Ishihara Market Makes The Best Homemade Poke In Hawaii

Before tourism and over-development took hold of the Hawaiian Islands, locals would gather to purchase everyday items and talk story at any of the charming general stores found across the state. Since then, however, many of these once-popular shops have become obsolete, but not Ishihara. Located on the island of Kauai in the small town of Waimea is this charming country store that not only dates back more than eighty years but serves some of the Aloha State’s best poke. Bring on the nostalgia — and the seafood!

If you don’t stop at this 1930s market when you make the trek to the dusty paniolo town of Waimea on Kauai’s south shore, you’re missing out.

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Here, you will find all the markets of a typical general store — from fresh produce to bread and peanut butter for sandwiches — but that’s not why you visit. The crowned-jewel of this small-town market is its seafood deli, added in 1987 by Ray Ishihara.

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Take-out meals that you can enjoy at picnic tables outside or a nearby beach include bento boxes, plate lunches, and sushi.

Christina N./TripAdvisor

Ishihara Market is perhaps best-known for its mouthwatering poke in a variety of unique flavors — there’s your traditional ahi poke, of course, but you’ll also find wasabi and chili as well as poke called tsunami and menehune, among others.

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How delicious does this poke bowl look? Seafood lovers will be in absolute heaven at Ishihara Market.

Lindsay R/TripAdvisor

In total, you’ll find more than twenty varieties of poke here — and trust us, you’ll want to try them all.

Kai/TripAdvisor

But that’s not all: you can also pick up shrimp, freshly marinated meats, sandwiches, salads, and more. This is truly a one-stop shop, whether you’re looking for a scrumptious lunch or actual groceries.

Yoonie L./TripAdvisor

Ishihara Market is located at 9894 Kaumualii Hwy., Waimea, HI 96796, and is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.