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Good salmon poke! Salmon poke is hit or miss, but the texture and taste from this salmon was good. I got the spicy salmon poke bowl, but I felt like it could have been spicier. I also wish the rice to poke ratio was better, but they get a point for having warm but not extremely hot rice. Service was good and there is seating in the restaurant, but it can get extremely busy!
Been loving this place since their 'Ohana Hale and later Kapahulu days and their newest location is smaller but still inviting and I like being able to find parking more easily in the South Shore Market lot. I always get the same torched garlic bowl and my hubs likes the Lava Flow. Both of these are equally delicious, fish is fresh, and rice is on point. Their service is quick even during lunch on a weekday. Thank you for the awesome tastes and can't wait to try more.
How many times can we eat here before it's considered a problem? This is our go to order: pineapple plantation iced tea, torched spicy mentaiko ahi, and torched garlic salmon. The best poke bowl with such a delicate and rich flavor!
What We Ordered - Five Seasons Don with added Scallop - Lava Flow Don I didn't read reviews before ordering so we ended up ordering 2 types of chirashi don instead of trying one of the torched series. Fish was very fresh! No frills or heavy sauces. Location has limited indoor seating and there is a bit of a wait since each bowl is assembled when ordered.
Ocean taste can take all my money. We did see a couple of small cockroaches walking around the restaurant and crawling on the walls. Slightly concerning? Sure. Will I still come back? Yeah, probably. Also a little odd that I've actually never seen any cockroaches anywhere else at south shore marketplace... If you're the type that worries about your food prep.. maybe take this into consideration..
Tuna is insanely fresh, literally like butter in your mouth as you take your first bite. They have more simple classic flavors, if you want something a little richer then their seared series is also a delight! They have sashimi bowls and other seafood if you want a more elevated bowl too. Personal faves are the fresh ginger ahi, the torched garlic ahi, and crème brulee salmon!! Drooling just thinking about it... Love their calamansi honey drink along with their other fruit teas.
This poke spot always hits the spot! I switched up my usual order and tried the Island Ginger Ahi, and it did not disappoint. There were several people in line when I got there, but the wait wasn't bad at all. The fish is always fresh and perfectly cut...no chewy or vein pieces. The rice is delicious, too. I also got a honey calamansi drink. I don't like overly sweet drinks, and this one is just right and has fresh calamansi inside it.
Fresh quality sushi- we especially liked the lava flow. Ordered to go by phone 5-6 tables available for dining Quick service
This is not your average poke bowl. Ocean Taste is famous for their torched bowls which have a brûlée-torched top. They do also have non-torched options which are just as good. Service is quick, counter service. There are tables to eat within the shop as well as around South Shore Market.
I've been wanting to try Ocean Taste at South Shore Market for a while since it's always busy and I've heard a lot of good things about it. For my first visit, I ordered the Torched Spicy Salmon Crème Brûlée, one of their popular items. Going into it, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but the bowl was much sweeter than I anticipated. Since it's a crème brûlée inspired dish, that's understandable, but I found the sweetness overpowered some of the savory flavors for me. I think I may have enjoyed it more if I had tried one of their other options, such as the Garlic Torched Salmon. The salmon itself was fresh and good quality. The bowl comes lined with foil, which likely helps prevent sticking and gives the dish a clean presentation. However, because everything is kept neatly within the foil-lined bowl rather than being piled high, the portion feels more modest, which made the $17 price tag a little harder for me to justify. With a small side salad, my total came out to around $21. While everything tasted fresh, I left feeling like it was a bit pricey for what was served. Service was quick and efficient. I ordered upon arrival, there was no line, and my food was ready within about 5-10 minutes. There is plenty of seating available. Ocean Taste has tables inside, and South Shore Market also offers outdoor seating and a communal table towards the center of the market , making it easy to find a place to sit and enjoy your meal. Parking can be a little tricky depending on the time of day. The first floor of the parking structure tends to be the busiest, but if you're willing to head up to the higher levels, especially the third floor, you're usually more likely to find a spot within a few minutes. Overall, I'm glad I finally gave Ocean Taste a try. The ingredients were fresh, the service was efficient, and I can see why it has a loyal following. While the Torched Spicy Salmon Crème Brûlée wasn't quite for me due to the sweetness and the value didn't fully match the price in my opinion. That being said, I would definitely come back to try another item on their menu!
I am a big fan of ocean taste. I have come here multiple times and love the food here. I usually get the seared garlic salmon or mentaiko, but i chose to try the brulee salmon this time and I thought everything was good, but I wasn't a fan of the brulee part. Regardless, the fish was super good and fresh per usual. The service is fast and there's some seating inside. This is on the pricier side in my opinion, but for the quality I feel that it's worth it!
Really enjoyed my visit to Ocean Taste! I tried the Five Season Poke Bowl, and it was easily the highlight of the meal. The presentation immediately stood out. The seafood looked vibrant, colorful, and incredibly fresh, and everything tasted clean and well prepared. You get a nice variety of seafood in the bowl, so every bite has a little something different going on. Natalie was also fantastic. She was bright, welcoming, and genuinely friendly, which made the experience feel very personable. Good food is one thing, but having someone who is happy to see you definitely makes a difference. The location is also super convenient if you're already out shopping. It's in a busy shopping area, so you can grab a poke bowl and easily walk around afterward. Nordstrom Rack and T.J. Maxx are right there, making this an easy stop to add to a shopping day. Overall, a really solid poke spot with fresh looking seafood, generous variety, friendly service, and a convenient location. The Five Season Poke Bowl is definitely worth trying if you're in the area!
Love ocean taste but I came this past week and saw not one, not two, but THREE small cockroaches. The torched mentaiko & garlic butter bowls are still my favorite poke bowls on island but I'm concerned about the number of cockroaches we saw crawling around.
7 days ago
This has become one of my go-to spots whenever I'm craving poke! I've been here countless times and have posted from several of my visits. There was one time when I felt like it didn't taste quite as good as usual, but I think that was just a one-off. My go-to is the Torched Garlic Salmon. So good! Honestly, just thinking about it now is making me hungry Definitely a place I keep coming back to! read more
24 days ago
Good service, very tasty spicy salmon bowl, casual atmosphere with a mellow vibe. Located in a cool little mall with parking read more
1 month ago
The torched garlic butter ahi bowl was SO good! The fish was extremely soft, fresh, and flavorful, and the garlic butter added the perfect amount of richness without overpowering the ahi. We also tried the lilikoi iced tea, which wasn't too sweet and had the perfect balance to go with the bowl. It's a smaller shop located inside South Shore Market, but there was still a handful of seating available. The music was good, everything was very clean, and the overall atmosphere was really nice. We definitely enjoyed our food and would come back again! read more
13 days ago
Good salmon poke! Salmon poke is hit or miss, but the texture and taste from this salmon was good. I got the spicy salmon poke bowl, but I felt like it could have been spicier. I also wish the rice to poke ratio was better, but they get a point for having warm but not extremely hot rice. Service was good and there is seating in the restaurant, but it can get extremely busy! read more
Been loving this place since their 'Ohana Hale and later Kapahulu days and their newest location is smaller but still inviting and I like being able to find parking more easily in the South Shore Market lot. I always get the same torched garlic bowl and my hubs likes the Lava Flow. Both of these are equally delicious, fish is fresh, and rice is on point. Their service is quick even during lunch on a weekday. Thank you for the awesome tastes and can't wait to try more. read more
18 days ago
How many times can we eat here before it's considered a problem? This is our go to order: pineapple plantation iced tea, torched spicy mentaiko ahi, and torched garlic salmon. The best poke bowl with such a delicate and rich flavor! read more
2 months ago
What We Ordered - Five Seasons Don with added Scallop - Lava Flow Don I didn't read reviews before ordering so we ended up ordering 2 types of chirashi don instead of trying one of the torched series. Fish was very fresh! No frills or heavy sauces. Location has limited indoor seating and there is a bit of a wait since each bowl is assembled when ordered. read more
Ocean taste can take all my money. We did see a couple of small cockroaches walking around the restaurant and crawling on the walls. Slightly concerning? Sure. Will I still come back? Yeah, probably. Also a little odd that I've actually never seen any cockroaches anywhere else at south shore marketplace... If you're the type that worries about your food prep.. maybe take this into consideration.. read more
Tuna is insanely fresh, literally like butter in your mouth as you take your first bite. They have more simple classic flavors, if you want something a little richer then their seared series is also a delight! They have sashimi bowls and other seafood if you want a more elevated bowl too. Personal faves are the fresh ginger ahi, the torched garlic ahi, and crème brulee salmon!! Drooling just thinking about it... Love their calamansi honey drink along with their other fruit teas. read more
This poke spot always hits the spot! I switched up my usual order and tried the Island Ginger Ahi, and it did not disappoint. There were several people in line when I got there, but the wait wasn't bad at all. The fish is always fresh and perfectly cut...no chewy or vein pieces. The rice is delicious, too. I also got a honey calamansi drink. I don't like overly sweet drinks, and this one is just right and has fresh calamansi inside it. read more
This is not your average poke bowl. Ocean Taste is famous for their torched bowls which have a brûlée-torched top. They do also have non-torched options which are just as good. Service is quick, counter service. There are tables to eat within the shop as well as around South Shore Market. read more
I've been wanting to try Ocean Taste at South Shore Market for a while since it's always busy and I've heard a lot of good things about it. For my first visit, I ordered the Torched Spicy Salmon Crème Brûlée, one of their popular items. Going into it, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but the bowl was much sweeter than I anticipated. Since it's a crème brûlée inspired dish, that's understandable, but I found the sweetness overpowered some of the savory flavors for me. I think I may have enjoyed it more if I had tried one of their other options, such as the Garlic Torched Salmon. The salmon itself was fresh and good quality. The bowl comes lined with foil, which likely helps prevent sticking and gives the dish a clean presentation. However, because everything is kept neatly within the foil-lined bowl rather than being piled high, the portion feels more modest, which made the $17 price tag a little harder for me to justify. With a small side salad, my total came out to around $21. While everything tasted fresh, I left feeling like it was a bit pricey for what was served. Service was quick and efficient. I ordered upon arrival, there was no line, and my food was ready within about 5-10 minutes. There is plenty of seating available. Ocean Taste has tables inside, and South Shore Market also offers outdoor seating and a communal table towards the center of the market , making it easy to find a place to sit and enjoy your meal. Parking can be a little tricky depending on the time of day. The first floor of the parking structure tends to be the busiest, but if you're willing to head up to the higher levels, especially the third floor, you're usually more likely to find a spot within a few minutes. Overall, I'm glad I finally gave Ocean Taste a try. The ingredients were fresh, the service was efficient, and I can see why it has a loyal following. While the Torched Spicy Salmon Crème Brûlée wasn't quite for me due to the sweetness and the value didn't fully match the price in my opinion. That being said, I would definitely come back to try another item on their menu! read more
17 days ago
I am a big fan of ocean taste. I have come here multiple times and love the food here. I usually get the seared garlic salmon or mentaiko, but i chose to try the brulee salmon this time and I thought everything was good, but I wasn't a fan of the brulee part. Regardless, the fish was super good and fresh per usual. The service is fast and there's some seating inside. This is on the pricier side in my opinion, but for the quality I feel that it's worth it! read more
1 month ago
Really enjoyed my visit to Ocean Taste! I tried the Five Season Poke Bowl, and it was easily the highlight of the meal. The presentation immediately stood out. The seafood looked vibrant, colorful, and incredibly fresh, and everything tasted clean and well prepared. You get a nice variety of seafood in the bowl, so every bite has a little something different going on. Natalie was also fantastic. She was bright, welcoming, and genuinely friendly, which made the experience feel very personable. Good food is one thing, but having someone who is happy to see you definitely makes a difference. The location is also super convenient if you're already out shopping. It's in a busy shopping area, so you can grab a poke bowl and easily walk around afterward. Nordstrom Rack and T.J. Maxx are right there, making this an easy stop to add to a shopping day. Overall, a really solid poke spot with fresh looking seafood, generous variety, friendly service, and a convenient location. The Five Season Poke Bowl is definitely worth trying if you're in the area! read more
Love ocean taste but I came this past week and saw not one, not two, but THREE small cockroaches. The torched mentaiko & garlic butter bowls are still my favorite poke bowls on island but I'm concerned about the number of cockroaches we saw crawling around. read more
Wanted to try this spot for a while. They have regular poke bowls but the "torched" poke bowls were a welcomed twist. It was like a baked sushi roll but the fish remained raw. So yummy. Probably could have eaten another one lol. The Lilikoi lemonade was refreshing. read more
I visited Ocean Taste this evening before they closed and wish I ordered a different bowl. I ordered the Snowy Volcano Don before and forgot how spicy the spicy ahi is that I didn't really enjoy it. The next time I visit, I want to try the Tofu Poke Salad or the Lava Flow Don. Parking is typically a challenge in the early evening because everyone is on their way to a dinner reservation or shopping at Nordstrom Rack or TJ Maxx. The only person who was friendly and welcoming was the female who took my order. read more
Came here at my friend's recommendation and the torched garlic salmon is my favorite aburi sushi in a bowl form. The fish was fresh and the service was pretty speedy given how many people were waiting for orders. Will definitely be coming back!!! read more
8 months ago
Ocean Taste at South Shore Market has some of my favorite chirashi and torched bowls. The fish is really fresh and has amazing flavor combinations... all in a fast casual setting. The 5-seasons don is one of my favs with ahi, salmon, ikura, snow crab, and a soft boiled egg. Plus a shiso leaf, adding that bite of refreshingness. If you're a fan of chirashi bowls, you gotta try this one out. They have a whole aburi series which showcases their torched bowls. Torching the fish melts the fat and brings out a creamy texture. My favorite is the torched garlic salmon and the torched garlic butter ahi. The quality is really reflected in the price and portions seems more of Japanese standards than American. It's really all about the quality and unique flavor combinations for an accessible price point and place. read more
3 months ago
You know the food is going to be 10/10 when there's a line out the door. Ocean Taste located in South Shore Market is my new favorite spot to grab lunch when I'm craving seafood. They offer a variety of items on their menu ranging from poke bowls, baked "aburi" bowls, chirashi bowls, and refreshing drinks. read more
Not sure why this was the first time hearing about Ocean Taste because it was amaaaazing! I only found out that day I went that it used to be at the old Ohana Marketplace and at another location for a short while. It's located in Ward on the first floor where TJ Maxx, A Line, Mahina Made and a bunch of other stores are. Parking gets crowded but so nice because that parking structure is free. Ocean Taste is on the left hand side if you enter from the parking lot side. There's about 6 tables and bench seating along the store. The line was pretty long to order but it moved fast. And it tastes 10 minutes or less to have your order ready. So fast! I ordered the Torched Spicy Mentaiko Ahi. It looks small but when you eat it it actually fills you up. I love how the toppings completely fills the top of the rice so you get ahi and toppings in every bite. The torched flavor is my fav. I also tried my friends torched garlic salmon and was a little jealous because the garlic mayo was on point. Their menu items are definitely different from other places. I recommend you give them a try if you haven't already. read more
Thanks to Feed Mei Mei on YouTube, we discovered our favorite torched bowl in Oahu! This was our very first lunch stop after arriving in Waikiki. It was a busy lunch hour, and we waited about 10-15 minutes for our food, but it was absolutely worth it. We shared the garlic torched tuna, spicy salmon crème brûlée, garlic torched salmon, and a honey calamansi drink. My favorite was the garlic torched salmon, so creamy and flavorful. The other bowls came with spicy mayo, which I can't really handle, but my husband happily devoured those. We washed everything down with the refreshing honey calamansi. I only wish we had more time in Oahu so I could go back to try the chirashi bowl, they all looked amazing. I guess that just means we'll have to plan another trip soon! Parking is shared with South Shore Market, and there are limited tables inside, plus some outdoor seating as well. read more
12 days ago
I wanted to try the spicy salmon crème brûlée because I had heard a lot about it. It was novel! The bruleed bits provided a nice crunch. The spice level and the furikake seasoning were good, and the rice was cooked well. Definitely worth trying. read more
I have been there since day one!! From the time they opened at Ohana Marketplace, to their temporary relocation near Kaimuki High school, to their current location at Ward.. ! I will continue to follow them and their delicious poke bowls! (secretly wishing they would open a second location in California.. lol) Was so surprised to see how BUSY they were on a Wednesday afternoon. My go to is usually the torched garlic salmon with light mayo. I'm so glad they didn't run out! Their dine in area is always neatly kept. There are also small tables outside the restaurant. Lots of place to sit and catch up with friends or family over delicious food. Oh and perks to the owner, who is super friendly, and remembers me everytime I visit :) read more
Ocean Taste is a lot of my friends' favorite poke bowl. Last time I had a wasabi ahi bowl. Today I got the spicy salmon creme brulee. I honestly preferred the wasabi ahi. I think this was just an off day for them. Prices are high, portions are... okay. But the fish is usually very good. The creme brulee bowl is good, but maybe just not for me. This isn't "fast" food, so be patient. They are making the bowls to order and esp if your bowl gets torched, it will take several minutes. But the freshness and quality is evident. I like that the standard rice is sushi rice. There's a lot of seating in here, but it gets crowded fast. There's also other tables around and in south shore marketplace. Free parking is a major perk too. read more
7 months ago
TLDR; clean environment, low poke:rice ratio and quite salty This is a cute poke stop east of Ala Moana Center. The vibe is relaxed, the store is clean and the staff are friendly and efficient. The poke however was quite salty and the quantity of it was a fairly thin layer over a hump of rice. The quality of the fish was ok. I personally would recommend the Foodland Farms in Ala Moana Center for poke (especially the ones made from locally caught fish), but if you like rich, heavy flavors this place might be for you. read more
@fortunefoodfinds: "SALMON like you! A Spicy Salmon Crème Brûlée Bowl on sushi rice from OCEAN TASTE located inside the South Shore Market at the Ward Village. Sweet, savory, n' oh so tasty!" SERVICE: friendly INTERIOR: clean, good amount of high stool n' table seating available EXTERIOR: in the South Shore Market WAIT TIME: came right before they were closing n' was the last customer so only waited 5 mins after placing order before receiving food PARKING: garage OVERALL COMMENTS: I always order something under their Torched Series, n' this time I got the Spicy Salmon Crème Brûlée bowl that I inhaled. Sooo good! The salmon n' sauces were on point in texture n' taste. My kids also loved the sushi rice underneath. Great location if you plan to shop in the area! read more
Stumbled into this place which is tucked inside of the South Shore Market and decided to try it out. Ordered the lava don bowl and a tofu salad. The tofu was surprisingly good and both entrees tasted fresh. Would probably come back again and try out some other entrees next time! read more
8 months ago
My husband and I think this is, hands down, the best place to get a poke bowl, specifically their torched options!! Worth all the hype, and every penny frrl. We got the spicy salmon creme brûlée bowl which was a good balance of sweet & spicy. The flaky sugared crystal top added a nice crunch! We also got the torched garlic salmon bowl, our personal favorite of the two. The creaminess of the sauce, freshness of the fish, and rich garlic flavor all paired perfectly. Just thinking about it is making me crave it again. You'll catch me coming back here verrrrry soon. read more
My friend who used to live in Oahu said we must visit Ocean Taste and he was right--my husband and I agreed that this was our favorite poke spot we tried during our trip on the island. I'm a sucker for a good spicy poke, so surprise surprise, that was my order here. Everything about it was phenomenal! The fish quality itself was the best I've had and the sauces enhanced it perfectly without overpowering it. Portion sizes are a bit small and pricey for the amount given, but I think the quality of the food itself justifies the splurge. The store itself is bright and welcoming and the service is friendly. There are seats if you decide to eat your food at the store. It is located in a large plaza/mall so there was parking lot which was nice, but it did get crowded so you may have to be patient to find a spot. read more
Located in South Shore Market Place. Park in the parking lot. I've eaten here several times and loved it every time. The Five Seasons Don is my favorite so far. It's pricey at $28.95. It has all the flavors you want and won't disappoint. It's over sushi rice which adds a sweet taste to the bowl. The fish is always fresh. The honey calamansi $5 is definitely worth trying. Second time I got it. It's not super sweet or sour, it's honey calms down the tart of the calamansi so it's a perfect combination. And there's actually calamansi in the drink. Staff is always nice. The shop is clean. There are tables inside and lots of seating in South Shore Market Place. My food will typically come out quick if there's no wait. Today there was a line, so my order took a little longer than I expected. read more
Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 I love coming to Ocean Taste for their torched bowls. The fish is always fresh and everything is always so tasty. I like their sushi rice base as well. I should try more of their items on their menu but I always order my usual "Torched Garlic Salmon" bowl. Parking is super easy and located in the South Shore Marketplace structure. It can get crowded in the restaurant when it is busy. There is limited seating but the best thing to do is get your food to-go and sit outside. I recommend Ocean Taste! read more
What an amazing yummy place. This was one of the most delicious meals I've had. The service was fantastic and also friendly people. I have been to many poke spots but this definitely hit the spot. I highly recommend trying this place out. read more
Still dreaming of the torched aburi bowls here! They're indulgent and addicting, with so much flavor in each bite from the sauces and torched flavors - the Spicy Salmon Creme Brulee was an absolute favorite. I also tried the Cheesy Crab, which was also delicious but just a tad bit salty from the cheese sauce. Thankfully the rice helped balance it out and I still enjoyed it overall. The restaurant is located in the first level of South Shore Market, which is such a fun market featuring local businesses and artists! Loved wandering around after lunch here. read more
4 months ago
Stopped by Ocean Taste in Honolulu and was seriously impressed. We ordered a couple of their baked seafood dishes (I can't remember the exact names), topped with spicy mayo, eel sauce, green onions, and fish roe, and both were absolutely delicious. The seafood was fresh, the sauces were balanced, and the portions were surprisingly filling. The presentation was great, and every bite had a nice mix of textures and flavors. We also grabbed an iced tea that paired perfectly with the meal. read more
Lovely place for yummy sashimi and poke bowls with great service. The only reason for the missing star is because they take a wee bit long to make the food (considering each person orders 1 or 2 items and there's no cooking). Wish they had a make-your-own bowl, where you can pick 3 or 4 fish.... my go to is always the Five Seasons Don $28.95 (excellent cuz not salty and comes with a yummy sauce on the side), but sometimes id be happy with just ahi, salmon, and something else (I dont believe they have hamachi). Plantation ice tea is getting more consistent so that makes me happy. read more
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More info about Ocean Taste
1170 Auahi St
Honolulu, HI 96814
Ala Moana
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(808) 636-0877
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