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Pokebola

4.1 (106 reviews)
ModeratePoke, Hawaiian, Japanese
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Poke bowl
William O.

Two things stand out with this little poke place. It's inexpensive and they have a great variety of food options. I only ever come here for poke, but they have a lot of other foods you can try. My review here though is just for the poke bowls. I love make-your-own poke bowls. So many varieties of flavors. They have a really fantastic variety of proteins, sauces and toppings. Their fish always tastes pretty fresh, and I love putting some unagi or seared fish on my bowls. Their sauces are good. I like to use their house spicy sauce. My other favorite thing here is to get marinated eggs on my bowl, which typically feels like more of a ramen thing, but it works here. Their service is always pleasant and they give good portions of food. The place doesn't have a lot of seating and it's small, but I typically just make a bowl and bring it back to work.

Half eaten Poke Bowl - Small with salmon and scallops hehe
Ryan R.

Sorry my photo was taken after I'd already started eating, but I wanted to show how their salmon and scallop aren't pre-marinated like most poke places I've tried. I got a half salad, half brown rice base with toppings like corn, carrot, green onion, edamame, house kimchi, and cucumber. The house mild sauce was just okay. Overall, the poke bowl was fairly average. Seating is limited with rows of seats along the walls, and they only accept cash for orders under $20. The employees were friendly, and the price for a small was affordable.

Eric L.

I stop by Pokebola pretty regularly, usually on a quick lunch break or on nights when I don't feel like cooking. It's a small, hole-in-the-wall spot with very limited seating, so I almost always order to-go. It's not somewhere I'd plan to linger, but it works perfectly when you need something fast and filling. The portions are generous, which is a big reason I keep coming back. The scoops of fish are noticeably hearty, and my bowl always feels substantial without having to pay for a bunch of add-ons. The quality isn't top-tier poke by any means, but it doesn't taste off or stale either. For the price point, it feels fair and consistent. Overall, it's a solid, convenient option when I want something quick that still tastes good. If you're expecting a high-end poke experience, this isn't that. But if you're looking for a satisfying bowl with good portions and easy takeout, it hits the spot.

I ordered a small bowl of hamachi and salmon. The rice was overnight. Hamachi was fishy with dark gray color. I would not recommend coming here when it's not fresh at all. Please see pictures. I hope this doesn't happen in the future.

Medium choose your own proteins bowl, with spicy tuna, ahi tuna, salmon, kimchi, brown & white rice.
Gabrielle G.

Delicious and extremely affordable poke right at the intersection of Van Ness and Market streets. This is a mainly to go spot with limited communal seating. They have tons of protein options, including seared fish options for your poke. I got a medium bowl because it came with 3 scoops of fish, which was a decent amount. I chose salmon, ahi tuna, spicy tuna, half brown and white rice but a smaller amount as I was watching my calories. I chose two sauces, green onions, kimchi (I adore good kimchi), and crispy garlic. The fish was heavenly. The salmon was like butter, it just melted with eat bite, and everything tasted fresh. The brown rice had a really nice and nutty flavor and I actually liked it better than the white rice. The kimchi was good, but it was a tad bit sweeter than I am used to, so I wonder if it was made by the restaurant rather than store bought or commercially made. I really enjoyed this poke bowl and I enjoyed the price of $16 bucks and change for a filling medium sized bowl. This is much cheaper and more affordable than I've seen at other poke places around the Bay Area. This is a great spot to get poke to go and take home or have for lunch at work. They also have cooked items like various soups and rice plates. I will be checking this place out again. I definitely recommend checking it out for delicious, affordable poke. The staff were super helpful and were very kind when I told them how good the food was.

Spicy Tuna & Salmon with all the Veggies!
Lisa P.

Had a random craving for some poke and Pokebola did the trick! I had Spicy Tuna and Salmon with Brown Rice, Greens and most of the free toppings! Was definitely fresh and a quick place to grab a poke bowl. It's literally off Van Ness so good luck with street parking! You're better off walking there if you can.

Ron G.

Pokebola has been a go-to lunch spot for me, but it has its ups and downs. On a positive note, the poke bowls are often good, with the fish usually tasting fresh. However, there have been times when the fish seemed a bit freezer-burned, which was disappointing. The portion size depending on who is working can skew more towards rice, and sometimes overshadow the fish and toppings. The prices have climbed noticeably over the last few years, which might not be ideal if you're keeping an eye on your budget. On the service front, the staff is generally friendly and quick to serve, though it's important to plan your visit, as they sometimes close early, which can catch you off-guard. The ambiance is simple and straightforward. While the restaurant is clean and well-lit, the neighborhood can be a bit unpredictable, with the occasional incident of someone casually taking pastries or other items. Despite this, the spot remains a decent choice for a quick meal, with enough seating for a brief stop. Overall, Pokebola offers a convenient poke experience without too much fanfare. While not the best I've had, it does the job when I'm craving poke and don't want to wander too far. Just keep in mind the potential for a less-than-perfect meal or unexpected closures if you're planning a visit. edit: Recently also the unexpected closures (closes somewhere between 820-850) are frustrating

Large Poke Bowl-Large
David T.

I com here weekly for a great quick and healthy lunch option! The staff is always super friendly and I'm amazed by their ability to read long order forms or take orders verbally and get everything right when there are so many options! Also love the hip-hop music usually playing. If you're looking for an order recommendation, my go-to is a large with half brown rice and half mixed greens, 2 scoops of salmon, 1 scoop of 1 tuna, and 1 scoop of shrimp with the house spicy sauce + whatever toppings you like!

Avocado massage
Lin A.

The food is fresh and there are many soys to choose. And there are not only raw fish but cooked food. Definitely would try more.

Looks so good but does not taste great. Disappointed.

I was looking for a healthy dinner option. The pics look so good and even when I got my own food it looked amazing. However, when I ate it, it really lacked flavor. I did the build your own bowl with everything I normally get at other places and it did not hit. The edamame was hard like it wasn't even cooked at all.

Ahi Tuna and Spicy Tuna with spicy miso sauce

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1 month ago

my daily spot for lunch, what a friendly lunch spot. good staffs and great proteins. I can't wait to eat this everyday

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2 months ago

good service and quick food ! will come back again ! recommend to local and uick lunch

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2 months ago

thanks for the friendly service and fresh. best poke in town! five days a week! my Togo lunch spot

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2 months ago

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They refused to serve me at 845 bc they were closing at 9. Not good customer service.

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1 year ago

again....just mid. the only reason i'm updating is because i did go for the upcharge on unagi this time. you get two small chunks. :/

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2 years ago

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A hidden gem! What an amazing place. We visited on 9.9.26 after going to the deYoung museum. We had…read moreto try the Hawai'ian cuisine. Small dining area with one server who was attentive, pleasant, and knowledgeable. I chose the lumpia--it was excellent. My late mother-in-law was Filipina--and this lumpia was even better than her recipe as I recall. It was crunchy, not greasy, had an absolutely delicious meat center, and was twice as long as what she made. It paired well with the Italian arneis by Angelo Negro Vino Blano, as well as my companion's Kahlua pulled pork sliders. Beautifully plated. The tall ceilings feel expansive and provided a great venue for the old school albums spinning very interesting collection of music such as New Low by Mk.gee. Huge cool art on the wall, with a playful tiger. Huge wall art display of wine crates. Lovely open-air seating as you walk in through the entrance. Very happening place. What a delightful find.

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Pokebola - poke - Updated October 2026

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