Really great spot in Costa Mesa with a relaxed Hawaiian vibe. I got the Crack Head Chicken and it was super flavorful, juicy, and perfectly seasoned with just the right kick. My husband had the garlic noodles and they were rich, buttery, and packed with garlic--so good. Portions were solid, everything came out fresh, and the staff was friendly even when it got busy. Definitely a great place for comforting Hawaiian-style food. We'll be coming back to try more! read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Crackhead Chicken and Garlic Noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Second time here and it hits just the same! I loved the ahi poke from my last visit so I tried the Makai Plate with the shoyu and spicy poke. The shoyu poke was gingery while the spicy poke had a decent kick, and the sauce was to die for. The garlic shrimp was also a hit from the Stockton Slap plate, juicy and zingy. It was universally agreed that the Korean Short Ribs were top tier- sweet and salty and full of saucy goodness. Though the line was long, it went quickly, and we got our meals within 10 minutes of ordering. read more

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My favorite place to eat in Orange County, PERIOD. Hawaiian street food at its best known for its hearty and flavorful grub! : Da Spicy Plate: Guava Chili Pepper Chicken, Korean Fried Chicken and Spicy Ahi Poke read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Solid Hawaiian spots that I def recommend trying at least once. I've def seen the line here get pretty long before so I would keep that in mind. The parking lot for this spot is usually pretty packed too but it's decently big so it's not too much of a hassle. I shared some stuff with two other friends and we were all super full and had leftovers Ahi poke nachos (spicy and shoyu sauce aka chef's way): 4/5 I think this might have been a special for the day or something so I'm not sure if they have it every day. I liked the wonton chips and they definitely give a good amount of fish. We didn't realize at first because a lot of it was at the very bottom but I think it was very much worth the price. Didn't realize there was something with wasabi in this though so that caught us off guard Da zombies plate: 4/5 the galbi was super soft and good. After that, I think my next favorite meat was the pork belly then the chicken. This came with very very tiny portions of sides and normal sized sauce. Overall liked it but would prob try something else next time Macaroni salad: 3/5 it was ok but I didn't personally like how much black pepper was in it Spam musubi: 4/5 pretty standard I liked it Note: if you're looking for poke, they only have ahi here and no salmon read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Macaroni Salad, da zombies plate, ahi poke nachos - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ordered online because the wait was 45 min at around 1pm on a Friday afternoon Parking lot is shared with Target and other businesses. Was a little busy but found spots in the back rows Not a ton of seating inside and it was stuffy with no AC. But they offer 4 tables outside which was nicer with a breeze Was able to share 2 plates with 2 people total and had some leftovers Rice was a bit mooshy The guava chicken came with Mac salad and Cole slaw. Cole slaw was more like a pickled slaw. The flavoring for the guava chicken didn't have much guava flavor to it at all. And the chicken was dry The original plate came with teeny tiny banchans-kimchi, cucumber salad and Mac salad. Generous portions of meat on this plate! I was wanting to like this place more but the flavoring of the meats were a little off I give it a 3.5 stars I would want to come back to try their poke read more

Ai Pono Cafe - 8 Pieces Guava Chili Pepper Fried Chicken and Korean plate original - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ai Pono Cafe has some of the best hawaiian food I've tried and it's definitely worth the hype! We stopped by on a Saturday evening and the place was packed, but we only waited about 5-10 minutes for our food to be ready. The girl working the register was super kind and patient, taking the time to explain certain items on the menu. We ended up ordering two combo plates and two dishes to share. Right off the bat, we noticed that the portion sizes were huge and amazing for the price. Da Spicy Plate: 5/5 We had ordered two Da Spicy Plates and added thai chili garlic shrimp to one of them. It came with the guava chili pepper chicken and crispy korean chicken as well as sides of mac salad, spicy ahi poke, and rice. The star of the show was the guava chili pepper chicken, which was so tender, and each bite was sweet and tangy with a hint of spice. As for the korean chicken, it was crispy, flavorful, juicy, and a delight in every bite. The sides also elevate the plate to the next level! The mac salad was so creamy yet still packed with lots of flavor, and the spicy poke was marinated to perfection with a great umami and buttery taste. Muay Thai Chili Garlic Shrimp: 5/5 The muay thai chili shrimp was super crispy in every bite and was tossed in a delicious tangy chili sauce that gave the shrimp a burst of flavor. Garlicky, bright, and spicy, this is the perfect unique take on hawaiian garlic shrimp. Spam Musubi: 3/5 The spam musubi wasn't anything special. While the rice to spam ratio was decent, the spam didn't have enough sauce/glaze and therefore made it a little dry. Poke Nachos: 4/5 With the recent poke nachos hype, we had to try Ai Pono's version. The dish consisted of beef tallow fried wonton crisps with fresh shoyu and spicy ahi poke on top, as well as generous drizzles of sweet soy and wasabi garlic aioli. While it was delicious overall and the sauces elevated the flavor, I had hoped for the wonton chips to be fried to a more golden brown. The chips were a little thin, so it broke more easily and wasn't as crispy as I had expected. It also felt as if the dish were missing something, as there weren't other toppings other than the poke and scatter of masago and green onions. Ai Pono Cafe is a definite must-try if you're looking for some mouthwatering hawaiian street food in the OC area. The staff are very friendly and the space has a welcoming yet lively atmosphere. I would highly recommend ordering their combo plates, as you really get to try a little bit of everything from the flavorful proteins to the fresh poke. Each dish truly brings a delicious and modern yet authentic take to hawaiian food. read more

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Stopped by for lunch the other day, it was towards the end of lunch hour and dang were they still packed. Good to see. Great interior with good traditional Hawaiian photos and decor. Open kitchen to watch them make the food. Boy are they hustling getting that oh so delicious food out. Tried the Da Costa Mesa Crackhead Combo. What a name ha! Crackhead chicken, Korean beef short rib, musubi and mac salad. Everything about it was delicious, good crispy saucy chicken, well cooked beef with a slight perfect char. Delicious musubi . I got so full eating that plate but I couldn't stop it was so good. I'd for sure get this combo again. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Da Costa Mesa crackhead combo - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My favorite Hawaiian spot in the OC I love Hawaiian barbecue, but this place just hits different their sauce the tenderness of the meat the portions as well as my favorite. Their Mac salad is super super incredible. It was crowded today when we went around Saturday at 1 PM, but we got our food within 1015 minutes and it was really nice to still be able to sit there and enjoy it and not feel overwhelmed or rushed out highly recommend this place. Everything smells so good when you walk in and every dish you get here cannot go wrong special shout out to their guava cheesecake read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The food was good and flavorful and portions were big. Price matched the quality. The service wasn't good unfortunately and blonde girl seemed bothered to be there. Place was cute and clean. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Rounded down from a 3.5 - I had high expectations based on the ratings and overall, I found this place to be just fine. Definitely loved the vibe of the place and it's a popular spot as it was pretty busy during lunch on a weekday, despite being tucked away in a shopping plaza. Super friendly service and the gal recommended the crack chicken, which we ordered. Also had a combo plate of katsu ahi, kalbi and poke. Compared to other Hawaiian food joints, the portion sizes were on the smaller side. Food was fine - the crack chicken didn't make me feel like I needed another hit of it. read more

After coming back from Hawaii a few weeks ago, we were craving some good Hawaiian food. This place is very authentic tasting and it was very delicious. Service is quick and easy. We are looking forward to coming back! Very good! read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Fresh Ahi Poke Bowl (Shoyu) and Portuguese Sausage Masubi - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Came here on a busy Saturday afternoon. All the food was pretty subpar. The loco moco gravy was CRAZY SALTY I couldn't even finish it, plus I got a mouthful of egg shells with it. The "garlic shrimp" sauce was drowning in what I assume is just Asian sweet n sour sauce straight from the bottle - no garlic flavor to be found. The poke was definitely sitting for a bit because the fish was starting to get slimy. I also paid $6 for "guava lemonade" which I'm sure was just Hawaiian Sun - way too sweet and no lemon flavor. Service was good though - all very nice staff. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Ai Pono Moko, "Muay" Thai Garlic Shrimp, Fresh Ahi Poke Bowl, Guava Lemonade - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The "crackhead" chicken is a must order! The crunchy, sweet and coconuty chicken, it's worth the hype. Was not in love with the garlic mahi, being a bit dry and not a fan of the mahi dipped in egg. And the restaurant- what great vibes! I was seriously transported back to the islands with the music and decor, love it. Can't wait to go back! read more

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6/10 Got the you like beef gyudon bowl, a side of mac salad, and a spam musubi. I've had this place a while ago but I was disappointed unfortunately. Bowl portion was pretty small for $18, but the beef was decent. Wasn't a big fan of the mac salad tbh (TOO much celery). And spam musubi was good, but pretty regular. read more

As a transplant this is hard to write cause i love supporting other transplants... i only wanna warn other transplants or visitors from home cause this is one of the only places you can find meat jun. Atmoshere... hella busy Service... small kine attitude but matches the "fuckin order" vibe but if youre gonna be tantaran make sure the food is consistent Food... mixed *Noodles are bomb!! Def would get again mo doubts about it. Comes with teri beef, would love a spam option since you have spam inventory. *Hamburger steak all rice, my sons order. I think someone forgot this was hamburger steak cause had essence of gravy. AND mushrooms was M.I.A. Patties are tasty but next time imma make sure theres gravy gravy. *Korean zombie... you know why its korean zombie because the meat jun was as dead as a zombie. Im sorry but if you go pearls, yoonyson, any of the kim chees all of their meat jun beef get flavor and is not missing half the egg. Its a good thing comes with suace cause it needed it badly. The kal bi was good, the korean chicken was ono but i mainly got it for the meat jun so thats that. *Side 2pc guava chicken... nice big thighs but one was a little pink/red for my daughter and I so we put it on the side. Flavor was sooo good and id be promoting this but yahh. *Plates come with an itty bitty manini size kimchee, cucumber and salad. Brahhh can you get more chang. Like i said mixed reviews but we didnt think it was worth the 105$. Would i go there again? doubt it, but im open to try the vegas location and see if they are better. read more

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I always see this place when I go to the lagree studio next door and it has been on my list to try for months; somehow it's always closed when I want to try it (they open at 11, and are closed on Mondays) but I was finally able to swing by for lunch. I ordered the Chef's Plate which had blackened mahi mahi, ahi poke and teri beef. The beef was pretty salty but came with rice which balanced it out. The mahi mahi had a really good flavor, and the ahi poke was my favorite. Only thing I was not a fan of was the mac salad - it was a little bland to me. The decor inside this place is also very cute, it looks like a place you would find in Hawaii. It was pretty crowded when we came, on a weekend afternoon but they have some limited eating outside as well. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've been wanting to try this place for awhile. They are closed on Mondays and between 4-6 pm Friday and Saturday. Hawaiin street food and it delivers on that note. I went for lunch and there was a steady stream of customers. I had the Da "Korean Zombie" plate. 3 types of meat, the best was the Korean short rib. They were tasty but a bit tough. The crispy chicken was missing the crisp, but breaded well. Small sides of macaroni salad, kimchi and pickles were very tasty. It comes with a sweet sauce that was nice as well. It is a small restaurant in a strip mall setting. There are a few tables inside and a small area outside along the sidewalk to sit. It has island music and decor. Staff pleasant. Food came out hot and quickly. Also had the Spam Musubi. This was a bit bland. The spam was salty and tasty as expected, rolled tightly in seaweed with white rice. Adding the available hot sauce made this better. This place has affordable and good food, I recommend it for an introduction to Hawaiin street food. read more

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Ordered take out, even when it's cold, it's amazing! Love this place. Highly recommend this place for the best Hawaiian style food. Very very casual spot but this is the best place for your local Hawaiian food. read more

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AI PONO IS MY GOAT. I couldn't tell you a better Hawaiian food spot in the area. The crackhead chicken is my go to. The portion sizes are good and I almost always have leftovers. The sauce they put on top is fantastic! I wish they would add more. For a while, I avoided taking my parents here because there are some cartoon topless women and swear words on stickers, and they're particular about that kind of thing. They complained the first time about it, and said to us that they didn't want to come back, but the food is so incredible that they don't care anymore. They request it almost every Sunday. read more

For me Hawaiian food typically only tastes good in Hawaii, but Ai Pono changes the game! It's more on the fusion side but the flavor is all there. I enjoy their guava chicken, katsu, short ribs and poke. Their combo plates are a good value to try everything they offer. I usually order ahead online since it's pretty busy on the weekends. There's a few tables if you decide to dine in. read more

I am almost ALWAYS craving poke when I'm in OC but then I can't decide on where to eat cause I know there are so many great cooked meat options too... but here I truly get the best of both worlds. Perfect portions of Korean short ribs - super delicious, not too fatty, well seasoned. Perfect portion of poke- marinated with green onions and so much more. And don't even get me started on the katsu AHI, are you kidding?!?! I don't get that enough- it was my favorite part. Everything was so delicious & I had a great amount of rice. I personally don't like Mac salad (or coleslaw tbh), but I replaced the Mac salad for coleslaw, and the coleslaw was so YUMMY!!! I like it when it's not heavily saucey, it's a nice balance with all the meat/fish/ rice/ sauces already. It's a little above $20 but it's sooooo worth it for what you're getting. The workers were super kind and helpful. A great place to hang out & socialize too. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Da "roots" plate - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ai Pono Cafe strikes a nice balance between casual comfort and thoughtful preparation. The ahi katsu I tried was impressive. The fish was fresh and tender, cooked just right so it stayed moist inside while the coating stayed crisp. The seasoning was subtle but effective, letting the natural flavor of the ahi shine through, and the accompanying sides added texture and variety without feeling overdone. Each bite felt deliberate and well thought out, which is something I appreciate in a dish that could easily be rushed in a casual setting. Service matched the quality of the food. The staff was attentive without hovering, checking in at the right moments and responding to questions with genuine helpfulness. Even during a steady lunch rush, everything ran smoothly, which made the experience feel relaxed rather than hectic. The ambience complements the food and service nicely. The space is bright and open, with a casual, welcoming energy that makes it easy to focus on the meal. There's a sense of thought put into the layout and design without it feeling overly styled or trying too hard. Background noise is present but manageable, giving the place a lively vibe without it being uncomfortable. Overall, Ai Pono Cafe delivers a solid experience from start to finish. The food is flavorful and carefully prepared, the staff is friendly and efficient, and the space is comfortable and inviting. It's the kind of spot where the combination of those elements makes the meal feel enjoyable on multiple levels. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

First time here and I tried their da "Makai" plate wow, the fish was so good! The poke wasn't bad either just had a slight magnetic taste to it only thing I thought was odd. Service was quick, efficient, and friendly, and the food came out in a timely manner. The ambiance is nice, with hip music playing that really adds to the vibe. They sell interesting snacks and I like that there's plenty of seating indoors. Also they have a student discount deal for all the students!! They have restrooms for customers and plenty of parking in the plaza, which is always a plus for me. read more

Love me some good Hawaiian food and this here is some of the best in the OC. Got food to go, other than the fact that they were quick to get my order up, I can't comment much more on service. But its a fun spot to visit with plenty of seating. Some nice Hawaiian goods for sale as well. The ahi katsu was fire, burger steak and gravy also amazing and dang that fried chicken needed another order. Be back soon! read more

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Ai Pono Cafe is a casual Hawaiian restaurant that offers a fusion of Asian items with Hawaiian cuisine. Ordering is done at the front and then one's number is called out. Da Korean Zombie - $25 - This came with Korean short ribs, Korean chicken, meat jun, rice, kimchee and mac bean sprouts. The short ribs were marinated in a teriyaki sauce and were juicy and tender. The fried chicken was actually boneless chicken thighs and not bad. The meat jun consisted of thin beef strips fried in a egg flour batter. The beef was a little tough and this dish was completely tasteless. Overall, the food was just ok, and I had to use some siracha to help salvage the dishes. I did feel that pricing was on the high side, given that this is a casual restaurant. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Da Korean Zombie $25 - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is, hands down, the best Hawaiian food in Orange County! We've been going to Ai Pono since they were a pop-up at The Hood Kitchen and every meal seems to be better than the last. The flavor profiles are so complex and everything is absolutely delicious. My go to is "Da Spicy Plate" and I add some Thai Garlic Shrimp on the side. The customer service is always super kind and polite and there's a reasonable amount of seating on the inside. I highly recommend checking this place out but be careful... you will get addicted and make random weekday drives to eat here! read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I felt it was ok. Decent Hawaiian grub. A little pricey. Got the chicken katsu, Korean short ribs and the Mahi Mahi. The Katsu was ok. Solid Katsu sauce. Mac salad decent. The slaw was a little bland. Same with the short ribs and Mahi Mahi - pretty good. Canned drinks. Made to order, so a bit of a wait. No prob there. Place your order at the counter and the food will be delivered to your table. Inside and outside seating. Good variety on menu. Again, a little pricey, but the food is decent. Nothing spectacular. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Chicken Katsu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place is on the pricier end for hawaiian food. the poke bowl was $16 and suuuupppperrrr tiny. da roots plate was also decent but nothing special. overall, not bad but not great. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Fresh Ahi Poke Bowl - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Second time here and we were slightly disappointed that most of their original plates were sold out for the day btw it was only 3pm. Maybe try to come early if you know you want to try a specific item. You can't even be mad at them for being sold out, their food is BOMB!!! read more

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Wanted to branch out from my usual Hawaiian BBQ spot and came across this plaza! I got the Chicken Katsu while my boyfriend got the "Crackhead" Chicken. We both shared a Mango Lemonade to wash down our food, which we were able to get a refill for! The katsu was crispy and juicy! Paired with the mac salad, I was disappointed how it lacked flavor to it. Definitely tasted more creamy than anything. The crackhead chicken was pretty salty so the mac salad actually balanced that part out. Some pieces were slightly drier than others. The portion for the price was well worth it. I would come back to try their other items! read more

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I had the ai pono moko it was so delicious I will definitely comeback to try different items on the menu

Yum! Authentic! Absolutely delish!!! Have been back several times. Limes goes quickly and it's worth it.

Da "Spicy" Plate (7/10): The rice and mac salad and the guava chili pepper chicken was pretty good. I couldn't taste much of the spice or guava in the chicken; it mainly tasted like fried chicken. The crispy Korean chicken was not crispy; it was way too saucy and sweet. The ahi katsu had a nice breading and tasty sauce; it was definitely not too fishy, which I liked. I would not get this plate again, and I recommend getting something else. Overall Thoughts: The service is relatively timely. There was a small line to order even though I went on a Saturday at lunch. The food came out in a decent amount of time. I am definitely disappointed in the portion sizes because, for the price, the plate is definitely not worth it. My girlfriend's sister even mentioned that she was still hungry after eating a plate to herself. There is outdoor seating, which was nice because we had our dog coming along with us. This place was pretty busy indoors as well-most of the tables and chairs were packed with lots of people. The interior vibe gave Hawaiian, which was very on theme with the type of cafe/restaurant it was. If I were to come back again, I would want to try the chicken katsu. If you do end up coming here, just remember that the portion sizes are pretty small, and their Korean marinades don't seem super "authentic." read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Da "Spicy" Plate - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My husband had an appointment in Newport, and by the time he was done, we were both starving. A quick Yelp search led us to this little hidden gem with rave reviews for Hawaiian street food--and it did not disappoint! It's a tiny spot with limited seating, both indoors and out, but it has a cozy charm. I went with the Mento Bento, kind of like a sampler box with all the meats they're known for--so good! I love being able to try a bit of everything. My husband ordered something with tuna poke (don't ask me the name--I totally forgot), but it was super fresh and packed with flavor. What I really liked was how different it felt from your typical Hawaiian fast food. It had more personality, more soul. You order at the counter, then grab a seat if you're eating in--simple and efficient. Overall, we left full and happy. Definitely planning to come back and explore more of the menu. This spot's a keeper! read more

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Ai Pono Café has been (minor) hit or (major) miss for me on both visits. First visit (dine-in): We wanted to try a little of everything, so we ordered the Chef's Plate, which includes garlic butter mahi mahi, black magic teri beef, and spicy ahi poke, along with the daily special--two-choice chicken plate (we picked Guava Chili Pepper Chicken and Crackhead Chicken). In hindsight, I'd skip the seafood. The mahi mahi was dry, and the ahi poke was overly sauced and didn't taste fresh, and the sauce was terrible. We did not finish this. The guava chicken, though, was fantastic! Juicy and flavorful, I love that it's guava, because you don't see that everywhere. The Crackhead Chicken was also a standout: crispy and addicting signature sob sauce. The plates were slightly salty (which is why you need rice). The mac and slaw were good. I came back with my siblings, who were excited to try it too. And decided to go here since we were starving. Unfortunately, they had already run out of katsu (so go early if that's what you're craving). We ordered the Korean Short Rib and Crackhead Chicken, but they messed up the order and gave us garlic butter mahi mahi instead, forgetting the short rib. We drove back and they just made us the short rib. The Korean BBQ is extremely salty, but has good flavor. The Crackhead Chicken, however, continues to be the one thing I'd come back for. But because they messed up our order, we didn't get to enjoy it hot and fresh. Despite the popularity, the café hasn't impressed me, and it's pretty pricy too. And you might not even be able to get their chicken, which sucks. The space has plenty of tables and really emulates the Hawaiian beach shack vibes. If you go, I'd recommend only getting the chicken. read more

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Best Hawaiian spot in OC. Diverse menu with a lot of options besides the typical bbq'd meats! I got Da "Makai" plate which came with 2 types of ahi tuna poke, Mahi Mahi and rice. The ahi tasted fresh and paired well with the cooked fish. It came with a sweet/spicy/vinegary sauce. It was delicious! I really am looking forward to trying something else next time. This place is clearly popular as it was pretty busy when we came before closing. Service is quick and the staff is friendly. Very Hawaiian vibe with pictures of past leaders like Queen Liliʻuokalani, surf boards, store merch and islander inspired art. They have seating inside and some tables outside. Located right next to Target so there is lots of parking! read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Da "Makai" plate - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Wow!! BELIEVE THE HYPE!!! This place is legit!! Best Hawaiian food on the mainland! Been wanting to visit this place since they opened.. but I'm never in the area.. tried the og beef and the crack chicken! Both were so tasty!!! And they only charged an extra ,50 for sub Mac salad instead of rice! The Mac salad was so good. The ambiance made me feel like I was home in Hawaii.. I will definitely be back!! read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The Best Hawaiian food outside of Hawaii! Don't sleep on this treasure. If you love Hawaiian, poke, ribs, katsu, and the works then come here! We had Da Spicy Plate- with Spicy Poke, guava chill pepper chicken, and Korean fried chicken with rice and Mac salad. and the Da Stockton Slap- with Poke, garlic shrimp, and blackened ahi with mixed greens and rice. They were both so delicious! I love a mixed plate to try different items. I can't wait to come back and try more items! read more

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Can't believe I've never been here before. Hawaiian cuisine is one of my favorite comfort food and their menu here is big enough that one can easily find a dish or Hawaiian plate combo that would tickle their fancy. The ones our group got were The Roots, The Zombie, The Stockton, and The Spicy. They all vary from having fresh poke, ahi katsu, shortrib, Korean fried chicken, jin, sweet chili garlic shrimp, etc plus rice and mac salad. A combo plate comes with three set proteins but you can also opt to order single plates if you have one favorite. They were all ono and everyone in our party had their own favorite item. Mine was the Ahi Katsu and Shrimp :) The place is casual with its walls adorned with huge portraits of significant Hawaiian figures. Laid back and friendly service was expected and that's what we got. Until next time! read more

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Wow the vibes inside take me back to Hawaii; staff was welcoming and friendly and the smell of the char grilled meats is intoxicating. Be sure to come early or else there is a high chance of the popular items being sold out if you come near closing like I did. I got the Da Korean Zombie and Da Makai Plate. Both a good deal for around $20 give or take a few dollars. Each order is enough for 2 meals for me. The poke was fresh, tender and seasoned just right. The grilled mahi mahi was on the dry side but I think it's just the nature of such a lean fish. The meats in the Korean zombie all had that charred flavor that you only get off the grill. Such a gem in OC that takes you back to the islands. read more

Ai Pono Cafe - Front: da makai plate Back: da Korean zombie - Asian Fusion Near Me - Costa Mesa, California