Rice was way too hot. Cooked the greens and the tuna. Bowl was way too salty. Overall not worth the 13-15 dollars per bowl.

I love Poke. Abunai is not the best I've had, but it's the best that you're going to get in DC. I will say that they need to really lighten up on the garlic for the garlic ahi poke. But overall, would come again. read more

I was really looking forward to trying a Poke place in DC, but it turned out to be the most disappointing place. Their Tofu is horrible. It tastes like it was frozen. It's soggy and tasteless. Overpriced and failed at the overall concept. read more

4 stars for poke, 3 stars for food in general, it is good, not great. I was conflicted to what to give this place and chose three stars since ultimately I try to review compared to other options, not just in its specific category. As a Hawaiian restaurant this place is pretty much what you would expect. A little expensive, with a good amount of flavor and fresh enough ingredients. However, I have definitely had better Hawaiian food and certainly better food of other types nearby. So, if you are in the area craving some Hawaiian, you would probably really like eating here. Otherwise, I would not make any special trip to come. As far as I know, no potatoes served, which is fine, it is not something to expect here. read more

I ordered the spicy salmon bowl; while I enjoyed the sauce and the salad ingredients some of my salmon pieces were not great. I started out okay but ended up having a few pieces that tasted extremely not fresh and very very fishy. Overall, very disappointed because I was really excited to try this place out, but the quality did not meet my expectations. Frustrating to spend ~$15 for a bowl with subpar salmon. read more

Waited in line only to be told when we reached the front they were out of (?) salmon. How does that happen? read more

After seeing the line out the door while I perused the food trucks during lunch several times, I decided to see for myself what the fuss was about. Now I get it! It was my first poke bowl and I'll definitely be back for more. I designed my own with half brown rice/half spring greens, tuna, a few different seaweeds, cucumber, scallions, abunai sauce, wasabi aioli, and some other great stuff I can't remember anymore. It's filling, flavorful and fresh. What more could a girl ask for?! read more

This place is good. Staff are nice. The poke tastes good. I like the Abunai sauce a lot. I'd come here for lunch or a casual dinner any day!

I went yesterday for the soft opening with my fiancé. He got the Abunai bowl and I got the Spicy Salmon. Both were amazing! The fish tasted fresh and they give a good portion (unlike other places I've had poke at). I highly recommend checking it out!! Great job Abunai. Mahalo read more

Abunai - Abunai and Spicy Salmon (with cucumbers added) - Hawaiian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Spicy salmon FTW! This place has great poke, a relaxing atmosphere, and good customer service. One of my favorite lunch spots.

I hadn't tried poke before, but have been wanting to - and Abunai Poke did not disappoint. The tuna was delicious, and I loved the mix of brown rice and greens as a base. I did a make your own bowl, with carrots, cucumber, cilantro and green onions, all of which were fresh and good. But the toppings were what really escalated the dish - the crunchy wasabi peas, sesame seeds, crispy fried scallions, and avocado were delicious. And when I wasn't sure about sauce, a combo of the abunai and chili pepper aioli was suggested (both light, which was plenty of sauce) and was delicious. I can't wait to go back. read more

I am so excited to write a review and rate Abunai Poke as this is my first review on Yelp! I moved to the DC area and my work is near the location so on my lunch break I noticed their sign in the middle of the sidewalk "Friends don't let friends eat fake poke" pretty funny and catchy! I noticed the line in the place was pretty long , but I decided to try it anyway since I love eating poke when I am in Hawaii. While waiting in the long line I decided to read some reviews on Yelp in case I'd come across some tips on what I should order and what not. I came across some mixed reviews, but I had a great experience. Food: I decided to get the Abunai Poke. Ahi Poke with their signature sauce. So delicious! It reminded me of the poke I get whenever I am in Hawaii. The Ahi is fresh and the rest of the ingredients that are included (nori, sweet onions, tobiko, macadamia nuts) really complements each other. I just don't get it how other Poke places I have read about that is now popular in the area offers different toppings that I can't imagine would go well with each other. At this place you won't have the option of pineapples, mandarin oranges or even edamame, but who really wants that option anyway with your fish...I don't. Abunai keeps their choices simple yet delicious and that's how I remembered the poke in Hawaii was. As for the prices, I think it's pretty fair considering it's fresh ingredients. Service: The line was very long but I noticed the customers in front of the line were taking forever to order and pretty indecisive on what to order, so I can't say the staff service was slow. Props to the staff for handling indecisive customers and a never ending line. The staff all seemed friendly and when it was my turn to order they greeted me with a smile and I quickly made my order and I got my bowl right away. So I wouldn't agree to the slow service reviews. Maybe if the customers ahead of the line would order faster then I'd get my poke bowl sooner and be happier :) Decor: Love the huge mural and the simplicity of the place. Sometimes less is more. Also love the message board on the wall that teaches you how Hawaii locals speak. I hope they'll change the message board here and there so we can learn more Pidgin. Overall...I get it, they just had their soft opening not too long ago and they are still figuring out things, but my first visit has been great. Friendly staff, cool environment, and fresh and ono (like how Hawaiians would say it) food! Regardless of the long line I'll definitely be back. Another great option they have is that they are open till 8 p.m. and on the weekends as well so avoiding the crazy lunch crowd is an option! I'll likely come visit them for dinner and or even on the weekend! :)))))) read more

Regardless of food, you should not have just 3 people to make food, ring up customers and do take outs. Waited for 1/2 in line just to order. Avoid until they have their staffing act together read more

Staff is soo patience, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly when new customers are ordering.. Thanks!! read more

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I want to like this place so bad because you sometimes get cravings for Poke and it's a great lunch spot but for some reason, every time I eat their poke, I get heartburns. Going very light on the sauce helped a bit but maybe they use too much spices.... not sure. read more

Did not like at all. Rice overcooked and mushy. Fish didn't seem the most fresh. Flavor profiles of the sauces are off. You are given to the option to add as many toppings are you like. read more

Continued my poke tour of downtown Washington! This one was fine but I prefer Papa Poke even though that was way more crowded. The tuna was of high quality but was not pre marinated so lacked a bit of flavor. They did not have as many choices of sauces and toppings as Papa. That did make it less confusing to decide but I always prefer more options. There is also less seating just a counter by the window. That is fine if you are by yourself, but tables are nicer if you are with others. The decor is a bit plain. Also their selection of drinks was a bit limited. I had a passion fruit non carbonated drink but would have preferred a sparkling Pelligrino. The service was fine but could have been friendlier. In sum, this is fine if you work in the neighborhood, but if you really love poke I recommend you make the trip to Papa's! read more

I was very excited to see a restaurant dedicated to Poke in DC today on yelp. It was the best Poke I've had on the mainland. I really liked the abunai sauce over the tuna over salad greens. Tried to keep it basic and have just some seaweed and onions with it. I'd definitely go back. But at $14 a pop, I'll need to space out my visits. The tuna is top notch though, so I understand the price. read more

Very tasty and authentic. Love every single thing here. Just one thing though, the walls in front of the food glass protector is so high up, I always have to ask what toppings are available :'( Maybe I'll make sure to wear heels every time I go to Abunai Poke. read more

Was excited to see a Poke place within walking distance from my office. However, was disappointed by this place. Lunch came out to be around $14 or $15 (custom bowl + 15% tip through their point of sale system), which is fine for good food. However, I found the fish did not quite taste fresh - it had a quite fishy/old taste to it. The toppings were fine, nothing special. In my opinion, there are better places inside the beltway for poke at a similar/lower price point. Even with the close proximity to my office, I probably will not return here, unless someone really really wants to go. read more

This is a brick-and-mortar restaurant of a long-time food truck. There's always a long wait here for lunch, even though it's a bit expensive for a weekday lunch. The service is friendly and they are helpful in explaining poke if you've never had it before. The tuna was fresh and tasty. That said, the sauces and other ingredients just didn't mesh that well. Maybe poke just isn't for me. read more

Usually a long line during lunch time, but totally worth the wait. Tons of ingredients to choose from.

Definitely one of the better poke places in MD/VA/DC area. Of course it can't come close to Ono in Honolulu, but it was actually good. Salmon was better than Tuna. read more

3.5 stars. First poke bowl ever. It was quite good, with unexpected flavors due to the combination of ingredients I had randomly chosen. I went with a build my own bowl, with salmon and tuna as my protein choices. The fish was fresh and a little distracting as I wasn't used to eating it that "raw" outside of sushi or ceviche. A large portion but I ultimately did knock the rating down a bit due to the price (comparable "bowl" lunches that are just as filling are less expensive). Kudos to the employees though, as they were very patient with me as I (slowly) figured out how to order poke. Again, not a poke expert as it was my first time eating it (so I can't comment on how "authentic" it is), but thanks to Abunai, I am intrigued enough to try it again. read more

I love me a good poke, and I know a good poke. I am also glad that poke is taking DC by storm (about time!). However, my experience with this place was OK: Service: great, the lady at the register was absolutely amazing! Crowd: well, during lunch time you will spend at least 30-40 min in line, so plan accordingly. Taste: way too much soy sauce, too little salad for a rice-less option. Fish was not marinated well enough to get raved about. Also, it looked like every avocado on the day I visited the place was rotten, I ended up getting a decent piece of a rotten one on top of my poke, which is not a good sign for a quality food place. People in DC are spoiled, I am spoiled. We pay premium $$ for our food, and we want premium quality. Thank you. read more

This is my favorite poke spot. While they may not have as many toppings as other poke places in the area, they make it up with flavor and quantity. I like their spring mix the most. They give generous portions of proteins. I always build my own bowl so I can't attest to the taste of their signature bowls. The only pitfall is that they only have one size, which doesn't always bode well when your hunger level fluctuates. read more

Very good. Seemed healthy and delicious. Sometimes you don't achieve both. I had a signature bowl "abunai". Highly recommend. Just try it. Also nice tidy bathroom read more

Abunai - Poke - Hawaiian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I stumbled on Abunai during a training in DC -- I really can't say enough positive things about this place. The food is fresh and absolutely delicious: I tried the Abunai bowl and loved it so much that I came back the next day to try the spicy salmon bowl. The staff are attentive and very helpful if you're stuck between the many delicious options! And the food is prepared quickly and keep the line moving. read more

Abunai - Abunai Poke bowl - Hawaiian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came for lunch on a Friday with a colleague. I had the spicy salmon and it was terrific! The salmon itself was very fresh, and the sauce, toppings all worked really well together. I also liked the selection of Hawaiian soft drinks like Apple iced tea. This being a new place, the line was pretty long, but moved at a decent clip. The store itself is pretty barebones, and I wish there were more places to sit. Overall a very nice meal, and I will surely be back. read more

Delicious. End of story. I had spicy salmon bowl but would recommend building your own bowl so you can have everything you want. Fiancé had garlic ahi bowl and I think it was better than mine (more flavor). Overall highly recommend. read more

I love this place! I went to the soft opening and then every week for the first few weeks it was open. I can't commit the time to go during lunch because the line gets long but I try to go after work every so often. They are generous with the portions of fresh fish (one of the things we noted our first trip and were impressed with) and the mix ins are great. I've never been to Hawaii so I can't speak to the authenticity, just that it's delicious. I've been to one of the other poke places in DC and I might be biased, but it wasn't the same. Too many mix ins and not enough fish. read more

Frozen (read: icy) shrimp in my lunch today. Not a great bite. This place is conveniently located, has large portions, and from what I've experienced the food is fresh. I've gotten many poke bowls from West Wing cafe, which I suppose is the comparable option in this area, and I have to say the combinations and toppings are unique at Abunai. Be prepared to wait in line, as this place is very popular. I don't mind the pricing, which I know some have pointed out as a negative, but you do get what you pay for. However, this place is constantly running out of food. I've walked out of line after waiting 5-10 minutes because they've run out of rice. I can't speak to the truck, but this location seems to be struggling to keep up with the demand of having a permanent store front. read more

I know almost nothing about Poke, but I would say my shrimp poke was mediocre. The shrimp were cooked, but cold, which I found a little surprising. The poke came with a wasabi aoili which was ok, but the other ingredients were underwhelming. One slice of avocado, plain rice, lemon zest, and a few greens. Considering the massive, delicious bowl from Cava down the street I can also get for the $12 that this Poke bowl cost, it isn't competitive. I may consider going back if the other bowls are better, but definitely a disappointment considering the other gushing reviews on Yelp. read more

Oh Abunai... Put it this way DC lunchtime warriors: I would eat there if you have to. It'll do. But you won't be wowed. Popped my head in there for a late lunch Monday. Delighted to see a bright and vibrant interior shop decor, paired with a friendly staff. After quick contemplation, I opted for the design-your-own-bowl route, with the Tuna as my protein choice. Firstly, they were out of cooked white rice. More was cooking when I walked in, but not ready yet. Seems odd, but not a deal-breaker. Brown rice it is. Secondly, the amount of protein you receive is minimal compared to any other poke establishment I've frequented in DC. I made the mistake of initially ordering the 'regular' bowl size (equivalent to a medium elsewhere), and was informed that this comes with a default two-scoop protein option. Cool. However, there is a $3.50 charge / per scoop (on top of the base $7 bowl charge). Nah, I'm good fam. Don't think so. So I switched sizes and opted with the 'small' bowl. Received a pitiful scope of protein that comes standard. The tuna tasted 'blah,' - tasted as though there were no marinade or spices added. Frowny face. Thirdly, when it was time to complete my bowl with toppings, I found the options without an additional surcharge per item few and uninspiring. In an attempt to stay within a reasonable-for-DC lunch budget, I opted for cucumbers, carrot, nori, and seaweed salad. I know, pretty boring. Topped it off with sweet soy glaze and got a Hawaiian Sun Strawberry Guava Nectar juice to go. Total: almost $13. I'm sure Abunai can rebound from this: perhaps move locations, swap supplies, and either drop prices or offer more toppings that aren't matched with surplus pricing. Until then, I wish them all best... read more

Really small portions, most places offer 3 or 4 full scoops of fish for a large bowl, here you barely get 2 and they upcharge you for everything. My reccomendation, skip it and find another read more

I really enjoyed the Abunai signature dish. It was a decent portion size and had a little bit of everything. Their coffee was also really good. I appreciate that the menu isn't over-whelming. read more

Okay love all kinds of food. Exotic different from the same day to day stuff. Very good but going to Hawaii in Nov where I can compare. Overall good change of pace, would have been better if fish was marinated it was too bland all else good! read more

While very tasty, I found the process confusing. The counter is very high so you can't hardly see in to see the options, and the options are not in the same order/groupings as they are in the menu, so for example I asked for something at the first station that wasn't available until the last station and ultimately didn't get it for that reason. And, the person who helped me at the first station did not make that clear. I also think that avocado should be an option for a protein in addition to tofu or fish. And, the tofu should be marinated in something - its so plain! But, my bowl was tasty in the end. read more

I visit yesterday for the first time, overall. It was an expensive lunch but it was something different, which was good.Enjoyed my spicy salmon. I was not fond of the rice texture, which was on the softer, sticky side, a little grainier would be perfect. Was a bit turned off by 2 of the servers their persona was not warm and inviting. I wish the place all the best, given how competitive the location is. read more

I placed an order through Door Dash. The order arrived on time. I ordered half Abunai tuna half salmon over half mixed green and half white rice with a ton of toppings- too many too list. The fish and toppings were all so fresh. The poke bowl was delicious the only downside was I asked for my sauces to be on the side and they put the sauces directly on the bowl. It was still very good and filling. I will be ordering again but hope that my special instructions will be noted next time that I order in a few weeks. read more