OKINAWA KOZA: Donald`s Poke Shop...We found Poke! Super friendly owner chef from the Big Island. So Much Aloha here! (Sony RX100, Panasonic TZ60)

When in Japan where do you go for authentic Hawaiian Poke? To either Ogo`s in Akasaka or to the Islands of course! First time visit to Donald`s Poke Shop in Koza... just around the corner from Kadena US Air Force Air Base.

Someone has a nice Porsche Cayman 718 Cabrio.

Instagram! Definitely follow: #donaldspokeshop098

https://www.instagram.com/donaldspokeshop098/

Wall of customer Cheki Photos.

4 Tables and some counter seating plus a nice comfy booth/couch seating area for a slightly bigger groups.

Japanese Menu

English Menu

Egg Seaweed Furikake for your rice.

Waitress mentioned today`s fresh fish selection was either Ahi or Salmon.

Spicy Ahi Poke was all me!  Honestly spicy is my absolute favorite when in Hawaii but a little hesitant because the spicy poke I had at 808 Poke Bowls Okinawa was crazy crazy spicy! Almost painful.

https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2021/09/okinawa-onna-808-poke-bowls-okinawa-is.html

The fish was so incredibly fresh... had a great texture.  And soooo glad the spicy poke was a bit on the mild side and very comforting.  Plus quite the volume too!  Ono!

Side of local Mac Salad!  

This is the kinda sofa booth seating area.

Side order included Beer Battered Ahi 4 pieces for 350 yen.  Of course yes!!  The waitress verbally  told the chef in English about the order and he replied to her in Japanese...Beer-Battaa wa sa-bi-su.  I couldn`t believe this order would be on the house.  Much Mahalo`s.

Canned drinks were only 100 yen... Chef Donald is definitely in it for the community.

OMG... freshly made chunks of tender Ahi with a very addictive flavorful sauce.  This was amazing. He later explained to one of the customers that some parts of Tuna have connective tissue that can`t be used for poke. But if this is grilled then the tissue melts away and becomes very tender.  Only the best.

I have never seen any restaurants in Japan that support local sport teams. Awesome.

Lots of great Hawaiian music on the BGM.

Overheard the chef having a conversation and he is an avid fisher and whenever he caught more than he could eat he would make poke for his friends.  He started getting so many requests that eventually opened up his own Poke shop.  Seems to have a solid US military following here.

The shop is super cozy, poke was just like Hawaii, the chef from the Big Island super friendly and the bilingual staff was super attentive.  Will definitely be back on my next visit to Koza!

Restaurant: Donald’s Poke Shop

Restaurant J: ドナルズ ポケ ショップ

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/okinawa/A4703/A470301/47023837/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gotpoke/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaldspokeshop098/

Address J: 沖縄県沖縄市上地1-16-2

Address E: Okinawa-ken, Okinawa-shi, Uechi 1-16-2

Google MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/hgxw3bKnsaBQHzXW6

ハワイ料理, テイクアウト, コザ, 嘉手納基地, Japan, Japanese, Foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, hawaiian, tokyobelly, sony rx100, Panasonic TZ60, take out, lunch, beer, sushi, sashimi, U.S. Military, base, Air Force, Charity, donation, 

HONOLULU: Battle of the 4 Poke Bows! Ono Seafood vs Coco Cove vs Donki vs Maguro Brothers!

My battle of the POKE Tokyo Belly Version! My to go spot that measure all my poke adventures is the trusty and always delicious Ono Seafood.  https://www.yelp.com/biz/ono-seafood-honolulu

1st visit to Ono during my Hawaii vacation was all Spicy Poke! Its just so perfectly flavored and a nice spicy kick.  Fish was fresh this day with a nice texture!

2nd Visit!  Spicy with Hawaiian Style Combo on a Saturday!  Must have been an off day as the tuna was rather mushy and not firm.  Unfortunate but still loved the flavor!

Coco Cover market on Kalakaua Avenue for Poke? Really?  Waited to the end of my trip to give it a try. https://www.yelp.com/biz/coco-cove-honolulu

The nice filipino lady behind the counter was so generous with the Poke samples on a tooth pick and a local family was calling her Auntie.  Super friendly lady.

Of course went for the Hawaiian Style and Spicy combo.  The flavor was mild compared to Ono's but the fish seemed so fresh and not mushy at all.  2/3 pounds of fish on a bed of brown rice for about $12.50.  Really enjoyed it and she sure did pack the fish in well.

Of course you gotta hit up Don Quijote for their poke by the pound! 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/don-quijote-honolulu

There were soooo many choices!

Picked up Spicy and Hawaiian style. Very very creamy and very tasty... yum!

Now Maguro Brothers... the worst of the bunch.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/maguro-brothers-hawaii-waikiki-honolulu-2

After watching this youtube video featuring Maguro Brothers and its Japanese owner I just had to go! Love supporting small owner chef businesses... always a fan.

Lots of options but went for the Hawaiian Limu Ahi and Spicy combo for about $15.50.  This was the most expensive place out of the 4 spots I tried. Tried to chat up the Japanese owner but he didn't crack a smile and didn't seem very interested in saying anything... I even spoke Japanese. Doh...

A few bites and the flavor was a bit mild... almost as if they didn't add enough seasoning. The cuts of tuna seemed rather small and not so meaty.

But the shocker was the cold, hard, clumpy white rice... It was if they refrigerated the previous days white rice and thawed it out a bit before serving it in my combo plate.  I was just so incredibly disappointed to have paid a premium over other shops only to have my tuna sit on carelessly prepared rice.  I think any native Japanese person would be ashamed to serve this... I could almost say this was glue grade rice.  UGH.  One star on Yelp for you buddy.

My ranking... hint in the order of my review!  If in Hawaii please check out Ono Seafood to start as a measure to rank other spots!  ENJOY!