Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kainalu Poke

    4.5 (46 reviews)
    ModeratePoke
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Kainalu Poke Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Kainalu Poke

    Recommended Reviews - Kainalu Poke

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Pu'unui Bowl with salmon over tossed green salad (minus the cream cheese)
    Jolene L.

    Incredibly fast and convenient, this team of happy professionals did an excellent job with my Pu'unui Bowl for lunch. During my first visit, the gracious cashier shared with me, specials of the day and a sample of their Lomi Salmon. I appreciated the option to have tossed greens instead of rice. The variety of mixed greens were fresh and not wilted. The generous chunks of salmon were nicely seasoned to order and the avocado was a nice touch. I requested they hold the cream cheese. For the side, I selected their seaweed salad. They were quite generous with this :) Loved the ikura on top to complete my bowl! Thank you for a delicious and healthy lunch. I appreciate the quick and convenient location as I walk over during my lunch break. Will certainly return to taste other menu items.

    Inside
    Tin Lung C.

    This poke place is located inside Restaurant row. Small little shop. I asked the chef if they are using fresh ahi and they confirm they are. Personally, I don't like to buy frozen Ahi, so this is that kind of poke place I like to shop. I ordered the spicy Ahi. I can immediately tell the fish is fresh. However , one big issue with my order was - way too salty! I am not talking about a little bit salty, it was like really really salty that I am like eating salt. With that being said, I believe this could be just an isolated incident that the chef just a little heavy-handed seasoning while I was talking to him. Because the ahi is so fresh, I still wanna give this place a four stars review. I will make sure next time I go, I reminder the chef not to put too much salt. The chef told me right now. They only open Monday through Friday, but during football season, they will open on the weekend too.

    Ka La Bowl w sweet potatoes mash
    Bethanie C.

    I came here after getting all glammed up at my hair salon nearby. Also nice and refreshing to have fresh fish afterwards. I didn't know they didn't always have specials. The Kala bowl still remains my favorite in which I'm too scared to try a different poke, hamachi, truffle, avocado - those are a few of my favorite things. Wish I had noticed the specials on sashimi on the fridge on the side, definitely gonna check my eyes and look their first next time, some $15 for some sashimi that looked pretty good.

    Spicy salmon w/ ikura and avocado, sweet potato salad
    Gillian D.

    Decided to check out this new poke shop in Restaurant Row. It's a small shop tucked away on the makai side, with just enough room inside to order. Immediately my first impression was of the friendly employees working. I wanted a spicy salmon bowl and they were able to make it for me by augmenting their Pu'unui bowl, which comes with salmon, avocado, and ikura. Plus one point that it came out to be a dollar cheaper than the build your own bowl. The portion size was a good amount of fish, coarsely diced. Their spicy sauce is a little different from the usual spicy mayo. It has a thinner consistency with some bold sweet and spicy flavors. It was a little strong though, so I would have liked a little less sauce or maybe dilute it. Ikura and avocado were nice additions. I got the sweet potato salad as a side, which I agree with another review that it was a bit too vinegary, but good. The location is convenient, so I'll for sure be back to try their other options (poke nachos look good!).

    Spicy Salmon Poke Bowl
    Will K.

    My go to spot for poke whenever I'm in town! The taste is amazing and the quality of the fish is always great! Very consistent I come here often. The service is always good because they remember my order haha and they are pretty quick. This place is one of the best poke spots in my opinion and I love poke. Kind of pricy but worth. They have daily special poke bowls.

    Marissa K.

    Went here to try their "Kainalu bowl" which comes with your choice of poke (I got shoyu poke), kalua pig, and lomi salmon for $22. It was a lot of food packed into this bowl! The poke was real salty but overall not bad. They do validate for parking here at Waterfront tower. They also offer student discount specials to HPU students here since there's some HPU classes in Waterfront tower.

    It's poke time!
    Carey F.

    Shoyu chicken, Mac salad, rice, rice baby! The chef has specials, and this is a first time addition. 1. Chicken is cooked all the way through - zero pink. 2. Chicken is juicy and tender, with flavor all the way through. SLOW COOKER MAGIC! 3. The sauce is a winner, he used the one with the ginger in it, so it's PERFECT. 4. Don't need a knife, 'nuff said. 5. The Mac salad. It has a balanced ratio of mayo to Mac to shredded carrots. Not too sweet, not too rancid, but just right! It is served on a bed of shredded cabbage and it's one big scoop of rice instead of 2 regular ones - Don't worry though, the rice to chicken proportions were flawless. This whole plate was flawless.

    Drink from the row next door
    Moe L.

    Kainalu Poke, a seafood dream, Five stars gleam in your culinary stream. Fresh flavors dance on every bite, A poke paradise, pure delight.

    Kaka'ako Bowl (Ahi)
    Kevin W.

    Are here on a whim as we wrapped up errands downtown with the fam. The food was good -- and the staff was friendly. Food came out quickly. They need a bit more seating, but otherwise, it was a good experience. Steak bowl (special) had good portions and the lobster bahn mi was also delicious and the poke bowl had big servings.

    Spicy ahi poke with avocado, white rice and purple sweet potato mash.  Tofu poke with brown rice and purple sweet potato mash.
    Allison A.

    BEST spicy ahi poke and BEST tofu poke we've ever had! My husband had the spicy ahi and said it's way better than his usual at Foodland. As a vegetarian, I normally get my tofu poke at Island Vintage or Leahi Health, and KAINALU'S WAS SO MUCH BETTER! It had peppers, at least three different types of onions, avocado, mashed purple sweet potato, brown rice, and more. The flavor, ratios, and presentation were all perfect. I love that KAINALU POKE is locally owned and operated. The service is great, too. The restaurant validates parking and the food is quick and easy to pick up.

    The menu as of 8/25/23
    Hana K.

    Checked out this new poke place in Waterfront Plaza last week, right by Row Bar where the old Subway used to be. The store seems bare, but the owner explained that they weren't expecting to open so early, so the wall decorations and other things were not delivered yet. The menu is very straightforward, you got signature poke bowls, build your own poke bowl, poke by the pound, and specials. Salads/smoothies will eventually become available within 3-ish weeks! The owners and cashier were very warm and welcoming! Both took the time to explain how the menu works, and the meaning behind Kainalu poke and the names of each signature poke bowl. I ordered two choice poke bowl with sushi rice base and sweet potato side. The salmon poke is very zesty, with cream cheese/yuzukosho/avocado. The spicy ahi has such a nice, slow kick of spice that I enjoyed every bite. The fish is definitely fresh! Each bowl (I believe) is around 20 oz, and the layer of rice was pretty thin, so I feel like I was getting food worth the price. I will definitely be coming back!

    Sooooo ono

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 53
    Thanks 16
    Love this 46
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 1
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Will K.
    0
    30
    36

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Carey F.
    52
    48
    20

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Roxy K.
    66
    52
    12

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Linda S.
    24
    13
    17

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Allison A.
    438
    44
    14

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Hana K.
    2
    11
    12

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Got the spicy ahi poke bowl for $20. I did not enjoy it. Way too much sauce and "toppings" (onion, avocado) and not enough fish and rice.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tee C.
    53
    72
    14

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan J.
    0
    91
    6

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    My go to spot since they have opened. Friendly staff who provide great service and some of the best quality and tasting poke

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Brahhhh. I no usually leave reviews. But the food was killah!!! Cool staff too. Yessah

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Fresh and flavorful Kakaako Poké bowl!! Ordering is a snap using their app and the order is ready on time!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Janice K.
    37
    60
    27

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mel P.
    6
    40
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean R.
    0
    31
    29

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lee E.
    1
    107
    124

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Love this poke! Purple potatoes, fresh fish and rice options, great flavor and incredible service from family run poke.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ali R.
    0
    11
    6

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kainalu Poke

    Review Highlights - Kainalu Poke

    The flavor of the spicy ahi was so delicious and I love how it wasn't too sweet compared to other places.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Ono Seafood

    Ono Seafood

    4.5
    (4.6k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    Good option to put on the list for poke bowl besides F**dlands and I will give Ono higher score for…read morethe freshness! Price wise it's also decent and ordering process is swift. They occasionally offer salmon as well! Obviously the dining ambiance is prolly the downside as it's a simple outdoor patio in front of the venue, but hey it does the job! We got their combo of Wasabi Ahi and Spicy Salmon, both of which we really love. I might like the sauce from the other well known place tad better, but would say this one was certainly delectable!

    I've tried quite a few poke spots around the Bay Area, and the quality of the fish here in Hawaii…read moredefinitely stands out. - The spicy ahi was easily my favorite. It had great flavor without overpowering the freshness of the fish. - The wasabi ahi was also good, but be prepared for a strong wasabi kick that definitely clears your sinuses. - I also tried the Hawaiian ahi, which was a little too mild for my taste. - The miso tako ended up being my least favorite because it leaned much sweeter than I expected. Next time I'd probably go with the shoyu instead since I was looking for a bit more flavor. One thing they absolutely get right is the fish itself. It's incredibly fresh, buttery, and almost melt in your mouth tender. Compared to other well-known poke spots, I actually preferred the quality and flavor of the fish here. The only reason I'm taking off one star is the rice. They use regular jasmine rice, and I really think sushi rice would make a huge difference. Since poke is essentially fish and rice, the rice should complement the fish instead of feeling like an afterthought. Service was quick and straightforward. You tell them what you want, they build your bowl, you pay, and you're on your way. The shop itself is very small with no indoor seating, just a couple of outdoor tables, so I'd consider this more of a grab-and-go spot than a place to dine in. Overall, I'd definitely come back for the freshness of the fish alone. With sushi rice, this place would be even better.

    Photos
    Ono Seafood
    Hawaiian tuna & Tako
    Hawaiian tuna & Tako
    Hawaiian Style (front) and Miso (back) Ahi Combo...

    See all

    Hawaiian Style (front) and Miso (back) Ahi Combo...
    Off the Hook Poke Market

    Off the Hook Poke Market

    4.7
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    I picked up lunch here for a group two days in a row and plan to make today the third. The food is…read moreso fresh and tasty. The staff is friendly but make sure you're ready to order when you get to the front of the line. As fast as I could state my order (1: size, 2: base, 3: poke), I tapped to pay, and they were handing me my food with a friendly "mahalo" that also translates to, "there are hungry diners behind you in line." Pro tip, if you choose the 2-poke option, you can try more flavors! I was introduced to this spot by a colleague who lived here for two years. The menu is delightfully brief. They're focused on one product and do it exceptionally well, the kind of local food experience I'm grateful to find when I visit someplace new.

    So many good poke places on the island but the ginger poke here is one of a kind. The flavors are…read morestrong and salty so make sure you have some sort of vessel to eat the poke with, rice, chips etc. Usually our go to is to grab 1/2 lb of spicy ahi and ginger, it's around $40 but well worth it to smash that craving. The service is always fast and friendly. Definitely swing by for a delicious poke bowl with all the fixings! It's a quick grab and go window so it's super convenient, I usually just park at Safeway and walk across the street. Support local friends, enjoy!

    Photos
    Spicy Ahi (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram)
    Spicy Ahi (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram)
    Cold ginger & spicy ahi regular plate ($19 with tax)
    Cold ginger & spicy ahi regular plate ($19 with tax)
    Menu 4/2026

    See all

    Menu 4/2026
    Nico's Fish Market

    Nico's Fish Market

    4.4
    (340 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Parking: dirt lot located across the restaurant, right next to nico's pier 38…read more Service: take out, grab and go shop Ambiance: local, casual, with tables outside the restaurant to eat near the restaurant and water Food: one of my favorite poke bowls on the island. You get 3 choices and plenty of toppings to choose from. My favorite is the salmon furikake, spicy salmon and yuzu ahi.

    This was our first stop after landing in Oahu. It was the closest good spot we could find near the…read moreairport. There's plenty of parking at the pier, so that wasn't a worry. The restaurant was pretty cute both outside and inside, and I could tell it draws a good crowd for football games, which is a plus. For the poke bowls, we got the Spicy Shoyu Ahi, Furikake Salmon, and Ultimate. Overall, they were pretty good and decent bowls. I liked that there was a condiment bar at the end to add any toppings you wanted. The fish was fresh and well seasoned, with no fishiness at all. I just wished there was a bit more white onion for crunch, but it was good regardless. The Fish and Chips were really good. The fish was super crispy, the meat was firm, and the fries were nicely fried. The tartar sauce or maybe more of a lemony aioli, was the star. It wasn't your usual tartar sauce; it had a homemade lemony sweetness that made it delicious. My only complaint was that the batter came off the fish pretty easily, which made it a bit tricky to eat at times.

    Photos
    Poke bowl
    Poke bowl
    Storefront
    Storefront
    Poke bowl

    See all

    Poke bowl
    Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    4.5
    (5.5k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $

    One hundred stars! I saw this place somewhere online and I am so grateful, because this is such a…read morehidden gem off the strip. But is it not unknown. We always say if there is a line out the door that is the place to try and this place definitely had a long line out the door, but that was fine, it gave us a chance to figure out what we wanted to try. They are such a small business, but not only have food but many fun souvenir items to buy. They have copies of the menu outside posted as well as menus you can browse as you wait in line, but also pay attention to the chalk board for more choices not listed on the menu. We all went with the same pick, shrimp and avocado musubi. It was so fresh, the absolute best musubi that I have ever had, period! They have more items that just musubi. People were coming out with bags and bags of food. Unfortunately for myself, I only had an appetite for one and we were not able to return since we were visiting so many spots, but I will be dreaming of this tiny delight! If you are a musubi fan, this is a must visit place.

    If you think 5,400 reviews are lying, let this one be the reason you make sure to visit this local…read morebusiness when you're in Honolulu. It was love at first bite for me with musubi and onigiri, so when I saw a spot dedicated to this deliciousness you better believe I made a point to go there! I ran even faster when StaciLei, Yelp Hawaii's amazing Community Manager, told me it's a must and gave me her list of greatest hits and must not miss items as a guide! Now I've had a lot of these in my life, and I must say, Iyasume are easily the best. See musubi and onigiri have humble origins as a quickly made homespun snack or on the go lunch, and when you spot them in the convenience environment they're often a giant ball of rice with a tinge of protein or seasoning for flavor. At Iyasume, these are culinary adventures, stacked with ingredients, all in handheld form, and the variety they offer is IMPRESSIVE! Of course musubi starts with the classic, SPAM. I had to order the kimchi + spam, shiso + spam, and unagi + tamago + spam, all of which were awesome (even the next day!). Onigiri here are actually layered with ingredients, so you get them in every bite, unlike the convenience store versions! They have a HUGE menu, and I went with spicy mentaiko and salmon, spicy mentaiko and ikura, ikura and salmon, and tuna mayo curry, all of which were great. I LOVE that they make these to order. You can see the line in the back hard at work, and they're very fast. You're sure to encounter a line when you arrive, but don't be scared, it moves quickly. I only had to wait about 5 minutes for mine to come up! Well worth it. Reasonably priced. Very filling. A taste of Hawaii and Japan in one place that'll have everyone smiling!

    Photos
    Inside the shop
    Inside the shop
    Teriyaki Spam & Rice with Hawaiian drink
    Teriyaki Spam & Rice with Hawaiian drink
    Black pepper spam musubi and inari-egg spam musubi

    See all

    Black pepper spam musubi and inari-egg spam musubi
    Ali’i Fish Market

    Ali’i Fish Market

    4.8
    (265 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    This small unassuming shop led to the best poke that I've ever had in my life. Ty was the one who…read moregreeted us and scooped our bowls. I chose the Yuzu Shiso Ahi and Limu Ahi. Both were "slap yo mama" level onolicious poke. Everyone in my family loved their poke and we are already planning our next visit. Ty was also graciously offered to let my son get an upclose glimpse into their kitchen as they were preparing their fish. You can feel how much this shop cares about their food just through speaking to Ty. Please, please open up shop in San Diego and give the other well known shop in SD a run for their $$$. THIS is how poke is done.

    TL;DR: Must-go top tier poke shop in Honolulu, offering high quality and affordable poke by the…read morepound or in a rice bowl. If you want to eat-in, there is a cozy eating area outside the shop that seats 10 total guests. 1/FOOD: Ali'i has the best poke on the island. And they've won awards for their some of their creative recipes like their Kaffir Lemongrass poke. Other mainstays we love to get are the OG Limu Ahi poke, Seasame Sea Asparagus poke, and Yuzu Shiso Ahi poke. Honestly, you can't go wrong. You can get the poke by the half-pound or over sushi or hot cooked rice. The hot cooked rice is honestly the best way to eat it, because it doesn't interfere with the rich flavors. You can get two kinds of poke over rice for $18, and one kind for $14. 2/SERVICE: Super chill and friendly staff. The owner talks story and loves his customers. It can get really busy with a line out the door, but it usually goes quick (2-3 minutes per person max) unless there's a big family order. 3/LOCATION: it's in a small strip mall with limited parking. You can park on the street too. There is eating area inside for 10 people. It's usually not too crowded, because most people take it out.

    Photos
    Ordering  Counter
    Ordering Counter
    Ahi patties
    Ahi patties
    Inari bombs

    See all

    Inari bombs

    Kainalu Poke - poke - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...