Cooke Street Market
My go-to for poke is Cooke Street Market, not just because it’s in my neighborhood, but also because it’s high-quality, melt-in-your-mouth fish, no matter if it’s ‘ahi, salmon or another type. Even though the pieces are cut rather large, they’re not fishy, and you get a good amount for the price. The accompanying pickled veggies add the perfect complementary crunch and acidity. I usually go for Spicy Mayo ($18.50), though I’ll sometimes get the Garlic Lovers ($20) with garlic chips and garlic ginger chili oil for the extra punch of flavor and texture. Keep in mind the price may go up depending on which fish you choose. —Andrea Lee, HONOLULU digital editor
725 Kapi‘olani Blvd. C122, Kaka‘ako, csmhawaii.com, @cookestreetmarket
Kahuku Superette
The spicy ‘ahi poke is simple, nothing fancy, but amazing with fresh fish and the perfect amount of seasoning. It’s worth making a trip to the North Shore for. —Aaron K. Yoshino, staff photographer
56-505 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, (808) 293-9878
Morning Catch
When I want to treat myself while working at our Downtown office, I go to Morning Catch, where a poke bowl is one choice for $16 and two choices for $19. I would say the portion looks smaller than other poke bowls, and the pieces are cut smaller than usual, but it hits the spot. The fish quality is worth the splurge; you can tell it’s sashimi-grade poke, it just melts in your mouth. I’m a salmon girlie, so I get the buttery king salmon for an extra $1.50. The spicy ‘ahi is just slightly spicy (I have a high spice tolerance) and sweet. The tobiko salmon is lightly salted, with the pops of fish egg adding more briny flavor. You can also upgrade to sushi rice for $1.50, which is worth it if you intend to eat all the rice. —AL…