All Our Favorite Poke in Honolulu

Photos: Andrea Lee

Cooke Street Market

My go-to for poke is Cooke Street Market, not just because it’s in my neighborhood, but also because it’s high-quality, melt-in-your-mouth fish, no matter if it’s ‘ahi, salmon or another type. Even though the pieces are cut rather large, they’re not fishy, and you get a good amount for the price. The accompanying pickled veggies add the perfect complementary crunch and acidity. I usually go for Spicy Mayo ($18.50), though I’ll sometimes get the Garlic Lovers ($20) with garlic chips and garlic ginger chili oil for the extra punch of flavor and texture. Keep in mind the price may go up depending on which fish you choose. —Andrea Lee, HONOLULU digital editor

725 Kapi‘olani Blvd. C122, Kaka‘ako, csmhawaii.com, @cookestreetmarket

SEE ALSO: This Kaka‘ako Matcha Shop Is a Must-Try Poke and Plate Lunch Spot

Kahuku Superette

The spicy ‘ahi poke is simple, nothing fancy, but amazing with fresh fish and the perfect amount of seasoning. It’s worth making a trip to the North Shore for. —Aaron K. Yoshino, staff photographer

56-505 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, (808) 293-9878

Photo: Andrea Lee

Morning Catch

When I want to treat myself while working at our Downtown office, I go to Morning Catch, where a poke bowl is one choice for $16 and two choices for $19. I would say the portion looks smaller than other poke bowls, and the pieces are cut smaller than usual, but it hits the spot. The fish quality is worth the splurge; you can tell it’s sashimi-grade poke, it just melts in your mouth. I’m a salmon girlie, so I get the buttery king salmon for an extra $1.50. The spicy ‘ahi is just slightly spicy (I have a high spice tolerance) and sweet. The tobiko salmon is lightly salted, with the pops of fish egg adding more briny flavor. You can also upgrade to sushi rice for $1.50, which is worth it if you intend to eat all the rice. —AL

O‘ahu Market, 145 N. King St. #12, Chinatown, @morningcatchoahu

Photo: Katrina Valcourt

‘Ono Seafood

It takes 4 minutes to get from my house to ‘Ono Seafood and another 4 minutes to the beach after that, so it’s a no-brainer when I want a quick lunch outdoors. But proximity isn’t the only reason I go here for poke. The focus is on the fish, so the fresh poke isn’t drowning in goopy sauce or covered in unnecessary sides. You can get it in quarter, half, 1- and 2-pound options, but I go for a bowl ($16 for 5 ounces of poke or $18 for 8 ounces at the less-crowded Kalama Valley location). Order a two-choice combo so you get both ‘ahi and tako on either white or brown rice; furikake, tempura flakes and ginger are an additional 75 cents each. My picks: Hawaiian-style tako, with limu, onion, ‘inamona, chile pepper and sesame oil; and the lightly creamy spicy ‘ahi. —Katrina Valcourt, HONOLULU executive editor

Multiple locations, ono-seafood.com, @ono.seafood

Photo: Melissa Chang

Mama Kim’s

This is my favorite poke, hands down. I love that all the poke is sliced and mixed to order, so the flavors are extra fresh. Every time I go, I get overwhelmed by all the choices, so I always get the two-choice poke bowl option, usually with spicy ‘ahi. And even then, I stand there in front of the cash register with my mouth open for a long time because I take so long to decide. Every bowl comes with two choices of sides (if you like kim chee, that’s one of my favorites as well) and free toppings (I get all four). —Melissa Chang, Frolic

1481 S. King St. Suite 108, McCully, @mamakimshawaii

Photo: Thomas Obungen

Paradise Poke

Like many, I got hooked on Paradise Poke’s ‘Ahi FTW at Frolic’s 2023 Poke Fest. It was so popular among attendees that it clinched the festival’s covetable first place prize, and it’s easy to see why. First off, the ‘ahi is impeccable. Post-Poke Fest, I’ve have this dish dozens of times from all three locations, and it’s been consistently fantastic—silky smooth, springy and never sinewy. Then they hit you with the flavor, elevating simple shoyu and wasabi with a splash of aromatic truffle oil. Sea asparagus and red onion slivers add a bit of brininess and sweet crunch, before all are crowned with a sprinkling of furikake and bubu arare. —Brie Thalmann, HONOLULU managing style editor

Multiple locations, paradisepokenuuanu.com, @paradisepokehi

Tamashiro Market

On occasion, I buy fresh ‘opihi in the shell from Tamashiro Market. It sure beats scrambling along the rocks with a knife between the crashing waves. I’ll eat some raw, then I’ll grill some with soy sauce, garlic and butter. Then I’ll steer clear of the ocean for a couple of weeks. —James Nakamura, HONOLULU creative director

802 N. King St., Kalihi, tamashiromarket.website

Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors

Often overlooked alongside the more popular ‘ahi varieties is my favorite, fried tofu poke. It may not be on your radar because it’s usually chillin’ in the back of the poke display case or sold out. But to those of us who love plant-based foods, this vegetarian poke hits all the flavor notes. Cubes of lightly fried firm tofu are marinated with the playful, salty crunch of sea asparagus in a simple sesame oil and shoyu sauce. —Christine Labrador, HONOLULU senior art director

Multiple locations, tamurasfinewine.com, @tamurasmarket

Photo: Thomas Obungen

Tanioka’s Seafoods and Catering

I don’t get out to Tanioka’s as often as I’d like, but when I do, I will stand in line for the spicy ‘ahi over sushi rice and fried chicken. I can’t really think of a more crave-worthy lunch than this combo, and I know lots of others agree. With simple ingredients— shoyu, sesame oil, Hawaiian salt, chili paste, mayonnaise and green onions—this is classic local-style poke. —Diane Seo, HONOLULU editorial director

94-903 Farrington Highway, Waipahu, taniokas.com, @taniokas

Photo: Diane Seo

Yama’s Fish Market

There are countless poke to choose from these days, with every imaginable topping and seasoning, but my go-to hasn’t changed over the years. Yama’s ‘ahi limu poke tastes just like it did 20 years ago, with the ideal ratio of ‘ahi cubes, sliced white onions, chopped green onions and limu, blended with a light, sesame oil-flavored seasoning. Nothing fancy, but it’s what I crave when poke is on the brain. —DS

2332 Young St., Mō‘ili‘ili, yamasfishmarket.com, @yamasfishmarket

Read the rest of the series:

All Our Favorite Pizzas in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Burgers in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Matcha Drinks in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Shave Ices in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Sandwiches in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Fried Chicken in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Cold Noodle Dishes in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Fries in Honolulu
All Our Favorite Musubi in Honolulu