The best poke in town and probably the closest you'll get to Hawaii-style poke! We love coming here and grabbing poke bowls to take to Pines Park to enjoy the beautiful ocean views and sunset. There's usually a line, but it moves quickly. You order and pay at the door, and they call your name when your order is ready. The staff are always so friendly and helpful. It's a little more expensive than some other poke spots, but we think it's worth it. You can really taste the freshness of the fish, and the flavors are delicious. You can build your own bowl or choose from one of their preset options. It's a cute little hole-in-the-wall spot with a few picnic tables if you want to eat there, but we love taking ours to the park. If you're craving fresh, Hawaiian-style poke in Dana Point, definitely give this place a try! read more

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Wow, I'm pretty impressed by this place! Kawamata is a special spot in Dana Point - I decided to stop by here after the outlets and before a climbing session. I almost felt like I was back in Hawaii for a sec! FAVORITE ITEMS: - #2 Large. Salmon and ahi tuna. Pretty fresh, and mind you, we came just before closing time. I'd probs stick with the rice over the shredded cabbage. The cabbage gave it a bit of a weird texture personally but it wasn't bad. They do charge you for sides which is a slight bummer but the poke bowls are not terribly expensive so it's ok. I tried the seaweed salad and edamame too - pretty standard sides, nothing too crazy. PARKING: There is a small lot but also street parking right next to the spot. SERVICE: they were really nice, and quite fast! PRICE: about $12.99 for a regular and $16.50 for a large. Overall, pretty solid spot to get your poke at! I'd recommend if you are more into Hawaii style type of poke. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Large Poke Bowl #6 Ahi Tuna & Salmon - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

Was excited to try a new poke place in hopes that I'd be able to frequent one closer to where I live, but I was disappointed by the poke from this place. I'm from Hawaii and was hoping for poke that would remind me of Hawaii but this just wasn't it. My husband and sister agreed that the poke was not good. The fish quality was poor and tasted like something that was previously frozen. The texture was awful...like chewing on something a little spongey, which is a sign the fish was previously frozen. The spicy tomato wasn't spicy and the original lacked flavor. Rice quality was mid. Didn't taste like sushi rice. My sister tried to order a half and half of two flavors and instead of making half of each, they mixed the two flavors. It was bizarre. Service was okay. Ambiance was that of a hole in the wall place. It's too bad we won't be going back. Definitely doesn't remind me of the poke in Hawaii. read more

Came here on a Wednesday around noon and there was not a wait at all. The service was great and speedy. I like how big the portions are because they definitely filled me up. I would think that the food is okay. I think they added too much shoyu sauce and it just tasted like salty shoyu drenched rice. I will say the fish is amazing and I can tell is very fresh. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

I had the spicy tuna bowl. The tuna was fresh, the rice was good, and the seaweed was good, but some pieces were tough. I wish there were more in the bowl, like more toppings. Just FYI, every topping is extra. One customer got annoyed because the total was high since he added a lot of toppings. I will go back and get a custom bowl. It was pretty busy, but the line moved fast. There is outdoor seating. Parking is limited; there is a lot of street parking. Rating: 4 out of 5 read more

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We ordered and took the balls to the nearby park and view which made the experience so much better. The food was very tasty and there are a lot of toppings that can be added. My only complaint is that from their topping list nothing is included, even though it's part of the options I did not think that was fair read more

Kawamata Seafood - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

This place popped out at me on Google maps when I was driving back from Huntington Beach and could not resist after researching the reviews on Yelp and Google and this place is well loved...and I can see why. Parking is tight in front of the store but if you drive past the store a bit, can find residential street parking easily. You order at the window, the menu is simple. Additional toppings cost more so this is different that your chain poke places. You don't need anything extra honestly, the fish is soo fresh and good. I got a large bowl, white rice, original sauce with ahi tuna and salmon and added some furikake on top. Order was ready in a jiffy, everyone all friendly and helpful here. Took my bowl and walked over to Pines Park (8 min) and had a lovely late afternoon lunch, with some sick views and cute doggie watching. Ill be back next time and plan to try the ahi tuna + salmon + octopus combo. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Large poke - white rice, ahi tuna + salmon in original sauce with furikake - delicious !! - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Delicious poke right before you hit the beach! Close quality to what you would find in Hawaii but just not there. The fish was fresh and the texture and serving portion was generous for a regular size! A good amount of fish hides in this square container I got regular with rice white, 1/2 spicy mayo and 1/2 original blend, with salmon. I didn't love that every topping (including furikake!) was an additional price. Premium topping I understand but seasonings felt weird to be charged for. The lines were long as this is a popular go to spot in the OC (so we learned after). But the line moved quick and most are to go. The ambiance was bust and the setting had the charm of a slow weekday, people relaxing and not in a huge rush for their poke. Reminds me of being on vacation. Will def come back if I'm in the area! read more

Kawamata Seafood - Outside store front - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

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I was in the area and had been wanting to try Kawamata Seafood for a while since I'd heard so many good things about it. There is some outdoor seating available but it's definitely more of a grab-and-go spot. Parking on the other hand was a bit challenging. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. The service was friendly and quick, which I appreciated. We ordered two bowls with salmon and tuna. 1 had the OG sauce and the other had the OG sauce mixed with wasabi. The OG was a little bland for my taste but it was still enjoyable. The wasabi mixed with the OG was definitely more flavorful. Given all the hype I was expecting a bit more flavor overall. The fish itself was fresh and good quality with no fishy aftertaste. The rice, however, was a little dry. The portions were also smaller than I expected for the price and the extra charges for toppings can add up pretty quickly. Overall, it was a decent spot to try if you're in the area but I personally wouldn't go out of my way to visit again. Good quality fish but it didn't quite live up to the hype based on my experience. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

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If it wasn't for the small portions + expensive pricing, I would have had a better review. The quality of the fish is actually pretty good. I enjoyed the small amount of food I did get. As you can see in the photo I attached if the menu, every single topping is $1.30 extra. Any normal person would want AT LEAST 4 toppings to go with their rice & fish.... So on top of a $16 bowl, you end up with a $25+ bowl somehow. I asked for ginger on the side & they charged me for that too lol read more

Kawamata Seafood - Salmon + tuna poke bowl Spicy tuna poke bowl - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

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My order was simple but so GOOD. The bowl was prepared super fast. Nice outdoor space to sit down and eat. 10/10 I will be back!!! read more

Kawamata Seafood - Salmon poke bowl with white rice, spicy mayo, and edamame 10/10 - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

Very popular poke spot in South OC, but I didn't think it was that great. Got a large with both tuna and salmon in original flavor with 1/2 rice and 1/2 cabbage salad. Portions aren't that big compared to other places. The original flavor was pretty weak and bland, something was very lacking. It was overall pretty disappointing. Also, sick of these places that charge for every little topping. The line moves pretty fast and the food comes out quick at least. read more

Kawamata Seafood - large tuna + salmon w/ seaweed salad - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

4.5 I'm so excited that I got to try Kawamata!! I ordered the regular sized bowl with white rice, ahi tuna and salmon with original blend, and topped with daikon radish, seaweed salad, ginger, and scallops as well as a side of spicy mayo. The fish was sooo incredibly fresh, some of the freshest I've ever had. All the toppings were also lovely. The establishment is certainly small and the wait times are long, but I think it's for good reason. I don't know how often I'd make the drive to Dana Point specifically for this meal, but I would definitely grab it if I'm ever in the area for a different reason. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Regular bowl with white rice, tuna + salmon original blend and all the toppings - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

The line can get long but you're only waiting to place an order. It doesn't take that long to get your food. It's not hard to find street parking either. This place is a little pricey but it's worth it. You get a lot of avocado and ginger. I love the original flavor. It makes the rice taste so good. I wish they gave more salmon but I'm still satisfied. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

We stopped here for lunch on our way to San Diego. We arrived at 1pm and line was a little long. We waited about 15 mins in line and got our orders with in 10'mins. All of the sudden the line grew so fast. At least 20 people showed up. We got a large and a small to share for 3 people and it was enough. Everything was fresh and well prepared. The add on is about $1.80 each so keep that in mind. It will add up Friendly service. They do have a few tables outside but no dine in. You will need to parking around the area and walk over. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

Good fresh fish and nice menu with salmon, tuna and octopus options (you can also combine). Small is $13 and large $16.50, but unfortunately all toppings are an additional dollar or so, which can quickly add up if you like to get different additions. Even the furikake is $1! I personally would go elsewhere where I can get an assortment of add-ons, but if you value fish quality more, then definitely come visit! There are a few parking spots and a few seats outside and always a line. The service is prompt and the workers are very friendly. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

Found hair in the tuna. Disappointed as I just now picked up dinner. Ordered ahi tuna and rice. Got home and was enjoying until I found a long hair mixed in the tuna. I tried calling the store, but they didn't answer. Unfortunate because I've been going there for a few years now. Quality standards have clearly changed. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Hair - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

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A small but authentic poke shop with large chunks of fresh seafood! We decided to come here for a quick bite while on a road trip, as it was a close distance from the 5 freeway. I tried the two scoop poke bowl with tuna and salmon, and while the portion was a little small, it was still an affordable price with fresh fish! It's closer to an authentic Hawaiian poke bowl, focusing more on just fish and rice. I enjoyed the wasabi sauce, I thought it added a nice flavor to the bowl, and I also appreciated the amount of onions. Parking is a little limited, and there is no indoor seating. There's a small window to order from, and a few tables outside to enjoy your poke! I would definitely come back if I was in the area. read more

Kawamata Seafood - Wasabi poke (tuna and salmon) - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

The ahi tuna was so good. We went to Kawamata two days in a row because it was the best ahi we've ever had in a poke bowl. The service is quick and when they run out of something - it's gone. We love this kind of limited, intentional menu. read more

Visited from AZ and went looking for good seafood. Kawamata serves up fresh and simple poke that comes standard with rice, sweet onions, shoyu, and then your sauce of choice. Toppings are extra 99 cents each. I ordered the tuna + salmon combo with spicy mayo and avocado. Expect a line and limited seating. We got takeout and ate at Pines Park down the street with a good overlook of the beach. read more

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Liquor store parking isn't allowed. You might be able to get away with parking in front of the chains toward the right of the lot. Service is good depending on who you get. There was a lady here before who seemed ditzy. We asked for crab meat but it wasn't included in one of our bowls. She also didn't seem to know who was picking up the orders she was calling out. Other times the food was correct and tasty. Containers are slippery and harder to hold when they're all jumbled in the bag. Be cautious holding it. They don't survive a fall. Not enough fish for a small. I want a better fish to rice ratio without having to size up to a large. read more

I felt like I was back in Maui waiting for this poke. The weather, music, and the people all reminded me of an island experience. This was our first time trying out the poke here. There was a long line but it moved fairly quickly. Ordering is pretty simple. You choose between 2 sizes and then follow the directions. You can actually mix 2 bases. We had half cabbage and rice. You choose a sauce - I believe you can mix those, too. Last, you pick your seafood and toppings. Toppings are an extra charge. They have tables outdoors and seating is limited. Someone in a separate review mentioned that the rice did not quite taste like sushi rice and I'd have to say, they're right about that. Also, although the fish was good, it did not remind me of the poke back in Hawaii. Hawaiian poke has a bit more flavor to it. Still, it was worth trying this popular spot. read more

pretty decent sizeable chunks of fish here. they let you pick the base (white rice, brown rice, or cabbage) and the sauce for choice of fish. They have all sorts of combos available like all salmon/tuna/octopus, or mix and match. the poke tasted good but it wasn't outstanding for me. I wouldnt make the trip again bc its far for me but if i lived closer, i would. Service is pretty quick. You order at the front and theyll call your name when its ready. seating is limited. theres only a few tables and chairs to sit. Parking is also tough. There were only 3 spaces to park in so it's better to park elsewhere and walk. read more

Kawamata Seafood - salmon ahi poke on cabbage and brown rice - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

Solid poke spot in the Capistrano area. The line was quite long midday Saturday. The fish tasted fresh, the flavor was really good as well. The regular portion is smaller than I expected compared to other poke spots. Limited parking and seating at the store. Remember to not park in front of the liquor store as you will get in trouble for that! read more

Kawamata Seafood - Tuna + Spicy Tuna in spicy mayo - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

This place is definitely not the best poke spot in OC - that honor would definitely go to North Shore Poke Co in Huntington Beach, not even on the same page in comparison. The food here is not worth the high price. But, fresh fish is not cheap to start with, so the only way around this is for Kawamata Seafood to improve the quality of their fish. It honestly tasted pre-frozen, which I really don't like. The original sauce tasted better on the cabbage base than it did with the poke fish, and that's not a great thing when the main ingredient is the fish and not the cabbage. The toppings were super plentiful and honestly were too much for the bowl as a whole, as in, not well-balanced. Maybe this is because they know their pre-frozen fish doesn't have the greatest taste. The service was honestly terrible. The young male who took my order couldn't be ruder and gave off the impression that he just doesn't care about doing a good job with customer service. The young female who gave me my order when it was ready was also dead to the world and left me with a very bad impression of the staff as a whole at this place. There isn't much to be said about the vibe as it's right next to the road with one picnic table for everyone to share, to the point where I took my food back to my car and ate in there because there was nowhere else to sit. It's probably best described as mismanagement causing a quietly hectic sinking ship. I will not be returning here. read more

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We have loved this place for years. Just got home with our takeout tonight and found the serving size(container) for the small ahi/salmon bowl was significantly smaller than they were a month ago. The fish did not seem to be as fresh and the cabbage salad was different. Hoping this was a one off error and not a permanent change. Have they changed ownership recently? read more

Good fish good portion I just wish it was spicier but that's my personal preference . Clean location they have seating outside read more

Kawamata Seafood - Large ahi tuna with spicy Mayo avocado and seaweed salad - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

Hole in the wall poke place next to a liquor store - don't underestimate it, because it's delicious! They have the freshest poke in south county. Parking can be difficult so try to come when it's not too busy. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

Kawamata Seafood - Ahi, onion, furikake, crispy garlic, shoyu, imitation crab, white rice - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place after visiting dozens of times already!! This is a wonderful poke place with lightly seasoned fish over rice. I usually bring my own soy sauce and other extra toppings as it seems silly to pay for extras. There are some parking spots onsite but I usually just park on the street. The trip and the long line is definitely worth it as the fish is extremely fresh. I like driving down the street so I can picnic by the Capistrano Beach while enjoying the fresh poke. Life can't get much better than enjoying the beautiful view and eating such delicious, reasonably priced, and super fresh poke. Seriously, unless you're averse to the idea of eating raw fish, the place is definitely worthwhile visiting at least once! read more

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So good, decently priced, perfectly-sized portions, quick service even with a long line! My favorite is getting a poke bowl then going to Pine Park to eat and read a book read more

Quality of the fish was good overall. However the cost for just fish and rice, was extremely expensive. And then charging for every added item which was over dollar each is nickel and diming the customer. Comparable Poke places charge much less for all items included and you the quantity is greater. It's too bad. read more

This place used to be good post covid. For the price and the amount i could get better some place else. They charge an arm and a leg for every toppings with how little they give you. i got the regular $12.99 (half rice and salad) and i added a few things on there as well. The total price plus tip came out to be about $24 dollars. When i opened the container, i saw how little rice and salad they gave. Honestly, it looked like scraps or leftovers from someone else. Literally looked like a mini icecream scoop of rice and salad...that's how little it was. The same for the fish and toppings. Everything looked like it was sprinkled on top. I was utterly disappointment because this isn't the first time i noticed the portion size being small. This is the second time im giving it a chance after covid and i can confirm that it is the biggest waste of money for what they give you. They're ripping everyone off. tl;dr, mediocre flavor, portion size poor for the the price. Go somewhere else, there are better ones out there. read more

Kawamata Seafood - This is $24 worth of food...rip off. Literal scraps. Not worth it. And no, i did not touch the food when i took this photo. - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

Kawamata Seafood is serving up some of the best Hawaiian style poke in South OC and beyond! This spot is located right on the corner of a residential neighborhood. They do have a small parking lot with some spots or there is also street parking nearby. They have a couple tables outside for seating, but are mostly known for takeout. Since they are a smaller shop, lines can form quickly but they do move pretty fast. For their menu, they have a solid selection of different bowl options for you to customize. I ended up getting a large bowl with Salmon and Tuna and a scoop of Imitation Crab. Overall, I am glad I was finally able to stop by and check them out. Their fish is super fresh here and the portions are very generous. All of the staff are friendly and welcoming. Come stop by for yourself to see if they have some of the best poke in South OC or not! read more

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Food was very fresh and tasty. The line which is typical of this restaurant was not an issue as the service was efficient and quick. The prices are typical for good fresh poke. I look forward to my next visit! read more

Delicious, fresh, and tender poke. This is a cute little small shop with very limited parking and limited outdoor seating. Went on a Sunday afternoon and there was a short wait. Their poke is more traditional and does not come with a lot of toppings. The quality of fish makes up for the lack of toppings. I would definitely come back again when I'm in a poke mood. read more

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Recommended to me by a fellow yelper, Kawamata is a small poke shop in Dana Point. They open at 11:30 AM sharp and the line starts to form from there. I was lucky to be first in line when I went and ordered two orders of regular poke. Simple ingredients, not too overwhelming with options, and I was allowed to mix my sauces (yay!). They are a bit pricey for the portion that is given, but the poke is fresh! Also they serve coconut waters here which is my personal favorite. You can't actually walk inside the shop, and order at the desk by the door. Limited seating outside, which tells me people often get theirs to-go. Service is fast as well. read more

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This place is as good as any average poke spot. I really don't understand the allure. Fish I good quality as to be expected, nothing exceptional. Prices are high for small protein portions. Each topping has an additional price, not normal practice in my experience. Small parking lot, approximately 8 spaces. No inside dining, all take out. read more

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High quality, fresh poke. I like how I can customize it to my liking. It was my first time here so I didn't understand how multiple addons would have significantly enhanced my meal. I ordered the large ahi and octopus on rice/cabbage with wasabi and 1 addon of scallops. I was hungry and the portion seemed small for a large so I was disappointed when I opened my box. Then thinking about it more I realized i could have selected avocado, furikake, seaweed and spicy tuna addons to enhance my order. Next time I'll probably do that but it will cost $24. A bit steep so not likely to be a regular thing. read more

I found this place on social media and it was labeled as the best poke place in OC! I hands down agree as a big fan of going to Hawaii for poke. There's almost always a line and not much parking, but it's worth it! read more

Finally a delicious poke place in a while! This is a legit poke place that is worth the hype. We took the metrolink and took the bus all the way here from the inland empire to try this place out. In terms of parking, you would have to do street parking, and it doesn't look like there were any restrooms. This seems more of a togo spot, though there were some outdoor seating. We ordered the regular #6 with spicy mayo and wasabi. They were both so perfect! They were nicely dressed to the point you can still taste the fish. Talking about the fish, they were like succulent jewels, super juicy and they did not leave ANY fishy aftertaste. I do have to say, if you're a dude who eats, order a large. The regular was an okay portion, but they seemed bigger in the pictures than what you actually get. Come here early! We lined up 30 min before opening time and were first in line, but the line started to form around 11:15 on a Saturday. read more

Kawamata Seafood - regular #6 with spicy mayo - Hawaiian Near Me - Dana Point, California

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