Farms
The store showcase is always lined with various types of poke including Tuna and Salmon, as well as Octopus, Squid, Marlin, Bonito, and Mussels.
Small stores have fewer varieties, but rest assured they have the classic and popular items stocked!
Recommended classic poke seasonings include Spicy, Shoyu, and Hawaiian.
Recommended popular poke includes Wasabi Shoyu, Oyster, and California.
If you are curious about the taste, you can ask for a sample, so don’t hesitate to ask the staff.
How to Order at Foodland Farms
Ordering poke from a showcase in English might take a little courage.
But Foodland Farms poke is truly a great deal, so please give it a try. Haha.
First, if you want to buy just poke by weight, you order in units of pounds (lb).
One pound is 453g, which is quite a lot, so it is common to order a Half pound (227g) or Quarter pound (113g).
The price is based on weight, so I recommend getting Quarter pounds of various flavors!
If you want to buy a Poke Bowl, it’s even simpler: just tell the staff you want a Poke Bowl and choose what you like.
They will put plenty of fresh poke on top of rice for you.
By the way, you can get two types of poke by paying an additional fee, so if you want to compare tastes, ask for "half & half"!
For Poke Bowls, if you choose a higher-priced poke (Premium), an additional fee is required, but basically, it is a flat rate regardless of which poke you choose.
Foodland Farms Eco Bags
Supermarket original eco bags have become a standard Hawaii souvenir.
Whole Foods sparked the trend, but Foodland Farms also handles various types of eco bags.
Cheap ones can be bought from just over $1, and there is a rich variety of patterns and materials, including limited-time designs.
Since it is a food specialty supermarket, many feature food themes like poke or Spam musubi, but there are also unique Hawaii designs that might make for good conversation starters. Haha.
Foodland Farms Membership Service
Foodland Farms has a membership program called Maika’i Members.
Even though it is a local Hawaii supermarket, tourists can become members for free, and there are plenty of great benefits, so this is information you should know!
When you become a member, you receive benefits such as:
- Earning discount points usable on future visits
- Applicable member pricing
- Birthday gifts
You can apply directly at the register or register from the official website!
When registering, a phone number and zip code are required. For the phone number, any 10-digit number is fine (like your home country number), and for the zip code, you can use the Waikiki number 96815.
Fresh Catch
Fresh Catch is an exquisite ahi poke shop marked by an octopus sign.
It is a hidden gem with few tourists, popular among Hawaii locals!
You can make a Poke Bowl by purchasing just the amount you want while looking at over 15 types of fresh poke in the showcase.
It is also a plate lunch shop with meat menus, so it is a safe choice even for large groups with different tastes.
The prices are cheap and the portions are generous, so you can go for either lunch or dinner!
Fresh Catch Poke Bowl
At Fresh Catch, not only tuna but also salmon, octopus, marlin, and various other types of poke are lined up tightly with various seasonings, so you might be unsure what to order!
When ordering a Poke Bowl, first tell them whether you want "White Rice" or "Brown Rice."
At that time, tell them the amount of rice in scoops (1 scoop, 2 scoops, etc.) to put in the container.
For the poke, either ask them to estimate it visually or order by specifying the amount!
If it is for yourself, about a Quarter (1/4) pound (approx. 115g) should be enough.
By the way, Fresh Catch’s number one favorite is Spicy Ahi, but I personally also recommend Garlic Ahi and Wasabi Ahi.
You can choose multiple types for one Poke Bowl, so please challenge yourself with various types of poke.
Fresh Catch Plates
There are various types of standard Hawaiian plate lunches, so even those who don’t like raw food can relax!
Since seafood is the main focus, Grilled Salmon and Ahi Katsu are especially plentiful, but there are also fried Chicken and Beef menus, seafood salads, and party platters.
So, you can buy a Poke Bowl for one person and a Fried Chicken plate lunch for another!
Plate lunches are cheaper than poke, so it is a shop that is kind to your wallet.
Redfish
Redfish is a restaurant & bar where you can eat many types of delicious poke.
If you want to eat poke, the ironclad gourmet food of Hawaii, this shop should be a top candidate!
There is a supermarket called Foodland that constantly takes 1st place in the "Poke Category" of Hawaii popularity rankings, and Redfish is the only poke bar created by that Foodland.
In Hawaii, you can now enjoy poke not only from supermarket showcases and plate lunch shops but also at restaurants and bars. Haha.
If you want to eat poke while leisurely enjoying other menu items in Hawaii, please visit.
Redfish is a New Sensation Poke Bar
Redfish is formally called Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland.
It is a shop that realized the concept of "enjoying with beer" and "savoring slowly in an eat-in space" for poke, which used to be mainly bought at supermarkets!
Originally, Foodland’s secret to popularity was the large variety of poke, and Redfish firmly inherits that feature.
- Seafood Poke: Ahi (Tuna), Hamachi, Salmon, Shrimp, Octopus, etc.
- Non-Seafood Poke: Pipikaula (Jerky), Tofu, Beets, etc.
The seasonings are also rich in variety, from classics like Shoyu and Spicy to Secret Sauce and Yuzu Miso.
Furthermore, there are many choices for sides and toppings, so you can create an original Poke Bowl every time.
Making your own original bowl and eating it with alcohol in the store is a luxury that didn’t exist before!
It is also a happy point that they have enriched the menu other than poke by utilizing the privilege of being a restaurant.
How to Order at Redfish
The ordering method at Redfish is slightly different from other places, so I will explain it briefly.
First, choose the size from two types, "Regular" and "Deluxe"; this simply refers to the difference between choosing 1 type or 2 types of poke.
The volume doesn’t change, but the price changes slightly, so order according to your preference!
Next, choose the base from "White Rice," "Brown Rice," or "Salad."
If you pay an additional fee, you can change it to "Yukari Rice" or "Hijiki Rice"!
After getting the base, select 1 or 2 types of poke to add.
Besides poke, side menus are selectable, and normally up to 1 type is free.
If you add more or select a premium side menu, additional charges apply.
- Normal Sides: Bean sprouts, Fukujinzuke pickles, Seaweed, Gari (ginger), Kimchi, etc. (about 10 types)
- Premium Sides: Avocado, Masago Ikura, Ikura, Taegu, Lomi Salmon, etc. (about 10 types)
Finally, choose toppings to finish; you can choose what you like from about 10 types such as green onions, sesame seeds, and furikake.
Toppings are free no matter how many you add, so I recommend ordering "Everything!" Haha.
Recommended Menu at Redfish
Redfish has many dishes that are stylish arrangements of Hawaiian local food!
There are surprisingly many types such as salads, noodles, fried rice, short ribs, sandwiches, and hamburgers.
So, it is absolutely no problem to visit with someone who doesn’t want to eat poke! Haha.
The best way might be to order poke as the main dish while ordering various dishes as a group to enjoy together lively.
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a signature menu item other than poke.
It contains giant shrimp and also serves as a salad, so ordering it as an appetizer is recommended!
Sandwiches, a standard in America, come with plenty of potatoes and are full of volume!
By the way, the sandwich content changes daily, so if it’s something you like, it might be good to order it.