One of those rare places that reminds you what happens when people truly care about food. In fact, please don't go here unless you genuinely love food. Please don't ruin this experience for people who do. lol. If you're looking for a trendy scene, a place to rush through dinner, or somewhere to spend more time taking photos than eating, this probably isn't for you. But yes you will absolutely want to take photos because the presentation is gorgeous. Every dish is intentional, thoughtfully prepared, and rooted in quality ingredients. There is a level of care and craftsmanship here that is increasingly difficult to find. The flavors are vibrant, balanced, and memorable without ever feeling fussy or overcomplicated. The atmosphere is awesome. You can feel the passion behind what comes out of the kitchen, and that's what makes the experience so special. I don't go here often enough. A true gem for people who love great food and appreciate the artistry behind it. read more

According to the restaurant's website, their name comes "from the Hawaiian saying, E Mālama Pono, which means to take care of, also until we meet again." Though the staff was gracious and attentive while navigating a small space and a nearly full house, the kitchen still has some things of their own to take care of in order to live up to their full potential. The menu features an interesting and eclectic selection of Asian fusion dishes, and there were far more intriguing items than two of us could try on one visit -- still, nearly everything we ordered was somewhat lacking. We started off strong with drinks: My traditional Mai Tai had a nice flavor without being overly sweet; my wife's Sunset Sangria WAS fairly sweet, but that's how she likes her drinks, and she was very happy. One thing to note: their liquor license has only recently been approved, and their website still says they do not have a full bar -- they'd do themselves a favor by updating the website, as the fun drinks will be a draw. Okay, so drinks were good, but our starter of Garlic Naan with Tzatziki Sauce was disappointing. The bread was really pita, not naan, and there was no presence of garlic whatsoever. Basically, it was warm pita with a touch of salt, so not at all what we were expecting, and not what we would have ordered if we'd known what was coming. Still, the tzatziki sauce was flavorful and fresh. Would have gone well with garlic naan. For an entree, my wife ordered the Horseradish Crusted Mahi Mahi, which is plated with Pineapple Beurre Blanc, Blistered Tomatoes, Roasted Pineapple, Scallion Relish and Shoyu Syrup, and served with a side of white rice. This was a heavily layered dish that was far too sweet for me, but my wife quite liked the flavor. Underneath the many adornments, the fish was fresh and cooked to a very pleasing texture, and I might have enjoyed this in a more savory preparation. My own entree was the Malama Mochiko Chicken: crispy fried thigh meat with a Ponzu Shoyu and Tomato Ginger Sauce. The crispy batter had a pleasing crunch but very little taste; the Ponzu Shoyu had a deep, earthy flavor, but there was just too little of it served on the plate -- there needed to be much more clinging to the chicken, or the batter needed more punch, or both. The other sauce placed to the side, the Tomato Ginger, tasted mostly like a generic sweet chili dipping sauce, and I only used it once. So, yes, the crispy chicken could be great, but really needs a seasoning upgrade. I also ordered a side of the Macaroni Salad, because it's my favorite aspect of a Hawaiian plate lunch. Their version's macaroni was cooked to a spot-on texture, with just the right amount of al dente to hold up to the mayonnaise while still being primarily soft. The salad as a whole had the right creaminess (not too much mayo), but again lacked seasoning. I added some salt, which helped a bit, but it needed something else as well. So, I like the concept of the restaurant and the descriptions of many of the dishes. The creativity and ambition are appealing. But right now, the execution just doesn't bring these ideas to life. Perhaps the chef (described as mostly self-taught) would benefit from consultation with one or two of the many excellent Asian chefs in the city, and I say that without meaning any insult. I'm optimistic they'll goose the flavors if they try, and so to Malama Pono I say, E Malama Pono: until we meet again. PS. Having their valet priced $3 higher than the other restaurants with which they share the service is strange and makes a bad first impression. read more

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Friendly staff, yummy Hawaiian food, and now a full bar! After going to Malama Pono the first time, we were so enamored with the food that my husband wanted to celebrate his birthday there. When we went to celebrate his birthday, the general manager, Matthew, heard us talking about a cocktail we liked, and he made it for us on the house. I love when restaurants surprise and delight. We particularly like the salmon tartar, the Uni on crispy rice, the lobster noodles, and the candy bar dessert. It's nice to have an upscale Hawaiian option in town. read more

Why havenʻt I reviewed my most favorite restaurant yet? I have asked myself this question many times. It isnʻt because I want to keep Mālama Pono to myself...perhaps I have just been uncertain I can write a review that conveys just how amazing the restaurant is. I was originally told about Mālama Pono from a friend who grew up in Hawaiʻi just after it opened in 2020. I went to college in Hawaiʻi, and I love Pacific Rim cuisine, so my friend thought I would enjoy it. Unfortunately, it took a while before I could dine at the restaurant due to circumstances that I donʻt need to mention, but ever since the first time dining at Mālama Pono, it has become my absolute favorite restaurant. Over the last several years, I have come to know the folks at the restaurant, and they are so kind and take great pride in providing a top-notch dining experience for their customers. Whether it is your first time visiting, or you are a regular, you will be treated like ʻohana. (Thatʻs family in Hawaiian!) There is a reason why Mālama Pono ranked #15 on Yelp's 2025 Top 50 Hawaiian Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada! The service and the cuisine are so ʻono! (Delicious in Hawaiian.) The food is the true star here! I have not tried every single item on the menu, but Iʻve had a lot! The flavors are traditional, yet innovative. I pretty much have loved everything that I have tried. Sometimes there is a twist on an olʻ favorite, but I love that! I have brought several friends to the restaurant who have never had Pacific influenced cuisine, and they have loved it. The restaurant specializes in seafood, but there are plenty of meat, chicken, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on the menu. And, items can be modified to meet specific dietary needs. The plates are easily shared, so don't hesitate to try a few things on the menu. Some of my favorites include hapa style crispy rice, tempura cauliflower, yuzu aguachile, crunchy lomi salmon tartare, colossal crab cake, horseradish crusted mahi mahi, pau hana mochiko chicken, and most recently the lobster garlic noodles. All the desserts are great too! The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, with indoor and outdoor seating. The inside is dimly lit in blues, greens, golds, and wood tones, with modern Hawaiian style tunes playing, which I really love. I do highly recommend reservations. Until recently, only wine, beer, and cocktails made with iichicko have been available...and all have been great! But, a full liquor license has been approved, so new options are on the horizon as of May 2026. Also, the restaurant now opens earlier at 4pm Tuesdays through Saturday, with pau hana (happy hour) on Tuesdays through Fridays from 4pm to 6pm. If you are in the mood for some Pacific inspired cuisine in an intimate setting in the San Fernando Valley, Mālama Pono is nō ka ʻoi! (The best!) read more

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Sherman Oaks, CA My SO and I decided to try this place. It's a Pacific-influenced and Hawaiian-style cuisine. We arrived early so we were able to get a good parking (metered street parking) just outside the restaurant. We came in as they just opened the restaurant and mentioned our reservation. And the employee couldn't find the said reservation. What a bummer. He welcomed us though and sat us at the high table. My SO did the reservation through Resy and he didn't complete the steps that's why. Food: - Spicy Garlic Crispy Chicken - Braised Short Rib Adobo - Pono Mix Plate I liked the Pono Mix Plate and wouldn't mind ordering again even though the servings are small. I didn't expect the Braised Short Rib Adobo to be soupy though. The meat is tender and I liked the nuts - it elevated the meal. But I don't think I will order it again. The Spicy Garlic Crispy Chicken is okay. It needs some flavor and I didn't like the strong smell. The slaw that came with it was good though. We ordered a Mexican Coke and a Lager to complement the meal. We find the food to be pricey and portions are small. read more

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Loved! We shared the spicy yellowfin tuna crispy rice, beet salad and pan roasted snapper in coconut ginger reduction. I'm not a huge rice or mayonnaise (aioli, same thing) person. I can usually take or leave it, and I'll definitely leave some behind as a rule. I'm also not really a quinoa person either, but my friend had tried them so okay, fine! I was not disappointed! The crispy rice was sooo good that I didn't even really care that I was eating fried rice with a mayonnaise based fish. It was flavorful and had all of the texture that makes me happy. I do love beets, and they were delish, but the quinoa was so good, too. I kept going back for more. I am a fish/hinger/coconut/lemongrass/mushroom/roasted tomato girl, so I was also obsessed with the snapper. The ambience is cute here. We sat on the patio and I loved it. I expected the restaurant to be good, but it was definitely better than I expected. If I live nearby, I would definitely make it a regular stop. YUM! read more

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Don't think about it, just book the reservation! I took my partner here for his birthday and damn did we celebrate!! We sat on the patio and it was so lovely, lights and foliage to make it a romantic and special evening- it didn't even feel like we were sitting on ventura blvd! It's everything I desire from a restaurant - truly. There's nothing like this in the valley- it's one of a kind! The food, drinks, service and fengshui were all 10/10 - literally not a single miss. Tate, Matthew and I believe his name is Darren (I'm sorry if I misnamed or misspelled!! I was a couple drinks in when I asked lol) had the best personalities and gave us the best recommendation- we ordered almost everything- no shame! we came to have a culinary food experience and it was literally off the charts delicious!!!! Can't wait to come back, I woke up from dreaming about spam and tuna crispy rice and the mahi mahi ugh ~.~ Thank you for a such memorable evening :) we'll be back!! read more

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Food is excellent. Nice lively ambiance. I'd say the appetizers stole the show. The spam crispy rice is a must try The highlight was the poblano crema in the shrimp n grits. Left a memorable impression Service was attentive and on point. Definitely would like to return here for happy hour read more

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I got to try Malama Pono with my bf last night for dinner. I was craving Hawaiian food after a recent Maui trip, and this hit the spot! We ordered everything family-style. Seafood ricotta dumplings: 8/10. This was really good!! The dumplings were creamy and bursting with a strong seafood flavor. The sauce it came with was so rich and flavorful, I wanted to lick the plate! Farmer's Market Beet Salad: 6/10. Good though nothing special. Kalua Pork Lettuce Wraps: 6/10. Flavor was fine, but pork seemed a bit tough/overcooked. I thought the Mac salad it came with was fire though! Loco Moco: 9/10. Delicious!! The dish came out nice and hot, the pork patty was juicy, and the mushroom gravy on top was rich and savory!! This was one of the best loco moco's I've tried in SoCal. World Peace Candy Bar: 7/10. This was yummy, and I loved the citrus flavor from the candied kumquat. It was very mousse-dominant though, and we both thought the dish was missing some additional texture- adding cake or graham crust as a base would've been perfect. Our servers were polite and attentive. We had multiple servers throughout the night come by to refill our water. I also thought this place was pretty unique because most of the authentic Hawaiian food I found on Maui were at small hole-in-the-wall spots, and the fine dining places there were expensive and really only had American food. I'm glad to have a nicer fine dining Hawaiian restaurant close to home! We will definitely be back again to try more! read more

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Stopped by here for an early dinner because my friend wanted to try it, and I'm glad we did. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious. We ordered the yuzu aguachile, seafood ricotta dumplings, and the Malama mochiko chicken. My favorites were definitely the yuzu aguachile and the seafood ricotta dumplings--everything tasted incredibly fresh and full of flavor. The sauces were especially well balanced. The ambiance and music were very relaxing and added to the experience. Portions were a bit small for the price, but at least the quality and taste delivered. Overall, I would definitely come back. read more

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Parking on a Dec 26 rainy night was surprisingly easy. We came into the restaurant and it's extremely dark inside. We had to use the flashlight feature on the iPhone to read the menu. We got the vegan ceviche, garlic naan, red pepper soup, crispy rice, and the spiked tofu salad. I was surprised how good the tofu salad was. I would make a return trip just for that. The other dishes were really good but not fantastic like the tofu salad. Service was really good. Great restaurant. read more

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Was looking for interesting places in this area and came to try this place out, and it was worth it! The lighting inside is so dark that we struggled a little to see menu details, but it worked out OK. I got the loco moco plate and the drop baby drop cocktail (shochuu, yuzu syrup, and some weird sweet salt that I didn't care for), and was very happy with both. Service was nice and friendly - one of my weird quirks is asking for only half a glass of water on the refill, and most places just fill it full anyway, but this guy actually gave me half. read more

Malama Pono Restaurant - Loco moco plate - Seafood Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Food was amazing. Tried Malama Pono based on yelp reviews. Went with another couple and everyone said they would order their selection again. That's high praise! My wife and I shared the lobster with garlic noodles and the seafood dumplings. Both were delicious! Mai tai were great as well! read more

Overall good but a few minor adjustments could have made everything great. The pork lettuce wraps were plentiful and had good flavor but came pre-made on the lettuce so it was soggy, as opposed to having it separate to construct your own. The mixed plate had a nice variety of meats but the mac salad was a little too al dente. HAPA crispy rice was good, but a little overpriced for the small portion. It appears that they don't have a full alcohol license, as I would have preferred a true Mai tai with rum. Luckily, service was attentive and good. Had more of a classy, moody tropical vibe than overt cheesy Hawaiian ambiance, which I appreciated. read more

Malama Pono Restaurant - Pork lettuce wraps - Seafood Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I thought the ambiance and dim lighting was really great. The food was good too, especially the spam musubi. I really liked the seaweed rice and the portion sizes were generous. It's a lovely romantic spot and the staff were nice too. read more

We came here the other night for a girls night dinner and loved it! Food was amazing. Service was so nice and very attentive. They gave a very informative description of all the items we ordered. Even the bussing service felt very high end like a Michelin rated restaurant. Even though the restaurant was a bit small inside I did not feel crowded even when all the tables were filled. Great place! Definitely going back for the tuna crispy rice and pasta. read more

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Food: 3/5 Service: 5/5 Came here for date night! Hubby reserved this spot because it had high reviews on Yelp and it was an interesting Hawaiian fusion restaurant in our neighborhood. The vibe was relaxing and casually nice for a date spot. Service was great too as their motto is taking good care of you. Hospitality was great and felt like they cared. Now onto the important food... I've had high hopes because I love Hawaiian food and the menu sounded amazing. We started off strong with the yuzu aguachile (4.5/5) where the green sauce reminded me of the Indian green chutney--refreshing, herbacious, tangy goodness. I liked the seafood (especially the scallops) and veggies in it that tasted very fresh. It's not a 5/5 only because I've had better elsewhere (Holbox). The first dish might've set the bar too high for the subsequent dishes. We had the Mochiko fried chicken (3/5) which was very lightly fried and not greasy which was nice, but it was primarily salty, and I wasn't able to taste a more robust flavor profile.. the tempura formula was perfect, just the saltiness was too much to bear. The accompanying sauce didn't really add to the dish. Next we had the hapa style crispy rice (3/5), which came with 2 spam crispy rice & 2 spicy yellowtail crispy rice. The spam one was very average for me, contrary to several other reviews that rave about it. It was again, salty and greasy. I would've preferred a bit of a tang to it to balance out the heaviness but it was topped with a mayo sauce which amplified the heaviness. I wouldn't get it again. The spicy yellowtail crispy rice was again heavy on the mayo and I couldn't taste any spice. I wish they didn't call it spicy or would actually make it spicy. Last but not least, we had the horseradish crusted mahi mahi (2/5), hoping this would be a redeeming dish, but it was actually our least favorite. There was absolutely no horseradish flavor whatsoever and I felt like the name of the dish was misleading. But, later the kind waitress explained that the grated horseradish creates the crust of the fish so when fried, there's only a slight crusty texture that remains, but no taste of the horseradish. The sauce was a heavy beurre blanc which didn't accentuate the mahi mahi at all, and the pineapple in the sauce was basically canned fruit. I couldn't finish it without the chili oil and togarashi that we had asked for on the side. At the end of the meal, I felt heavy, but not full or content. The service was great, but the food was a big miss for me. I felt that the names were misleading and they were cloying to the palate. It was worth trying once though--great experience! read more

Malama Pono Restaurant - Dessert menu - Seafood Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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From the moment you walk into Malama Pono, you're greeted by warm, friendly staff and a beautifully decorated space. The atmosphere is inviting, and the service is incredibly thoughtful. We were a group of six, and since some dishes come with four pieces, the staff offered to adjust each order so we'd receive six pieces instead--one for everyone. That kind of consideration is something I wish more restaurants would do, especially when dining family style! We tried a lot of dishes, and while everything was delicious, a few stood out as absolute favorites: the spam crispy rice, the tuna crispy rice, the short rib adobo, the seared filet, and the pork lettuce wraps. All were packed with flavor and perfectly prepared. If I had to mention a couple of dishes I'd skip next time, I'd say the potatoes and the rice pudding--but honestly, we ordered almost one of everything, and nearly all of it was excellent. Overall, Malama Pono is a fantastic spot with great food, attentive staff, and a wonderful vibe. I highly recommend giving this place a try! read more

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You cannot miss at this restaurant. We started with the spam crispy rice and the crab cake. Pretty much nothing but crab. Big fat chunks of crab. Incredible. We moved onto the lobster spicy noodles, scallops, and Asian duck confit. It was as good as I've had in Paris. Please order the macaroni salad. It is heavenly. They brought us an unordered dessert--a cheesecake like no other. Part pudding, part mousse. Cheesecake in name only. We left feeling like family. Please come here. It will become a favorite restaurant where memories are made. read more

Went for happy hour with a group of girl friends! Nice ambiance both inside and outside. Attentive service and they're also good with timing. Drinks were nice we all got cocktails and I liked the grapefruit soju one! Out of the food we got I liked the aguachile and the ricotta seafood wontons! Overall enjoyed the presentation and everything was decent. A higher price point for happy hour around here but you pay for what you get! read more

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Malama Pono means "to take care of." It's an aptly named restaurant-- I always feel genuinely taken care of when I come here. Food is Hawaiian inspired. Decor is intimate and pillowy (love their pillows!). Service offers genuine caring and warmth. Matthew, Brent, and Darren are wonderful guys. Everything is delicious. My favorite dishes: - ricotta seafood dumplings - pan fried snapper in coconut reduction - shrimp and grits - Naan Caprese For chocolate lovers, get the World Peace Candy Bar for dessert. Be sure to check out the portraits of fat and fluffy cats hanging in the restrooms (I believe they are Matthew's cats). Malama Pono's vibe is cozy, relaxed, and unpretentious. Feel cared for. Come by. read more

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Had a really fun dinner here last weekend. Cool vibe, great service and excellent food. We loved the spicy yellowtail on crispy rice and lobster garlic noodles. Best lobster I've had in ages and perfectly cooked. We even loved the creative take on the mai tai that they serve with prosecco and dark ale. Surprisingly delish! read more

Came back here for the second time specifically for the yellow tuna crispy rice and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately the service did. I tried for the first time the fried chicken and before ordering I asked if there was sauce on the chicken and was told it comes on the side, it came out with a very sweet sauce on it and drenched on the plate, almost like an orange chicken. I mentioned it to the waitress that said there wasn't sauce on the chicken and was told it was a misunderstanding and that they toss it in sauce and they followed up with telling me it says it on the menu. It doesn't say tossed in sauce on the menu and i specifically asked for a reason. Really dampened the experience and the ending of the meal, both left a bad taste in my mouth. Everything else was good but left feeling really put down and disrespected. Place was beautiful. read more

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I came to Malama Pono with high expectations given the outstanding reviews, but left with only an "average" impression. When we walked through the front door we were wowed by the beautiful decor, consisting of deep blue walls, velvet chairs, candlelit tables, and overall classy atmosphere. The service felt rushed, although it could be that they were just overly attentive. Our server asked to take our order 4 times before we were ready. The cocktails were nice, however we were unimpressed with both of our entrees. I had the Hokkaido sea scallops, which had a strange texture, and the strong flavor of the sauce they were in overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the seafood. The short ribs were not all that tender and the sauce was more like a soup that almost completely covered the short ribs. I might return for the cocktails but would probably skip the main courses. read more

Malama Pono Restaurant - Inside - Seafood Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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A fun spot for dinner if you're looking for good, solid dinner with lots of flavor and great service. Their spam crispy rice is delicious as well as their muscles! Service is on point and they make you feel so welcome. Check the place out for a good time! read more

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Where to start! A MUST TRY, not only is the food incredible but the staff is also amazing. Darren was our server and the recommendations were SPOT ON. Definitely exceeded our expectations in food quality, service, atmosphere and value. Enjoy! read more

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Came here last minute and my second time here! Got a table right away! The service is outstanding! Food is so wonderful and fresh! It's shareable which is really nice so we could try different things. My favorite dish is the white beans. I'll definitely be back again!! read more

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LOVE LOVE LOVE Malama Pono! The fusion dishes and delicious drinks are worth every penny. Expect the interior to be a bit tight and dark, but that adds to the experience. There's also exterior "patio" seating, but it's right by the street and thus was not too interesting to me. I loved the Tuna Poki-Mi and the Mochiko Chicken with Furikake Rice. The Potato Bravas were good, too, but I was definitely already filling up on everything else. I ordered a My Tai cocktail and it was sooooo good. Highly recommend giving their cocktails a try. Some other items on the menu caught my eye, so I'll have to find my way back and give this place another go. I recommend making a reservation, as it was pretty popular when I went. There's street parking around the area - don't forget to pay your meter and pay attention to those parking signs. read more

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The food was amazing! 10/10 Had to pay for vallet parking which was nice but kinda sucks if this was a frequent restaurant to go to. Customer service was great! read more

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I've been wanting to try this restaurant for almost a year and finally we made it tonight and honestly worth the drive! Service was outstanding. Tate, Matty and the rest of the staff were very attentive and so warm. And the FOOD WAS AMAZING! We got transported to Hawaii tonight. We will definitely be back. Btw, street parking only but there is valet... read more

Finally got to try this place! So glad i did because everything was great. -Ambiance- Perfect place for a date. I just went with a friend but the the lighting made me feel like I should be dating my friend -Service- Everyone was super friendly and helpful. No pressure to order quick and answered all questions with no problem. The vibe is very "aloha" so their servers basically felt like family -Food- I'd call the food Hawaiian fusion. Drinks are sake based but so creative and delicious. Honestly, could have picked any drink and would have been happy. We order their version of rice cakes, the Agua chile, the Brussel sprouts, and Pono Mixed plate. Really flavorful and for sure hard to find a place that makes food like this. Favorite thing we got was the rice cakes and Agua Chile. Cant wait to come back for more! read more

I really wanted to like this place but the food was just mid in flavor to me (besides their crispy rice) esp since I got the dishes everyone recommended. The ambiance is great though if you're looking for a date spot or a girl's night out dinner if you don't care too much about taste of food. Spicy Yellowfin Tuna Crispy Rice (5/5): If I were to come back I would get their crispy rice! Prob one of the best texture wise of a crispy rice I've ever ate. The outside was crispy but inside was soft, fluffy white rice that paired so well with the spicy yellowfin tuna and picked shallots with Ikura. It was 4 pieces for $16. Pono's Papas Bravas (3/5): The potatoes were crispy in texture but it lacked flavor even with the furikake seasoning. The mayo dip was really nice and added flavor but the red dip tasted like a tomato hummus that didn't go well with the potatoes. Everyone raved about this dish so I was a bit sad it didn't live up to my expectations. Malama Mochiko Chicken (2/5): Everyone raved about this dish too but I was disappointed. The chicken was fried but not juicy at all. Every bite I took was very dry and even dipped in the ponzu shoyu sweet and sour sauce didn't save it. The best thing about this dish was the fluffy rice. Not sure if I just got it overcooked? read more

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It's been a couple of years since we visited, but only becaue we live further away. Otherwise, we'd be here, at least, monthly. Great vibe, outstanding food and service, a super nice wine list, and some tasty cocktails. Crispy Rice dishes are so great! Loved our Seared Albacore Civiche, and both entrées, and tried the French Toast dessert, which was an awesome ending. Easity one of the top restaurants in the Valley! read more

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Food was delicious, very flavorful and presentation on all was pretty & exceptional. Service, once at resturant was excellent, also, the ambience is nice. My only complaint is, thus the missing star. I left three voice messages, with my call back number, regarding my reservation. No one ever called me back, I had to physically go in regarding the matter. But everything was so yummy, I'll be returning. Just a few pictures of the six items that my friend and I ordered. read more

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The food here is so good. I wanted to lick the plate. The ambience is perfect and I will definitely say I felt like I was getting away. Everything we had we cleaned the plate. I definitely would recommend the oysters with the special toppings the mahi-mahi we had the rice cakes. We had the candy bar dessert I wasn't able to take any pictures because we hate everything and I didn't wanna post an empty plate. I highly recommend this restaurant as a date night as family night as going for lunch. The staff here is so incredibly friendly one of the best restaurants in LA. Very high-quality. read more

Went to Malama Pono with the family recently, and overall, it was a pleasant experience. Service was solid--no complaints at all. They were accommodating with our seating preferences when we made the reservation. The atmosphere is upscale casual, a bit small, but that wasn't a huge issue for us. It's definitely got that contemporary vibe more than its got the islander vibe (IMO). Now, onto the food. Malama Pono features contemporary Hawaiian/Islander-inspired fare. I will admit, I sometimes get mixed feelings when a restaurant does a spam musubi-type dish at a premium price point. Luckily, most of the menu is full of seafood and meat dishes that are fairly priced for this type of restaurant, which balances it out. Here's what we ordered: - Crispy Rice Tuna: A solid starter, well-executed. Can never go wrong with this type of dish, even if it can be a bit trendy/overdone! - Tempura Cauliflower: Another solid app - small in portion but each piece had a fantastic balance of breading and sauce and maintained perfect crispness. - Colossal Crab Cake: Delicious and definitely lives up to the "colossal" name--packed full of crab. - Ahi Tuna Poki Mi: Though calling it Poki without a rice feels a bit off to me, it was delicious! Not a deal breaker. A well balanced dressing with the type of fish. - Hokkaido Sea Scallops: Excellent! But as expected of well made scallops. - Malama Mochiko Chicken: A good take on a classic, though maybe a tad sweet for my personal preference. - Steamed Mussels: Good, but a bit on the sweet side for my taste as well. (theres a theme here) - Various desserts with names I forget: actually awesome. Very sweet, but in this case is a non issue haha. Overall, everything was quite tasty. While not everything was exactly to *my* taste, most, if not all of it was well-made. Malama Pono is definitely a place to check out if you're in the mood for island-inspired cuisine with a contemporary twist. read more

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Good spot for happy hour, which is offered 5-6 pm Tuesday to Friday. The food was a bit hit or miss, but overall I enjoyed the meal. My party of 4 came Friday evening around 5:15 pm to catch their happy hour. I made a reservation a couple days earlier and there was plenty of availability. I definitely recommend making a reservation as most of the tables had a reserved sign. They have indoor seating as well as patio seating you can choose from, but the patio is a small outdoor area with 3 tables right next to the sidewalk as opposed to a patio in the back, so I imagine it can get a bit loud with all the car sounds. I opted for indoor seating when making the reservation, and I'm glad I did. It's extremely dim inside, to the point where it was a bit hard to read the menu. It felt weird looking out and seeing the bright outdoors and then contrasting it with the dim ambiance inside. The happy hour menu includes food and drinks. I didn't order any drinks, but my friends were generally happy with theirs. I tried a sip of their Island Greyhound and it was a tasty lemonade drink with Japanese shochu added. From the happy hour menu, we shared: Ahi tuna poki-mi ($12 hh) - fresh and flavorful poke. Just wish there was more than 4 slices! Spam crispy rice ($12 hh) - this is the most popular item here if Yelp is to be believed, and I can see why! The rice was super crispy and paired perfectly with the spam Malama mochiko fried chicken ($12 hh) - solid fried chicken, also the portions are great for the price compared to the other happy hour items House-made garlic naan with tzatziki ($8 hh) - the garlic naan was okay but none of us liked the tzatziki dip After the happy hour ended, we ordered a couple more items to share: House-made garlic naan caprese ($26) - this was a solid dish, but I definitely think it's pricy given that it's just a couple strips of naan with some grilled tomatoes and burrata on the side. It was a much smaller plate than I expected Pono's papas bravas ($11) - they cook the potatoes well here! Regretted not getting this off the happy hour menu earlier Pono mix plate ($28) - this was okay, the meats were hit or miss (for example, I found the fish incredibly dry). Also, they should include more than one tiny scoop of rice Keep in mind that when you make a reservation, you may only get 2 hours at your table if it's a busy time. We were informed by our server around 6:45 that there was another party coming soon with a 7:15 reservation, so this definitely isn't a eat and slowly chat for a couple hours type of place. read more

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Food was amazing. Small, quaint restaurant with a great vibe. The customer service was fabulous and food delicious. read more

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We've become regulars here since being introduced to Malama Pono a few years ago. The food is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Always consistently great. The service is first rate, too. Tonight we tried a few new dishes, the prawn salad and the ahi tuna "steak". Both were great additions to our "go-to" items that include the vegan ceviche and the horseradish crusted mahi mahi. Both of those are MUST HAVE's! The mai tai's are also fantastic. This place is a gem. read more

Oh man what a gem!!! Intimate place that's kind of a Hawaiian fusion sort of. Staff is excellent and it's always the same folks, has a real family feel. They have some unique dishes and everything is excellent. Here's a list of my favorites but everything is worth trying Spicy Yellowfin crispy rice Tempura cauliflower Crunchy Lomi Salmon tartare Seafood Ricotta dumplings Horseradish crusted mahi mahi No liquor license so that have shochu and other creations. Their sparkling "my tai" is just about my favorite drink in town. Good size, creative and delicious! .. coming for happy hour 5-6pm is a nice $3 off drinks and some food deals too Please go try this place, it's wonderful and should stay around forever read more