Love the food here! Amazing salad dressing that I have not figured out to attempt making myself. It's a hole in the wall which can be easily missed along the HILO bay waterfront. I love their grilled ahi, falafel and ahi don. The garlic rice is a carb lover's dream...simple but full of garlic and saffron notes. I would recommend take out as they have 3 small tables and no A/C. Service is always friendly. read more

Puka Puka Kitchen - Ahi don plate with their signature garlic rice and yummy salad - Asian Fusion Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

We are visiting from California, and we came here based on being #1 in Hilo on Yelp, and it was amazing!!! The lamb and sautéed ahi were soooooo good. If you're in town, you have to stop here! read more

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FOOKING delicious! Out here for 3 weeks for work, one of the best things I've ate while here (lamb pita). Garlic rice was bomb. read more

This was our first Hawaii food experience. The staff was warm and friendly and the food was phenomenal. read more

Puka Puka Kitchen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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I've had the pleasure of eating here twice, most recently with my fiance for our two year anniversary. I'm so glad we were able to squeak in unplanned. Both times were fantastic, and I can't think of another place I would have enjoyed eating at more for lunch. It's certainly become the most dear hole in wall restaurant to me. I wish I was able to eat here more often. I ate a Chicken Katsu Don special. The Katsu was so fresh, tender, and crisp; placed on a hearty bed of ono rice (I don't recall what they named it, but it tasted like a rich and mellow tumeric, garlic fried rice), with a lovely fresh salad. My fiance had a lamb pita wrap and was over the moon that he could find lamb in Hilo. I think the focus at Puka Puka Kitchen is fresh, well balanced dishes. You don't go for a large, sit-down dining experience. You don't go for massive portions of cheap filler food. You don't go for a large menu with "something for everyone". You go because they're good at what they do. read more

Honestly - I was a bit skeptical when I walked in because the decor was a bit - meh. It's definitely a hole in the wall. Then I reminded myself that these places are usually pretty good. Glad I followed my instincts to stay. The food was amazing!! I mean layered flavors, varieties of texture, a well balanced presentation, and a good amount of food for your money. I ordered the sautéed Ono (usually Ahi). They don't serve alcohol, which was fine with me. The food hit the spot in a way that reminds me of my mom's Caribbean cooking. The two ladies in the kitchen out did themselves. Bravo! This was much more my style than Pineapples which felt like a loud tourist trap. In this place you order, eat, and leave happy - it's a great spot for no frills deliciousness! read more

Puka Puka Kitchen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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A small, hole-in-the-wall place with super tasty Japanese comfort foods. We ordered the following: - Japanese Katsu special (essentially just chicken katsu with curry, rice, and salad) - Ahi Don Plate - Sautéd Lamb The Ahi Don was definitely our favorite! Some reviewers were taken aback by their prices, but for all that you get, it's fairly reasonable. Don't be scared off by the price of the food. read more

Delicious! Got the chicken pita and salad, wow. We have been looking for holes in the wall and this is definitely one of them.

we spent the night in Hilo to see the volcano. stopped for lunch here. Sooooo good. you can't go wrong with the Ahi katsu Don. Chicken Katsu was delicious. read more

I have never had a bad meal here. Fresh salad and garlic rice and whatever entree you order...always wonderful. Service is friendly. It's a small casual place. Updated: This Place is still the bomb!!! read more

This place is Ono !! Awesome food , service and staff. The chef is legit ! In Hilo ? Eat at this little gem. True Hawaiian aloha lives here read more

Puka Puka Kitchen - This place is Ono !! Chicken katsu meal and falafel pita. Sooo good ! Awesome service and staff. Chef is legit !! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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The garlic rice is the main reason I love to come here not to mention the Chicken Katsu & Ahi Don plate is so yummy. I enjoy the salad also they give you two dressings, I tend to use the balsamic vinegar dressing more but the other one is good also. I usually order take-out here, the service is pretty fast. Only thing is parking is a little hard during lunch hour and farmers market days. read more

I've been coming here for years and it's consistently good. Love the veggie don plate, they put crack in the fry batter I swear. It comes with a nice salad on the side. Ahi don plate also incredibly good. The garlic rice is more like a cumin rice but sooooo ono. Everything always looks and tastes fresh. I don't eat chicken but their katsu looks incredible. A local favorite in Hilo town. read more

Read about this place on the internet, boy am I glad we stopped. Just a little hole in the wall type of joint, only seats about 15 people. We had to wait about 20-30 minutes to be seated but the food was phenomenal, asked the waitress what she recommended, which was the "Ahi Don" and it did not disappoint. If I am ever in Hilo again I will make it a point to stop here again. read more

Puka Puka is a tiny place that seats about 15 max. Service was quick and friendly. We had the sautéed lamb and katsu chicken & curry. The sautéed lamb was quite good and cooked well (not chewy; had the right amount of spice and a good flavor). The chicken katsu was just OK. read more

Authentic Hawaiian food here, absolutely delicious rice dishes, the ahi tuna and chicken katsu was very flavorful! read more

Puka Puka Kitchen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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A great little place not far from DT Hilo and the water. Highly recommend the ono or ahi pita with garlic rice; both amongst the best I've tasted. Be warned that there is limited indoor seating, but takeout is an option. read more

Excellent service and food. We left stuffed and with leftovers. Great location and fair prices. read more

Ate here because I was in need of a nice, big salad after all the plate lunch options. We had fried ono, an ono pita, a seafood plate and the local grilled lamb. Everything was well seasoned and nice portions. All the plates came with delicious rice and a very good sized salad that satisfied my craving. Small little place with maybe 5 tables and a window counter looking out towards the bay. read more

Their Ono Katsu plate was so good! I ate everything that was in that plate! Garlic fried rice didn't disappoint either!!!

Delicious and comfort food, the rice is so so good and the orders are so big too!! I didn't take a picture because we were so hungry but the Rice tasted amazing, perfect texture, the veggies in the salad were very fresh and crisp and the shrimp portion was large! 100% recommend read more

Good lord almighty this lives up to all the positive reviews. I got the ahi don and everything on it was *muwah kiss the fingertips then hand bloom to heaven* ! Normally I do not like cooked fish but this was just great. Also the garlic rice - great. Salad - so great. My sister got the chicken katsu don and it was also really good (personally I thought mine was slightly better but she thought the same of hers). My dad got the shrimp curry, which was also good (again, he thought his was the best). My mother got the unagi bento, which was also a wonderful bento and had perfect proportions of everything you want in bento (even a pickled plum!). Let me also speak up in favor of the friendly service because I certainly take exception to the haole lady who was apparently offended that the server didn't treat her like a BFF (I have a lot to say about the sense of entitlement tourists bring to this state but we'll set that aside for now). The server was kind to my family, recommended her favorite bento to my mother, and was prompt and helpful. The kitchen staff was even super friendly to me as I dashed to and from the bathroom. read more

5 star experience. The Japanese curry was spot on despite not being too unique but hey - Japanese curry taste fine the way it is so don't mess it up. The chicken Katsu was so moist and crunchy that even the end of the meal, it was still crunchy like I first got it. The lamb dish was also very good. Mini dishes is the way to go since the portion size is good and cheaper too. Don't skip this place. It's a must!!!! read more

I lived in Hilo for a few years for school and Big Island's food selection left a lot to be desired for. This place, however, is the only restaurant in Hilo that I miss and crave since I left in 2013! I've always only ordered the ahi plate and the garlic rice is what really makes it a winner. The restaurant itself is a hole in the wall and small so take out is a good option. read more

We are visiting from California, and we are so glad we got to eat here before we leave! Everyone is so kind and the food is sooooo good! My family got 3 sauteed ahi plates and 1 katsu curry plate. Katsu was super crispy and ahi was seasoned really well; generous portions for each! All were served with a bug colorful salad with a soy and yogurt dressing, and garlic rice that was really flavorful and complemented everything. They also have bentos to-go! We wish we could have tried more dishes, but there will be a next time hopefully (-: read more

My FAVORITE hole in the wall place! I Love their Shrimp Tempura Plate! The Curry Rice and Fresh Green Salad is Delish! Not to mention that Amazingly Delicious Yogurt Dill Dressing! OMG! It's FABULOUS!!!! read more

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Since puka means hole, puka puka is the perfect example of a hole in the wall that showcases random arts from handwritten quote by Bruce Lee to glass framed child's drawing on display, with a narrow hallway peeking into the kitchen, leading to a tiny bathroom in the back. Its decor calls upon campy charms, as its cuisine combines the diverse cultures found on the island, offering from incredible grilled tuna pita sandwich to the best chicken kastu curry I have ever had of my life--- perfectly crunchy and flavorful, yet not too spicy. (Muracci, you're nowhere near it...) Think of Puka Puka as the culinary equivalent of this gorgeous hapa on the beach, dressed in his laid back surfer clothes that have faded with the sun and been battered by sand and salt water. On a slow, rainy day in Hilo, this place's ultimate comfort food made me really, really happy. read more

On our vacation to the big island, we passed through Hilo. In the more touristy section of Hilo is this little restaurant. It seemed to be a hawaiian japanese fusion of food. This placed served some items which were very hawaiian. And other items they served were definitely japanese. So the interior of the restaurant is nothing spectacular. It's small with white walls and some old tables and chairs. The walls have some posters on them, but again nothing that's gonna make you say 'Wow'. I wasn't feeling too well so I only ordered a salad. My girlfriend ordered a chicken pita. The pita came with some rice on the side. I tried a little bit of the pita and it was pretty good. The chicken was moist and flavorful. The pita was also warm and not overly heated to the point that it is dry. The rice was well, steamed rice. Nothing exciting there. The salad was good, but again it was a salad. Nothing exotic. Puka Puka Kitchen was definitely worth the money for the type of food. It wasn't gourmet by any standards, but it was good comfort food. read more

Kids friendly (somewhat). Small place in the tourist trap. Hawaiian-Japanese fusion food. A lot of people seems to buy take-out. May be bring it to the beach or picnic somewhere. Tried the ahi tuna pita, it is very good. My kids also liked the shaved ice next door. read more

The Ahi Don plate is life changing! Quick and friendly service, fresh amazing food. Went three times this week!

Food is okay, but HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!! The lady at the front desk is so rude! Bad attitude to us and even asked us unreasonable things which truly made us feel offended! Not sure because we are Asian and she has any problem with Asian people. It was our first time there and we didn't do anything wrong. Also, the kitchen is not very clean, and I saw a COCKROACH crawling on the fridge! DO NOT go to this place! read more

I loved the garlic fried rice. Like...LOVE. It goes great with any Hawaiian dish. I loved the Terri beef burger. Ono! I kinda liked the chicken katsu. I prefer grilled to fried, but it was tasty. I loved the local feel of this hole-in-the-wall spot. Mahalo. read more

Wow! Amazing presentation and awesome taste for a local Hawaiian taste. I was blown away by the garlic rice, it paired well with the salad and both the Ahi Don and the chicken Katsu. Great service with friendly Hawaiian charm. If you're in Hilo, please support this local restaurant. It will not disappoint! read more

Puka Puka Kitchen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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It's a tiny restaurant with about 4 tables and a counter. The server was extremely friendly as she seated us. I tried the pita, as recommended by the other Yelp reviewers, but opted for the ahi instead of chicken. It was excellent, although they probably could've cut back on the salt a bit. The pita was tightly packed, so they didn't skimp on the quantity. I'm glad, considering that it wasn't quite cheap. The curry rice was great as well. read more

This place actually gets a 3.5 star rating. Maybe it's because I came here with high expectations based on the high ratings from customers, or had expected something different with my dish. I ordered the curry chicken with garlic rice and my bf got the chicken katsu plate. The salad that came with meal was really refreshing and paired well with the dressing. I was somewhat disappointed in the taste of my chicken curry. I had gotten it only based on the fact that many had raved about it. On the menu, it had been described Indian style, but when I got it, it was more watery that I had imagined. The curry was subtle in taste and more on the soupy side. I had imagined something more creamy and thicker. The curry rice was yummy though. Cooked well and it added more flavor to the curry thankfully. But I do give this restaurant a thumbs up on their chicken katsu. The breading and juiciness of the chicken was great. It was cooked perfected. I was pretty envious of my bf's dish actually. I wish I had tried something else on the menu, possibly the shrimp plate or ahi plate, but I wanted to try something new since the other choices were more typical Hawaiian cuisine that I had already eaten the previous 3-4 days. Service was friendly and quick. Restaurant is pretty small so anticipate a wait or just order your meal together and eat at the park across the street and enjoy the view. read more

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Cutesy 'lil place! I stop by mostly to pick up my favorite, the saba bento. Yummmmy. I love how there is a good variety of veggies in the bento depending on the season. One time, I had kabocha squash in it. Stoked! I like to go around 11 because at any time, people who work in the downtown area can snatch the whole batch on that tiny stand for their coworkers. The staff are so friendly. I always peek my face in the lil window to shout out a "Maloha" for the boyz cookin it up. Only 3 tables and a small bar to sit at! Extremely small place! When I dine in, I get the AHI KATSU DON with the YOGURT SAUCE. Ask for DaSecretSauce (garlic chili peppa wata) too. Its amazing! My friend turned me on to this special plate with a large salad, GARLIC CURRY RICE and ahi katsu. I also tried their Seafood platter which loaded with scallops, calamari and etc. A lil pricey for lunch but always worth it. read more

The four of us sat at the counter facing the street. The kids were entertained by the comic strips on the wall and street watching. The other tables were all taken, so we were happy to be seated. The menu was small, but we all enjoyed what we had. The hubby had the lamb in the pita which he thought was very flavorful with a little bit of fat and the fat fries were crisp. The eleven year old had the chicken katsu which she loved. It had a good seasoning and was crispy. The garlic rice and salad was not to her taste. The five year old was very happy with his bowl of rice, side of fries, and some of his sister's chicken katsu. I had the katsu curry, one of the daily specials. It was a bowl of garlic rice with a chicken katsu patty, and a side of salad. I liked the flavor of the garlic rice, it was not overbearing garlic, and had a good flavor. I'm not into plain rice. The chicken katsu was fresh fried chicken with the katsu flavoring. The curry sauce went great with all of it. The side salad was different but ok. Drinks were from cans and cups with ice was available. It is a small clean place . We enjoyed our food and the lack of ambience. The server was very nice. Plates the other customers ordered looked good. Two tourist ordered one plate and got an extra plate to share it between the two of them. There was a table that looked like regulars. read more

Come on yelp. How can you limit me to giving this place only 5 stars when it clearly deserves so much more? Visiting the Big Island, I was looking for a secret spot that was a hole in the wall with out-of-this-world food; which is what Puka Puka Kitchen exactly is. A friend and I went due to a tip my coworker had given me (she said GET THE GARLIC RICE) and made sure to go there. I was pleasantly surprised since Puka was exactly what I was looking/hoping to find on this trip. Its a small place in downtown Hilo..and when I say small, its SMALL, being able to only seat about 20 ppl or so. Located in downtown Hilo, there are a couple of rows of parking stalls lined up front, and we managed to find one at about 1p that day. We were immediately directed to our seats and given water and a menu. Their selections consisted of island favorites such as chicken katsu, fried shrimp, etc etc. I opted for the shrimp plate (which I rarely get, since Im usually a carnivore xP) and my friend got the chicken katsu. We got our food about 15-20 minutes later and OH..MY...LAWWWWD. Each plate came with salad and the infamous "garlic" fried rice and the portions were pretty generous! I tried my friend's chicken katsu; nice and crispy, but not your typical type of katsu since the breading was slightly different than the regular panko most other restaurants use. And my shrimp was made so well! I was really happy that I didnt need to be bothered with peeling the shrimp (which is another reason why I usually avoid ordering shrimp) and the breading was really well seasoned and crunchy but not at all oily. And the salad was just as delicious! But the main event of the plate was definitely that "garlic" fried rice. Why did I put that in quotation marks? Because it definitely isnt what youd expect based off of the name. It seems more like saffron rice, but a hundred times more delicious. The garlic part doesnt overpower it at all. I have no idea what they put into this magical side dish, but all I know is that I WANTED MORE. The Good: -THE FOOD: Such generous portions, that are well made and make you feel like youre eating healthy since it wasnt greasy at all AND the dressing makes you want to eat your greens! -The prices: very decent prices, especially for the amount and quality you get. As my friend put it "It's like an upscale L&L". You keep the prices but you get more and better tasting food! -Service: Pretty home-y. It's as if youre at your grandma's and your cousin is asking what you want for dinner. The Bleh: -It can get crowded pretty quick, so watch out! We got lucky and got in right before a party of 8 came in. They were barely able to squeeze on a table together, so if you have a large party, you may want to take your food to go (theres a beach right across the street!) -ITS NOT ON OAHU. D: DAMNIT ALLLLL. read more

Puka Puka Kitchen - Shrimp plate. It was so gooood - Asian Fusion Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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I love Puka Puka. It doesn't look like much, and the menu is limited, but everything on the menu is fantastic and it boasts 3 vegetarian options. The falafel and veggie don are fantastic! And as far as I know this is the only place on the island you can order falafel. (In case you're a tourist and don't know what 'don' is, it's pretty much breaded and friend and it's wonderful) The servers here have always been very nice even when the place has been extremely busy. And for the amount of food you get, it's a great value, I can never eat it all even though I want to! read more

I envy the people of Hilo they have this place It's a hole in wall but the food was excellent! I had "Tuna saute plate." (about $12) Tuna was very fresh and tasty. It must be locally caught in the morning, then local Japanese fish supplier "Suisan" delivered to them just before lunch. I hope they will open 2nd location in Kona. read more