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    Abunai

    3.8 (268 reviews)
    ModerateHawaiian, Poke, Salad
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Abunai Takeout or Delivery

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    ABUNAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Abunai

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kalua Pig & Cabbage
    Sonya L.

    I've been ordering from this place via DoorDash often. But i had the pleasure of stopping in and picking up food in person. I got to the store a couple minutes before the store opened but they let me in and out of the cold! I got my order in and the food was prepped and packed quickly! Norman and Alejandra were so nice and helpful! I got half a pound of ahi poke and half a pound of salmon poke. This is one of the better poke places I've found in the dmv. The sauces I go for are the garlic aioli and the abunai sauces. It was fresh. I also got a kalua cabbage plate with Mac salad. The kalua pig was pretty good and a good portion that came on a bed of rice, I got plain white rice. They use purple cabbage, which was different from the kalua pig and cabbage I'm used to but it still tasted good. The Mac salad is usually a little softer but today the Mac was a little more al dente and less mayo/saucy.

    Spam Mac Sundae
    Zhen C.

    History of Present Indulgence: Not too many places serve real Hawaiian food like a plate lunch and poke without all the extras, so I was ecstatic to learn about Abunai. I go to PT nearby and have stopped by here for lunch a few times now. Physical Exam: Food - The poke bowls are fantastic, with fresh, well-seasoned tuna that stands out. I love their Abunai Poke. Their mac salad is delicious, though a bit on the sweeter side. A standout for me is the mac salad spam sundae--pan-fried spam on a bed of mac salad served in a plastic cup. It's simple and perfect. I still need to go back to try some of their plate lunches, but I love everything I've had so far. Service - Quick and efficient, perfect for a fast-casual spot. Ambiance - No-frills and straightforward, with a counter for ordering and nothing extra. It's all about the food here, and I love that. Assessment/Plan: Abunai is a gem for Hawaiian food lovers. If you're craving authentic poke bowls, a plate lunch, or a place that knows how to cook Spam properly, this is the spot. I'm just so glad Abunai exists here and I would highly recommend trying it out!

    Regular Poke/Salad Bowl
    Elizabeth M.

    Im pretty confident that they forgot my sauce so this was the most bland and dry poke bowl I ever had. The staff also made us wait several minutes when I came to pick up while my bag was sitting on the counter. Unfortunately I don't recommend.

    Furikake Mac Salad
    Krissy L.

    It's a quick service type of spot. Very casual but when I see the food was HITTIN'?! Best musubi i'be tried in the DMV and I assumed the mac salad was going to be a bit sweet but it was very savory. It was the perfect side to the spam katsu. I definitely recommend getting both on your visit here. My only thing is I wish they had a sweet sauce to drizzle on the musubi. That would've balanced out the savory taste but besides that, I'll be coming here again and again.

    Poke bowl
    Spencer Y.

    Overall, no major complaints for a standard poke establishment. Fish was pretty fresh and standard, but nothing to write home about. Only thing I wanted was bigger protein size since I paid extra for extra proteins but still got a pretty skimp amount of fish. Other than that, 3.5 stars for a decent poke place that I got from food delivery app.

    This was my meager portion.
    Margy C.

    I got a chance to try Abunai as a neighborhood drop off. I don't think I would ever have the opportunity to have tasted their poke bowls since they are in DC and quite a distance from me. I ordered the regular poke bowl with salmon and fresh greens. As much as I thought the entire bowl was good, I was quite disappointed in the meager portion. It was barely half a bowl. More of the fresh greens would have been fine since I'm not asking for more of the proteins that would have cost extra. Also, the salmon could have been cut better. It was one long string of small pieces of salmon. The husband ordered the regular poke bowl as well and got the brown rice with chicken. His portion was at least half the size of the bowl even though he selected almost every item that was not an extra charge. We both had to share one tiny sauce container of garlic aioli sauce. We both ordered garlic aioli with our bowls but got only one container. When you halve a small sauce container, that came out to be about a teaspoon of sauce. Definitely not enough. Would it have hurt to give us two sauce containers since we ordered two separate bowls? The garlic fries were great. Even though it was a food drop off from DC (close to an hour's drive away) and the fries were definitely cold by the time we got them home, they were still good. They were not soggy at all. I am glad the bowls are compostable and they followed my notes for not including any plastic utensils and napkins. As many restaurants are adding the option not to include utensils and napkins with their online orders, Abunai should consider this.

    Tako Poke
    Sonya H.

    A solid poke shop with all the classic fixings (plus, as a bonus, a smattering of traditional Hawaiian snacks and sides that you usually can't find at most mainland poke shops) and super cute decor. I've been slowly making my way through all of DC's poke restaurants, and Abunai immediately stood out with its adorable storefront -- I'm honestly in love with the little vines and fairy lights that line the shop's floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to peek inside and get a sense of the amazingness happening within while also giving Abunai a really cute, homey vibe. Once you're inside, the decor serves a similar purpose, allowing you to enjoy the sunshine (or the...car headlights, I guess?) streaming through the windows while maintaining some sense of privacy. The other decor is admittedly pretty utilitarian, but it's cute, functional, and fun. Beyond the aesthetics, Abunai serves up a lovely selection of poke bowls, allowing you to either select from their pre-made favorites (for which they also have daily specials if you're looking to save a few bucks) or build your own. I opted to make my own -- Abunai has most of the classic fixings, but also includes a few extra fun menu items if you're in the mood to switch things up a bit. For your base, you can get one of the classic options -- sushi rice, brown rice / quinoa, mixed greens / kale, or, if you're feeling adventurous, try out their wonton chips. They have most of the classic proteins but also include tako (octopus) and lobster, two amazing poke choices that I've struggled to find in DC. If you're not in the mood for something raw / for seafood, you can always opt for their tofu or chicken. Abunai is a touch stingy with its proteins compared to most other spots, so you'll most likely need to get two proteins (either double of the same one or try out two options) to build a satisfying meal. They also hold back a bit on the sauces (which I honestly appreciate), so if you're ordering a salad base, especially if you opt for kale, your bowl will likely feel a bit dry. If I'm taking it home, I'll usually just toss on a little bit of rice vinegar and/or coconut aminos and am pretty satisfied. As far as mix-ins and toppings go, Abunai has an abundance of classic and unique options available, and you can load up your bowl with as many as you'd like! Being the weirdo that I am, I had to try everything (except, of course, the peanuts and other items that would send me to the hospital). A few stand-out and unique choices included the ogo (Hawaiian seaweed, which added a wonderful level of umami to the proteins), lemon zest (which, despite not being that rare, added the perfect little zing to freshen up the meal above and beyond the lemon juice), and wasabi peas (personally, I won't be getting these again next time, but if you're a fan of the nasal-clearing shock of wasabi and want a little extra crunch, they're pretty fun). And for my friends with dietary restrictions, the staff is amazing -- they were super helpful in supporting me as I navigated dietary restrictions, especially with sauces, and were very knowledgeable. If you're ordering online or from a delivery app, they also have a section for allergy modifications at the top of the order that includes nut, gluten, soy, and dairy allergies. There's obviously some fear of cross-contamination if you're really sensitive, as everything is arranged on the same counter, but they definitely make a good effort to keep their customers safe and healthy. If you still want some lovely Hawaiian food but aren't in the mood for a whole poke bowl, you can always go for a hand roll, spam musubi, or one of their other traditional Hawaiian plates. I've rarely seen a poke spot that tries to feature other aspects of Hawaiian cuisine, from classic desserts like poi or kulolo, or fun takes on island favorites like the spam mac sundae. All in all, Abunai is a great spot for fresh, tasty poke, but also has plenty of options if you're feeling Hawaiian but want something a bit different. Top it off with amazing service from their super friendly owner and staff, plus adorable decor, and you've got yourself an outstanding dining experience.

    To-Go
    Ronisha S.

    I have tried Poki DC (which is delicious by the way), but I wanted to try Abunai today. The prices I would say are extremely reasonable. I placed a To-Go order for lunch. Speed of service alone gets 5/5 for me because not only were they friendly, but even during a semi-busy lunch rush my order was timely. Now I'm a huge fan of a good poke bowl and they did NOT disappoint! I got a Regular Poke Bowl with shrimp. They have your typical offerings, including signature bowls, but I will certainly be back to try their other menu items!

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Abunai

    Gluten free options?

    Yes, there are various proteins, mix-ins, sauces, and toppings that are gluten-free to customize your own bowl!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Unconventional Diner - Lebanese Fried Rice

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    1.1 miShaw, Downtown
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    Yep. If you're reading this, you should just make that reservation and go... and yes, I would…read morerecommend a reservation because this place is pop-u-lar, and I see why. The space itself is bright and airy and a bit on the noisy side. But the service was very good, and the food was served quite quickly. I've been on a shakshuka kick lately, so I opted for the the Sweet Potato Shakshuka, which is described as: Sweet Potato Curry, with Chickpeas and Sunny Eggs with a the chicken add-on - gotta get that protein in, after all. This was one of the most unique shakshukas I'd ever had... It literally tasted like a curry dish you might get at your local Indian restaurant, with a bit of a brunch flair to it. The curry itself had a wee bit of spice and was a bit sweet - but that could have been from the sweet potatoes. The chicken was served in a bowl on the side, which felt a bit... odd... I would've expected it to be incorporated into the main dish. It was kind of bland and a bit lukewarm, so I don't know that I'd order that again... but I would definitely order this again!

    True to its name, Unconventional Diner is not your average brunch spot - it delivers on fun and…read moreunique dishes (available until 3:45pm). The Tikka dish with fried egg was tasty, but wish paneer or larger protein option was built-in (not an upcharge)! The creamy red Tikka curry sauce, caramelized onions, crispy brussel sprouts, and fried ere tasty and paired well, the dish felt incomplete and something was missing, maybe some paneer or naan? I paid $5 for a side of zesty naan topped with different spices and really wish it came with the dish just came with it. While I was tempted to order the falafel, I couldn't justify shelling out another $5 for another upcharge and spend $10 on them for a total of $26 for just an entree - when these 2 upcharges should have been included in the entree by default. Wish there were more fun vegetarian dishes on the menu. Might come back for drinks and to explore the menu!

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    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

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    Life Alive Organic Cafe West End

    Life Alive Organic Cafe West End

    4.2(67 reviews)
    0.4 miWest End
    Healthy dining
    Casual dining

    This was the perfect nutritional start to the day. We're on a family trip and I'm trying my…read moredarnedest to keep packing nutrition just as we would at home (or at least close to it). We ordered a variety of dishes to share as a family- the green açaí bowl, banana date oat latte, breakfast hash and green egg wrap. All were packed with veggies and I appreciated that they had some nutritional info on the menu. The server was sweet and we loved everything we tried. I also appreciated that they have ginger shots, a variety of bowls and smoothies that we could explore on a future visit. Overall, a am dunk for our crew!

    My lunch companion and I wanted to try a new healthy place and decided on this location. Stepping…read moreinto the restaurant, we were greeted by one of the more unfriendly hosts/cashier I have encountered in a long time. She seemed to act as though our simple questions about what to order and what's popular in the menu was an inconvenience to her, although we indicated it was our first time at the restaurant. We ordered our food with the host/cashier and waited at our table for the food to be delivered. My companion's food was delivered and the server asked us if there was anything else. I said my food hadn't come and she asked me what I ordered. I told her it was the Greek goddess. I had to wait quite a long time for my meal to arrive and when it did, the server placed the plate on the table, grabbed the table number and walked away.No apology for the extended wait, no, "enjoy your meal." It was quite rude. The Greek goddess was pretty bland and my friend's soup was boring. The Falafel pita was ok. We have lots of options for lunch in Washington DC. I will not return to this establishment, ever.

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    Life Alive Organic Cafe West End
    Life Alive Organic Cafe West End
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    HipCityVeg

    HipCityVeg

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    I love you guys sooooooo much omg. my go to order is the meal deal with the basic b burger, medium…read morefries, campfire bbq, and sweetened green tea. holy crap it's so good. honorable mentions are the philly cheesesteak and veggie burger as well I was devastated when the DuPont circle location closed. I need the Chinatown location to never close so I'm writing this review

    This was really good!! I had this place bookmarked since the previous time I visited DC. We had…read moreattended a hockey game and were starving afterwards. As we were walking back towards our hotel, we actually were passing here so I chose it for our din din spot. I thought for sure it was going to be packed but luckily it was not. I knew I wanted a burger but was struggling with choosing which one. Hubs knew he wanted the Cheesesteak and knew I wanted fries. I went with the Smokehouse burger. We grabbed a seat and did not wait long for our food to come out. I really enjoyed my burger and scarfed it down! I paid for sauces, which were tiny and super overpriced. Hubs enjoyed his cheesesteak but he prefers meat. I had a bite and thought it was really flavorful and very closely tasting like the real thing. I noticed later this is a chain, which is pretty cool. I think the prices were pretty steep so I might skip on the fries next time. The food could have been warmer as well. Definitely worth a visit and will most likely be back when in DC again.

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    Buffalo Bella burger (fried mushroom) and sweet potato fries

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    L'Ardente - 40-Layer Lasagna.

    L'Ardente

    4.5(1.6k reviews)
    1.7 mi
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    It's wonderful when a restaurant actually lives up to the hype. We went for the viral 40 layer…read moreshort rib lasagna and it was without a doubt the best tasting and highest level of execution lasagna I've ever had. The meat was melt in your mouth tender, pulled and thin so it worked with the thin layers of pasta and cheese. The truffle mornay was delicious. For apps we had the burrata and focaccia which were both flawless. Along with the arancini and polpette meatballs. I really liked the blend of beef and pork in the meatballs, they had a nice snap to them almost like a pork/beef blend hotdog. The pepperoni pizza was solid but nothing to really write home about. I'd recommend skipping pizza here to save room for the great apps and house made pastas. Service was amazing, our server was a tall guy who didn't rush us and offered multiple good recommendations. The decor is classy but not overstated. They do a good job of making you feel comfortable if you're in a suit or a tee shirt. Desserts were delicious as well, we got the strawberry pavlova and the blueberry panna cotta. I preferred the panna cotta myself but both were great.

    Went here for a lunch. Loved absolutely everything. We had…read moreCavolfiori, Whole Grilled Branzino, Americana pizza. As a desert we had Tiramisu Flambé and Crostata di Celiegie. Every single dish was perfect. Also great service and ambiance.

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    Caruso's Grocery - Spicy Neapolitan Ragu

    Caruso's Grocery

    4.6(346 reviews)
    3.6 miCapitol Hill
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    I found this restaurant at the last minute and boy am I glad we did!…read more We arrived at around 7:45 and the place was packed. The hostess told us we likely wouldn't sit until 9:45 so I inquired about the bar and the manager quickly stepped in to put us on a waitlist. Since the restaurant is connected to a food hall of sorts, she recommended we grab a drink there while we wait. Shortly after we got our drink, we received notification of an opening and were seated by 8:15. We had the burrata appetizer, Ragú x 2, and the seafood fra diavolo. The burrata was one of the best I've had since they serve it with pesto, pine nuts, and garlic bread. It was truly divine! The Ragú was not far behind. Incredible flavor and a generous portion. The seafood dish had a nice kick and had plenty of seafood, which is not common as of late. All dishes were also priced reasonably for the quality you received. As we sat at the bar, we had pleasant conversation with the bartender and finished our meal with a small cannoli that really sealed the deal. If you're looking for excellent Italian food in DC without breaking the bank, look no further than Caruso's grocery! However, I'd recommend reserving ahead of time because it's certainly not a secret. LOL

    I picked this place as my birthday dinner with some girlfriends. I was unsure of the vibe, food etc…read morebefore arriving. The place gives cozy speakeasy vibes. We we sat down the waitress was very friendly and welcoming. She knew alot about the menu items and such. As soon as she handed me the wine menu and saw Chianti as one of the wines, I didnt hesitate to get a bottle for the table (I love Chianti with a story behind it). We ordered the Creamy Burrata, with Grilled Bread and four cheese sauce and the calamari for the appitizers. All of the appetizers were amazing and Im a sucker for grilled crushy bread. For the main course i ordered the Trout Piccata. The fish was cooked to perfection and the veggies were well seasoned. My friends ordered the chicken piccata, Caruso Alfredo and baked Cavatelli. Everything was good. Next up we ordered the butterfinger sundae, Nutella cannoli and tiramisu. The sundae base is chocolate ice cream. If you are fan of chocolate ice cream you will love the sundae. Overall great experience and I will definitely return!

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    Abunai - hawaiian - Updated August 2026

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