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Super delicious and fresh poke. It was crowded when we got there but they quickly got to us and prepared our food
This place popped out at me on Google maps when I was driving back from Huntington Beach and could not resist after researching the reviews on Yelp and Google and this place is well loved...and I can see why. Parking is tight in front of the store but if you drive past the store a bit, can find residential street parking easily. You order at the window, the menu is simple. Additional toppings cost more so this is different that your chain poke places. You don't need anything extra honestly, the fish is soo fresh and good. I got a large bowl, white rice, original sauce with ahi tuna and salmon and added some furikake on top. Order was ready in a jiffy, everyone all friendly and helpful here. Took my bowl and walked over to Pines Park (8 min) and had a lovely late afternoon lunch, with some sick views and cute doggie watching. Ill be back next time and plan to try the ahi tuna + salmon + octopus combo.
We ordered and took the balls to the nearby park and view which made the experience so much better. The food was very tasty and there are a lot of toppings that can be added. My only complaint is that from their topping list nothing is included, even though it's part of the options I did not think that was fair
there's always a bit of a line but it moved fairly quickly. i ordered a regular salmon and tuna bowl with avocado and seaweed salad, sauce on the side. it was good and i ate it all, but idk if it's rly worth. i like how thick they cut the fish, but other than that i feel like there's better poke places that you can get more bang for your buck, especially bc this place charges $1.50 per topping. still tasty tho.
Came here on a Wednesday around noon and there was not a wait at all. The service was great and speedy. I like how big the portions are because they definitely filled me up. I would think that the food is okay. I think they added too much shoyu sauce and it just tasted like salty shoyu drenched rice. I will say the fish is amazing and I can tell is very fresh.
I had the spicy tuna bowl. The tuna was fresh, the rice was good, and the seaweed was good, but some pieces were tough. I wish there were more in the bowl, like more toppings. Just FYI, every topping is extra. One customer got annoyed because the total was high since he added a lot of toppings. I will go back and get a custom bowl. It was pretty busy, but the line moved fast. There is outdoor seating. Parking is limited; there is a lot of street parking. Rating: 4 out of 5
Delicious poke right before you hit the beach! Close quality to what you would find in Hawaii but just not there. The fish was fresh and the texture and serving portion was generous for a regular size! A good amount of fish hides in this square container I got regular with rice white, 1/2 spicy mayo and 1/2 original blend, with salmon. I didn't love that every topping (including furikake!) was an additional price. Premium topping I understand but seasonings felt weird to be charged for. The lines were long as this is a popular go to spot in the OC (so we learned after). But the line moved quick and most are to go. The ambiance was bust and the setting had the charm of a slow weekday, people relaxing and not in a huge rush for their poke. Reminds me of being on vacation. Will def come back if I'm in the area!
I was in the area and had been wanting to try Kawamata Seafood for a while since I'd heard so many good things about it. There is some outdoor seating available but it's definitely more of a grab-and-go spot. Parking on the other hand was a bit challenging. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. The service was friendly and quick, which I appreciated. We ordered two bowls with salmon and tuna. 1 had the OG sauce and the other had the OG sauce mixed with wasabi. The OG was a little bland for my taste but it was still enjoyable. The wasabi mixed with the OG was definitely more flavorful. Given all the hype I was expecting a bit more flavor overall. The fish itself was fresh and good quality with no fishy aftertaste. The rice, however, was a little dry. The portions were also smaller than I expected for the price and the extra charges for toppings can add up pretty quickly. Overall, it was a decent spot to try if you're in the area but I personally wouldn't go out of my way to visit again. Good quality fish but it didn't quite live up to the hype based on my experience.
We got two regular bowls. It was tasty but definitely not as filled up as other photos suggest. Ok poke spot at best that did not feel like it was worth the $35+. There was a line when we arrived that moved quickly.
If it wasn't for the small portions + expensive pricing, I would have had a better review. The quality of the fish is actually pretty good. I enjoyed the small amount of food I did get. As you can see in the photo I attached if the menu, every single topping is $1.30 extra. Any normal person would want AT LEAST 4 toppings to go with their rice & fish.... So on top of a $16 bowl, you end up with a $25+ bowl somehow. I asked for ginger on the side & they charged me for that too lol
The line can get long but you're only waiting to place an order. It doesn't take that long to get your food. It's not hard to find street parking either. This place is a little pricey but it's worth it. You get a lot of avocado and ginger. I love the original flavor. It makes the rice taste so good. I wish they gave more salmon but I'm still satisfied.
We stopped here for lunch on our way to San Diego. We arrived at 1pm and line was a little long. We waited about 15 mins in line and got our orders with in 10'mins. All of the sudden the line grew so fast. At least 20 people showed up. We got a large and a small to share for 3 people and it was enough. Everything was fresh and well prepared. The add on is about $1.80 each so keep that in mind. It will add up Friendly service. They do have a few tables outside but no dine in. You will need to parking around the area and walk over.
Very popular poke spot in South OC, but I didn't think it was that great. Got a large with both tuna and salmon in original flavor with 1/2 rice and 1/2 cabbage salad. Portions aren't that big compared to other places. The original flavor was pretty weak and bland, something was very lacking. It was overall pretty disappointing. Also, sick of these places that charge for every little topping. The line moves pretty fast and the food comes out quick at least.
I had heard so many great things about Kawamata Seafood, so I was really excited to finally get the chance to try it. We arrived around 12:30 pm on a Sunday and there was already a line of people waiting to order. Despite this, it only took us 10 minutes to receive our food, including the time waiting in line. The parking lot is extremely small, but there's plenty of street parking nearby, so we had no trouble finding a spot. Kawamata is a tiny operation where you order at the window and find a spot outside to eat. We ordered Salmon and Ahi bowls with various toppings, and I really liked how many options they give you. I enjoy poke both the simpler, more Hawaiian-style way and loaded with extra textures and flavors, and Kawamata gives you the option to do either. The poke itself was delicious, and the portions were very generous. I especially liked how all the toppings came together without taking away from the fish. Just keep in mind that the extras are individually priced, so your bowl can get a little expensive depending on how many you add. Overall, I really enjoyed Kawamata Seafood and can see why it gets so much love. The poke was fresh, filling, and flavorful, and I'm already looking forward to the next time I can come back. read more
The best poke in town and probably the closest you'll get to Hawaii-style poke! We love coming here and grabbing poke bowls to take to Pines Park to enjoy the beautiful ocean views and sunset. There's usually a line, but it moves quickly. You order and pay at the door, and they call your name when your order is ready. The staff are always so friendly and helpful. It's a little more expensive than some other poke spots, but we think it's worth it. You can really taste the freshness of the fish, and the flavors are delicious. You can build your own bowl or choose from one of their preset options. It's a cute little hole-in-the-wall spot with a few picnic tables if you want to eat there, but we love taking ours to the park. If you're craving fresh, Hawaiian-style poke in Dana Point, definitely give this place a try! read more
Wow, I'm pretty impressed by this place! Kawamata is a special spot in Dana Point - I decided to stop by here after the outlets and before a climbing session. I almost felt like I was back in Hawaii for a sec! FAVORITE ITEMS: - #2 Large. Salmon and ahi tuna. Pretty fresh, and mind you, we came just before closing time. I'd probs stick with the rice over the shredded cabbage. The cabbage gave it a bit of a weird texture personally but it wasn't bad. They do charge you for sides which is a slight bummer but the poke bowls are not terribly expensive so it's ok. I tried the seaweed salad and edamame too - pretty standard sides, nothing too crazy. PARKING: There is a small lot but also street parking right next to the spot. SERVICE: they were really nice, and quite fast! PRICE: about $12.99 for a regular and $16.50 for a large. Overall, pretty solid spot to get your poke at! I'd recommend if you are more into Hawaii style type of poke. read more
This place popped out at me on Google maps when I was driving back from Huntington Beach and could not resist after researching the reviews on Yelp and Google and this place is well loved...and I can see why. Parking is tight in front of the store but if you drive past the store a bit, can find residential street parking easily. You order at the window, the menu is simple. Additional toppings cost more so this is different that your chain poke places. You don't need anything extra honestly, the fish is soo fresh and good. I got a large bowl, white rice, original sauce with ahi tuna and salmon and added some furikake on top. Order was ready in a jiffy, everyone all friendly and helpful here. Took my bowl and walked over to Pines Park (8 min) and had a lovely late afternoon lunch, with some sick views and cute doggie watching. Ill be back next time and plan to try the ahi tuna + salmon + octopus combo. read more
3 months ago
We ordered and took the balls to the nearby park and view which made the experience so much better. The food was very tasty and there are a lot of toppings that can be added. My only complaint is that from their topping list nothing is included, even though it's part of the options I did not think that was fair read more
there's always a bit of a line but it moved fairly quickly. i ordered a regular salmon and tuna bowl with avocado and seaweed salad, sauce on the side. it was good and i ate it all, but idk if it's rly worth. i like how thick they cut the fish, but other than that i feel like there's better poke places that you can get more bang for your buck, especially bc this place charges $1.50 per topping. still tasty tho. read more
Came here on a Wednesday around noon and there was not a wait at all. The service was great and speedy. I like how big the portions are because they definitely filled me up. I would think that the food is okay. I think they added too much shoyu sauce and it just tasted like salty shoyu drenched rice. I will say the fish is amazing and I can tell is very fresh. read more
I had the spicy tuna bowl. The tuna was fresh, the rice was good, and the seaweed was good, but some pieces were tough. I wish there were more in the bowl, like more toppings. Just FYI, every topping is extra. One customer got annoyed because the total was high since he added a lot of toppings. I will go back and get a custom bowl. It was pretty busy, but the line moved fast. There is outdoor seating. Parking is limited; there is a lot of street parking. Rating: 4 out of 5 read more
Delicious poke right before you hit the beach! Close quality to what you would find in Hawaii but just not there. The fish was fresh and the texture and serving portion was generous for a regular size! A good amount of fish hides in this square container I got regular with rice white, 1/2 spicy mayo and 1/2 original blend, with salmon. I didn't love that every topping (including furikake!) was an additional price. Premium topping I understand but seasonings felt weird to be charged for. The lines were long as this is a popular go to spot in the OC (so we learned after). But the line moved quick and most are to go. The ambiance was bust and the setting had the charm of a slow weekday, people relaxing and not in a huge rush for their poke. Reminds me of being on vacation. Will def come back if I'm in the area! read more
I was in the area and had been wanting to try Kawamata Seafood for a while since I'd heard so many good things about it. There is some outdoor seating available but it's definitely more of a grab-and-go spot. Parking on the other hand was a bit challenging. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. The service was friendly and quick, which I appreciated. We ordered two bowls with salmon and tuna. 1 had the OG sauce and the other had the OG sauce mixed with wasabi. The OG was a little bland for my taste but it was still enjoyable. The wasabi mixed with the OG was definitely more flavorful. Given all the hype I was expecting a bit more flavor overall. The fish itself was fresh and good quality with no fishy aftertaste. The rice, however, was a little dry. The portions were also smaller than I expected for the price and the extra charges for toppings can add up pretty quickly. Overall, it was a decent spot to try if you're in the area but I personally wouldn't go out of my way to visit again. Good quality fish but it didn't quite live up to the hype based on my experience. read more
19 days ago
We got two regular bowls. It was tasty but definitely not as filled up as other photos suggest. Ok poke spot at best that did not feel like it was worth the $35+. There was a line when we arrived that moved quickly. read more
If it wasn't for the small portions + expensive pricing, I would have had a better review. The quality of the fish is actually pretty good. I enjoyed the small amount of food I did get. As you can see in the photo I attached if the menu, every single topping is $1.30 extra. Any normal person would want AT LEAST 4 toppings to go with their rice & fish.... So on top of a $16 bowl, you end up with a $25+ bowl somehow. I asked for ginger on the side & they charged me for that too lol read more
The line can get long but you're only waiting to place an order. It doesn't take that long to get your food. It's not hard to find street parking either. This place is a little pricey but it's worth it. You get a lot of avocado and ginger. I love the original flavor. It makes the rice taste so good. I wish they gave more salmon but I'm still satisfied. read more
We stopped here for lunch on our way to San Diego. We arrived at 1pm and line was a little long. We waited about 15 mins in line and got our orders with in 10'mins. All of the sudden the line grew so fast. At least 20 people showed up. We got a large and a small to share for 3 people and it was enough. Everything was fresh and well prepared. The add on is about $1.80 each so keep that in mind. It will add up Friendly service. They do have a few tables outside but no dine in. You will need to parking around the area and walk over. read more
Very popular poke spot in South OC, but I didn't think it was that great. Got a large with both tuna and salmon in original flavor with 1/2 rice and 1/2 cabbage salad. Portions aren't that big compared to other places. The original flavor was pretty weak and bland, something was very lacking. It was overall pretty disappointing. Also, sick of these places that charge for every little topping. The line moves pretty fast and the food comes out quick at least. read more
A small but authentic poke shop with large chunks of fresh seafood! We decided to come here for a quick bite while on a road trip, as it was a close distance from the 5 freeway. I tried the two scoop poke bowl with tuna and salmon, and while the portion was a little small, it was still an affordable price with fresh fish! It's closer to an authentic Hawaiian poke bowl, focusing more on just fish and rice. I enjoyed the wasabi sauce, I thought it added a nice flavor to the bowl, and I also appreciated the amount of onions. Parking is a little limited, and there is no indoor seating. There's a small window to order from, and a few tables outside to enjoy your poke! I would definitely come back if I was in the area. read more
4.5 I'm so excited that I got to try Kawamata!! I ordered the regular sized bowl with white rice, ahi tuna and salmon with original blend, and topped with daikon radish, seaweed salad, ginger, and scallops as well as a side of spicy mayo. The fish was sooo incredibly fresh, some of the freshest I've ever had. All the toppings were also lovely. The establishment is certainly small and the wait times are long, but I think it's for good reason. I don't know how often I'd make the drive to Dana Point specifically for this meal, but I would definitely grab it if I'm ever in the area for a different reason. read more
4 months ago
Good fresh fish and nice menu with salmon, tuna and octopus options (you can also combine). Small is $13 and large $16.50, but unfortunately all toppings are an additional dollar or so, which can quickly add up if you like to get different additions. Even the furikake is $1! I personally would go elsewhere where I can get an assortment of add-ons, but if you value fish quality more, then definitely come visit! There are a few parking spots and a few seats outside and always a line. The service is prompt and the workers are very friendly. read more
8 months ago
pretty decent sizeable chunks of fish here. they let you pick the base (white rice, brown rice, or cabbage) and the sauce for choice of fish. They have all sorts of combos available like all salmon/tuna/octopus, or mix and match. the poke tasted good but it wasn't outstanding for me. I wouldnt make the trip again bc its far for me but if i lived closer, i would. Service is pretty quick. You order at the front and theyll call your name when its ready. seating is limited. theres only a few tables and chairs to sit. Parking is also tough. There were only 3 spaces to park in so it's better to park elsewhere and walk. read more
Solid poke spot in the Capistrano area. The line was quite long midday Saturday. The fish tasted fresh, the flavor was really good as well. The regular portion is smaller than I expected compared to other poke spots. Limited parking and seating at the store. Remember to not park in front of the liquor store as you will get in trouble for that! read more
Visited from AZ and went looking for good seafood. Kawamata serves up fresh and simple poke that comes standard with rice, sweet onions, shoyu, and then your sauce of choice. Toppings are extra 99 cents each. I ordered the tuna + salmon combo with spicy mayo and avocado. Expect a line and limited seating. We got takeout and ate at Pines Park down the street with a good overlook of the beach. read more
5 months ago
This place is definitely not the best poke spot in OC - that honor would definitely go to North Shore Poke Co in Huntington Beach, not even on the same page in comparison. The food here is not worth the high price. But, fresh fish is not cheap to start with, so the only way around this is for Kawamata Seafood to improve the quality of their fish. It honestly tasted pre-frozen, which I really don't like. The original sauce tasted better on the cabbage base than it did with the poke fish, and that's not a great thing when the main ingredient is the fish and not the cabbage. The toppings were super plentiful and honestly were too much for the bowl as a whole, as in, not well-balanced. Maybe this is because they know their pre-frozen fish doesn't have the greatest taste. The service was honestly terrible. The young male who took my order couldn't be ruder and gave off the impression that he just doesn't care about doing a good job with customer service. The young female who gave me my order when it was ready was also dead to the world and left me with a very bad impression of the staff as a whole at this place. There isn't much to be said about the vibe as it's right next to the road with one picnic table for everyone to share, to the point where I took my food back to my car and ate in there because there was nowhere else to sit. It's probably best described as mismanagement causing a quietly hectic sinking ship. I will not be returning here. read more
2 months ago
My order was simple but so GOOD. The bowl was prepared super fast. Nice outdoor space to sit down and eat. 10/10 I will be back!!! read more
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place after visiting dozens of times already!! This is a wonderful poke place with lightly seasoned fish over rice. I usually bring my own soy sauce and other extra toppings as it seems silly to pay for extras. There are some parking spots onsite but I usually just park on the street. The trip and the long line is definitely worth it as the fish is extremely fresh. I like driving down the street so I can picnic by the Capistrano Beach while enjoying the fresh poke. Life can't get much better than enjoying the beautiful view and eating such delicious, reasonably priced, and super fresh poke. Seriously, unless you're averse to the idea of eating raw fish, the place is definitely worthwhile visiting at least once! read more
Kawamata Seafood is serving up some of the best Hawaiian style poke in South OC and beyond! This spot is located right on the corner of a residential neighborhood. They do have a small parking lot with some spots or there is also street parking nearby. They have a couple tables outside for seating, but are mostly known for takeout. Since they are a smaller shop, lines can form quickly but they do move pretty fast. For their menu, they have a solid selection of different bowl options for you to customize. I ended up getting a large bowl with Salmon and Tuna and a scoop of Imitation Crab. Overall, I am glad I was finally able to stop by and check them out. Their fish is super fresh here and the portions are very generous. All of the staff are friendly and welcoming. Come stop by for yourself to see if they have some of the best poke in South OC or not! read more
2 months ago
Found hair in the tuna. Disappointed as I just now picked up dinner. Ordered ahi tuna and rice. Got home and was enjoying until I found a long hair mixed in the tuna. I tried calling the store, but they didn't answer. Unfortunate because I've been going there for a few years now. Quality standards have clearly changed. read more
Delicious, fresh, and tender poke. This is a cute little small shop with very limited parking and limited outdoor seating. Went on a Sunday afternoon and there was a short wait. Their poke is more traditional and does not come with a lot of toppings. The quality of fish makes up for the lack of toppings. I would definitely come back again when I'm in a poke mood. read more
1 year ago
Recommended to me by a fellow yelper, Kawamata is a small poke shop in Dana Point. They open at 11:30 AM sharp and the line starts to form from there. I was lucky to be first in line when I went and ordered two orders of regular poke. Simple ingredients, not too overwhelming with options, and I was allowed to mix my sauces (yay!). They are a bit pricey for the portion that is given, but the poke is fresh! Also they serve coconut waters here which is my personal favorite. You can't actually walk inside the shop, and order at the desk by the door. Limited seating outside, which tells me people often get theirs to-go. Service is fast as well. read more
Finally a delicious poke place in a while! This is a legit poke place that is worth the hype. We took the metrolink and took the bus all the way here from the inland empire to try this place out. In terms of parking, you would have to do street parking, and it doesn't look like there were any restrooms. This seems more of a togo spot, though there were some outdoor seating. We ordered the regular #6 with spicy mayo and wasabi. They were both so perfect! They were nicely dressed to the point you can still taste the fish. Talking about the fish, they were like succulent jewels, super juicy and they did not leave ANY fishy aftertaste. I do have to say, if you're a dude who eats, order a large. The regular was an okay portion, but they seemed bigger in the pictures than what you actually get. Come here early! We lined up 30 min before opening time and were first in line, but the line started to form around 11:15 on a Saturday. read more
1 year ago
- a popular spot with long lines but the service is quick and so kind! - the value for the quality and size you get is fantastic and will keep you full - any choice of seafood will guarantee to be fresh, additional toppings will cost you - it's a small take out window style with some seating just outside but i recommend heading to a park nearby! read more
Kawamata Seafood is a poke restaurant at Dana Point. It is located in a small plaza with a tattoo parlor and a liquor store. The parking lot is small, but there's plenty of street parking. Customers aren't allowed to go inside the restaurant. Instead, you order from the door and they call you to get your order once it's done - I got my poke very quickly. There's some outdoor seating, but not a lot. The line was long but went by quickly, but it didn't shorten the entire duration I was there. I got the large poke bowl with white rice, shoyu and original sauce, salmon and ahi tuna. Additional add one, like imitation crab meat and avocado, cost an extra $1.30 each. Some other add ins are at different costs. The portion was enough for two people to share as a snack. Other sauces, like spicy mayo and soy sauce, are provided on the side if requested. The fish was fresh, flavors were on- point. In short, it was delicious. They do sell other things, like tempura, spam masubi, sweaters and T-shirts. Overall, this is a great place to grab a fast meal at Dana point. I'd come back if I'm in the area. read more
This place is as good as any average poke spot. I really don't understand the allure. Fish I good quality as to be expected, nothing exceptional. Prices are high for small protein portions. Each topping has an additional price, not normal practice in my experience. Small parking lot, approximately 8 spaces. No inside dining, all take out. read more
5 months ago
This place used to be good post covid. For the price and the amount i could get better some place else. They charge an arm and a leg for every toppings with how little they give you. i got the regular $12.99 (half rice and salad) and i added a few things on there as well. The total price plus tip came out to be about $24 dollars. When i opened the container, i saw how little rice and salad they gave. Honestly, it looked like scraps or leftovers from someone else. Literally looked like a mini icecream scoop of rice and salad...that's how little it was. The same for the fish and toppings. Everything looked like it was sprinkled on top. I was utterly disappointment because this isn't the first time i noticed the portion size being small. This is the second time im giving it a chance after covid and i can confirm that it is the biggest waste of money for what they give you. They're ripping everyone off. tl;dr, mediocre flavor, portion size poor for the the price. Go somewhere else, there are better ones out there. read more
3 months ago
Good fish good portion I just wish it was spicier but that's my personal preference . Clean location they have seating outside read more
1 year ago
Been here twice and both times have been great! The service is fast and there are lots of ways to customize your poke bowl. I got a regular size, half white and brown rice, with ahi tuna and salmon (half original and spicy mayo). I also got imitation crab and seaweed salad for an extra $1.30 for each topping. The fish was fresh and I felt the toppings were generous (as they should be since you're paying extra for them). Portion wise, it seems like the large is a better deal. There are a few tables and seating outside, a small parking lot, and street parking. There can be a line but it moves quickly. All in all a great take-out spot! read more
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More info about Kawamata Seafood
26881 Camino De Estrella
Dana Point, CA 92624
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(949) 248-1914
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https://gogiw.com/kawamata-seafood
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Ask the Community - Kawamata Seafood
Are there onions in all poke? Can you get any without onions?
You can get without
Do they only accept cash as of 6/21?
No, they are currently accepting both, cash and card.
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