Kawamata Seafood 26881 Camino De Estrella, Dana Point, CA 92624

"This restaurant specializes is poki bowls (rice base with sushi). It’s kinda a build your own, with choices for rice, the sushi, and the toppings. The food is extraordinary, fresh, and very tasty. The rice is a bit underwhelming, but still very good. The location is a bit of a hole in the wall, with minimal parking, a liquor store next door (in case you really need that drink!), and a sign for “tattoos”. I’m not really sure if they do Tattoos here, but maybe? Or maybe it’s just an inside joke? This is the place you come to and order to go. While they do have tables in the parking lot, I’m not sure I want to eat next to running cars in a filthy parking lot…"

"Kawamata Seafood stands out as an exceptional choice for poké enthusiasts. The swift service, even during peak times, underscores their operational efficiency. The culinary experience is elevated with exceptionally flavorful fish, and the ample portions leave patrons thoroughly satisfied. This establishment earns a consistent place on my lunch rotation, attributed to its unwavering commitment to impeccable service and consistently delightful poke offerings, warranting a definitive 5-star rating. ⭐️"

"Absolutely top tier poke. They get pretty busy and can get pretty pricey with all the add ons (they charge for toppings). But the quality is awesome, and the portions are big. One thing to note is they have very limited seating outdoors. Recommend bringer a cooler bag and take it to the beach or a local brewery to enjoy."

"I've been passing by here for a while now and finally gave it a try today based on the reviews. It's always a good sign when there's a line out the door and a. reasonable wait. I lived in Tonga awhile so I feel I'm a good judge of fish quality/freshness. I got the large bowl with brown rice and ahi+salmon with original sauce. The tuna quality here is better than any poke place I've been. The sauce was a bit weak. I'd probably get the spicy mayo next time. Everything else about the bowl was perfect though. Mt friend got the ahi tuna on cabbage with spicy mayo and she thought it was the best poke she's ever had. It's definitely pricier than everywhere else but I felt the quality matched the price. There's a few tables outside but other than that there's really no seating so it's more of a take out spot."

"We’ve driven by this little gem for years and it always had a line out the door (pun intended - they have no indoor seating). Today we finally got the chance to try it. We each had a Poke bowl- one with just the Ahi and the other with a mix of Ahi & Salmon. We both agreed the Tuna was the better meat as the salmon less flavorful being that it was farmed. We both got the mix of Cabbage & Rice for the base - best choice by far. Ally added the avocado and said that helped put hers over the top. The “regular-sized” serving sizes appear small, but they are filling. I can only imagine the large portion. Pricing is moderate but still an excellent value when compared to alternatives. The service was fast & friendly. Parking can be a challenge - mostly on the side streets nearby - as this little gem is a popular staple for locals."