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Abunai

3.8 (268 reviews)
ModerateHawaiian, Poke, Salad
Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Order Abunai Takeout or Delivery

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ABUNAI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
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Classy
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Abunai

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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!

Custom Large Bowl
Bill Z.

Classic poke. Lots of customizations possible. Free water. Good service. Ambiance was nice with large tables and window seating.

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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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Spam musubi! Difficult to find, especially on the East Coast. Very good version here.

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9 years ago

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5 years ago

I used to come here because I worked nearby. I miss it so much. One of my favorite poke places. Love the variety of toppings.

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4 years ago

Super fresh fish, excellent poke, and great prices esp for daily specials. And fast! I'll be coming back

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Page 3 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!

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L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

3.3(200 reviews)
9.2 mi
•$$
Casual dining
Family-owned & operated

I was recommended this spot by a coworker who said she visits very frequently and loves the food…read morehere so of course I had to see what the hype is about. They share a space with other businesses in a somewhat food hall/bar type of vibe. Some businesses from the original "the block" food hall have moved here like snocream. There are a lot of different plate, bowl, and combo variations to choose from. For my first time, it was very hard to choose but I opted with the seafood combo which has fried fish, fried shrimp, and a choice of meat. The flavor is amazing especially the bbq marinade on the beef. The batter used for the shrimp and fish tastes the same, a little bland, but light batter not overly greasy. I'm not sure what authentic hawaiian food is supposed to taste like to compare this but I think the seafood needs some kind of sauce. Portion size is great, one combo plate can be shared between two people but u might want to have your own as you're eating it. The take-out menu vs. dine-in menu are a little confusing, I'm not sure which has the better value and/or if theres any difference in portion size or what-not but we got the to-go combo and just ate in store. The dine-in menu I was told just gets plated instead of put in a box but i'm wondering if you get more/less meat in that sense because why are there two different menus? Overall this spot is pretty solid and a different kind of cuisine thats good to have around the area. I will likely come back and update my review as I try the other items on the menu and as they continue to renovate the space.

Taste good but not cheap for the amount Fast service off…read morepeak hour (5PM) But food has hair in it.

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L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

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Tiki Taco - Kalua pork taco

Tiki Taco

4.4(450 reviews)
0.4 mi•Dupont Circle, Downtown
•$$

What an awesome "stumbled upon" discovery!…read more I was in Dupont and wasn't even particularly ready for lunch yet when the music coming from here called me in. The reggae music was giving me all of the good vibes, so out of curiosity I headed down the steps. Once inside, I discovered a cozy and casual little taco spot with some great offerings and a warm staff. I took a quick look at the menu and decided on a fish taco and a jerk chicken taco, with a Hawaiian shaved ice to-go. The tacos were actually pretty sizeable and at a reasonable price point. I love the fish taco, but the jerk chicken in the other taco was a little dry to me that day. Either way, I enjoyed my food and was GEEKED out when I walked out with my shaved ice. Loved everything about this place and will definitely return in the future!

Tasty Hawaiian flavors served up in a convenient taco…read more I ordered the Crispy Sesame Tofu taco and the Jerk Chicken taco. The tofu was deliciously crispy and would be easily enjoyed by even the avid meat lover. I also enjoyed the jerk chicken taco though it seemed to lack the mango salsa that was listed which is what caught my eye. Just a few pieces of mango, no salsa. Service is friendly. Limited seating inside. Floors were in need of a good cleaning and the interior had an overall dingy look. Despite the short comings, I would still recommend.

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Tiki Taco - Tiki Taco

Tiki Taco

Tiki Taco - Kalbi, jerk chicken, fish, and carne asada tacos

Kalbi, jerk chicken, fish, and carne asada tacos

Tiki Taco - Blackened Salmon Taco

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Blackened Salmon Taco

Kau Kau

Kau Kau

2.3(3 reviews)
3.1 mi•Navy Yard

I was so excited when I saw a Hawaiian food spot pop up near me. The closest I knew of was in…read moreAnnandale so I jumped at the opportunity. I got some trustee items, and I sort of wish I would've tried the Loco Moco because that would have truly told me whether or not I would be able to come back to this restaurant. As of now, I MIGHT stop by/order from here in a pinch BUT I wouldn't go out of my way. Let's begin. Location: it's located in Navy Yard. It's inside of Takorean. They make it easy to order online. It's giving Ghost Kitchen. Food: I ordered two spam musubis, two ahi bowls, and two bulgogi steak bowls: Spam Musubi: I think someone forgot an ingredient... Or two. The rice in these was extremely bland. Further, I'm typically used to there being some sort of sauce/glaze, usually tastes a little similar to teriyaki, between the spam and the rice. That was not the case here. Also, the spam was way saltier than normal. I love spam. It's one of my guilty obsessions, and I eat it about once a week. Yes, I know it's not good for you. However, I say that to say that I know how it typically taste. This was incredibly salty. I might have noticed it because that sauce that I previously mentioned was missing. Also, the rice was super bland. I don't think anybody put anything in the rice, including salt. Not that you need salt necessarily with a super salty piece of spam, but you get me. Ahi bowls: this tuna was so damn dry. DRYYYYYY. The flavor was good, but it was so incredibly dry. It was definitely overcooked and had nothing to do with it being delivered. In the bowl, there is salad, two scoops of rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad. The rice in the bowls was good. The salad was also pretty good. I really liked the dressing. However, the macaroni salad needed some help. I don't like Hawaiian macaroni salads that are overly seasoned, but this one was bland and had no seasoning at all. It tasted like someone over-boiled macaroni noodles, mixed some low budget, mayo in, and let the mayo set in overnight. It was definitely drier than I expected. Bulgogi bowls: Now, Kau Kau... if you're just selling Takorean's bulgogi, then say that. Because it tasted exactly the same... maybe slightly sweeter. Same comments as before re: sides. And again, it hurts me to say that about the Mac salad because I love macaroni salad. That has been one of my favorite food since I was a little girl. My dad's family lived in Hawaii and my Aunt is Hawaiian, so we ate Hawaiian food pretty regularly. Mac salad is my jawnnnnn. The salad was the best item and it's not supposed to be. This place just didn't do it for me this go round. I might be down to try the loco moco in the future but not sure.

I welcome this restaurant to the dmv with open arms. Ordered from them yesterday.great taste great…read moreportions flavor i grew up with. But the delivery experience is a bust. The flimsy paper containers disintegrate from the heatand moisture. It seriously needs improvement

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Kau Kau - Receipt

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Receipt

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling - S'mores platter

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling

3.4(482 reviews)
1.8 mi
•$$

This place was made to party! We came on a dreary spring day- I have to come back during nicer…read moreweather because the building is made for it! Also I have to strongly recommend happy hour. The drinks are kind of pricey otherwise, up to $25 for a cocktail! But the happy hour deals are amazing! We started with a rum punch bowl for $22 and holy crap it was strong! It's also so cute and ready for Instagram, and every time one of us lifted it to drink we felt like Poseidon. From there were got some apps to share. The nachos were pretty good and had a unique flavor profile, and you can't beat $12 for nachos in DC! We continued with $5 mini frozen drinks and wow were those a deal! They were super strong and also super cute! A friend got the Pain Killa and again for $9 it was a steal and the most delicious drink we had. Someone also came by with free Jell-O shots and they matched the mood of our night! The whole bar is fun with quirky decorations and great views. I'm sure it gets really busy during nice weather. Plan for it and come for the best deals during happy hour.

3.5. I would come back here again but with caveats. Vibes and concept are 4 stars for sure. Service…read morewas a little lax but very personable so that is fine. But what landed me on a 3 was value, specifically for my shrimp po boy which, at $18, was literally 3 shrimp on a hot dog bun. See the pic. It comes with broccoli but I had them sub tots. I just have a hard time with the idea that some broccoli, a single hot dog bun and 3 shrimp are worth $18. The fried rice was a much better value in both portion and quality and our s'mores platter was pricey at $18 but also quite ample. Drinks were strong. Not necessarily good. But strong. So whether these drinks were 3 or 4 stars for you depends on your goals. Overall, is this somewhere I would go out of my way to visit? No. Is it a chill easy hang if you're already in the area and need somewhere to drink while waiting to do something else at the Wharf or if you work in that area? Sure. Do I like that it is chiller and less bougie than the rest of the Wharf? Absolutely. I just feel like your best bet is to come and have a beer.

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Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling - Downstairs bar

Downstairs bar

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling - Honolulu cocktail bowl

Honolulu cocktail bowl

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Abunai - hawaiian - Updated May 2026

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