Checking Out Redfish Poke Bar’s New Happy Hour

$2 oyster alert. Also truffle fries with fried Goteburg, king crab artichoke dip and 25% off all drinks.

November 10, 2020

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta,

Redfish Poke Bar, Foodland’s poke restaurant, is one of my favorite spots in Kaka‘ako. It just started a new happy hour menu with dishes starting at $5 and 25% off all drinks. No one needed to twist my arm to make a dine-in reservation to check it out.

Happy hour specials are available daily from 2 to 6 p.m. when you dine in. The food menu is small, but the discounts add up. For instance, truffle fries are $5 at happy hour compared to okonomiyaki fries on the regular menu for $8. Happy hour oysters are $2 each; regular price is $9 for three.

My favorite happy hour dish is a steal at $7—half the regular price. This is a glorified spinach and artichoke dip made with king crab, artichokes, truffle oil and Parmesan in a four-cheese blend. After one bite you’ll almost forget about the garlic toast and want to straight-up spoon that dip. It’s ultra cheesy with lots of shredded crab.

I’m already a fan of Redfish’s okonomiyaki fries with Kewpie mayo, yaki glaze, furikake and pickled ginger, but these $5 Parmesan truffle fries topped with fried Goteburg are a game changer. Who can say no salty, fried salami and a creamy aioli dip?

Crispy, golden-brown crinkle cut fries are seasoned liberally with salt and Parmesan, with the Goteburg strips adding a meaty umami. Did I mention the truffle aioli? Next-level umami. We cleaned the plate.

We got Kusshi oysters from Washington, but the oyster variety will depend on what’s available. They’re topped with house-made finadene, a spicy shoyu-based sauce with lemon and vinegar that’s lighter than the classic vinegar-heavy mignonette. I like these smaller oysters because they’re sweet and easier to slurp.

These are the sweet cousin to Foodland Farms’ salt and vinegar wings. One order comes with 8 pieces of mixed wings and flats, all meaty. I’ve had sticky, sweet hoisin glaze in pork belly bao buns; it’s a winning combo on wings as well. The glaze isn’t as sweet as teriyaki, but it’s a nice break from saltier, more savory dishes on the menu.

I’m definitely coming back to Redfish for more king crab dip and truffle fries, but 25% off all drinks is a nice added incentive. Most cocktails, like the Rock Salt Plum above, cost $14 so after the discount, they’re under $11. Talk about a good catch.

Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m., dine-in only. 685 Auahi St., Kaka‘ako, (808) 532-6420, redfishpoke.com,@redfishpoke