As a must-have SoCal staple for sunny days and coastal cravings, poke — a traditional Hawaiian dish featuring raw, marinated fish with a variety of savory toppings and sauces — is the perfect meal to complete a delicious summer. Stores boasting their unique take on the dish have popped up across Orange County, lining beachside corners, packed plazas, and suburban streets. Of the endless array of selections, The Gamut has tried it all. To find the ultimate poke shop to satisfy your summer cravings, read reviews of Orange County’s local options from its underground locations to its busiest stores. 

Poke Tiki ★★★☆☆

424 S Main St D, Orange, CA 92868

Located near the heart of Orange, Poke Tiki is a reliable pit stop, serving up classic Hawaiian-style poke with no frills. For $16, the regular bowl comes packed with ample portions — enough to leave most diners satisfied without needing to size up. The Gamut chose a white rice-based bowl with spicy salmon and albacore, topped with masago, marinated cucumbers, and pickled ginger. The fresh fish perfectly complements the tangy, umami vegetables, creating a balanced bite with the soft rice — though a little dry due to the light drizzle of sauce. While Poke Tiki earns a point for value, the menu plays it too safe. Nearly half of the protein options fall under the tuna or salmon umbrella, and the sauces also lean predictable, featuring the usual house poke and hot sauce. The unagi sauce offers a rare burst of personality, delivering a standout smoky, sweet-and-salty flavor. Though not groundbreaking, Poke Tiki gets the job done.

Uroko Cafe ★★★★☆ 

5895 Katella Ave C, Cypress, CA 90630

Just over a mile drive from Oxford, Uroko Cafe is a charming Japanese-style poke stop with a high price tag to match. Fill your poke bowl with a range of different protein choices, from the classic buttery-soft salmon to chewy boiled octopus. Then, top it off with a colorful lineup of toppings like crispy, pickled cucumbers, roasted corn, and an endless menu of sauces. With its impressive variety of bold and fresh ingredients, Uroko crafts a delicious and vibrant bowl — unfortunately jampacked with rice. The rice base buries the fish, the star of the dish, with an overly generous helping of rice, leading to unsatisfying ratios. If you’re craving poke, Uruko offers an enjoyable yet scarcely rationed option for its high price, with regular bowls setting you back $15-$17.

Pokinometry ★★★★☆

184 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

This downtown Anaheim poke shop on the corner of an intersection has it all: fresh and savory fish, generous and balanced portions, and the basics for its toppings and sauce options. While its toppings, sides, and sauce variety isn’t as limitless as other competitors, the fresh taste of its ingredients supersedes the quantity of options. After choosing a base — The Gamut did white rice — start off your bowl with two, three, or five scoops of protein (depending on your bowl’s size) and feel free to add avocado, crabmeat, and mix sauces before topping it off. The savory flavor profile of the toppings — from crispy onions and ginger to sesame seeds — perfectly balances the bowl and adds a crunchy texture. In the hyperinflated poke economy, PokiNometry’s bowls trend towards a more moderate level in the typical price range; the restaurant itself is a worthy contender for OC’s top poke picks.

The Low-Key Poke Joint ★★★★★

9904 Westminster Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Located in a brimming Garden Grove plaza, The Low-Key Poke Joint is anything but lowkey; its poke bowls are generously packed and delicious with a variety of toppings, sides, and bases to choose from. From traditional jasmine to bamboo-infused rice, or sauces like Shoyu the Way (eel and sesame) and Jalapeño Bizz, Low-Key Poke Joint is a unique, must-try spot. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, it’s the perfect place for an afterschool snack, with a 10% high school student discount (make sure to bring your student ID!). Low-Key doesn’t shy away from its toppings either, including hot cheetos, a seemingly unconventional choice, yet it works perfectly once you try it! Its toppings set its bowls apart from other spots; once you try them, you can’t go back to a standard, dull bowl. From its fresh, quality fish to unique sides that shockingly pair perfectly with the bowl, The Low-Key Poke Joint is The Gamut’s go-to and certified poke rec.    

With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to try these poke spots! Whether you are a newcomer or a poke connoisseur, each of these places offers a flavorful and fresh bowl to enjoy under the sun. Ultimately, you can never go wrong with poke!