Amazingly fresh high quality tuna for poke, rice flavor and quality alone is worthy of 5 stars. No seating space but I hope one day they’ll expand into bigger space. Service was fast and excellent, they explained all their options.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Apryl Chiem
Closest to Hawaiian poke in the area. Really fresh and flavorful. A bit pricey for the amount of stuff given. Every time I've been there the employees aren't very welcoming but it's a quick grab and go place. No inside dining.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Anish Sownderraj
This is my first ever review on a restaurant. Me and my friend tried the salmon from this place over the weekend. Currently I’ve been vomiting all night and my friend is having a fever. Stay away from this place if you don’t wanna get sick. We’re both terribly upset.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Yarodar Welt
Bad customer service and bias!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
April Holland
The toppings/sides are pretty limited but the quality of the fish (actually fresh, not just in the title) is excellent. I have another poke place that is very good and has great options (many different sides and lots of sauce choices) to pick, but Aloha Fresh is not that kind of place. This is where you come when you care about the quality and taste of the fish more than anything else. Which I do. It's a drive for us, but it's worth it. A couple notes: no brown rice, but they have black rice. They have non-fish options (chicken, as well as shellfish options). They have sizing options (standard is 2 scoops of fish but there is a 1 scoop option and you can add more fish paying by the pound). When you pick your fish option, they're already marinated; you do not pick a sauce to mix in with everything. They do not have dine in options (no tables at all inside or outside) but there is a bench outside.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Casey Q.
The portions are huge! For $17, you get so much fish and sides in the Poke Lover. There is a big selection of fish and they all look super fresh. The staff were quick and friendly with our order. Quick tip, if you don't have a bug appetite, one order can definitely be split with two people.
Vivian Z.
First 2 star review...Came here on the second day of my business trip, and was quite disappointed. Upon receiving my order, the fish looked fresh.However, the poke was not fresh. I ended up feeling sick for the remainder of my trip, which put a significant damper on my overall experience. Unfortunately, my disappointment with Aloha Fresh means I won't be returning. For those seeking a genuine and fresh poke experience, I would recommend exploring other options in the area.
Sam S.
First time having this and we really enjoyed it! Hubs and I ordered Poke lover and we ordered aloha bowl with garlic chicken for the kids. I also got their Li Hing lemonade which was so dang good. Will def be back for more!
John D.
Pound of FreshWith the proliferation of "California-style poke" (i.e., Chipotle-style poke) over the recent years, it is nice to have a few spots that offer up the more traditional Hawaiian poke with Aloha Fresh and nearby Santo Market being the other. Aloha Fresh saw its start back in Cupertino back in 2015 before making the leap here to J-Town in 2019. Aloha Fresh is legit Hawaiian because the owners are all Hawaiian ex-pats who've relocated here to The Bay, and all their fish is flown in fresh daily from the motherland herself--and never frozen. The Good:*Super fast and friendly service, as we can get in and get out usually in under 5 min. *More than just poke, as they have a slew of other offerings, including fried chicken, Kalua pork, Lau Lau, and sPam® Musubi--just to name a few. *As mentioned above, the fish is always super fresh, and they have more than just ahi and salmon, as they also have scallop, tako (octopus), and shrimp pokes. *You can also pre-order ahead on their website for even faster pickup (and to avoid having to pay for parking).*Rewards program (I believe it's buy ten get one free but not 100% on that)The Meh:*Limited dine-in space*You must pay ($2/hr) for parking (except Sundays & Holidays) if you plan to stay for long. The Ugly:*On a recent trip their rewards program sign-in tablet was not operational, so on the subsequent visit I mentioned it to the cashier and she pretty much said I'm SoL--since she couldn't "prove" that I had bought a bowl before. Um... ok... I guess I'm the asshole in this situation, but maybe you shouldn't treat customers like they're liars and take people's word occasionally. But what do I know? #GiveThemThePickleTLDR: Fantastic poke in the heart of J-Town. Would've been five-stars, but I don't like being called a liar.
Alegria Cantillep
So ono, would have to say this is one of the most authentic tasting poke places I've gone to on the mainland. Love that the ahi is flown in from HI and the cuts are nice and big! Got the Hawaiian ahi (love the limu and onion.. Hard to find a place with authentic limu since moving back from HI) and spicy shoyu ahi and all tasted delicious. Huge portion size too, could've gone for the small kine and still been full! Got the lychee lilikoi green tea 25% sweet and it was perfect for my tastes. They have furikake chex mix, butter mochi, all the jams playing in the store... Felt like being transported back to the islands! Would definitely come back again.
Aloha Fresh is definitely more authentic than the big poke chains. I paid $22 for a bowl with two poke meats and two sides. Overall I'd say the fish was pretty good quality, and the sides are great too. FOOD [4/5]----------------+ Spicy Ahi [6/5]Would definitely recommend this! The spicy marinade is so flavorful-- not too spicy but thick and creamy. + Kukui Nut Ahi [3/5]I was expecting more flavor and higher fish quality for this one, but it was a bit of a letdown. The nutty flavor doesn't come through at all and the fish was a bit warm.+ Lomi Lomi Salmon [4/5]This was a pretty good side! I liked the freshness of the tomatoes. I wish there was more onion for more of the crunchiness. + Ocean Salad [5/5]Really good! It was fresh, cold, and delicious.SERVICE [4/5]-------------------Service was rushed (we came near closing time though, so understandable).
Irene L.
Located on Jackson in between 5th and 6th Streets. I got lucky with parking right out front but make sure to pay attention to signs and metered parking spots. This is a small little shop so more ideal to do takeout. I had the Small Kine with white rice, spicy salmon, pickled onion, and ocean salad. The portion was comparable to other Poke shops. However, the pieces of the fish were larger in size which in my opinion could've been cut smaller. We also got an order of the butter mochi, 3 pieces for $6. I forget which flavor we got but 2 of the 3 were really good. There was one piece that tasted under baked and was really gooey. Overall, the poke seemed pretty fresh.. and toppings are limited/ and at additional costs. I forget how expensive poke bowls are nowadays but pretty worth that it's so close to home so super convenient.
trx Doc
Their poke are all fresh and delicious! Feels like we are back in Hawaii. We prefer the Ahi shoyu and spicy salmon. Not much on garlic scallop. Only down side is they give you small portion. Bowl is price at $14-18. No tables to eat inside but there is a bench outside.
Really fresh and extremely filling bowls of poke here! Also very unique compared to a lot of other poke spots I've tried. I think it's pretty similar to authentic hawaiian poke if we're just talking about how the fish/seafood itself is marinaded. I ordered the poke lover bowl with spicy shoyu ahi and garlic mayo scallops, both of which were buttery soft and super fresh. The marinades were flavorful but not overpowering, and the bed of rice is served freshly warm. The poke lover bowl also comes with two sides; I chose mac salad and ocean salad. Mac salad is something I've never had in my poke bowl; I liked it but would probably opt for a less heavy side next time. I also wish they would ask whether or not we wanted pickled ginger instead of putting it directly in. This way it wouldn't go to waste for the people that prefer not to have it. The service was pretty swift. The workers had the line moving pretty quickly. There's no seating inside so it's definitely more of a takeout establishment. Only one table is located directly outside.
Mitchell Buyson
Aloha Fresh certainly lived up to the locals' recommendations, and my experience was a testament to their stellar reputation. Opting for take-out, I ordered the poke lover bowl, featuring both spicy salmon and Kukui Nut Ahi. The flavors were a symphony of freshness and zest, showcasing their commitment to quality ingredients. The ocean salad and macaroni salad sides were equally impressive, adding a refreshing and creamy touch to the meal. What truly stood out was the prompt service, which ensured that my meal was ready right on time. Aloha Fresh is undeniably a gem, delivering a taste of Hawaii's culinary excellence to your doorstep, and I can't wait to return for another satisfying island-inspired meal.
Amazingly fresh high quality tuna for poke, rice flavor and quality alone is worthy of 5 stars. No seating space but I hope one day they’ll expand into bigger space. Service was fast and excellent, they explained all their options.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Closest to Hawaiian poke in the area. Really fresh and flavorful. A bit pricey for the amount of stuff given. Every time I've been there the employees aren't very welcoming but it's a quick grab and go place. No inside dining.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
This is my first ever review on a restaurant. Me and my friend tried the salmon from this place over the weekend. Currently I’ve been vomiting all night and my friend is having a fever. Stay away from this place if you don’t wanna get sick. We’re both terribly upset.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Bad customer service and bias!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The toppings/sides are pretty limited but the quality of the fish (actually fresh, not just in the title) is excellent. I have another poke place that is very good and has great options (many different sides and lots of sauce choices) to pick, but Aloha Fresh is not that kind of place. This is where you come when you care about the quality and taste of the fish more than anything else. Which I do. It's a drive for us, but it's worth it. A couple notes: no brown rice, but they have black rice. They have non-fish options (chicken, as well as shellfish options). They have sizing options (standard is 2 scoops of fish but there is a 1 scoop option and you can add more fish paying by the pound). When you pick your fish option, they're already marinated; you do not pick a sauce to mix in with everything. They do not have dine in options (no tables at all inside or outside) but there is a bench outside.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
The portions are huge! For $17, you get so much fish and sides in the Poke Lover. There is a big selection of fish and they all look super fresh. The staff were quick and friendly with our order. Quick tip, if you don't have a bug appetite, one order can definitely be split with two people.
First 2 star review...Came here on the second day of my business trip, and was quite disappointed. Upon receiving my order, the fish looked fresh.However, the poke was not fresh. I ended up feeling sick for the remainder of my trip, which put a significant damper on my overall experience. Unfortunately, my disappointment with Aloha Fresh means I won't be returning. For those seeking a genuine and fresh poke experience, I would recommend exploring other options in the area.
First time having this and we really enjoyed it! Hubs and I ordered Poke lover and we ordered aloha bowl with garlic chicken for the kids. I also got their Li Hing lemonade which was so dang good. Will def be back for more!
Pound of FreshWith the proliferation of "California-style poke" (i.e., Chipotle-style poke) over the recent years, it is nice to have a few spots that offer up the more traditional Hawaiian poke with Aloha Fresh and nearby Santo Market being the other. Aloha Fresh saw its start back in Cupertino back in 2015 before making the leap here to J-Town in 2019. Aloha Fresh is legit Hawaiian because the owners are all Hawaiian ex-pats who've relocated here to The Bay, and all their fish is flown in fresh daily from the motherland herself--and never frozen. The Good:*Super fast and friendly service, as we can get in and get out usually in under 5 min. *More than just poke, as they have a slew of other offerings, including fried chicken, Kalua pork, Lau Lau, and sPam® Musubi--just to name a few. *As mentioned above, the fish is always super fresh, and they have more than just ahi and salmon, as they also have scallop, tako (octopus), and shrimp pokes. *You can also pre-order ahead on their website for even faster pickup (and to avoid having to pay for parking).*Rewards program (I believe it's buy ten get one free but not 100% on that)The Meh:*Limited dine-in space*You must pay ($2/hr) for parking (except Sundays & Holidays) if you plan to stay for long. The Ugly:*On a recent trip their rewards program sign-in tablet was not operational, so on the subsequent visit I mentioned it to the cashier and she pretty much said I'm SoL--since she couldn't "prove" that I had bought a bowl before. Um... ok... I guess I'm the asshole in this situation, but maybe you shouldn't treat customers like they're liars and take people's word occasionally. But what do I know? #GiveThemThePickleTLDR: Fantastic poke in the heart of J-Town. Would've been five-stars, but I don't like being called a liar.
So ono, would have to say this is one of the most authentic tasting poke places I've gone to on the mainland. Love that the ahi is flown in from HI and the cuts are nice and big! Got the Hawaiian ahi (love the limu and onion.. Hard to find a place with authentic limu since moving back from HI) and spicy shoyu ahi and all tasted delicious. Huge portion size too, could've gone for the small kine and still been full! Got the lychee lilikoi green tea 25% sweet and it was perfect for my tastes. They have furikake chex mix, butter mochi, all the jams playing in the store... Felt like being transported back to the islands! Would definitely come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Your Poke, Poke Bowl
Restaurantji Recommends
Aloha Fresh is definitely more authentic than the big poke chains. I paid $22 for a bowl with two poke meats and two sides. Overall I'd say the fish was pretty good quality, and the sides are great too. FOOD [4/5]----------------+ Spicy Ahi [6/5]Would definitely recommend this! The spicy marinade is so flavorful-- not too spicy but thick and creamy. + Kukui Nut Ahi [3/5]I was expecting more flavor and higher fish quality for this one, but it was a bit of a letdown. The nutty flavor doesn't come through at all and the fish was a bit warm.+ Lomi Lomi Salmon [4/5]This was a pretty good side! I liked the freshness of the tomatoes. I wish there was more onion for more of the crunchiness. + Ocean Salad [5/5]Really good! It was fresh, cold, and delicious.SERVICE [4/5]-------------------Service was rushed (we came near closing time though, so understandable).
Located on Jackson in between 5th and 6th Streets. I got lucky with parking right out front but make sure to pay attention to signs and metered parking spots. This is a small little shop so more ideal to do takeout. I had the Small Kine with white rice, spicy salmon, pickled onion, and ocean salad. The portion was comparable to other Poke shops. However, the pieces of the fish were larger in size which in my opinion could've been cut smaller. We also got an order of the butter mochi, 3 pieces for $6. I forget which flavor we got but 2 of the 3 were really good. There was one piece that tasted under baked and was really gooey. Overall, the poke seemed pretty fresh.. and toppings are limited/ and at additional costs. I forget how expensive poke bowls are nowadays but pretty worth that it's so close to home so super convenient.
Their poke are all fresh and delicious! Feels like we are back in Hawaii. We prefer the Ahi shoyu and spicy salmon. Not much on garlic scallop. Only down side is they give you small portion. Bowl is price at $14-18. No tables to eat inside but there is a bench outside.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Poke Lover Kukui Nut Salmon Garlic Mayo Scallop, Spicy Shoyu Ahi Poke
Really fresh and extremely filling bowls of poke here! Also very unique compared to a lot of other poke spots I've tried. I think it's pretty similar to authentic hawaiian poke if we're just talking about how the fish/seafood itself is marinaded. I ordered the poke lover bowl with spicy shoyu ahi and garlic mayo scallops, both of which were buttery soft and super fresh. The marinades were flavorful but not overpowering, and the bed of rice is served freshly warm. The poke lover bowl also comes with two sides; I chose mac salad and ocean salad. Mac salad is something I've never had in my poke bowl; I liked it but would probably opt for a less heavy side next time. I also wish they would ask whether or not we wanted pickled ginger instead of putting it directly in. This way it wouldn't go to waste for the people that prefer not to have it. The service was pretty swift. The workers had the line moving pretty quickly. There's no seating inside so it's definitely more of a takeout establishment. Only one table is located directly outside.
Aloha Fresh certainly lived up to the locals' recommendations, and my experience was a testament to their stellar reputation. Opting for take-out, I ordered the poke lover bowl, featuring both spicy salmon and Kukui Nut Ahi. The flavors were a symphony of freshness and zest, showcasing their commitment to quality ingredients. The ocean salad and macaroni salad sides were equally impressive, adding a refreshing and creamy touch to the meal. What truly stood out was the prompt service, which ensured that my meal was ready right on time. Aloha Fresh is undeniably a gem, delivering a taste of Hawaii's culinary excellence to your doorstep, and I can't wait to return for another satisfying island-inspired meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5