By 
This article was originally published in June 2020. It was last updated in September 2026.
Although poke has been eaten for centuries, it reached its popularity on the mainland in 2015. That year, the poke trend was at its full peak in Southern California and became a huge Instagram sensation. Coincidentally, I moved here in 2015 and throughout the following years, I have seen poke joints pop up in almost every LA neighborhood like cold pressed juice bars.
While most poke spots serve add an array of sweet sauces and superfluous toppings to the fish, traditional Hawaiian poke is already marinated and doesn’t look as polished. I can picture native Hawaiians rolling their eyes when the mainland went into a poke bowl craze!
Certainly, the first time I ate traditional Hawaiian poke, it was odd to not be able to choose my toppings. However, after my two trips to Hawaii, where I ate poke almost every day, I wouldn’t go back to the time where I was a poke newbie. When I think of my experience in Hawaii, and the unforgettable fresh poke bowls I had after a morning on the beach, I relish in nostalgia.
Poke joints in Hawaii are far from fancy. They’re very unassuming and the seating is extremely limited, many times non-existent, which is why my dad and I always devoured our poke bowls in our rental Jeep.
Living in Southern California comes with the perk of having a plethora of poke places to choose from, and luckily, a few that make you feel as if you were eating poke in Hawaii.
Dover Sole Market
Pop-up
I have yet to try LA’s hottest poke! Founded in 2026 by Kelsey Sachi Lee, Dover Sole Market operates as a pop-up, where you place your order through a DM and pick it up in a Koreatown or Sherman Oaks parking lot depending on your location. Fast-forward to the pickup date, Kelsey herself will hand you the poke from the cooler in the back of her car.
The poke is flown in from Oahu, ethically sourced, and made with the highest-quality fish. Kelsey mentioned in an interview that when she moved to LA 10 years ago, during the height of the poke craze, she found herself craving the kind of poke she grew up eating back home in Oahu. She partly blames chains like Sweetfin for masking the quality of the fish by adding all these unecessary accoutrements and miseducating consumers about poke.
Just like in Hawaii, the fish at Dover Sole is dressed with a minimal amount of sauce. In fact, when you try it, Kelsey encourages customers to taste the poke on its own, without the rice. After all, it’s the simplicity that makes true poke shine.
Stay tuned to her Instagram stories for her weekly drops!
Unreal Poke
1019 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Originally from Hilo, Hawaii (The Big Island), Unreal Poke was founded by Jordan, also known as JMKM. He said: “I’m a music producer, podcast producer and artist. JMKM is my artist name. This is another creative outlet for me. I love producing something and having people enjoy it. Whether it’s music or food.”
When I wrote this review, Unreal Poke was still operating as a pop-up. He opened the brick-and-mortar in Arcadia in 2026.
I went to their pop-up in Native Son, a bar in DTLA. I got the Poke Flight bowl, which included three marinades, two generous scoops of rice, crab salad and mixed greens.
This poke instantly transported me back to Oahu. My dad and I would eagerly scarf down our poke bowls while sitting on the bumper of the Jeep after an action-packed day at the beach.
My favorites were the Cali Roll and the Ahi Shoyu. The spicy tuna was amazing, although it was a little too spicy for me. After I was done eating the marinated fish, I moved on to the crab salad, which was an excellent palate cleanser – very light and refreshing—and the rice. THE RICE! Warm and fluffy.
If I had to choose, this is my favorite poke bowl I’ve had in LA so far! Even Jeffrey, the owner of Feisty Fish Poke, sang the praises of Unreal Poke after I showed him the pictures. “Wow. That looks amazing. Mad respect. I can’t wait to try it,” he said.
If you’ve never experienced Hawaiian poke, Unreal Poke should be the first spot on your list.
Here’s my interview with Jordan after I had his unreal poke bowl (no pun intended).
Hello Jordan! What’s the backstory of Unreal Poke?
Unreal Poke is the result of our need to have authentic poke in the LA area. I was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. I’ve been in California since 2008, but I was never able to find poke like the one back home. Every time I got here after I visited home I tried my best to recreate it.
What makes a good poke bowl?
To me, it always starts with the fish. The rice is also very important. Having a good texture of rice. But honestly, intention, appreciation and understanding of the culture make a good poke bowl. You have to have those things before anything else. Those are the things that separate us because we actually have an understanding of the culture. On a more realistic level, what makes a good poke bowl is that it has to be marinated. You have to let the ingredients sit together for a while. Other poke places don’t do that. To know what a good poke bowl is, you have to know what a good poke bowl isn’t.
Do you have any favorite poke places in LA?
I haven’t tried too many in LA. I’ll give a shoutout to a few places not just poke, but also Hawaiian food.
Broken Mouth is a Hawaiian-Korean food concept. The chef is from Hawaii.
‘Ai Pono Cafe. It’s in Costa Mesa and run by a Hawaiian chef as well. That chef is revolutionizing Hawaiian street food.
For good Hawaiian food in general, East Los Musubi (pop-up): high-quality ingredients and good people.
Mila’s Kitchen, Chef Charles is also from Hawaii. He does private events now. Also, Poke Etc in Carson.
What about San Diego?
San Diego has really good poke. I went there recently to be the judge in a poke competition. We’ll be there next year.
The thing about coastal cities like San Diego is that the quality of the fish is really good. I really like Fish 101. Those are my friends and they do really good Hawaiian-style poke.
Unreal Poke: Instagram and HotPlate
Feisty Fish Poke
2260 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Hours: Sunday 11am – 7pm and Monday -Wednesday 11am – 8pm (check their schedule for any changes)
Founded by Jeff, Feisty Fish Poke’s mission is to bring authentic Hawaiian poke to Los Angeles. Jeffrey grew up between San Diego and Hawaii. He loved poke so much that he had to go to the doctor while due to mercury poisoning. “I could eat poke every day for the rest of my life. I was devastated when the doctor said I had to stop eating it so much,” he said laughing.
I first found Feisty Fish Poke while I was driving one night on Abbot Kinney Blvd. Although there are no plans for a future brick-and-mortar, you can find Jeff’s truck all over LA. After I found his truck in Venice, I DMed him and two days later, I was at one of his weekend pop-ups in the Valley.
Since it was my first time, I didn’t want my fish to be overpowered by strong marinade flavors; so I knew I couldn’t go wrong with the classic Ponzu Scheme bowl.
The seaweed salad was another level. Jeff added something because it didn’t have that rich, umami flavor of a standard seaweed salad. It was incredibly refreshing and balanced out the mildly sweet flavor of the tuna. The punzu sauce was another highlight. This is a light soy sauce with citrus hints that beautifully enhance the flavor of the fresh fish. The warm rice, the chunks of fresh tuna and the refreshing slices of cucumber took me back to Oahu. Ugh, I want it now!
Hello Jeff! Why did you start Feisty Fish?
This has been a dream of mine for the past five years. I grew up loving poke and moved back and forth between San Diego and Hawaii. The best food in Hawaii is poke. Actually, the best poke in Hawaii came from Foodland, which is a grocery store. All the locals go there to get poke. It’s the freshest and it’s unbelievable. So good.
I decided to create something like Foodland. I created a menu and a recipe program inspired by the poke from Foodland. We don’t want to copy them. We just want show the people of Los Angeles what real poke is, what real Hawaiian poke tastes like.
What makes a good poke bowl?
You have to marinate the yellowfin tuna for at least 30 minutes. We marinate ours for at least an hour. It’ll soak up all the flavors and all those juices. Then, simple and straightforward sides like cucumber and seaweed salad. The latter breaks down the heavy metals in the fish naturally. Then of course, fluffy rice. If you don’t have that, you’ve ruined the poke bowl.
What is your favorite poke place in LA?
In LA, my favorite right now is Ali’i Hawaiian Grill (formerly called Ali’i Fish Co). That’s true Hawaiian poke. Their stuff is so fresh. They’re fantastic.
If someone is trying out Feisty Fish for the first time, what poke bowl do you recommend?
My all-time favorite is the Aw, Shucks, which comes with oyster sauce, a little bit of ginger, and a little bit of heat on the back end. Then, it’s sweetened with a little bit of honey. It becomes this amazing, fantastic flavor. I eat it all the time. My wife eats it all the time. She loves it just as much as I do. It’s a sell-out, just like our Fuego Mayo. It’s unbelievable how often that one sells out as well.
What do you think of the poke scene in LA?
I don’t think poke in LA is poke. Cali poke isn’t poke. It’s just fish with sauce on top. Poke is marinated tuna or salmon. If the juices aren’t going into the fish, that’s not poke. It’s just fish with sauce on top. I’ve had poke all over LA, all over California. It’s nothing personal. I’m sure the food is good and I even ate at some of these places before I created this program. But I knew I wasn’t eating real poke.
Feisty Fish Poke: Website and Instagram
Feisty Fish Poke: Website and Instagram
Jus’ Poke (Redondo Beach)
501 N Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
This place was my first introduction to real Hawaiian poke and it was a complete game-changer. My first visit was in early 2017, a year before my very first trip to Hawaii. At that time, I was still unfamiliar with the South Bay. A girl I went to graduate school with lived in Redondo Beach and couldn’t stop raving about this place. When I went there for the first time, I remember being shocked at my complete lack of agency in choosing my toppings, but in the end, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious everything was. The more I learned about traditional Hawaiian poke, the more eager I was to immerse myself in this ancient dish that I have so much respect and admiration for.
They messaged me on Instagram regarding the story of their business: “Our family is not native Hawaiian. They came to Hawaii from Japan to work in the plantations about 150 years ago. They were fishermen and farmers which is how poke became a staple in our diet. We still use the same ingredients they used over a century ago and even source our ogo (reddish brown seaweed) from the same island our family is from. Our mother’s side is from Hilo (Big Island) and our father’s side is from Maui”.
My favorite poke here is their California Roll, hands-down. The word fresh at Jus’ Poke is a big understatement. Also, just like in Hawaii, you can buy the poke by the pound and the fish is seasoned to perfection. Don’t forget to eat the pickles! When I brought my dad for the first time, he couldn’t get over how insanely delicious the pickles were, not to mention the huge scoops of rice and the flavorful seaweed salad they serve on the side! If you’re ever in the South Bay and you want to satisfy your poke cravings, I cannot recommend this place enough. Avoid peak hours if you can!
Ohana Superette
2850 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
In 2026, Eric and Miriam Park opened Ohana Superette, a new iteration of Ohana Poke, the poke spot that had occupied the space next door for five years before closing during the pandemic. Personally, I wasn’t a fan when I tried the original in 2017. There were too many greens, and none of the marinades really stood out.
Opened in 2025, Ohana Superette has been taken up a few notches. The wood-paneled space is gorgeous, and the fish, this time around, had bold, marinated flavors that paired beautifully with the minced onion —not to mention glossy, buttery cubes. The mac and cheese salad was also one of the best I’ve had. However, a large bowl runs close to $30, making it one of the pricier options on this list, but totally worth the splurge.
Ali’i Hawaiian Grill (formerly called Ali’i Fish Company)
924 N Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (new location)
The fish at Ali’i Hawaiian Grill is shipped overnight DAILY from HAWAII! When I visited it for the first time, the owner Shane was in the front making sure everything was running swimmingly. His background actually includes working in the fishing industry in Hawaii!
Ali’i Hawaiian Grill’s menu has something for every palate, from fish burgers and salads to appetizers, daily specials, and even a kids’ menu. There truly is something for everyone.
Auntie Maile’s Hawaiian Food
19106 Normandie Ave Ste 2, Torrance, CA 90502
Torrance and Gardena are home to one of the largest concentrations of Hawaiians outside of Hawaii. You’ll find a cluster of Hawaiian businesses in these areas, though not all of them serve poke. Auntie Maile’s poke, which is sold by the pound, has also gotten the seal of approval from multiple Hawaiians.
Poke & More (Long Beach)
2292 E Carson St, Long Beach, CA 90807
This inconspicuous poke joint in Long Beach’s industrial area has some very solid poke options. It also reminded me of the way poke is served in Hawaii, with white Styrofoam takeout boxes and plastic containers with sticker labels. At Poke & More, there are endless options to satisfy your fish cravings: poke by the pound, signature poke bowls, sushi burritos, and other classic Hawaiian offerings. The prices are pretty hard to beat!
Don’t be alarmed if after getting off the freeway you feel like you’re never going to get there.
Kawamata Seafood
26881 Camino De Estrella, Dana Point, CA 92624
I couldn’t believe this hole-in-the-wall poke joint was only 20 minutes away from Newport Beach! What took me so long to discover this hidden gem? Kawamata Seafood sits near the San Diego County border and, in my opinion, serves some of the BEST poke in Orange County.
At Kawamata Seafood, the seating, just like in Hawaii, is very limited. Despite this, you can enjoy your poke at Capistrano Beach Park, which is a 3-minute drive from Kawamata and enjoy your poke with this view.
The portions are very hefty and you will not go home dissatisfied. I ordered the large bowl and even left some of the rice because there was so much!
Another bonus point is that Kawamata Seafood has been given numerous stamps of approval by Hawaiian transplants, praising its freshness and authenticity. Kawamata Seafood is owned by a Hawaiian family, which adds another layer of authenticity to the experience.
Kawamata used to be cash-only but not anymore!
I like Kawamata Seafood better than Bear Flag because the poke bowl is served Hawaiian-style and the place has an undeniable, no-frills vibe that is ever-present at poke joints in Hawaii.
Even before opening time there will be a line, which is why I can’t emphasize enough to get there as early as you can. You don’t want to drive all the way there only to find out that they’ve run out of fish!
‘Ai Pono Cafe
283 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
‘Ai Pono Cafe was recommended by Unreal Poke’s owner, Jordan, so I had to include it. Although they specialize in Hawaiian street food, they also serve Hawaiian-style poke by the pound! Mark L from Huntington Beach wrote on Yelp: “Delicious Hawaiian food. Everything is super fresh and tasty. Probably the best poke I have had anywhere.” Susan K, who is from Hawaii, also wrote on Yelp: “Finally found a good Hawaiian spot that tastes just like the food back home! Everything is sooo good, especially the poke, you can’t go wrong with anything!”.
If you had told me a month ago that San Diego County was a hub for fresh fish and amazing poke, I would have looked at you in utter disbelief. Yes, peeps, San Diego County—besides having some of the best fish tacos and most authentic Mexican food you’ll find in the US—is also full of poke spots along the Pacific Coast serving high-quality, locally sourced fish. If you want to venture farther down the I-5 for a one-day road trip, these are the places you have to hit for a mouthwatering poke bowl. I guess it makes sense, considering that many of California’s most famous surf spots are located in North County San Diego.
Fish 101
1468 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Now I know why Fish 101 is the talk of the town in Encinitas: the fish quality is just another level. I didn’t try the poke bowl, but I did order the fish bowl which included mahi mahi fish with rice and beans. The mahi mahi was seasoned to perfection and its freshness blew me away. In addition to serving everything fish, their poke options include spicy poke bowl, ahi poke bowl and other varieties. On their Instagram, they proudly showcase their fishermen posing with gigantic yellowfin tuna fish on the boat deck. I really want to go back and try their fish and chips! The family sitting next to me was having it and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it! A post about Encinitas is coming soon to the blog!
Note: I wrote about Fish 101 long before I interviewed Jordan. As you read above, he also recommended it. He really knows where to find the good stuff!
It’s Raw Poke Shop
3112, 4991 Newport Ave A, San Diego, CA 92107
I concluded my poke expedition in California’s southernmost major city: San Diego! It’s Raw Poke Shop has some of the best poke in central San Diego. Run by Hawaiians originally from Oahu, the shop feels like a little slice of Hawaii on the mainland. The heavy-handed scoops of rice and melt-in-your-mouth freshness of the fish only add to the experience. If you’ve never been to Hawaii and you’re in San Diego, this is about as close as you can get without hopping on a plane.
Moreover, Ocean Beach is a bohemian surf town that feels very reminiscent of Oahu! The poke is on the pricier side, but that comes with the popular Ocean Beach location. There’s no seating inside, but that’s no problem—the beach is only a short walk away. Is It’s Raw Poke Shop worth the two-hour drive from Los Angeles? 100 PERCENT YES!! Please note that street-parking in this area is notoriously difficult.
Other places in San Diego County that are seafood grocery stores but also serve poke by the pound are:
El Pescador Fish Market in La Jolla
Pelly’s Fish Market and Café in Carlsbad
What do you think?