Pal Market — Review by Uncle Roger
Honolulu, United States — Hawaiian Poke
Uncle Roger visits Pal Market in Hawaii to review their poke bowls instead of sushi. He praises the incredibly fresh spicy salmon and spicy ahi tuna, the simplicity of the preparations, and complementary sides like ube rice pudding and passion fruit drinks. The restaurant, family-owned since 1968, impresses with its quality and confidence in its classic offerings.
What was great: Fresh spicy salmon poke with generous fish, spicy ahi tuna that is incredibly fresh, ube rice pudding with strong taro flavor, passion fruit orange guava drink, confident simplicity of rice and fish without unnecessary toppings
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The review focuses on two standout poke bowls. The spicy salmon poke arrives with rice, fish, and even fish eggs, delivering a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors with excellent rice quality. The spicy ahi tuna proves even more impressive, offering an extraordinarily generous portion of tuna that Uncle Roger describes as so fresh he can still feel it swimming in his mouth, noting it surpasses anything available at grocery stores. The ube rice pudding provides a purple, visually striking dessert with a strong taro flavor that avoids being overly sweet. A passion fruit orange guava drink serves as the perfect refreshing complement to the meal on a sunny Hawaiian day.
The Experience
Pal Market carries significant historical weight and charm, having been family-owned since 1968. The restaurant's interior features black and white photographs that evoke a sense of established tradition and longevity. The owner, Robert Kubora, personally greets customers and shares the restaurant's proud heritage, embodying genuine aloha spirit and authentic Hawaiian hospitality.
Value & Pricing
While specific prices are not mentioned in the transcript, the generous portions of incredibly fresh fish suggest strong value for money, particularly given the quality and freshness of the poke offerings.
Notable Moments
Even the rice good also. Who need sushi? When you have this, you get poke.
The tuna are so fresh. I can still feel it swimming in my mouth.
My name is Robert Kubora, Pal Market, Kapak, Hawaii. Been here in my family since 1968. Aloha.
The Verdict
Pal Market stands as a testament to why poke deserves recognition over sushi. The restaurant's confidence in serving simple, high-quality ingredients without unnecessary additions like edamame, corn, or mango speaks volumes about its commitment to authenticity. This establishment is ideal for visitors to Hawaii seeking genuine local cuisine and for anyone wanting to experience the difference that truly fresh fish makes in a bowl.