10 Spots To Eat the Best Poke in Honolulu, Hawaii

When in Honolulu, Hawaii, eating poke is a no-brainer! It’s the quintessential food to have during your vacay.

Poke (pronounced poh-kay) started with Polynesian voyagers who sliced raw fish into pieces to keep them full as they travelled to the islands. Nowadays, this practical dish is often served as a snack or over rice, aka poke bowls. It is usually eaten casually, much like the locals’ culture, straight from its takeout box on the beach or at home.

First time travelling to the Aloha State? Here are 18 things you should know before you go:

Ready to sink your teeth into sumptuous slices of fish? Here are 10 spots where you can find some of the freshest poke in Honolulu, Hawaii:

Need help going around Honolulu, Hawaii? Book a Waikiki Trolley Pass in Hawaii with Klook and enjoy the convenience of riding around on the orange double-decker bus as much as you want!

Poke bowls are perfect on-the-go food in Hawaii. Credits to @magurobrothershawaii Our first poke gem lies inside the Maunakea Market. Maguro Brothers come from the blood, sweat, and tears of two brothers: Junichiro and Ryojiro Tsuchiya. Junichiro used to be a fish buyer in Tokyo, so you’re assured that you’re served good fish. If it’s your first time trying poke, go for classic flavours, such as the shoyu-onion, spicy mayo, and Hawaiian. If you feel a bit fancy, top your poke bowl with uni!

In Honolulu, Hawaiian-style poke is the most famous of all poke styles. It’s simple—just fresh and fatty chunks of ahi tuna tossed in sesame, coarse sea salt, and shoyu, and put on top of hot white rice. Drooling already? Visit Ono Seafood when you’re in the Aloha State. They also have sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes!

Can’t wait to fill your mouth with big juicy chunks of ahi? Poke by the Pound has got you covered for your fresh tuna fix! Seasoned with different island flavours, such as oyster sauce, their poke is pre-mixed and available by the pound. Aside from poke, they also got tuna and salmon plates in case you need something heavier.

Tamashiro Market is one of the oldest poke spots in Honolulu, Hawaii. Did you know it’s been operating as a grocery store and seafood market since the 1940s? For your fish cravings, head to the back of Tamashiro, where you’ll find the poke counter. We recommend trying all 30 varieties, but if you ask us, the Limu Aku (skipjack tuna) and Korean-style raw crab poke are some of the best!

Don’t forget to take a pic of your poke bowl for Insta! Credits to @kenesyss_bap At ShoreFyre, you can enjoy poke bowls while enjoying live music. Unlike most poke stores where you just buy your fish from a counter and eat in the car or at home, ShoreFyre has a dining option—perfect if you wanna take a break from touring around. They also have happy hour specials for those who want to have a cheeky holiday bevvie. 

Not a fan of heavy dressings on your poke? At Kahiau Jerky Poke & Provisions, minimalism is key, which makes their ahi the star of their poke bowls. Fresh cubes are tossed in simple ingredients such as grated ginger, green onions, and soy sauce. They feature Asian flavours, like their Taegu Poke, which tastes like seasoned Korean dried squid.

Another sit-down restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii that offers poke is Nico’s Fish Market. It used to be a takeout counter by the pier. It has expanded and included an adjacent fish market, serving the freshest fish to hungry customers. Inside Nico’s, you’ll be welcomed by a refrigerated case filled with two dozen trays of poke, like ahi, marlin, scallops, and octopus!

Enjoy Asian flavours in Honolulu, Hawaii at Kyung’s Seafood, where poke, sashimi, and homey Korean food make a great soul food combo. They’re also known for their generous portions, which is great if you can’t get enough poke in one sitting! Try their spicy ahi, a thick spread you spoon into nori or shrimp chips for a convenient beachside snack.

There must be something about brothers and making good poke ‘cos another fantastic poke restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii was opened by another brother tandem. KBayBros Fish & Ice is a poke and seafood counter by the four Koki brothers, who mix and toss more than 20 poke varieties daily. To taste their limu poke and Pau Hana (thawed fish with mayo and kimchi seasoning), visit them at Kawa Street!

Where else to enjoy freshly-caught fish than at Fort Ruger Market? Here, you’ll find auction-grade ahi poke that is made in-house and is perfect for bringing anywhere as a snack. You can also grab some fish jerky, chicharrones, and Filipino and Hawaiian plate lunches and drive to the beach for an al fresco dining situation.