4. Restaurants

Tanioka’s Seafoods & Catering

94-903 Farrington Hwy, Waipahu, HI, 96797
  • (808) 671-3779
  • Store is closed

Tanioka’s Seafoods & Catering Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Waipahu for healthy meals suggestion.

Denny’s ( 94-305 Kunia Rd )
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Visit below restaurant in Waipahu for healthy meals suggestion.

Denny’s ( 94-305 Kunia Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Waipahu for healthy meals suggestion.

Denny’s ( 94-305 Kunia Rd )

  • Darick M.

    The fishcake and cone sushi are the best! And I'm usually not a fan of cone sushi but the ones here are really good.

    (5)

  • Gina H.

    The line is longer now but I still love their fried chicken as fish patties! Poke is made with good quality products!

    (4)

  • Bridget M.

    Love coming here to grab lunch! They are always so efficient even though it is always crazy busy! They are personable and nice too! Love eating lunch here! And word of advice is don't come here hungry! Lol

    (5)

  • Carms K.

    My absolute favorite poke place! It tends to get very busy and the line can go out the door, but the workers are friendly and efficient. All the food here is awesome. I recommend the hot alae poke with hot shoyu added, the fish patties, and the musubi.

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    Had the garlic and spicy poke on our honeymoon.... was delicious! There is no place to sit... but we ate in our car and it was still awesome. Very delicious!

    (5)

  • Dylan H.

    Worth the wait (the line moves fast). The Shoyu Poke was mouthwateringly delicious and fresh.

    (4)

  • Laurel T.

    My husband and I chose Tanioka's for our wedding of 200 guests, and think it was one of the best decisions we made. We loved the friendly staff and management, and the delicious local favorites. My favorite items on the menu were the desserts, which not too many people know about. We got the guava, lilikoi, oreo, and strawberry cream cheese cupcakes as well as the red velvet cupcakes. Excellent deal! My husband enjoyed the prime rib station and the fried chicken. Of course, we didn't get to eat much at our wedding, but the staff prepared a nice to go plate for us on the side. Our guests' favorite was the spicy ahi with rice during the pupu hour. Highly recommend! Everything was priced fairly and the service was exceptional. So happy we went with them and highly recommend them to all of our friends!

    (5)

  • Henry O.

    Great Poki with a huge selection. Friends of mine were stocking up because they were about to fly home. After picking up a few pounds of different varieties, we walked next door to pick up a bag of ice so they could keep the poki fresh in the cooler. They also have other goodies and snacks here other than poki. We got some musubi's too, but they didnt seem as fresh as other places that we've been to.

    (4)

  • Lynette T.

    We were going sight-seeing and wanted to take along some bento. Something to snack on while driving around Oahu. My eyes went wide when I saw the poke case. yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1… His eyes went wide at the assortment of musubi and croquettes. yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1… Spam musubis, spicy furikake musubi, spicy tuna roll, hashbrown croquette & crabcake for the hubby. Chinese chicken salad & tako (octopus) poke for me. I forgot what beach we stopped at to eat this bounty, but it was lovely to enjoy the scenery while dining outside. This is a great way to enjoy the island.

    (5)

  • Jilly C.

    Tanioka's has awesome musubi's, fried chicken and POKE! Tanioka's is run quite well, single file line, employees to pack your poke order, then you move along to the sushi & okazuya type items, then it's the registers! A little pricey but the quality is well worth it! If I'm in the area and I need lunch, I will definitely stop in for a poke bowl or musubi's!

    (4)

  • Gail A.

    There's nothing I can say about the food that hasn't been said already. Eat everything! Eat the poke. Eat the mochiko chicken. Eat the fish cake. Hell, eat the damn counter and it will probably taste ono from all the residual deliciousness that gets passed over it on a daily basis. Parking can be annoying sometimes because of the crowds, but it's worth the annoyance. To all the Yelp-savvy tourists out there looking for that mom and pop type of joint so you can brag to all your friends that you went to somewhere truly local, IT'S WORTH IT. Trust me. These guys have the magic when it comes to poke and local grinds and I thank God for it every time I visit home from the Mainland. I swear, my family provides most of these guys' revenue. We're pretty loyal. Tanioka's is the one stop shop for everything I crave when I leave home and the best part is that they're located in my hometown. Thanks for repping Waipahu, guys!

    (5)

  • Larry B.

    You hear Bourdain talk about Michelin star chefs and the true passion they put in to their food. If you read my reviews, you'll see I've eaten at some pretty good places, so when I say something is good, you should probably run out and try it. Living in Hawaii, people are jaded when it comes to raw fish. When you can buy sushi quality ahi and salmon in any given supermarket, it makes it hard to really care when you taste the best of the best. After being in Arizona for the last year, I realize what a luxury affordable high grade fish is. Sometimes to become an expert, you have to experience every gamete of the fish quality spectrum, and I've done the research. All I can say is the most expensive sushi restaurant in AZ can't even come close to the taste and freshness of the poke at Tanioka's. Ultra fresh, and perfectly seasoned if you order anything here with ahi it'll be top notch. What's even crazier is that they sell about 6 other types of pokes, fresh cut sashimi, and a bunch of okazu options like fried shrimp, chicken, and about 20 other choices made fresh daily from scratch. While the location is far from ideal (a strip mall in Waipahu next to a 7-11), the shop is a lot like the rest of Hawaii...millionaires with Ferrari money driving Toyotas. That's part of what someone from Scottsdale or anybody from another well to do town in the US fails to get when they come here. Paradise like poke isn't and shouldn't be reserved for the privileged. Whether your home is a shack or a mansion, everyone can spend $8 and have a half pound of what is truly some of the best stuff on earth. I'm writing this review on my plane ride back to AZ, and even though I was lucky enough to have eaten at restaurants like Ruth's Chris and Michel's in the last few days, none of them impressed me more than the poke samplings I had here. Good to see the Hawaiian spirit is still alive and well at my favorite local fish market, and everyone is still welcome to come enjoy!

    (5)

  • Greg C.

    Be still my heart! FINALLY, I worked up the wherewithall to go into Tanioka's in Waipahu, and I was not disappointed. Yep, I was warned there would be a security guard at the door to control incoming traffic. Wow, they really do get busy on the weekends. My daughter just finished ballet class and was getting ready to transition to her soccer game when we decided to go to Tanioka's for a quick musubi for her, and a bento for me. Once we got inside, the line of 25+ folks meandered through a relatively small store. You have to go into the one line and essentially 'crawl' your way to the front of the line after about 15-minutes. That's OK, because me and my daughter wanted to take it all in, see all the bentos, drinks, local snacks, guri guri, then the fried chicken, mochiko chicken, several types of musubi's. Too much to choose from, so little time. My daughter ended up choosing a bento and a spam musubi with furukaki, and I got two pieces of fried chicken. We were so excited to go get into our min-van and eat our food that we forgot to buy something to drink. DELICIOUS! The skin on the chicken was so ono, I wanted to go back and get myself a bucket. My daughter ate half of her musubi and half her bento, then went out and played a great game of soccer. I swear Tanioka's food had something to do with her great play! It's that good! I can't wait to go back and try a little of everything else! I LOVE TANIOKA'S!!

    (5)

  • Santi T.

    So you're thinking why does this place deserve a 5 star review?? It's all about quality versus quantity. This is a Waipahu landmark which serves one of the best poke in the state! Seriously! If you have the opportunity to come here try all the poke and definitely pick up my fave - spicy ahi ($5.50). And if you want the trifecta - try the tako (octopus), spicy ahi (tuna) and marlin ($5.95) over sushi rice which will make any seafood luver to it's knees. Talk about fresh! Warning: their poke isn't cheap. And musubi's (rice balls). Oh man you came to the right place! From mochiko chicken to fish patty musubi's, you will find something to get your appetite in full force. For dessert, try their poi andagi (doughnut). Dang, who knew a little ball fried in oil would taste so good?!? Super friendly people and they accept credit cards. They also offer tons of catering menus. If I had to describe this place it's: POKE This place has been here for so many years and it's consistently fresh and delicious. I'm always the sucker and has to pick up lunch from here. They offer tons of bentos and individual okazuya which will satisfy any taste buds. The bentos are from $5.50 which offers fried noodles and their chicken. Poke and local food at it's best in Waipahu!

    (5)

  • Rudia L.

    I received Christmas cookies as a gift from Taniokas. I knew that sometimes the same city is in several of the islands and never had a chance to check up if it was on Oahu but as I was up near North Shore, I decided to yelp it... if I can help it.. haha (corny)... but I did and it was near me. I wanted to buy up all their goodies, but it was a long long long drive with all the construction. The staff was very helpful and kind as I came into their shop just 10 minutes before closing. I tried their onion poke and fish patties as that was all that was left. I loved the fish patties and the cookies and wished I had gotten there sooner to try out all the other great food dishes. Next time.. :) Thank you!

    (4)

  • Kasey M.

    This is my favorite poke spot. I am out in Waipahu every weekend for soccer so I make it a point to stop at Taniokas. I go here for 3 things in particular, poke bowls ($6.99 for 1 choice and $9.95 for 2 I think). I like it best with sushi rice and spicy ahi. They also have the BEST spam musubis. Way better than 7-eleven! And my last favorite thing is the garlic chicken ($2.25 a piece). It is so good! Nice and crispy with a good garlic/korean style flavor. The poke here is always good and super fresh. Other good choices are the spicy kajiki, Japanese clams, shoyu ahi and the crunchy garlic poke. And just a warning, the line can get long on the weekends. It will often be out the door on Sundays. Also they do run out of things so go early.

    (5)

  • Melissa L.

    One of my favorite places to eat in the entire world!! The food is always fresh and delicious. I work right up the road from them so we tend to have them cater mostly all of our company partys, and everyone attacks the food like they havent eatten in days. We normally get the fried chicken, spicy ahi platter, sushi platter, salmon patties, and tako poke, never unsatisfied. Workers are super fast and friendly, much like the other reviews said, dont let the line fool you, you will be in and out fast (makes you wonder wtf costco and walmart cashiers take so long). Family owned, everyone and i mean every single person in there makes you feel welcomed.

    (5)

  • Joanna Y.

    This is my favorite place to get poke, fried chicken and musubi's! It's always busy when I go, but the staff is quick and efficient. Sometimes they get a line outside too but they will have a security letting people in when other people leave. LOCATION In Waipahu along Farrington Hwy, next door to 7-11. Not really sure how to describe where it is lol, but they share a parking lot with 7-11 and other businesses. SERVICE These guys are hustling every time I go! Maybe 10 or 15 workers non stop taking people's orders lol. I never bothered to count how many workers there are but they are always well staffed and work fast. FOOD Most people come for the poke, but they also have a variety of musubi's, fried rice, fried noodles, among other fried goodies like lumpia, sweet potato, etc. -POKE: duh, the best! I like their onion poke, spicy ahi, and Korean style clams. They also have limu, mussels, all kines! -FRIED CHICKEN: I seriously think they have the best fried chicken ever! It's always perfectly crisp, perfectly seasoned, tender white meat chicken with no bones! So easy to eat and delicious!! My favorite place for chicken. -MUSUBI's: honestly I don't know how 7-11 beat them in spam musubi's! I prefer Tanioka's musubi's much better. From Furikake spam musubi, fish musubi, etc! Lots to choose from.

    (5)

  • Rudy F.

    We were referred to Tanioka's by a friend for their poke. We really didn't know what to expect. Tanioka's is literally a 1 aisle market, barely enough space to go in & line up. You go thru the line, they have all the poke in a refrigerated area, you let the worker there know what you want & how much of it, it's sold by lbs. They get it for you. After that, they have a shelf of masubis - spam, chicken cutlet, fish cake, furikake covered, and you just pick your own, then they have the hot foods where you can select pieces of mochiko chicken, garlic chicken, egg rolls, etc. You tell the worker what you want & how many you want. They also serve plate lunches. Plate lunch is basically 2 scoops of rice, 1 scoop of mac salad, and 2 pieces of chicken for like $9. So we went there twice while we were there. EVERYTHING tasted delish! But we did learn something after the first time we went. We didn't get the plate lunch the second time, we just ordered the garlic chicken on it's own without the rice & mac salad, cheaper that way. My wife liked all the poke the served. I liked the tofu poke - tofu, onions, green onions, cilantro and their special sauce. We ordered the mochiko chicken plate & the garlic chicken plate, the garlic chicken is by far better, I'd have to say it gives En Fuego a run for it's money on the garlic chicken. We also tried one of each of their masubis, spam, chicken cutlet, fish cake, furikake. My favorite was the chicken cutlet masubi. I think the difference between their masubi's & other places is that they mix the rice with some teriyaki sauce or something, so not only is the meat tasty, the rice is also. We also got some of their egg rolls, which was also good. All in all, everything we tasted there was good, and was worthy of a second trip there. Definitely go back there again when we go back to Hawaii in 2 years.

    (5)

  • John B.

    Oh my God. You don't even know son. You walk in here into a pretty long queue (which goes by quick) and you're surrounded by tons of delicious smells and sights. Don't blow your load all at once. Save it for the poke. I got a bunch of different ones and hit up a few different masubis. I ate it, got shortness of breath and ate more.

    (5)

  • Mele M.

    I came here today for the first time. I gotta admit I was doubtful because it is hard to find good places to eat on this side of the island but, I am so happy I did. When I first got there it was PACKED! to me that's always a good sign. I didn't mind waiting because there's things to look at in line and I wanted to try them all. The line moves to quick for me because I wanted to look at everything. Of coarse it being my first time. I have decided this is going to be a regular spot for me from now on. It's absolutely delicious. I tried the spicy ahi. I thought this would be similar to all the other spicy ahis I have tried but there's is delicious in there own way the make it. Its super fresh. I also tried there haupia which is so ono. Better then any I've ever tried. There inaris are massive and also good. There garlic chicken. Omg! I want to eat this every day. Everything I had is awesome and I like the fact that they have there own way of making things and it all taste fresh and delicious. There prices are also pretty darn good. I spent about 50 dollars for five people and I still have left overs but who cares I'm going back next weekend and the weekend after that :) only bad thing is I wish I could get remarried so they can cater it. Lol. P.s there workers are super friendly. Especially for being in such a busy place they all seem happy to be there and very helpful. I would wanna work there too just so I can bring home dinner everyday.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    When I was putting together my things to try in Hawaii, I asked my boss for suggestions on places outside of Waikiki that were popular with locals. One of his very first suggestions? Tanioka's. Since my boss had warned there was usually a hefty line around lunch time, my buddy and I decided to come in around 2:30pm to avoid the crowd. While our plan seemed to work out well, it also backfired since we missed out on their lunch plates (part of the reason why they get busy in the first place). Oh the best laid plans...although it might have worked out better in the end. With the lunch plate option removed, I was left to order the Poke Rice Bowl with the Limu and Spicy Ahi poke from the giant case of...well, poke. After they handed me my bowl, it was hard not to try a couple of things from their case of hot and fried foods, so I added on a small piece of their Mochiko Chicken and Fried Chicken as well. During my trip in Hawaii, I had poke at a few different places and I thought Tanioka's was the best overall. The Limu poke was terrific, but the Spicy Ahi poke was AWESOME. Just a touch of spiciness but loads of flavor. Plus, since the poke is made daily, the big chunks of fish in both were so fresh! The piece of Fried Chicken I had was pretty good too, but I liked the Mochicko Chicken better in comparison. Although it was a little salty, I thought it tasted great (my first time having Mochiko Chicken though, so not sure how it compares to other places). Even if you happen to be there during their peak hours, I can't imagine the wait being horrendous. Given that the place is entirely to-go, I'm sure these guys have it down to a science on how to move that line as fast as possible. Plus, they had so many people working behind the counter, they got us out of there with our food super quick. Just make sure you get their poke before you get shuffled on out...it's so good!

    (5)

  • Chad A.

    Yeah its fresh fish......so what. I am sure it is just the haole in me, but if it wasn't for the awesome musubi here I would most likely give this place a 2. I believe the poke to be a comfort food to islanders, and if you aren't from here you just might not understand the appeal, just like I don't. I love great sushi, but if this is "great" poke like I am sure it is then I just don't get it.

    (3)

  • Don D.

    Poke at its best is at Taniokas! I went in around 4:45, about 15 minutes before they normally close. Surprisingly, there were still a lot of customers in there! Not only that, there were a lot of workers still in the store! Normally, when you get to a place around closing time....its starts emptying out and looks like a ghost town. Anyway, we opted to get a half pound of the Spicy Ahi, and the Onion Poke. Both items came out around $19! Considering the quality of the Poke, it was well worth it. It wasnt "leftovers"! The store setup is like a bakery, pick your items or choose from the display window and they'll set you up with everything you need. For a fish place, it didnt smell fishy. If the price of Ahi went down a little, I would probably go more often.

    (5)

  • Antonio A.

    HOLY!!!! Best poke I've ever had in my entire life. Garlic Crunch Ahi Poke and Ahi Limu Onion Poke and Tako Poke... damnnnnn And the fish cakes are soooo good!!!

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    great and fast service. the line was horrendous looking but it moves so quickly that it's almost as if you're rushing to decide which yummy thing you want to get. My suggestion is to either try everything or ummmm, TRY EVERYTHING! lol. The mochiko chicken and garlic chicken are really good. I love the flavor of the garlic chicken since it's the perfect amount of sweetness in it. What I love most is that they keep the skin on! I'm asian, I love the fatty skin :) The bowls are a good size and regardless of what you put on it for a topping you can't really go wrong. Ask for a sample if you're not sure or get the double choice bowl and just trust me that any mix will make your belly smile. If not, give me a call and i'll come pick up what you couldn't eat.

    (5)

  • Pomai S.

    Recently consumed from Tanioka's: Goteborg Sausage Musubi (see photos) Rating: 5 stars! Fish "Patty" Musubi (see photos) Rating: 5 stars! Cone Sushi, Salmon Patty, Fish Patty & Shrimp Tempura Bento (see photos) Rating: 5 stars! I'm wondering where they got the Goteborg Musubi idea from, which is originally a "Kauai thing". The first place I've seen it on Oahu was at The Poke Bowl in Ward Farmer's Market in the space where Tropics Fish & Vegetable Market used to be. The Poke Bowl has since moved under a new name called 'Pa'ina Cafe' across the street in Ward Warehouse.

    (5)

  • Joj o.

    Get here early, because they are running out of food by early afternoon (1-2ish). Their poke is creamy, melt in your mouth. They have a unique sauce for the spicy ahi and it's awesome. They have a lot of fried side items which are good (when they haven't run out of them). Just get the poke, you won't regret it. A lot of variety and it's all good. I haven't been able to try many of their daily combo specials because they're always out. Lines can be long, but they move you a long pretty quick. Poke prices have gone up, but it has everywhere on the island.

    (5)

  • Iris I.

    Just ate a mini Hamburger steak. Outstanding mushroom gravy and hamburger. I enjoyed every single bite.

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    I don't know if it was because 1) I was kinda hungry 2) I didn't expect much...but this place totally blew me away. I got the ahi limu onion poke bowl...and I engulfed that thing like there was no tomorrow. The ahi pieces melted in my mouth with the perfect flavor. Usually I can only handle so much of raw fish...but in this case, I ate it ALL. The location is totally out of my way...but I have friends that come from that area...so the next time they are headed into town, I'm tellin' um to bring me a bowl! LoL. Yelp 365 Challenge #147/365 P.S. The only down fall is there's no tables and chairs to eat your awesome food...so you gotta do it old-school-style and just eat 'um in your car! Still GOOD!

    (5)

  • Krizelda M.

    If you're in Oahu and have a rental car or family willing to drive you around go to Tanioka's. I think it's the best poke on the island! It doesn't look like much, the outside looks like a general grocery shopping area and the inside you'll just find the line and a lot of food on display while in line. Other than the poke there's... an egg roll like thing, that's like a fried roll of rice and fish and sauce... sorry when you see it, just get it- aaaaaamazing. When I'm back on the island I'll make sure to save up my appetite and better chow down. I promise to update the name to that fried roll thing too.

    (5)

  • Jenn L.

    Food was pretty decent. We got the garlic chicken and some limu poke. I think the poke is nothing really to write home about and even though the place is packed, the drink station is in the back and its horribly unorganized. No real need to go back.

    (3)

  • Sean P.

    Wow this place is cheap and awesome. I had the ahi poke bowl today with the garlic fried chicken. The ahi poke was nice and fresh and the garlic fried chicken was crunchy with a bit of sweetness. My only slight complaint is that they don't have white meat for the chicken; it was only dark meat.

    (5)

  • Crystal X.

    Note: Can't find a seat because its not offered. Come - Order - and enjoy at home/ beach/ park! WHY CAN'T EVERYONE I LOVE TASTE POKE FROM HERE! Its worth the drive to find this GEM! Please order the following: 1. spicy tuna ahi poke 2. Limu Poke (for those who do not know - limu is a crunchy seaweed-- great texture) 3. Onion Poke 4. Onion and Limu Poke 5. Alae Poke Don't be alarmed by the price $15.95/lb. Order by 1/3 and you'll be fine!

    (5)

  • Darren N.

    Parking: Right out in front but parking is often full up during the lunch hour. Ambiance: Take out review only, no visible dine in. Tip, do not go during lunch hour from 11-12. It's out-the-door busy. Service: Take out only, but the numerous staff hustle to get everyone's order out and even offer to make you an item if possible. Excellent service. Food: Opted for the spicy ahi tempura which is a mix of veggie tempura (surprisingly made up of egg plant, broccoli, onion, and possibly more) and spicy ahi cubes on a bed of shoyu rice. The bowl was very flavorful though I wasn't expecting the multitude of egg plant. The other items of interest looked good and large portioned. Prices were fair. Verdict & Takeaway: They've got a lot of items and if I were in the area and wanted some seafood I'd go there. If they add more musubi/onigiri options it would be more appealing but they're going for more local style than Japanese type menu.

    (3)

  • Kellen Y.

    Poke was ridiculous! Ask to try a sample if you aren't sure which one you want...they give you a little tooth pick. PLEASE try their fried chicken! I got the garlic fried chicken and my god I wished i had got more. We also got some salmon cakes, musubi, lumpia, and fried rice (they ask how many scoops you want...i asked for 2 and that was enough for 3 people). Just make sure to scope out what you want before getting in line. They move very quickly in there and if you're "himmming and haaaaing" people will get annoyed. The poke is priced by the pound and they have various containers to select from, (i.e. 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb, etc...) Our bill for everything was $20.

    (4)

  • Christine G.

    I think I am in love with their spicy ahi poke. I literally could have it all day for the rest of my life. However it would be amazing it have a different poke everyday. Definitely worth driving out to.

    (5)

  • Sheena C.

    I LOVE YOU, TANIOKA'S! This place is one of the very few reasons I miss living on the central side of the island. My very favs include: Spicy ahi poke Limu poke Hot alae poke Shoyu poke FISH PATTY!

    (5)

  • Jewelyn T.

    I'm lovin' Tanioka's!!!!! Came here a couple times in August when I visited Oahu for the summer. Lines go by pretty fast. Parking is a little tight, but not a problem. 5 shakas: + ahi + poke + salmon patties + musubis +hawaiian plate Come here for lunch! I miss Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Bacong F.

    Expect a line. It goes buy fast since there are many people behind the counter. We had the spam masubi (it has teriyaki sauce), too sweet for our taste. We ordered dark meat for the fried chicken but we got 2 pieces of dried chicken breast. The poke was amazing! We had ahi, marlin and octopus!

    (5)

  • Lily B.

    The first time I had food from Tanioka's was at a birthday party.... and it was A-OK then... So before going to the temple... my boyfriend was hungry and wanted fried chicken from Tanioka's... and since the temple we were going to is in Waipahu... we stopped by... BOY was it BUSY at 10AM! LONG line but it moved quickly. He really wanted sushi but felt it was too early to eat it so we went straight for the hot foods... he got 2 cone sushi's and 2 pieces of the fried chicken. I wasn't planning on getting anything but the bento looked really good! I got a bento wtih rice, fried noodles, mochiko chicken, hot dog, and spam. His fried chicken was crispy and full of flavor, and the cone sushi was just cone sushi. For my bento... the mochiko chicken did have flavor and it wasn't bad. I'm not usually a fan of mochiko chicken, I prefer korean chicken or garlic chicken but it tasted okay... even though it was room temperature it was still crispy. The spam tasted sweet as if it was marinated in something prior to cooking it on a flat top. The hot dog was a regular hot dog (however it was a brown hot dog, probably Oscar Meyer which is my fave, I don't like red hot dogs) so that I liked. The fried noodles I didn't care for so my boyfriend ate it and he liked it... I wonder about him sometimes because he eats anything... lol... It was almost $14 for everything... decently priced and we'd definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Elisa L.

    I've been meaning to write a review about this place for a while. We were in Oahu over the holidays and stopped here on our way to visit Pearl Harbor (it's a good option to get food to go on the way to Pearl Harbor from the Aulani). Keep in mind that this place is really more of a To Go counter. There is no ambiance and there is nowhere to sit and eat. As long as you know this, then all that matters is the food and service which was fantastic. The food is flat out delicious. The Lomi Salmon, the original poke and the Spicy Ahi bowl were fresh and flavorful. We ordered too much food because it all looked so good and couldn't stop eating it. Although the ordering was a little overwhelming (lots of people waiting, lots of choices), one of the owners was so kind and guided us through what to order and also gave my kids free extra spam musubi which they loved. Great spot for food to go!

    (5)

  • Honolulu A.

    Tanioka's is the go-to place for the best local kine food. Love their inari (cone sushi) because it is always perfect - juicy, tasty, and the rice is cooked just right. Love their spicy ahi on sushi rice, as well as the tako poke/ahi combo on rice. #3 daughter loves their fish patties. The service is excellent. If they don't have something out on the floor, they check in the back to see if it is coming out or being made. Great selection of great local food. Only problem is that it is not located in town (I'm a townie). Still, it is worth the drive out to get the best food on the island!!

    (5)

  • Aldora K.

    You know the food is good when you see a line forming outside of Tanioka's and a security guard standing outside to make sure everything is good. I love every Ahi poke offered to customers and some side dishes for those who are looking to eat some ume musubi or fishcakes. I always go to Tanioka's whenever I am around the area.

    (5)

  • Jenny K.

    Mmm.. Mmm.. I LOVE mom n' pop shops and hole-in-the-walls...especially when i get to visit them on vacation. tourist traps usually mean you are paying more for location and decor, etc. tanioka's is a grab n' go place. there is no seating area but great food and low prices. the line looked long but it moved quickly. we were the only tourists in line. local favorite -- GREAT SIGN!!! =D they have different kinds of poke and sooo much other food that i didn't get to try since i only have one stomach. staff is friendly and helpful. she was like, "mm...you two are eating all of that?" haha!! spicy poke -- 1/2 lb. after we ate, we thought that we should have had 1/4 lb (same with the next item). it was good but not as spicy as we thought it would be sesame tako -- great flavor of sliced octopus. spam musubi -- we bought two...yum!!! fried chicken with fried rice -- thoroughly enjoyed this dish! love!! they also sell other things.. bought some of those hot/cold lunch bags. these were the cheapest i saw anywhere!! (aloha stadium swapmeet wasn't as cheap as longs drugs/walgreens...but tanioka's were cheaper than any!!) i think i would have bought more stuff if i had time to look around more but the line moved FAST. heheh. hubby was probably happy that he reached the check out so i had to make my final decisions. LOL. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED!!!

    (4)

  • Tiffany Y.

    Yelp 365 Challenge #14/365 When you don't want to cook, who do you call? Tanioka's! This is the second time that I have ordered from them for catering and they always provide ono food and great service. Usually, I will go there if my honey wants poki while I want their Hawaiian plate or ala carte items. However, I was throwing a baby shower for my first grandson who will be born soon! So, I am not just going to cater from any place. I decided to order from Tanioka's. I went with their Hawaiian menu, which consisted of Kalua Pig, Rice, Chicken Long Rice, Lomi Lomi Salmon Fried Chicken, Haupia, and...well, I switched out the Sweet Potato for Lumpia :) Although you can request for delivery, I chose to pick it up at their location. Despite their busyness and crowds, they are quick and efficient. Great food, reasonable prices for catering, and great service from Tanioka's not just once but twice deserves more than five stars. Note: They have pretty casserole bags AND if you are considering fundraising for sports, schools, reunions, etc...they do have fundraising items. Check out their website or pick up a flier when you visit Tanioka's.

    (5)

  • Dane S.

    Best boneless fried chicken evaarrr! It's kind of like safeway chicken but with more flavor and the meat is softer... Really good poke of course and their prices are not backbreaking.. But a little expensive

    (5)

  • Danielle A.

    This is the BEST place to get quick, local, tasty and quality food!!! Their musubi a (even though simple) are always fresh and delicious. Their fried rice is amazing! And let's not even get started on the fresh fish dishes available!! Poke and sashimi are my hubby's favorite and the freshness and quality is unmatched! A definite it's go place on Oahu!!!

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    Tanioka's is the place to be! LInes out the door on the weekends, though, but definitely worth going early and the wait! Musubis of all sorts - spam, fish patty, chicken, shiso furikake, one with red takuan, edamame type and the konbu one. Poke bowls that you can create - with your choice of poke - and always fresh! - and sauce AND rice! Best thing, though, is the fish patty that is craved all the time! Down right the best place for Okazuya, catering and "To go food" on this side of the island! Workers can give lessons to many other places in the area and around this island on people skills. From the teenagers they have working the front, to the managers I've spoken to on the phone when placing orders, it is always a pleasant experience!

    (5)

  • Eileen T.

    I found this place on Yelp and tried it today. The food was so delicious and the service was great. There was a line, but it moved very quickly. My husband and his parents and I had three types of ahi poke, chicken musubi, two types of rice balls, futomaki, and inari for lunch. The lunch spread did not last long! A definite must if you are visiting Oahu and have a car. I will be dreaming about Tanioka's after I return home. :)

    (5)

  • Cara H.

    Tanioka's is worth the price and the line... sooooo good! Their fish patty is about $2, but sooo ono. Doesn't have that fishy taste, it's perfect. Their Cone Sushi is the best, sweet and juicy! I used to go to this place called Omiya's, they had the best cone sushi, but they closed, so Tanioka's is officially the best cone sushi ever! All of their Okazuya and bentos are tasty, but fish patty and cone sushi is a must!

    (5)

  • Aaron W.

    First, I had a fish patty and a salmon patty ($1.95 each). Each were juicy and seasoned well. In fact, the fish patty is a recipe handed down from the owner's mother. The patties are kept at room temperature, cooking them to order and eating a fresh, temperature-hot patty would be the only thing making this one better. The sampler bento ($5.95) has small helpings of minced tako (octopus), tuna, and marlin on a bed of sushi rice. A wonderful choice here to try three of Tanioka's finest offerings. Perfectly cooked sushi rice, on the sweet-tangy side. It is kept chilled on refrigerated shelves. A half-pound of wasabi-miso tako was next ($12.95/lb). A relatively new item at the time of my visit (beginning of December). Chewy tako combines with a creamy wasabi-miso sauce. The bite of the wasabi and the sweetness of the miso are addicting, but I found it to be very rich, preventing me from eating more. My dad thought it was too sweet for his liking, and it's probably one that really should be eaten with a bunch of rice and water (in contrast, I can eat most pokes without starch or liquids). Overall, Tanioka's left a very positive impression!

    (4)

  • sherry a.

    This place lives up to its expectations and then some! Good quality service and food. Today was my last full day in Hawaii and so I had to go to tanioka's for one of my last bucket list checklist. With limited time, Tanioka's was able to fulfill my Hawaii wish list by allowing me to order my poke heaven dishes and open their doors with a big fat smile! Now the poke

    (5)

  • Milani C.

    Where do I begin?! Any local will know this is the place to go for a wide selection of Poke and Okazu. When arriving on a busy day the line spreads out the door along the front of the building. Don't be discouraged, because with the abundance of staff and fast pace environment, the line moves very quickly. Everything here is Ono, Fresh and tasty! The customer service is always up to par, the food never lets me down. They are very consistent in the quality of their food. The only reason I gave 4 stars is for the price. It is not the cheapest or the best deal for this scrumptious treat, but worth the price you pay for sure! Don't forget you can try before you buy! Just ask for a sample. You also can get portions as small as 1/4 lb. so Even if you have low funds, you still are able to get a bite of something. Don't limit yourself to poke. Venture into their delicious fish patties, fried chicken, veggy tempura, various sushi..... Gosh the list is so long I don't know where to end! Life is good in Hawaii ne' especially for us foodies! Poke is an essential part of a local staple food! There is no party without the pupus!!

    (4)

  • Darci N.

    Tanioka's has always been a favorite, known for their awesome seafood selection. My company ordered food platters consisting of mochiko chicken, fried chicken, fish patties and maki sushi. We also ordered pupu platters consisting of sesame tako, spicy ahi, limu ahi poke, sesame ahi poke, and imitation crab poke. We ordered $2000 worth and each tray was made to perfection. They were made on time and ready as promised. The staff was friendly, courteous and highly professional.

    (5)

  • Francesca L.

    I'm in looooove with Tanioka's. Seriously. I loved pulling up to the crazy parking lot and watching people happily scarfing food in their cars. I loved standing in line and pointing and realizing I wanted a little bit of everything they offer. I loved getting home and drooling over every morsel of food. Only thing I didn't love is I can't get it all the time!! :( My friend and I came down on noon Saturday and picked up some grub--limu onion poke, mochiko chicken, char siu pork, and rice. They also threw in some free edamame as a nice surprise when they saw us contemplating over it xD All the food was bomb even at room temperature by the time we got home, didn't even wanna heat it...too freakin good. Just go. Just go and try it. I wish I could be there now.... The poke is amazing, mochiko chicken is on point, char siu is just delicious. i'm hungry :(

    (5)

  • Gene B.

    Never ever I left this place unhappy so I thought I'd bring my in laws here to enjoy some choke poke on Thanksgiving day. Since we don't live here locally, we decided to buy some beer at the next door 7 Eleven and have a poke feast on site. Tanioka's were so nice they allowed us to have a mini Thanksgiving out front. They were also nice enough to give us complementary butter mochi and poke donburi. I really recommend the butter mochi. My mouth is salivating just thinking about it. The poke is also very high quality. The cuts are premium and the poke mix is just perfect. This is Waipahu's best. No doubt! Thank you Tanioka's for treating us so well on Thanksgiving day. We need more businesses just like yours.

    (5)

  • Jeanette G.

    Words cannot express how thankful we are to Tanioka's for catering our wedding. This is a family owned business and they run it beyond well. It is no doubt that food is a hard thing to choose while searching for your day of vendors. We were almost going to go with someone else, but the costs were sky high and that brought us back to reality. Amazingly, our florist recommended them and we are ever so happy that she did. They were so welcoming, generous and professional. They fed us very well at our complimentary tasting and even sent us home with food! We immediately booked them. We loved that we were able to customize everything!! We are still receiving compliments about the food and most of all the service. Many of our guests boasted about how elegant the staff members made the wedding feel. A few items that were brought up were the Lomi Salmon, Kalua Pig, Furikake Ahi Balls and of course, the Okinawan Sweet Potato Haupia Squares. We highly suggest that people give this team a try and at the costs, Wow, it is a steal. We love Tanioka's so much that we are recommending them to everyone, not just for their carry out food, but for weddings because they just took it to the next level.

    (5)

  • Lana H.

    Gotta be kidding me...10:15 am on Saturday and the line is out the door towards the trophy shop! The food is the freshest and tastiest but something has to be modified on loooong lines. Workers are always hustling & bustling but they are helpful and courteous. Sure the prices creep up occasionally, but it's the cost of business here. One big plus is that Tanioka's supports the local small businesses by putting out their own products in the shop. Keep it local!

    (4)

  • Emma Q.

    I come here for the fish patties and fried chicken! Super delicious! There's always a long line, but it just goes to show how good of a business they are and how good their food is! When ever you have a seafood craving, this is the place to go! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Shanisse I.

    I love Tanioka's. Now keep in mind that I'm not a big fan of seafood so when I say that I love Tanioka's, thats saying something. The parking there however is CRAZY during lunch time.... not to mention the line in there as well... I love the selection of fish that they have and they don't only have fish, they have all kinds of food, like an okazuya. The pricing is pretty reasonable and it tastes DELICIOUS!

    (5)

  • Marci H.

    Love, love, love the fried chicken! I think Tanioka's has the best fried chicken on the island!

    (5)

  • Jon M.

    Still freaking delicious. I just got the ahi furikake plate again and it was even better than last time. It was actually heated this time, last time it was cold. So either I got a fresh batch, or they started heating it up. Either way it's even more delicious like this. And the wasabi aoli is still amazing as well.

    (5)

  • Brent W.

    great poke. garlic chicken plate was good mochiko chicken plate was ok, a little bit cold, not that fresh. fast/friendly service.

    (4)

  • Marcus S.

    Truly one of the best places to get poke in Hawaii -- which means it's one of the top places in the world to get poke. Their limu poke, at least to my tastes, has this perfect combination of salt, soy sauce, sesame seed oil and more that gives it a unique, pleasurable flavor that no other pokes I've tried come close to. Their pokes might be a little more expensive than what you find at other markets but it's well worth it. It always goes out quickly when I bring it to the beach, or to parties. Every time I come here, even in the early morning, there's a long line, but the guys working at the counter are working so hard and fast, so it's always moving at a good pace. It seems according to the yelp reviews that even tourists will make the drive out to Waipahu to stop here if they're on the island, which goes to show just how good the poke is here. They serve other foods including local favorites like li hing mui snacks, musubis, and so on, which are good too. No seating here, so just grab your food and head to your favorite spot, and grind!

    (5)

  • Firsty L.

    got one piece garlic chicken and 2 pieces fried chicken. all of the chicken was a little dry. i think they boil it before they fry it. the garlic chicken tasted really good but the fried chicken didnt have any flavor. $2.50/piece

    (3)

  • Chantillie K.

    I love taniokas! I've been here multiple times and for different things. Lunch: I like the "fish balls" (3 fish mixture spheres on a stick). The one thing sad about it is they don't always have it. Salmon patties are good as well as poke selection and ume musubi :) yum! Catering : threw a bridal shower for my friend and had taniokas cater. Staff was professional and friendly when ordering and picking up. Food was great, everyone loved it, especially the roast beef and gravy. They liked it so much the brides family used them to cater for rehearsal dinner. They are also broadening out in things they sell. For example snacks, desserts, and a poke cake. Ordered the poke cake (square "cake" of rice and poke) to bring to a work potluck. Coworkers devoured it. All in all, good place to have cater your event and to just stop in for food and pupus.

    (5)

  • Loren O.

    Taniokas is my Sunday-after-soccer go to spot! The line is normally out the door, but i don't mind the wait. I haven't gone during the week so I'm not sure how their plate lunches are. Sundays they don't have the plate lunch option, it's only whatever they have in the refrigerated sections, poke, some okazu type foods, and their small premade bentos and musubis. I gotta find time to go during the week so I can try their plate lunches! **faves** -spicy ahi don--sooo freaking yummy. Their ahi isn't cubed like most places, it's more like a paste texture (that probably made it sound not appetizing at all :/), but its over a bed of furikake rice which makes it so much easier to eat. i get a perfect amount of spicy ahi and rice in every mouth full :] -musubi's -- i am a spam musubi lover and they definitely have a delish spam musubi! If i feel like changing it up I'll get a mochiko chicken musubi... which is also awesome! -spicy ahi inari sushi -- my 2 favorite sushis in one! it is an inari (cone) sushi with spicy ahi on top! omg. heaven. -li hing pineapple -- they keep it chilling in the refrigerated section so it's super refreshing. Perfect for a light after soccer treat :]

    (5)

  • David B.

    Tanioka's is a Waipahu eatery landmark. The bentos and fried chicken have always tasted the same since I started coming here as a young boy growing up in the area. Prices are very reasonable and the they have something for everybody there. On a recent visit during the Memorial day weekend for a picnic, I picked up spicy ahi inari (3 pieces for $4.99) ohana bento ($6.70) which had fried noodles, mochiko chicken, fish patty and rice. The line stretched out to the door, but it moved very efficiently. The spicy ahi inari meshed together my childhood favorite of inari and go to poke of spicy ahi really well. The spiciness was just right and the ahi was very fresh. As for the bento, they can never do wrong with the fried noodles. The chicken was tender and not oily. The fish patty was moist. Another one of my favorites from there is the shrimp tempura.

    (5)

  • Ericka B.

    "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Living near Tanioka's is definitely a plus. I've been eating their poke since I was a little girl. Every Sunday my mom would take me to go get their awesome musubi's and poke. (Despite the fact 711 was next door) In my opinion their prices are right for their quality of food. Everything I've bought here never fails! I look forward to their monthly plate lunch specials! It changes every month, and my favorite has got to be their shoyu chicken, on point!!! Come early though, they sell out of stuff fast!

    (5)

  • Tyler I.

    Taniokas has been a part of my family for as long as I can remember. They are a staple at every one of our family parties and holiday celebrations. We love the taste and quality that Tanioka consistently provides. They have a great poke and bento selection.

    (4)

  • Lndn O.

    Their poke platter is good enough to convince the new locals that Tamuras is NOT the only shop that serve good poke.

    (4)

  • Samantha L.

    The line can get long, but don't worry, it goes by fast! We visited Tanioka's because my friends (from Oahu) told us that this was THE place to go for poke. My boyfriend and I shared: 1/4 pound of garlic ahi poke: yum. This was probably our favorite. Very flavorful/garlicy and the fish was just fresh. 1/4 pound of spicy ahi poke: a well-done classic. 1/4 pound of ahi/limu poke: we asked for a recommendation and the guy behind the counter suggested this. The limu adds a crunch, unlike anything I've ever had before. My boyfriend really enjoyed this one too. Fishcake musubi: We had several spam musubis throughout the trip and decided to try out something different. It was simple, yet very tasty. Crabcake: decent, but not as great as the other items, which really stood out. The total for all of this was a just $17.25, not too bad at all. The service was quick and friendly. Plus, they don't skimp at all. We ordered 1/4 pounds, but they often filled it up to a third of a pound and charged us only for what we ordered. They have so many items here, both hot and cold. I think that anyone could find something that they like. Notes: -Our Hawaiian Airline dried fruit snack (on flight) was from here! -Take-out only, no tables here.

    (5)

  • Chris A.

    On a relaxing President's day weekend, me and my girlfriend decided to stop by Tanioka's in Waipahu to satisfy an intense poke craving. We have heard of this location on numerous occasions, but never really had the chance to see what the fuss was about. As we entered through the doors, there were many indistinct conversations taking place--from the workers trying take down the orders to customers talking amongst themselves. It was so busy that all one could really do was follow the crowd. Somehow, we found ourselves standing in line looking at all the food options available; we were just surrounded by food! After grabbing a spicy ahi bento and fast approaching the poke area, one of the many workers asked what we wanted. It was a good thing that we looked at the menu online because we already decided what to order. Tanioka's had some different varieties of poke and one version that particularly stood out was the alae poke. The worker explained to us that alae is Hawaiian red salt made from red clay, and was different than the typical sesame oil and shoyu flavor. Her description was convincing enough that we ordered a half pound of it. Saying alae correctly was a difficult task though ("ala-ee"? "a-lay"?). The worker also helped us to get our orders of onion limu poke and fish patties. Before we knew it, our orders were being rung up at the cash register. There wasn't a seating area outside of Tanioka's so we took a small drive and found an area to blast Hawaiian music and enjoy our local grinds. The alae poke was very different in flavor than the usual Hawaiian style or shoyu poke. The Hawaiian red salt added a delicate flavor less salty than table salt, and a crunchy texture to the poke itself. This is a definite must-try at Tanioka's. And of course we had to stick with the local favorites and get a half pound of onion limu poke. We were very pleased that Tanioka's version wasn't overly seasoned. It was nice to be able to eat poke straight out of the container without having to gulp water or pair it with white or brown rice. Even after devouring over three quarters of a pound of poke, we still couldn't believe how fresh it was! The spicy ahi bento wasn't very spicy, but they were quite generous in their portion size and still delicious. We really liked how they tried to be authentic and served the ahi on sushi rice (rice vinegar and rice). There were also shredded pieces of nori (seaweed), and fresh green onion to compliment both the rice and the ahi. Lastly, we shared three pieces of ahi/aku fish patties. Each patty was at least the size of an open palm and was surprisingly moist in texture. It seemed like a really simple dish made of fish and more fish that was packed into a small round cake, and pan fried for a nice brown crust. In general, their food demonstrated that they still care about quality and freshness in their foods ever since they first opened in 1978. We are definitely going back there again.

    (4)

  • Sonia W.

    I know everyone loves this place. While the fish was very fresh I found the poke too salty. I've had a lot of poke and none that I have ever bought had so much salt. You definitely need to eat it with rice.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    no place to eat inside. lots of poke selections as well as miscaellaneous snacks such as musubis, tempura, bentos, andagi, sherberts etc. may be hard to find parking. there is a greater selection of poke and while delicious I don't think the cost is justified. costs ~$15/lb which is a bit more than at supermarkets such as foodland.

    (3)

  • Kaori T.

    I have NEVER tasted Poke so good... There is a huge selection of different blends of poke to choose from. More than just Ahi, they have Salmon poke as well. The spiciest poke wasn't spicy enough for me, so they gladly went in and added more kick into my batch. And I'd gladly pay the price for such an oozing amount of poke. It was AMAZING. If only they delivered in an ice-box to CA... Other than their epic Poke, they carry other Asian-Hawaiian picnic like treats. Tsukemono, Wakame salad, Musubi, Onigiri, Fried Chicken. It's a one stop quick stop delight just before heading to the beach or, just if you feel the need to let some tuna melt in your mouth... Mmm Mmm MMMmmm!

    (5)

  • Queena T.

    Best. tuna. poke. i've. ever. had. I visited Oahu for the first time a month ago and first thing I had when I got off the plane was this delicious mouthwatering poke that my bf delivered right to the airport when he came to pick me up. it was super simple - garnished with only green onions, regular onions, sesame seeds and some type of light soy sauce but it was, and this is an understatement, so good. apparently you order by the pound and it felt like i inhaled a quarter pound just in one sitting. i can't wait to go back and try their other types of poke!

    (5)

  • Kasey J.

    I've tried to stay away from Tanioka's for many reasons. The long lines make me aggro. It can be expensive and I typically try to stay away from fried food. I indulged my brother's request to grab lunch from there during the Saturday lunch rush no less. I was prepared for the long line so I didn't get aggro. It was my mom's treat so I was okay with the prices. Thanks mom! I told myself I'll just get a salmon patty. But wait! There was a little sign indicating a new item.....Hot Dog Andagi. WTF! I had to try it. At 85 cents I couldn't pass it up. I bit into it and was immediately in fried heaven. The batter is golden brown, not extremely dense, light and on the sweet side. I devoured the whole thing in two bites which is easy to do because its only half a hot dog. I debated on telling my hubby about it or not because I did not save any or get one for him. I told him anyways because he just needed to know how bomb it was. I made a pit stop there yesterday and got my hubby a few so he was happy and agreed with how good it was. Good enough to endure the long lines, prices and what it does to my diet.

    (5)

  • Nani L.

    Tanioka's Thanksgiving ready-to-eat Package was a hit! Beginning with the ordering process 2 weeks out, I chose the earliest pickup time of 8 am and I paid in full over the phone. Thanksgiving morning, Tanioka's did not disappoint. They had everyone hard at work inside and outside the store. I got my order, took it home and unveiled the most pleasing early-morning TG dinner to my fam. Everything was cooked to perfection. Tender turkey and ham was seasoned just right, gravy, garlic mash was not salty at all. The stuffing was light, cranberry sauce flavorful, and (drum roll), the pumpkin crunch squares -- ahh... heaven! I also order limu poke and cone sushi. Ono stuff!!! Thank you Tanioka's! You guys did an awesome job! If you do this again next year, I'll be one of the first to order!

    (5)

  • Hydra H.

    Grew up a few blocks away from here.. So lucky! The best local snacks and food all in one place! I love to get the onion ahi poke with a few musubis. The bentos are really good too. It's hard to go wrong with anything here. Now I live in town and stopping by here is rare treat. Sometimes there's a long line, but its worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Dee L.

    I'm a sweet snob & an even bigger seafood snob. Last time I was super impressed with seafood was with my German friend who cooked Indian fish curry & I virtually licked the plate clean. Well, I'm pleasantly surprised with Tanioka. It's definitely an awesome find! I LOVE the variety of food here & with my eyes bigger than my stomach? Of course ended up trying a ton of things! Fresh poke's; ok.. seafood snob: if they smell/taste anything but fresh, I wouldn't touch them with a stick; but all they have here is good stuff all around: spicy ahi, hot alae, spicy marlin w/ tobiko & salmon. Wow! Their fishcakes are yum & you could never go wrong with croquette & musubi. Their hot food? For a seafood place, they're not too shabby. I had kalua pork, roast beef & fried chicken. Good stuff. No, I didn't pick any sweet desert, BUT their pineapple w/ li hing-mui was DEElicious! Sweet, sour, with a little kick - SO refreshing! The only downside is the line. It's always super crowded in here. But with food this good, no wonder they're always busy! This is definitely one of my favorites on the island.

    (5)

  • Ram K.

    Good parking today. And no line! Even if there was it moves along fast, lots of servers. Picked up some cone sushi (da best), dried poke, spicy ahi on rice, seaweed, ahi w/onion and limu poke. Everything awesome as usual.

    (5)

  • Alt K.

    We pulled up to a scary looking line which ran way past the front door, but these folks are so organized that it went quickly. Outstanding line management because once in the store you actually feel like you NEED the time to decide on the many food options that come your way: desserts, crack seeds, sushi, drinks... all this to choose from before getting to the front and selecting from the mains: poke bowls, poke, various musubi, fried foods, etc. Strickly take out, no tables, but service is friendly and fast! A GREAT selection at a fair price. Not the best poke (sub-par cuts of fish for $18.50 a lb), but what they do have is flavored well. We loved the different musubi and fried food options!

    (4)

  • Dana K.

    I used Tanioka's as the caterer for my wedding. I was looking to save money on my catering, but still offer great food. I chose to do a hawaiian style buffet. I opted out of their fancy wedding option and just ordered a regular buffet of their hawaiian style foods. We had Kalua Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Chicken Long Rice, Lomi Salmon, Haupia, Rice, and Steamed Sweet Potato. The Kalua Pork was exceptionally great, and the teriyaki chicken had a great teriyaki taste. We had a lot of chicken long rice and lomi salmon left over, but I think it's because we had so many out of town guests. :) The office staff was extremely helpful. They understood my cost limitations and helped me build a great buffet within my budget. I added an attendant so we would have someone to refill the buffet as items ran out. The attendant was friendly to all of my guests and professional. Tanioka's showed up on time with delicious food and were professional. Great service, great value, and ono grinds! I haven't actually been in to Tanioka's yet, but I definitely want to go!

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    They make the freshest and tastiest poke in Hawaii. Taniokas is one of the few companies that sends their fish buyer directly to the Honolulu fish auction to procure the finest ahi directly from the fisherman. Their ahi limu poke is unmatched, surpassing all of the other well known poke markets. Be advised that most places such as Foodland, Don Quiote serve frozen yellow fin tuna, which is treated with Carbon monoxide (yuck!) They also have the best boneless fried chicken, and awesome plate lunches (week days only).

    (5)

  • Shannale K.

    Always got what I want. Always good and satisfies my poke and seafood craving!

    (5)

  • Yvette J.

    Ono local foods, bentos, poke, etc..they also do catering for any event any size, and they deliver!

    (5)

  • Chyanne O.

    Love this place I wish there was one in town! I am not fond of spam musubis but theirs is something else. I think it's because the sauce is deeply cooked into the spam and into the rice. I like their bentos too, with garlic chicken and the fish patty. Their fish patty is delicious!! Get there early because things will run out quickly!

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    Fresh poke and good food! always a line but that's because people know it's worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Michelle And Bernard S.

    I give Taniokas 5 stars for food variety, taste, freshness, and customer service. The wait is always long since its such a popular place, and their prices are high. Be prepared to spend when you walk through their doors. I've never left their spending under $20. There fish patties rock, poke is oh so fresh, and i really enjoy their sushi, nice and huicy cone sushi! When you walk in everything looks good. And believe me the better it looks the better it tastes. Get their when the doors open or you'll be waiting in line outside the shop.

    (5)

  • Ihz O.

    Taniokas is nearly ineffable, but I will try my best to describe my experience. It was my first time inside the place and the service was so fast and the line behind me was so long that I didn't have time to experience it in it's entirety. The $2.25 fish musubi is indescribable, period. The hospitality was indescribable as well. Both in a good way. As far as the parking is concerned, it's tough but it's just part of the location, so stop whining because you will be rewarded with some ineffable food. *Updated* I wanted to say that the workers were in no way trying to get me out the door or hurrying me up because of the line. I was the one trying to get out fast because when I looked over my shoulder there were about 8 people behind me giving me "some looks". Tip: Know before you go: your first, second, or third choice. If you're a newbie, and you get caught in a line. It's like speed dating, 10 fold, but the experience is crazy awe beautiful.

    (4)

  • Geoff Y.

    Taniokas catered our party on 12/23/12. Poke was great, with the garlic poke being the unanimous favorite of the guests. For the main dishes, the shoyu pork was the crowd favorite, with the mochiko chicken coming in a close second. Best part of the experience was their customer service. They helped us to create a balanced menu and have the perfect amount of food for our 145 guests. Also, the delivery guy spent the time to help us figure out the best way to setup our food. Bottom line, if you need a catering, check out Taniokas.

    (5)

  • Doraemon C.

    Great poke, lots of variety and fresh. Good service also. A must stop for us every time we are in Waipahu.

    (5)

  • Ax C.

    Did the snacks for a work farewell. Decent enough. No wow factor.

    (2)

  • Travis M.

    Hands down the best poke on the island. Main reason is because it's consistently fresh. The other foods are good too, but the poke is what I mainly come here for, that and of course one bag of poi.

    (5)

  • Misty P.

    I love this place! I only come here once a year when I have to go to my annual training in Waipahu and this is my go to for lunch. Their poke and Hawaiian plate lunches are tasty and fresh. I love their okazuya style menu, and their fish patties are the bomb! I also recommend their fried chicken, noodles and various different rice balls and musubis. On rare occasion they make a tasty soft butter mochi which I'll grab for dessert. Can't go wrong with this place. It's a little pricey, but fresh, tasty and fast. Lines may get long and parking might be tough to get during lunch hour. I recommend going during early lunch hours 10-11 or after the lunch crowd, 1-4pm.

    (5)

  • a H.

    Wasn't too hard to find since we were staying at the Aulani resort. It's basically a market but the poke there is legit. They had many variations and were all very fresh. If you're in the mood for poke go there.

    (5)

  • Michiko H.

    Last semester after classes at LCC I would always grab lunch here! Everything is so Onolicious its ridiculous! I'm a huge fan for their beef stew and pork chop plate lunches. Lets not forget one of the best places for Poke and catering! Every event that's been held at my work has been catered by Taniokas cause their that awesome. Only thing is when it comes to PARKING it can get crowded during lunch time but the line goes really fast so people are always cycling out.

    (5)

  • Eric H.

    Before I tried Tanioka's about 5 years ago, I was satisfied with the poke and other seafood offerings of the large supermarkets in the area. Since meeting Tanioka's, I am ruined for anyplace else including their main competition. They have the best ahi and tako poke on the island. The spicy ahi and tako poke over rice are a must try. Add a little namasu, onion limu and a fish patty or two and you have a proper meal. They have very good Spam musubi too, second only to Coral Creek GC in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Brandon T.

    Looking for good poke? Look no further. This is one of my favorite stops on Oahu. There's a line out the door at all times (it moves fast), but there's good reason for it. They have an awesome selection of cooked foods as well. The service is outstanding....we met the owner Mel and Justin and they treated us like we've been friends for years. Go get your poke fix now!

    (5)

  • Jody S.

    Love love LOVE Tanioka's! It's definitely the perfect place to cater for your family party...and the customer service ROCKS! We needed to order food for my daughter's birthday party and they were able to customize their "standard" menu options (we took the Asian menu and removed the rice, sushi and utensils). They recalculated the order and saved us monies as we didn't need those items since we were doing a "themed" party and already had the napkins, plates, and utensils to go with the theme. My hubby was able to pick up the order at the side cash register and he was back in less than 15 minutes. It was perfect! The food was hot, yummy and basically wiped out with our guests. The potato-mac salad was gone (we should've ordered more of this!). We had left over teri meat, mahi mahi, mochiko chicken and a small bowl of noodles. This we had for leftovers for dinner and it wiped out again. It's funny how sometimes you don't want to eat leftovers the "same" day but with Tanioka's no one complains. They eat with a smile on their face and they eat it all! :) Thanks Tanioka's for ALWAYS being a hit for our family parties--next party is coming up in October and guess where we are ordering from again?!

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Got there right around lunch time on Monday, so it was busy. I did not realize that there was no place to sit and eat, so we when to the soccer fields and ate in the car. I hate eating in cars. Anyways, the kalua pork and lau lau lunches tasted just like they got it got of the frozen tub like we make it at home; not impressed. The spam musubi was ok. The crab cakes tasted great though they were imitation crab meat. All in all, I was not impressed.

    (3)

  • Kimberly S.

    Lines are always long on the weekend & parking can suck, but it's worth it every time! Best place on the island for fish/spam musubis. I'm so ADDICTED to their onion limu poke (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). Their green river & lilikoi juices are made with Maui cane sugar, & they taste like heaven omg. Workers are always quick & friendly. Whenever I'm back on the island, I'm here at least three times a week :) Definitely taking my future kids & grandkids here hehe

    (5)

  • Riki T.

    Growing up eating Tanioka's this place has just ruined all other poke for me. I have yet to try poke from anywhere in Oahu as good as Tanioka's. The line gets pretty crazy especially on holidays and game days, but the line goes pretty quickly so don't get discouraged (even if its out the door, just hold on, its worth it I swear!) Absolute must-haves when I make the trip to Tanioka's are: - Poke (but of course! Shoyu Onion is my fave, but only because I don't like limu. Anything ahi is good, but try the dried aku one too!) - Fried Chicken (I don't know if most people know, but their fried chicken is GREAT. Well seasoned and delectably crispy) - Salmon/Fish patties (either one are good, and also great in the musubi version) Fresh fish being the price it is these days, Tanioka's isn't always the cheapest option, but so worth treating yourself to!

    (5)

  • Dustin W.

    Great variation of poke, smaller cut pieces melt in your mouth with great flavor, the pipikaula is kinda tough but very flavorful. If you want bigger chunks go foodland, but if you want fresh go taniokas

    (5)

  • Dawn L.

    My faaaaaaaaaaaavorite fried chicken. Fried to perfection and it's BONELESS!!!! The wise aunties and uncles and Tanioka's managed to find chickens with no bones! =) We also love their little spicy ahi bentos, musubi, cone sushi, and the fish patties are the B-O-M-B. And I love that even on the days that I get there and sadly, there is a line all the way to the front door, those fantastic people have worked it out like a science so they move that line quickly. I'm in and out in 10 minutes or less. If I was ordering a plate lunch, I'd have to wait that long for them to cook it anyway, right? Tanioka's is like a party in my mouth. They never disappoint.

    (4)

  • Eva C.

    Poke is so fresh and delicious! Their plates are a little expensive but when it so delicious, its worth the price. Love that I work in Waipahu and can stop by easily to fulfill my poke needs.

    (5)

  • Dave F.

    It can be a madhouse in here during certain times!! The mad rush, the sea of people, it's all part of the experience here. The anxiety, the thought of not getting your hands on that last tray of spicy ahi rice, the last ahi patty, that's enough to make a grown man lose it!!! :) But it's all good, I love coming here and trying to decide what my taste buds want this day. I remember when Tanioka's first opened up, by the old GEMS in Waipahu, they have grown over the years and grown they have!!! They still deliver great tasting delicacies, those that we've come to love over the years. It can be a bit pricey though, come with your wallet full, although when you come here, the old adage "you get what you pay for" takes on it's truest meaning!!

    (4)

  • Francis C.

    Their poke selection is out of this world! Get a spam musubi to balance the palate and you're set!

    (4)

  • Jonathan Y.

    We did catering from here for two of our parties and we were quite surprised. 1. The price was really reasonable. 2. Food was great! We went with the chicken, rice, sushi, fish patties and mini poi andagi. The fish patties are ONO! Also, the andagi was way better than Ige's!!! My family will be catering from here for all our special occasions! Side note: this is the only place to find aku bone, unless you wanna go fishing in Kohala on the Big Island for it. The price is pretty good. $5.95/lb.

    (5)

  • Inthira M.

    With all the food possibilities right in town I never thought I would need to go out to the west side of Oahu for food.... until I ate at Tanioka's. I thought that Tanioka's only had seafood like poke, but they have a lot of other things to choose from too. Quite frankly, this place gives a lot of the okazuya places in town a run for their money. I walked in at about 11:40am and there was already a line (the guy that came with us said that this was a pretty short line compared to what they're used to at that time). Because I was only expecting to find poke I immediately got giddy when I saw that they had fried chicken, shrimp tempura, soba, assorted musubi's, pre-made bentos, etc or they even have plate lunches that you can choose from. When it was my time to order I got a deep fried corn beef hash, seafood tempura, fried chicken, and a veggie musubi. I could not wait to dig in!! Out of everything I got by far the best thing was the seafood tempura. That thing was so good it won't have you missing tempura sauce. The deep fried corn beef hash and the veggie musubi were also good and I like the fact that they had over 8 different types of musubi's to choose from. The fried chicken was boneless, which I liked, but didn't taste as good as everyone was said it would be. There was so much to choose from and trust me, I would have tried one of everything (yes, I'm a pig and I'm not scared to say it), but I had to restrain myself since I was going back to work and didn't want to be found at my desk in a food coma. But I will be back shortly and when I do, get ready to roll me out of there!

    (4)

  • L T.

    Tanioka's saved our wedding. We had a different caterer at first, but had to make a switch just three days before the wedding!!! *freak out* We visited Tanioka's in Waipahu and was immediately put at ease by the line of people that wrapped around the room and the delicious smell that filled the air; I knew the food had to be tasty and fresh. Justin Tanioka was very personable and easy to work with. He helped us pick out dishes for our reception, and then filled in all the blanks as far as service and dishware. Justin and his team not only came through for us in a BIG way, but the food was absolutely delicious and the service was gracious. Everyone was raving about the poke, kalua pig, and sweet potato haupia squares that night, and for weeks afterward. I really can't thank Justin and his team enough for helping us out in a pinch. They did an amazing job - definitely deserving of five stars.

    (5)

  • L. Y.

    Limu ahi and alae poke. Ono!!!!

    (4)

  • Lina O.

    we went here after a morning hike and got here around 3PM and the line was almost to the door. by the time we got to the end of the counter, our orders were taken and by the time we reached the register, all of our food was ready. we were in and out of there pretty quickly and a lot faster than i had expected. tanioka's is located in a small strip mall that seems quite busy. you might have to wait to find parking or have someone run in to get your food. i ordered the kalua plate which came with lomi and haupia. the bf ordered fried ahi and fried chicken plate i think. the chicken was good but i could go without the ahi. the kalua was good but not as juicy as i would like. the lomi was good though, probably the most flavorful that i had on the trip. the haupia was good. we also got a side of ahi limu poke. the poke was soo good. good plate lunches and good poke. fast service. to go only.

    (4)

  • Arin C.

    Profoundly awesome food! just spent $40 over here today because I really wanted to have the full experience. Brought the kids along too. We tried the the floats: mango and strawberry. Phenomenal! My kids were grinding on some musubis and cone sushi, all the while exclaiming things like: "We have to come back here!", "I'm bringing my kids here when I get older!", "om nom, SO, nom, GOOOOD!" while I taste tested: Shrimp Tempura Seafood omelette Mochiko chicken Spicy Ahi PO-K ... NOT poky :) Crab Cake Everytime I took a bite I was blown away and taken to a new level, fried goodies and poke have never tasted some uniquely awesome.

    (5)

  • Mili-Lani D.

    I ate at Tanioka's about 1-1/2 years ago - lau lau, which was small like a child's fistful of luau leaves and meat and was soooo ono. Went on 5/2/13 and ordered for me and my mom. Cost was $4.50 (.50 more than last time no big deal). This time it was much bigger like an adult's fist size, but the taste wasn't that good. Tasted like Keoki's which they also sell in the chill box. Was that Keoki's I ate???? Even my mom was not very happy with her laulau and she generally likes almost anything (unlike me which you can tell by my reviews) and she was sooooo disappointed after I told her how good it was. They sure made a liar out of me. For the price I paid, I rather have bought Keoki's on sale at a supermarket. It was just blah. Next I ordered corn beef patties - wow very corn beefy! Most places are mostly potatoes but this had nice veins of corn beef. But....but and there is a BUT, the outside coating was made with - of all things!!! --- CINNAMON!! Cinnamon coated corn beef patties. WTF WTF WTF ! ! ! I kept tasting it to make sure since I've never ever had such a thing, but there it is, a strong taste of Cinnamon. I wondered if they thought they were making malasadas?? Did it get cross contaminated with a pastry??? I love cinnamon but in the right place. In fact I am crazy about Cinnamon, but NOT IN MY corn beef patty, nor any meat dish that I can think of. Really. I also ordered fried rice, one scoop for $1.50. Not worth it, it's really ONE PRECISE scoop. Unless you like a size 0 and weigh about 90 lbs, one scoop is not very filling. Nor was it anything special. I like a chop suey's house one that is oily and really wok'd up. Now I know it's a good place - this was like 10 a.m. and there was a huge line already. Lunch time expect a good 20 minute line wait. I didn't get the poke as I'm not into that. Their plate lunch looks good, but it ain't the weight. I rather go to Kristen's up the road for better food and prices. Guess I won't be going back there again. Poke on

    (3)

  • Kumu D K.

    Born, raised and spent forty years on O'ahu's EASTside - I know where other towns on the island are, I just don't know the best places within those towns. Why would I need to know that? I take what I want with me when I travel around the island. My son lives in Ewa - I watch his puppy when ever there is a UH home game (he and his friends have season tickets) - the puppy is worse than a human grand child - fragile, needy - can't be left alone. So, I was on my way to his house on Saturday, 11-19 around 10a and asked him if he needed me to pick up anything for him along the way. "Yea, mom, can you go to Tanioka's in Waipahu and get me a dozen glazed poi andagi." HUH? Did he just say glazed, as in donuts from some european bakery - with the word POI - as in native starch food of Hawaii and andagi - isn't that an okinawan dessert? I was so confused. I asked him which exit I should take as I was driving past the stadium at the time - and to give me the general directions. He said take the first Waipahu exit - the one that goes along side the mililani-wahiawa exit and after I pass the high school (I assumed Waipahu) it would be on my left ... "Its a fish market mom!" was his words for how to find it on the left. I saw a few cars in front of me making a left into a strip mall type area with a 7-11, then I saw the sign - Tanioka's with a fish. I noticed so many people attempting to find parking - and I got lucky - two cars were leaving and one was right in front of me. I was pleasantly surprised wtih the security guard/doorman - he opened the door for everyone! Then I walked in and OH MY! It was packed (IMHO) ... What I really liked was that there was stanchions - you got right into a line that snaked the entire store - goodies against the wall as well as on tables in the middle of the place. I was overwhelmed and was happy to have my son's text message so I would know what to order - the poke showcase was unbelieveable and I realized really quick that most people were there to get poke! I got to the front the the case and they asked me if I wanted poek - I said no and waited to see when I would be asked what I did want. A young lady came around next and asked if I knew what I wanted and I said, "Well, my son asked me to get him this - and I showed her my text." She was pleasant and reminded me that the test stated "anything else good" at the end - and if I knew what I wanted, I said, "its my first time here, so I'm not sure" ... the GASP from the people in front and behind me was OBVIOUS .. what?? the lady in front of me asked? I said, I never had a reason to be here - I live on the Windward side, but my son moved out to Ewa and asked me to stop here for him. The lady (around my age) started giving me hints about how great the sushi was - she was buying seven rolls. She told me I showed up at a a good time, I was early - and in an hour, there would be a line out the door. Huh?? really - this place was that good? I looked in the case after the poke and ordered myself a piece of mochiko chicken, a musubi that looked like fried rice ... it had soy beans and small bits of chicken and furikaki in it and it was soooo deeelicious! When I got to my son's house, I was sharing with him my experience with being "gasped at" and how he didn't realize that I hadn't been there - but he remembers feeling the same way when he first went there a year or so ago. Then he said, mom - try the stuff I ordered. and so I did - a glazed poi andagi ... wow - now I know what all the fuss is about. I want more -and as an early riser .. knowing that there will be upcoming UH home games ... I know where to stop on my way to Ewa!

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    Utilized Tanioka's for catering services at our estate wedding on June 15, 2013. My wife, then fiance, mostly communicated with tanioka's and could not stop talking about how helpful, good at getting back to you, and very very nice they were over the phone. Their prices were the one of the cheapest and best bang for your buck for catering services especially because my wife and I are budget shoppers. There were so many extra things included in addition to the food that we just could not believe and I had to join yelp and tell everyone. On that day, they were on time and all of their food including pupus never disappointed us or our guests. We were worried about running out if we gave them a count of our actual guests. We did order for 2% more people, but there was more than enough food for everyone including our vendors. Tanioka's knows their stuff when it comes to food, catering, and accommodating the wedding party requests. They will work with you to cut costs while still providing great food and service. I would definitely give them a call for our next big catering event and recommend them to others looking for a caterer especially because one of the big parts of any wedding is the food.

    (5)

  • Tevita A.

    Ooh the nostalgia that always brings me back to Tanioka's. Since October of last year my new tradition has been to stop there every Friday before music class to pick up Spicey Ahi on Rice, Crab Maki, Fish and Tofu patties as well. The prices are very fair but the only thing I must complain about is the long lines. The long lines are a sign of great product so really can't complain too much. I think maybe they should make more lines for people to check out and help the customers. I will always love going there; always will!

    (4)

  • Lan N.

    Crazy line out to the door! Our interest was piqued, and we weren't leaving without our yelp highlights: mochiko and garlic chicken, crunchy garlic ahi and spicy ahi with sushi rice bowls, and the fish cake. I searched for the spicy ahi cones, but couldn't find anything that looked like a cone. There was the inari, and I figured that was what everybody raves about, but decided against buying any, since it's not my thing. Seriously, everything that we ate was good...haha, esp the fried stuff. I had the mochiko chicken from Mamaya in Shirokiya, and this to me was a lot better. It still had some skin on it! The poke was decent, too, though i don't know why they call the garlic one crunchy, b/c I sure didn't get any crunch. I wouldn't go out of my way for the poke here, but as for the fried chickens, definitely! O, and I really like how the sushi rice went with the poke. Since it had a flavor of it's own and very substantial texture, I didn't eat as much of it with the fish as I normally do. I also ordered sushi rice with the fried stuff, and didn't feel that it was as compatible.

    (4)

  • Janet K.

    I'm not gonna lie... I do drive my townie butt all the way to Waipahu for some fish patties, poke and assorted musubis. This place is like an okazuya with more emphasis on local kine grinds. I'm a big fan of okazuyas. I love variety!!! My bf loves the cone sushi. He claims it's the best! They have this sweet potato haupia crunch dessert in the fridge that's to die for. Service is efficient (although there seems to be way more bodies than needed on the staff side). I guess the more the merrier as long as they're doing a great job controlling the line that's going out the door (which they do). Get there early because they do run out of food.

    (5)

  • Brian F.

    Ok, while I am a fan and have been since forever, I've come to the conclusion that Tanioka's is no longer a good value. Prices have shot up in the last few years. They probably serve the smallest poke bowl I've ever seen and they've changed the size of the cone sushi to smaller size while continuing to charge the same.

    (4)

  • Jeremy Z.

    Great variety of foods to choose from. Known for their seafood and poke. For me, i LOVE their fried chicken and poke. They are pricey but if you have the money, then why not eh? Their plate lunches are bomb. Comes with a free 32 oz. fountain drink. The place can be SUPER packed when lunch time is approaching due to the size of the store but the line goes by fast so I ain't complainin'. I'll always come back here, no doubt

    (5)

  • Leon L.

    I've been on the island for a short time but this place has some really good poke. It's always fresh and the fish melts in your mouth like butter. They also have plate lunches and a la cart items. Service is always quick and easy. You pick your items, pay for it and you're out the door. It's a take out place. i think the prices reflect the market price of the fish, i've notice raising prices in several markets.

    (5)

  • Al L.

    me and my gf love tanioka's, ono food, always an option since its near where i live, longs are line but worth the wait always get the spicy ahi and their garlic chicken is bomb, a must have for my week ends off

    (4)

  • Joanna B.

    POKE POKE POKE.... this place is packed with all sorts of food! i wanted to try everything but had to make sure i didnt get too much to keep my sexy bod. onion limu poke- if you enjoy stank onion breath then this is for you! the white onions in the poke is strong but i loved every bit of it. tako poke- mmm...chewy goodness. awesome sesame flavor. fried chicken- im so sad i didnt get more. crunchy and not greasy. PERFECT! mochicko chicken/mochiko chicken masubi- i enjoyed the mochiko masubi better than the mochiko chick just by itself. (i bought 6 and ate some on the plane ride back home) all in all, this place is a spot to check out. best poke i have ever had. p.s. dont forget to pick up one of their cute reuseable bags!

    (5)

  • Robert R.

    Since they didn't have pre-made mini bentos, I tried to make my own at the counter. Must have been an off day. I told the clerk what items I wanted and had to repeat myself 4 times. Needless to say, I walked out disappointed and hungry...

    (2)

  • Grant S.

    So I go to Tanioka's a couple of times a week just for the poke and spicy marlin. But I only get for myself cuz its too good to share.haha Being from Waipio, Tanioka's is just around the bend and its sooooo good. Its in a busy little plaza but its worth the drive. The best thing to get is the poke. All kinds, all of them are good, all fresh and consistent. The fish patties are soooo good too. Its always clean inside and the workers are all friendly. Theres always a line so you know this place is da bomb.

    (5)

  • Caleb K.

    Really good Poke! Probably the best on Island or Hawaii! Oh yeah the fried chicken is also a personal favorite!

    (5)

  • Shuji K.

    Crowded at 2pm...but they have efficient system there and we didn't wait long. Bought a half block of ahi for about nine dollars, and took it home for sashimi. The taste was very fresh. The sesame take was good...like my dad said, "not too chewy and salty, but just right, yea"

    (4)

  • Gary P.

    So this review will be the beginning to what I hope to be a long list of primal/paleo reviews to go along with my newish lifestyle. I may not be the strictest when it comes to paleo but I keep it within reason. So here it goes. Today I stopped by here for the poke. I know shoyu has gluten but 99% of poke is pretty lean protein so I definitely include that in my paleo diet. I had the Korean tako and limu onion ahi and damn were they good. The ahi was much better and fresher than anything I've had anywhere else on island including Alicia's. The tako was also full if flavor and tasted great. I'm definitely hitting this place up whenever I'm ewa. They also have a couple other things that could be eaten paleo and by a couple I mean two because everything else either comes with rice or is fried. They have Hawaiian plate so you could get Kailua pig and poi. Sashimi looked pretty fresh as well. With a name that includes seafood you sure as hell better have good seafood and this place comes through with the Ono poke.

    (4)

  • Joe W.

    I had never wept over food until I went to Tanioka's. True story. I was having a bad day and my girlfriend decided to take me to Taniokas. I had the spicy ahi on rice and the ahi patty. Usually I greedily scarf down the spicy ahi and leave some rice to eat with the ahi patty... that's my "technique." But anyway, with ahi patty half way lodged in my mouth, I turned to my girlfriend and started laughing uncontrollably until tears came to my eyes. All I could mumble through the ahi patty was "it's sooo good!" I just wish it wasn't $2/patty, jeeez. Food- 5 Stars Value - 2 Stars

    (5)

  • Nam N.

    I'll keep this one short and sweet. We needed goodies for a day-long beach adventure where the gang was going to take my neices out to surf for the first time at Barber's Beach. The bf's cousin suggested Tanioka's for quality poke....and y'all already know how we love us some poke!!! Saturday morning, the line was pouring out the door with locals--GOOD SIGN! Tanioka's had all kinds of island goodies including poke, musubis, snackies, homemade icecream, bento boxes, and a ton of maki rolls. Overall, super tasty but the poke was on average twice as much as the one you can pick up at Foodland with little flavor difference. Still, a very fun spot to pick up local goodies!!! Btw...surfing lessons were a success!!!

    (4)

  • Arlene A.

    Tanioka's is Waipahu's landmark. Whenever you have a conversation with someone who isn't familiar with Waipahu, once you mention Tanioka's all of a sudden they know their bearings. Parking can be limited at times but with people popping in and out, it's never too long before a stall becomes available. Although there is always a long line, it moves rather fast. I've stood in line out the door during the holidays and UH game days. It's cool though, because they have people monitoring the lines and offering samples. There are tons of employees to help you and set you up with everything you need. Their system of helping people is pretty efficient considering there's the load of employees trying to get through the never ending line of customers. Tanioka's has the most freshest fish and food. A few of my faves is the garlic chicken, salmon patty and spicy ahi. My graduation party was catered from Tanioka's and everyone loved it. Also, whenever we go to UH football games, it's our go-to spot to pick up some tailgating goods. I love Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Brandee N.

    I love taniokas. Kinda pricey....and I don't like their rice... But everything else I love. Fish patties are the bomb!

    (4)

  • Aileen S.

    the line is intimidating but totally worth the wait. i love how the staff is always smiling and helpful even though its always busy and jam packed with hungry customers. the food is always a win. im not a fish person (besides filet-o-fish) but the fish patties are wonderful. the fried chicken is also effing delicious...omg. im telling you, every-effing-thing at taniokas is awesome. taniokas, i love you. ~_^

    (5)

  • Elsie N.

    Tanioka's is that perfect place to pick up island food for any time of day and any occasion. Unfortunately, don't expect to just show up anytime of day during open hours and be able to pick up whatever you want. Their full offerings go so fast. Very fast! You can expect that by 11am, the place starts selling out of some of the best things. And by 1pm, you are left with slim pickings. By closing at 3(?), you can expect to pick up the last random items that are left. But this you will do because your anticipation and the disappoint of getting there too late will force you to clean out the place of whatever is left. Not that I know this from personal experience :/ The best thing ever is ahi poke with sushi rice. You can call ahead and order this. A $10.95 half tray of this can feed 2-3, as long as you have other things to eat also. Pick up some seasoned dried seaweed sheets to eat with the ahi poke. You'll have to get this from a grocery store as Tanioka's does not sell these themselves. Other also very noteworthy items are: Cold soba noodles in the deli case - very refreshing Fried chicken - garlicky goodness Fried bananas Home made Li hing frozen yogurt/ice cream Any of the rice balls I'm so glad we found out about Tanioka's. We ate here 3 times in one week. It's the kind of place that makes you wish you were hungrier and can eat more meals in a day. Lines may seem long but they move quickly. Order in advance if you can to ensure item availability. Wish we'd known about it all those other times visiting this island! If you are on Oahu and wondering if you should go, yes go!

    (5)

  • Gina W.

    Definite MUST when visiting Honolulu. So good that we came back a second time before our flight home. Although I wasn't able to enjoy the poke at this time (being knocked up and all) I will say the other items are still worth the trip. I tried the delicious garlic chicken, fried sweet potato, inari mini cone and some fried rice. We also split some masubis. The shop is togo style so the service is quick in and out which I like. I would come early to avoid lines or weekdays during off hours.

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    Another great local's favorite and hole-in-the-wall establishment! Fresh ahi poke served up daily, along with some local plate lunches. Great place for lunch. Went there on a sunday at noon, there's a line, but Tanioka's has a good assembly line going, so it was a relatively short wait for the amount of customers that were ahead of us. We tried the Limu Ahi and Spicy Ahi ($14.95/lb. each). Both ahi were fresh and had great texture, the seasoning was a bit too salty for me, but overall, a great poke place.

    (4)

  • Derek R.

    fried chicken, maki sushi, cone sushi.... winnaz! da kulolo broke dah mouth!

    (5)

  • Maddie C.

    5 Stars ALL ROUND! We got 7 different kinds of Poke, and ALL WERE SUPER FRESH AND DELICIOUS. The standouts, though, were definitely the Marlin Pokes. The spicy marlin poke was sooooooooooooooo good. OMG. It was out of this world. The other pokes were awesome but I can't stop thinking about the spicy Marlin Poke. We also got some lunch plates, and here are our thoughts on the lunch plate food: 1) Kalua Pig--no nonsense, good lau lau. Not too dry, not too soggy, and not too salty. Really yummy. 2) Lau Lau--pretty tasty, though some portions of the pork I got in there were a little tough. I would have liked "fatter" pieces in my lau lau. I've had better at Ono Hawaiian, but still pretty good. 3) Garlic Chicken--has a crispy sweet coating. My husband LOVED this dish (but it was not my flavor profile). He thinks its the best fried chicken he's ever had. 4) Beef Stew--tasty! The 4.5 star overall rating does not lie. Go here early, or you'll wait in line for 30 minutes like we did.

    (5)

  • P S.

    Great selection. We purchased the ahi and tako poke along with the fried chicken, sweet potato tempura and a cranberry-strawberry scone. They were all very tasty!!! The line moves fast and the employees are very friendly!

    (4)

  • Ellen Mae V.

    I love poke, I love the selection, I love that it's casual, I love that it's local!!! I wish we could give 1/2 stars because then I'd do them justice with a 4.5. The only reason my review is shy a star is: 1) they ran out of 3 pokes that I wanted (but I suppose that's testimony to how good the food is) 2) the marlin poke I had was too salty 3) I'll admit, it was/is a little pricey and I spent more than I had budgeted for my trip. (Thank goodness for my bus pass) Overall, I'm wiling to give this place another chance. Maybe I'll come earlier and take advantage of the entire selection.

    (4)

  • Kristine M.

    T... is for the tenacious tako that tickles my tastebuds. A... is for the andagi that makes me proud to be Okinawan... represent! N... is for the namasu, I don't like namasu, but it starts with an "N". I... is for the imitation crab poke, which tastes better than it sounds. O... is for the onion poke, ocean salad, and opihi... ONOLICIOUS. K... is for the kalua pig and lau lau plate lunch... droool. A... is for the ALL the other delicious items that I will now rant and rave about. My all time faaaavorites: Shoyu poke (OH YEAH!), fish patties (salmon or ahi), spam musubi, fried rice (CHEEHU!), fried noodles (CHEEPONO), lumpia, garlic chicken, sesame tako (CHEEHUAHUA), and lomi salmon. Tanioka's is THE best, hands down, NO comparison, NO contest. When you first walk in, you got to know what you want, order it, move on down, pay and scram. No dilly-dallying, unless you happen upon a slow period. The good stuff sells out soon after lunch time, no matter what day of the week it is. If you plan to go before a UH football game, good luck... sucker. There is just SOMETHING about their food. It's just, really, really, really, REALLY freakin' ONOLICIOUS. I used to work there making bentos in the back kitchen. I ate the food every....single....day, for an entire semester. It was the best semester of my life. All hail Tanioka's...

    (5)

  • Ashley E.

    I lived on Oahu for two years and think it's cruel that my friends didn't introduce me to Tanioka's until weeks before I left. This isn't the kind of place that draws people in based on appearance - but it's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're part of an elite club because you know how amazing it is. I was recently back on the island for a few weeks visiting and in spite of a long list of foods I wanted to get during my limited stay, I ate at Tanioka's three or four times. Spicy ahi poké: A MUST! Spicy ahi is my favorite variety of poké, and none compares with Tanioka's. In fact, the five-star rating is based on this dish alone! It's always fresh and just the right amount of spicy. Try it in the poké bowl special - you won't be disappointed. [If they would deliver their spicy ahi party cake to the Mainland, I'd want one for my birthday!] Musubi: Both the mochiko chicken and Spam were tasty, but not necessarily anything I'll crave. Garlic chicken (lunch only?): I stole a bite from a friend, but it was so ono that I would definitely order it the next time I'm in town. Cone sushi: Meh. I know Tanioka's is known for its cone sushi, but I wasn't particularly impressed. Could be that I'm not much of a cone sushi expert. Fried sweet potato: Good flavor, but far too grease-soaked to be edible. Crunchy ahi roll: Yum! Be sure to say yes to the magic sauces. A last note: don't be turned off by the line. Even when it's out the door, you should be on your way with tasty eats in under 20 minutes.

    (5)

  • Dustin E.

    My cousin catered her daughter's first birthday party today. Wow, the food was sooooo gooooood! YUMMY! Everything was so delish and fresh. The flavors were excellent, the amount of food great, and OMG, the shoyu pork was melt in the mouth! Chicken karaage was delicious, the noodles, the fish patties, the salad dressing... the poke was really good, I only got the tako poke, but WOW! My mouth was in heaven. Great job, Tanioka's and Happy Birthday Audrey! LOVED EVERY BITE!

    (5)

  • Andrew A.

    Overall (9.5) - favorite bento place on the island Food (10/10) Price (9/10) Location (8/10) - out of the way for most in Waipahu. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. I have been going here since I was a little kid. If you haven't heard of this place by now... I just don't know what to say. Everything is pretty much bomb. What I like/LOVE 1) wasabi miso tako poke 2) mochiko chicken 3) fried noodles 4) dried poke 5) fish patties 6) vegetable tempura 7) spicy ahi/tako bento. Okay so I listed a good chunk of their menu, it is just that good. Poke is great too, but I keep coming back for the mochiko chicken and fried noodles. Wasabi miso tako poke is also a MUST. Some things were hit and miss for me like the poi mochi cause it gets too oily. But I do not know how you can go wrong with this place. TIP: gets crowded during lunch rush, go early before things run out! Would I come back? YES YES and YESSSSSSSSSSSSS.

    (5)

  • Ryan I.

    I'm going to give away a little secret. Sometimes Tanioka's screws up. But they screw up in a really good way. Having had a coupon for "buy one pound of shoyu poke and get the second for half off" from the Entertainment book, we stood in line on a crowded* Saturday. When we got to the poke counter, I asked for the shoyu poke in two one pound containers. We looked at the poke, and something looked..... wrong. The fish was really light pink, almost like a different fish altogether. Could it have been nairagi or even opah? My wife remarked to the guy that the color looked different, and he offered to change the poke for us, but we declined, picked up our other stuff**, and headed home. We got home, busted out the chopsticks, and proceeded to go to town on this poke. Oh, damn. Best. Poke. Ever. I think they somehow managed to accidentally use the uber expensive toro part of the tuna in this poke. Not the usual, stringy cheaper cuts of the fish. It was a glorious mistake. The fatty tuna just melted in your mouth. Literally melted. No hint of chewy, sinewy, slimy fish, like you might get at some other places (cough cough Costco cough cough). If you see the light pink fish there, don't buy it. Call me and I'll take care of the problem. *Tanioka's is notoriously close to the Waipio Soccer Complex, which has soccer games all weekend. On any given Saturday, the line will be so long at Tanioka's that they actually hire a security guard to open the door for people, as the line is 30 people long and snakes out the door. Be prepared to wait, but the people behind the counter move the line really quickly. **As if the poke wasn't good enough, the other food there is awesome as well. I know I dissed the fish patties in another review, but I still really like them. The salmon and tofu patties are equally as good, and the various musubi are awesome too. And my daughter will not only polish off the soybeans, but she'll drink the marinade afterward!!

    (5)

  • Circle C.

    Love this place. Good food, good desert. We will be back, if we come to Oahu again.

    (5)

  • Criselda W.

    After mass on Sundays, I commit a deadly sin at Tanioka's - gluttony. There are SO many choices of delicious, local staples, it's hard to make a decision. But what can I say that others have not already said? I've tried several types of poke and they were all good. I usually get their spicy ahi poke, cone sushi, corned beef hash, spam musubi and banana lumpia (all in one visit). The only problem I have with Tanioka's is that the last few Sundays I have visited, they were out of a lot of food (by 11am!) and I was stuck with just the fish patties. Everyone raves about them but they taste a little bland to me. Perhaps I was just missing my corned beef hash and banana lumpia. Tanioka's, please make more food on Sundays! Not just fish patties! And yes, the line does snake out the door on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Keala R.

    They are amazing! They catered a wedding that I helped with coordinating and really proved to be a staff of initiative! They were soooo helpful in sooo many ways! Call them for your next event! Seriously! Mahalos Justin and the gang of the July 8th wedding in Kualoa! You guys rock! Mahalo nui loa!

    (5)

  • Lea M.

    When I think of home, I also think about all the great foods I ate while I was living in Hawaii. One place that'lll always be the place to stop is Tanioka's. I LOVE their poke and every time I stop by the lines are insane! When you see the line wrapped up in the store that MUST mean that this little place got it going.

    (5)

  • Cameron D.

    Great place to pick up snacks and things for a Picnic. Very busy but fast service makes it for a quick visit.

    (4)

  • Jane G.

    Sorry Tanioka's, you're going down a notch. I gave them 5, just in spite of Todd T. and that damn wowgrinds website. Like in my first review, MOCHIKO CHICKEN MUSUBI. It features a hearty piece of flavorful chicken that's not too sweet. The regular spam musubi is so much better than the ones that have been microwaved God knows how many times and sitting under those lights next door at 7-11. It's SO easy to go nuts and grab everything you see and drop much more bills than you originally planned. Candies, musubis, fried chicken, poi mochi, andagi, fish patties, bentos, poke, plate lunches... it's amazing what they fit into this store. My sister goes here so much, most of the guys know her and chat her up. These guys know what they're doing. The line could fill up their whole store, but you would barely notice the wait. Well, I don't, I'm too busy looking at what else I can buy. And they're nice! The guys are anyway. I haven't heard great things about the girls who work there. One thing my sister likes to get is their chi chi dango. It's soft and chewy, and they can custom make it with the colors that you want. I have to say though, I'm not too big on their poke. It's good, but I now go to Jimmy's ( yelp.com/biz/jimmys-prod… ) for all of my poke cravings.

    (4)

  • Amanda Z.

    We went out to the Waipio soccer complex twice this past weekend and went to Tanioka's on both days, talk about delicious food overload! Never went here before, but after sampling the spicy poke on sushi rice at Yelp Helps, I just had to try it out. The first time we picked up a large bento (w/mochiko chiken, fish patty, teri beef, cone sushi, noodles and musubi - mochiko chicken was YUM), small spicy poke sushi rice (SO GOOD), haupia, corned beef patty (yum), lumpia (ordered banana but got the normal one instead, was still good), fried ahi roll (bomb), ahi bites, crab cake. I guess we were kind of hungry. Second time around just picked up lunch for me...spicy poke on sushi rice (I tell you, I'm hooked). I didn't even get to try any of the poke! We will def. be back to eat more of everything.

    (5)

  • R.K. C.

    We catered our daughter's 1st Birthday Luau and to my surprise they actually gave us an extra side of poke and we didn't even order it. They just wanted to bless us with it. Then we were standing outside the store and talked with the owner and he gave us both Tshirts for free. Needless to say their Customer Service is amazing! They went way beyond what we expected and the food was amazing as well!

    (5)

  • BAJIBU K.

    I'm a born and raised townie, but this place is definitely worth the drive to Waipahu! Love love love the poke inari!! The inari is sooooo juicy and the poke is always fresh! The friend chicken blows KFC and Zippy's out of the water with a perfect crunch and just enough seasoning! Their mochiko chicken is also awesome, not too sweet and saucy! I took my friends from Texas here and even they LOVED the fried chicken!! We actually took two trips there for lunch because they didn't want to leave Hawaii without eating it again! My only complaint is that this place gets CRAZY, you get into a frenzy during the lunch rush and you feel like you need to grab everything!! Well... maybe that's just me. And I guess I'm lucky this place isn't closer, or I'd be here every day and be the size of a small school bus.

    (4)

  • Mali T.

    Bad Azzzzzzzzz! So many selection of Poke- It's like you don't know where to start! The lines are long, but it goes fast! I usually get half pound of each Poke! Because they are alllll SoooooooOOOoo Good! Great service and friendly staff! Their Mochiko chicken musubi is a yum yum yum and the Spicy tuna bowl- Onolicious! Every time I think about this place it's nothing but drools..Serious Drools haha! Fresh fish daily and Like I say there are so much selections, it's amazing! I love the varieties of Poke, pre-packed items and their SPAM MUSUBI as well! Okay nuff said =)

    (5)

  • Don K.

    My only problem with Taniokas is the parking lot during lunch hour 1100-1230 is always a mad house. The staff is super efficient and always friendly. The fish is always fresh and delicious. I havn't had anything from taniokas that I do not like. Garlic chicken plate = mean, Beef stew = = mean, any plate you get = mean. Mochiko chix musubis are a must try as well as the fish patties. Ready made bentos are also all super good. Good luck walking in here and not spending $13 dollars on lunch simply because you kept grabbing food on your way to the checkout. The store layout has you walking past everything they offer which does some damage to your wallet when you're hungry.

    (5)

  • Milton C.

    Had to post a review for Tanioka's. Hands down best place for Poke. Freshest and largest pieces of poke I've had! So many varieties too. Shoe, spicy shoyu, limu(my fav), Alae, spicy Korean Tako(octopus). Tried all these and so good! My wife loved it so much we went back the next day for lunch. We did the two choice poke bowl for $8.95. Lots of food that filled us up with fresh buttery goodness. It is off the beaten path for tourists(in waipuhu) off of farrington HW. It is on the way to north shore so you can plan for lunch or do take out. Lots of locals stop there. Musubi is good with many varieties. My fav are mochiko chicken musubi and musubi with egg. The first time one of the workers messed up or order and the owner threw in a few free musubis to make up. The next time we came, he threw in an order of yakisoba!! Awesome place. Will be a must stop every time I'm here.

    (5)

  • Kelcie A.

    fish patty musubi and spicy tuna on sushi rice are my favorite!! but everything here is good! They also have a good catering menu. Make sure you go early before they run out of everything. I suggest going before lunch otherwise the line can go out the door. Food is really good but is a little pricey (which is why i gave them 4 stars).

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    Spicy ahi bowl...pretty good. Not great. Only ate here because Poke Stop was all out of creamy ahi poke. Their poke (at least their spicy ahi) doesn't taste that fresh...not my favorite.

    (3)

  • Dean H.

    All I am going to say is go eat the, what I can only call it as, the TRIPLE PLAY poke rice combo. No worries about the dirty parking lot and the guy asking for money at 7-11....seriously WAY too much good food there to even list but I will try..... Chizo Musubi Furikake Salmon musubi Cone Sushi Triple play combo rice Spicy Ahi on sushi rice is the shizz (my staple from there) Fried chicken Of course the MANY choices of poke Fish patty etc etc etc.... Seriously, go there, eat, and be happy....

    (5)

  • Kelsey M.

    OMG "THE" best Poke I've ever had!!!!

    (5)

  • Nicole K.

    i am a total fan of taniokas. i'm glad i live close. they do run out of food at the end of the day, so get there early. the seafood is what they're famous for, but their bentos are super good, too. spicy salmon is my favorite. they give good portions, as well.

    (5)

  • Michelle G.

    This would be a 4.5 if I could mark it that way. We went there an ordered from the snack side. I haven't tried the meals. They have all kinds of Poke and their Limu Poke is the best I've ever had...though it can be considered very rich and filling. The Tako Poke was very good. On top of that, other snacks we bought were really wonderful. Their Cone Sushi, Sweet Potato Tempura, Poi Andagi, and Kololo were the best I've ever had. I took .5 off because I've had better Spam Musubi, but theirs is very good.

    (4)

  • Julia M.

    MSG - in all of it as I was told by the staff

    (1)

  • Richard N.

    Ok so here is the situation, I grew up in Hawaii and currently reside in the Bay Area. I am trying to always convince myself that whatever food craving I have for local/Hawaiian food can be satisfied by these random plate lunch places that are popping up all over the bay. Enter Taniokas. I cant believe that it took me my whole life to finally come here. On my current trip to Honolulu I told my food guide to take me to wherever I could get Hawaiian food, poke, and all the local favorites...and it had to be the best. We scored. Taniokas serves the best Inari (cone sushi) I have had in my life, only if you grew up in Hawaii can you appreciate the inari as a main item not a side, this is the best, a not overbearingly sweet juice saturates the inari wrapper which is fluffy and not too chewy. Awesome. They offer plate lunches and I had a lau lau plate for 7.00, good deal for lau lau, lomi salmon, rice or poi. The fried chicken was better than most I have had. I think they use the fine japanese powder to fry and it is not oily, and seasoned just right. Seriously I have eaten fried chicken in the west coast at Roscoes, Ezelles in Seattle, OB chicken in Oakland, all over the south...this is good chicken. And lastly the poke. We ordered the lomi ahi and as my food guide Gri put it, "it is like fish pudding". Lomi ahi is the part they scrape off of the rib, they mix in onions, shallots. The texture si so smooth almost a toro grade quality. This is some of the best poke I have ever had. They also serve all the musubis and other local fare. If you are visiting from out of town go get lost in Waipahu and get some of the best local food out there for a cheap price.

    (5)

  • Darcy K.

    This place is the real deal. Poke is always fresh, HAWAIIAN STYLE is the best! You really taste the difference (compare with grocery store fresh poke). Mochiko chicken is so amazing here too. Maybe its because its been years since the last time I had mochiko chicken, but I swear it was magical when I took a bite. I also like their deluxe spam musubi, covered with furikake! They are always busy so come early to get what you want!

    (5)

  • Kram E.

    Awesome Everything! Been here for a week and have been back three times after finding Tanioke's on Yelp. From plain ahi poke to fried rice to Alaskan king crab poke to you name it - everything on the menu is outstanding. Telling that Police and Fire are often standing in line for lunch. Always seems to be a line - but it moves quickly - though I did get flustered a time or two - so many things to choose from I ended up with a different set of food that I intended to buy - but everything is awesome! While I see some people are a bit put off by price - I personally appreciate that Tanioka's doesn't appear to compromise on quality in anything they make. Hard envision poke as something "buttery" or "melt in the mouth", but that's how great it was - every one of the dozen styles we tried. My only disappointment at the end of this week on Oahu - on Sunday as we headed to the airport for the flight home we stopped at Tanioka's to pick up some boxes for the plane ride home. About 10:00. Sign in the window expressed apologies for opening late that day - at 11:00 due to a large catering order. There were 3 delivery trucks loading up in front... Oh well - you can be sure it will be one of our first stops when we return.

    (5)

  • Anna K.

    My family is pretty picky when it comes to throwing big parties such as baby luau's, weddings etc... The pok'e " Needs " to be from tanioka's or it's not acceptable, No exceptions. The food is always the main focus of the party, I mean who cares if the brides dress was gorgeous or there was touching moments that occurred during the party. The thing everyone remembers is the food lol. Im not gonna lie the pok'e is awesome and i loved it up until i had a mental blockage one day stopping there for lunch. I absolutely loathe Marlin like the fish pisses me off and I dont quite know why but i cringe whenever i see it. I eat Ahi,Aku,Mahi,Salmon and cod. That's my extent of fishes that i will venture to consume. However I only eat Ahi Pok'e no others. Anywho so i go there with my cousin one day to grab lunch. Bento's,pok'e and what not. So i'm looking at the case with the pok'e and i see what looks like spicy ahi so i get excited cause that's my favorite pok'e. Did i mention im nearsighted and my vision isnt the greatest at times. I got closer to the case only to realize that it wasn't spicy ahi, it was spicy marlin!! Seriously I lost my appetite and half ran out of the place. My cousin was like what the hell happened? So i told her, of course she thought i was mental but heres the topper. She ordered a lb of the spicy marlin during my freak out without me knowing. I know i have some mental food issues and it's not tanioka's fault but i havent eaten there since. The pok'e is top notch but if you despise marlin , close your eyes cause they serve it.

    (5)

  • Theresa S.

    I went to Tanioka's during my week vacation in Hawaii. I was so craving poke after being entirely disappointed by the previous serving I had at Time's (my bad for getting it at a supermarket). I hadn't been in Tanioka's for years and therefore I have no recollection of what it looked like inside before but I totally loved it. So much food from your little snack items like mochi crunch, seeds and cookies to misubi and fried chicken. And of course, the raw fish. I ordered the ahi poke with onion. ONO ono ono! I was completely satisfied and was happy able to leave Hawaii on a happy tummy.

    (5)

  • April C.

    Nevah can get enough of this place...everything ONO!!! especially when you going tailgating, kids football or baseball game or Drinks at a friends house...my Fave CONE SUSHI N DRIED AHI OR AKU POKE, n Spicy Ahi Tuna wit furukake Ova rice. All their poke's is AWESOME...I'm a Happy Camper there :)))

    (5)

  • Julie M.

    The poke is top notch here. The marlin, hot shoyu, Alae, limu, ahi with onions were all delicious! I also love there chicken misubi, fried mussels and fried Japanese clams. Delish!

    (5)

  • Dan B.

    Thank you Tanioka for showing me why people in Hawaii love Poke. So I came for the poke but was in awe of how good the food looked so tried both. I was not disappointed by either. I truly enjoyed the Korean tako, sesame ahi, and my Deluxe Bento II. The only thing about this place is the Bentos go quickly. I was lucky to get one at 11 so good luck with finding one after 12 noon. Overall, this is a great local spot: it embodies the what locals really eat.

    (3)

  • Jen S.

    My daughter recently got married (07/25/09)...and we used Tanioka's to cater both the wedding and her bridal shower (07/19/09). There food was excellent! We were a little worried being that the groom's guests were from NY and maybe not quite ready for our island local food so we ordered both the Hawaiian Food & the Prime Rib menus for the wedding and needless to say EVERYONE loved all the food! (It was one of the first times that we ever had so little food leftover!) Being that we were using them for both the wedding & the Bridal Shower, we wanted to be sure that the menus weren't duplicated which wasn't a problem because of their vast amount of selections. Needless to say our NY guests also enjoyed the Beef Teri, Fried Chicken, Somen Salad & Potato Salad which was also included in their Oriental Menu. But even more importan to us, than the food being absolutely delicious, their service is also excellent! Our contact (Tyce) kept in contact with me regularly and was also very good at returning my phone calls & answering my questions. He was also so helpful with menu suggestions and ordering amounts and as you can tell with the lack of leftovers (lol) was pretty much on the money, which actually saved us from over ordering and kept us on budget! All orders also include the plates, napkins, chopsticks...everything you need! (Not too mention, whenever I pop in to pick up some Poke for myself.....someone always tosses in an extra goodie or two! Mmmm...the ahi belly was absolutely ono! Mahalos, Tyce!) I know everyone knows how great their food is just to take home or afterwork pau hana time, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc., but just wanted to also let you guys know, that if you're not sure about using them for your wedding...you should give them a try! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Ly N.

    I've seen Tanioka's buyer a few times at the fish auction swooping up nice ahi and always wanted to check out the place. Got a chance to stop by last weekend. Line was super long but moved surprisingly fast; we were in there for 15 minutes at most. The poke: best on the island. So fresh, and perfectly seasoned. Many poke places here over-salt and/or over-spice their poke and mask the fish flavor. But not Tanioka's. Really wish that they were closer to town so i could go more often.

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    I wish I could have tried more stuff. They have an awesome selection of poke, as well as other snacks like croquettes, musubis, etc. Service was super fast and friendly. Will definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Hans W.

    We recently met with Jasmine and Justin for a tasting of their catering menu and have to say that the food was great (especially the fried chicken and all of the different Poke!). Perhaps even more impressive was their warm hospitality and customer focus. Tanioka's is a family owned and family run business and you really got a sense for the pride and caring that they have in their food, service and attitude. Combine the above, with good food at very reasonable prices and you end up with a "must consider" option if you have an event that needs catering!

    (5)

  • Tiffany A.

    Who doesn't love this place??? When you gotta have some 'ono poke with a plate lunch winnahs! Went for lunch yesterday and I really wanted to try a different plate lunch but I stuck to my go-to: Garlic Chicken with two scoops rice and mac salad on the side. And because I was in the mood for some ahi, got 1/2 lb of the Limu Poke... soooo good! What's good is that the plate lunch was kind of big so it lasted until dinner as well (unfortunately not the poke haha). Small kine bummers: the butter mochi I got lacked some kind of omph. Good thing only cost me $1. Oh and for anyone who doesn't know about the prices, yes the fish is pricey but it's fresh. If you want cheap, head to Foodland or any other grocery store where get frozen kine. I'm not dissing those (because some are really delicious!) but a lot of locals prefer fresh over frozen.

    (5)

  • Heather S.

    I'd fly to Hawaii just to get some of Tanioka's fresh poke. LOVE. The marlin poke with tobiko is amazing. It's one of the best things I've ever eaten. During our short 5-day vacation to Hawaii, me and my girlfriends hit this place up not once, twice, but three times. Although it can get crowded, especially on weekends, the service is quick and efficient, not to mention super nice. I'll be drooling about Tanioka's until we meet again.

    (5)

  • Jenny C.

    Let's go back old school and see if anyone is with me on this. Does anyone remember back in like the early 2000's when Tanioka's opened a small shop in downtown, Pioneer Plaza to be exact and sold their awesome food there? Boy do I miss those days. I used to buy their mini spicy tuna rice pack for like two bucks. It's too bad that they didn't stay open too long... But! I did get to travel out to Waipahu and tried their food again. The spicy tuna rice bento, as good as I remember it. Be warned that the rice is more vinegary/sweet than other spicy tuna rice bowls...but shoot, that added to my nostalgia. :) Definitely worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Joanne H.

    OmG ! I love this place!! So many poke to choose from. The service was friendly and helpful. I came in looking like tourist and they gave me some recommendation on what to get. They also have snacks, desserts and fish masubi! Must go!

    (5)

  • Yon S.

    Wow. This place is NOT cheap. $10 for a spicy poke bowl? $6 for onion ogo? I paid over $40 for 4 items right off. Didn't taste that great either. Makes Donki and Marukai look good. Not sure what the fuss is about.

    (2)

  • John K.

    What more can I say about this place that hasn't already been said! The poke is always fresh and flavorful! The bentos are to die for and service is very friendly. Only downside for me is the menu. It's a bit confusing but I can look past that because the food here is so damn good. If your in Waipahu and have a craving for fish. Then go to tanioka!

    (5)

  • Cheryl K.

    Tanioka's is a staple name in local catering and pupus. I was brought up going to Waipahu a lot and Tanioka's is a household name. I remember a long, long time ago, my old job catered a prime rib meal and it was amazing! We also recently attended a kid's party where Tanioka's was catered and it was in Kaneohe! Anyways, this review is based on a weekend trip to Tanioka's. On the weekends its known to be super busy so I refrain from going there. My husband insist that we go and the line won't be that bad. The line was bad and I did my woosah breath to alleviate my impatience and we waited as the line snaked around the store. It was not that bad. Funny thing is I was not even hungry but by standing in line, I started yearning for food. Lol. In this one trip I picked up haupia-sweet potato dessert, boiled peanuts, spicy ahi inari, limu onion poke, and the husband chose a teriyaki chicken musubi and spicy ahi poke bento thing. They didn't have kulolo that day but they normally have it on weekdays. Their food and pupus are always amazing.

    (5)

  • Christopher-desiree G.

    BEST of the BEST!!! I believe so. You have GOT to try their CRUSTED AHI ROLL! Yes, you have to. It's in a category of its own... Nuff said

    (5)

  • James Q.

    They have very reasonable and tasty catering menu. The food was great and priced right. There spicy tuna cake is awesome! Best finger food joint on the Leeward side.

    (4)

  • Claire G.

    Mmmm Poke. Yummy Poke. I like going here for the trio; ahi, marlin, and tako. Their garlic chicken is delish, i like the texture of their fried chicken, what more can I ask for? Oh yeah! their masubis! Only downside I can think of is that they're in Waipahu, kind of a drive for me, but well worth it when I got the craving.

    (4)

  • Dari J.

    I haven't found anything at Tanioka's that I don't like! It's a dangerous place to go on an empty stomach...I'll take one of this and one of that and before you know it...you're spending over $30! The lines can get long but it's worth the wait. There are so many people working that you're never left waiting for help. Go early because they run out of the popular stuff.

    (5)

  • Keoni Q.

    We got ripped off! We spent $222 for noodles, shrimp, mochiko chicken, shoyu pork and potato Mac salad. They told us it can feed 25 people? Really it could feed 25 people if they were vegetarians on a no carb diet! Stick to counter deli I highly recommend you cater else where. They were a big disappointment.

    (1)

  • Ben Y.

    In my opinion, nobody beats Tanioka's for poke. New Year's Eve wouldn't be the same without cone sushi, maki sushi and fish picked up in the morning (call ahead and pre-pay to avoid the crazy long line). And how the hell do they get their tako so soft? The only downside to Tanioka's is that I always go crazy and buy too much.

    (5)

  • Alan B.

    this seafood deli is pure poke goodness. went here on a relatively not so busy time at 2:30pm on a thurs afternoon. the tanioka's sign with the fish outside freshly caught my eye from a mile away. when i first stepped in i was impressed by the selections of goods that they have. think toy store but instead with fresh poke and tasty musubi inspiring my attention. i wanted to try everything but i came here for the poke first and foremost. i thought it was cool that they allowed samples of most pokes with the dried poke being the exception. so here are a few items that i have tried. alae poke: the ahi is so delicate and has a melt in your mouth texture. one of the freshest i have ever tried. it has a slight sweetness, and unique salty flavor from the alae salt. spam musubi: can't beat freshly made spam musubi. it's always the best when you eat it straight from the islands. rice was seasoned perfectly and the spam had a touch of sweetness and saltiness from the soy. ume musubi: fresh rice and super tart ume musubi the way it was meant to be. fish cake: i think this cake was good. it had fried a combo of ahi n some other fish with the right amount of saltiness, very fluffy. dried poke: this was an interesting albeit pricey item that i have never tried before coming here. its basically poke dried up so it has the consistency of soggy jerky. taste wise the fish has a lot more deeper sesame soy flavour and a lot more chewier than fresh poke, its not fish at all though. its very fresh tasting. the price per pound is 24.99. If you are an adventurous poke eater give this a go. overall attentive and friendly staff, with an assembly line quickness and amazingly fresh selection of good eats. im diggin it.

    (5)

  • junk m.

    I like this place. Can't say I know much about Hawaiian food but I thought everything was pretty good and fresh. I hate the tourist overprice kind of place. This is very local. There was a long line but it moved pretty quickly. The spicy poke was really good and fresh. Perfect place to buy some food to go for a lovely beach picnic. I'm planning to go back again to buy some more to take with me on the plane home.

    (5)

  • Maria I.

    It's like i died and went to poki heaven!

    (4)

  • John K.

    There were only 2 items I had at Tanioka's and those were the fried chicken and the poke. Therefore, my review is based only on those 2 items. The Poke (alae and alae limu) were the best I had on the island. Unfortunately, I discovered Yelp after having left the island but will most definitely check out the other places my fellow Yelpers have suggested. During my bus commutes from Waikiki to Town, there were a few recurring thoughts running through my mind: being late to work (and how late), getting off work to hit the beach, and POKE! That being said, Tanioka's had the best poke EVAR! The savory pieces of ahi with drool-inducing seasoning hit the spot every time. I missed it so much when I moved back to Cali that I began a quest to find poke. Though I did find some decent poke here, it just doesn't compare! I will be returning in the summer and Tanioka's is at the top of my list of things to do!! The fried chicken was delish as well. Highly recommended for a quick takeout dinner!

    (5)

  • Rob S.

    this place is my/.our all time favorite - been a fan and patron from the very first day - yah I hear peeps say it is so expensive - and what's the fuss - been to many other places - and Tanioka's is consistent - efficient - and guaranteed - with taste and freshness - tried others poke - but they are winners - fresh and we buy their ogo - it is culturally grown - but CRUNCHY - great to make pickled - their fishcakes - if you give them enough notice - you can order it in bulk and prepare it at home - Some other places were named - tried them - but they are not consistent - Tanioka's - has to share minimal parking with so many businesses - so tha parking may be a b___tch - but we always manage to find parking - Sometimes - you want cheap - then you pay for what you get - I know that they are good - so the price doesn't stop me- there are some businesses - who keep prices low but size of the item - and quality suffers - Love Sam's poke - it is "cheap" - love their bentos - but sometimes I get there a tad late - then the selection is limited - wish at times - they opened earlier than nine - ima true blue fan of theirs !

    (5)

  • Nicola V.

    Thank goodness the second time my friends and I visited Oahu, we were close to Tanioka's! Last time my friends and I just got take out for their poke, but this time, we were able to try the other things they offered. They have a wide selection of musubis (including mochiko chicken musubi, my favorite!!) and other goodies you can only get in Hawaii. My friends and I would come here first thing and pick up snacks for the day. This place is a lot smaller than I thought, but at least their set up is efficient and the line goes by quick. Tanioka's will be my first stop next time I'm in Oahu!!

    (5)

  • Shawn T.

    The best boneless chicken I've had in any restaurant.....and I'm Black.

    (4)

  • Brad Y.

    One of the best poke places on the island!! They've got awesome poke, bentos, and pretty much any other local dish that you can think of. Perfect for grabbing before heading out to the beach, picnics, or family gatherings. Just beware that the line can get pretty long sometimes.

    (5)

  • Les U.

    I've been a regular customer ever since Tanioka's first opened in the old Ishiharaya location. Back then, my favorite was their limu poke. I think I still have their original Tanioka's tailgater t-shirt (green with white tako) somewhere in the closet. Today, my standard order is spicy ahi bento, fish patty, spam musubi and boiled peanuts. i don't think anybody can touch their spicy ahi and fish patty. The tako poke with tomatoes is also very good. Parking at times can be tricky. Best advice is to go early and beat the crowd.

    (5)

  • Leilani Q.

    The best ahi & salmon poke Ive had in my life. IN MY LIFE! A lil more expensive than most places but sooo good n worth it.

    (5)

  • Arbine V.

    Love this place! Poke is super fresh and tasty. My favorite is the spicy ahi. The inside space isn't that huge and there is almost always a line there but the food is worth it. They catered an event my friends had and people came to the event just because they heard Tanioka's was catering it. The one danger I have while waiting in line is that it smells so good in there and there's a lot of good food right in front of you, well within arms reach, that I always want to leave with more than I am supposed to. Now that I live less than five minutes away from Tanioka's, I'm sure they will be taking a lot more of my money.

    (5)

  • Cheryl S.

    Always a line must be a SIGN!!! Yes, it is!!! This place is AWESOME!! Yummy Yummy get in my Tummy. Ok, every time I go here I always have to wait but it isn't one of those waits that doesn't have its reward. This place is truly worth it. I can honestly say that I have not found one item I did not like. (If you know me that is rare..hahaha!) This is my routine... I stand in line (mouth already watering) first grab is the ling hing pineapples and haupia... I know I know that isn't fish or okazu but it's an awesome yummy treat, you can call it my dessert.... The poke is all good there... but my all time favorite is the limu poke. My pops fav is the maki sushi. So that is a must for my daddy...well only the best for my dad! Right?!! I would go there just to pick up his favorite sushi. Then the choices to make the right lunch.... I would say one of each but that maybe over doing it... hahah.. You just have to go and see for yourself.... I would list all that I like but then that list may end up too long so I will keep this review short and sweet... Just go there already... why are you still reading? Need I say more???? =)

    (5)

  • Jin Hee K.

    Their poke is SOOOOO good!!! But best of all, the staff was AMAZING!!! I just wish this place wasn't so far from where I lived!

    (5)

  • Kastriot K.

    I had the Poke Bowl. Delicious. Seemed like a very popular place too, plenty of people on line to get their morning fish.

    (4)

  • Kurt N.

    they have a very different style for their ahi poke here. i like to come here after a round of golf at the run down muni makalena golf course.

    (4)

  • Beverly P.

    Honestly, I don't get the big fuss about this place. The poke here is so overpriced and I've tasted better poke from grocery stores. The snacks here too aren't that great. I think it's more of a hype. Also, the service here isn't top notch either. There are so many kids working here that it seems like more of a club than a food service place. Basically, Tanioka, I'm not interested.

    (2)

  • Jolos P.

    I like the food, but hate the way this shop is set up. I wish they would put the bentos at the beginning the line. Or have a seperate line for bento.

    (3)

  • Rita L.

    just gotta say again, how i love the fish patties. the salmon patties are pretty damn good too! no japanese clam today, but the limu poke and our hot alae was soo fresh! great service, bentos are great, try the mochiko chicken, sooo good!

    (4)

  • Sean K.

    Did take out from here 5 times during our 10 day stay. Best Poke on the island! Hands down. Love the hot Alae Poke with tuna, alae salt, and a sauce that tasted like a hint of gochujang. Delicious.

    (5)

  • Sam D.

    Awesome food. Fresh fish. Long lines during lunch, but it also means food quality is top notch. Friendly staff! I always keep going back for more. Highly recommended! Get the Salmon Patties!

    (5)

  • Teresa G.

    LOVE their potato/mac salad. so ono. 10000% better than Zippy's. They have yummy spam musubi and mochiko chicken. This place is packed on game day events so come early! They have plenty variations of poke. Love their garlici edaname. :)

    (5)

  • S G.

    Pupu, poke, snacks....it's all good!

    (5)

  • Nori M.

    Spicy ahi poke was very fresh. Poi andagi was nothing special.

    (3)

  • Rise D.

    Tanioka's is the gem of the leeward side in terms of quality poke. I love their spicy ahi and the goteborg salami musubi. I recently tried the crispy ahi roll and that was delicious too. There is always a line here but service is efficient and friendly. It's a little bit pricey but you are definitely paying for quality. There are also some bentos that I would love to try. I love Tanioka's! I suggest going before 11:00a to get the best selection.

    (5)

  • julie-marie o.

    They have the best fresh fish and the best spicy ahi!!

    (4)

  • david c.

    poke boner! on my way to Kaneaki Heiau Temple, we stopped here and were gonna stop at the poke stop too but i ran out of time. we got marlin, spicy ahi (didnt like the spicy sauce), limu poke, tako sesame. also got a few musubis and a fish patty (nothing special). the place pretty much rocked.

    (5)

  • Cliff V.

    Poke is Ono! Fried chicken is winners! Musubi assortment is plentiful. I like the fish patty musubi....

    (5)

  • Maile F.

    My favorite place on the island to grab quick local grinds. Tanioka's always satisfies all my cravings. The best poke and fried boneless chicken. I tried the ahi bites. Looked like something new. Was winnahs. Like ahi meatballs on a stick. With bits of onion and waterchestnuts. I heart Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Alan K.

    Tanioka's Seafood and Catering is one of my favorite for party food catering. All the food are awesome. For those with regular palette, try the fried chicken, beef teriyaki, and fish patties. For those with loca palette, definately go with the Hawaiian food, lau lau, kalua pig, lomi salman, long rice, all good. It isn't cheap but when you are entertaining a big crowd, Tanioka will take the food out of your worry list. P.S. If you go hungry, you'd be in trouble. Don't say I didn't warn you.

    (5)

  • Lydia L.

    Tanioka's catered my wedding and we loved the poke!!! They were so great to work with and delivered right on time with two very helpful assistants (they even helped pour our champagne.

    (5)

  • Elle V.

    Poi mochi, fish patties, and mochiko chicken musubi that's all I got to look forward to while waiting in the car as my bf stands in line ;) Hahahaha I hate waiting and you know there's a wait at Taniokas! But it's so worth it!

    (4)

  • Alfred G.

    This place is hella good!! the different types of poke are always fresh and good, prices are reasonable. The okazuya items (musubis, patties, sushi, fried noodles etc.) are very tasty. If you are ever hungry for local food or have a craving for fresh fish, this is the place to go and if you ever want to cater a party give them a call, they will not let you down

    (4)

  • Joo S.

    i love this place. it's the one place in waipahu i don't get lost trying to find. i'm always tempted to get everything whenever i come here! although it's small, they really maximize the space with tons of delectable food and goodies :) i noticed that no matter what time it is, there's always a line for their okazu items and fresh selection of poke. for some reason i always see policemen waiting in line too... this must be the spot for the waipahu beat! i always get the spicy tuna bowl and corn beef hash. the hash is more on the potato-y side but i still like it for its texture and subtle fatty flavor. the spicy tuna bowl is sooooo good!!! i also get their haupia-okinawan sweet potato pie. yum! i should try more things but i always end up sticking to what i know i like. till next time...

    (5)

  • Yasuo O.

    K. so i went to a golf tourney and they brought the bentos. nothing special but after having the dinner at the function, i realised how ono the bento was compared to the food at Pearl. yum!

    (4)

  • dean t.

    A must stop for any Hawai'i expats returning for a visit - poke from fresh fish, the finest sashimi. Gotta get the spicy ahi tuna poke, limu poke and sesame tako poke. Gets pricier each time I return, but it's terrific seafood. Special telephone orders handled by a friendly, competent staff - which is greatly appreciated around the holidays by out-of-towners like me. Definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Mako Y.

    Fresh poke with an unlimited array to choose from. However, the real all-star here is there fried chicken and fish patties. These two items propel this fish market onto an elite level. I wasn't a big fan of the crab cakes, but I'm still trying out all of the other different items in the store (which will take me a life time due to the vast variety of ono-looking food that is spread throughout the store) but I warn that this market is high-priced, so beware! The bill will sneak up on you like a thief in the night, so keep your mental calculator on to keep your stomach in check.

    (4)

  • Albert Y.

    Coming back to Tanioka's on vacation was fun but not as good as I remember. Don't get me wrong, the food is still quite good but the prices are a little high. Poke Stop poke is just as good in my opinion and is a little cheaper and friendlier. The spicy ahi rice lunch is still great at $5.95 though. Overall 3.5 star!

    (3)

  • Erica A.

    Poke is always fresh and tasty. They may run out of some foods quickly, though, so sometimes you have to get there early. Their catering side is awesome! They helped out my family with catering for a funeral and they were courteous, helpful, respectful, and quick. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Hana G.

    All the poke tasted the same to me.

    (3)

  • Allan H.

    One of the GF's friends took us to Tanioka's and OMG I am in LOVE! Being from the mainland, I've never seen so many different types of poke! I thought there was only tuna, but how wrong I was! Despite the line, it moved quickly and we were in and out within about 15 minutes. Next time I'm on Oahu, I'm going to make it a point to go back here for poke!

    (5)

  • Shannon C.

    I love their sweet potato tempura!!! It's sooooooo good! It's been years since I had one, but it's still YUMMY! I was in a hurry and there was a line of people waiting for the poke, so I just got some Okazu things. I got the fried spicy tuna roll (Yummy), sweet potato tempura (Yummy), ahi bites on a stick (Yummy), fish patty musubi (Yummy), and lumpia (that I didn't like). But I can't deduct any stars because their sweet potato tempura is that good! It has like a mochi batter on it. Just writing about it makes me wanna go there right now to get one!

    (5)

  • Scarface T.

    To everyone that likes this place sorry but it's way overatted. I had the fried chicken and it was dry. It ain't fried chicken without the bone. GF had the fried rice(plain),crab cake(imitation crab), and the shoyu poke(too much sesame oil). If you want some amazing spread of seafood and roast meats go to Alicia's. I also recommend Tamashiro Market.

    (1)

  • Celly A.

    The dude heard about Tanioka's from his cousin in law. We entered the super tiny parking lot shared with 7 eleven. We entered this spot and the line went around the store. The line goes by fast because theres about 7 people helping customers. We order lumi poki and this spicy poki ( I forgot the name). We ordered them in rice bowls with a bunch of masubis. One of the workers (he seems like the owner) greeted us and noticed we were buying alot. He asked if we were from here, and we told him we were visiting from SF. He gave us a warm welcome and gave us a free lumpia/egg roll. So nice! I loved the rice bowl! So yummy in my tummy! It was the best Poki I had when visitng Hawaii!

    (5)

  • Christopher S.

    I love the food! Pretty pricey! Friendly workers! Will go again!

    (4)

  • Harry R.

    Visiting from stateside. We approached a local couple and asked where the best Poke was to be had. They tell us that we need to go to Tanioka's for that but it is quite a ways from Waikiki. Well, we will go to any length for "the best" so off it was. The other positive reviews are spot on but they don't point out that it can be confusing to see all the Poke and other options. The line was substantial and we got to talking with the owner. We followed his suggestion and got little bits of 5 different types of poke, plus a couple of tempura shrimp, a cup a white rice and one of fried rice. I love Ahi and was very pleased with the quality and selection. We also tried the mahi-mahi poke. Headed down to a local park and just enjoyed. Thank you Mel......... Also note that this place is take out only.

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    I love this place!! They have excellent plate lunches and great snacks! Their hamburger steak is the best! Garlic chicken is delicious! Poke is so fresh and clean tasting! Such good quality made food at such affordable prices! Quick and friendly service also!

    (5)

  • Keri M.

    I LOVE TANIOKA'S!!!! Tanioka's just catered our wedding last weekend. I can't praise them enough! Ono food, great service, and good prices. Tyce, who helped us through everything, was on point and professional! From the first time I called, Tyce was ready to give advice on everything from food choices to vendors and always answered emails or phone calls within 24 hours. He was always willing to work with us to find what was best for us and our wedding. Tanioka's and Tyce are the perfect example of customer service at it's best! I would recommend Tanioka's to family and friends looking for a caterer every chance I get. Everyone complimented the food and even the left-overs were good! Tanioka's has something for everyone and I will use their services from now on!

    (5)

  • chuck m.

    All i have to say is SPICY AHI on sushi rice. Shoots.

    (5)

  • Tupu S.

    For years friends, family, old roommates, ex-lovers (you get the drift) always raved about Tanioka's. Being that I lived in the mainland for so long and trips to waipahu were far from routine - I NEVER had the chance to go. Well.... I truly been missing out all these years!! A few months ago a friend takes me to Tanioka's at first I said to myself... Seriously? In between 7-11 and a muffler shop? Is this REALLY the place everyone raves about? So I walk in and the line circles out to the front door.. As I stand in amazement of how damn busy it is on a Wednesday afternoon when everyone should be at work or school - this place is packed! As I wait patiently, there's an array of bentos, musubi's, fried chicken, poi andagi, the infamous fish cakes, fresh poke and the list of local favorites go ON and ON!!.. At a moments time I felt like I lived under a rock for 20+ years of not having tried any of their food until recently.. I ordered the spicy ahi tuna bento, poi andagi, and fried rice.. Needless to say, I was in HEAVEN... Cheating on my diet never felt and tasted sooo good! Lastly but definitely not the least- the staff there are SUPER friendly! You can tell that this is a mom and pop place since the consumers are regulars and the staff seem to know everyone by name, in addition to talks of hows your brother this, sister that.... Although it was a long line, it went by quick and the wait was TOTALLY worth it.. My trips to waipahu will be more frequent (on the weekends of course)..

    (5)

  • Noa L.

    this place is great! fresh fish!

    (5)

  • Leslie G.

    The food is incredible and the service is just as good. I had to order for a party and they helped me so much in figuring out what to order and how much. I pretty much let them select what types of poke for our platter and I later regretted having to share since it was so good!

    (5)

  • Fatima H.

    One of my favorites. I love the Limu Poke - ahi and tako. I'm not a fan of the shoyu so much though. The quality of the fish is never in doubt and the crack seed is always fun to look though.

    (5)

  • Danielle O.

    This is the place for poke, assorted snacks and fried side items. It's always busy, especially on the weekends, but they keep the line moving. The must-haves are the poke! Whether it's the shoyu poke, mussel poke or whatever, it's good. They also have andagi, boiled peanuts, samurai ice, and tons of fried stuff. The price is more than reasonable.

    (4)

  • Carol L.

    Best spicy ahi poke! Albsolutely the best spicy marlin poke...so worth the price..mealts in your mouth..love the tobiko too. Easy home lunch a musubi and a fish patty regular or marlin M M guud!!

    (5)

  • Ken U.

    First time eating food from here and I lived in Hawaii 20+ years. Man, what the heck is wrong with me? What makes it even worst is I know the owner at a personal level. (my bad Justin, Everytime I come to Hawaii from now on I'm getting food here at least once.) Great food, I ordered the hamburger steak/garlic chicken mixed plate and let me say it was delicious. Heard the poke is to die for here, might just buy some to take back with me! The only downside is that once you buy the food you have to take-out because there is nowhere to sit and eat at Tanioka's.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    If you're into local style poke you have to check out Tanioka's. The place is the place to go if you're any where near Waipahu and are headed to a tailgating party, house warming, or any other local gathering where poke would be appreciated. The staff is friendly and very helpful - especially if you know Mel Tanioka. But, they do get busy on big days so call ahead and place your orders as they always have a separate line for phone orders.

    (4)

  • Dayna A.

    the only fish market i ever wanna eat poke at... since i live right down the street from here i was raised on the stuff and being that my dad fishes i couldn't eat previously frozen if i tried... this is the only place that you can take this poke to a party and just by the taste the people will automatically know where its from so don't try to lie cuz people will know... everyone says its soOOooo expensive 13.95 a lbs is average price as for the rest of the stuff there everything is good from the mochiko chicken to the musubis to the plate lunches quality and freshness guarentee

    (5)

  • danny g.

    Being a big fan of fish i highly recommend this place.. the spicy ahi is great. Take the time and visit Taniokas.

    (5)

  • J R.

    2nd to none has excellent choices of hawaiian/local food items to their local favorite poke delights! Including tako poke (octupus), ahi limu, shoyu ahi, spicy ahi! They also have kalua pig, lomi salmon, fish patty cakes...where do i stop? The question you'd be asking yourself is..."How much you willing fo spend?" =) Stop by & you'll see why!

    (5)

  • Barry A.

    Taniokas makes damn good poke' Taniokas and Ruger Market are probably my two favorite places to buy poke' if I'm not making my own. Another one of the spots I "beeline" for when I step off the plane on Oahu. It's easy to walk out of there with too much food, because ALL of their poke's are phenomenal. Poke', dried fish, musubis, beer, edamame, boiled peanuts...... food stuffs that remind me of being a youth growing up in paradise. That's why I'll always go back. aloha~!

    (5)

  • Sean J.

    I go out of my way to get some Shave Rice and maybe some Haupia sweet potato squares from this place. All the workers are very helpfull and friendly!

    (4)

  • Carrie K.

    "Yum yum in my tum tum" so says Pooh. Well, I'm not talking about sweet bee-hive honey. I'm talking about Tanioka's ono-ono pupu's, especially their juicy cone sushi! *sigh* I've got to stop day-dreaming about 'local-kine' foods. Just thinking about it, I'd buy my plane ticket right now just to have a couple of those heafty cone sushi's! The battered and deep fried sweet potato..mmmm It's a little oily though; but I just roll 'um up in some paper towels and try to get as much oil out of them as I can before eating these lovely munchies. Sweet, a little touch of salt, battered, and deep fried 'til golden brown...just the way everything should be right?! Sounds like every body lying on a beach. Anyways...I'm having a "missing home" moment right now. My apologies... The fried saimin...ooohh so good!! ALL the poke's are awesome. I can't complain. They KNOW what they're doing. I know the quality of their fish is fresh...not more than 24 hours old! Gotta be!! Their laulau isn't too bad. I've had better...well, ya know, your own family members always make the better versions of the foods you love right? They also sell snacks like crack-seed (and I'm not talking about drugs here people!; more like li-hing mui, rock-salt plums), candies, cookies...but I don't pay attention to those because my focus is on the cone sushi!! That's a legal drug...I've gotten hooked on it! The guys who work there are quick and always get your order right; (I have yet to get my order mixed up with someone elses.) even when the order/pay line wraps around in the store and goes out the door. Unbelievable! The prices are right...the place isn't difficult to find because of the big ahi on their sign! (see pic!) But, because they're located right next to a 7-11..parking is just a little tight. And just like those Liliha Bakery cocoa puffs, cone sushi does pretty well on an airplane flight from Honolulu to San Francisco too!!

    (4)

  • Margie N.

    The people here are such nice people and always fast and efficient. The owner there even honored my gift certificate that had expired! I love their fish patties-sooooo goodd! Everything is great there, you will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Gerald A.

    Growing up in Waipahu, this was the place. My cousins would walk from Waipahu Int. and pick me up at St. Joe's to walk to their house right across the high school. It was a far walk, but the pit stop at Tanioka's made it worth it every day. Every time I drop by, I still get the same things I used to get. Mini Spicy Ahi on Rice, crab and salmon patties, and of course, sweet potato tempura. I've noticed lately that the crab patties have been scarce, but I've subbed that with a 1/4 lb. of whatever interesting poke they have. Wish so much out there, I could probably close my eyes and point at random and get something good.

    (4)

  • Gina A.

    I love their poke and their musubi's. Its always fresh and tastes good, can't go wrong here!!!!

    (5)

  • R O.

    My dad wanted sashimi for his birthday, so I bought a tray of sashimi from Tanioka's. I almost fell over when they told me how much it would cost. I think I might have turned a little blue in my face because the lady was very concerned that I was okay with what I ordered. I mean, genuine care for me over the sale. It's rare to find that these days. Parking kind of sucks and they have about 15 workers behind the counter because they are super crowded, but I'd go there again. Even with the (high) prices, I'd recommend going there. The sashimi was wonderful and the (older) man & woman behind the counter were SUPER nice...the kind of local business you'd like to see make it through this recession.

    (5)

  • Topazskye L.

    This is poke heaven at its finest. I totally love the spicy ahi poke, the tako poke, the imitation crab poke..shucks I wanted to have a little bit of everything. On the 10 days we were in hawaii, I've been here 3 times and there was a line every single time! It is also musubi galore here and its a dizzying array of options I tried the spicy musubi and it was good but the gotenberg musubi is the one that makes u delirious with musubi joy. The sausage was just so tasty and together with the furikake speckled rice, it was just awesome. Before coming back to the mainland, we wanted to pack some bento for the flight but they ran out of bento at 2pm but the saving grace was the gotenberg musubis so we grabbed those and went to zippy's for the zippacks (ya...that's definitely not my top pick if I had a choice!)

    (5)

  • Nicole D.

    I live right down the road from taniokas. So I'm a pretty frequent customer there. I absolutely love their poke!!

    (5)

  • Irene C.

    I'm so glad I had my own rental car! This place was definitely worth the trek out to try the poke. I was a bit overwhelmed with the selection, it was so large. Definitely worth a return trip!

    (4)

  • P C.

    great fried chicken and sushi, You can get a bunch of fresh tuna sushi for $12 for lunch, yummy, love the fresh fish... so good. We went there as soon as we left the airport, we love HI and the fresh fish

    (5)

  • Masumi K.

    I absolutely love this place!!! This is my number one place to go to for bentos and musubis. This place usually starts getting really busy around 11 ish - noon. So I highly recommend that you go early. Parking is not that bad here either. For the quality of their food here, they deserve a better parking lot! Maybe it's just me, but their food must make people crazy (in a good way) because all the times I've gone here to grab lunch some crazy person in the parking lot quickly backs out of their stall without even looking. Perhaps they are in a rush to get back to work. The poke here is the bomb! My dad is a picky person when it comes to poke and sashimi. He's like some sort of fish quality expert. He knows if it's fresh or not just by tasting it. And he said he "loves" Tanioka's poke. Now for my dad to say that ... WOW. The soybeans here are delicious also! And also their furikake musubi! I always grab 4 when I go down because they sell out quick during lunch hours. Be sure to also try their fried rice. They make the best fried rice in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Jeff I.

    I'll have to go back there again to get a better idea of what the food is like. I only stopped by to pick up a bento for lunch today. Kinda small for five bucks, but was pretty good. I should have got their poke and rice bowls or something else. They've been there forever, and I should have more opportunities to go there again.

    (3)

  • David C.

    My parents used to own a store nearby. The first thing I would do after getting off of the plane is visit my dad at the store. After that, rice and poke from Tanioka's. Shoyu Onion or Limu Poke. I used to only like shoyu but there is something about limu poke that is just soooo hawaii. It tastes like the ocean. Like the taste in your mouth after a surf session. Kim Chee Tako is also a winner. Make sure to get hot rice to eat with your poke. It just makes it sooo much better.

    (4)

  • Ninja N.

    MY ABSOLUTE FAVE ON THE WEST-SIDE! Poke's unbeatable as well as their spicy ahi on sushi rice - $3.89! What a deal! Fish patties rule! The workers are very pleasant & efficient! WOW, haven't you seen the line out the door?

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    Our family of 4 got take out and took it to Pearl Harbor while we waited for entrance to the memorial. The garlic chicken was a big hit, as was the poke, and lomi salmon. The line was long but moved fast. The staff was extremely helpful and patient despite the business of the place.

    (5)

  • Brent M.

    Went there the other day and the line was all the way to the the door at 10:30am! This place is delicious but the prices are getting ridiculous now. Its a good place to go to treat yourself but prices are too high to eat here regularly. I guess it doesn't matter if you jack the prices, people will still come.

    (3)

  • Brent K.

    Tanioka's has one of the best spicy ahi poke on the island hands down! Pretty much all their poke is AWESOME! They normally serve the spicy ahi on sushi rice with some nori strips on it. It's not a set your mouth on fire spicy, but it does the job for me. The boiled peanuts are also pretty good. During UH football season, that place can be a mad house. Poke is almost equivalent to rice at tailgates, it's a staple!

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    Great place for poke and okazuya food. LOVE the fish patty!

    (5)

  • Kaili N.

    i love going to parties when tanioka's is catering it! i'm surprised by how much i like their food, especially the fish patty. i mean, that's something that i wouldn't normally like but theirs is really good. also, their tempura isn't the type that i am accustomed to (japanese light golden flakes), but i really like it as well. what the hell are they putting in their food? crack?!

    (4)

  • Hayl T.

    Best place to get poke.

    (5)

  • Joe S.

    first time and big we were overwhelmed this is only take out,always very busy so know what you want before going into line. so many Poke's to choose from and they have other item alike different kinds of great bento boxes etc. must try once. I told my daughter to try when they go in June. parking is hard but they do have a parking lot.great place to buy lunch before going home on the plane

    (5)

  • Kekama H.

    This is the best place to pick up all kinds Poke! I never knew there was more then one kind until I went here.

    (4)

  • superman o.

    Nothing bad to say. They are affordable, consistent and the quality is good.

    (4)

  • Dina V.

    Saw them rated for BEST POKE in the Best of Honolulu and had to check 'em out! Best damn ahi I've ever had! It literally melted in my mouth. The flavors were PERFECT! I'm a big fan of tako too, but I have yet to try it out. Saw they've got a make your bento deal too and everything looked inviting, but again have yet to try it. Most seemed to be of the fried variety!

    (5)

  • J F.

    After spending the morning swimming at the beach lagoon, we decided to pick up some food and bring it back to enjoy beach side. I have to say the fried chicken was a bit of a disappointment but the Deluxe Musubi, lumpia, and lumi poke are to die for. Super delicious. (In fact on my way to the airport I picked some up to eat on the plane.) The sesame tako poke was good too, even though octopus isnt my thing. The real drawback is that I wished they had picnic benches we could eat on.

    (4)

  • Terry P.

    Amazing! If you are looking for poke, this is one of the best of Oahu. Although it's a little bit of a drive, you really appreciate the quality once you take a bite. The selection is also terrific!

    (5)

  • Brad A.

    If you like poke and spicy ahi, this is one of the best places to go. Yes, the traffic is terrible. Yes, the parking is terrible. Yes, the prices are expensive. Yes, the line is out the door packed. Yes, you should just deal with all of the above and go, your tastes buds will thank me. If you're a spicy ahi lover like myself, you will appreciate the subtle sesame flavor and lack of mayo. They let the freshness of the ahi speak for itself. Many places slather on the mayo to cover up the "oldness" of the fish. Not here! The ahi is nice and red, soft and tender, mmm...makes me want to get some right now.... I'll see you in line. ;D

    (4)

  • Jodi T.

    Even though I personally don't eat fish or seafood my boyfriend does and he enjoyed every last piece of fish I got him. I also got him a bento for lunch which he inhaled in no time. I personally love the mochiko chicken, fried rice, and poi mochi. That's my 'go to' meal whenever i go to tanioka's. I love this place and will be back again

    (5)

  • Keri S.

    Really enjoy Taniaoka's freshly made party platters! Whenever anyone on our team gets promoted or moves away, we always do it big with a going away party. We order from a few places, one being Tanioka's. They are so good at getting your order right, everytime. The good is quality food, extremely fresh! Their poke sampler, lau lau, kalua pig and gabbage, sweet potato, chicken long rice, fried chicken, and so much more are some of the favorites. All the trays are wrapped well to ensure it stays hot and doesn't spill. If you are coming for a plate lunch, get there and beat the rush...the line gets really long. Thank you Tanioka's for quality service and food! :)

    (5)

  • Joanne E.

    Trying to find parking and waiting in the long line for your food is a tradition here, but definitely worth the wait and effort. Their spicy ahi is delicious and has no mayo to interfere with the fresh tuna taste. Love their huge variety of poke, there's something to please everyone. Their vegetable tempura, musubis, and fish patties are ono, too! It's very difficult to make it through the gauntlet of goodies without picking out under $30 of bounty before reaching the cashier. But your tummy will be happy!

    (4)

  • Tiffany C.

    Sometimes I forget that the poke in Hawaii is far superior to anything I will ever get in California. FAR SUPERIOR. And then, the first day on our visit here in Hawaii, we go to Tanioka's, and I am quickly reminded how poke SHOULD BE. The poke, so deliciously amazing, renders all silent because everyone is too busy enjoying it. At least, that's how it is with us. The second we all start eating, all conversation ceases as we dive in and enjoy each delectable morsel of poke. I've only been in Hawaii for a week, and I've already returned twice. Both times getting the Spicy Marlon. You can't find that in California! I've also tried the Crunchy Garlic and Spicy Alae. You really can't go wrong with your poke choice. The poke just melts in your mouth with each bite. No fishy smell or taste. The pieces are cut to just the right size. I am definitely returning to Tanioka's before I leave to take some home with me!

    (5)

  • Brendan Y.

    You want take-out? You like poke? Tanioka's. Poke, tako poke, any and every way, well almost every way. Everything is delicious in there, so don't be shy and fill up. You won't be disappointed. As I am writing this brief review I am battling a severe poke craving ... and am 5,000 miles away from Tanioka's!?!?! I'm nearly in shambles. But lucky you! If you are reading this review, stop contemplating and go check it out!

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    I love everything about Taniokas!! POKI, service, and of course the Bomb diggidy chicken!!

    (5)

  • Lara A.

    I love their food! But today must of been my lucky day. The sold truffles! This should be more than five stars. Lol.

    (5)

  • Adrian T.

    This place is the bomb! The only other place I can think of that can compete with this place in the world is Fresh Catch or this other place in Salt Lake. The parking over here can be a bit hectic but out of the hundreds of times I've been here I've always been blessed by God a parking spot. I love how this place looks and how the business is run. If there's anything I would change, it's have more and more variety on top of the many different foods they have to offer. I first tried their fish patty musubi when I was in the 8th grade when my brother and mother came home with some goodies. I instantly fell in love with this place because of my first Tanioka musubi. So when I got my license at the age of 16, this was the first place I went and the first place I've taken any girl. Too many memories that have branched from just going here with friends. The service is excellent despite how hectic this place can be. The boys and sometimes girls that work here are awesome. The lines here can be long but very well worth the wait. This place has smoked poke, tako poke, mussel poke and different types of fish poke. ALL of the poke made and prepared is on point. After you've gotten your poke, you get to your garlic chicken, fried chicken and this thing that's rice wrapped in deep fried fish scales and topped with I think mayo. Ono... They even have their own products and sherbet for sale here. They are the only place I know that sells sunflower seeds covered with chocolate. Definitely better than M&M's. So many things here like their green river or there orange bang to drink or even sashimi cut to perfection. They even have a poke lunch bag for all you construction workers and painters etc to bring to the jobsite. This place takes care.

    (5)

  • Kelsi C.

    BEST poke ever! We came here for lunch yesterday, and I mean it when I say that you should get here before the lunch rush! This place gets heavily packed. However, the staff are very efficient at getting everyone in and out in a substantial amount of time, and are also very helpful! I got the spicy ahi poke bowl over rice with furikake. We also got some of the "dried poke" which was also very good. The spicy ahi tasted fresh, and there was hardly any cartilage in the fish, which I liked. The "dried poke" is sort of their take on fish jerky, and is a fun thing to munch on. It's also a great pupu to bring to a party! The price here is the same as it is for poke anywhere, so this makes a great spot for a nice lunch (granted you get here before or after the rushes!) The market closes at 4, so no dinner is served here, unless you pack up everything to eat with your evening meal. Also, be aware that there are no tables and chairs, either. You will either have to sit in your car and feast, or also driving to a nearby beach to enjoy your food. However, all in all, come HERE for poke! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Kim D.

    Okay this place is definitely the best place to get food on Oahu! My kids are the pickiest eaters ever and they wanted to give this place ten stars lol. We got the Korean fried chicken, spam masubi, and beef stew lunch plate. The only downside is the parking, but their fast friendly service more than makes up for the parking. We are definitely going back a few more times before our trip is over!

    (4)

  • Nancy T.

    A lot of people recommended this place to me for good poke in Hawaii! It was a little hard to find, especially because they're doing a ton of construction in the area right now...but it's located right next door to a 7-Eleven, if that helps. The store is really small and is literally reminiscent of a mini-deli. You basically get in line and order from a case filled with tons of different types of fresh poke. The spicy ahi is especially delicious! I haven't had much poke elsewhere, so I have no real basis of comparison...but the fish tasted fresh, although it did get more fishy tasting towards the bottom of the bowl - not sure what that means! They also have a large assortment of tempura and other side items, but because this place is so popular and crowded, they were out of almost everything by the time we came here ~2pm. I also tried their simple mochiko curry bowl, which was a total steal for $4! It was really delicious and surprisingly filling, although it looked small when I first saw it. This is definitely a no-frills kind of place, where you get in and get out real quick. The employees are efficient and keep the long lines moving quickly. There aren't any tables inside the store, nor anywhere else in the plaza...so be prepared to eat your food in the car or elsewhere. Definitely a great and affordable hole in the wall that apparently does catering too?! If I lived in Hawaii, I'd be all over that for my next party!

    (4)

  • Jennifer N.

    My friend who lives on the island told me to go here. The parking sucks but once you park be aware there is going to be a line. There is a ton of poke to choose from. they have a yummy California poke with king crab and avocado. It sells out a lot so make sure you get there at a decent time. Its not just poke they sell, they have a ton of things like candy, spam masubi, lumpia and much more. Annoyed with the line but honestly worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Jordan S.

    As far as catering goes, these guys are awesome. Garlic Chicken is awesome. Teri Beef is awesome. Poke is awesome. It's all awesome. Well worth the traffic and wait to get to.

    (5)

  • Wetonbe S.

    Taniokas is a frequent spot I hit weekly. The line moves pretty fast and staff is always nice and friendly also helpful and personable. Food is the best hands down! Spicy ahi bento is Ono! In the case everything is broke the mouth . There fried chicken ! Favorite locally owned business !

    (5)

  • Stephanie I.

    Tanioka's is my favorite place to get poke. They have the freshest seafood and the best combinations of flavors. I like to pick up some mochiko chicken musubis, cone sushi, spicy musubis, and fried chicken as well. This place is ALWAYS busy, but if you tend to get a million customers with a million employees working behind the counter.. things tend to even out. Try to come early though, because they do run out of the good stuff.

    (5)

  • Donna Lyn B.

    Tanioka's is the go-to place for me and my co-workers when we want to do a quick lunch run. One of my co-workers last year literally asked almost every other day for us to go to Tanioka's. We know that it's best to go before the lunch rush so anytime before 11 AM you'll get in and out in like five minutes because there's still plenty of parking stalls open and if you know what you want, grab it, put in on the counter quick for the workers to slide over to the register to pay for them. If you go during the lunch rush, you will be fighting for a parking stall. You will be standing outside the door and there's a security guard to make sure the door stays closed until you can get in. You will stand in the winding U-shaped line watching as customers before you snag the last spicy salmon rice ball that you wanted. You will probably be indecisive about getting a poke bowl, or a plate lunch, or get a pre-made bento, or make your own bento. Poke-wise, I like getting their garlic poke. Plate lunch-wise, I've enjoyed their cream of mushroom chicken, their pastele stew, and their palusami. I rarely get a pre-made bento anymore, but when I I always get the one with the fish patty, maki sushi, and cone sushi. Most of the time I just do ala carte and usually grab (all the time) the spicy salmon rice ball, (sometimes) fried ahi tempura roll, (always) a fish patty, and either mochiko chicken or fried chicken. If I want dessert, I get one of their super sugary frosted scones. Tanioka's is good food and quick service even during the lunch rush and as long as I'm working in the area I'm making lunch runs here at least once a week.

    (5)

  • Sebastian F.

    Oh man, Tanioka's is good stuff. This was the first stop for food after coming from the main land, and what a delightful surprise it was! Their poke is the bomb. Chunks of tuna, perfectly seasoned, it must be the definition of perfect Hawaiian food. Not cheap ($10 a bowl) but totally worth it. You'll crave for the rice bowl and your tuna for days. Fantastic local take-out spot. Poke BOMB.

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    4 words for lunch... SPICY AHI TEMPURA BOWL - Spicy ahi poke - Seafood veg tempura - Shrimp Tempura - Unagi sauce/Masago Mayo If you don't know, now you know!!! The line can "look" long but it goes very fast. Great/Friendly service with great food. Can't ask for more!!! I've also had them a few times when they catered weddings and definitely one of the best. I can't wait until they open one up in town!!! (hint hint)

    (5)

  • Brian O.

    Good friend brought us here on a recent trip and boy was it worth it. We got limu , some lomi salmon and some pickled cucumber. It was delicious , each flavor was there and the fish so not over seasoned or too salty. Just right. Also tried the fried chicken which was crispy and juicy and sooo much flavor. Also tried some crispy ahi rolls . That was epic!!! Just get it all.

    (5)

  • Todd S.

    If you're looking for, what I'd describe as a small army dedicated to serving you and ringing up all your local favorites, then Tanioka's is the spot! From an assortment of musubi, crispy fried chicken, fresh poke, and more, you're almost guaranteed to find your fix there. They're in Waipahu, but man I wish there was a Tanioka's in town! Good stuff!

    (4)

  • Jennifer O.

    I know the lines are long. Just be patient. Seriously, don't leave your spot, it'll be so worth it. Tanioka's, hands down, has some of the best poke in life. Not even just Your life, but life of all mankind and all lifetimes!! Nah, but for reals, this place has been around since before most of you Yelpers have been alive, myself included. And with the consistency this store has had (I was raised literally 3 blocks away and came back 10 years later; more times since then. It's exactly the same, honest poke), it will outlive us all! Barring they teach the next generation and those people have the same love and passion for gastronomy. And the same impeccable taste buds. And the same Great Grandparents recipes. And mankind hasn't killed off the supply of fresh fish. Okay, just go there Now. Get some poke of course. But also, andagi (Okinawan doughnut), cone sushi, fried chicken.. You know what, just go! Also, if you're there early enough, ask where "k's bentoya" is and hurry before they either close or run outta bentos! They're a few storefronts down. Dinky Lil place, but the combo of these two spots + a Leeward beach-filled afternoon will be a highlight of your vacay. Enough reading, fellow Yelper! The line is getting longer, just go already!!

    (5)

  • Roz M.

    Everything about Tanioka's is... THE BOMB! Boom...what can I say? 1. Ranked #91 on Yelp's 100 of the top restaurants in the U.S.A.for 2015. 2. Located in Waipahu next to a 7-11. 3. Always busy...lines inside and outside...but well organized and quick. 4. Popular items- fresh poke, fish patty, maki and cone sushi, different types of musubi, meat items, bentos, okayzu items, Hawaiian food,local,desserts, scones, local snacks, cookies and drinks. 5. Catering is also available. My favorites- *bento (spicy tuna over sushi rice)-sushi perfectly seasoned and the tuna is fresh, creamy and a little spicy *fish patty- tasty and yummy *spam musubi- the spam is cooked in a teriyaki sauce and ooo so good *blueberry scones- delicious, buttery, moist on the inside and crunchy on the edges What are your favorites?

    (5)

  • Trung L.

    Small little Deli/Seafood Market. This place is mainly a get in line, order your food, and eat outside or in your car. I had the 2 Choice Poke bowl and a Spam Masubi. Poke I had was Spicy Ahi Poke, and Limu ahi poke. I should have went with the sushi rice for $1 more instead of the normal rice. But both my poke was flavorful, fresh, and delicious. The Spam Masubi was really good too, not sure what sauce they used in the spam and rice, but it was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Richard B.

    Here are some of my favorites: poke bowl, limu poke, Shoyu poke, imitation crab poke, rice musubi, fish patties, fried rice, and fried chicken. They also have the best and moistest cone sushi. It can be costly when you grab the small items, but it is well worth it. Any time I go to a party and they are serving Taniokas, I know the food will be great. Best pupus in town.

    (5)

  • Kris O.

    When I was younger, my family lived within walking distance from Tanioka's and sometimes I wish I still lived nearby. There are countless food memories associated with their cone sushi (hands down my favorite sushi), fish patties and ice cold boiled peanuts. As an adult, I've been adventurous with expanding my food horizons and I thoroughly enjoy ordering their regular Beef Stew plate lunch (it includes two scoops of rice, mac salad and a FREE fountain drink). As hard as I try, I'm never able to resist picking up a bento pack of cone sushi, li hing mui pineapple, a couple shrimp tempuras and a few pieces of fried ahi sushi. there's a part of me that feels a little guilty about ordering so much food especially since it's only for myself, but those guilty feelings quickly disappear whenever I remember I no longer live within walking distance to Tanioka's. If you're planning to visit Tanioka's, it might be a good idea to go with a friend who can stand in line while you look for parking. The lunch rush is very busy, so be patient and try not to wait while you're starving. PS- Tanioka's has a great Thanksgiving / Christmas catering package which my family has enjoyed over the last few years. My grandma loves the convenience of not slaving over the preparation of a giant turkey and I love that my Aunty always picks up my favorite cone sushi.

    (5)

  • Stephanie W.

    Always amazing and Ono food...stopped in to get some bentos for lunch today and some poke for dinner. Too many yummy choices and I left with a lot more food than I needed. I made my own bento by choosing individual items...MmMmMm!

    (5)

  • Hannah D.

    We catered our wedding rehearsal dinner food from them and everything was excellent. We made our own menu. Garlic chicken, noodles, rice, ube, lumpia and mushubi. Poki platter Garlic chicken: very fragrant and super savory, was dry though by the next day Ube/Lumpia: delicious but little greasy Noodles: standard Mushubi: order less b/c the chicken mushubi was bigger than my fist! Huge huge Poke Platter: hands down the shining star dish. We picked out 4 different types. The fish cuts were melt in your mouth. Excellent service at pick up. Skip the delivery because they charge $100 and require a minimum order of $500. Gave us plates/napkins/utensils as well. We would definitely come back again and again.

    (5)

  • Ray W.

    Super nice, super legit!!!!! Food at its finest! Had a variety of poke and all of it was good.. Fried chicken was on point too! Parking lot fills up quickly but all in all , worth the wait!!!

    (5)

  • Ralph C.

    This is the spot for some killa food . Always fresh a little bit pricey but it's fresh and made everyday ...I mean everyday the fish is fresh the lau laus is fresh anyway get the idea right

    (5)

  • Divina R.

    Great place for bentos. Price- you can make your own bento however everything is priced individually. Most items are between $1 to $3. It can definitely add up but you'd want to try everything. I love all their musubis. Their seafood vegetable tempura is my favorite! Their fish cakes are to die for!!!!!!!!! Definitely worth the wait. It's definitely busy during the holidays as it is a great place for a beach or hike snack.

    (5)

  • Aline T.

    My friend and I were heading to the "west side, any side, every side"...and since we're a bunch of townies, we wanted to eat out. Where go, cuz? Tanioka's? Shoots, I nevah been. ....BRAH YOU NOT ONE LOCAL YOU NEVAH BEEN TANIOKA'S. Okeh okeh, we go. They are well known for their poke and spam musubi but their delicatessen offerings are KILLAH. Fried chicken, AHI PATTY, tofu patty, hash patty, spam musubi, poke - ALL ONO. So ono. I haven't stopped thinking about it since. And guess what? Pop that sucker in the toaster oven and everything gets all yummy like when you first bought it. There is also a lot of plate lunch options, like Hawaiian plate, beef stew, loco moco, etc. Coming from town, it's on the left side, so if you're using GPS, it won't tell you that you gotta do a U turn at the nearest can-do light (no worry, get). Then it's in a strip mall next to 7-11 and there is usually a line out the door, a security guard letting people in as people leave (I not even kidding), and no parking. You gotta wait for parking and you gotta wait in one line at the door. Cuz it's that good.

    (5)

  • Joy A.

    As a visitor, it was so much to take in! I wish they had this sort of poke deli in California. I would forever be a pescatarian if that was the case. We went during the weekday so the line wasn't terrible. It moves pretty fast so you no time to sit and think about things. Luckily, I was with my cousin who was a local and was able to coach me through it. The poke was fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. You also pass by shelves and displays of other small eats. They all are priced low but if your eyes are bigger than your stomach, you can easily buy way too much food. Their selection of musubi is superb. I ended up getting a teriyaki chicken musubi, a fried ahi roll (omg, so good) and a poi mochi donut. Staff is efficient and friendly and they get you out the door with the quickness.

    (5)

  • Kathleen G.

    I love this place. Get a mini plate chicken with mac potato salad, scoop of rice, a huge fountain drink, and a huge perfectly fried crispy piece of chicken for less than 6 bucks?! What a deal! And dont forget to add a rice ball, shrimp tempura, fish patty, side of poke, or whatever other fried yummy thing you want for cheap. Really fast and friendly service. Keep in mind what you want to order because although the line may get crowded, it moves FAST. Can't wait to go here again! :)

    (4)

  • Petey A.

    When lunch-time comes around, parking can be really bogus. 7-11 doesn't like it when Tanioka's customers park in their stalls, but I sometimes park there anyway to buy a cup of coffee and head right over after hehe. Also on the weekends and holidays, customers are there pretty early before heading out to the beach or where ever. But after the busy hours, pretty much all the good stuff are gone :( The line goes by fairly quick and gives you some time to pick out what you might like. It's pricey but the food is really good. My personal favorites is the seafood vegetable tempura, fried rice, mochiko chicken, fish and salmon patties, and sweet potato haupia squares. They have a wide variety of poke to choose from too. Customer service has never been a disappointment. I wish they brought back the Marlin patties, they were so ono!

    (5)

  • Jasmine W.

    My job requires a lot of field work, and I usually will treat myself with something that isn't home lunch when I have a field trip. I've come to Taniokas a few times over the past year because I have a project in Waipahu, and it is the perfect stop on my way back to the office! I always come to Taniokas from the ewa direction, and it is an easy right turn off Farrington Highway. However, if you're coming from town then it looks like it might be really tricky to get into the lot since there is a ton of rail construction right now...you might have to overshoot Taniokas and make a U-turn to get there. The parking lot is really busy, especially around the lunch rush, so please drive with extra caution! Also, make sure you don't park in a stall marked for the other businesses in the strip mall (7-11, attorneys offices, etc.). The past few times I've come, the line has snaked through the store and seems quite long. It moves relatively fast though...from the front door it usually takes just 5 minutes to get to the poke counter. It might take longer depending on how much the people ahead of your order, or if they run out of something and have to restock. Their offerings are plentiful, so if you are indecisive like me you might be a little overwhelmed on your first visit. Frozen treats, dried seafood snacks, and other candies and crackers can be found on your left immediately past the entrance. There is also a variety of rotating cookies and mochi to your right as you wait patiently in line. As you walk through the line, there are more desserts (Okinawan sweet potato/haupia dessert) along with some sushi and picked vegetables in a refrigerated case. Make the turn towards the poke counter and you will be greeted by another refrigerated case with more sushi, poke bentos, pre-packaged poke, and other seafood delights. Then you make it to the poke counter, musubi/pre-packed bento line-up, and the fried chicken/andagi/fish patty etc. counter before hitting the cash register. When you get to the poke counter, you are greeted by a worker. He or she will take your poke order, poke bowl/salad order, and/or plate lunch order. Its best to look at the menus above the counters for your poke bowl/plate lunch options before you order! My go-to order is usually a 1/4-lb of poke (ends up being around $5 if the poke is $18.95/lb...I've tried the ahi limu, ahi alae limu, ahi crunchy garlic which are all great), a UFO (Goteborg musubi), and a piece of fried or garlic chicken (depending on my mood). I always see people with trays full of cone sushi, so that must be good too! My good friend also really loves the glazed poi andagi...I have yet to try it but I always pick up a couple for her when I'm here and she's always super stoked when I leave them on her desk. They take card which is really great! There are several registers, so make sure you keep track of your order when it hits the final counter...they basically place everything you've ordered on the counter and separate your order from the next with those dividers you see at grocery store registers so keeping track is really important! You don't want to pay for or get someone else's stuff! TL;DR - huge variety of lunch and snack choices, excellent poke, and very crowded during lunch!

    (5)

  • Mary J.

    Tanioka's has a plethora of poke, okazuya and goodies to choose from. My first and last stop when visiting my home town of Waipahu. Looking for great food? This is a must.

    (4)

  • Lori L.

    Food from Tanioka's Seafood & Catering would make any beach outing, sporting event, school lunch, or gathering better. While you're waiting in line, figure out what you want from Tanioka's variety of fresh, never frozen poke, okazu, pre-packed items, and snacks. Servers are lined up to pack your items from the poke counter and deli case and move the line quickly. Two items I always pick up are the Alaea Ahi Poke, which has a nice hit of salt, and the Ahi Fish Patties, the fist patty is firm and good both warm and cold. Also good are the Haupia Sweet Potato Squares, Spicy Ahi Don, Inari or Musubi for rice, Fried Chicken, and Pot Pies. Definitely not the cheapest, but it's the place in Waipahu to make a bento lunch or grab a snack.

    (4)

  • Jaye F.

    I love their food. Although the line is always out the door the wait is worth it. Plus it's not like you're standing in a still line, it flows so you'll be fine. Parking does suck though.

    (4)

  • J R.

    Tanioka's did an outstanding job catering our wedding. 2.5 months later and I'm still dreaming of/salivating over Tanioka's catering! For ~120 guests, we ordered their Station Banquet Menu. It consisted of a prime rib station, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, salads, poke station, and desserts for an incredibly reasonable price. Everything and everyone was absolutely wonderful! I couldn't have asked for better food or service. All my guests raved about their prime rib and poke. The food was so delicious, my husband and I had to go back to Taniokas and try all the poke we didn't get to order/taste. The staff was extremely helpful and very friendly. I had to request for an extra set of hands on deck to help with reception setup, breakdown and rubbish removal. I am ever so grateful that Tanioka's was able to make the arrangements to accommodate our needs. I can't wait to go back to Oahu and stop by for some more poke. mmmm...

    (5)

  • Shannon L.

    I was really debating on if this was better than Ono Seafood and it is CLOSE. SUPER CLOSE. But there is something about Tanioka's fish that tastes just a little more fresh and higher quality. I do think that Ono's spicy mayo poke is better because the chunks are larger. But Tanioka's crunchy garlic poke is out of this world. It's the right amount of garlic and onions. This was what won me over... the bigger the chunks of tuna, the better you can tell how good some poke really is. You are paying approximately $18.95/lb. for the ones mentioned which is about $6-7 more than what you'd pay for some at Foodland but I think it's worth it. They also have really great looking fried chicken but most of it was sold out by the time we got there. If I lived in Oahu, I would cater from this place for my birthday every year.

    (5)

  • Mark O.

    One of the things I end up craving frequently while on the mainland is poke. Specifically, poke from Tanioka's comes to mind. When I am in Hawaii I find almost any excuse I can to make a trip out to waipahu just so I can stop here on the way back home. Tanioka's is a local favorite and you will often find a line forming straight out the door. In fact, when I went there today they had a security guard handling the formation of lines and limiting the amount of people allowed in. Once inside you will see the massive operation they have going with tons of employees handling a very quickly moving line. All of their poke is very good and there are just so many options to choose from. My personal favorite is the spicy marlin poke which is marlin cubed into very small pieces coated in masago and hot sauce. Spicy mussel poke, hot alae poke and dried aku are all good choices as well. Amazingly, their poke is not the only great part about this place. All of their dry items are delicious as well. The spicy tuna roll, salmon patty, lumpia and especially the garlic chicken are all items I find myself ordering on an impulse as I near the cashier. Overall, I can't say enough good things about Tanioka's. It is certainly worth the drive and I consider this place to offer the best poke I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Steak E.

    Seriously my favorite poke place. Once you taste their spicy ahi you'll never be able to go back to Foodland poke. It's so fresh and doesn't taste mayo-ey like most spicy ahi poke usually does. I love their musubis, shrimp tempura, salmon cakes, and their crispy ahi!!! Soooooo ONO!!! Probably the only reason for not giving them 5 stars would be the price for the amount of food they give. The spicy ahi don (poke + sushi rice) is normally over $6.. it would probably help if they increased the poke to rice ratio.. Go early on weekends and go the day before any holidays/SuperBowl/anyUHgame unless you want to stand in a line that wraps around the building X_x

    (4)

  • Tuesday Y.

    Always a great visit to Taniokas! I endured the crowd last week at the heat of the lunch hour. They definitely have the quick efficient process mastered. The food is excellent! The staff full if Aloha! Its worth the inconvenience of HART disrupting getting into the lot for a parking space!

    (5)

  • Samantha G.

    There's no place that does bento better than Tanioka's....well at least in my opinion. Tanioka's was introduced to me by my college BFF when I first visited years ago. Its a must to pick up bento here before heading to the beach. Favorites of mine include (but not limited to) fried chicken, poke (they have a wide variety), Mac salad, spam musubi and haupia. Believe the hype, you must go early or else you might come to slim pickings.

    (5)

  • Monika P.

    Had a poke bowl with split crunchy garlic and spicy ahi. The crunchy garlic could have a little more crunch (could hardly taste any). Over fried rice (so good) for only $.75 more. All the poke is fresh. The fried chicken was pretty great, no bones and awesome batter. The shrimp tempura was probably the best I've ever had in my life. First time I heard of this local leeward spot. I heard lunchtime parking is near impossible. But was a fun deli style (no seating that I could see) group spot; something for everyone. My boyfriend said they've been around since he was a kid and the quality hasn't changed. So that's pretty awesome. Actually had a hard time deciding because everything looked so good. And I wasn't even hungry.

    (5)

  • Sam W.

    Hands down THE BEST place for poke. Being from town, I have tried a many poke places in Honolulu in order to avoid going to Waipahu and possible H1 traffic. There is no where in town that I know of that can give you the fresh, super ono quality poke that Tanioka's has. They also have a variety of cooked goodies and snacks that I have heard are amazing too. I only go there for 2 things: 1) Spicy marlin poke - the marlin is cut into small cubes and whatever they mix it with along with tobiko is freaking amazing. I could eat pounds of this stuff... probably not a good idea though since marlin is a big fish (possible mercury toxicity with over consumption?) 2) Sesame tako - perfectly chewy cooked octopus with just the right amount of season. Done and done. Though the ahi is great, its way too damn expensive for me. The service is friendly and parking is usually easy to find unless you are going during everyone's lunch time. Then there is also a bit of a like inside too.

    (5)

  • Crystal V.

    The poke here is always fresh which makes standing in the line worth it. Pricey but worth it. We get the spicy ahi and limu onion -both are tasty. The spicy ahi isnt super spicy so depends on the temperature you like it. They stopped making Japan Clam which my boyfriend was disappointed about. Their glazed andagi is really tasty. We came towards the end of their open hours and they were fresh and still warm.

    (5)

  • Jozlyn H.

    Pricey but worth it. Fresh poke! Like melt in your mouth kine. Yes it's a little pricey but it's worth paying for the quality of their fish. They get super busy around lunch time that they have a security guard helping control the crowd by forming a line outside of the store. Taniokas been my favorite poke place since I was young. This store goes way back. Everyone that works there is super nice. It's hectic in there but the line moves along quickly. My favorite things about tanioka's: Fresh poke Sesame tako Spicy ahi platter Poke bowl Cute boys working there Kalolo Fried spicy ahi roll Mochi Fried chicken Fish patty Sweet potato tempura This place never disappoints..... Ever! L

    (5)

  • Jade N.

    The BESTEST pupu's of all time. Love it all... the ahi poke, tako, raw crab, everything. The Hawaiian plates are good too. There is always a line whenever I end up there but it's worth waiting for.

    (5)

  • .Alan Y.

    While everyone else on the flight back to Oakland was eating a soggy bagged sandwich, I was grubbing on a 1/4 pound tub of ahi limu poke that I had packed in a bag of ice and stashed in my backpack. The wahine sitting next to me was eyeing my chopstick action up and down, and the burly Hawaiian flight attendant was all up in my grill "YOU BUSTIN' ME UP WIT DAT POKE BRUDDAH" as he sadly watched me eat the last piece of fish. My only wish was that I had a bowl of rice and some furikake to go with it. Edit: I just got back from Oahu on 1/27 and let me tell you, the Spicy Marlin Poke is the friggin' bomb. I also tried the Sesame Tako Poke. Who would think that octopus could be so tasty and tender. Mmmmmmm. Great job Tanioka's!!! And they also gave me a free box of haupia! Love this place!

    (5)

  • Gizelle M.

    Came here today and had a fish cake and a Lomi ahi bowl and it was delicious! It cost about $7 for the bowl and a dollar and some change for the fish cake. I have no complaints about this place. The employees were pleasant.

    (4)

  • Stacy H.

    Poke isnt bad. I tried the shoyu and garlic ahi. Both were good and you can sample all the poke.

    (4)

  • Beth K.

    Excellent Poke! We picked up the pre-portioned type over the rice that is in the cooler before you get to the actual poke case. It was a trio of tuna, mackeral and tako. All 3 were so delicious. The ahi sashimi was excellent! We also ordered a plate lunch with both types of pork, kailua and lau-lau. The kailua was really yummy the other pretty good too. We also ordered a bunch of the fried food in the cases, most of that was pretty greasy though. I did love the banana lumpia! The line was a little long but moves fast and it is a little overwhelming the first time you go because it is a little confusing. Totally worth it though for the amazing poke alone!!!

    (4)

  • Ryan M.

    Best POKE period! I haven't had poke better then any other place. Of course you pay a premium for good poke and they only use the top grade cuts of fish. I generally don't eat fish patties, but I do eat fish patties when it's from Tanioka's. The fried chicken and garlic chicken are AWESOME! Just eat them with rice and you'll be a happy camper. Honestly, I pretty much like anything that Tanioka create's. Try them, you won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Tawnie-Ann M.

    I love this place! Inari sushi, fish party, fried chicken, ect!!! It's all fantastic! Line is alwayssss long but so worth the wait!! The only things I'm not impressed by is their Poke....with the exception of their imitation crab poke..in my opinion, no one makes it better than them. Everything else is okay to me and a bit over priced. Foodlands poke is so much greater than their and cheaper!

    (4)

  • Jesse F.

    My wife and I visited this place on Sunday for lunch. The line was out of the door, but there are about 10 employees inside this small place speeding customers in and out. They have a large selection of poke and a few fried items. We tried the spicy ahi poke & limu poke w/ 2 scoops of fried rice. Simply put, it was delicous. This is a must go place if you're looking for great poke.

    (4)

  • E C.

    This is my favorite poke place on earth. Seriously. We get their poke every time we are in Oahu. The lines out the door is proof of their incredible food. We love it so much that we decided to take some back home to NY to share with family at the end of our vacation. When the manager/ owner (handsome Japanese man in his late fifties) found out about our plans, he was incredible....... he packed the poke with special ice packs and extra plastic bags and taped them shut for a long trip home. The poke survived the 12 hour flight and was enjoyed by so many!! We can't wait for our next trip to Hawaii to experience Tanioka's again. Not only do they serve delicious food, they also provide service that is a testament to the aloha spirit.

    (5)

  • David J.

    We always come to Tanioka's when we visit Hawaii. They is generally a line, but it goes by quickly. Great Poke!!! I generally don't like raw tuna, but something about Poke and something about Tanioka's, it's just good. They are generally rushed, but they still try to be nice. Regardless of their friendliness, best Poke I had in Hawaii hands down.

    (5)

  • Elton J.

    This is a Must STOP when you go to waipahu, I MEAN A MUST STOP!!! The Best place on the island for POKE and much much more. Every time I go there I have 2 have the spicy Ahi on sushi rice. It's the only place on the island, when you leave with alot less money then you came in with and feel like a winner. It reminds me of las Vegas without the craps table but after you eat you are a winner ( money will spent ). Can't wait to go back ( las Vegas ) Nah TANIOKA'S a jackpot in every bite!!

    (5)

  • Jen K.

    Tanioka's is the Matsumoto's of poke and seafood. They have a huge selection and they are known island-wide for their fresh poke and seafood. I'll come here and bear the long lines (I frickin' avoid lines like the plague) just for a quarter pound of poke. Today we stopped in for a quarter pound each of sesame tako poke ($8/ lb) and smoked marlin ($14/ lb). The smoked marlin was so yummy. Really sweet, though. The tako was standard. Fresh, not too chewy. omg, its been so long since I had real poke. Almost spoojed right then and there. Lines are always long here especially pau hana time. Prices are a little high, but quality is paramount. They also sell some local kine snacks, musubi, and obento.

    (4)

  • Marey G.

    Why is everything so good here?! More importantly, why is there not one in California! It looks like a small place, but they offer an enormous amount of delicious and fresh foods. My personal favorites are the Taco over rice, the variety of spam musubi, the poke, the fried chicken, the shrimp tempura, and the fish patties. But don't limit yourself, EVERYTHING is good here. It's easy to spend a lot of money here because everything is so affordable and there is such a huge variety that you end up putting everything in your basket.

    (5)

  • Victoria A.

    I've had food catered by Tanioka's before but did not know that they had a store on Farrington! It was one of those days when I was on the verge of hulking out from hunger and my ever so smart hubby decides, "let me feed her before she gets ugly." When you're hungry anything will do (am I right? or am I RIGHT?!). I was so pleased and satisfied knowing that Tanioka's has ready made food "fast food style" at their store. It was a matter of picking out which type musubi, poke or plate you wanted. Loved it!!! Fish patty musubi? I've never heard of it but was so happy to have one. It's just the right size to go for those hungry moments when you wanna devour everything in sight without utensils. Yes, I was THAT hungry. I ended up grabbing a little of everything - literally!! musubis, tempuras and poke. I didn't know what an okazuya was and when I did...realized that Tanioka's storefront is exactly that - a deli styled storefront as well as head quarters for their catering business. Everything was delicious!! Not because I was super hungry - but because it really was very good!! Made me wish I had picked more stuff out. Food was tasty, fried items were still crispy and everything was just so flavorful and filling. But boy...I wish I had gotten more. Is my ignorance showing in regards to Hawaii? Again, learned something new today about okazuayas as well as TANIOKA'S HAS THE BEST OKAZUYA FOOD. And if you don't believe me, the line was an indication that good food is served here. To my surprise, the line moved FAST! I was compelled to pick my food quickly since there were many people behind me and the pressure of picking something quick was unnerving (let me just say, it was not the time to ask questions about the food in the display). If you don't know what you're going to get it's probably best to read what the reviews are saying before going or perhaps peruse the food before lining up. Parking was terrible!! But the food more than overcompensated the parking-go-round fiasco. This visit warrants a return to check out the other food items in their display. I've passed Tanioka's many times since this visit and there is ALWAYS a line so I'm not much help in telling you when is the best time to go. People know good food and the lines are usually a good indication of where to go if you have the patience.

    (5)

  • Nancy F.

    The poke here is so fresh and they have so many flavors to choose from. We ate in the parking lot because we couldn't wait to dig in.

    (5)

  • Mj F.

    Its okay...awesome selection. I have been in here twice and it seems like the price really hits when you get to the register. Lol Idk i don't come here a lot. The crazy lines and junk parking irritate me.

    (3)

  • Cliff A.

    My favorite Poke in all of O'ahu. Super fresh and my girls loved the take home mango and lychee desserts. Highly recommend

    (5)

  • Jenna L.

    EVERYTHING is AMAZING!!! I love the spicy ahi plate!! This place can get packed but the wait is more than worth it!!!!

    (5)

  • Danielle P.

    Not only is everything they have amazing, the staff is so friendly. I can't get enough of this place!

    (5)

  • Rhea Cherie B.

    When I think of poke, the first word that comes to mind is Tanioka's and when I think of musubi, the first word that comes to mind is also Tanioka's. Needless to say, Tanioka's Seafoods and Catering has set the standard in my books for poke, musubi and other local favorites. Tanioka's is probably my favorite place to get poke and they make the best musubis. The parking lot is crappy (always busy and lots of potholes) and the size of the store is way too small but their food and customer service make up for everything. The store is really tiny and every time I go there, there's a line that wraps around the store but the wait usually isn't too long. Their employees are very friendly and always work with a sense of urgency so they get through the line of customers pretty quickly. They have a huge variety of poke and okazuya-type food. FAVORITES: +Sesame tako +Fish patty musubi +Fried chicken +Deluxe spam musubi +Spicy ahi over rice +Lumpia Just a few notes: +Their cone sushi is HUGE +You will want to order everything and things are kind of pricey so it will add up. +They have dessert for sale (butter mochi, cupcakes, plain and poi andagi, etc.) +They have a lot of snacks for sale (gummy candy, cookies, chips, etc.) +They cater and do fundraisers. +They sell plate lunches, including Hawaiian (lau lau and kalua pig) except on the weekends. Tanioka's is the perfect place to go for almost any occasion and I will have to stop my review right here because my stomach is growling and I just might have to take a drive down to Waipahu to get some poke or musubi. Probably both.

    (5)

  • Catherine T.

    Aside from the amazing and fresh foods they offer, the best thing they have to give is their hospitality. We are from the Bay and come every other year and they seem to remember us. We bought over 100 dollars worth of goodies and they gave us a free box of extra items for our purchase. Thank you! When I come here I immediately get the Spicy Ahi Tempura Bowl that comes with yummy poke, rice, shrimp tempura, vegetable tempura, drizzled with some sauces. You won't regret it fam!!!!

    (5)

  • Taryn M.

    What is there not to love about this place? The spicy ahi poke and spam musubis are probably the best on the island. The poke is premium quality and fresh. If they run out of spam musubis, the mochiko chicken musubi is also awesome. I also like to get the spicy ahi tempura bowl (comes with spicy ahi, rice, shrimp tempura and bits of vegetable tempura). Their haupia/sweet potato pie is also super yummy! Items I recommend: -Spicy tuna poke -Spicy tuna tempura bowl -spam musubi -deluxe spam musubi -mochiko chicken musubi -haupia/sweet potato pie

    (5)

  • April Y.

    I haven't been to Tanioka's for a while, I didn't realize how over priced their items are. Wanted to get the noodles in my plate they had it pre-made for almost 8 dollars. Shocked to see my price for 4 hash, 4 shrimp, 2 musubi, and 2 small pieces of chicken....need more items in the okazuya area.

    (2)

  • Alan L.

    This is a take out shop. There was a long line inside the store, but it moved relatively quickly given how many people were in it and the number of items they could order throughout the line, the layout of the store is excellent, people can pick up things as they wind through the line, and then there are two efficient ordering stations, one where you order the poke, and after that, you move onto the okazuya items. As you stand in line, there are also lots of crack seed items you can pick up. I had their spicy ahi poke bowl with sushi rice, salmon patty, garlic fried chicken, and their deep fried The poke was firm, fresh, and well flavored. It had a very light coating of spicy mayonnaise, and they had put a light layer of shredded nori on the rice before throwing the poke on it. However, there were two sinewy bits in the fish that I didn't like and was disappointed they had let get into their poke. The sushi rice was delicious and seasoned well, but I thought it was quite expensive for the upgrade, which was a dollar. The prices here seem rather steep for the amount of food you receive. A very small poke bowl with a smattering on top of one type of poke with the sushi rice upgrade cost $8.95 before tax. The food was quite delicious, but the prices might be about 20% too high. The salmon patty was quite good also, moist, and with chopped onions in it. The garlic fried chicken was rather average. It was crispy, but the chicken was kind of cold, and part of the meat was rather tough and dry. The shoyu seasoning that was on was well flavored with garlic, but seemed a bit too sweet. The patty was $2.25 and while decent, also seemed a bit overpriced. We also had these deep fried nori rolls with unagi sauce and mayonnaise on it. These were tasty too, although again, along they were small and cost $1.75. They also had goteborg musubi, a Kaua'i specialty, It was a ball of furikake covered rice with a slice of goteborg sausage sandwiching the ball of rice. I didn't get it though, because it was $1.75, for a very small musubi. So the recurring theme is that things were quite tasty here, but the prices seem to have been pushed a bit too high. However, the items are all solid and taste great, the poke is fresh and flavored well, and so is an overall great place for local Hawai'i food. The service here was also excellent here. The workers were quick and efficient, and knew the process well. There weren't any hiccups or inefficiencies, and they were very friendly and worked with a smile.

    (4)

  • Lynette N.

    My "go to" bento food! Love their food. There's always a line here but it goes quickly. They have the best poke, ono garlic chicken, best cone sushi, tasty variety of musubis, good fried rice, awesome fish, salmon and tofu patties...and melt-in-your-mouth Mochi. If you haven't been to this well established Waipahu market, you've got to try it!

    (5)

  • Kim K.

    We catered from Tanioka's for a party of about 200 guests. Everything was great! Many of our guests commented that the food was so 'ono! They were surprised to see the variety of dishes and were able to try some dishes that they didn't know Tanioka's made, because we picked out a la carte instead of set menu. Deanna was helpful in assisting me with the menu and quantities. We ended up having much more food leftover than anticipated, but at least we had some delicious leftovers for the week! Also, I wanted to commend the delivery and setup staff. They demonstrated excellent customer service, paying attention to detail for placement of the food and in such a positive, personable manner. Mahalo for making it a special event!

    (5)

  • Tiffany O.

    I've been craving poke a lot lately so when I was kind of around the area, all I could think of was Taniokas! I haven't been here in a really really long time, but I knew I just wanted a regular poke bowl. It was a very rainy day, so the parking lot was kind of flooded, but they do have a lot of parking. Also my boyfriend almost went through the wrong door lol. One thing I noticed was that there were a lot, A LOT of guy workers. I guess they are really THAT busy that they need so many workers! I saw at least 10 in the front... I ordered the spicy ahi bowl, typical of me. My boyfriend wanted the garlic chicken I think? But, they were sold out so he just got a spicy ahi bowl. They didn't really have many choices other than chicken and poke. I thought they would at least. The poke was good! However, the rice was pretty junk. I ended up just eating it at home so I should have just bought poke and ate rice home. The rice was kind of hard and it didn't help make the poke taste as good as it could have? Idk, but yeah I recommend just order poke without the bowl and by the pound or something. Still good though!

    (4)

  • Jamie W.

    Came here to pick up lunch on a weekday. It was packed inside but the line moves surprisingly fast! I got a Hawaiian Bowl (rice, lomi salmon, kalua pork, and your choice of poke). It was delicious! I can see why this place is so popular.

    (5)

  • Lori Y.

    Love love Taniokas:) Anytime your headed out west side this is a must! From freshly made musabis and cone sushi to all the different varieties of poke! You gotta try it! They have snacks, desserts and all June goodies! Go enjoy!!:)

    (5)

  • Fran C.

    I was working in the Kapolei area yesterday, and as I was trying to head back to town I realized it was lunch time. Since I was now near the Waipahu area, I decided to drop by Tanioka's as.I heard about this place from my friend. Funny I've often heard about this place, but I never ever walked in and checked this place out until yesterday. I was told about their large selections of fresh poke, as well as their fried food selections, and musubi's. Well, for me............I'm just here for FRIED CHICKEN! I'm a fried chicken eating fiend!!!! Always loved it as a kid..........and still love it as an adult! As I walked into the store, there was a long line that snaked in a u-turn all the way to the entrance to the door. As I waited in line, I got a good look at the fried food selection, as well as all their poke! I must say it was impressive! For lunch I picked up the following......... 1. Spicy Ahi rice. 2. (1) Fried chicken 3. (1) Garlic fried chicken 4. (1) Crab cake 5. (1) Diet Pespi, cuz I gotta watch my boyish figa! Lol!!! All I can say about the food is - Ummmmmmmm! ONO!!!! I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach, cuz after downing all the food. I felt kinda sick & over stuffed! Ugh! I guess I have to learn about moderation......and food portion control! Anyways, be prepared to pay a little buckage, as with okazuya...........you know it is expensive. I paid $14.35 for my meal........but I was satisfied, and would gladly come back here the next time I'm in the area. Check 'em out gang! Chance 'em!

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    Really good poke, tofu patties (better than the fish ones - give it a try if you haven't already), chicken (mochiko, fried, garlic - it's all good), and seafood/vegetable tempura (distinctly crab flavored) along with quick and friendly service. But 2 problems. Parking seems abundant but in reality, it is horrible. Bad enough that many stalls are reserved for some business or other, the Tanioka's stalls don't seem to turn over as quickly as they should - poached by other business' customers? The other problem is that some of the food is rather pricey. $1.50 for a small konbu musubi? Tastes good but much larger konbu musubi is priced less elsewhere in the neighborhood. But of course, those other stores don't have the tofu patties, fresh-fish poke, and chicken that Tanioka's does. So plan what you order so you don't get sticker shock when they ring you up.

    (4)

  • Jeannie G.

    Best POKE on the island hands down. This family run business gets super busy. Once you step in, you'll see why. Staff and owners are warm & inviting. Line usually goes out to the parking lot. Garlic ahi, spicy tuna, and lomi are my favs. Did I mention garlic chicken?! Please please please whatever you do, leave room for the garlic chicken. And non-skin fried chicken eaters will regret this but that crispy, garlicky, chicken skin is so darn good mmmm, ur heart attack will be worth it. Make room for a few spam masubis, my fav is rolled in furikaki. And the haupia is bomb! I may be biased bc they catered my wedding BUT I love them and still come for more. Thanks Lauren & family for an unforgettable catering experience on our wedding day! -xoxo

    (5)

  • Russell K.

    This place is a true 5 star establishment. Great service, everyone who I interacted with was great. At the register the managers even came up and chatted with me. They asked how i was doing, where I was from and even gave me a few sample goodies to try. They really made me feel welcome! Most importantly the food was GREAT. I would highly recommend the CRUNCHY GARLIC POKE. All of the others we tried were good, but the crunchy garlic stood out. Fresh fish, amazing poke. I would for sure add the pickled green seaweed salad to eat with your poke. Bottom line, if you want some true, fresh, hawaiian poke, GO TO TANIOKAS.

    (5)

  • Irene H.

    Poke - fresh just wish they add more mayo to their spicy ahi. Mochiko chicken - my favorite chicken to pick up! Sweet and so soft...love my chickens juicy! Sushi - bomb here, reminds me of Sakae sushi in Gardena California. Spicy ahi over tofu - so delicious. My go to spot for cravings! It's a small, hole in the wall spot. You can only take out. Line is always long but quick to order.

    (5)

  • Jon E.

    There is a line at Tanioka's. There is ALWAYS a line at Tanioka's. Not a slow line however, they are efficient as hell. They better be, since they serve up the best poke in Hawaii. But that was the problem. I always got Poke 2 choice with nori on sushi rice. Always. It's that good........ But now I discover their hot food menu rocks as well! SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS! Wow, I was sweating after eating those. It is a whole body workout - without the corresponding burning of calories sadly... Now it's on, gotta try the rest of the menu - beef stew, you're up next!

    (5)

  • Arlene A.

    I have been a fan of Tanioka's since they had their downtown shop in the Pioneer Plaza. It was then that I was first introduced to their various bentos, poke and yes, let's not forget the famous fish patties! They're no longer in Downtown, so every time (and I really do mean almost every time) I'm passing through Waipahu, I will make a stop and pick up a few items to eat on the go or heat up for later. The quality has always been consistent throughout the years. And they always have happy and helpful workers which I can appreciate, especially when servicing customers non-stop all day long. You can count on those guys to keep the line moving for sure. I do wish they would open up another location in town. But I guess it's a nice treat and something I can always look forward to when visiting the wesside!

    (4)

  • Claire F.

    It was love at first bite! Okay, well maybe I hyped it up in my head from all the stellar reviews on Yelp and the countless people raving about it in person, but Tanioka's certainly lived up to its high expectations! I LOVE okazuya places, and this one is amazing! So. Many. CHOICES! The journey begins by standing in the ridiculous line weaving around and spilling out of the store. Great, I think, who the heck signed me up for this nightclub line. After smiling sweetly to the bouncer/security guard, we're in! Walking into the store, I'm already itching like a little kid walking into a candy store. While at the tail end of the enormous but fast-moving line, I crane my neck to catch glimpses of those scrumptious okazuya offerings, so delicious to the eyes. Drunk with the equally enticing aromas wafting through this tiny shop, I make a mental note of which items to take a closer to look at once within arms length. Tempura, crab cakes, fried chicken, garlic chicken, fish patties, corned beef hash, sushi, lumpia, deep fried ahi rolls, bentos and plate lunches, musubis in every flavor/combo imaginable, and POKE galore! I don't know how anybody can choose! My choice is their POKE. So divine; one of the best on the island with its ridiculously super soft melt-in-your-mouth texture, no sinew, and tasty flavors done just right. More than a dozen different varieties to choose from (and they let you sample!), there is definitely something for every poke lover! Spicy ahi = my ole reliable preference. I'm also blown away by their varieties of musubis! Their mochiko chicken musubi is definitely a local favorite and a must-try, but I'm dying to work up the courage to stray and try some of their others! They also sell local favorites like boiled peanuts and crack seed/candy by the package. And bottled drinks, ice cold from the fridge and ready to be consumed. And did I see something about macarons? This place is SERIOUSLY the complete package!! 5 stars to a legend so deserving.

    (5)

  • Justin H.

    Great Poke! One of my favorite places to eat. If you haven't tried the salmon patties or fried chicken you definitely should. Their a great addition to a poke bowl. Their always packed, but have a great system to keep the line moving at a steady pace.

    (5)

  • J R.

    I've stopped by Tanioka's on several occasions. And I've had the food for several office gatherings. Food is very good and consistent. I've had the Deluxe Bento, which consisted of Beef Teriyaki, Mochiko Chicken, Spam, Hot Dog, and Rice. The bento was really good and notably, one of the best bentos that I've had. The teriyaki was excellent and wasn't marinated too sweet or overly marinated. The mochiko chicken was also great. No oily at all. Spam...well, you can't really mess Spam up, right? And the hot dog was pretty good. Of course, you can't mess up a hot dog, too. What I really like purchasing from here is the garlic chicken. I'm a garlic chicken fanatic, and I must try it everywhere that it's offered. And I think that Tanioka's is up there with the best for their garlic chicken.

    (5)

  • Craig F.

    Poke is abundant in Hawaii, even as we deplete fish stocks around the world. Good poke, however, still takes a little doing. The best stuff on the west side, in this fan's humble opinion, is at Tanioka's. What's makes this place so good is its consistency. The fish is fresh, the limu crunchy, and the acoutremont are very nice indeed. Had the tempura shrimp for the first time today. soft on the outside and crunchy on the outside. Didn't even need to dip it because the batter was so tasty. The musubis are better than mom's. And even the store logo is just cool. Be prepared for huge lunch time crowds. Parking can be challenging, and I feel for the businesses next door. The guys and gals in the shop, however, move people in and out pretty rapidly. You are only slowed by the indecisive, or newbies. For a first visit, for two people, I'd suggest the following: 1) limu poke (spicy ahi if you like that, 1/2 pound, 2) musubi (any kind or classic rice with umeboshi), 3) something fried (chicken, lumpia, aforementioned tempura), and 4) for the health-conscious among us: some sea salad or namasu (cucumber, carrot salad). Bon appetit foodies!

    (5)

  • Samai L.

    This place has amazing poke. It's like a deli line, not a sit down to eat restaurant. There was an extremely long line when we went, but the line moves fast and it was definitely worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Jay Jay C.

    I'm absolutely in love with this place, everytime I have come here service has been superb and the food is to die for. I'm moving back to the mainland and I always say, I wish I could mentor there to learn the secrets of the trade, not to sell but for myself. We always bring our friends here and family visiting from out of town, we also bring friends from the island that have never eaten here and they always say that THIS is what Hawaiian food is! the best Hawaiian food on the island. I always come for the poke, but all the food here is amazing! The fried food is bomb, spam musubi is bomb, the mochiko chicken is bomb, what can I say the food is amazing. If you want amazing food with great customer service that makes you feel like family, for a good price, this is the place...there's a reason why this place is always number one on the majority of the list! keep doing an amazing job!

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    Glad we stopped here before we left Oahu! There was a long line when we arrived but they did a great job of keeping it moving. So many yummy things to choose from! We got poke bowls and I had musubi for the first time. Delicious!!! We took it to a nearby park and had a very satisfying lunch.

    (4)

  • Ardielyn F.

    What is not to like about this place!? Everything I've had have been good. If you love poke this place is for you. They have many varieties of poke to choose from and always fresh. Love musubi? They have that too with different types of it as well. Feeling like you need more than poke or musubi? Don't worry, they got you covered. They have other hot items over rice, fish cake, salmon cake, and crab cake. I LOVE the fish cake! You feeling dessert? They have that too. Tanioka's is really a one stop shop. Could be pretty dangerous coming here on an empty stomach. You can come out of the store with all the food your eyes feasted on. There is a line and it could be pretty long. Fortunately whenever we go we either miss the line or come right on time.

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    Great poke, but they're always out of brown rice regardless of what time I go in. Please don't put brown rice in menu if it's not available most of the time.

    (3)

  • Ashley V.

    Okay, soo.. For those of you first timer's here to Tanioka's (btw, WHY is this your first time?! Have you been hiding under a rock your whole lives? Oh, your not from here? Okayy, your excused..) this place is just awesome! And I mean AWESOME! I don't know any locals that DON'T like Tanioka's! But of course with every great thing there is a down side! If you are not ordering pre-made bento's, musubi's, poke, or a fresh poke bowl; Your only alternative is to order okazuya style, which can get VERY pricey if you're anything like me and love good food when you see it! But hey, I'm TELLING YOU to order up, especially if this is your first time! It will all be worth it. And don't worry about people staring at you holding a loaded plate of what seems to be enough food for three people... Look in front of you and behind you and you will most likely find your foodie sister soul. My favorites and regular go-to's are the mochiko chicken, 1 scoop fried rice, spam musubi, salmon patties, crab patties, fish patties, and vegetable tempura! And if I'm feeling good I'll even throw in a 1/4 lb bowl of poke to go! To conclude, when I have multiple cravings for goodness this is definitely my sure stop! I LOVE THIS PLACE! Go and check it out, order up, and thank me later!

    (5)

  • H C.

    Mochiko chicken, sweat potato tempura, cone sushi, all great Okazuya favorites. Great take out place. Line moves fast. Very efficient and friendly employees. Always well stocked. Have been going here many years. Never disappointed.

    (5)

  • Lovey C.

    Love the variety of food here. Too bad they keep running out of seafood omelette.... It's so yummy!!!

    (5)

  • Black D.

    Thank you Aunty for introducing this place to us. Will go again soon for lunch... Awesome...

    (4)

  • Bridget G.

    Always great food and prices. I get the fish patty and ahi limu onion.. my other half is obsessed with their tako poke.. cone sushi is on point as well.. can't go wrong.. always long lines tho

    (5)

  • Zar A.

    Tanioka's definitely wins my trophy for: best fried rice on this island!!!! You may wonder what is so special about fried rice? Wonder no more, get some of this and you will know! In addition, they also have poke bowls where you can get it with white rice, brown rice, sushi rice or FRIED RICE! Poke is Hawaiian for raw fish. Their assorted pokes are also amazing. They have about 10 to 15 different varieties. What's more incredible is when you combine the poke with the fried rice! Poke that you must get: Sesame Tako (octopus) Spicy ahi (raw tuna) Wwow, my mouth is watering. Everything about this place is amazing!! Other items I enjoy here are: Haupia sweet potato Oreo truffle Mochiko chicken (sweet fried chicken) Deluxe musubi Fried ahi roll Deep fried onions The line here is always long! But the boys know how to keep it going and within 10 minutes, you're out the door with $30 of food just for yourself! :)

    (5)

  • Doreen R.

    We hired Tanioka's Catering for my Grandfather's Funeral and I must say that these guys do catering WELL! We ordered through Mililani Mortuary, prices were good and the menu selections were great. They delivered the food, set-up the food trays, re-filled the pans on the 2-serving tables and even packed-up the leftovers for everyone. They provided the utensils, plates and napkins (that's pretty much a given) and provided all the Styrofoam containers for packing up leftovers. The 2-attendents from Tanioka's were very polite, professional and helpful to all. I will definitely recommend them and use them for future events. By the way, our menu selection was Mochiko Chicken (YUM!, very moist!), Fish Patties, Rice, Noodles (they were DELISH!!!), Mac Salad and Andagi Donuts.

    (5)

  • Nancy A.

    OMG! I LOVE this place! I can't help but keep coming back! They have a large selection of goodies from snacks to entrees! Things to get: spicy ahi bowl, fish patty musubi, spam musubi, fish patty, cone sushi, all the different poke, fried chicken... Oh wow... Just get everything! This visit was even more special since we met the owner, Mel Tanioka, and he spoiled us with extra goodies! Thank you Mel... You know my visits to the island aren't complete if I don't get food here!!!

    (5)

  • Monamarie A.

    Personally feel that they have the freshest poke and best spicy ahi on the island. Worth the price compared to foodland or other markets. Line goes by fast even if it's out the door cuz food is ready when u order it. Love the spicy ahi shrimp tempura combo and the crispy ahi rolls are delicious if there's any left cuz they go fast. Usually go here once a week and everything is worth trying from their variety of musubi to the big pieces of fried chicken.

    (5)

  • James V.

    Came to HI for a week and was told about this place by my gf's family. Got there around lunch time and there was a line. Do not be discouraged by the line because it goes quickly and their seafood is fresh and ready to go. They're staff is friendly and precise as they're used to a long lines. FOOD: Their fresh, dark red, tuna poke is the reason why people keep coming back. They have a wide variety of poke. I ordered half and half consisting of Spicy Ahi and Swordfish. The portions were very generous and the rice was perfect. They also have plenty of other fried snacks and food like musubis, chicken plates, etc. Definitely swinging by here every time I go back to Oahu.

    (5)

  • Wes K.

    For my son's first and daughter's sixth birthday party, the choice was between Tanioka's and Marian's. Comparing the two for Hawaiian food, they were both close in price, although Tanioka's menu doesn't include poi. Since I used Marian's for my daughter's first birthday party through Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, I decided to use Tanioka's as a comparison. I paid the deposit a year in advance so I had a lot of time to adjust the menu. My final menu was Kalua Pig W/Cabbage, Chicken Long Rice, Garlic Chix, Lomi Salmon, Haupia, Rice, Steamed Sweet Potato, Fried Noodles, Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice, Utensils, and Paper Goods. I added our own poke and poi to the menu. Everyone had compliments on their food at the party. I also paid for one assistant to deliver and maintain the stock. If you need an assistant to help with your event, Micah from Tanioka's works hard. He was sweating in an air conditioned room!

    (5)

  • Edward A.

    They catered our wedding in Ko'Olina and we couldn't have asked for more! Easy to deal with and communicate with. Thanks again to all of the staff that coordinated with us!

    (5)

  • Nicole K.

    If I'm being perfectly honest, I have never actually visited Tanioka's Seafoods & Catering... I know! I know! How can I be a West Sider/Poke Lover/Respectable Person and not have gone to Tanioka's before?! I ask myself that every day. While my experience eating AT Tanikoa's is limited, my experience catering from them has been OUTSTANDING! Our office caters from Tanioka's for our annual holiday party of about 800 people every year. We have ordered both pre-made bentos and buffet-style catering in the past and no matter what is served, the food is always a hit! People go gaga over Tanioka's fish patties, mochiko chicken, and teri beef! And for good reason! They are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Besides the food, the Tanioka's staff and crew are a joy to work with. They are helpful, accommodating, and always going the extra mile for your event and for you! Whether big or small, I highly recommend Tanioka's for any party you are hosting. The food will be a hit, the service will be outstanding, and everyone will be happy!

    (5)

  • Jenzen E.

    Got my fresh poke fix before heading back to Cali.. Although prices are on the higher price range.. its worth it..

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    This customer service here is aloha spirit at its finest. I went in there at lunch time and the line was out the door as usual. I had my newborn son in the carrier and the owner walked up and asked if he could help me so I didn't have to stand by the door with my baby. I didn't want to cut anyone off so I waited with everyone else. We went through the line very quickly. They are really on it. When I ordered my food the guy who helped me, not only made my drinks, but brought my whole order to the car for me. Everyone was so thoughtful and great. The food is always ono of course too.

    (5)

  • Tuco A.

    Taniokas is the BOMB, always Fresh, Tasty n filling ! I love the Spicy Tuna over Rice ! For a place thats always Super Busy, the Staff is A-1 , never rude or pushy . I 'll always go to Taniokas over Tamashiro's Rip-off joint Anyday. At Taniokas the Customer comes first !

    (5)

  • Maria P.

    We used Tanioka's to cater our wedding. We ordered the prime rib banquet menu for dinner and a few appetizers for cocktail hour. All the food was very good and everyone said they enjoyed it. They showed up when they said they would and set everything up nicely. We paid extra for trash removal so they took care of that too. We had about 40 people to feed and we ordered for 45. We had way too much food leftover and they packaged everything up for us. If you know you'll have extra food I'd suggest bringing take out boxes because they only brought a few of those and put the food in those disposable silver half trays. I think we could have had a lot more people take home the extras if we had smaller containers for them. Overall, it was better to have too much food than not enough, and we have no complaints.

    (5)

  • Ranada R.

    I've been coming here since I was a child. Every time I come back home I make sure I stop here. My kids love this place as well. Everything here is great! There is so much to choose from. Not only do they have different varieties of poke, but the have bento's, plate lunches, fried items such as poi mochi balls, tempura. Chicken and the list goes on. Definitely worth a stop!!!

    (5)

  • Chuck D.

    I picked up quite a perfect meal here the other day while driving back to Waikiki from the North Shore. I was in town for a friend's wedding. He's local boy so I take his knowledge of favorite places to eat to heart. And his favorite poke place was Tanioka's. Thanks to him and me realizing in the pouring rain that Waipahu was on the way back, I had the poke craving fulfilled for this trip. It's cafeteria kinda style. You pick what poke you want in what quantity... I opted for the sesame tako poke and the ahi limu poke. I got 1/4 lb of each. And after the poke section is the tempura/musubi/fried rice section where you pick what you want again with someone from Tanioka's helping you. I got a spam musubi, okinawan sweet potato tempura and corned beef hash. It was all very good. The tako poke was great. I couldve eaten half a pound of that along with the oh so delicious, makes me wanna cry and fly back to Hawai'i ahi limu poke. So ono... It's really unfair. I need that in my life weekly... The musubi was superb and ive had a lot of sampling in my lifetime. Everything from the sweetness of the rice to the spam and the nori wrap. Sooo ono. The okinawan sweet potato tempura was delicious. I have no way of getting that on the mainland. It was perfection.... It really was. The hash brown was good. Woulda loved to have that warmed up in a toaster oven to fully enjoy it but it was good nonetheless. Thank you Tanioka's and Waipahu town for showing this Califonia boy aloha and ono grindz. Good thing I left North Shore at the time of day I did because I got to Tanioka's at 230pm.... Came to find out they close at 3pm that Sunday. It was meant to be... Mahalos.

    (5)

  • Erik G.

    Was driving back from Ko Olina area and through Waipahu so I decided to stop by per recommendation of a local and my Poke crazed friend. Tried the Shoyu Ahi Poke, the Limu Poke, and the Spicy Ahi Poke. Must say that all three were the best I've had. Particularly the Limu and the Spicy Ahi Poke. The limu seaweed was so fresh - briny and crunch still, while the Ahi was firm and not over marinated. The Spicy Ahi Poke had a rich creamy orange blend with it which didn't drown the Ahi nor did it overwhelm the preparation. This place really is good and it has the fish market feel to add to the whole buying experience. The people working here are very patient and friendly. Everything about me screamed "tourist", but they weren't jerks about it.....but instead, they were friendly and patient. 5 stars based on great service, great attitude, great product, and great value.

    (5)

  • Kawena K.

    Seriously, who doesn't love Tanioka's?! My favorite thing to get here is the sesame tako poke bowl with sushi rice, super tender tako and just the right amount of sesame oil. It's life changing! You can also pre-order this chopped up over the sushi rice for parties...we've done this before and it's always a hit. I also like the shoyu and spicy ahi pokes. The fish is so fresh, it's like buttah! The best thing about Tanioka's is the service. All the employees are super awesome and courteous. This past New Year's Eve, my mom decided to brave the crowd even though she gets really antsy while standing in lines. Luckily, Tanioka's offered water, snacks, and entertainment so she came home without any complaints. It's really great to see local businesses who care about their customers.

    (5)

  • Steven U.

    So I am a huge fan of Tanioka's. It is not near where I live, but I really love this place. If I lived closer to this establishment, I would be......fatter. A lot of people have told me to get the fish patties and the fried chicken, but I always forget because when I walk in, all I see is poke. I love poke and Tanioka's is really one of my first choices if I am in the area....or not in the area:) This last visit I ordered ahi shoyu limu poke, pipikaula, and sesame tako poke. I also tried the lumpia and corned beef hash. Everything I ordered was fantastic except the corned beef hash....it is probably just not for me. My favorite/surprise of the order was the sesame tako poke...it had the right amount of seasoning and the perfect amount of sesame oil to bring out the flavor. It was also very, very tender. I also enjoy the fast service here. They get you what you want and you are out the door! I will return to Tanioka's again soon, mainly because I am out of poke again....I just have to remember: dont forget the fried chicken and fish patties!

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    My friends from Oahu said this is the spot for poki bowl and taro haupia pie. So I decided to go there during my recent trip from Waikiki and I was definitely impressed. This place is way better than Ono Seafoods. Since this place is far away from the tourist area, you'll see mostly locals at this joint; and the locals here sure knows how to eat because this place gets really busy. I'll definitely come back here when I come back to the islands.

    (5)

  • J C.

    I'm addicted. Everything we tried was good, but the GARLIC fried chicken was mouth watering good. Found myself wishing/hoping/praying that there is a place in SF that had chicken like that, but no luck. Whatever you do, change your meal plans and go there now. Go there many times, and for God sake, bring me some. It's worth the trip. Bonus tip: it's all reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Elle U.

    Thank you, Tanioka Catering for an awesome job! From checking emails during the new year's weekend and responding, to being so flexible and to the awesome staff you sent to work, everything was flawless! Couldn't ask for anything more! Planning my mother's service was so stressful and emotionally draining, but you made the refreshment part of it so easy for us. Not to mention the delicious food! Thank you!!!! I would highly recommend Taniokas for your next event!

    (5)

  • Winston F.

    There's usually a line, and for good reason, everything here is good. Best poke, garlic chicken, snacks, muchiko Masubi, etc. Customer service is good as well. But even if they were assholes (they're not) I would still come here to eat. The Tokyo Rose of the waipahu trailer park.

    (5)

  • Valerie C.

    You know, I can see why I've never been here before. The location is--how do I put it lightly?--sorta sketch? It's located off the highway in a chain-link fence enclosed strip mall next to a 7-11 and the dried grass and dirt perimeter really gave this place some charm. (If you had any question about Tanioka's hours, one visit and you can see why this place closes before the sun sets.) First thought upon entering: "Gotdamn this line is long." It was loud and busy in there and everyone but us seemed to know how to navigate this seafood labyrinth. My second thought was "Okay, yea, this place probably is a diamond in the rough." (I recently watched "Aladdin" so that phrase was fresh in my vocabulary...) My third thought was "Oooh, look at this layered dessert! Should I get one? What kind of poke am I a gonna get? HOW do I order? OMG-- ISTHATAMOUNTAINOFFRIEDCHICKEN??? What do I want to drink? Well, what kind of soda do you have? Wait--what?" Sensory overload. Somewhere between my third thought and asking myself where I parked the car, I managed to order spicy poke, garlic chicken, and a diet Pepsi. Do I remember ordering that? No, not really, but I enjoyed it! Maybe on my next Oahu trip I can finally get this Tanioka's thing down.

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    The island's best cone sushi! They also have great poke, fish patties, and awesome fried chicken. Bring your credit card so you can pig out and order a little of everything. Service is quick and the only drawback is fighting for your parking space in the parking lot!

    (5)

  • Kandra A.

    Me and my boyfriend are such fat asses we got two scoop fried rice, a noodle bento, a spicy ahi bento, two fish cakes and 1/4lb spicy marlin and 1/4lb onion poke. All soo good ! Usually I don't like fish cake but this time the only reason why I didn't finish the fish cake was because I was full from all the fish. The spicy ahi bento was good some places over flow it with sauce but the pre-made spicy bento was great! The onion poke was soo good, I was expecting the onion to burn my mouth like other places but the onion was sweet and the poke was fresh af ! I've never had spicy marlin before that was for my bf but it was good too. I didn't even finish my noodles or fish cake because me and my bf focused on eating all the fish before we do our errands and then it gets spoiled in the car and we get sad hah ! The service was good too there was soo much workers looking at everyone seeing whose the next person to help, they're really aware of you and on point with getting the line to get a good flow me and my bf weren't in line too long Over all pretty good, drink selection is whatever's, 7-11 in next door anyways lol

    (5)

  • Nalani S.

    Don't go in this store hungry cause you'll want one of everything!! Went in to just grab a musubi and poke...walked out with a spicy ahi tempura bowl, a pound of alae limu poke, half pound onion poke, 2 deluxe musubis and okazuya!! Yummy in my tummy...I'll be nice and share with my family.

    (5)

  • Reg A.

    Back in Nov. 2013, we found this place by accident on our way to Ko'Olina. Boy, i'm sure glad we did! Don't be discouraged by the line, it goes fast. They have all kinds of fried snacks, musubis & POKE! POKE: Really fresh poke! Its a deep, dark red, tuna. I recommend the LIMU ONION poke. They have a good variety. CHICKEN: All of the chicken is good! The garlic chicken in my opinion is the best. Then the mochiko chicken. I like that they use boneless thigh meat. Its juicy and who doesn't love crispy skin? TIP: If you get the meal, it includes a free fountain drink. SERVICE: Staff is quick & friendly! -The parking lot isn't the best. Its crowded & the asphalt needs work. I ended up coming back here 3 more time's during our 1 week stay. UPDATE: Came here again on June 2014. It was our first stop after picking up our rental car. Still love Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Michelle E.

    EVERYTHING IS GOOD HERE! My favorites include: - Spicy Ahi Tuna over Sushi Rice. So fresh, so tasty, and good between your other meal bites. Haha! - Garlic Chicken - nice and crisp just the way I like and pack full of flavor; best I have ever had across the US! - Butter Mochi dessert: simply, yet delish! - Fish with garlic aioli - wowzers! Amazing piece of filet with some bomb sauce. They are awesome at catering - we are hiring them for our welcome party for our destination wedding. Can't wait to feed our guests their deluxe bentos w/ the garlic chicken!

    (5)

  • Evan W.

    -Best poké this side of da island- Came in starving looking to sit down and eat ... They don't have tables so don't expect to sit (that's the only reason for the 4*) Food: tasty, fresh, and authentic Staff: friendly well knowledged and quick I would defi

    (4)

  • K K.

    Today my co-workers and I decided to eat out and to eat out of our town of Kapolei. One of the girls suggested Tanioka. Two of us ordered combo plates garlic chicken with beef stew over $9 and two ordered Garlic chicken plates. The combo plates I was worried I would spill the stew in my car well actually in the bag. I get back to the office and happy that it didn't spill. Open the plate and the reason it didn't spill is it literally was 2 small pieces of meat, 2 potatoes and 1 carrot it fit in the small compartment of the foam box with room to spare. It was the smallest portion I have ever seen. The price we got 1 piece of chicken and the tiniest beefstew and it really wasn't anything special. I did also order something called fried tuna sushi or something like that and it was awesome...

    (3)

  • Nikki N.

    I used Tanioka's for my wedding on March 23rd and they did a fabulous job. I did not get to eat everything at my wedding but I did try the left overs which was still good! Everyone complimented the food. I was really happy with the service that Jasmine and Lauren gave. I mainly went with this company because they responded quickly to my emails and let me try everything in advanced! They followed up to make sure everything went accordingly and I was very very happy that I went with my gut feeling about them instead of going with what my wedding coordinator wanted. I will probably want to use them again for any catering function I need!

    (5)

  • Nelson Q.

    Tanioka's has been a mainstay in the Waipahu area for many years. Not only do they have a wide variety of bomb-ass poke, they also have an awesome okazu-ya selection of sushi, tempura, ono garlic chicken, spam musubi, and other onolicious grindage. At Tanioka's, you can find everything under one roof, even desserts and sweets like French Macarons!?!? Whodathunkit!?!?!?!? Its best to arrive here early to even stand a chance before all the favorites run out and you'll be left with slim pickins my friend! ALOHA!!!

    (5)

  • Megan T.

    Ever since I was little, my parents would always stop by Tanioka's before we went to the beach or to a potluck. They have so much variety in their little shop and I've never seen them NOT busy. Fried Chicken - Awesome Lumpia - Amazing Fish Patties - Yummm Spicy Ahi - Delicious Workers - Friendly This is as good as it gets people! If you've never been here before, you have to go NOW!

    (5)

  • Jon U.

    Fish patty musubi is a must. It's a meal in itself. Also the poke is the best. Can't beat fresh poke from Tanioka's. My favorite is the alae poke. So yummy. Everything is good there!!! Expect to wait if you go at lunch time but the wait is worth it. I would give it 10 stars if I could :)

    (5)

  • Lilian N.

    Tanioka's has been a favorite okazuya of mine since...forever! My go-to items is the fish or salmon patty, limu poke (this is the only place where I'll eat limu poke!), fried shrimp, fried chicken, and fried noodles. It doesn't matter what time of day, this place is always packed and usually has a line out of the door. But normally the wait isn't that long since they are adequately staffed and getting everyone serviced quickly. My only gripe (okay, not really a gripe) is that I always go in wanting a few things, but by the end of the line I have double the amount of items I originally came in for! All their prepared foods look soooo good that my eyes end up dominating my actual appetite!!! In any case, love this place for keeping everyone happy with ono food! Will definitely visit again and again, until I can no longer breathe. Thank you, Tanioka's.

    (5)

  • Karmina L.

    Stopped by Tanioka's early in the morning to get some poke for our day in Ko olina. The line was short, service was fast, and food was bomb. I ordered the garlic crunch poke and inhaled it. I wish I got 2 or even 3 and a spam musubi haha. You won't go wrong here. I also took my friends here and they really loved it :)

    (5)

  • Joanne B.

    We had a destination wedding in Honolulu two months ago and to welcome all of our guests that flew in from all parts of the world, our parents hosted a Welcome Picnic at Magic Island Park. Since none of us were locals, we were limited on things we could have prepared ourselves since we were all staying at hotels nearby and didn't have the neccessities that we'd normally have at home to throw a party. When I was browsing for a caterer for our picnic, one of the floral vendors we met with as we planned our wedding six months prior highly recommended Tanioka's. I sent them an email inquiring about their rates and availability and their sales manager replied the same day. I never had Tanioka's before, but based on the number of five star reviews, I knew we were in for a good thing without breaking the bank. The day of our picnic, we had one of their employees bring all the food to our reserved picnic site. We had him there for two hours to manage the food supply, which there was plenty of. We went with the Hawaiian Menu from their special menu options since we wanted to serve Hawaiian food while in Hawaii instead of other dishes we can eat in the mainland. Sounds touristy, but we didn't care. Service was excellent, I wish I can remember the guy's name, but he was very helpful the day of our picnic. We had a headcount of 120 guests, so there was enough food for everyone. I enjoyed the food, but my only gripe was that the Lomi Salmon dish was way too salty. Other than that, they did a great job and if I were to coordinate a party in this caliber while I'm ever in Hawaii, I wouldn't think twice about hiring Tanioka's again (except I'd probably skip the Lomi Salmon, lol).

    (4)

  • Sierra-Marie K.

    The food here is amazing! Especially the fried chicken. The lines kind of long though and you have to go early cause they run out of stuff.

    (5)

  • jacqui w.

    I've always loved their poke, never experienced their catering side before. My uncle always brings their poke by because their sesame taco is my favorite. So when I considered catering for my birthday party, they were my first thought. I have to say, their phone staff put up with my spiciness and indecisiveness. They were prompt and courteous. The food took a little while to be ready for us, but the owner was fun and entertaining and it barely seemed like a wait at all. I ordered a poke platter with kimchee raw crab, ala'e ahi poke, onion ahi poke, and sesame taco. Then I picked up some white rice (delicious and fluffy), some fried noodle, and some lumpia (they're MUCH bigger than I expected, and SO ono!). The food was so good that there was NOTHING left, and I ordered more than the suggested amount because I wanted leftovers. But it was so good people just kept coming back for more until it was all gone!! Thank You Taniokas, my party was a blast, everyone left full and happy, and I had minimal cleanup. :)

    (5)

  • Max S.

    0 stars. Rudest person I ever dealt with. Do not live in the Aloha state if you do not understand the word Aloha. I walked to the poke display, said hello, and received a mean stare back. Thankfully the ladies at the 7-11 next door understood my plight and apologized for my experience. I flew a long way to Hawaii and am a respectful visitor. Please retrain your employees to always represent Hawaii's cordial culture at its best or shut down.

    (1)

  • Mark W.

    Hands down, best sushi I may ever have had. Wow it was so fresh and tasty. Went on a Saturday, I read that's a good day to go, I'd agree with that. Get there before lunch rush though as the line gets long quick. Tasty and fresh with speedy service. Doesn't get much better than that!!

    (5)

  • Andy I.

    I wish I could put more stars up here. Tanioka's is absolutely the best place I've been to for poke. Super fresh and perfectly seasoned. I've been to a bunch of poke places on the islands and Tanioka's definitely stands out.

    (5)

  • Charisse O.

    My favorite place to go to in Waipahu! I'm never disappointed. I love the spicy ahi and the mochiko chicken musubi. Best I ever had! Don't get discouraged with the long lines, they are very efficient and I am never there longer than 5 minutes.

    (5)

  • Janice T.

    We went 15 min prior to closing... So all of their hot food was all gone except for two pieces of Mochiko chicken. But they had a lot of poke left. We bought about 5lbs of different kinds of ahi and tako poke. All were delish and really fresh! We bought the last pieces of Mochiko chicken and it was still crispy! For dessert we bought this haupia taro tarts. Tasty and reminded me of the Filipino dessert called Sapin Sapin. Customer service is what impressed me the most. With it being closing time all the employees were so nice and accommodating even though we took a long time staring at the poke selection trying to decide what get. Most places would try to hurry you up. We asked a lot of questions and they took time to answer everyone of them even telling us more than what we need.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    Parking is crazy during the lunch hours! The line inside can be even worse!! It's amazing how many people fit in that small space. But the food is yummy and usually worth the wait! I'd definitely recommend placing a phone order. But just a warning...I've been known to add things to my order at check out a after seeing the goodies others are ordering!! A hazard of walking in there hungry!

    (4)

  • Maxine R.

    YUM yum yum! So good. So fresh. I want more! If I could, I would go here everyday. I love limu poke, and its totes yummy here. I'll update again when I try more things.

    (5)

  • Jalene B.

    This is my happy place. The Poke is the freshest and they cut out a lot of the sinew which is why I love their poke over other locations. Currently loving the lomi ahi and I always get a pound of the imitation crab poke. Kids love the Vegi Tempura and Musubis.

    (5)

  • Shane S.

    If I have extra cash I am happy to stop here if passing by...not often since I always want to spend too much...and the line is normally out the door and I am not the kind of guy that likes waiting...but once in awhile it is a treat...

    (5)

  • Jackie S.

    Two words... (that I never thought could be joined together until I went to Tanioka's) AHI CAKE! Yes, a cake, made with sushi rice, furikake, green onions, and two layers of AHI. And just like any other cake, they can write a message on it. On Taniokas menu, it's called the Spicy Ahi Platter. And it's actually more sweet than it is spicy. But who cares, it's still amazing. Price ranges from $34-$60 depending on the size. The $44.99 platter can feed 5-6 comfortably.

    (5)

  • Vanessa F.

    Best poke ever! I've heard about this place from a lot of people, but never tried it since it's kinda far away from where I live. Luckily, we were in the area and stopped by. We ordered three kinds of poke along with some other hot food items. The hot food is good, but the poke is to die for. So fresh, so yummy! We went there twice in the same day! lol. Note: They do not have seats inside the store so either take out or eat in your car (like we did...and saw many other ppl doing).

    (5)

  • Aaron T.

    Poke is best on oahu! Spicy ahi is so delicious. Their sushi rice is awesome too. Can get super crowded though.

    (5)

  • Trish P.

    what can i possibly say that 250 plus reviews have not already said? right? guess i'm just gonna have to repeat what mostly every says... its DELICIOUS! their all inclusive bento featuring the infamous fish patty, hot dog, cone sushi, musubi, fried chicken, teri beef, AND fried noodles.... is still freaking awesome. i cannot believe they fit all that food into one bento, but they do, and its delicious. also, don't forget to grab a goteborg musubi for a snack later on! the line is QUICK and ORGANIZED, the service is FRIENDLY, and the eats are dope!!!

    (5)

  • Andrea W.

    I don't venture to the west side very often, so I have never been to Tanioka's until now. Been very curious to go as I always hear my coworker rave about it and I see they have such high Yelp ratings. Well, the bf and I were going to go to Waikele, so I eagerly suggested we check out Tanioka's. And, yay, he was down for it!! Well, I'm glad I finally got to go and it sure lived up to the hype and ratings! Boy have I been missing out all this time!!! All of the poke was so fresh, smooth in texture, and tender-- almost melt in your mouth!!! Also, little to no tendon in the fish!! (I'm picky and hate to eat pieces of poke that has tendon because it just ruins the texture) Got several types of poke and other things to try: Shoyu ahi poke - your basic poke, and although fresh and still good, it was kind of bland compared to all the other flavors and mixes they had. I did, however, really like that they mix the shoyu poke then and there and it's not premixed! A big thumbs up to them for that! Onion limu ahi poke - this is a great choice if you want your pretty basic poke with some other stuff in it, but not too inundated in sauce. Great flavor! Garlic ahi poke - yum! Garlicky, but just the right amount of seasoning that I could still taste the awesome, fresh fish. Tako poke - fresh and not too chewy! Tako with sesame seeds, lots of green onion (which I loved), and seasoning. (The bf couldn't stop raving about how much he liked this) Crab cakes - yummy, little snack. Like that it was moist. Lumpia - ok. Your average lumpia. Furikake musubi - Delicious musubi mixed with lots of furikake and teriyaki sauce!! The teriyaki was slightly sweeter than I would've like, but still delicious nonetheless. Spam & egg musubi - Also delicious! Has a thick layer of sesame furikake between the spam and egg. Yum! Chi chi dango -Mmm super soft mochi! Sooo good! Omg!! I love this place!! The food is fresh and delicious, staff was friendly and patient--even when I was indecisive, and the prices are reasonable for the quality they deliver!!

    (5)

  • Mel T.

    After consuming Ono Seafood's amazing poke, I was on a hunt for more. Yelp led me to Tanioka's, and I was excited for what was in store. The space itself is pretty tight, especially when Tanioka's is packed with hungry customers like myself. That had to be a good sign, right? The staff was nice and allowed me samples of my choosing. In the end, I went with the $6.95 one choice white rice spicy ahi poke bowl. They had lots more including crab cakes, various musubi, lumpia, mochiko chicken, pre-packaged bentos, and even bags of rice crackers or candy, but I was on my poke mission. Unfortunately the mission failed. Although I liked the spice factor of the poke, the rice was terrible - hard and only half cooked. Nothing like the rice at Ono Seafood. Plus the portion size was much smaller than Ono's and only allowed me one poke option. For nearly the same price, Ono's gives me more food, another poke choice, and a drink. Sorry, Tanioka. If I return, I'm skipping your poke bowl. And potentially anything with rice.

    (3)

  • Leslie A.

    I've been going to Tanioka's for many years and have no reservations to say Tanioka's has the best poke on the island. The spicy marlin is a favorite in my family. They have so many different ahi poke. All the ones I had were always fresh and tasty. Their shiba zuke shiso and chicken musubis are yummy. If it's your first time there, you might be taken aback. There's usually a line out the door. A security guard is there to control the flow of people going in. Once you're in the store, you'll find yourself surround by local goods, including ice cream, candies, li hing seeds, ginger. You'll pass by some bentos eventually get to the poke case, where there'll be 20+ staffers behind the counter making sure you get your order. Just before the cash register, you'll come by a section of musubis and cooked foods. They have great service and great food. Tanioka's is as good as it gets.

    (5)

  • Morgan S.

    yum yum in my tum

    (4)

  • Kelly H.

    IF YOU LOVE POKE YOU"LL WUV THIS PLACE - one word. smooooth. The fish is fresh, ain't no one gonna find stringy or old fish here. This place has the fish and does not skimp on the fish quality, even for the Spicy Ahi I tried that gets covered with all types of sauces. I'm pretty much a spicy ahi snoob as I've tried so many over the years and can confidently say that this place has the second best poke to Ono's Seafood (which btw ranked #18 on Yelps top 100 places to eat --- officialblog.yelp.com/20… ). Although Tanioka's didn't rank #1 in my poke snoob book, Tanioka's won a 5 star in my book for the additional reasons listed below: - Variety of options (my mom does not do raw fish, weird I know, but she was able to find other amazing options that made her a happy camper) - Fried Chicken: As Ramfis B. noted is basically dabomb.com - Musubis: ^.^ large selection and no complaints here - Easy in-and-out: Although the line looked crazy when you enter, it goes pretty fast and they have a great system - those worker bees workin' it! - Tempura sweet potato: quite filling and delicious! Overall, Tanioka's is a definite must try when on this side of the island. =)

    (5)

  • Cheryl G.

    If your in the mood for squid luau I definitely recommend Tanioka's seafood & catering. In every bite you will enjoy the tender & scrumptious taste of squid luau. This is why I keep coming back for more! During the holidays it can be hectic so call in your order in advance..... I must say when you go to pick up your order they are well organized, and the employees are always friendly. They will help and walk you to your car with your purchase now that's exceptional customer service!!

    (5)

  • Jarod H.

    Five stars. Come early to beat the lunch line. & believe me, the lunch line gets long. They even had to hire a security guard, recently, to keep the line in an orderly fashion. The poke is superb here and the selection of other okazu foods and plate lunches are numerous. They even have the famous Kauai Götteburg musubis! Yum!!

    (5)

  • Missy T.

    Every time I come here, I end up spending more than I mean to, but never regret it! Tanioka's is in Waipahu, a little before Waipahu High School, in the most potholey of places! Parking is usually a hassle, but it's worth the trouble for some great food. The fish patties are a must-have whenever I go; the tofu patties are great as well. The fried chicken is sometimes too salty to be enjoyed alone, but just add a starch and you're good. Plate lunches, bentos, assorted musubi, and poke by the pound are also available and delicious. :D Cupcakes, haupia, pre-packaged cookies (made by Tanioka's), and other sweets are available too. If it's your first time going to Tanioka's, try to get there before the lunch rush so you can take a little more time looking at everything; this place gets BUSY, so if you have no idea what you want, prepare for the stink eye cause there is ONE line that takes you around the small store space and straight to the register and people are HANGRY; ain't nobody got time for your indecisive ass. If you happen to get there during a rush, get in and start looking. This is not time to talk to your friends unless you're consulting them for order advice! Be prepared with your by-the-pound order if you're looking to get any of that stuff; they'll ask you before you get to the register, usually right in front of the refrigerated case. Cash and card are accepted. They also have fundraising options and catering menus for weddings, funerals, and other celebrations. While I don't have a problem spending on the food, I have to admit I never buy drinks here. There is a 7-11 right next door with the same stuff for cheaper, plus you can take the 50 cents you saved at 7-11 and head right back to Tanioka's! Wooooohoooo!

    (5)

  • Mark H.

    A pretty efficient operation they have here. I came here for the first time this past Saturday. I started in line outside of the establishment but was quickly allowed in by the security guard (we think he was just a regular guy from the back that donned a security shirt and comes out only when it gets busy? LoL). If you drive by and see a line outside, do not be discouraged. Inside, the line wrapped around and I was about 20 people deep, but the line moves quick... Tanioka's services it's customers like an assembly line. At least 7 staffers behind the counter, they start taking your order at the poke window. Put your order in and walk your way down to the cashier. On the way, you past two windows with assorted goods that you can order ala carte okazuya-style: various musubis, crab cakes, mochiko chicken, tempura, etc. I opted for a 2 choice poke bowl: spicy ahi & crunchy garlic poke. Their poke was very good--fresh pieces of excellent cuts of fish. But the poke bowl as a whole--sushi rice, nori bits, poke, and the presentation all worked for me. I was also with a good sized group that all enjoyed their orders. When the group is overly enthusiastic, you get caught up in the fervor and it adds to your overall experience too. In addition, I got some of their mochiko chicken. Good, thick pieces of chicken--not sliced thin like Zippy's katsu. The skin was overcooked and rubbery/chewy; not a big deal as I don't eat chicken skin. Me and my group began devouring our food out in front. An elderly gentlemen came by and chatted with us. He quickly returned and brought each of us bottles of water. A very kind gesture! A great overall experience here and I look forward to my return visit!

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    Best spot to get poke. I usually get a spicy ahi poke bowl. But the crab cake, fish patty, spam musubi, garlic chicken is very good. Can't beat this place for lunch or fresh fish

    (5)

  • Courtney O.

    Love love love love love! What can I say about Tanioka's that hasn't been said before? Nothing really. All of the fish and especially the ahi is so fresh. There are no fatty pieces. I have loved all the poke dishes I have tried over here. My personal faves are the limu ahi poke and the spicy ahi poke (which isn't too spicy). Their fried rice is SO yummy. I usually get a poke bowl with spicy ahi and fried rice. You can have your poke bowl with one or two poke options and fried, rice, or brown rice. You can also add sushi rice for $1 more. They also have plate lunches but these are served only on weekdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. They have so many musubis you have to take at least a couple home and try them each time. All of those are delicious as well. The only think I didn't really care for was the lumpia. I've at better but wasn't disappointed because everything else I've gotten here is really 5-star. The bentos are a good mix if you want a little bit of everything and range from $5.50 - $7.50 plus tax. Save room for the oreo truffles! They are little balls of goodness! I've heard that the blueberry scones are also to die for. Parking can be a bear at peak times. There are stalls along the side of the building just for Tanioka's patrons so look there first rather than in front of the store. You usually don't have to wait longer than a minute or two for a stall. There is often a line inside the store but it moves way quicker than I thought it would. If the line goes out the door, they give everyone an entry blank to win a door price which changes each month. I think that's very kind of them. The employees are always friendly and helpful. Beware though. Every time I come here I leave with an empty wallet and more food than I could possibly eat in one sitting! All the little treats add up. I always leave extremely happy and excited though. I can't wait for my next trip out to Waipahu to get Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Allen T.

    You gotta come here, especially if you're just visiting. It's not in any touristy area but it's worth a stop. We swung by on the way to Aulani from Waikiki. We ended up picking up some musubis, poke bowls, fried chickens, and a few other items. Lunch for a group of eight set us back about $75. But everyone agreed, it was some of the best food we had on Oahu.

    (4)

  • Courtney M.

    BEST poke, spicy ahi, spam musubi, sushi, fish patty, garlic/mochiko chicken..well everything IN HAWAII. The store has anything and everything you'd want for either a party or just an everyday meal. In addition to their awesome selection of poke and other foods, they have plate lunches, candies, cookies, fundraising and gift packs, and merchandise. Don't be intimidated if the line is out the door, it'll go by fast and the wait is totally worth it. The delicious food is made even better with the awesome staff that works there. The people behind the counter are very friendly and always make sure you have everything you need. The catering services are well organized and calling to place an order is very easy. They're even doing weddings now!

    (5)

  • Bosco Y.

    Good poke, esp. the spicy ahi. super nice owner and friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Janice C.

    My girlfriend chose well by having Tanioka cater their rehearsal dinner. I personally can't speak for their service or how the prices are, but their food... Oh my! The Lau lau is broke da mouth! So is the poke! Very fresh, sizable chunks of tuna and seasoned well. I learned from a local that the secret to really good poke is kukui nut oil! Kahlua pork is so tender but salty, so temper it with the boiled taro. I missed out on the sweet Haupia pie since I was observing lent but everyone raved about it. For a successfully delicious special occasion (or even just a regular day!) look no further than Tanioka.

    (5)

  • Danny C.

    Poke is pretty fresh. The bento is not bad as well. Be sure to checkout the photos/items before you go in since the shop is pretty small.

    (4)

  • Tiana K.

    Now this is real poke. I love trying new things before ordering but my favorite is the onion and limu poke! That has the perfect mix of fresh ahi, the onions give a little bite, and the limu adds a fresh bit of saltiness. That is a must get but I decided to try something new my last time visiting. I got the tofu poke! I know that might sound awful or blasphemous but it really was delicious. It was cubes of fried tofu with a crunchy fresh seaweed ( not limu but I don't know exactly what it was). It was in a sweet but flavorful sauce that I adored! I poured that stuff on my fried rice it was so good! Oh and speaking of fried rice you have to get it I mean it's a steal for a large scoop for $1.50. Also the ahi roll is good too!

    (5)

  • Joyce L.

    This review is about their gourmet cookies. They have variety of cookies from shortbread to choco chip with arare. Ten cookies are in a pack for $3.95. The cookies are pretty yummy and I think it's made by Tanioka's because it's packaged with their label.

    (4)

  • Shuao Li L.

    Great stop for a fresh seafood & sushi lunch. Costly but what the hey...u only live once!

    (4)

  • Pamela S.

    Awesome fresh poke! Paid $18.95 per pound for spicy ahi and limu poke but was so worth it! Sesame tako poke was tender and very tasty. I passed on the maki sushi today but usually I always get a roll or two as well as the Inari sushi. They had two full trays of the ono fried chicken at 3 pm! No line when I walked in. Was waited on right away and off to the cashier. Today's purchase set me back a mere $43. Ouch but it was for my niece who was visiting from Norcal. She was pleasantly surprised and we enjoyed every morsel of poke. I will definitely be back to Tanioka's again for UH football season.

    (5)

  • Randoll C.

    Poke That's all I really need to say. Poke By the way, for those of you who don't know - it's pronounced PO-K ... not poke as in what you would think - meaning to push or prod Anyway - the map on Yelp is wrong. It's across the street from the old Coronets, right next door to the 7-11, that's next to the canal. If you have GPS, enter the address and you'll be fine. Fine - just like the poke and I'm sure, everything else that Tanioka's has to offer. I was told that the place gets crazy busy and when I was there, there was a steady line, but not out the door, but I got there after the lunch rush so there were items that weren't in stock. Fortunately for me, I was there for the poke and there was lots of that to be had. I wanted spicy, so I opted for the Spicy Shoyu Ahi and an order of the Tako. It was another mid day snack for me. Everything is for take out only as seating doesn't exist here. Take it to go, or go eat in your car. That's what I did. Just have to make sure you ask for utensils, or like in my case, chopsticks. Best poke I've had in a long time. Mainly because you don't find many places selling poke in Southern California - where I live now. But also because I believe that Tanioka's has the process dialed in. They did when I was a kid and they're still following suit now.

    (5)

  • Joshua B.

    Always busy as hell, but well worth the wait. Brave the crowds and ignore the stares for being the only white guy in line because you won't find any better pokè on the island!

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Haven't written a review in a while but the service I received just made it virtually impossible to let this go unnoticed! I was tasked with providing the food for a wedding party a day before the event. I've never ordered from the catering side before but have visited enough to know that everything was ono. After skimming over the online menu, I called the contact number not knowing what to expect. Deanna was INCREDIBLE, she not only listened to my needs (2 separate rooms) but also helped in the food selection process for the Bridal party. When I arrived for pickup, I was amazed at how much activity was going on yet how friendly and helpful the staff was! It just occurred to me that I picked a holiday weekend and there was an abnormal amount of parties that required delivery/pickup! As hectic as things looked, the staff pulled my order (while keeping the individually color coded tags on the correct pans), iced the salads and poke, and carted the order out to my truck! It's amazing how coordinated the staff operates! The food was exceptional as usual and I would highly recommend the catering side for even smaller events!

    (5)

  • Patricia M.

    Thank goodness I don't live near this place because I would weigh 200 pounds. The crab cake was amazing. We tried 6 different pokes and loved them all.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    The lunch crowd is insane, but don't let the long line deter you. The food is worth the wait and the wait isn't that long anyway. Everyone behind the counter moves quickly to take your order and they have a system that gets you closer to actually enjoying your lunch with plenty of time to spare.

    (5)

  • Malia R.

    This place is always packed..but for a good reason! Because everyone LOVES Tanioka's! They have the freshest fish! Everything is so delicious here. We've gotten party platters of food here several times and it was always perfection. Most recently, for our wedding. They literally have every kind of Poke imaginable! Can't wait for my next visit home to get some ono grindz from Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Epicurious M.

    The last time I was here the line was out the door. It moves pretty fast though so don't get dissuaded. I like the ahi limu poke bowl over sushi rice. Very nice marriage of flavors and textures. And I really like their garlic chicken, gotta be one of my top 4 that I've found on the island (3 are in Kalihi). Lots to choose from and so many more to try. Definitely a "must go" when I'm on that side of the island.

    (4)

  • Lai T.

    We were running a quick errand and as my bf drove down the street, I looked up and said, "This looks familiar. Are we near Tanioka's?" "Yes. It is up ahead. Do you want to go?" "Yes, please!" *last minute rush to turn right into the shopping center* And that my friends, is how we had a random lunch date in the parking lot of Tanioka's. In my humble opinion, Tanioka's has the best poke on Oahu! It seems that I may not be alone in this high regards for Tanioka's because when we went, the line was beyond the door (they ask that you keep it closed to prevent the AC from escaping). But don't be alarmed, they're used to the crowd and the crew keeps the line moving. Once you're within sight of the poke, then comes the hard part of figuring out what you want to order. They have poke bowls or you can order the poke a la carte. The Ahi Limu poke is probably the most popular poke. I personally really liked the Miso Wasabi Tako poke. I wanted to try the dried poke, but it is apparently the only poke which they don't allow sampling. Hmm...maybe I'll get a bite next time. I'm curious why it is like $23/lb :p Next to the poke case is a selection of musubis, fried goodness, and assorted things. I love their fried chicken. My bf says it tastes like KFC-I think it tastes way better :p Parking is a pain, but I realized that the lot actually extends if you drive past Tanioka's and it seems more tame on the other end.

    (5)

  • Ashley D.

    I have been coming to Tanioka's since I was little growing up right on Waipahu St. It never disappoints, I love coming here right before I go to the beach to get one of their bentos. Everything is good here, I don't eat seafood but I have tried and eaten everything else. The fried chicken is bomb dot com!!! All service is always friendly!

    (5)

  • Marnica B.

    Always super crowded, but worth the wait if you want some good local grinds. Quality of fish they use for their poke is consistently fresh and I've never had a bad experience. The fried chicken is hit or miss... sometimes I run into drier pieces than I would prefer, but there are times when I get the perfect piece with the right amount of crisp, and juiciness from the meat. The deep fried items are good, but super oily. Word of advice, buying ala carte is much cheaper than buying the plate lunch! Next time you're in the area, chance`um!

    (4)

  • Ramfis B.

    ( D ) eep in the heart of waipahu ( A ) lways packed ( F ) ast efficient service ( R ) eally good okazuya items here ( I ) love the hot alae poke ( E ) ven the lumpia is crunchy ( D ) riving from town is so worth it ( C ) ome early or you'll be sorry ( H ) awaiian food is also available ( I ) eat here whenever i crave fried chicken ( C ) hoose from a variety of poke ( K ) ama'aina discount?.....NO!!! ( E ) verything i ate here is so ono! ( N ) o give money to da crackhead at 7-11 next door ok? ( I ) dream of the fried chicken here...fo' real ( S ) ample some poke before you buy it ( L ) ines are long, but they move quickly ( I ) promise, they are efficient ( K ) iller ahi limu poke ( E ) ven the musubi's are so good ( C) hoosing which poke to eat is difficult ( R ) un to your car as fast as you can after you pay....NAH ;) ( A ) stun gun is all you need in waipahu....only kidding ( C ) atering is also avaialble ( K ) eep coming here for the fried chicken everytime ( F ) riendly people here always ( O ) nly big samoan people can cut in front of you or else... ( R ) emember what i said in this review ( E ) ating the fried chicken is a must ( A ) lways so crunchy and never dry ( L ) ove you Tanioka's in waipahu =) * The only reason why i come here * yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1… * A masterpiece created by your's truly * yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1…

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    This is my family's go to place for Poke. Yes, we can get poke basically anywhere but, we will travel from the Waianae coast just for their poke. It's that good. It is very fresh and the quality is the best not like the previously frozen kind at Foodland. The poke is made with big chunks of fish belly. They also serve other food for take out, including plate lunches. My mom loves the salmon cakes. The line can be long especially at lunch but do not let that deter you because it moves quickly!

    (5)

  • Raynette G.

    TANIOKA'S. ..Everyone goes there. Always packed and so much variety they offer. Poke, Okazuya, poke, dessert, drinks. They gave an army of people always working. ..like 10 plus. Two cashiers are running. The wait is so worth it. But once they service you, it's so very fast. The food is good and I mean all the time. My kids fav is the Spam Musubi! It's one our fav places to go for ono food to take to Waipio Soccer Complex!

    (5)

  • Nat N.

    The last time I came here, they actually had a security guard at the door, letting people in and out. the line was overflowing out the door and into the parking lot! This place is amazing - everything they make here is good and a must-try! Their poke is consistently voted as the best poke on the island. After you get your poke, you'll then be tempted by their display case filled with mostly fried stuff - mochiko chicken, fried chicken, fried shrimp, lumpia, etc. And then you'll be tempted by their rows upon rows of musubi. I wish I could figure out the teri glaze that they put on their spam musubis because it's so delicious. I don't think we've ever spent less than $20 per visit!!

    (5)

  • Vicki T.

    Love the poke here! our first stop after landing at HNL and we should have just come here every day...better than we had anywhere else on the island - the ahi was firmer and tastier than anywhere else, and perfectly seasoned / sauced. unassuming market (to-go) setup with a wide variety fresh, delicious poke and lots of baked/fried goodies.

    (5)

  • Joanne C.

    I love this place! I usally come here during lunch and it's super busy but the lines go by really quickly. Food is super fresh, the plate lunches are super nommy! I never leave here unhappy.

    (5)

  • Shayn B.

    Everything in there is good! From their poke to everything fried. They're mostly known for their poke. Although it's a bit pricy but believe me it's worth it! If you don't go early just expect to stand in line for awhile but they have lots of friendly employees working so even though the lines out the door within 15 minutes you'll be walking out the door with smiles. The only thing i hate about going to taniokas is their parking. The parking is always a challenge because there are other business besides taniokas there. But if you ever in the Waipahu area and craving some poke. Stop by taniokas you can't go wrong. Yall can thank me later!

    (4)

  • Jenel O.

    I just love Taniokas... everything I get there is delicious. The only problem is that I always get too much because everything looks and tastes so good! I love their spicy ahi on sushi rice. The rice is perfectly seasoned and fish is fresh. I love their fried rice, mochiko chicken, fried chicken, musubis, cone sushi... everything!! One of the best things about Taniokas is the service! They staff that place like crazy and even if there is a long line, they know how to move people in and out quickly! It's a well oiled machine behind the counter with staff dedicated to helping you each step of the way. The register person is always on top of things and quick! And although busy, you don't ever get the feeling they are rude or stressed!

    (5)

  • Cyndy K.

    Cyndy's BOTTOM LINE: the best variety of freshly made and tasty poke! Just a few of my favorites - Limu onion poke Fish patties Fried chicken Maki sushi Everything is so ONOLICIOUS! Just pre-ordered a sashimi platter for Christmas which can be picked up on Christmas eve. The ahi sashimi is so fresh delicious, and good texture. Enjoyed the alae limu poke and the onion limu poke. Onolicious! The limu is the best, good quality, nice and crunchy. I can't leave home without it!

    (5)

  • Marcus C.

    Pre ordered bentos for soccer tournament can't go wrong $4.50 ea. Everything I'm on Oahu if I'm in the area I'll stop by and grab some bentos, poki bowls, etc. Go get sum!!!

    (5)

  • John A.

    For a first timer like I was? I recommend going with the Garlic Chicken plate or the spicy ahi poke bowl. This would break you in for your next visit... That's right. Also, don't let the long line scare you, it moves pretty fast. ...

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    Planning to eat on the beach or want to grab an array of snacks? Tanioka's is where it's AT, yo. ====== LOCATION & PARKING Tanioka's is part of a small strip of stores off Farrington Hwy. If you're coming from the side of Kam Hwy, Tanioka's will be on your left. You might miss it because it is such a small shop! If you see a 7-11, make a U turn right away and slowly find your way to Tanioka's. Parking gets hectic around lunchtime, so snag a spot and just walk the rest of the way. ====== FOOD This isn't your typical restaurant - It's a cafeteria to-go line. I'm not saying it's the most AMAZING poke, but it's delicious and quality is fresh! I love how there's a variety of items to try, there's something for everyone's tastebuds! The line snakes around, so you won't really be able to see what's offered in the glass case until its right in front of you. Pressure!!! Get everything on the menu that catches your fancy and if you don't finish it... Take it with you and hit up the beach. You'll be hungry in a few hours.... I can eat the garlic chicken and shortbread cookies ALL DAY. The boyfriend can eat all the ahi tuna he wants. Win-win! One thing to note: try to eat the food right away! Don't let it sit out for more than a day, it won't be at its peak, flavor (read: my cookies started crumbling the next day, and the poke didn't taste that fresh later that evening...) Things to try + any poke variety + garlic chicken + lumpia + shrimp tempura + spicy ahi crunch roll + macademia nut shortbread cookies (buttery and melts in your mouth good) Skip - regular fried chicken (not as flavorful as garlic chicken) - spam musubi (c'mon, try something new folks!) Next time I definitely want to try the mochiko chicken musubi and crab cakes! ====== OVERALL Great quality poke and any local flavors you ever would want to eat from the aina! Be patient with the line, but it goes by fast! Resist the temptation of eating while in line... you don't want to end up with no food to-go once you pay the cashier! ====== TIPS + grab drinks at 7-11 instead of here to save some $$ + try at least a couple types of poke + garlic chicken is easily my favorite thing on the menu + grab everything else that catches your fancy! you won't regret the extra food (someone will end up eating it =P) - don't expect the food to be fresh after half a day...

    (4)

  • Kayla M.

    Great stop for poke and okazu. They have an assortment of foods to "pick on" besides the poke such as maki sushi, fried chicken, tempura, and fish patties. The line can get long, especially in the afternoons, but they usually do a good job at helping/moving customers. Poke is on the expensive side ($18.99/lb) so be prepared to spend a minimum of $25 if you're gonna get other stuff too!

    (4)

  • Bliss T.

    It's so hard for me decide if Tanioka's or Ono Seafood has the best poke but it's a delicious dilemma. I do love the poke bowl with sushi rice here. I also love the garlic poke. My kiddo love the spam musubi here too. Their cone sushi is delish too. Do not be intimidated by the line. The line moves quickly and the staff is always friendly. It's nice to see a 2nd generation business doing well.

    (5)

  • Emi H.

    My BF had a kickball game today in Waipahu and I was more than happy to drive him out there. Yes, I love him to death but the honest to goodness reason why I wanted to go his game was so I'd have an excuse to pick up fried chicken and ume musubi from Tanioka's. I'm a freakin' fried chicken fanatic and my addiction can only be satiated by this little shop in Waipahu! I'm sure some of you will later remark that the chicken is dry or too salty but that's what I love about it! I envision that there are a group of little obachans sitting in the kitchen making fried chicken and musubis all day long. If it's not that way, I don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss, so please do not ruin the imagery I've created in my head! Other things of note at Tanioka's are the fresh poke, musubis, fish patties and packaged treats. But when I go to Tanioka's I have total tunnel vision and only care about the fried chicken. Please be warned that you can easily spend $30+ on goodies if you're not careful and your stomach takes over your mind. It's very easy to get greedy with so much selection! If you are from out of town and headed to the North Shore for the day, be sure to stop by Tanioka's and get a taste of truly local fare. The lines are long but they are very efficient at the counter and you'll move through quickly. Yelp 365 Challenge: #20/365 (The Tunnel Vision)

    (5)

  • Vincent K.

    By far, this is perhaps our favorite poke and hot items food place in all of Hawaii. The poke was all fresh and tasty and just when you arrive at the end to pay at the counter, the hot items window reveals more goods. They had a garlic chicken at the end was just too tempting not to get. And in the end, NO REGRET. If you're looking for lunch and poke in particular, this is the best all inclusive place to go to. Plus, 7-11 is next door if you want to grab a beer or something. How awesome is that!?

    (5)

  • Frank A.

    Great inexpensive place for fresh poke and seafood. Large variety 12 minutes from the Airport in Waipahu.

    (5)

  • Michelle Q.

    It was my first time here and I was not disappointed! They have all kinds of local food like poke, fried chicken, sushi, spam musubi, fish patties, fried rice, etc. There were so many different options that I wanted to get everything! Their poke is made fresh and was one of the best that I've ever had. I paid about $7 for a poke bowl. All the side things like tempura and chicken range from $1.25-$2 a piece. When we got there, there was security at the door because the line inside was massive so he has to do some crowd control, but it moved pretty fast. The service was also great. Very fast, efficient, and friendly. I will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jessica A.

    Honestly, I see why their poke is basically #1 what can I say. It's delicious. The fish melts in your mouth, and I think i had the non-spicy poke. Not sure what it was called. I got the poke bowl, and it was. . Brilliant. I guess it's mostly locals who go here, because a local guy recommended us some stuff. Didn't see many tourists, so I guess that's a good thing. Anways, off topic. I also had the fried chicken. Again, delicious. Also had the watermelon sherbet. Kinda frozen, but then again, it was in the freezer. Honestly, this place is a def. In Oahu.

    (5)

  • Arynn I.

    I love love love Tanioka's teri beef! So I'm pretty sure Tanioka's catered my grad party years ago and I know my work place has used them plenty for catering and bento. Well, my co-workers and I are addicted to the spicy ahi cake! Love that you can get a message on it. It's so cool, rice, ahi, rice and ahi on top with the edges pressed with nori & green onions. We've gotten this on several occasions at work. Well, this time I actually went inside to pick up bento (and a pre-ordered sushi cake). I was quite impressed at the selection, at 10:00am...I feel like 10am is kinda late for a "work/school day" and lunch so I didn't expect as many choices. I was able to get a bento with my favorite teri beef and I tried a poi mochi. I also grabbed a spam musubi for later. I have to say the bento was plenty of food (but I ate everything) and the mochi was super! I could've eaten a dozen! Soooo ono! The line was quite long but the workers at Tanioka's are super efficient and we were in and out in about 15 minutes I would guess. Everything was fresh and definitely you can't go wrong with a bento from Tanioka's! 31 Day Yelp Challenge - 13/31

    (5)

  • Krystel P.

    Wow! Talk about amazing selection and customer service! I have never visited Tanioka's and have lived on island for 2 years. I would come from Waikiki in a heartbeat all over again for the onion poke and garlic chicken! Sooooooooooo good! Not to mention the uber friendly staff that makes you feel like ohana. Ps. They are soooo busy on the weekends the line is out the door.... but get this.... they pass out raffle tickets when this happens so you can enter to win a big screen TV or tablet. Awesome concept and worth the wait with or without a prize! Thank you for your great food and service Justin!

    (5)

  • Reed W.

    This was the second time in two days that I went here with my family and I have to say, it's probably the best fresh fish I've ever had. In addition to the incredible ahi, the marlin, tako, clams, and everything else there is amazing. And to top it all off, Mel Tanioka himself still runs it! He was such a gracious host to my family and me and kept bringing us free stuff to try! At the end he brought us around the gigantic kitchen (which was spotlessly cleaned by the way) and every single one of his employees was so nice even when we got in their way a little bit. In all, this place was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone. 10/10 and be sure to have a conversation with Mel while you're there!

    (5)

  • Bernard S.

    I always get the large bento they have everything in it u need to make a perfect size bento. Then u gotta have the wasabi tako poke and ahi limu poke that will just make you wanna take a nap after that But be ready to spend $$$ cause it's worth it

    (5)

  • Johnelle P.

    It's SOOOO busy. Rightfully so, they have great stuff! I just wish that they didn't rush. I know it's a busy place, but to give mean looks because it takes me more than 5 seconds to decide on what kind of fish I want is kinda..wow. They have so many awesome choices to choose from, why get irritated with me with trying to make a decision? I don't come here often, I don't know all that you have to offer. Absolutely no negative comments about the food, it was all delicious. The pricing, not so deerishus. Kinda pricey. If you are in Waipahu, have some money to spare and want some ono kine grindz, this is the place to go, bubu! The parking is kinda weird, I can't make out where the stalls are. Just park along the nearest car, domino kind of thing lol -edit 08.14.12- One of the managers took the time to write to me to apologize and assured me that that's not how they usually are. I really do appreciate that and understood the explanation that was given. Bump up to 5 stars! :D

    (5)

  • Ina T.

    Love the food here!! Wished it wasn't so far from my home. Everything here is fresh!! I couldn't believe they had gourmet cupcakes the last time I went. So yum!!

    (5)

  • Ian W.

    We took Tanioka's to a nearby park for a quick picnic. Great grindz, the fried ahi tuna roll was a nice warmup, the wasabi miso tako poke was the star. When you see the word "wasabi", many haole folks like me worry it'll be too spicy. But this was sweet with the miso and not overly spicy, perfectly balanced. The tako was not too chewy but very tender. The ahi poke and spicy ahi poke were both delicious as well. The mochiko and garlic chicken are fantastic. The salmon cake was flavorful but dry, I'd recommend the fish cake instead. Great spot for quick food.

    (5)

  • Coreen L.

    Every once in a while, you have to "break training" and go for it! Tanioka's is so worth the splurge! My favorites are the maki sushi, fish patties, fried chicken and any of the poke (raw fish - for my mainland friends). Here's how you know their fish is good -- I'm a fisherman's daughter with a fisherman brother and overall picky-pants standards for fresh fish -- and this poke pasts the test!! ;-) Drop by, pick up some goodies on your way to the beach or park and enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Erin T.

    This is the best place I know of for poke. The poke feels like its going to melt in your mouth. I could eat 3 meals a day there. I think it is well organized and the staff is always friendly.

    (5)

  • Natasha T.

    This place is always crowded, and that's because it has fricken delicious food! I always get the crunchy spicy ahi roll thingys, which are so out of this world. They also have super great fried chicken, and choke other local food that I eye up all the time. There's always a line out the door, but the workers are fast and always friendly. The only crappy thing is the parking, but it's worth it.

    (5)

  • Joyce F.

    For: fresh, quick, rice, staff Against: Other essentials: I always let the line terrify me but don't - it moves quick! Parking outside. Get there before 1pm - earlier on holidays or game days. More: Taniokas is a must at least...once a week? Every other week? Every time you venture past Salt Lake for sure. Their fish is often fresh although every once in a while you'll catch some previously frozen fish. It is amazing. Key words: Sesame Tako poke, Spicy Marlin poke, Salmon Patty, pre-made bowls with Spicy Ahi and Tako. Yum. The best part of the bowls? Surprisingly not the fish (although that is delicious and higher standard than you can find elsewhere) - it's the sushi rice! It is freakishly delicious. Perfect amount of sweet, salt and vinegar and very moist. I'm obsessed with it. There are a bunch of options outside of the poke including fried chicken, fried fish patties, musubis, poi, sorbet, haupia, etc. I always add "just one more thing" and end up with about 6 items spending between $20 and $30 for two people. There's a 7-11 next door if you need a case of beer or cheap drinks...for wherever you may be on your way to. Get there before 1pm otherwise they'll be out of a huge selection. Once I went right around 1pm and they were sold out of literally everything. There was a man apologizing at the door and overall being sincere and perfect. Made up for the missed lunch. There will likely be a line whenever you go but it gives you time to check out the goods and cement your order - once it's your turn to order they don't play around! Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Joie G.

    I walked up to the store front to find a short line outside. I understood why when I finally made it through the door. There's not much space inside to maneuver and this process makes the ordering process more manageable and orderly. I waited patiently in line and picked up the spicy ahi over rice sitting in the prepacked fridge. I ordered a 1/4 pound of 3 types of poke. Yum! I also ordered fried chicken and tempura shrimp with rice and mac salad. We went to a bunch of plate lunch places and i liked their mac salad the best. We made it our mission on this trip to eat where the locals eat and this place definitely fit the bill. YAY!

    (5)

  • Gabriel T.

    I'm in town for business and just stopped by Tanioka's to grab some poke. This place does not disappoint. The line was back to the door and it was almost 2 pm. Everyone was eager to get the last of the day's fresh makings. I had the spicy Ahi, spicy mussel and Limu poke. Is have to say my favorite is the spicy mussel. It's is so flavorful and delicious. I'm going to try and sneak over that way again this week if I can. LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Picked up a t-shirt too!! Also tried the Furikake Musubi. Yummy!!

    (5)

  • Kris U.

    Great poke selection and freshness minus one star for not having kalua pig or lau lau today. Memorial day.

    (4)

  • Chris P.

    When I was at the Great Aloha Run expo, I passed by a little booth that displayed some intriguing donut holes. I asked the smiley fellow working at the booth what they were and he told me they were poi andagi Okinawan donuts. He said they are made from poi, but a lot more dense than poi mochi. He also told me that their store is in Waipahu. Excuse me, where? Anyways, I was so moved by his story that I picked up a couple of andagi to go. When I got home, I wasn't a fan of the andagi. But I decided to check out the store and give them a second chance. Wow, it's like being a little kid in a candy store! Except you've got fresh poke and fried food to choose from! The mochiko chicken was a bit too dry for me. But their fried chicken is cooked "southern" style! Yee haw! And they even have lumpia? Yes, these are legit! You can also ask for the sauce, too. Their spicy ahi bentos are easy to miss because they are on the side wall. They're more sweet than spicy, though. I love their assortment of different musubis. Great for snacking on at the beach! My favorite, the deluxe musubi, almost always runs out! I'm cursed because if I get spam musubi anywhere else, it's not nearly as good as Tanioka's! Also, you get a free fountain drink with any plate lunch! The employees are always helpful and keep the line moving fast. Later I found out that the nice gentleman I spoke to was the owner, Mel Tanioka! Definitely a diamond in the rough!

    (5)

  • Nic K.

    This is the best fish and okazu stop on the west side! Been coming here since I could walk. I love that they're doing so well! It is a bit on the expensive side, but we come here to treat ourselves :) perfect for beach days or grabbing lunch before work. So yum!

    (5)

  • Jodi T.

    Even though I personally don't eat fish or seafood my boyfriend does and he enjoyed every last piece of fish I got him. I also got him a bento for lunch which he inhaled in no time. I personally love the mochiko chicken, fried rice, and poi mochi. That's my 'go to' meal whenever i go to tanioka's. I love this place and will be back again

    (5)

  • Keri S.

    Really enjoy Taniaoka's freshly made party platters! Whenever anyone on our team gets promoted or moves away, we always do it big with a going away party. We order from a few places, one being Tanioka's. They are so good at getting your order right, everytime. The good is quality food, extremely fresh! Their poke sampler, lau lau, kalua pig and gabbage, sweet potato, chicken long rice, fried chicken, and so much more are some of the favorites. All the trays are wrapped well to ensure it stays hot and doesn't spill. If you are coming for a plate lunch, get there and beat the rush...the line gets really long. Thank you Tanioka's for quality service and food! :)

    (5)

  • Joanne E.

    Trying to find parking and waiting in the long line for your food is a tradition here, but definitely worth the wait and effort. Their spicy ahi is delicious and has no mayo to interfere with the fresh tuna taste. Love their huge variety of poke, there's something to please everyone. Their vegetable tempura, musubis, and fish patties are ono, too! It's very difficult to make it through the gauntlet of goodies without picking out under $30 of bounty before reaching the cashier. But your tummy will be happy!

    (4)

  • Tiffany C.

    Sometimes I forget that the poke in Hawaii is far superior to anything I will ever get in California. FAR SUPERIOR. And then, the first day on our visit here in Hawaii, we go to Tanioka's, and I am quickly reminded how poke SHOULD BE. The poke, so deliciously amazing, renders all silent because everyone is too busy enjoying it. At least, that's how it is with us. The second we all start eating, all conversation ceases as we dive in and enjoy each delectable morsel of poke. I've only been in Hawaii for a week, and I've already returned twice. Both times getting the Spicy Marlon. You can't find that in California! I've also tried the Crunchy Garlic and Spicy Alae. You really can't go wrong with your poke choice. The poke just melts in your mouth with each bite. No fishy smell or taste. The pieces are cut to just the right size. I am definitely returning to Tanioka's before I leave to take some home with me!

    (5)

  • Nelson Q.

    Tanioka's has been a mainstay in the Waipahu area for many years. Not only do they have a wide variety of bomb-ass poke, they also have an awesome okazu-ya selection of sushi, tempura, ono garlic chicken, spam musubi, and other onolicious grindage. At Tanioka's, you can find everything under one roof, even desserts and sweets like French Macarons!?!? Whodathunkit!?!?!?!? Its best to arrive here early to even stand a chance before all the favorites run out and you'll be left with slim pickins my friend! ALOHA!!!

    (5)

  • Adrian T.

    This place is the bomb! The only other place I can think of that can compete with this place in the world is Fresh Catch or this other place in Salt Lake. The parking over here can be a bit hectic but out of the hundreds of times I've been here I've always been blessed by God a parking spot. I love how this place looks and how the business is run. If there's anything I would change, it's have more and more variety on top of the many different foods they have to offer. I first tried their fish patty musubi when I was in the 8th grade when my brother and mother came home with some goodies. I instantly fell in love with this place because of my first Tanioka musubi. So when I got my license at the age of 16, this was the first place I went and the first place I've taken any girl. Too many memories that have branched from just going here with friends. The service is excellent despite how hectic this place can be. The boys and sometimes girls that work here are awesome. The lines here can be long but very well worth the wait. This place has smoked poke, tako poke, mussel poke and different types of fish poke. ALL of the poke made and prepared is on point. After you've gotten your poke, you get to your garlic chicken, fried chicken and this thing that's rice wrapped in deep fried fish scales and topped with I think mayo. Ono... They even have their own products and sherbet for sale here. They are the only place I know that sells sunflower seeds covered with chocolate. Definitely better than M&M's. So many things here like their green river or there orange bang to drink or even sashimi cut to perfection. They even have a poke lunch bag for all you construction workers and painters etc to bring to the jobsite. This place takes care.

    (5)

  • Kelsi C.

    BEST poke ever! We came here for lunch yesterday, and I mean it when I say that you should get here before the lunch rush! This place gets heavily packed. However, the staff are very efficient at getting everyone in and out in a substantial amount of time, and are also very helpful! I got the spicy ahi poke bowl over rice with furikake. We also got some of the "dried poke" which was also very good. The spicy ahi tasted fresh, and there was hardly any cartilage in the fish, which I liked. The "dried poke" is sort of their take on fish jerky, and is a fun thing to munch on. It's also a great pupu to bring to a party! The price here is the same as it is for poke anywhere, so this makes a great spot for a nice lunch (granted you get here before or after the rushes!) The market closes at 4, so no dinner is served here, unless you pack up everything to eat with your evening meal. Also, be aware that there are no tables and chairs, either. You will either have to sit in your car and feast, or also driving to a nearby beach to enjoy your food. However, all in all, come HERE for poke! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Taryn M.

    What is there not to love about this place? The spicy ahi poke and spam musubis are probably the best on the island. The poke is premium quality and fresh. If they run out of spam musubis, the mochiko chicken musubi is also awesome. I also like to get the spicy ahi tempura bowl (comes with spicy ahi, rice, shrimp tempura and bits of vegetable tempura). Their haupia/sweet potato pie is also super yummy! Items I recommend: -Spicy tuna poke -Spicy tuna tempura bowl -spam musubi -deluxe spam musubi -mochiko chicken musubi -haupia/sweet potato pie

    (5)

  • Nancy T.

    A lot of people recommended this place to me for good poke in Hawaii! It was a little hard to find, especially because they're doing a ton of construction in the area right now...but it's located right next door to a 7-Eleven, if that helps. The store is really small and is literally reminiscent of a mini-deli. You basically get in line and order from a case filled with tons of different types of fresh poke. The spicy ahi is especially delicious! I haven't had much poke elsewhere, so I have no real basis of comparison...but the fish tasted fresh, although it did get more fishy tasting towards the bottom of the bowl - not sure what that means! They also have a large assortment of tempura and other side items, but because this place is so popular and crowded, they were out of almost everything by the time we came here ~2pm. I also tried their simple mochiko curry bowl, which was a total steal for $4! It was really delicious and surprisingly filling, although it looked small when I first saw it. This is definitely a no-frills kind of place, where you get in and get out real quick. The employees are efficient and keep the long lines moving quickly. There aren't any tables inside the store, nor anywhere else in the plaza...so be prepared to eat your food in the car or elsewhere. Definitely a great and affordable hole in the wall that apparently does catering too?! If I lived in Hawaii, I'd be all over that for my next party!

    (4)

  • Jennifer N.

    My friend who lives on the island told me to go here. The parking sucks but once you park be aware there is going to be a line. There is a ton of poke to choose from. they have a yummy California poke with king crab and avocado. It sells out a lot so make sure you get there at a decent time. Its not just poke they sell, they have a ton of things like candy, spam masubi, lumpia and much more. Annoyed with the line but honestly worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Jordan S.

    As far as catering goes, these guys are awesome. Garlic Chicken is awesome. Teri Beef is awesome. Poke is awesome. It's all awesome. Well worth the traffic and wait to get to.

    (5)

  • Wetonbe S.

    Taniokas is a frequent spot I hit weekly. The line moves pretty fast and staff is always nice and friendly also helpful and personable. Food is the best hands down! Spicy ahi bento is Ono! In the case everything is broke the mouth . There fried chicken ! Favorite locally owned business !

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    I love everything about Taniokas!! POKI, service, and of course the Bomb diggidy chicken!!

    (5)

  • Lara A.

    I love their food! But today must of been my lucky day. The sold truffles! This should be more than five stars. Lol.

    (5)

  • Donna Lyn B.

    Tanioka's is the go-to place for me and my co-workers when we want to do a quick lunch run. One of my co-workers last year literally asked almost every other day for us to go to Tanioka's. We know that it's best to go before the lunch rush so anytime before 11 AM you'll get in and out in like five minutes because there's still plenty of parking stalls open and if you know what you want, grab it, put in on the counter quick for the workers to slide over to the register to pay for them. If you go during the lunch rush, you will be fighting for a parking stall. You will be standing outside the door and there's a security guard to make sure the door stays closed until you can get in. You will stand in the winding U-shaped line watching as customers before you snag the last spicy salmon rice ball that you wanted. You will probably be indecisive about getting a poke bowl, or a plate lunch, or get a pre-made bento, or make your own bento. Poke-wise, I like getting their garlic poke. Plate lunch-wise, I've enjoyed their cream of mushroom chicken, their pastele stew, and their palusami. I rarely get a pre-made bento anymore, but when I I always get the one with the fish patty, maki sushi, and cone sushi. Most of the time I just do ala carte and usually grab (all the time) the spicy salmon rice ball, (sometimes) fried ahi tempura roll, (always) a fish patty, and either mochiko chicken or fried chicken. If I want dessert, I get one of their super sugary frosted scones. Tanioka's is good food and quick service even during the lunch rush and as long as I'm working in the area I'm making lunch runs here at least once a week.

    (5)

  • Sebastian F.

    Oh man, Tanioka's is good stuff. This was the first stop for food after coming from the main land, and what a delightful surprise it was! Their poke is the bomb. Chunks of tuna, perfectly seasoned, it must be the definition of perfect Hawaiian food. Not cheap ($10 a bowl) but totally worth it. You'll crave for the rice bowl and your tuna for days. Fantastic local take-out spot. Poke BOMB.

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    4 words for lunch... SPICY AHI TEMPURA BOWL - Spicy ahi poke - Seafood veg tempura - Shrimp Tempura - Unagi sauce/Masago Mayo If you don't know, now you know!!! The line can "look" long but it goes very fast. Great/Friendly service with great food. Can't ask for more!!! I've also had them a few times when they catered weddings and definitely one of the best. I can't wait until they open one up in town!!! (hint hint)

    (5)

  • Jenna L.

    EVERYTHING is AMAZING!!! I love the spicy ahi plate!! This place can get packed but the wait is more than worth it!!!!

    (5)

  • Danielle P.

    Not only is everything they have amazing, the staff is so friendly. I can't get enough of this place!

    (5)

  • Jennifer O.

    I know the lines are long. Just be patient. Seriously, don't leave your spot, it'll be so worth it. Tanioka's, hands down, has some of the best poke in life. Not even just Your life, but life of all mankind and all lifetimes!! Nah, but for reals, this place has been around since before most of you Yelpers have been alive, myself included. And with the consistency this store has had (I was raised literally 3 blocks away and came back 10 years later; more times since then. It's exactly the same, honest poke), it will outlive us all! Barring they teach the next generation and those people have the same love and passion for gastronomy. And the same impeccable taste buds. And the same Great Grandparents recipes. And mankind hasn't killed off the supply of fresh fish. Okay, just go there Now. Get some poke of course. But also, andagi (Okinawan doughnut), cone sushi, fried chicken.. You know what, just go! Also, if you're there early enough, ask where "k's bentoya" is and hurry before they either close or run outta bentos! They're a few storefronts down. Dinky Lil place, but the combo of these two spots + a Leeward beach-filled afternoon will be a highlight of your vacay. Enough reading, fellow Yelper! The line is getting longer, just go already!!

    (5)

  • Roz M.

    Everything about Tanioka's is... THE BOMB! Boom...what can I say? 1. Ranked #91 on Yelp's 100 of the top restaurants in the U.S.A.for 2015. 2. Located in Waipahu next to a 7-11. 3. Always busy...lines inside and outside...but well organized and quick. 4. Popular items- fresh poke, fish patty, maki and cone sushi, different types of musubi, meat items, bentos, okayzu items, Hawaiian food,local,desserts, scones, local snacks, cookies and drinks. 5. Catering is also available. My favorites- *bento (spicy tuna over sushi rice)-sushi perfectly seasoned and the tuna is fresh, creamy and a little spicy *fish patty- tasty and yummy *spam musubi- the spam is cooked in a teriyaki sauce and ooo so good *blueberry scones- delicious, buttery, moist on the inside and crunchy on the edges What are your favorites?

    (5)

  • Trung L.

    Small little Deli/Seafood Market. This place is mainly a get in line, order your food, and eat outside or in your car. I had the 2 Choice Poke bowl and a Spam Masubi. Poke I had was Spicy Ahi Poke, and Limu ahi poke. I should have went with the sushi rice for $1 more instead of the normal rice. But both my poke was flavorful, fresh, and delicious. The Spam Masubi was really good too, not sure what sauce they used in the spam and rice, but it was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Todd S.

    If you're looking for, what I'd describe as a small army dedicated to serving you and ringing up all your local favorites, then Tanioka's is the spot! From an assortment of musubi, crispy fried chicken, fresh poke, and more, you're almost guaranteed to find your fix there. They're in Waipahu, but man I wish there was a Tanioka's in town! Good stuff!

    (4)

  • Kris O.

    When I was younger, my family lived within walking distance from Tanioka's and sometimes I wish I still lived nearby. There are countless food memories associated with their cone sushi (hands down my favorite sushi), fish patties and ice cold boiled peanuts. As an adult, I've been adventurous with expanding my food horizons and I thoroughly enjoy ordering their regular Beef Stew plate lunch (it includes two scoops of rice, mac salad and a FREE fountain drink). As hard as I try, I'm never able to resist picking up a bento pack of cone sushi, li hing mui pineapple, a couple shrimp tempuras and a few pieces of fried ahi sushi. there's a part of me that feels a little guilty about ordering so much food especially since it's only for myself, but those guilty feelings quickly disappear whenever I remember I no longer live within walking distance to Tanioka's. If you're planning to visit Tanioka's, it might be a good idea to go with a friend who can stand in line while you look for parking. The lunch rush is very busy, so be patient and try not to wait while you're starving. PS- Tanioka's has a great Thanksgiving / Christmas catering package which my family has enjoyed over the last few years. My grandma loves the convenience of not slaving over the preparation of a giant turkey and I love that my Aunty always picks up my favorite cone sushi.

    (5)

  • Stephanie W.

    Always amazing and Ono food...stopped in to get some bentos for lunch today and some poke for dinner. Too many yummy choices and I left with a lot more food than I needed. I made my own bento by choosing individual items...MmMmMm!

    (5)

  • Hannah D.

    We catered our wedding rehearsal dinner food from them and everything was excellent. We made our own menu. Garlic chicken, noodles, rice, ube, lumpia and mushubi. Poki platter Garlic chicken: very fragrant and super savory, was dry though by the next day Ube/Lumpia: delicious but little greasy Noodles: standard Mushubi: order less b/c the chicken mushubi was bigger than my fist! Huge huge Poke Platter: hands down the shining star dish. We picked out 4 different types. The fish cuts were melt in your mouth. Excellent service at pick up. Skip the delivery because they charge $100 and require a minimum order of $500. Gave us plates/napkins/utensils as well. We would definitely come back again and again.

    (5)

  • Ray W.

    Super nice, super legit!!!!! Food at its finest! Had a variety of poke and all of it was good.. Fried chicken was on point too! Parking lot fills up quickly but all in all , worth the wait!!!

    (5)

  • Ralph C.

    This is the spot for some killa food . Always fresh a little bit pricey but it's fresh and made everyday ...I mean everyday the fish is fresh the lau laus is fresh anyway get the idea right

    (5)

  • Divina R.

    Great place for bentos. Price- you can make your own bento however everything is priced individually. Most items are between $1 to $3. It can definitely add up but you'd want to try everything. I love all their musubis. Their seafood vegetable tempura is my favorite! Their fish cakes are to die for!!!!!!!!! Definitely worth the wait. It's definitely busy during the holidays as it is a great place for a beach or hike snack.

    (5)

  • Aline T.

    My friend and I were heading to the "west side, any side, every side"...and since we're a bunch of townies, we wanted to eat out. Where go, cuz? Tanioka's? Shoots, I nevah been. ....BRAH YOU NOT ONE LOCAL YOU NEVAH BEEN TANIOKA'S. Okeh okeh, we go. They are well known for their poke and spam musubi but their delicatessen offerings are KILLAH. Fried chicken, AHI PATTY, tofu patty, hash patty, spam musubi, poke - ALL ONO. So ono. I haven't stopped thinking about it since. And guess what? Pop that sucker in the toaster oven and everything gets all yummy like when you first bought it. There is also a lot of plate lunch options, like Hawaiian plate, beef stew, loco moco, etc. Coming from town, it's on the left side, so if you're using GPS, it won't tell you that you gotta do a U turn at the nearest can-do light (no worry, get). Then it's in a strip mall next to 7-11 and there is usually a line out the door, a security guard letting people in as people leave (I not even kidding), and no parking. You gotta wait for parking and you gotta wait in one line at the door. Cuz it's that good.

    (5)

  • Joy A.

    As a visitor, it was so much to take in! I wish they had this sort of poke deli in California. I would forever be a pescatarian if that was the case. We went during the weekday so the line wasn't terrible. It moves pretty fast so you no time to sit and think about things. Luckily, I was with my cousin who was a local and was able to coach me through it. The poke was fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. You also pass by shelves and displays of other small eats. They all are priced low but if your eyes are bigger than your stomach, you can easily buy way too much food. Their selection of musubi is superb. I ended up getting a teriyaki chicken musubi, a fried ahi roll (omg, so good) and a poi mochi donut. Staff is efficient and friendly and they get you out the door with the quickness.

    (5)

  • Kathleen G.

    I love this place. Get a mini plate chicken with mac potato salad, scoop of rice, a huge fountain drink, and a huge perfectly fried crispy piece of chicken for less than 6 bucks?! What a deal! And dont forget to add a rice ball, shrimp tempura, fish patty, side of poke, or whatever other fried yummy thing you want for cheap. Really fast and friendly service. Keep in mind what you want to order because although the line may get crowded, it moves FAST. Can't wait to go here again! :)

    (4)

  • Marey G.

    Why is everything so good here?! More importantly, why is there not one in California! It looks like a small place, but they offer an enormous amount of delicious and fresh foods. My personal favorites are the Taco over rice, the variety of spam musubi, the poke, the fried chicken, the shrimp tempura, and the fish patties. But don't limit yourself, EVERYTHING is good here. It's easy to spend a lot of money here because everything is so affordable and there is such a huge variety that you end up putting everything in your basket.

    (5)

  • Brian O.

    Good friend brought us here on a recent trip and boy was it worth it. We got limu , some lomi salmon and some pickled cucumber. It was delicious , each flavor was there and the fish so not over seasoned or too salty. Just right. Also tried the fried chicken which was crispy and juicy and sooo much flavor. Also tried some crispy ahi rolls . That was epic!!! Just get it all.

    (5)

  • Jasmine W.

    My job requires a lot of field work, and I usually will treat myself with something that isn't home lunch when I have a field trip. I've come to Taniokas a few times over the past year because I have a project in Waipahu, and it is the perfect stop on my way back to the office! I always come to Taniokas from the ewa direction, and it is an easy right turn off Farrington Highway. However, if you're coming from town then it looks like it might be really tricky to get into the lot since there is a ton of rail construction right now...you might have to overshoot Taniokas and make a U-turn to get there. The parking lot is really busy, especially around the lunch rush, so please drive with extra caution! Also, make sure you don't park in a stall marked for the other businesses in the strip mall (7-11, attorneys offices, etc.). The past few times I've come, the line has snaked through the store and seems quite long. It moves relatively fast though...from the front door it usually takes just 5 minutes to get to the poke counter. It might take longer depending on how much the people ahead of your order, or if they run out of something and have to restock. Their offerings are plentiful, so if you are indecisive like me you might be a little overwhelmed on your first visit. Frozen treats, dried seafood snacks, and other candies and crackers can be found on your left immediately past the entrance. There is also a variety of rotating cookies and mochi to your right as you wait patiently in line. As you walk through the line, there are more desserts (Okinawan sweet potato/haupia dessert) along with some sushi and picked vegetables in a refrigerated case. Make the turn towards the poke counter and you will be greeted by another refrigerated case with more sushi, poke bentos, pre-packaged poke, and other seafood delights. Then you make it to the poke counter, musubi/pre-packed bento line-up, and the fried chicken/andagi/fish patty etc. counter before hitting the cash register. When you get to the poke counter, you are greeted by a worker. He or she will take your poke order, poke bowl/salad order, and/or plate lunch order. Its best to look at the menus above the counters for your poke bowl/plate lunch options before you order! My go-to order is usually a 1/4-lb of poke (ends up being around $5 if the poke is $18.95/lb...I've tried the ahi limu, ahi alae limu, ahi crunchy garlic which are all great), a UFO (Goteborg musubi), and a piece of fried or garlic chicken (depending on my mood). I always see people with trays full of cone sushi, so that must be good too! My good friend also really loves the glazed poi andagi...I have yet to try it but I always pick up a couple for her when I'm here and she's always super stoked when I leave them on her desk. They take card which is really great! There are several registers, so make sure you keep track of your order when it hits the final counter...they basically place everything you've ordered on the counter and separate your order from the next with those dividers you see at grocery store registers so keeping track is really important! You don't want to pay for or get someone else's stuff! TL;DR - huge variety of lunch and snack choices, excellent poke, and very crowded during lunch!

    (5)

  • Mary J.

    Tanioka's has a plethora of poke, okazuya and goodies to choose from. My first and last stop when visiting my home town of Waipahu. Looking for great food? This is a must.

    (4)

  • Lori L.

    Food from Tanioka's Seafood & Catering would make any beach outing, sporting event, school lunch, or gathering better. While you're waiting in line, figure out what you want from Tanioka's variety of fresh, never frozen poke, okazu, pre-packed items, and snacks. Servers are lined up to pack your items from the poke counter and deli case and move the line quickly. Two items I always pick up are the Alaea Ahi Poke, which has a nice hit of salt, and the Ahi Fish Patties, the fist patty is firm and good both warm and cold. Also good are the Haupia Sweet Potato Squares, Spicy Ahi Don, Inari or Musubi for rice, Fried Chicken, and Pot Pies. Definitely not the cheapest, but it's the place in Waipahu to make a bento lunch or grab a snack.

    (4)

  • Jaye F.

    I love their food. Although the line is always out the door the wait is worth it. Plus it's not like you're standing in a still line, it flows so you'll be fine. Parking does suck though.

    (4)

  • J R.

    Tanioka's did an outstanding job catering our wedding. 2.5 months later and I'm still dreaming of/salivating over Tanioka's catering! For ~120 guests, we ordered their Station Banquet Menu. It consisted of a prime rib station, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, salads, poke station, and desserts for an incredibly reasonable price. Everything and everyone was absolutely wonderful! I couldn't have asked for better food or service. All my guests raved about their prime rib and poke. The food was so delicious, my husband and I had to go back to Taniokas and try all the poke we didn't get to order/taste. The staff was extremely helpful and very friendly. I had to request for an extra set of hands on deck to help with reception setup, breakdown and rubbish removal. I am ever so grateful that Tanioka's was able to make the arrangements to accommodate our needs. I can't wait to go back to Oahu and stop by for some more poke. mmmm...

    (5)

  • Shannon L.

    I was really debating on if this was better than Ono Seafood and it is CLOSE. SUPER CLOSE. But there is something about Tanioka's fish that tastes just a little more fresh and higher quality. I do think that Ono's spicy mayo poke is better because the chunks are larger. But Tanioka's crunchy garlic poke is out of this world. It's the right amount of garlic and onions. This was what won me over... the bigger the chunks of tuna, the better you can tell how good some poke really is. You are paying approximately $18.95/lb. for the ones mentioned which is about $6-7 more than what you'd pay for some at Foodland but I think it's worth it. They also have really great looking fried chicken but most of it was sold out by the time we got there. If I lived in Oahu, I would cater from this place for my birthday every year.

    (5)

  • Mark O.

    One of the things I end up craving frequently while on the mainland is poke. Specifically, poke from Tanioka's comes to mind. When I am in Hawaii I find almost any excuse I can to make a trip out to waipahu just so I can stop here on the way back home. Tanioka's is a local favorite and you will often find a line forming straight out the door. In fact, when I went there today they had a security guard handling the formation of lines and limiting the amount of people allowed in. Once inside you will see the massive operation they have going with tons of employees handling a very quickly moving line. All of their poke is very good and there are just so many options to choose from. My personal favorite is the spicy marlin poke which is marlin cubed into very small pieces coated in masago and hot sauce. Spicy mussel poke, hot alae poke and dried aku are all good choices as well. Amazingly, their poke is not the only great part about this place. All of their dry items are delicious as well. The spicy tuna roll, salmon patty, lumpia and especially the garlic chicken are all items I find myself ordering on an impulse as I near the cashier. Overall, I can't say enough good things about Tanioka's. It is certainly worth the drive and I consider this place to offer the best poke I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Steak E.

    Seriously my favorite poke place. Once you taste their spicy ahi you'll never be able to go back to Foodland poke. It's so fresh and doesn't taste mayo-ey like most spicy ahi poke usually does. I love their musubis, shrimp tempura, salmon cakes, and their crispy ahi!!! Soooooo ONO!!! Probably the only reason for not giving them 5 stars would be the price for the amount of food they give. The spicy ahi don (poke + sushi rice) is normally over $6.. it would probably help if they increased the poke to rice ratio.. Go early on weekends and go the day before any holidays/SuperBowl/anyUHgame unless you want to stand in a line that wraps around the building X_x

    (4)

  • Tuesday Y.

    Always a great visit to Taniokas! I endured the crowd last week at the heat of the lunch hour. They definitely have the quick efficient process mastered. The food is excellent! The staff full if Aloha! Its worth the inconvenience of HART disrupting getting into the lot for a parking space!

    (5)

  • Samantha G.

    There's no place that does bento better than Tanioka's....well at least in my opinion. Tanioka's was introduced to me by my college BFF when I first visited years ago. Its a must to pick up bento here before heading to the beach. Favorites of mine include (but not limited to) fried chicken, poke (they have a wide variety), Mac salad, spam musubi and haupia. Believe the hype, you must go early or else you might come to slim pickings.

    (5)

  • Monika P.

    Had a poke bowl with split crunchy garlic and spicy ahi. The crunchy garlic could have a little more crunch (could hardly taste any). Over fried rice (so good) for only $.75 more. All the poke is fresh. The fried chicken was pretty great, no bones and awesome batter. The shrimp tempura was probably the best I've ever had in my life. First time I heard of this local leeward spot. I heard lunchtime parking is near impossible. But was a fun deli style (no seating that I could see) group spot; something for everyone. My boyfriend said they've been around since he was a kid and the quality hasn't changed. So that's pretty awesome. Actually had a hard time deciding because everything looked so good. And I wasn't even hungry.

    (5)

  • Sam W.

    Hands down THE BEST place for poke. Being from town, I have tried a many poke places in Honolulu in order to avoid going to Waipahu and possible H1 traffic. There is no where in town that I know of that can give you the fresh, super ono quality poke that Tanioka's has. They also have a variety of cooked goodies and snacks that I have heard are amazing too. I only go there for 2 things: 1) Spicy marlin poke - the marlin is cut into small cubes and whatever they mix it with along with tobiko is freaking amazing. I could eat pounds of this stuff... probably not a good idea though since marlin is a big fish (possible mercury toxicity with over consumption?) 2) Sesame tako - perfectly chewy cooked octopus with just the right amount of season. Done and done. Though the ahi is great, its way too damn expensive for me. The service is friendly and parking is usually easy to find unless you are going during everyone's lunch time. Then there is also a bit of a like inside too.

    (5)

  • Crystal V.

    The poke here is always fresh which makes standing in the line worth it. Pricey but worth it. We get the spicy ahi and limu onion -both are tasty. The spicy ahi isnt super spicy so depends on the temperature you like it. They stopped making Japan Clam which my boyfriend was disappointed about. Their glazed andagi is really tasty. We came towards the end of their open hours and they were fresh and still warm.

    (5)

  • Jozlyn H.

    Pricey but worth it. Fresh poke! Like melt in your mouth kine. Yes it's a little pricey but it's worth paying for the quality of their fish. They get super busy around lunch time that they have a security guard helping control the crowd by forming a line outside of the store. Taniokas been my favorite poke place since I was young. This store goes way back. Everyone that works there is super nice. It's hectic in there but the line moves along quickly. My favorite things about tanioka's: Fresh poke Sesame tako Spicy ahi platter Poke bowl Cute boys working there Kalolo Fried spicy ahi roll Mochi Fried chicken Fish patty Sweet potato tempura This place never disappoints..... Ever! L

    (5)

  • Mj F.

    Its okay...awesome selection. I have been in here twice and it seems like the price really hits when you get to the register. Lol Idk i don't come here a lot. The crazy lines and junk parking irritate me.

    (3)

  • Cliff A.

    My favorite Poke in all of O'ahu. Super fresh and my girls loved the take home mango and lychee desserts. Highly recommend

    (5)

  • Rhea Cherie B.

    When I think of poke, the first word that comes to mind is Tanioka's and when I think of musubi, the first word that comes to mind is also Tanioka's. Needless to say, Tanioka's Seafoods and Catering has set the standard in my books for poke, musubi and other local favorites. Tanioka's is probably my favorite place to get poke and they make the best musubis. The parking lot is crappy (always busy and lots of potholes) and the size of the store is way too small but their food and customer service make up for everything. The store is really tiny and every time I go there, there's a line that wraps around the store but the wait usually isn't too long. Their employees are very friendly and always work with a sense of urgency so they get through the line of customers pretty quickly. They have a huge variety of poke and okazuya-type food. FAVORITES: +Sesame tako +Fish patty musubi +Fried chicken +Deluxe spam musubi +Spicy ahi over rice +Lumpia Just a few notes: +Their cone sushi is HUGE +You will want to order everything and things are kind of pricey so it will add up. +They have dessert for sale (butter mochi, cupcakes, plain and poi andagi, etc.) +They have a lot of snacks for sale (gummy candy, cookies, chips, etc.) +They cater and do fundraisers. +They sell plate lunches, including Hawaiian (lau lau and kalua pig) except on the weekends. Tanioka's is the perfect place to go for almost any occasion and I will have to stop my review right here because my stomach is growling and I just might have to take a drive down to Waipahu to get some poke or musubi. Probably both.

    (5)

  • Catherine T.

    Aside from the amazing and fresh foods they offer, the best thing they have to give is their hospitality. We are from the Bay and come every other year and they seem to remember us. We bought over 100 dollars worth of goodies and they gave us a free box of extra items for our purchase. Thank you! When I come here I immediately get the Spicy Ahi Tempura Bowl that comes with yummy poke, rice, shrimp tempura, vegetable tempura, drizzled with some sauces. You won't regret it fam!!!!

    (5)

  • April Y.

    I haven't been to Tanioka's for a while, I didn't realize how over priced their items are. Wanted to get the noodles in my plate they had it pre-made for almost 8 dollars. Shocked to see my price for 4 hash, 4 shrimp, 2 musubi, and 2 small pieces of chicken....need more items in the okazuya area.

    (2)

  • Brendan Y.

    You want take-out? You like poke? Tanioka's. Poke, tako poke, any and every way, well almost every way. Everything is delicious in there, so don't be shy and fill up. You won't be disappointed. As I am writing this brief review I am battling a severe poke craving ... and am 5,000 miles away from Tanioka's!?!?! I'm nearly in shambles. But lucky you! If you are reading this review, stop contemplating and go check it out!

    (5)

  • Alan L.

    This is a take out shop. There was a long line inside the store, but it moved relatively quickly given how many people were in it and the number of items they could order throughout the line, the layout of the store is excellent, people can pick up things as they wind through the line, and then there are two efficient ordering stations, one where you order the poke, and after that, you move onto the okazuya items. As you stand in line, there are also lots of crack seed items you can pick up. I had their spicy ahi poke bowl with sushi rice, salmon patty, garlic fried chicken, and their deep fried The poke was firm, fresh, and well flavored. It had a very light coating of spicy mayonnaise, and they had put a light layer of shredded nori on the rice before throwing the poke on it. However, there were two sinewy bits in the fish that I didn't like and was disappointed they had let get into their poke. The sushi rice was delicious and seasoned well, but I thought it was quite expensive for the upgrade, which was a dollar. The prices here seem rather steep for the amount of food you receive. A very small poke bowl with a smattering on top of one type of poke with the sushi rice upgrade cost $8.95 before tax. The food was quite delicious, but the prices might be about 20% too high. The salmon patty was quite good also, moist, and with chopped onions in it. The garlic fried chicken was rather average. It was crispy, but the chicken was kind of cold, and part of the meat was rather tough and dry. The shoyu seasoning that was on was well flavored with garlic, but seemed a bit too sweet. The patty was $2.25 and while decent, also seemed a bit overpriced. We also had these deep fried nori rolls with unagi sauce and mayonnaise on it. These were tasty too, although again, along they were small and cost $1.75. They also had goteborg musubi, a Kaua'i specialty, It was a ball of furikake covered rice with a slice of goteborg sausage sandwiching the ball of rice. I didn't get it though, because it was $1.75, for a very small musubi. So the recurring theme is that things were quite tasty here, but the prices seem to have been pushed a bit too high. However, the items are all solid and taste great, the poke is fresh and flavored well, and so is an overall great place for local Hawai'i food. The service here was also excellent here. The workers were quick and efficient, and knew the process well. There weren't any hiccups or inefficiencies, and they were very friendly and worked with a smile.

    (4)

  • Lynette N.

    My "go to" bento food! Love their food. There's always a line here but it goes quickly. They have the best poke, ono garlic chicken, best cone sushi, tasty variety of musubis, good fried rice, awesome fish, salmon and tofu patties...and melt-in-your-mouth Mochi. If you haven't been to this well established Waipahu market, you've got to try it!

    (5)

  • Kim K.

    We catered from Tanioka's for a party of about 200 guests. Everything was great! Many of our guests commented that the food was so 'ono! They were surprised to see the variety of dishes and were able to try some dishes that they didn't know Tanioka's made, because we picked out a la carte instead of set menu. Deanna was helpful in assisting me with the menu and quantities. We ended up having much more food leftover than anticipated, but at least we had some delicious leftovers for the week! Also, I wanted to commend the delivery and setup staff. They demonstrated excellent customer service, paying attention to detail for placement of the food and in such a positive, personable manner. Mahalo for making it a special event!

    (5)

  • Tiffany O.

    I've been craving poke a lot lately so when I was kind of around the area, all I could think of was Taniokas! I haven't been here in a really really long time, but I knew I just wanted a regular poke bowl. It was a very rainy day, so the parking lot was kind of flooded, but they do have a lot of parking. Also my boyfriend almost went through the wrong door lol. One thing I noticed was that there were a lot, A LOT of guy workers. I guess they are really THAT busy that they need so many workers! I saw at least 10 in the front... I ordered the spicy ahi bowl, typical of me. My boyfriend wanted the garlic chicken I think? But, they were sold out so he just got a spicy ahi bowl. They didn't really have many choices other than chicken and poke. I thought they would at least. The poke was good! However, the rice was pretty junk. I ended up just eating it at home so I should have just bought poke and ate rice home. The rice was kind of hard and it didn't help make the poke taste as good as it could have? Idk, but yeah I recommend just order poke without the bowl and by the pound or something. Still good though!

    (4)

  • Jamie W.

    Came here to pick up lunch on a weekday. It was packed inside but the line moves surprisingly fast! I got a Hawaiian Bowl (rice, lomi salmon, kalua pork, and your choice of poke). It was delicious! I can see why this place is so popular.

    (5)

  • Lori Y.

    Love love Taniokas:) Anytime your headed out west side this is a must! From freshly made musabis and cone sushi to all the different varieties of poke! You gotta try it! They have snacks, desserts and all June goodies! Go enjoy!!:)

    (5)

  • Fran C.

    I was working in the Kapolei area yesterday, and as I was trying to head back to town I realized it was lunch time. Since I was now near the Waipahu area, I decided to drop by Tanioka's as.I heard about this place from my friend. Funny I've often heard about this place, but I never ever walked in and checked this place out until yesterday. I was told about their large selections of fresh poke, as well as their fried food selections, and musubi's. Well, for me............I'm just here for FRIED CHICKEN! I'm a fried chicken eating fiend!!!! Always loved it as a kid..........and still love it as an adult! As I walked into the store, there was a long line that snaked in a u-turn all the way to the entrance to the door. As I waited in line, I got a good look at the fried food selection, as well as all their poke! I must say it was impressive! For lunch I picked up the following......... 1. Spicy Ahi rice. 2. (1) Fried chicken 3. (1) Garlic fried chicken 4. (1) Crab cake 5. (1) Diet Pespi, cuz I gotta watch my boyish figa! Lol!!! All I can say about the food is - Ummmmmmmm! ONO!!!! I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach, cuz after downing all the food. I felt kinda sick & over stuffed! Ugh! I guess I have to learn about moderation......and food portion control! Anyways, be prepared to pay a little buckage, as with okazuya...........you know it is expensive. I paid $14.35 for my meal........but I was satisfied, and would gladly come back here the next time I'm in the area. Check 'em out gang! Chance 'em!

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    Really good poke, tofu patties (better than the fish ones - give it a try if you haven't already), chicken (mochiko, fried, garlic - it's all good), and seafood/vegetable tempura (distinctly crab flavored) along with quick and friendly service. But 2 problems. Parking seems abundant but in reality, it is horrible. Bad enough that many stalls are reserved for some business or other, the Tanioka's stalls don't seem to turn over as quickly as they should - poached by other business' customers? The other problem is that some of the food is rather pricey. $1.50 for a small konbu musubi? Tastes good but much larger konbu musubi is priced less elsewhere in the neighborhood. But of course, those other stores don't have the tofu patties, fresh-fish poke, and chicken that Tanioka's does. So plan what you order so you don't get sticker shock when they ring you up.

    (4)

  • Jeannie G.

    Best POKE on the island hands down. This family run business gets super busy. Once you step in, you'll see why. Staff and owners are warm & inviting. Line usually goes out to the parking lot. Garlic ahi, spicy tuna, and lomi are my favs. Did I mention garlic chicken?! Please please please whatever you do, leave room for the garlic chicken. And non-skin fried chicken eaters will regret this but that crispy, garlicky, chicken skin is so darn good mmmm, ur heart attack will be worth it. Make room for a few spam masubis, my fav is rolled in furikaki. And the haupia is bomb! I may be biased bc they catered my wedding BUT I love them and still come for more. Thanks Lauren & family for an unforgettable catering experience on our wedding day! -xoxo

    (5)

  • Russell K.

    This place is a true 5 star establishment. Great service, everyone who I interacted with was great. At the register the managers even came up and chatted with me. They asked how i was doing, where I was from and even gave me a few sample goodies to try. They really made me feel welcome! Most importantly the food was GREAT. I would highly recommend the CRUNCHY GARLIC POKE. All of the others we tried were good, but the crunchy garlic stood out. Fresh fish, amazing poke. I would for sure add the pickled green seaweed salad to eat with your poke. Bottom line, if you want some true, fresh, hawaiian poke, GO TO TANIOKAS.

    (5)

  • Irene H.

    Poke - fresh just wish they add more mayo to their spicy ahi. Mochiko chicken - my favorite chicken to pick up! Sweet and so soft...love my chickens juicy! Sushi - bomb here, reminds me of Sakae sushi in Gardena California. Spicy ahi over tofu - so delicious. My go to spot for cravings! It's a small, hole in the wall spot. You can only take out. Line is always long but quick to order.

    (5)

  • Jon E.

    There is a line at Tanioka's. There is ALWAYS a line at Tanioka's. Not a slow line however, they are efficient as hell. They better be, since they serve up the best poke in Hawaii. But that was the problem. I always got Poke 2 choice with nori on sushi rice. Always. It's that good........ But now I discover their hot food menu rocks as well! SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS! Wow, I was sweating after eating those. It is a whole body workout - without the corresponding burning of calories sadly... Now it's on, gotta try the rest of the menu - beef stew, you're up next!

    (5)

  • Arlene A.

    I have been a fan of Tanioka's since they had their downtown shop in the Pioneer Plaza. It was then that I was first introduced to their various bentos, poke and yes, let's not forget the famous fish patties! They're no longer in Downtown, so every time (and I really do mean almost every time) I'm passing through Waipahu, I will make a stop and pick up a few items to eat on the go or heat up for later. The quality has always been consistent throughout the years. And they always have happy and helpful workers which I can appreciate, especially when servicing customers non-stop all day long. You can count on those guys to keep the line moving for sure. I do wish they would open up another location in town. But I guess it's a nice treat and something I can always look forward to when visiting the wesside!

    (4)

  • Claire F.

    It was love at first bite! Okay, well maybe I hyped it up in my head from all the stellar reviews on Yelp and the countless people raving about it in person, but Tanioka's certainly lived up to its high expectations! I LOVE okazuya places, and this one is amazing! So. Many. CHOICES! The journey begins by standing in the ridiculous line weaving around and spilling out of the store. Great, I think, who the heck signed me up for this nightclub line. After smiling sweetly to the bouncer/security guard, we're in! Walking into the store, I'm already itching like a little kid walking into a candy store. While at the tail end of the enormous but fast-moving line, I crane my neck to catch glimpses of those scrumptious okazuya offerings, so delicious to the eyes. Drunk with the equally enticing aromas wafting through this tiny shop, I make a mental note of which items to take a closer to look at once within arms length. Tempura, crab cakes, fried chicken, garlic chicken, fish patties, corned beef hash, sushi, lumpia, deep fried ahi rolls, bentos and plate lunches, musubis in every flavor/combo imaginable, and POKE galore! I don't know how anybody can choose! My choice is their POKE. So divine; one of the best on the island with its ridiculously super soft melt-in-your-mouth texture, no sinew, and tasty flavors done just right. More than a dozen different varieties to choose from (and they let you sample!), there is definitely something for every poke lover! Spicy ahi = my ole reliable preference. I'm also blown away by their varieties of musubis! Their mochiko chicken musubi is definitely a local favorite and a must-try, but I'm dying to work up the courage to stray and try some of their others! They also sell local favorites like boiled peanuts and crack seed/candy by the package. And bottled drinks, ice cold from the fridge and ready to be consumed. And did I see something about macarons? This place is SERIOUSLY the complete package!! 5 stars to a legend so deserving.

    (5)

  • Justin H.

    Great Poke! One of my favorite places to eat. If you haven't tried the salmon patties or fried chicken you definitely should. Their a great addition to a poke bowl. Their always packed, but have a great system to keep the line moving at a steady pace.

    (5)

  • J R.

    I've stopped by Tanioka's on several occasions. And I've had the food for several office gatherings. Food is very good and consistent. I've had the Deluxe Bento, which consisted of Beef Teriyaki, Mochiko Chicken, Spam, Hot Dog, and Rice. The bento was really good and notably, one of the best bentos that I've had. The teriyaki was excellent and wasn't marinated too sweet or overly marinated. The mochiko chicken was also great. No oily at all. Spam...well, you can't really mess Spam up, right? And the hot dog was pretty good. Of course, you can't mess up a hot dog, too. What I really like purchasing from here is the garlic chicken. I'm a garlic chicken fanatic, and I must try it everywhere that it's offered. And I think that Tanioka's is up there with the best for their garlic chicken.

    (5)

  • Craig F.

    Poke is abundant in Hawaii, even as we deplete fish stocks around the world. Good poke, however, still takes a little doing. The best stuff on the west side, in this fan's humble opinion, is at Tanioka's. What's makes this place so good is its consistency. The fish is fresh, the limu crunchy, and the acoutremont are very nice indeed. Had the tempura shrimp for the first time today. soft on the outside and crunchy on the outside. Didn't even need to dip it because the batter was so tasty. The musubis are better than mom's. And even the store logo is just cool. Be prepared for huge lunch time crowds. Parking can be challenging, and I feel for the businesses next door. The guys and gals in the shop, however, move people in and out pretty rapidly. You are only slowed by the indecisive, or newbies. For a first visit, for two people, I'd suggest the following: 1) limu poke (spicy ahi if you like that, 1/2 pound, 2) musubi (any kind or classic rice with umeboshi), 3) something fried (chicken, lumpia, aforementioned tempura), and 4) for the health-conscious among us: some sea salad or namasu (cucumber, carrot salad). Bon appetit foodies!

    (5)

  • Samai L.

    This place has amazing poke. It's like a deli line, not a sit down to eat restaurant. There was an extremely long line when we went, but the line moves fast and it was definitely worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Jay Jay C.

    I'm absolutely in love with this place, everytime I have come here service has been superb and the food is to die for. I'm moving back to the mainland and I always say, I wish I could mentor there to learn the secrets of the trade, not to sell but for myself. We always bring our friends here and family visiting from out of town, we also bring friends from the island that have never eaten here and they always say that THIS is what Hawaiian food is! the best Hawaiian food on the island. I always come for the poke, but all the food here is amazing! The fried food is bomb, spam musubi is bomb, the mochiko chicken is bomb, what can I say the food is amazing. If you want amazing food with great customer service that makes you feel like family, for a good price, this is the place...there's a reason why this place is always number one on the majority of the list! keep doing an amazing job!

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    Glad we stopped here before we left Oahu! There was a long line when we arrived but they did a great job of keeping it moving. So many yummy things to choose from! We got poke bowls and I had musubi for the first time. Delicious!!! We took it to a nearby park and had a very satisfying lunch.

    (4)

  • Ardielyn F.

    What is not to like about this place!? Everything I've had have been good. If you love poke this place is for you. They have many varieties of poke to choose from and always fresh. Love musubi? They have that too with different types of it as well. Feeling like you need more than poke or musubi? Don't worry, they got you covered. They have other hot items over rice, fish cake, salmon cake, and crab cake. I LOVE the fish cake! You feeling dessert? They have that too. Tanioka's is really a one stop shop. Could be pretty dangerous coming here on an empty stomach. You can come out of the store with all the food your eyes feasted on. There is a line and it could be pretty long. Fortunately whenever we go we either miss the line or come right on time.

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    Great poke, but they're always out of brown rice regardless of what time I go in. Please don't put brown rice in menu if it's not available most of the time.

    (3)

  • Ashley V.

    Okay, soo.. For those of you first timer's here to Tanioka's (btw, WHY is this your first time?! Have you been hiding under a rock your whole lives? Oh, your not from here? Okayy, your excused..) this place is just awesome! And I mean AWESOME! I don't know any locals that DON'T like Tanioka's! But of course with every great thing there is a down side! If you are not ordering pre-made bento's, musubi's, poke, or a fresh poke bowl; Your only alternative is to order okazuya style, which can get VERY pricey if you're anything like me and love good food when you see it! But hey, I'm TELLING YOU to order up, especially if this is your first time! It will all be worth it. And don't worry about people staring at you holding a loaded plate of what seems to be enough food for three people... Look in front of you and behind you and you will most likely find your foodie sister soul. My favorites and regular go-to's are the mochiko chicken, 1 scoop fried rice, spam musubi, salmon patties, crab patties, fish patties, and vegetable tempura! And if I'm feeling good I'll even throw in a 1/4 lb bowl of poke to go! To conclude, when I have multiple cravings for goodness this is definitely my sure stop! I LOVE THIS PLACE! Go and check it out, order up, and thank me later!

    (5)

  • H C.

    Mochiko chicken, sweat potato tempura, cone sushi, all great Okazuya favorites. Great take out place. Line moves fast. Very efficient and friendly employees. Always well stocked. Have been going here many years. Never disappointed.

    (5)

  • Lovey C.

    Love the variety of food here. Too bad they keep running out of seafood omelette.... It's so yummy!!!

    (5)

  • Black D.

    Thank you Aunty for introducing this place to us. Will go again soon for lunch... Awesome...

    (4)

  • Bridget G.

    Always great food and prices. I get the fish patty and ahi limu onion.. my other half is obsessed with their tako poke.. cone sushi is on point as well.. can't go wrong.. always long lines tho

    (5)

  • Zar A.

    Tanioka's definitely wins my trophy for: best fried rice on this island!!!! You may wonder what is so special about fried rice? Wonder no more, get some of this and you will know! In addition, they also have poke bowls where you can get it with white rice, brown rice, sushi rice or FRIED RICE! Poke is Hawaiian for raw fish. Their assorted pokes are also amazing. They have about 10 to 15 different varieties. What's more incredible is when you combine the poke with the fried rice! Poke that you must get: Sesame Tako (octopus) Spicy ahi (raw tuna) Wwow, my mouth is watering. Everything about this place is amazing!! Other items I enjoy here are: Haupia sweet potato Oreo truffle Mochiko chicken (sweet fried chicken) Deluxe musubi Fried ahi roll Deep fried onions The line here is always long! But the boys know how to keep it going and within 10 minutes, you're out the door with $30 of food just for yourself! :)

    (5)

  • Doreen R.

    We hired Tanioka's Catering for my Grandfather's Funeral and I must say that these guys do catering WELL! We ordered through Mililani Mortuary, prices were good and the menu selections were great. They delivered the food, set-up the food trays, re-filled the pans on the 2-serving tables and even packed-up the leftovers for everyone. They provided the utensils, plates and napkins (that's pretty much a given) and provided all the Styrofoam containers for packing up leftovers. The 2-attendents from Tanioka's were very polite, professional and helpful to all. I will definitely recommend them and use them for future events. By the way, our menu selection was Mochiko Chicken (YUM!, very moist!), Fish Patties, Rice, Noodles (they were DELISH!!!), Mac Salad and Andagi Donuts.

    (5)

  • Nancy A.

    OMG! I LOVE this place! I can't help but keep coming back! They have a large selection of goodies from snacks to entrees! Things to get: spicy ahi bowl, fish patty musubi, spam musubi, fish patty, cone sushi, all the different poke, fried chicken... Oh wow... Just get everything! This visit was even more special since we met the owner, Mel Tanioka, and he spoiled us with extra goodies! Thank you Mel... You know my visits to the island aren't complete if I don't get food here!!!

    (5)

  • Monamarie A.

    Personally feel that they have the freshest poke and best spicy ahi on the island. Worth the price compared to foodland or other markets. Line goes by fast even if it's out the door cuz food is ready when u order it. Love the spicy ahi shrimp tempura combo and the crispy ahi rolls are delicious if there's any left cuz they go fast. Usually go here once a week and everything is worth trying from their variety of musubi to the big pieces of fried chicken.

    (5)

  • James V.

    Came to HI for a week and was told about this place by my gf's family. Got there around lunch time and there was a line. Do not be discouraged by the line because it goes quickly and their seafood is fresh and ready to go. They're staff is friendly and precise as they're used to a long lines. FOOD: Their fresh, dark red, tuna poke is the reason why people keep coming back. They have a wide variety of poke. I ordered half and half consisting of Spicy Ahi and Swordfish. The portions were very generous and the rice was perfect. They also have plenty of other fried snacks and food like musubis, chicken plates, etc. Definitely swinging by here every time I go back to Oahu.

    (5)

  • Wes K.

    For my son's first and daughter's sixth birthday party, the choice was between Tanioka's and Marian's. Comparing the two for Hawaiian food, they were both close in price, although Tanioka's menu doesn't include poi. Since I used Marian's for my daughter's first birthday party through Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, I decided to use Tanioka's as a comparison. I paid the deposit a year in advance so I had a lot of time to adjust the menu. My final menu was Kalua Pig W/Cabbage, Chicken Long Rice, Garlic Chix, Lomi Salmon, Haupia, Rice, Steamed Sweet Potato, Fried Noodles, Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice, Utensils, and Paper Goods. I added our own poke and poi to the menu. Everyone had compliments on their food at the party. I also paid for one assistant to deliver and maintain the stock. If you need an assistant to help with your event, Micah from Tanioka's works hard. He was sweating in an air conditioned room!

    (5)

  • Edward A.

    They catered our wedding in Ko'Olina and we couldn't have asked for more! Easy to deal with and communicate with. Thanks again to all of the staff that coordinated with us!

    (5)

  • Nicole K.

    If I'm being perfectly honest, I have never actually visited Tanioka's Seafoods & Catering... I know! I know! How can I be a West Sider/Poke Lover/Respectable Person and not have gone to Tanioka's before?! I ask myself that every day. While my experience eating AT Tanikoa's is limited, my experience catering from them has been OUTSTANDING! Our office caters from Tanioka's for our annual holiday party of about 800 people every year. We have ordered both pre-made bentos and buffet-style catering in the past and no matter what is served, the food is always a hit! People go gaga over Tanioka's fish patties, mochiko chicken, and teri beef! And for good reason! They are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Besides the food, the Tanioka's staff and crew are a joy to work with. They are helpful, accommodating, and always going the extra mile for your event and for you! Whether big or small, I highly recommend Tanioka's for any party you are hosting. The food will be a hit, the service will be outstanding, and everyone will be happy!

    (5)

  • Jenzen E.

    Got my fresh poke fix before heading back to Cali.. Although prices are on the higher price range.. its worth it..

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    This customer service here is aloha spirit at its finest. I went in there at lunch time and the line was out the door as usual. I had my newborn son in the carrier and the owner walked up and asked if he could help me so I didn't have to stand by the door with my baby. I didn't want to cut anyone off so I waited with everyone else. We went through the line very quickly. They are really on it. When I ordered my food the guy who helped me, not only made my drinks, but brought my whole order to the car for me. Everyone was so thoughtful and great. The food is always ono of course too.

    (5)

  • Tuco A.

    Taniokas is the BOMB, always Fresh, Tasty n filling ! I love the Spicy Tuna over Rice ! For a place thats always Super Busy, the Staff is A-1 , never rude or pushy . I 'll always go to Taniokas over Tamashiro's Rip-off joint Anyday. At Taniokas the Customer comes first !

    (5)

  • Victoria A.

    I've had food catered by Tanioka's before but did not know that they had a store on Farrington! It was one of those days when I was on the verge of hulking out from hunger and my ever so smart hubby decides, "let me feed her before she gets ugly." When you're hungry anything will do (am I right? or am I RIGHT?!). I was so pleased and satisfied knowing that Tanioka's has ready made food "fast food style" at their store. It was a matter of picking out which type musubi, poke or plate you wanted. Loved it!!! Fish patty musubi? I've never heard of it but was so happy to have one. It's just the right size to go for those hungry moments when you wanna devour everything in sight without utensils. Yes, I was THAT hungry. I ended up grabbing a little of everything - literally!! musubis, tempuras and poke. I didn't know what an okazuya was and when I did...realized that Tanioka's storefront is exactly that - a deli styled storefront as well as head quarters for their catering business. Everything was delicious!! Not because I was super hungry - but because it really was very good!! Made me wish I had picked more stuff out. Food was tasty, fried items were still crispy and everything was just so flavorful and filling. But boy...I wish I had gotten more. Is my ignorance showing in regards to Hawaii? Again, learned something new today about okazuayas as well as TANIOKA'S HAS THE BEST OKAZUYA FOOD. And if you don't believe me, the line was an indication that good food is served here. To my surprise, the line moved FAST! I was compelled to pick my food quickly since there were many people behind me and the pressure of picking something quick was unnerving (let me just say, it was not the time to ask questions about the food in the display). If you don't know what you're going to get it's probably best to read what the reviews are saying before going or perhaps peruse the food before lining up. Parking was terrible!! But the food more than overcompensated the parking-go-round fiasco. This visit warrants a return to check out the other food items in their display. I've passed Tanioka's many times since this visit and there is ALWAYS a line so I'm not much help in telling you when is the best time to go. People know good food and the lines are usually a good indication of where to go if you have the patience.

    (5)

  • Nancy F.

    The poke here is so fresh and they have so many flavors to choose from. We ate in the parking lot because we couldn't wait to dig in.

    (5)

  • Elle U.

    Thank you, Tanioka Catering for an awesome job! From checking emails during the new year's weekend and responding, to being so flexible and to the awesome staff you sent to work, everything was flawless! Couldn't ask for anything more! Planning my mother's service was so stressful and emotionally draining, but you made the refreshment part of it so easy for us. Not to mention the delicious food! Thank you!!!! I would highly recommend Taniokas for your next event!

    (5)

  • Winston F.

    There's usually a line, and for good reason, everything here is good. Best poke, garlic chicken, snacks, muchiko Masubi, etc. Customer service is good as well. But even if they were assholes (they're not) I would still come here to eat. The Tokyo Rose of the waipahu trailer park.

    (5)

  • Valerie C.

    You know, I can see why I've never been here before. The location is--how do I put it lightly?--sorta sketch? It's located off the highway in a chain-link fence enclosed strip mall next to a 7-11 and the dried grass and dirt perimeter really gave this place some charm. (If you had any question about Tanioka's hours, one visit and you can see why this place closes before the sun sets.) First thought upon entering: "Gotdamn this line is long." It was loud and busy in there and everyone but us seemed to know how to navigate this seafood labyrinth. My second thought was "Okay, yea, this place probably is a diamond in the rough." (I recently watched "Aladdin" so that phrase was fresh in my vocabulary...) My third thought was "Oooh, look at this layered dessert! Should I get one? What kind of poke am I a gonna get? HOW do I order? OMG-- ISTHATAMOUNTAINOFFRIEDCHICKEN??? What do I want to drink? Well, what kind of soda do you have? Wait--what?" Sensory overload. Somewhere between my third thought and asking myself where I parked the car, I managed to order spicy poke, garlic chicken, and a diet Pepsi. Do I remember ordering that? No, not really, but I enjoyed it! Maybe on my next Oahu trip I can finally get this Tanioka's thing down.

    (4)

  • Kandra A.

    Me and my boyfriend are such fat asses we got two scoop fried rice, a noodle bento, a spicy ahi bento, two fish cakes and 1/4lb spicy marlin and 1/4lb onion poke. All soo good ! Usually I don't like fish cake but this time the only reason why I didn't finish the fish cake was because I was full from all the fish. The spicy ahi bento was good some places over flow it with sauce but the pre-made spicy bento was great! The onion poke was soo good, I was expecting the onion to burn my mouth like other places but the onion was sweet and the poke was fresh af ! I've never had spicy marlin before that was for my bf but it was good too. I didn't even finish my noodles or fish cake because me and my bf focused on eating all the fish before we do our errands and then it gets spoiled in the car and we get sad hah ! The service was good too there was soo much workers looking at everyone seeing whose the next person to help, they're really aware of you and on point with getting the line to get a good flow me and my bf weren't in line too long Over all pretty good, drink selection is whatever's, 7-11 in next door anyways lol

    (5)

  • Nalani S.

    Don't go in this store hungry cause you'll want one of everything!! Went in to just grab a musubi and poke...walked out with a spicy ahi tempura bowl, a pound of alae limu poke, half pound onion poke, 2 deluxe musubis and okazuya!! Yummy in my tummy...I'll be nice and share with my family.

    (5)

  • Nikki N.

    I used Tanioka's for my wedding on March 23rd and they did a fabulous job. I did not get to eat everything at my wedding but I did try the left overs which was still good! Everyone complimented the food. I was really happy with the service that Jasmine and Lauren gave. I mainly went with this company because they responded quickly to my emails and let me try everything in advanced! They followed up to make sure everything went accordingly and I was very very happy that I went with my gut feeling about them instead of going with what my wedding coordinator wanted. I will probably want to use them again for any catering function I need!

    (5)

  • Reg A.

    Back in Nov. 2013, we found this place by accident on our way to Ko'Olina. Boy, i'm sure glad we did! Don't be discouraged by the line, it goes fast. They have all kinds of fried snacks, musubis & POKE! POKE: Really fresh poke! Its a deep, dark red, tuna. I recommend the LIMU ONION poke. They have a good variety. CHICKEN: All of the chicken is good! The garlic chicken in my opinion is the best. Then the mochiko chicken. I like that they use boneless thigh meat. Its juicy and who doesn't love crispy skin? TIP: If you get the meal, it includes a free fountain drink. SERVICE: Staff is quick & friendly! -The parking lot isn't the best. Its crowded & the asphalt needs work. I ended up coming back here 3 more time's during our 1 week stay. UPDATE: Came here again on June 2014. It was our first stop after picking up our rental car. Still love Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Michelle E.

    EVERYTHING IS GOOD HERE! My favorites include: - Spicy Ahi Tuna over Sushi Rice. So fresh, so tasty, and good between your other meal bites. Haha! - Garlic Chicken - nice and crisp just the way I like and pack full of flavor; best I have ever had across the US! - Butter Mochi dessert: simply, yet delish! - Fish with garlic aioli - wowzers! Amazing piece of filet with some bomb sauce. They are awesome at catering - we are hiring them for our welcome party for our destination wedding. Can't wait to feed our guests their deluxe bentos w/ the garlic chicken!

    (5)

  • Evan W.

    -Best poké this side of da island- Came in starving looking to sit down and eat ... They don't have tables so don't expect to sit (that's the only reason for the 4*) Food: tasty, fresh, and authentic Staff: friendly well knowledged and quick I would defi

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    The island's best cone sushi! They also have great poke, fish patties, and awesome fried chicken. Bring your credit card so you can pig out and order a little of everything. Service is quick and the only drawback is fighting for your parking space in the parking lot!

    (5)

  • K K.

    Today my co-workers and I decided to eat out and to eat out of our town of Kapolei. One of the girls suggested Tanioka. Two of us ordered combo plates garlic chicken with beef stew over $9 and two ordered Garlic chicken plates. The combo plates I was worried I would spill the stew in my car well actually in the bag. I get back to the office and happy that it didn't spill. Open the plate and the reason it didn't spill is it literally was 2 small pieces of meat, 2 potatoes and 1 carrot it fit in the small compartment of the foam box with room to spare. It was the smallest portion I have ever seen. The price we got 1 piece of chicken and the tiniest beefstew and it really wasn't anything special. I did also order something called fried tuna sushi or something like that and it was awesome...

    (3)

  • Megan T.

    Ever since I was little, my parents would always stop by Tanioka's before we went to the beach or to a potluck. They have so much variety in their little shop and I've never seen them NOT busy. Fried Chicken - Awesome Lumpia - Amazing Fish Patties - Yummm Spicy Ahi - Delicious Workers - Friendly This is as good as it gets people! If you've never been here before, you have to go NOW!

    (5)

  • Jon U.

    Fish patty musubi is a must. It's a meal in itself. Also the poke is the best. Can't beat fresh poke from Tanioka's. My favorite is the alae poke. So yummy. Everything is good there!!! Expect to wait if you go at lunch time but the wait is worth it. I would give it 10 stars if I could :)

    (5)

  • Lilian N.

    Tanioka's has been a favorite okazuya of mine since...forever! My go-to items is the fish or salmon patty, limu poke (this is the only place where I'll eat limu poke!), fried shrimp, fried chicken, and fried noodles. It doesn't matter what time of day, this place is always packed and usually has a line out of the door. But normally the wait isn't that long since they are adequately staffed and getting everyone serviced quickly. My only gripe (okay, not really a gripe) is that I always go in wanting a few things, but by the end of the line I have double the amount of items I originally came in for! All their prepared foods look soooo good that my eyes end up dominating my actual appetite!!! In any case, love this place for keeping everyone happy with ono food! Will definitely visit again and again, until I can no longer breathe. Thank you, Tanioka's.

    (5)

  • Karmina L.

    Stopped by Tanioka's early in the morning to get some poke for our day in Ko olina. The line was short, service was fast, and food was bomb. I ordered the garlic crunch poke and inhaled it. I wish I got 2 or even 3 and a spam musubi haha. You won't go wrong here. I also took my friends here and they really loved it :)

    (5)

  • Mark W.

    Hands down, best sushi I may ever have had. Wow it was so fresh and tasty. Went on a Saturday, I read that's a good day to go, I'd agree with that. Get there before lunch rush though as the line gets long quick. Tasty and fresh with speedy service. Doesn't get much better than that!!

    (5)

  • Andy I.

    I wish I could put more stars up here. Tanioka's is absolutely the best place I've been to for poke. Super fresh and perfectly seasoned. I've been to a bunch of poke places on the islands and Tanioka's definitely stands out.

    (5)

  • Charisse O.

    My favorite place to go to in Waipahu! I'm never disappointed. I love the spicy ahi and the mochiko chicken musubi. Best I ever had! Don't get discouraged with the long lines, they are very efficient and I am never there longer than 5 minutes.

    (5)

  • Joanne B.

    We had a destination wedding in Honolulu two months ago and to welcome all of our guests that flew in from all parts of the world, our parents hosted a Welcome Picnic at Magic Island Park. Since none of us were locals, we were limited on things we could have prepared ourselves since we were all staying at hotels nearby and didn't have the neccessities that we'd normally have at home to throw a party. When I was browsing for a caterer for our picnic, one of the floral vendors we met with as we planned our wedding six months prior highly recommended Tanioka's. I sent them an email inquiring about their rates and availability and their sales manager replied the same day. I never had Tanioka's before, but based on the number of five star reviews, I knew we were in for a good thing without breaking the bank. The day of our picnic, we had one of their employees bring all the food to our reserved picnic site. We had him there for two hours to manage the food supply, which there was plenty of. We went with the Hawaiian Menu from their special menu options since we wanted to serve Hawaiian food while in Hawaii instead of other dishes we can eat in the mainland. Sounds touristy, but we didn't care. Service was excellent, I wish I can remember the guy's name, but he was very helpful the day of our picnic. We had a headcount of 120 guests, so there was enough food for everyone. I enjoyed the food, but my only gripe was that the Lomi Salmon dish was way too salty. Other than that, they did a great job and if I were to coordinate a party in this caliber while I'm ever in Hawaii, I wouldn't think twice about hiring Tanioka's again (except I'd probably skip the Lomi Salmon, lol).

    (4)

  • Sierra-Marie K.

    The food here is amazing! Especially the fried chicken. The lines kind of long though and you have to go early cause they run out of stuff.

    (5)

  • jacqui w.

    I've always loved their poke, never experienced their catering side before. My uncle always brings their poke by because their sesame taco is my favorite. So when I considered catering for my birthday party, they were my first thought. I have to say, their phone staff put up with my spiciness and indecisiveness. They were prompt and courteous. The food took a little while to be ready for us, but the owner was fun and entertaining and it barely seemed like a wait at all. I ordered a poke platter with kimchee raw crab, ala'e ahi poke, onion ahi poke, and sesame taco. Then I picked up some white rice (delicious and fluffy), some fried noodle, and some lumpia (they're MUCH bigger than I expected, and SO ono!). The food was so good that there was NOTHING left, and I ordered more than the suggested amount because I wanted leftovers. But it was so good people just kept coming back for more until it was all gone!! Thank You Taniokas, my party was a blast, everyone left full and happy, and I had minimal cleanup. :)

    (5)

  • Max S.

    0 stars. Rudest person I ever dealt with. Do not live in the Aloha state if you do not understand the word Aloha. I walked to the poke display, said hello, and received a mean stare back. Thankfully the ladies at the 7-11 next door understood my plight and apologized for my experience. I flew a long way to Hawaii and am a respectful visitor. Please retrain your employees to always represent Hawaii's cordial culture at its best or shut down.

    (1)

  • Janice T.

    We went 15 min prior to closing... So all of their hot food was all gone except for two pieces of Mochiko chicken. But they had a lot of poke left. We bought about 5lbs of different kinds of ahi and tako poke. All were delish and really fresh! We bought the last pieces of Mochiko chicken and it was still crispy! For dessert we bought this haupia taro tarts. Tasty and reminded me of the Filipino dessert called Sapin Sapin. Customer service is what impressed me the most. With it being closing time all the employees were so nice and accommodating even though we took a long time staring at the poke selection trying to decide what get. Most places would try to hurry you up. We asked a lot of questions and they took time to answer everyone of them even telling us more than what we need.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    Parking is crazy during the lunch hours! The line inside can be even worse!! It's amazing how many people fit in that small space. But the food is yummy and usually worth the wait! I'd definitely recommend placing a phone order. But just a warning...I've been known to add things to my order at check out a after seeing the goodies others are ordering!! A hazard of walking in there hungry!

    (4)

  • Maxine R.

    YUM yum yum! So good. So fresh. I want more! If I could, I would go here everyday. I love limu poke, and its totes yummy here. I'll update again when I try more things.

    (5)

  • Jalene B.

    This is my happy place. The Poke is the freshest and they cut out a lot of the sinew which is why I love their poke over other locations. Currently loving the lomi ahi and I always get a pound of the imitation crab poke. Kids love the Vegi Tempura and Musubis.

    (5)

  • Shane S.

    If I have extra cash I am happy to stop here if passing by...not often since I always want to spend too much...and the line is normally out the door and I am not the kind of guy that likes waiting...but once in awhile it is a treat...

    (5)

  • Jackie S.

    Two words... (that I never thought could be joined together until I went to Tanioka's) AHI CAKE! Yes, a cake, made with sushi rice, furikake, green onions, and two layers of AHI. And just like any other cake, they can write a message on it. On Taniokas menu, it's called the Spicy Ahi Platter. And it's actually more sweet than it is spicy. But who cares, it's still amazing. Price ranges from $34-$60 depending on the size. The $44.99 platter can feed 5-6 comfortably.

    (5)

  • Vanessa F.

    Best poke ever! I've heard about this place from a lot of people, but never tried it since it's kinda far away from where I live. Luckily, we were in the area and stopped by. We ordered three kinds of poke along with some other hot food items. The hot food is good, but the poke is to die for. So fresh, so yummy! We went there twice in the same day! lol. Note: They do not have seats inside the store so either take out or eat in your car (like we did...and saw many other ppl doing).

    (5)

  • Andrea W.

    I don't venture to the west side very often, so I have never been to Tanioka's until now. Been very curious to go as I always hear my coworker rave about it and I see they have such high Yelp ratings. Well, the bf and I were going to go to Waikele, so I eagerly suggested we check out Tanioka's. And, yay, he was down for it!! Well, I'm glad I finally got to go and it sure lived up to the hype and ratings! Boy have I been missing out all this time!!! All of the poke was so fresh, smooth in texture, and tender-- almost melt in your mouth!!! Also, little to no tendon in the fish!! (I'm picky and hate to eat pieces of poke that has tendon because it just ruins the texture) Got several types of poke and other things to try: Shoyu ahi poke - your basic poke, and although fresh and still good, it was kind of bland compared to all the other flavors and mixes they had. I did, however, really like that they mix the shoyu poke then and there and it's not premixed! A big thumbs up to them for that! Onion limu ahi poke - this is a great choice if you want your pretty basic poke with some other stuff in it, but not too inundated in sauce. Great flavor! Garlic ahi poke - yum! Garlicky, but just the right amount of seasoning that I could still taste the awesome, fresh fish. Tako poke - fresh and not too chewy! Tako with sesame seeds, lots of green onion (which I loved), and seasoning. (The bf couldn't stop raving about how much he liked this) Crab cakes - yummy, little snack. Like that it was moist. Lumpia - ok. Your average lumpia. Furikake musubi - Delicious musubi mixed with lots of furikake and teriyaki sauce!! The teriyaki was slightly sweeter than I would've like, but still delicious nonetheless. Spam & egg musubi - Also delicious! Has a thick layer of sesame furikake between the spam and egg. Yum! Chi chi dango -Mmm super soft mochi! Sooo good! Omg!! I love this place!! The food is fresh and delicious, staff was friendly and patient--even when I was indecisive, and the prices are reasonable for the quality they deliver!!

    (5)

  • Mel T.

    After consuming Ono Seafood's amazing poke, I was on a hunt for more. Yelp led me to Tanioka's, and I was excited for what was in store. The space itself is pretty tight, especially when Tanioka's is packed with hungry customers like myself. That had to be a good sign, right? The staff was nice and allowed me samples of my choosing. In the end, I went with the $6.95 one choice white rice spicy ahi poke bowl. They had lots more including crab cakes, various musubi, lumpia, mochiko chicken, pre-packaged bentos, and even bags of rice crackers or candy, but I was on my poke mission. Unfortunately the mission failed. Although I liked the spice factor of the poke, the rice was terrible - hard and only half cooked. Nothing like the rice at Ono Seafood. Plus the portion size was much smaller than Ono's and only allowed me one poke option. For nearly the same price, Ono's gives me more food, another poke choice, and a drink. Sorry, Tanioka. If I return, I'm skipping your poke bowl. And potentially anything with rice.

    (3)

  • Leslie A.

    I've been going to Tanioka's for many years and have no reservations to say Tanioka's has the best poke on the island. The spicy marlin is a favorite in my family. They have so many different ahi poke. All the ones I had were always fresh and tasty. Their shiba zuke shiso and chicken musubis are yummy. If it's your first time there, you might be taken aback. There's usually a line out the door. A security guard is there to control the flow of people going in. Once you're in the store, you'll find yourself surround by local goods, including ice cream, candies, li hing seeds, ginger. You'll pass by some bentos eventually get to the poke case, where there'll be 20+ staffers behind the counter making sure you get your order. Just before the cash register, you'll come by a section of musubis and cooked foods. They have great service and great food. Tanioka's is as good as it gets.

    (5)

  • Morgan S.

    yum yum in my tum

    (4)

  • Kelly H.

    IF YOU LOVE POKE YOU"LL WUV THIS PLACE - one word. smooooth. The fish is fresh, ain't no one gonna find stringy or old fish here. This place has the fish and does not skimp on the fish quality, even for the Spicy Ahi I tried that gets covered with all types of sauces. I'm pretty much a spicy ahi snoob as I've tried so many over the years and can confidently say that this place has the second best poke to Ono's Seafood (which btw ranked #18 on Yelps top 100 places to eat --- officialblog.yelp.com/20… ). Although Tanioka's didn't rank #1 in my poke snoob book, Tanioka's won a 5 star in my book for the additional reasons listed below: - Variety of options (my mom does not do raw fish, weird I know, but she was able to find other amazing options that made her a happy camper) - Fried Chicken: As Ramfis B. noted is basically dabomb.com - Musubis: ^.^ large selection and no complaints here - Easy in-and-out: Although the line looked crazy when you enter, it goes pretty fast and they have a great system - those worker bees workin' it! - Tempura sweet potato: quite filling and delicious! Overall, Tanioka's is a definite must try when on this side of the island. =)

    (5)

  • Cheryl G.

    If your in the mood for squid luau I definitely recommend Tanioka's seafood & catering. In every bite you will enjoy the tender & scrumptious taste of squid luau. This is why I keep coming back for more! During the holidays it can be hectic so call in your order in advance..... I must say when you go to pick up your order they are well organized, and the employees are always friendly. They will help and walk you to your car with your purchase now that's exceptional customer service!!

    (5)

  • Jarod H.

    Five stars. Come early to beat the lunch line. & believe me, the lunch line gets long. They even had to hire a security guard, recently, to keep the line in an orderly fashion. The poke is superb here and the selection of other okazu foods and plate lunches are numerous. They even have the famous Kauai Götteburg musubis! Yum!!

    (5)

  • Aaron T.

    Poke is best on oahu! Spicy ahi is so delicious. Their sushi rice is awesome too. Can get super crowded though.

    (5)

  • Missy T.

    Every time I come here, I end up spending more than I mean to, but never regret it! Tanioka's is in Waipahu, a little before Waipahu High School, in the most potholey of places! Parking is usually a hassle, but it's worth the trouble for some great food. The fish patties are a must-have whenever I go; the tofu patties are great as well. The fried chicken is sometimes too salty to be enjoyed alone, but just add a starch and you're good. Plate lunches, bentos, assorted musubi, and poke by the pound are also available and delicious. :D Cupcakes, haupia, pre-packaged cookies (made by Tanioka's), and other sweets are available too. If it's your first time going to Tanioka's, try to get there before the lunch rush so you can take a little more time looking at everything; this place gets BUSY, so if you have no idea what you want, prepare for the stink eye cause there is ONE line that takes you around the small store space and straight to the register and people are HANGRY; ain't nobody got time for your indecisive ass. If you happen to get there during a rush, get in and start looking. This is not time to talk to your friends unless you're consulting them for order advice! Be prepared with your by-the-pound order if you're looking to get any of that stuff; they'll ask you before you get to the register, usually right in front of the refrigerated case. Cash and card are accepted. They also have fundraising options and catering menus for weddings, funerals, and other celebrations. While I don't have a problem spending on the food, I have to admit I never buy drinks here. There is a 7-11 right next door with the same stuff for cheaper, plus you can take the 50 cents you saved at 7-11 and head right back to Tanioka's! Wooooohoooo!

    (5)

  • Mark H.

    A pretty efficient operation they have here. I came here for the first time this past Saturday. I started in line outside of the establishment but was quickly allowed in by the security guard (we think he was just a regular guy from the back that donned a security shirt and comes out only when it gets busy? LoL). If you drive by and see a line outside, do not be discouraged. Inside, the line wrapped around and I was about 20 people deep, but the line moves quick... Tanioka's services it's customers like an assembly line. At least 7 staffers behind the counter, they start taking your order at the poke window. Put your order in and walk your way down to the cashier. On the way, you past two windows with assorted goods that you can order ala carte okazuya-style: various musubis, crab cakes, mochiko chicken, tempura, etc. I opted for a 2 choice poke bowl: spicy ahi & crunchy garlic poke. Their poke was very good--fresh pieces of excellent cuts of fish. But the poke bowl as a whole--sushi rice, nori bits, poke, and the presentation all worked for me. I was also with a good sized group that all enjoyed their orders. When the group is overly enthusiastic, you get caught up in the fervor and it adds to your overall experience too. In addition, I got some of their mochiko chicken. Good, thick pieces of chicken--not sliced thin like Zippy's katsu. The skin was overcooked and rubbery/chewy; not a big deal as I don't eat chicken skin. Me and my group began devouring our food out in front. An elderly gentlemen came by and chatted with us. He quickly returned and brought each of us bottles of water. A very kind gesture! A great overall experience here and I look forward to my return visit!

    (5)

  • Trish P.

    what can i possibly say that 250 plus reviews have not already said? right? guess i'm just gonna have to repeat what mostly every says... its DELICIOUS! their all inclusive bento featuring the infamous fish patty, hot dog, cone sushi, musubi, fried chicken, teri beef, AND fried noodles.... is still freaking awesome. i cannot believe they fit all that food into one bento, but they do, and its delicious. also, don't forget to grab a goteborg musubi for a snack later on! the line is QUICK and ORGANIZED, the service is FRIENDLY, and the eats are dope!!!

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    Best spot to get poke. I usually get a spicy ahi poke bowl. But the crab cake, fish patty, spam musubi, garlic chicken is very good. Can't beat this place for lunch or fresh fish

    (5)

  • Courtney O.

    Love love love love love! What can I say about Tanioka's that hasn't been said before? Nothing really. All of the fish and especially the ahi is so fresh. There are no fatty pieces. I have loved all the poke dishes I have tried over here. My personal faves are the limu ahi poke and the spicy ahi poke (which isn't too spicy). Their fried rice is SO yummy. I usually get a poke bowl with spicy ahi and fried rice. You can have your poke bowl with one or two poke options and fried, rice, or brown rice. You can also add sushi rice for $1 more. They also have plate lunches but these are served only on weekdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. They have so many musubis you have to take at least a couple home and try them each time. All of those are delicious as well. The only think I didn't really care for was the lumpia. I've at better but wasn't disappointed because everything else I've gotten here is really 5-star. The bentos are a good mix if you want a little bit of everything and range from $5.50 - $7.50 plus tax. Save room for the oreo truffles! They are little balls of goodness! I've heard that the blueberry scones are also to die for. Parking can be a bear at peak times. There are stalls along the side of the building just for Tanioka's patrons so look there first rather than in front of the store. You usually don't have to wait longer than a minute or two for a stall. There is often a line inside the store but it moves way quicker than I thought it would. If the line goes out the door, they give everyone an entry blank to win a door price which changes each month. I think that's very kind of them. The employees are always friendly and helpful. Beware though. Every time I come here I leave with an empty wallet and more food than I could possibly eat in one sitting! All the little treats add up. I always leave extremely happy and excited though. I can't wait for my next trip out to Waipahu to get Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Allen T.

    You gotta come here, especially if you're just visiting. It's not in any touristy area but it's worth a stop. We swung by on the way to Aulani from Waikiki. We ended up picking up some musubis, poke bowls, fried chickens, and a few other items. Lunch for a group of eight set us back about $75. But everyone agreed, it was some of the best food we had on Oahu.

    (4)

  • Courtney M.

    BEST poke, spicy ahi, spam musubi, sushi, fish patty, garlic/mochiko chicken..well everything IN HAWAII. The store has anything and everything you'd want for either a party or just an everyday meal. In addition to their awesome selection of poke and other foods, they have plate lunches, candies, cookies, fundraising and gift packs, and merchandise. Don't be intimidated if the line is out the door, it'll go by fast and the wait is totally worth it. The delicious food is made even better with the awesome staff that works there. The people behind the counter are very friendly and always make sure you have everything you need. The catering services are well organized and calling to place an order is very easy. They're even doing weddings now!

    (5)

  • Bosco Y.

    Good poke, esp. the spicy ahi. super nice owner and friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Janice C.

    My girlfriend chose well by having Tanioka cater their rehearsal dinner. I personally can't speak for their service or how the prices are, but their food... Oh my! The Lau lau is broke da mouth! So is the poke! Very fresh, sizable chunks of tuna and seasoned well. I learned from a local that the secret to really good poke is kukui nut oil! Kahlua pork is so tender but salty, so temper it with the boiled taro. I missed out on the sweet Haupia pie since I was observing lent but everyone raved about it. For a successfully delicious special occasion (or even just a regular day!) look no further than Tanioka.

    (5)

  • Danny C.

    Poke is pretty fresh. The bento is not bad as well. Be sure to checkout the photos/items before you go in since the shop is pretty small.

    (4)

  • Tiana K.

    Now this is real poke. I love trying new things before ordering but my favorite is the onion and limu poke! That has the perfect mix of fresh ahi, the onions give a little bite, and the limu adds a fresh bit of saltiness. That is a must get but I decided to try something new my last time visiting. I got the tofu poke! I know that might sound awful or blasphemous but it really was delicious. It was cubes of fried tofu with a crunchy fresh seaweed ( not limu but I don't know exactly what it was). It was in a sweet but flavorful sauce that I adored! I poured that stuff on my fried rice it was so good! Oh and speaking of fried rice you have to get it I mean it's a steal for a large scoop for $1.50. Also the ahi roll is good too!

    (5)

  • Joyce L.

    This review is about their gourmet cookies. They have variety of cookies from shortbread to choco chip with arare. Ten cookies are in a pack for $3.95. The cookies are pretty yummy and I think it's made by Tanioka's because it's packaged with their label.

    (4)

  • Petey A.

    When lunch-time comes around, parking can be really bogus. 7-11 doesn't like it when Tanioka's customers park in their stalls, but I sometimes park there anyway to buy a cup of coffee and head right over after hehe. Also on the weekends and holidays, customers are there pretty early before heading out to the beach or where ever. But after the busy hours, pretty much all the good stuff are gone :( The line goes by fairly quick and gives you some time to pick out what you might like. It's pricey but the food is really good. My personal favorites is the seafood vegetable tempura, fried rice, mochiko chicken, fish and salmon patties, and sweet potato haupia squares. They have a wide variety of poke to choose from too. Customer service has never been a disappointment. I wish they brought back the Marlin patties, they were so ono!

    (5)

  • Kim D.

    Okay this place is definitely the best place to get food on Oahu! My kids are the pickiest eaters ever and they wanted to give this place ten stars lol. We got the Korean fried chicken, spam masubi, and beef stew lunch plate. The only downside is the parking, but their fast friendly service more than makes up for the parking. We are definitely going back a few more times before our trip is over!

    (4)

  • Maria P.

    We used Tanioka's to cater our wedding. We ordered the prime rib banquet menu for dinner and a few appetizers for cocktail hour. All the food was very good and everyone said they enjoyed it. They showed up when they said they would and set everything up nicely. We paid extra for trash removal so they took care of that too. We had about 40 people to feed and we ordered for 45. We had way too much food leftover and they packaged everything up for us. If you know you'll have extra food I'd suggest bringing take out boxes because they only brought a few of those and put the food in those disposable silver half trays. I think we could have had a lot more people take home the extras if we had smaller containers for them. Overall, it was better to have too much food than not enough, and we have no complaints.

    (5)

  • Ranada R.

    I've been coming here since I was a child. Every time I come back home I make sure I stop here. My kids love this place as well. Everything here is great! There is so much to choose from. Not only do they have different varieties of poke, but the have bento's, plate lunches, fried items such as poi mochi balls, tempura. Chicken and the list goes on. Definitely worth a stop!!!

    (5)

  • Epicurious M.

    The last time I was here the line was out the door. It moves pretty fast though so don't get dissuaded. I like the ahi limu poke bowl over sushi rice. Very nice marriage of flavors and textures. And I really like their garlic chicken, gotta be one of my top 4 that I've found on the island (3 are in Kalihi). Lots to choose from and so many more to try. Definitely a "must go" when I'm on that side of the island.

    (4)

  • Chuck D.

    I picked up quite a perfect meal here the other day while driving back to Waikiki from the North Shore. I was in town for a friend's wedding. He's local boy so I take his knowledge of favorite places to eat to heart. And his favorite poke place was Tanioka's. Thanks to him and me realizing in the pouring rain that Waipahu was on the way back, I had the poke craving fulfilled for this trip. It's cafeteria kinda style. You pick what poke you want in what quantity... I opted for the sesame tako poke and the ahi limu poke. I got 1/4 lb of each. And after the poke section is the tempura/musubi/fried rice section where you pick what you want again with someone from Tanioka's helping you. I got a spam musubi, okinawan sweet potato tempura and corned beef hash. It was all very good. The tako poke was great. I couldve eaten half a pound of that along with the oh so delicious, makes me wanna cry and fly back to Hawai'i ahi limu poke. So ono... It's really unfair. I need that in my life weekly... The musubi was superb and ive had a lot of sampling in my lifetime. Everything from the sweetness of the rice to the spam and the nori wrap. Sooo ono. The okinawan sweet potato tempura was delicious. I have no way of getting that on the mainland. It was perfection.... It really was. The hash brown was good. Woulda loved to have that warmed up in a toaster oven to fully enjoy it but it was good nonetheless. Thank you Tanioka's and Waipahu town for showing this Califonia boy aloha and ono grindz. Good thing I left North Shore at the time of day I did because I got to Tanioka's at 230pm.... Came to find out they close at 3pm that Sunday. It was meant to be... Mahalos.

    (5)

  • Erik G.

    Was driving back from Ko Olina area and through Waipahu so I decided to stop by per recommendation of a local and my Poke crazed friend. Tried the Shoyu Ahi Poke, the Limu Poke, and the Spicy Ahi Poke. Must say that all three were the best I've had. Particularly the Limu and the Spicy Ahi Poke. The limu seaweed was so fresh - briny and crunch still, while the Ahi was firm and not over marinated. The Spicy Ahi Poke had a rich creamy orange blend with it which didn't drown the Ahi nor did it overwhelm the preparation. This place really is good and it has the fish market feel to add to the whole buying experience. The people working here are very patient and friendly. Everything about me screamed "tourist", but they weren't jerks about it.....but instead, they were friendly and patient. 5 stars based on great service, great attitude, great product, and great value.

    (5)

  • Kawena K.

    Seriously, who doesn't love Tanioka's?! My favorite thing to get here is the sesame tako poke bowl with sushi rice, super tender tako and just the right amount of sesame oil. It's life changing! You can also pre-order this chopped up over the sushi rice for parties...we've done this before and it's always a hit. I also like the shoyu and spicy ahi pokes. The fish is so fresh, it's like buttah! The best thing about Tanioka's is the service. All the employees are super awesome and courteous. This past New Year's Eve, my mom decided to brave the crowd even though she gets really antsy while standing in lines. Luckily, Tanioka's offered water, snacks, and entertainment so she came home without any complaints. It's really great to see local businesses who care about their customers.

    (5)

  • Steven U.

    So I am a huge fan of Tanioka's. It is not near where I live, but I really love this place. If I lived closer to this establishment, I would be......fatter. A lot of people have told me to get the fish patties and the fried chicken, but I always forget because when I walk in, all I see is poke. I love poke and Tanioka's is really one of my first choices if I am in the area....or not in the area:) This last visit I ordered ahi shoyu limu poke, pipikaula, and sesame tako poke. I also tried the lumpia and corned beef hash. Everything I ordered was fantastic except the corned beef hash....it is probably just not for me. My favorite/surprise of the order was the sesame tako poke...it had the right amount of seasoning and the perfect amount of sesame oil to bring out the flavor. It was also very, very tender. I also enjoy the fast service here. They get you what you want and you are out the door! I will return to Tanioka's again soon, mainly because I am out of poke again....I just have to remember: dont forget the fried chicken and fish patties!

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    My friends from Oahu said this is the spot for poki bowl and taro haupia pie. So I decided to go there during my recent trip from Waikiki and I was definitely impressed. This place is way better than Ono Seafoods. Since this place is far away from the tourist area, you'll see mostly locals at this joint; and the locals here sure knows how to eat because this place gets really busy. I'll definitely come back here when I come back to the islands.

    (5)

  • J C.

    I'm addicted. Everything we tried was good, but the GARLIC fried chicken was mouth watering good. Found myself wishing/hoping/praying that there is a place in SF that had chicken like that, but no luck. Whatever you do, change your meal plans and go there now. Go there many times, and for God sake, bring me some. It's worth the trip. Bonus tip: it's all reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Patricia M.

    Thank goodness I don't live near this place because I would weigh 200 pounds. The crab cake was amazing. We tried 6 different pokes and loved them all.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    The lunch crowd is insane, but don't let the long line deter you. The food is worth the wait and the wait isn't that long anyway. Everyone behind the counter moves quickly to take your order and they have a system that gets you closer to actually enjoying your lunch with plenty of time to spare.

    (5)

  • Malia R.

    This place is always packed..but for a good reason! Because everyone LOVES Tanioka's! They have the freshest fish! Everything is so delicious here. We've gotten party platters of food here several times and it was always perfection. Most recently, for our wedding. They literally have every kind of Poke imaginable! Can't wait for my next visit home to get some ono grindz from Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Lai T.

    We were running a quick errand and as my bf drove down the street, I looked up and said, "This looks familiar. Are we near Tanioka's?" "Yes. It is up ahead. Do you want to go?" "Yes, please!" *last minute rush to turn right into the shopping center* And that my friends, is how we had a random lunch date in the parking lot of Tanioka's. In my humble opinion, Tanioka's has the best poke on Oahu! It seems that I may not be alone in this high regards for Tanioka's because when we went, the line was beyond the door (they ask that you keep it closed to prevent the AC from escaping). But don't be alarmed, they're used to the crowd and the crew keeps the line moving. Once you're within sight of the poke, then comes the hard part of figuring out what you want to order. They have poke bowls or you can order the poke a la carte. The Ahi Limu poke is probably the most popular poke. I personally really liked the Miso Wasabi Tako poke. I wanted to try the dried poke, but it is apparently the only poke which they don't allow sampling. Hmm...maybe I'll get a bite next time. I'm curious why it is like $23/lb :p Next to the poke case is a selection of musubis, fried goodness, and assorted things. I love their fried chicken. My bf says it tastes like KFC-I think it tastes way better :p Parking is a pain, but I realized that the lot actually extends if you drive past Tanioka's and it seems more tame on the other end.

    (5)

  • Ashley D.

    I have been coming to Tanioka's since I was little growing up right on Waipahu St. It never disappoints, I love coming here right before I go to the beach to get one of their bentos. Everything is good here, I don't eat seafood but I have tried and eaten everything else. The fried chicken is bomb dot com!!! All service is always friendly!

    (5)

  • Marnica B.

    Always super crowded, but worth the wait if you want some good local grinds. Quality of fish they use for their poke is consistently fresh and I've never had a bad experience. The fried chicken is hit or miss... sometimes I run into drier pieces than I would prefer, but there are times when I get the perfect piece with the right amount of crisp, and juiciness from the meat. The deep fried items are good, but super oily. Word of advice, buying ala carte is much cheaper than buying the plate lunch! Next time you're in the area, chance`um!

    (4)

  • Joanne C.

    I love this place! I usally come here during lunch and it's super busy but the lines go by really quickly. Food is super fresh, the plate lunches are super nommy! I never leave here unhappy.

    (5)

  • Shayn B.

    Everything in there is good! From their poke to everything fried. They're mostly known for their poke. Although it's a bit pricy but believe me it's worth it! If you don't go early just expect to stand in line for awhile but they have lots of friendly employees working so even though the lines out the door within 15 minutes you'll be walking out the door with smiles. The only thing i hate about going to taniokas is their parking. The parking is always a challenge because there are other business besides taniokas there. But if you ever in the Waipahu area and craving some poke. Stop by taniokas you can't go wrong. Yall can thank me later!

    (4)

  • Ramfis B.

    ( D ) eep in the heart of waipahu ( A ) lways packed ( F ) ast efficient service ( R ) eally good okazuya items here ( I ) love the hot alae poke ( E ) ven the lumpia is crunchy ( D ) riving from town is so worth it ( C ) ome early or you'll be sorry ( H ) awaiian food is also available ( I ) eat here whenever i crave fried chicken ( C ) hoose from a variety of poke ( K ) ama'aina discount?.....NO!!! ( E ) verything i ate here is so ono! ( N ) o give money to da crackhead at 7-11 next door ok? ( I ) dream of the fried chicken here...fo' real ( S ) ample some poke before you buy it ( L ) ines are long, but they move quickly ( I ) promise, they are efficient ( K ) iller ahi limu poke ( E ) ven the musubi's are so good ( C) hoosing which poke to eat is difficult ( R ) un to your car as fast as you can after you pay....NAH ;) ( A ) stun gun is all you need in waipahu....only kidding ( C ) atering is also avaialble ( K ) eep coming here for the fried chicken everytime ( F ) riendly people here always ( O ) nly big samoan people can cut in front of you or else... ( R ) emember what i said in this review ( E ) ating the fried chicken is a must ( A ) lways so crunchy and never dry ( L ) ove you Tanioka's in waipahu =) * The only reason why i come here * yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1… * A masterpiece created by your's truly * yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1…

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    This is my family's go to place for Poke. Yes, we can get poke basically anywhere but, we will travel from the Waianae coast just for their poke. It's that good. It is very fresh and the quality is the best not like the previously frozen kind at Foodland. The poke is made with big chunks of fish belly. They also serve other food for take out, including plate lunches. My mom loves the salmon cakes. The line can be long especially at lunch but do not let that deter you because it moves quickly!

    (5)

  • Raynette G.

    TANIOKA'S. ..Everyone goes there. Always packed and so much variety they offer. Poke, Okazuya, poke, dessert, drinks. They gave an army of people always working. ..like 10 plus. Two cashiers are running. The wait is so worth it. But once they service you, it's so very fast. The food is good and I mean all the time. My kids fav is the Spam Musubi! It's one our fav places to go for ono food to take to Waipio Soccer Complex!

    (5)

  • Nat N.

    The last time I came here, they actually had a security guard at the door, letting people in and out. the line was overflowing out the door and into the parking lot! This place is amazing - everything they make here is good and a must-try! Their poke is consistently voted as the best poke on the island. After you get your poke, you'll then be tempted by their display case filled with mostly fried stuff - mochiko chicken, fried chicken, fried shrimp, lumpia, etc. And then you'll be tempted by their rows upon rows of musubi. I wish I could figure out the teri glaze that they put on their spam musubis because it's so delicious. I don't think we've ever spent less than $20 per visit!!

    (5)

  • Vicki T.

    Love the poke here! our first stop after landing at HNL and we should have just come here every day...better than we had anywhere else on the island - the ahi was firmer and tastier than anywhere else, and perfectly seasoned / sauced. unassuming market (to-go) setup with a wide variety fresh, delicious poke and lots of baked/fried goodies.

    (5)

  • Jenel O.

    I just love Taniokas... everything I get there is delicious. The only problem is that I always get too much because everything looks and tastes so good! I love their spicy ahi on sushi rice. The rice is perfectly seasoned and fish is fresh. I love their fried rice, mochiko chicken, fried chicken, musubis, cone sushi... everything!! One of the best things about Taniokas is the service! They staff that place like crazy and even if there is a long line, they know how to move people in and out quickly! It's a well oiled machine behind the counter with staff dedicated to helping you each step of the way. The register person is always on top of things and quick! And although busy, you don't ever get the feeling they are rude or stressed!

    (5)

  • Eric H.

    Before I tried Tanioka's about 5 years ago, I was satisfied with the poke and other seafood offerings of the large supermarkets in the area. Since meeting Tanioka's, I am ruined for anyplace else including their main competition. They have the best ahi and tako poke on the island. The spicy ahi and tako poke over rice are a must try. Add a little namasu, onion limu and a fish patty or two and you have a proper meal. They have very good Spam musubi too, second only to Coral Creek GC in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Brandon T.

    Looking for good poke? Look no further. This is one of my favorite stops on Oahu. There's a line out the door at all times (it moves fast), but there's good reason for it. They have an awesome selection of cooked foods as well. The service is outstanding....we met the owner Mel and Justin and they treated us like we've been friends for years. Go get your poke fix now!

    (5)

  • Jody S.

    Love love LOVE Tanioka's! It's definitely the perfect place to cater for your family party...and the customer service ROCKS! We needed to order food for my daughter's birthday party and they were able to customize their "standard" menu options (we took the Asian menu and removed the rice, sushi and utensils). They recalculated the order and saved us monies as we didn't need those items since we were doing a "themed" party and already had the napkins, plates, and utensils to go with the theme. My hubby was able to pick up the order at the side cash register and he was back in less than 15 minutes. It was perfect! The food was hot, yummy and basically wiped out with our guests. The potato-mac salad was gone (we should've ordered more of this!). We had left over teri meat, mahi mahi, mochiko chicken and a small bowl of noodles. This we had for leftovers for dinner and it wiped out again. It's funny how sometimes you don't want to eat leftovers the "same" day but with Tanioka's no one complains. They eat with a smile on their face and they eat it all! :) Thanks Tanioka's for ALWAYS being a hit for our family parties--next party is coming up in October and guess where we are ordering from again?!

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Got there right around lunch time on Monday, so it was busy. I did not realize that there was no place to sit and eat, so we when to the soccer fields and ate in the car. I hate eating in cars. Anyways, the kalua pork and lau lau lunches tasted just like they got it got of the frozen tub like we make it at home; not impressed. The spam musubi was ok. The crab cakes tasted great though they were imitation crab meat. All in all, I was not impressed.

    (3)

  • Sarah K.

    Planning to eat on the beach or want to grab an array of snacks? Tanioka's is where it's AT, yo. ====== LOCATION & PARKING Tanioka's is part of a small strip of stores off Farrington Hwy. If you're coming from the side of Kam Hwy, Tanioka's will be on your left. You might miss it because it is such a small shop! If you see a 7-11, make a U turn right away and slowly find your way to Tanioka's. Parking gets hectic around lunchtime, so snag a spot and just walk the rest of the way. ====== FOOD This isn't your typical restaurant - It's a cafeteria to-go line. I'm not saying it's the most AMAZING poke, but it's delicious and quality is fresh! I love how there's a variety of items to try, there's something for everyone's tastebuds! The line snakes around, so you won't really be able to see what's offered in the glass case until its right in front of you. Pressure!!! Get everything on the menu that catches your fancy and if you don't finish it... Take it with you and hit up the beach. You'll be hungry in a few hours.... I can eat the garlic chicken and shortbread cookies ALL DAY. The boyfriend can eat all the ahi tuna he wants. Win-win! One thing to note: try to eat the food right away! Don't let it sit out for more than a day, it won't be at its peak, flavor (read: my cookies started crumbling the next day, and the poke didn't taste that fresh later that evening...) Things to try + any poke variety + garlic chicken + lumpia + shrimp tempura + spicy ahi crunch roll + macademia nut shortbread cookies (buttery and melts in your mouth good) Skip - regular fried chicken (not as flavorful as garlic chicken) - spam musubi (c'mon, try something new folks!) Next time I definitely want to try the mochiko chicken musubi and crab cakes! ====== OVERALL Great quality poke and any local flavors you ever would want to eat from the aina! Be patient with the line, but it goes by fast! Resist the temptation of eating while in line... you don't want to end up with no food to-go once you pay the cashier! ====== TIPS + grab drinks at 7-11 instead of here to save some $$ + try at least a couple types of poke + garlic chicken is easily my favorite thing on the menu + grab everything else that catches your fancy! you won't regret the extra food (someone will end up eating it =P) - don't expect the food to be fresh after half a day...

    (4)

  • Kayla M.

    Great stop for poke and okazu. They have an assortment of foods to "pick on" besides the poke such as maki sushi, fried chicken, tempura, and fish patties. The line can get long, especially in the afternoons, but they usually do a good job at helping/moving customers. Poke is on the expensive side ($18.99/lb) so be prepared to spend a minimum of $25 if you're gonna get other stuff too!

    (4)

  • Bliss T.

    It's so hard for me decide if Tanioka's or Ono Seafood has the best poke but it's a delicious dilemma. I do love the poke bowl with sushi rice here. I also love the garlic poke. My kiddo love the spam musubi here too. Their cone sushi is delish too. Do not be intimidated by the line. The line moves quickly and the staff is always friendly. It's nice to see a 2nd generation business doing well.

    (5)

  • Cyndy K.

    Cyndy's BOTTOM LINE: the best variety of freshly made and tasty poke! Just a few of my favorites - Limu onion poke Fish patties Fried chicken Maki sushi Everything is so ONOLICIOUS! Just pre-ordered a sashimi platter for Christmas which can be picked up on Christmas eve. The ahi sashimi is so fresh delicious, and good texture. Enjoyed the alae limu poke and the onion limu poke. Onolicious! The limu is the best, good quality, nice and crunchy. I can't leave home without it!

    (5)

  • Emi H.

    My BF had a kickball game today in Waipahu and I was more than happy to drive him out there. Yes, I love him to death but the honest to goodness reason why I wanted to go his game was so I'd have an excuse to pick up fried chicken and ume musubi from Tanioka's. I'm a freakin' fried chicken fanatic and my addiction can only be satiated by this little shop in Waipahu! I'm sure some of you will later remark that the chicken is dry or too salty but that's what I love about it! I envision that there are a group of little obachans sitting in the kitchen making fried chicken and musubis all day long. If it's not that way, I don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss, so please do not ruin the imagery I've created in my head! Other things of note at Tanioka's are the fresh poke, musubis, fish patties and packaged treats. But when I go to Tanioka's I have total tunnel vision and only care about the fried chicken. Please be warned that you can easily spend $30+ on goodies if you're not careful and your stomach takes over your mind. It's very easy to get greedy with so much selection! If you are from out of town and headed to the North Shore for the day, be sure to stop by Tanioka's and get a taste of truly local fare. The lines are long but they are very efficient at the counter and you'll move through quickly. Yelp 365 Challenge: #20/365 (The Tunnel Vision)

    (5)

  • Vincent K.

    By far, this is perhaps our favorite poke and hot items food place in all of Hawaii. The poke was all fresh and tasty and just when you arrive at the end to pay at the counter, the hot items window reveals more goods. They had a garlic chicken at the end was just too tempting not to get. And in the end, NO REGRET. If you're looking for lunch and poke in particular, this is the best all inclusive place to go to. Plus, 7-11 is next door if you want to grab a beer or something. How awesome is that!?

    (5)

  • Frank A.

    Great inexpensive place for fresh poke and seafood. Large variety 12 minutes from the Airport in Waipahu.

    (5)

  • Michelle Q.

    It was my first time here and I was not disappointed! They have all kinds of local food like poke, fried chicken, sushi, spam musubi, fish patties, fried rice, etc. There were so many different options that I wanted to get everything! Their poke is made fresh and was one of the best that I've ever had. I paid about $7 for a poke bowl. All the side things like tempura and chicken range from $1.25-$2 a piece. When we got there, there was security at the door because the line inside was massive so he has to do some crowd control, but it moved pretty fast. The service was also great. Very fast, efficient, and friendly. I will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Arynn I.

    I love love love Tanioka's teri beef! So I'm pretty sure Tanioka's catered my grad party years ago and I know my work place has used them plenty for catering and bento. Well, my co-workers and I are addicted to the spicy ahi cake! Love that you can get a message on it. It's so cool, rice, ahi, rice and ahi on top with the edges pressed with nori & green onions. We've gotten this on several occasions at work. Well, this time I actually went inside to pick up bento (and a pre-ordered sushi cake). I was quite impressed at the selection, at 10:00am...I feel like 10am is kinda late for a "work/school day" and lunch so I didn't expect as many choices. I was able to get a bento with my favorite teri beef and I tried a poi mochi. I also grabbed a spam musubi for later. I have to say the bento was plenty of food (but I ate everything) and the mochi was super! I could've eaten a dozen! Soooo ono! The line was quite long but the workers at Tanioka's are super efficient and we were in and out in about 15 minutes I would guess. Everything was fresh and definitely you can't go wrong with a bento from Tanioka's! 31 Day Yelp Challenge - 13/31

    (5)

  • Krystel P.

    Wow! Talk about amazing selection and customer service! I have never visited Tanioka's and have lived on island for 2 years. I would come from Waikiki in a heartbeat all over again for the onion poke and garlic chicken! Sooooooooooo good! Not to mention the uber friendly staff that makes you feel like ohana. Ps. They are soooo busy on the weekends the line is out the door.... but get this.... they pass out raffle tickets when this happens so you can enter to win a big screen TV or tablet. Awesome concept and worth the wait with or without a prize! Thank you for your great food and service Justin!

    (5)

  • Reed W.

    This was the second time in two days that I went here with my family and I have to say, it's probably the best fresh fish I've ever had. In addition to the incredible ahi, the marlin, tako, clams, and everything else there is amazing. And to top it all off, Mel Tanioka himself still runs it! He was such a gracious host to my family and me and kept bringing us free stuff to try! At the end he brought us around the gigantic kitchen (which was spotlessly cleaned by the way) and every single one of his employees was so nice even when we got in their way a little bit. In all, this place was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone. 10/10 and be sure to have a conversation with Mel while you're there!

    (5)

  • Bernard S.

    I always get the large bento they have everything in it u need to make a perfect size bento. Then u gotta have the wasabi tako poke and ahi limu poke that will just make you wanna take a nap after that But be ready to spend $$$ cause it's worth it

    (5)

  • Johnelle P.

    It's SOOOO busy. Rightfully so, they have great stuff! I just wish that they didn't rush. I know it's a busy place, but to give mean looks because it takes me more than 5 seconds to decide on what kind of fish I want is kinda..wow. They have so many awesome choices to choose from, why get irritated with me with trying to make a decision? I don't come here often, I don't know all that you have to offer. Absolutely no negative comments about the food, it was all delicious. The pricing, not so deerishus. Kinda pricey. If you are in Waipahu, have some money to spare and want some ono kine grindz, this is the place to go, bubu! The parking is kinda weird, I can't make out where the stalls are. Just park along the nearest car, domino kind of thing lol -edit 08.14.12- One of the managers took the time to write to me to apologize and assured me that that's not how they usually are. I really do appreciate that and understood the explanation that was given. Bump up to 5 stars! :D

    (5)

  • Ina T.

    Love the food here!! Wished it wasn't so far from my home. Everything here is fresh!! I couldn't believe they had gourmet cupcakes the last time I went. So yum!!

    (5)

  • Ian W.

    We took Tanioka's to a nearby park for a quick picnic. Great grindz, the fried ahi tuna roll was a nice warmup, the wasabi miso tako poke was the star. When you see the word "wasabi", many haole folks like me worry it'll be too spicy. But this was sweet with the miso and not overly spicy, perfectly balanced. The tako was not too chewy but very tender. The ahi poke and spicy ahi poke were both delicious as well. The mochiko and garlic chicken are fantastic. The salmon cake was flavorful but dry, I'd recommend the fish cake instead. Great spot for quick food.

    (5)

  • Coreen L.

    Every once in a while, you have to "break training" and go for it! Tanioka's is so worth the splurge! My favorites are the maki sushi, fish patties, fried chicken and any of the poke (raw fish - for my mainland friends). Here's how you know their fish is good -- I'm a fisherman's daughter with a fisherman brother and overall picky-pants standards for fresh fish -- and this poke pasts the test!! ;-) Drop by, pick up some goodies on your way to the beach or park and enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Erin T.

    This is the best place I know of for poke. The poke feels like its going to melt in your mouth. I could eat 3 meals a day there. I think it is well organized and the staff is always friendly.

    (5)

  • Joyce F.

    For: fresh, quick, rice, staff Against: Other essentials: I always let the line terrify me but don't - it moves quick! Parking outside. Get there before 1pm - earlier on holidays or game days. More: Taniokas is a must at least...once a week? Every other week? Every time you venture past Salt Lake for sure. Their fish is often fresh although every once in a while you'll catch some previously frozen fish. It is amazing. Key words: Sesame Tako poke, Spicy Marlin poke, Salmon Patty, pre-made bowls with Spicy Ahi and Tako. Yum. The best part of the bowls? Surprisingly not the fish (although that is delicious and higher standard than you can find elsewhere) - it's the sushi rice! It is freakishly delicious. Perfect amount of sweet, salt and vinegar and very moist. I'm obsessed with it. There are a bunch of options outside of the poke including fried chicken, fried fish patties, musubis, poi, sorbet, haupia, etc. I always add "just one more thing" and end up with about 6 items spending between $20 and $30 for two people. There's a 7-11 next door if you need a case of beer or cheap drinks...for wherever you may be on your way to. Get there before 1pm otherwise they'll be out of a huge selection. Once I went right around 1pm and they were sold out of literally everything. There was a man apologizing at the door and overall being sincere and perfect. Made up for the missed lunch. There will likely be a line whenever you go but it gives you time to check out the goods and cement your order - once it's your turn to order they don't play around! Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Joie G.

    I walked up to the store front to find a short line outside. I understood why when I finally made it through the door. There's not much space inside to maneuver and this process makes the ordering process more manageable and orderly. I waited patiently in line and picked up the spicy ahi over rice sitting in the prepacked fridge. I ordered a 1/4 pound of 3 types of poke. Yum! I also ordered fried chicken and tempura shrimp with rice and mac salad. We went to a bunch of plate lunch places and i liked their mac salad the best. We made it our mission on this trip to eat where the locals eat and this place definitely fit the bill. YAY!

    (5)

  • Gabriel T.

    I'm in town for business and just stopped by Tanioka's to grab some poke. This place does not disappoint. The line was back to the door and it was almost 2 pm. Everyone was eager to get the last of the day's fresh makings. I had the spicy Ahi, spicy mussel and Limu poke. Is have to say my favorite is the spicy mussel. It's is so flavorful and delicious. I'm going to try and sneak over that way again this week if I can. LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Picked up a t-shirt too!! Also tried the Furikake Musubi. Yummy!!

    (5)

  • Kris U.

    Great poke selection and freshness minus one star for not having kalua pig or lau lau today. Memorial day.

    (4)

  • Jessica A.

    Honestly, I see why their poke is basically #1 what can I say. It's delicious. The fish melts in your mouth, and I think i had the non-spicy poke. Not sure what it was called. I got the poke bowl, and it was. . Brilliant. I guess it's mostly locals who go here, because a local guy recommended us some stuff. Didn't see many tourists, so I guess that's a good thing. Anways, off topic. I also had the fried chicken. Again, delicious. Also had the watermelon sherbet. Kinda frozen, but then again, it was in the freezer. Honestly, this place is a def. In Oahu.

    (5)

  • Marcus C.

    Pre ordered bentos for soccer tournament can't go wrong $4.50 ea. Everything I'm on Oahu if I'm in the area I'll stop by and grab some bentos, poki bowls, etc. Go get sum!!!

    (5)

  • John A.

    For a first timer like I was? I recommend going with the Garlic Chicken plate or the spicy ahi poke bowl. This would break you in for your next visit... That's right. Also, don't let the long line scare you, it moves pretty fast. ...

    (4)

  • Chris P.

    When I was at the Great Aloha Run expo, I passed by a little booth that displayed some intriguing donut holes. I asked the smiley fellow working at the booth what they were and he told me they were poi andagi Okinawan donuts. He said they are made from poi, but a lot more dense than poi mochi. He also told me that their store is in Waipahu. Excuse me, where? Anyways, I was so moved by his story that I picked up a couple of andagi to go. When I got home, I wasn't a fan of the andagi. But I decided to check out the store and give them a second chance. Wow, it's like being a little kid in a candy store! Except you've got fresh poke and fried food to choose from! The mochiko chicken was a bit too dry for me. But their fried chicken is cooked "southern" style! Yee haw! And they even have lumpia? Yes, these are legit! You can also ask for the sauce, too. Their spicy ahi bentos are easy to miss because they are on the side wall. They're more sweet than spicy, though. I love their assortment of different musubis. Great for snacking on at the beach! My favorite, the deluxe musubi, almost always runs out! I'm cursed because if I get spam musubi anywhere else, it's not nearly as good as Tanioka's! Also, you get a free fountain drink with any plate lunch! The employees are always helpful and keep the line moving fast. Later I found out that the nice gentleman I spoke to was the owner, Mel Tanioka! Definitely a diamond in the rough!

    (5)

  • Shuao Li L.

    Great stop for a fresh seafood & sushi lunch. Costly but what the hey...u only live once!

    (4)

  • Pamela S.

    Awesome fresh poke! Paid $18.95 per pound for spicy ahi and limu poke but was so worth it! Sesame tako poke was tender and very tasty. I passed on the maki sushi today but usually I always get a roll or two as well as the Inari sushi. They had two full trays of the ono fried chicken at 3 pm! No line when I walked in. Was waited on right away and off to the cashier. Today's purchase set me back a mere $43. Ouch but it was for my niece who was visiting from Norcal. She was pleasantly surprised and we enjoyed every morsel of poke. I will definitely be back to Tanioka's again for UH football season.

    (5)

  • Randoll C.

    Poke That's all I really need to say. Poke By the way, for those of you who don't know - it's pronounced PO-K ... not poke as in what you would think - meaning to push or prod Anyway - the map on Yelp is wrong. It's across the street from the old Coronets, right next door to the 7-11, that's next to the canal. If you have GPS, enter the address and you'll be fine. Fine - just like the poke and I'm sure, everything else that Tanioka's has to offer. I was told that the place gets crazy busy and when I was there, there was a steady line, but not out the door, but I got there after the lunch rush so there were items that weren't in stock. Fortunately for me, I was there for the poke and there was lots of that to be had. I wanted spicy, so I opted for the Spicy Shoyu Ahi and an order of the Tako. It was another mid day snack for me. Everything is for take out only as seating doesn't exist here. Take it to go, or go eat in your car. That's what I did. Just have to make sure you ask for utensils, or like in my case, chopsticks. Best poke I've had in a long time. Mainly because you don't find many places selling poke in Southern California - where I live now. But also because I believe that Tanioka's has the process dialed in. They did when I was a kid and they're still following suit now.

    (5)

  • Joshua B.

    Always busy as hell, but well worth the wait. Brave the crowds and ignore the stares for being the only white guy in line because you won't find any better pokè on the island!

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Haven't written a review in a while but the service I received just made it virtually impossible to let this go unnoticed! I was tasked with providing the food for a wedding party a day before the event. I've never ordered from the catering side before but have visited enough to know that everything was ono. After skimming over the online menu, I called the contact number not knowing what to expect. Deanna was INCREDIBLE, she not only listened to my needs (2 separate rooms) but also helped in the food selection process for the Bridal party. When I arrived for pickup, I was amazed at how much activity was going on yet how friendly and helpful the staff was! It just occurred to me that I picked a holiday weekend and there was an abnormal amount of parties that required delivery/pickup! As hectic as things looked, the staff pulled my order (while keeping the individually color coded tags on the correct pans), iced the salads and poke, and carted the order out to my truck! It's amazing how coordinated the staff operates! The food was exceptional as usual and I would highly recommend the catering side for even smaller events!

    (5)

  • Nic K.

    This is the best fish and okazu stop on the west side! Been coming here since I could walk. I love that they're doing so well! It is a bit on the expensive side, but we come here to treat ourselves :) perfect for beach days or grabbing lunch before work. So yum!

    (5)

  • Darick M.

    The fishcake and cone sushi are the best! And I'm usually not a fan of cone sushi but the ones here are really good.

    (5)

  • Gina H.

    The line is longer now but I still love their fried chicken as fish patties! Poke is made with good quality products!

    (4)

  • Bridget M.

    Love coming here to grab lunch! They are always so efficient even though it is always crazy busy! They are personable and nice too! Love eating lunch here! And word of advice is don't come here hungry! Lol

    (5)

  • Carms K.

    My absolute favorite poke place! It tends to get very busy and the line can go out the door, but the workers are friendly and efficient. All the food here is awesome. I recommend the hot alae poke with hot shoyu added, the fish patties, and the musubi.

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    Had the garlic and spicy poke on our honeymoon.... was delicious! There is no place to sit... but we ate in our car and it was still awesome. Very delicious!

    (5)

  • Dylan H.

    Worth the wait (the line moves fast). The Shoyu Poke was mouthwateringly delicious and fresh.

    (4)

  • Natasha T.

    This place is always crowded, and that's because it has fricken delicious food! I always get the crunchy spicy ahi roll thingys, which are so out of this world. They also have super great fried chicken, and choke other local food that I eye up all the time. There's always a line out the door, but the workers are fast and always friendly. The only crappy thing is the parking, but it's worth it.

    (5)

  • Laurel T.

    My husband and I chose Tanioka's for our wedding of 200 guests, and think it was one of the best decisions we made. We loved the friendly staff and management, and the delicious local favorites. My favorite items on the menu were the desserts, which not too many people know about. We got the guava, lilikoi, oreo, and strawberry cream cheese cupcakes as well as the red velvet cupcakes. Excellent deal! My husband enjoyed the prime rib station and the fried chicken. Of course, we didn't get to eat much at our wedding, but the staff prepared a nice to go plate for us on the side. Our guests' favorite was the spicy ahi with rice during the pupu hour. Highly recommend! Everything was priced fairly and the service was exceptional. So happy we went with them and highly recommend them to all of our friends!

    (5)

  • Henry O.

    Great Poki with a huge selection. Friends of mine were stocking up because they were about to fly home. After picking up a few pounds of different varieties, we walked next door to pick up a bag of ice so they could keep the poki fresh in the cooler. They also have other goodies and snacks here other than poki. We got some musubi's too, but they didnt seem as fresh as other places that we've been to.

    (4)

  • Lynette T.

    We were going sight-seeing and wanted to take along some bento. Something to snack on while driving around Oahu. My eyes went wide when I saw the poke case. yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1… His eyes went wide at the assortment of musubi and croquettes. yelp.com/biz_photos/Q9K1… Spam musubis, spicy furikake musubi, spicy tuna roll, hashbrown croquette & crabcake for the hubby. Chinese chicken salad & tako (octopus) poke for me. I forgot what beach we stopped at to eat this bounty, but it was lovely to enjoy the scenery while dining outside. This is a great way to enjoy the island.

    (5)

  • Larry B.

    You hear Bourdain talk about Michelin star chefs and the true passion they put in to their food. If you read my reviews, you'll see I've eaten at some pretty good places, so when I say something is good, you should probably run out and try it. Living in Hawaii, people are jaded when it comes to raw fish. When you can buy sushi quality ahi and salmon in any given supermarket, it makes it hard to really care when you taste the best of the best. After being in Arizona for the last year, I realize what a luxury affordable high grade fish is. Sometimes to become an expert, you have to experience every gamete of the fish quality spectrum, and I've done the research. All I can say is the most expensive sushi restaurant in AZ can't even come close to the taste and freshness of the poke at Tanioka's. Ultra fresh, and perfectly seasoned if you order anything here with ahi it'll be top notch. What's even crazier is that they sell about 6 other types of pokes, fresh cut sashimi, and a bunch of okazu options like fried shrimp, chicken, and about 20 other choices made fresh daily from scratch. While the location is far from ideal (a strip mall in Waipahu next to a 7-11), the shop is a lot like the rest of Hawaii...millionaires with Ferrari money driving Toyotas. That's part of what someone from Scottsdale or anybody from another well to do town in the US fails to get when they come here. Paradise like poke isn't and shouldn't be reserved for the privileged. Whether your home is a shack or a mansion, everyone can spend $8 and have a half pound of what is truly some of the best stuff on earth. I'm writing this review on my plane ride back to AZ, and even though I was lucky enough to have eaten at restaurants like Ruth's Chris and Michel's in the last few days, none of them impressed me more than the poke samplings I had here. Good to see the Hawaiian spirit is still alive and well at my favorite local fish market, and everyone is still welcome to come enjoy!

    (5)

  • Jon M.

    Still freaking delicious. I just got the ahi furikake plate again and it was even better than last time. It was actually heated this time, last time it was cold. So either I got a fresh batch, or they started heating it up. Either way it's even more delicious like this. And the wasabi aoli is still amazing as well.

    (5)

  • Brent W.

    great poke. garlic chicken plate was good mochiko chicken plate was ok, a little bit cold, not that fresh. fast/friendly service.

    (4)

  • Greg C.

    Be still my heart! FINALLY, I worked up the wherewithall to go into Tanioka's in Waipahu, and I was not disappointed. Yep, I was warned there would be a security guard at the door to control incoming traffic. Wow, they really do get busy on the weekends. My daughter just finished ballet class and was getting ready to transition to her soccer game when we decided to go to Tanioka's for a quick musubi for her, and a bento for me. Once we got inside, the line of 25+ folks meandered through a relatively small store. You have to go into the one line and essentially 'crawl' your way to the front of the line after about 15-minutes. That's OK, because me and my daughter wanted to take it all in, see all the bentos, drinks, local snacks, guri guri, then the fried chicken, mochiko chicken, several types of musubi's. Too much to choose from, so little time. My daughter ended up choosing a bento and a spam musubi with furukaki, and I got two pieces of fried chicken. We were so excited to go get into our min-van and eat our food that we forgot to buy something to drink. DELICIOUS! The skin on the chicken was so ono, I wanted to go back and get myself a bucket. My daughter ate half of her musubi and half her bento, then went out and played a great game of soccer. I swear Tanioka's food had something to do with her great play! It's that good! I can't wait to go back and try a little of everything else! I LOVE TANIOKA'S!!

    (5)

  • Santi T.

    So you're thinking why does this place deserve a 5 star review?? It's all about quality versus quantity. This is a Waipahu landmark which serves one of the best poke in the state! Seriously! If you have the opportunity to come here try all the poke and definitely pick up my fave - spicy ahi ($5.50). And if you want the trifecta - try the tako (octopus), spicy ahi (tuna) and marlin ($5.95) over sushi rice which will make any seafood luver to it's knees. Talk about fresh! Warning: their poke isn't cheap. And musubi's (rice balls). Oh man you came to the right place! From mochiko chicken to fish patty musubi's, you will find something to get your appetite in full force. For dessert, try their poi andagi (doughnut). Dang, who knew a little ball fried in oil would taste so good?!? Super friendly people and they accept credit cards. They also offer tons of catering menus. If I had to describe this place it's: POKE This place has been here for so many years and it's consistently fresh and delicious. I'm always the sucker and has to pick up lunch from here. They offer tons of bentos and individual okazuya which will satisfy any taste buds. The bentos are from $5.50 which offers fried noodles and their chicken. Poke and local food at it's best in Waipahu!

    (5)

  • Rudia L.

    I received Christmas cookies as a gift from Taniokas. I knew that sometimes the same city is in several of the islands and never had a chance to check up if it was on Oahu but as I was up near North Shore, I decided to yelp it... if I can help it.. haha (corny)... but I did and it was near me. I wanted to buy up all their goodies, but it was a long long long drive with all the construction. The staff was very helpful and kind as I came into their shop just 10 minutes before closing. I tried their onion poke and fish patties as that was all that was left. I loved the fish patties and the cookies and wished I had gotten there sooner to try out all the other great food dishes. Next time.. :) Thank you!

    (4)

  • Kasey M.

    This is my favorite poke spot. I am out in Waipahu every weekend for soccer so I make it a point to stop at Taniokas. I go here for 3 things in particular, poke bowls ($6.99 for 1 choice and $9.95 for 2 I think). I like it best with sushi rice and spicy ahi. They also have the BEST spam musubis. Way better than 7-eleven! And my last favorite thing is the garlic chicken ($2.25 a piece). It is so good! Nice and crispy with a good garlic/korean style flavor. The poke here is always good and super fresh. Other good choices are the spicy kajiki, Japanese clams, shoyu ahi and the crunchy garlic poke. And just a warning, the line can get long on the weekends. It will often be out the door on Sundays. Also they do run out of things so go early.

    (5)

  • Melissa L.

    One of my favorite places to eat in the entire world!! The food is always fresh and delicious. I work right up the road from them so we tend to have them cater mostly all of our company partys, and everyone attacks the food like they havent eatten in days. We normally get the fried chicken, spicy ahi platter, sushi platter, salmon patties, and tako poke, never unsatisfied. Workers are super fast and friendly, much like the other reviews said, dont let the line fool you, you will be in and out fast (makes you wonder wtf costco and walmart cashiers take so long). Family owned, everyone and i mean every single person in there makes you feel welcomed.

    (5)

  • Joanna Y.

    This is my favorite place to get poke, fried chicken and musubi's! It's always busy when I go, but the staff is quick and efficient. Sometimes they get a line outside too but they will have a security letting people in when other people leave. LOCATION In Waipahu along Farrington Hwy, next door to 7-11. Not really sure how to describe where it is lol, but they share a parking lot with 7-11 and other businesses. SERVICE These guys are hustling every time I go! Maybe 10 or 15 workers non stop taking people's orders lol. I never bothered to count how many workers there are but they are always well staffed and work fast. FOOD Most people come for the poke, but they also have a variety of musubi's, fried rice, fried noodles, among other fried goodies like lumpia, sweet potato, etc. -POKE: duh, the best! I like their onion poke, spicy ahi, and Korean style clams. They also have limu, mussels, all kines! -FRIED CHICKEN: I seriously think they have the best fried chicken ever! It's always perfectly crisp, perfectly seasoned, tender white meat chicken with no bones! So easy to eat and delicious!! My favorite place for chicken. -MUSUBI's: honestly I don't know how 7-11 beat them in spam musubi's! I prefer Tanioka's musubi's much better. From Furikake spam musubi, fish musubi, etc! Lots to choose from.

    (5)

  • Chad A.

    Yeah its fresh fish......so what. I am sure it is just the haole in me, but if it wasn't for the awesome musubi here I would most likely give this place a 2. I believe the poke to be a comfort food to islanders, and if you aren't from here you just might not understand the appeal, just like I don't. I love great sushi, but if this is "great" poke like I am sure it is then I just don't get it.

    (3)

  • Rudy F.

    We were referred to Tanioka's by a friend for their poke. We really didn't know what to expect. Tanioka's is literally a 1 aisle market, barely enough space to go in & line up. You go thru the line, they have all the poke in a refrigerated area, you let the worker there know what you want & how much of it, it's sold by lbs. They get it for you. After that, they have a shelf of masubis - spam, chicken cutlet, fish cake, furikake covered, and you just pick your own, then they have the hot foods where you can select pieces of mochiko chicken, garlic chicken, egg rolls, etc. You tell the worker what you want & how many you want. They also serve plate lunches. Plate lunch is basically 2 scoops of rice, 1 scoop of mac salad, and 2 pieces of chicken for like $9. So we went there twice while we were there. EVERYTHING tasted delish! But we did learn something after the first time we went. We didn't get the plate lunch the second time, we just ordered the garlic chicken on it's own without the rice & mac salad, cheaper that way. My wife liked all the poke the served. I liked the tofu poke - tofu, onions, green onions, cilantro and their special sauce. We ordered the mochiko chicken plate & the garlic chicken plate, the garlic chicken is by far better, I'd have to say it gives En Fuego a run for it's money on the garlic chicken. We also tried one of each of their masubis, spam, chicken cutlet, fish cake, furikake. My favorite was the chicken cutlet masubi. I think the difference between their masubi's & other places is that they mix the rice with some teriyaki sauce or something, so not only is the meat tasty, the rice is also. We also got some of their egg rolls, which was also good. All in all, everything we tasted there was good, and was worthy of a second trip there. Definitely go back there again when we go back to Hawaii in 2 years.

    (5)

  • John B.

    Oh my God. You don't even know son. You walk in here into a pretty long queue (which goes by quick) and you're surrounded by tons of delicious smells and sights. Don't blow your load all at once. Save it for the poke. I got a bunch of different ones and hit up a few different masubis. I ate it, got shortness of breath and ate more.

    (5)

  • Jilly C.

    Tanioka's has awesome musubi's, fried chicken and POKE! Tanioka's is run quite well, single file line, employees to pack your poke order, then you move along to the sushi & okazuya type items, then it's the registers! A little pricey but the quality is well worth it! If I'm in the area and I need lunch, I will definitely stop in for a poke bowl or musubi's!

    (4)

  • Gail A.

    There's nothing I can say about the food that hasn't been said already. Eat everything! Eat the poke. Eat the mochiko chicken. Eat the fish cake. Hell, eat the damn counter and it will probably taste ono from all the residual deliciousness that gets passed over it on a daily basis. Parking can be annoying sometimes because of the crowds, but it's worth the annoyance. To all the Yelp-savvy tourists out there looking for that mom and pop type of joint so you can brag to all your friends that you went to somewhere truly local, IT'S WORTH IT. Trust me. These guys have the magic when it comes to poke and local grinds and I thank God for it every time I visit home from the Mainland. I swear, my family provides most of these guys' revenue. We're pretty loyal. Tanioka's is the one stop shop for everything I crave when I leave home and the best part is that they're located in my hometown. Thanks for repping Waipahu, guys!

    (5)

  • Mele M.

    I came here today for the first time. I gotta admit I was doubtful because it is hard to find good places to eat on this side of the island but, I am so happy I did. When I first got there it was PACKED! to me that's always a good sign. I didn't mind waiting because there's things to look at in line and I wanted to try them all. The line moves to quick for me because I wanted to look at everything. Of coarse it being my first time. I have decided this is going to be a regular spot for me from now on. It's absolutely delicious. I tried the spicy ahi. I thought this would be similar to all the other spicy ahis I have tried but there's is delicious in there own way the make it. Its super fresh. I also tried there haupia which is so ono. Better then any I've ever tried. There inaris are massive and also good. There garlic chicken. Omg! I want to eat this every day. Everything I had is awesome and I like the fact that they have there own way of making things and it all taste fresh and delicious. There prices are also pretty darn good. I spent about 50 dollars for five people and I still have left overs but who cares I'm going back next weekend and the weekend after that :) only bad thing is I wish I could get remarried so they can cater it. Lol. P.s there workers are super friendly. Especially for being in such a busy place they all seem happy to be there and very helpful. I would wanna work there too just so I can bring home dinner everyday.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    When I was putting together my things to try in Hawaii, I asked my boss for suggestions on places outside of Waikiki that were popular with locals. One of his very first suggestions? Tanioka's. Since my boss had warned there was usually a hefty line around lunch time, my buddy and I decided to come in around 2:30pm to avoid the crowd. While our plan seemed to work out well, it also backfired since we missed out on their lunch plates (part of the reason why they get busy in the first place). Oh the best laid plans...although it might have worked out better in the end. With the lunch plate option removed, I was left to order the Poke Rice Bowl with the Limu and Spicy Ahi poke from the giant case of...well, poke. After they handed me my bowl, it was hard not to try a couple of things from their case of hot and fried foods, so I added on a small piece of their Mochiko Chicken and Fried Chicken as well. During my trip in Hawaii, I had poke at a few different places and I thought Tanioka's was the best overall. The Limu poke was terrific, but the Spicy Ahi poke was AWESOME. Just a touch of spiciness but loads of flavor. Plus, since the poke is made daily, the big chunks of fish in both were so fresh! The piece of Fried Chicken I had was pretty good too, but I liked the Mochicko Chicken better in comparison. Although it was a little salty, I thought it tasted great (my first time having Mochiko Chicken though, so not sure how it compares to other places). Even if you happen to be there during their peak hours, I can't imagine the wait being horrendous. Given that the place is entirely to-go, I'm sure these guys have it down to a science on how to move that line as fast as possible. Plus, they had so many people working behind the counter, they got us out of there with our food super quick. Just make sure you get their poke before you get shuffled on out...it's so good!

    (5)

  • Don D.

    Poke at its best is at Taniokas! I went in around 4:45, about 15 minutes before they normally close. Surprisingly, there were still a lot of customers in there! Not only that, there were a lot of workers still in the store! Normally, when you get to a place around closing time....its starts emptying out and looks like a ghost town. Anyway, we opted to get a half pound of the Spicy Ahi, and the Onion Poke. Both items came out around $19! Considering the quality of the Poke, it was well worth it. It wasnt "leftovers"! The store setup is like a bakery, pick your items or choose from the display window and they'll set you up with everything you need. For a fish place, it didnt smell fishy. If the price of Ahi went down a little, I would probably go more often.

    (5)

  • Antonio A.

    HOLY!!!! Best poke I've ever had in my entire life. Garlic Crunch Ahi Poke and Ahi Limu Onion Poke and Tako Poke... damnnnnn And the fish cakes are soooo good!!!

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    great and fast service. the line was horrendous looking but it moves so quickly that it's almost as if you're rushing to decide which yummy thing you want to get. My suggestion is to either try everything or ummmm, TRY EVERYTHING! lol. The mochiko chicken and garlic chicken are really good. I love the flavor of the garlic chicken since it's the perfect amount of sweetness in it. What I love most is that they keep the skin on! I'm asian, I love the fatty skin :) The bowls are a good size and regardless of what you put on it for a topping you can't really go wrong. Ask for a sample if you're not sure or get the double choice bowl and just trust me that any mix will make your belly smile. If not, give me a call and i'll come pick up what you couldn't eat.

    (5)

  • Pomai S.

    Recently consumed from Tanioka's: Goteborg Sausage Musubi (see photos) Rating: 5 stars! Fish "Patty" Musubi (see photos) Rating: 5 stars! Cone Sushi, Salmon Patty, Fish Patty & Shrimp Tempura Bento (see photos) Rating: 5 stars! I'm wondering where they got the Goteborg Musubi idea from, which is originally a "Kauai thing". The first place I've seen it on Oahu was at The Poke Bowl in Ward Farmer's Market in the space where Tropics Fish & Vegetable Market used to be. The Poke Bowl has since moved under a new name called 'Pa'ina Cafe' across the street in Ward Warehouse.

    (5)

  • Joj o.

    Get here early, because they are running out of food by early afternoon (1-2ish). Their poke is creamy, melt in your mouth. They have a unique sauce for the spicy ahi and it's awesome. They have a lot of fried side items which are good (when they haven't run out of them). Just get the poke, you won't regret it. A lot of variety and it's all good. I haven't been able to try many of their daily combo specials because they're always out. Lines can be long, but they move you a long pretty quick. Poke prices have gone up, but it has everywhere on the island.

    (5)

  • Iris I.

    Just ate a mini Hamburger steak. Outstanding mushroom gravy and hamburger. I enjoyed every single bite.

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    I don't know if it was because 1) I was kinda hungry 2) I didn't expect much...but this place totally blew me away. I got the ahi limu onion poke bowl...and I engulfed that thing like there was no tomorrow. The ahi pieces melted in my mouth with the perfect flavor. Usually I can only handle so much of raw fish...but in this case, I ate it ALL. The location is totally out of my way...but I have friends that come from that area...so the next time they are headed into town, I'm tellin' um to bring me a bowl! LoL. Yelp 365 Challenge #147/365 P.S. The only down fall is there's no tables and chairs to eat your awesome food...so you gotta do it old-school-style and just eat 'um in your car! Still GOOD!

    (5)

  • Krizelda M.

    If you're in Oahu and have a rental car or family willing to drive you around go to Tanioka's. I think it's the best poke on the island! It doesn't look like much, the outside looks like a general grocery shopping area and the inside you'll just find the line and a lot of food on display while in line. Other than the poke there's... an egg roll like thing, that's like a fried roll of rice and fish and sauce... sorry when you see it, just get it- aaaaaamazing. When I'm back on the island I'll make sure to save up my appetite and better chow down. I promise to update the name to that fried roll thing too.

    (5)

  • Jenn L.

    Food was pretty decent. We got the garlic chicken and some limu poke. I think the poke is nothing really to write home about and even though the place is packed, the drink station is in the back and its horribly unorganized. No real need to go back.

    (3)

  • Sean P.

    Wow this place is cheap and awesome. I had the ahi poke bowl today with the garlic fried chicken. The ahi poke was nice and fresh and the garlic fried chicken was crunchy with a bit of sweetness. My only slight complaint is that they don't have white meat for the chicken; it was only dark meat.

    (5)

  • Crystal X.

    Note: Can't find a seat because its not offered. Come - Order - and enjoy at home/ beach/ park! WHY CAN'T EVERYONE I LOVE TASTE POKE FROM HERE! Its worth the drive to find this GEM! Please order the following: 1. spicy tuna ahi poke 2. Limu Poke (for those who do not know - limu is a crunchy seaweed-- great texture) 3. Onion Poke 4. Onion and Limu Poke 5. Alae Poke Don't be alarmed by the price $15.95/lb. Order by 1/3 and you'll be fine!

    (5)

  • Ericka B.

    "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Living near Tanioka's is definitely a plus. I've been eating their poke since I was a little girl. Every Sunday my mom would take me to go get their awesome musubi's and poke. (Despite the fact 711 was next door) In my opinion their prices are right for their quality of food. Everything I've bought here never fails! I look forward to their monthly plate lunch specials! It changes every month, and my favorite has got to be their shoyu chicken, on point!!! Come early though, they sell out of stuff fast!

    (5)

  • Darren N.

    Parking: Right out in front but parking is often full up during the lunch hour. Ambiance: Take out review only, no visible dine in. Tip, do not go during lunch hour from 11-12. It's out-the-door busy. Service: Take out only, but the numerous staff hustle to get everyone's order out and even offer to make you an item if possible. Excellent service. Food: Opted for the spicy ahi tempura which is a mix of veggie tempura (surprisingly made up of egg plant, broccoli, onion, and possibly more) and spicy ahi cubes on a bed of shoyu rice. The bowl was very flavorful though I wasn't expecting the multitude of egg plant. The other items of interest looked good and large portioned. Prices were fair. Verdict & Takeaway: They've got a lot of items and if I were in the area and wanted some seafood I'd go there. If they add more musubi/onigiri options it would be more appealing but they're going for more local style than Japanese type menu.

    (3)

  • Kellen Y.

    Poke was ridiculous! Ask to try a sample if you aren't sure which one you want...they give you a little tooth pick. PLEASE try their fried chicken! I got the garlic fried chicken and my god I wished i had got more. We also got some salmon cakes, musubi, lumpia, and fried rice (they ask how many scoops you want...i asked for 2 and that was enough for 3 people). Just make sure to scope out what you want before getting in line. They move very quickly in there and if you're "himmming and haaaaing" people will get annoyed. The poke is priced by the pound and they have various containers to select from, (i.e. 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb, etc...) Our bill for everything was $20.

    (4)

  • Christine G.

    I think I am in love with their spicy ahi poke. I literally could have it all day for the rest of my life. However it would be amazing it have a different poke everyday. Definitely worth driving out to.

    (5)

  • Sheena C.

    I LOVE YOU, TANIOKA'S! This place is one of the very few reasons I miss living on the central side of the island. My very favs include: Spicy ahi poke Limu poke Hot alae poke Shoyu poke FISH PATTY!

    (5)

  • Dane S.

    Best boneless fried chicken evaarrr! It's kind of like safeway chicken but with more flavor and the meat is softer... Really good poke of course and their prices are not backbreaking.. But a little expensive

    (5)

  • Danielle A.

    This is the BEST place to get quick, local, tasty and quality food!!! Their musubi a (even though simple) are always fresh and delicious. Their fried rice is amazing! And let's not even get started on the fresh fish dishes available!! Poke and sashimi are my hubby's favorite and the freshness and quality is unmatched! A definite it's go place on Oahu!!!

    (5)

  • Bacong F.

    Expect a line. It goes buy fast since there are many people behind the counter. We had the spam masubi (it has teriyaki sauce), too sweet for our taste. We ordered dark meat for the fried chicken but we got 2 pieces of dried chicken breast. The poke was amazing! We had ahi, marlin and octopus!

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    Tanioka's is the place to be! LInes out the door on the weekends, though, but definitely worth going early and the wait! Musubis of all sorts - spam, fish patty, chicken, shiso furikake, one with red takuan, edamame type and the konbu one. Poke bowls that you can create - with your choice of poke - and always fresh! - and sauce AND rice! Best thing, though, is the fish patty that is craved all the time! Down right the best place for Okazuya, catering and "To go food" on this side of the island! Workers can give lessons to many other places in the area and around this island on people skills. From the teenagers they have working the front, to the managers I've spoken to on the phone when placing orders, it is always a pleasant experience!

    (5)

  • Eileen T.

    I found this place on Yelp and tried it today. The food was so delicious and the service was great. There was a line, but it moved very quickly. My husband and his parents and I had three types of ahi poke, chicken musubi, two types of rice balls, futomaki, and inari for lunch. The lunch spread did not last long! A definite must if you are visiting Oahu and have a car. I will be dreaming about Tanioka's after I return home. :)

    (5)

  • Cara H.

    Tanioka's is worth the price and the line... sooooo good! Their fish patty is about $2, but sooo ono. Doesn't have that fishy taste, it's perfect. Their Cone Sushi is the best, sweet and juicy! I used to go to this place called Omiya's, they had the best cone sushi, but they closed, so Tanioka's is officially the best cone sushi ever! All of their Okazuya and bentos are tasty, but fish patty and cone sushi is a must!

    (5)

  • Aaron W.

    First, I had a fish patty and a salmon patty ($1.95 each). Each were juicy and seasoned well. In fact, the fish patty is a recipe handed down from the owner's mother. The patties are kept at room temperature, cooking them to order and eating a fresh, temperature-hot patty would be the only thing making this one better. The sampler bento ($5.95) has small helpings of minced tako (octopus), tuna, and marlin on a bed of sushi rice. A wonderful choice here to try three of Tanioka's finest offerings. Perfectly cooked sushi rice, on the sweet-tangy side. It is kept chilled on refrigerated shelves. A half-pound of wasabi-miso tako was next ($12.95/lb). A relatively new item at the time of my visit (beginning of December). Chewy tako combines with a creamy wasabi-miso sauce. The bite of the wasabi and the sweetness of the miso are addicting, but I found it to be very rich, preventing me from eating more. My dad thought it was too sweet for his liking, and it's probably one that really should be eaten with a bunch of rice and water (in contrast, I can eat most pokes without starch or liquids). Overall, Tanioka's left a very positive impression!

    (4)

  • sherry a.

    This place lives up to its expectations and then some! Good quality service and food. Today was my last full day in Hawaii and so I had to go to tanioka's for one of my last bucket list checklist. With limited time, Tanioka's was able to fulfill my Hawaii wish list by allowing me to order my poke heaven dishes and open their doors with a big fat smile! Now the poke

    (5)

  • Milani C.

    Where do I begin?! Any local will know this is the place to go for a wide selection of Poke and Okazu. When arriving on a busy day the line spreads out the door along the front of the building. Don't be discouraged, because with the abundance of staff and fast pace environment, the line moves very quickly. Everything here is Ono, Fresh and tasty! The customer service is always up to par, the food never lets me down. They are very consistent in the quality of their food. The only reason I gave 4 stars is for the price. It is not the cheapest or the best deal for this scrumptious treat, but worth the price you pay for sure! Don't forget you can try before you buy! Just ask for a sample. You also can get portions as small as 1/4 lb. so Even if you have low funds, you still are able to get a bite of something. Don't limit yourself to poke. Venture into their delicious fish patties, fried chicken, veggy tempura, various sushi..... Gosh the list is so long I don't know where to end! Life is good in Hawaii ne' especially for us foodies! Poke is an essential part of a local staple food! There is no party without the pupus!!

    (4)

  • Darci N.

    Tanioka's has always been a favorite, known for their awesome seafood selection. My company ordered food platters consisting of mochiko chicken, fried chicken, fish patties and maki sushi. We also ordered pupu platters consisting of sesame tako, spicy ahi, limu ahi poke, sesame ahi poke, and imitation crab poke. We ordered $2000 worth and each tray was made to perfection. They were made on time and ready as promised. The staff was friendly, courteous and highly professional.

    (5)

  • Francesca L.

    I'm in looooove with Tanioka's. Seriously. I loved pulling up to the crazy parking lot and watching people happily scarfing food in their cars. I loved standing in line and pointing and realizing I wanted a little bit of everything they offer. I loved getting home and drooling over every morsel of food. Only thing I didn't love is I can't get it all the time!! :( My friend and I came down on noon Saturday and picked up some grub--limu onion poke, mochiko chicken, char siu pork, and rice. They also threw in some free edamame as a nice surprise when they saw us contemplating over it xD All the food was bomb even at room temperature by the time we got home, didn't even wanna heat it...too freakin good. Just go. Just go and try it. I wish I could be there now.... The poke is amazing, mochiko chicken is on point, char siu is just delicious. i'm hungry :(

    (5)

  • Gene B.

    Never ever I left this place unhappy so I thought I'd bring my in laws here to enjoy some choke poke on Thanksgiving day. Since we don't live here locally, we decided to buy some beer at the next door 7 Eleven and have a poke feast on site. Tanioka's were so nice they allowed us to have a mini Thanksgiving out front. They were also nice enough to give us complementary butter mochi and poke donburi. I really recommend the butter mochi. My mouth is salivating just thinking about it. The poke is also very high quality. The cuts are premium and the poke mix is just perfect. This is Waipahu's best. No doubt! Thank you Tanioka's for treating us so well on Thanksgiving day. We need more businesses just like yours.

    (5)

  • Jeanette G.

    Words cannot express how thankful we are to Tanioka's for catering our wedding. This is a family owned business and they run it beyond well. It is no doubt that food is a hard thing to choose while searching for your day of vendors. We were almost going to go with someone else, but the costs were sky high and that brought us back to reality. Amazingly, our florist recommended them and we are ever so happy that she did. They were so welcoming, generous and professional. They fed us very well at our complimentary tasting and even sent us home with food! We immediately booked them. We loved that we were able to customize everything!! We are still receiving compliments about the food and most of all the service. Many of our guests boasted about how elegant the staff members made the wedding feel. A few items that were brought up were the Lomi Salmon, Kalua Pig, Furikake Ahi Balls and of course, the Okinawan Sweet Potato Haupia Squares. We highly suggest that people give this team a try and at the costs, Wow, it is a steal. We love Tanioka's so much that we are recommending them to everyone, not just for their carry out food, but for weddings because they just took it to the next level.

    (5)

  • Lana H.

    Gotta be kidding me...10:15 am on Saturday and the line is out the door towards the trophy shop! The food is the freshest and tastiest but something has to be modified on loooong lines. Workers are always hustling & bustling but they are helpful and courteous. Sure the prices creep up occasionally, but it's the cost of business here. One big plus is that Tanioka's supports the local small businesses by putting out their own products in the shop. Keep it local!

    (4)

  • Emma Q.

    I come here for the fish patties and fried chicken! Super delicious! There's always a long line, but it just goes to show how good of a business they are and how good their food is! When ever you have a seafood craving, this is the place to go! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Shanisse I.

    I love Tanioka's. Now keep in mind that I'm not a big fan of seafood so when I say that I love Tanioka's, thats saying something. The parking there however is CRAZY during lunch time.... not to mention the line in there as well... I love the selection of fish that they have and they don't only have fish, they have all kinds of food, like an okazuya. The pricing is pretty reasonable and it tastes DELICIOUS!

    (5)

  • Marci H.

    Love, love, love the fried chicken! I think Tanioka's has the best fried chicken on the island!

    (5)

  • Aldora K.

    You know the food is good when you see a line forming outside of Tanioka's and a security guard standing outside to make sure everything is good. I love every Ahi poke offered to customers and some side dishes for those who are looking to eat some ume musubi or fishcakes. I always go to Tanioka's whenever I am around the area.

    (5)

  • Marcus S.

    Truly one of the best places to get poke in Hawaii -- which means it's one of the top places in the world to get poke. Their limu poke, at least to my tastes, has this perfect combination of salt, soy sauce, sesame seed oil and more that gives it a unique, pleasurable flavor that no other pokes I've tried come close to. Their pokes might be a little more expensive than what you find at other markets but it's well worth it. It always goes out quickly when I bring it to the beach, or to parties. Every time I come here, even in the early morning, there's a long line, but the guys working at the counter are working so hard and fast, so it's always moving at a good pace. It seems according to the yelp reviews that even tourists will make the drive out to Waipahu to stop here if they're on the island, which goes to show just how good the poke is here. They serve other foods including local favorites like li hing mui snacks, musubis, and so on, which are good too. No seating here, so just grab your food and head to your favorite spot, and grind!

    (5)

  • Firsty L.

    got one piece garlic chicken and 2 pieces fried chicken. all of the chicken was a little dry. i think they boil it before they fry it. the garlic chicken tasted really good but the fried chicken didnt have any flavor. $2.50/piece

    (3)

  • Chantillie K.

    I love taniokas! I've been here multiple times and for different things. Lunch: I like the "fish balls" (3 fish mixture spheres on a stick). The one thing sad about it is they don't always have it. Salmon patties are good as well as poke selection and ume musubi :) yum! Catering : threw a bridal shower for my friend and had taniokas cater. Staff was professional and friendly when ordering and picking up. Food was great, everyone loved it, especially the roast beef and gravy. They liked it so much the brides family used them to cater for rehearsal dinner. They are also broadening out in things they sell. For example snacks, desserts, and a poke cake. Ordered the poke cake (square "cake" of rice and poke) to bring to a work potluck. Coworkers devoured it. All in all, good place to have cater your event and to just stop in for food and pupus.

    (5)

  • Loren O.

    Taniokas is my Sunday-after-soccer go to spot! The line is normally out the door, but i don't mind the wait. I haven't gone during the week so I'm not sure how their plate lunches are. Sundays they don't have the plate lunch option, it's only whatever they have in the refrigerated sections, poke, some okazu type foods, and their small premade bentos and musubis. I gotta find time to go during the week so I can try their plate lunches! **faves** -spicy ahi don--sooo freaking yummy. Their ahi isn't cubed like most places, it's more like a paste texture (that probably made it sound not appetizing at all :/), but its over a bed of furikake rice which makes it so much easier to eat. i get a perfect amount of spicy ahi and rice in every mouth full :] -musubi's -- i am a spam musubi lover and they definitely have a delish spam musubi! If i feel like changing it up I'll get a mochiko chicken musubi... which is also awesome! -spicy ahi inari sushi -- my 2 favorite sushis in one! it is an inari (cone) sushi with spicy ahi on top! omg. heaven. -li hing pineapple -- they keep it chilling in the refrigerated section so it's super refreshing. Perfect for a light after soccer treat :]

    (5)

  • David B.

    Tanioka's is a Waipahu eatery landmark. The bentos and fried chicken have always tasted the same since I started coming here as a young boy growing up in the area. Prices are very reasonable and the they have something for everybody there. On a recent visit during the Memorial day weekend for a picnic, I picked up spicy ahi inari (3 pieces for $4.99) ohana bento ($6.70) which had fried noodles, mochiko chicken, fish patty and rice. The line stretched out to the door, but it moved very efficiently. The spicy ahi inari meshed together my childhood favorite of inari and go to poke of spicy ahi really well. The spiciness was just right and the ahi was very fresh. As for the bento, they can never do wrong with the fried noodles. The chicken was tender and not oily. The fish patty was moist. Another one of my favorites from there is the shrimp tempura.

    (5)

  • Tyler I.

    Taniokas has been a part of my family for as long as I can remember. They are a staple at every one of our family parties and holiday celebrations. We love the taste and quality that Tanioka consistently provides. They have a great poke and bento selection.

    (4)

  • Lndn O.

    Their poke platter is good enough to convince the new locals that Tamuras is NOT the only shop that serve good poke.

    (4)

  • Samantha L.

    The line can get long, but don't worry, it goes by fast! We visited Tanioka's because my friends (from Oahu) told us that this was THE place to go for poke. My boyfriend and I shared: 1/4 pound of garlic ahi poke: yum. This was probably our favorite. Very flavorful/garlicy and the fish was just fresh. 1/4 pound of spicy ahi poke: a well-done classic. 1/4 pound of ahi/limu poke: we asked for a recommendation and the guy behind the counter suggested this. The limu adds a crunch, unlike anything I've ever had before. My boyfriend really enjoyed this one too. Fishcake musubi: We had several spam musubis throughout the trip and decided to try out something different. It was simple, yet very tasty. Crabcake: decent, but not as great as the other items, which really stood out. The total for all of this was a just $17.25, not too bad at all. The service was quick and friendly. Plus, they don't skimp at all. We ordered 1/4 pounds, but they often filled it up to a third of a pound and charged us only for what we ordered. They have so many items here, both hot and cold. I think that anyone could find something that they like. Notes: -Our Hawaiian Airline dried fruit snack (on flight) was from here! -Take-out only, no tables here.

    (5)

  • Honolulu A.

    Tanioka's is the go-to place for the best local kine food. Love their inari (cone sushi) because it is always perfect - juicy, tasty, and the rice is cooked just right. Love their spicy ahi on sushi rice, as well as the tako poke/ahi combo on rice. #3 daughter loves their fish patties. The service is excellent. If they don't have something out on the floor, they check in the back to see if it is coming out or being made. Great selection of great local food. Only problem is that it is not located in town (I'm a townie). Still, it is worth the drive out to get the best food on the island!!

    (5)

  • Chris A.

    On a relaxing President's day weekend, me and my girlfriend decided to stop by Tanioka's in Waipahu to satisfy an intense poke craving. We have heard of this location on numerous occasions, but never really had the chance to see what the fuss was about. As we entered through the doors, there were many indistinct conversations taking place--from the workers trying take down the orders to customers talking amongst themselves. It was so busy that all one could really do was follow the crowd. Somehow, we found ourselves standing in line looking at all the food options available; we were just surrounded by food! After grabbing a spicy ahi bento and fast approaching the poke area, one of the many workers asked what we wanted. It was a good thing that we looked at the menu online because we already decided what to order. Tanioka's had some different varieties of poke and one version that particularly stood out was the alae poke. The worker explained to us that alae is Hawaiian red salt made from red clay, and was different than the typical sesame oil and shoyu flavor. Her description was convincing enough that we ordered a half pound of it. Saying alae correctly was a difficult task though ("ala-ee"? "a-lay"?). The worker also helped us to get our orders of onion limu poke and fish patties. Before we knew it, our orders were being rung up at the cash register. There wasn't a seating area outside of Tanioka's so we took a small drive and found an area to blast Hawaiian music and enjoy our local grinds. The alae poke was very different in flavor than the usual Hawaiian style or shoyu poke. The Hawaiian red salt added a delicate flavor less salty than table salt, and a crunchy texture to the poke itself. This is a definite must-try at Tanioka's. And of course we had to stick with the local favorites and get a half pound of onion limu poke. We were very pleased that Tanioka's version wasn't overly seasoned. It was nice to be able to eat poke straight out of the container without having to gulp water or pair it with white or brown rice. Even after devouring over three quarters of a pound of poke, we still couldn't believe how fresh it was! The spicy ahi bento wasn't very spicy, but they were quite generous in their portion size and still delicious. We really liked how they tried to be authentic and served the ahi on sushi rice (rice vinegar and rice). There were also shredded pieces of nori (seaweed), and fresh green onion to compliment both the rice and the ahi. Lastly, we shared three pieces of ahi/aku fish patties. Each patty was at least the size of an open palm and was surprisingly moist in texture. It seemed like a really simple dish made of fish and more fish that was packed into a small round cake, and pan fried for a nice brown crust. In general, their food demonstrated that they still care about quality and freshness in their foods ever since they first opened in 1978. We are definitely going back there again.

    (4)

  • Sonia W.

    I know everyone loves this place. While the fish was very fresh I found the poke too salty. I've had a lot of poke and none that I have ever bought had so much salt. You definitely need to eat it with rice.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    no place to eat inside. lots of poke selections as well as miscaellaneous snacks such as musubis, tempura, bentos, andagi, sherberts etc. may be hard to find parking. there is a greater selection of poke and while delicious I don't think the cost is justified. costs ~$15/lb which is a bit more than at supermarkets such as foodland.

    (3)

  • Kaori T.

    I have NEVER tasted Poke so good... There is a huge selection of different blends of poke to choose from. More than just Ahi, they have Salmon poke as well. The spiciest poke wasn't spicy enough for me, so they gladly went in and added more kick into my batch. And I'd gladly pay the price for such an oozing amount of poke. It was AMAZING. If only they delivered in an ice-box to CA... Other than their epic Poke, they carry other Asian-Hawaiian picnic like treats. Tsukemono, Wakame salad, Musubi, Onigiri, Fried Chicken. It's a one stop quick stop delight just before heading to the beach or, just if you feel the need to let some tuna melt in your mouth... Mmm Mmm MMMmmm!

    (5)

  • Queena T.

    Best. tuna. poke. i've. ever. had. I visited Oahu for the first time a month ago and first thing I had when I got off the plane was this delicious mouthwatering poke that my bf delivered right to the airport when he came to pick me up. it was super simple - garnished with only green onions, regular onions, sesame seeds and some type of light soy sauce but it was, and this is an understatement, so good. apparently you order by the pound and it felt like i inhaled a quarter pound just in one sitting. i can't wait to go back and try their other types of poke!

    (5)

  • Kasey J.

    I've tried to stay away from Tanioka's for many reasons. The long lines make me aggro. It can be expensive and I typically try to stay away from fried food. I indulged my brother's request to grab lunch from there during the Saturday lunch rush no less. I was prepared for the long line so I didn't get aggro. It was my mom's treat so I was okay with the prices. Thanks mom! I told myself I'll just get a salmon patty. But wait! There was a little sign indicating a new item.....Hot Dog Andagi. WTF! I had to try it. At 85 cents I couldn't pass it up. I bit into it and was immediately in fried heaven. The batter is golden brown, not extremely dense, light and on the sweet side. I devoured the whole thing in two bites which is easy to do because its only half a hot dog. I debated on telling my hubby about it or not because I did not save any or get one for him. I told him anyways because he just needed to know how bomb it was. I made a pit stop there yesterday and got my hubby a few so he was happy and agreed with how good it was. Good enough to endure the long lines, prices and what it does to my diet.

    (5)

  • Nani L.

    Tanioka's Thanksgiving ready-to-eat Package was a hit! Beginning with the ordering process 2 weeks out, I chose the earliest pickup time of 8 am and I paid in full over the phone. Thanksgiving morning, Tanioka's did not disappoint. They had everyone hard at work inside and outside the store. I got my order, took it home and unveiled the most pleasing early-morning TG dinner to my fam. Everything was cooked to perfection. Tender turkey and ham was seasoned just right, gravy, garlic mash was not salty at all. The stuffing was light, cranberry sauce flavorful, and (drum roll), the pumpkin crunch squares -- ahh... heaven! I also order limu poke and cone sushi. Ono stuff!!! Thank you Tanioka's! You guys did an awesome job! If you do this again next year, I'll be one of the first to order!

    (5)

  • Hydra H.

    Grew up a few blocks away from here.. So lucky! The best local snacks and food all in one place! I love to get the onion ahi poke with a few musubis. The bentos are really good too. It's hard to go wrong with anything here. Now I live in town and stopping by here is rare treat. Sometimes there's a long line, but its worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Dee L.

    I'm a sweet snob & an even bigger seafood snob. Last time I was super impressed with seafood was with my German friend who cooked Indian fish curry & I virtually licked the plate clean. Well, I'm pleasantly surprised with Tanioka. It's definitely an awesome find! I LOVE the variety of food here & with my eyes bigger than my stomach? Of course ended up trying a ton of things! Fresh poke's; ok.. seafood snob: if they smell/taste anything but fresh, I wouldn't touch them with a stick; but all they have here is good stuff all around: spicy ahi, hot alae, spicy marlin w/ tobiko & salmon. Wow! Their fishcakes are yum & you could never go wrong with croquette & musubi. Their hot food? For a seafood place, they're not too shabby. I had kalua pork, roast beef & fried chicken. Good stuff. No, I didn't pick any sweet desert, BUT their pineapple w/ li hing-mui was DEElicious! Sweet, sour, with a little kick - SO refreshing! The only downside is the line. It's always super crowded in here. But with food this good, no wonder they're always busy! This is definitely one of my favorites on the island.

    (5)

  • Ram K.

    Good parking today. And no line! Even if there was it moves along fast, lots of servers. Picked up some cone sushi (da best), dried poke, spicy ahi on rice, seaweed, ahi w/onion and limu poke. Everything awesome as usual.

    (5)

  • Alt K.

    We pulled up to a scary looking line which ran way past the front door, but these folks are so organized that it went quickly. Outstanding line management because once in the store you actually feel like you NEED the time to decide on the many food options that come your way: desserts, crack seeds, sushi, drinks... all this to choose from before getting to the front and selecting from the mains: poke bowls, poke, various musubi, fried foods, etc. Strickly take out, no tables, but service is friendly and fast! A GREAT selection at a fair price. Not the best poke (sub-par cuts of fish for $18.50 a lb), but what they do have is flavored well. We loved the different musubi and fried food options!

    (4)

  • Dana K.

    I used Tanioka's as the caterer for my wedding. I was looking to save money on my catering, but still offer great food. I chose to do a hawaiian style buffet. I opted out of their fancy wedding option and just ordered a regular buffet of their hawaiian style foods. We had Kalua Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Chicken Long Rice, Lomi Salmon, Haupia, Rice, and Steamed Sweet Potato. The Kalua Pork was exceptionally great, and the teriyaki chicken had a great teriyaki taste. We had a lot of chicken long rice and lomi salmon left over, but I think it's because we had so many out of town guests. :) The office staff was extremely helpful. They understood my cost limitations and helped me build a great buffet within my budget. I added an attendant so we would have someone to refill the buffet as items ran out. The attendant was friendly to all of my guests and professional. Tanioka's showed up on time with delicious food and were professional. Great service, great value, and ono grinds! I haven't actually been in to Tanioka's yet, but I definitely want to go!

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    They make the freshest and tastiest poke in Hawaii. Taniokas is one of the few companies that sends their fish buyer directly to the Honolulu fish auction to procure the finest ahi directly from the fisherman. Their ahi limu poke is unmatched, surpassing all of the other well known poke markets. Be advised that most places such as Foodland, Don Quiote serve frozen yellow fin tuna, which is treated with Carbon monoxide (yuck!) They also have the best boneless fried chicken, and awesome plate lunches (week days only).

    (5)

  • Shannale K.

    Always got what I want. Always good and satisfies my poke and seafood craving!

    (5)

  • Yvette J.

    Ono local foods, bentos, poke, etc..they also do catering for any event any size, and they deliver!

    (5)

  • Chyanne O.

    Love this place I wish there was one in town! I am not fond of spam musubis but theirs is something else. I think it's because the sauce is deeply cooked into the spam and into the rice. I like their bentos too, with garlic chicken and the fish patty. Their fish patty is delicious!! Get there early because things will run out quickly!

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    Fresh poke and good food! always a line but that's because people know it's worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Kimberly S.

    Lines are always long on the weekend & parking can suck, but it's worth it every time! Best place on the island for fish/spam musubis. I'm so ADDICTED to their onion limu poke (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). Their green river & lilikoi juices are made with Maui cane sugar, & they taste like heaven omg. Workers are always quick & friendly. Whenever I'm back on the island, I'm here at least three times a week :) Definitely taking my future kids & grandkids here hehe

    (5)

  • Ihz O.

    Taniokas is nearly ineffable, but I will try my best to describe my experience. It was my first time inside the place and the service was so fast and the line behind me was so long that I didn't have time to experience it in it's entirety. The $2.25 fish musubi is indescribable, period. The hospitality was indescribable as well. Both in a good way. As far as the parking is concerned, it's tough but it's just part of the location, so stop whining because you will be rewarded with some ineffable food. *Updated* I wanted to say that the workers were in no way trying to get me out the door or hurrying me up because of the line. I was the one trying to get out fast because when I looked over my shoulder there were about 8 people behind me giving me "some looks". Tip: Know before you go: your first, second, or third choice. If you're a newbie, and you get caught in a line. It's like speed dating, 10 fold, but the experience is crazy awe beautiful.

    (4)

  • Geoff Y.

    Taniokas catered our party on 12/23/12. Poke was great, with the garlic poke being the unanimous favorite of the guests. For the main dishes, the shoyu pork was the crowd favorite, with the mochiko chicken coming in a close second. Best part of the experience was their customer service. They helped us to create a balanced menu and have the perfect amount of food for our 145 guests. Also, the delivery guy spent the time to help us figure out the best way to setup our food. Bottom line, if you need a catering, check out Taniokas.

    (5)

  • Doraemon C.

    Great poke, lots of variety and fresh. Good service also. A must stop for us every time we are in Waipahu.

    (5)

  • Jewelyn T.

    I'm lovin' Tanioka's!!!!! Came here a couple times in August when I visited Oahu for the summer. Lines go by pretty fast. Parking is a little tight, but not a problem. 5 shakas: + ahi + poke + salmon patties + musubis +hawaiian plate Come here for lunch! I miss Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Lily B.

    The first time I had food from Tanioka's was at a birthday party.... and it was A-OK then... So before going to the temple... my boyfriend was hungry and wanted fried chicken from Tanioka's... and since the temple we were going to is in Waipahu... we stopped by... BOY was it BUSY at 10AM! LONG line but it moved quickly. He really wanted sushi but felt it was too early to eat it so we went straight for the hot foods... he got 2 cone sushi's and 2 pieces of the fried chicken. I wasn't planning on getting anything but the bento looked really good! I got a bento wtih rice, fried noodles, mochiko chicken, hot dog, and spam. His fried chicken was crispy and full of flavor, and the cone sushi was just cone sushi. For my bento... the mochiko chicken did have flavor and it wasn't bad. I'm not usually a fan of mochiko chicken, I prefer korean chicken or garlic chicken but it tasted okay... even though it was room temperature it was still crispy. The spam tasted sweet as if it was marinated in something prior to cooking it on a flat top. The hot dog was a regular hot dog (however it was a brown hot dog, probably Oscar Meyer which is my fave, I don't like red hot dogs) so that I liked. The fried noodles I didn't care for so my boyfriend ate it and he liked it... I wonder about him sometimes because he eats anything... lol... It was almost $14 for everything... decently priced and we'd definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Elisa L.

    I've been meaning to write a review about this place for a while. We were in Oahu over the holidays and stopped here on our way to visit Pearl Harbor (it's a good option to get food to go on the way to Pearl Harbor from the Aulani). Keep in mind that this place is really more of a To Go counter. There is no ambiance and there is nowhere to sit and eat. As long as you know this, then all that matters is the food and service which was fantastic. The food is flat out delicious. The Lomi Salmon, the original poke and the Spicy Ahi bowl were fresh and flavorful. We ordered too much food because it all looked so good and couldn't stop eating it. Although the ordering was a little overwhelming (lots of people waiting, lots of choices), one of the owners was so kind and guided us through what to order and also gave my kids free extra spam musubi which they loved. Great spot for food to go!

    (5)

  • Jenny K.

    Mmm.. Mmm.. I LOVE mom n' pop shops and hole-in-the-walls...especially when i get to visit them on vacation. tourist traps usually mean you are paying more for location and decor, etc. tanioka's is a grab n' go place. there is no seating area but great food and low prices. the line looked long but it moved quickly. we were the only tourists in line. local favorite -- GREAT SIGN!!! =D they have different kinds of poke and sooo much other food that i didn't get to try since i only have one stomach. staff is friendly and helpful. she was like, "mm...you two are eating all of that?" haha!! spicy poke -- 1/2 lb. after we ate, we thought that we should have had 1/4 lb (same with the next item). it was good but not as spicy as we thought it would be sesame tako -- great flavor of sliced octopus. spam musubi -- we bought two...yum!!! fried chicken with fried rice -- thoroughly enjoyed this dish! love!! they also sell other things.. bought some of those hot/cold lunch bags. these were the cheapest i saw anywhere!! (aloha stadium swapmeet wasn't as cheap as longs drugs/walgreens...but tanioka's were cheaper than any!!) i think i would have bought more stuff if i had time to look around more but the line moved FAST. heheh. hubby was probably happy that he reached the check out so i had to make my final decisions. LOL. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED!!!

    (4)

  • Tiffany Y.

    Yelp 365 Challenge #14/365 When you don't want to cook, who do you call? Tanioka's! This is the second time that I have ordered from them for catering and they always provide ono food and great service. Usually, I will go there if my honey wants poki while I want their Hawaiian plate or ala carte items. However, I was throwing a baby shower for my first grandson who will be born soon! So, I am not just going to cater from any place. I decided to order from Tanioka's. I went with their Hawaiian menu, which consisted of Kalua Pig, Rice, Chicken Long Rice, Lomi Lomi Salmon Fried Chicken, Haupia, and...well, I switched out the Sweet Potato for Lumpia :) Although you can request for delivery, I chose to pick it up at their location. Despite their busyness and crowds, they are quick and efficient. Great food, reasonable prices for catering, and great service from Tanioka's not just once but twice deserves more than five stars. Note: They have pretty casserole bags AND if you are considering fundraising for sports, schools, reunions, etc...they do have fundraising items. Check out their website or pick up a flier when you visit Tanioka's.

    (5)

  • Riki T.

    Growing up eating Tanioka's this place has just ruined all other poke for me. I have yet to try poke from anywhere in Oahu as good as Tanioka's. The line gets pretty crazy especially on holidays and game days, but the line goes pretty quickly so don't get discouraged (even if its out the door, just hold on, its worth it I swear!) Absolute must-haves when I make the trip to Tanioka's are: - Poke (but of course! Shoyu Onion is my fave, but only because I don't like limu. Anything ahi is good, but try the dried aku one too!) - Fried Chicken (I don't know if most people know, but their fried chicken is GREAT. Well seasoned and delectably crispy) - Salmon/Fish patties (either one are good, and also great in the musubi version) Fresh fish being the price it is these days, Tanioka's isn't always the cheapest option, but so worth treating yourself to!

    (5)

  • Dustin W.

    Great variation of poke, smaller cut pieces melt in your mouth with great flavor, the pipikaula is kinda tough but very flavorful. If you want bigger chunks go foodland, but if you want fresh go taniokas

    (5)

  • Dawn L.

    My faaaaaaaaaaaavorite fried chicken. Fried to perfection and it's BONELESS!!!! The wise aunties and uncles and Tanioka's managed to find chickens with no bones! =) We also love their little spicy ahi bentos, musubi, cone sushi, and the fish patties are the B-O-M-B. And I love that even on the days that I get there and sadly, there is a line all the way to the front door, those fantastic people have worked it out like a science so they move that line quickly. I'm in and out in 10 minutes or less. If I was ordering a plate lunch, I'd have to wait that long for them to cook it anyway, right? Tanioka's is like a party in my mouth. They never disappoint.

    (4)

  • Eva C.

    Poke is so fresh and delicious! Their plates are a little expensive but when it so delicious, its worth the price. Love that I work in Waipahu and can stop by easily to fulfill my poke needs.

    (5)

  • Dave F.

    It can be a madhouse in here during certain times!! The mad rush, the sea of people, it's all part of the experience here. The anxiety, the thought of not getting your hands on that last tray of spicy ahi rice, the last ahi patty, that's enough to make a grown man lose it!!! :) But it's all good, I love coming here and trying to decide what my taste buds want this day. I remember when Tanioka's first opened up, by the old GEMS in Waipahu, they have grown over the years and grown they have!!! They still deliver great tasting delicacies, those that we've come to love over the years. It can be a bit pricey though, come with your wallet full, although when you come here, the old adage "you get what you pay for" takes on it's truest meaning!!

    (4)

  • Francis C.

    Their poke selection is out of this world! Get a spam musubi to balance the palate and you're set!

    (4)

  • Jonathan Y.

    We did catering from here for two of our parties and we were quite surprised. 1. The price was really reasonable. 2. Food was great! We went with the chicken, rice, sushi, fish patties and mini poi andagi. The fish patties are ONO! Also, the andagi was way better than Ige's!!! My family will be catering from here for all our special occasions! Side note: this is the only place to find aku bone, unless you wanna go fishing in Kohala on the Big Island for it. The price is pretty good. $5.95/lb.

    (5)

  • Inthira M.

    With all the food possibilities right in town I never thought I would need to go out to the west side of Oahu for food.... until I ate at Tanioka's. I thought that Tanioka's only had seafood like poke, but they have a lot of other things to choose from too. Quite frankly, this place gives a lot of the okazuya places in town a run for their money. I walked in at about 11:40am and there was already a line (the guy that came with us said that this was a pretty short line compared to what they're used to at that time). Because I was only expecting to find poke I immediately got giddy when I saw that they had fried chicken, shrimp tempura, soba, assorted musubi's, pre-made bentos, etc or they even have plate lunches that you can choose from. When it was my time to order I got a deep fried corn beef hash, seafood tempura, fried chicken, and a veggie musubi. I could not wait to dig in!! Out of everything I got by far the best thing was the seafood tempura. That thing was so good it won't have you missing tempura sauce. The deep fried corn beef hash and the veggie musubi were also good and I like the fact that they had over 8 different types of musubi's to choose from. The fried chicken was boneless, which I liked, but didn't taste as good as everyone was said it would be. There was so much to choose from and trust me, I would have tried one of everything (yes, I'm a pig and I'm not scared to say it), but I had to restrain myself since I was going back to work and didn't want to be found at my desk in a food coma. But I will be back shortly and when I do, get ready to roll me out of there!

    (4)

  • L T.

    Tanioka's saved our wedding. We had a different caterer at first, but had to make a switch just three days before the wedding!!! *freak out* We visited Tanioka's in Waipahu and was immediately put at ease by the line of people that wrapped around the room and the delicious smell that filled the air; I knew the food had to be tasty and fresh. Justin Tanioka was very personable and easy to work with. He helped us pick out dishes for our reception, and then filled in all the blanks as far as service and dishware. Justin and his team not only came through for us in a BIG way, but the food was absolutely delicious and the service was gracious. Everyone was raving about the poke, kalua pig, and sweet potato haupia squares that night, and for weeks afterward. I really can't thank Justin and his team enough for helping us out in a pinch. They did an amazing job - definitely deserving of five stars.

    (5)

  • L. Y.

    Limu ahi and alae poke. Ono!!!!

    (4)

  • Lina O.

    we went here after a morning hike and got here around 3PM and the line was almost to the door. by the time we got to the end of the counter, our orders were taken and by the time we reached the register, all of our food was ready. we were in and out of there pretty quickly and a lot faster than i had expected. tanioka's is located in a small strip mall that seems quite busy. you might have to wait to find parking or have someone run in to get your food. i ordered the kalua plate which came with lomi and haupia. the bf ordered fried ahi and fried chicken plate i think. the chicken was good but i could go without the ahi. the kalua was good but not as juicy as i would like. the lomi was good though, probably the most flavorful that i had on the trip. the haupia was good. we also got a side of ahi limu poke. the poke was soo good. good plate lunches and good poke. fast service. to go only.

    (4)

  • Arin C.

    Profoundly awesome food! just spent $40 over here today because I really wanted to have the full experience. Brought the kids along too. We tried the the floats: mango and strawberry. Phenomenal! My kids were grinding on some musubis and cone sushi, all the while exclaiming things like: "We have to come back here!", "I'm bringing my kids here when I get older!", "om nom, SO, nom, GOOOOD!" while I taste tested: Shrimp Tempura Seafood omelette Mochiko chicken Spicy Ahi PO-K ... NOT poky :) Crab Cake Everytime I took a bite I was blown away and taken to a new level, fried goodies and poke have never tasted some uniquely awesome.

    (5)

  • Mili-Lani D.

    I ate at Tanioka's about 1-1/2 years ago - lau lau, which was small like a child's fistful of luau leaves and meat and was soooo ono. Went on 5/2/13 and ordered for me and my mom. Cost was $4.50 (.50 more than last time no big deal). This time it was much bigger like an adult's fist size, but the taste wasn't that good. Tasted like Keoki's which they also sell in the chill box. Was that Keoki's I ate???? Even my mom was not very happy with her laulau and she generally likes almost anything (unlike me which you can tell by my reviews) and she was sooooo disappointed after I told her how good it was. They sure made a liar out of me. For the price I paid, I rather have bought Keoki's on sale at a supermarket. It was just blah. Next I ordered corn beef patties - wow very corn beefy! Most places are mostly potatoes but this had nice veins of corn beef. But....but and there is a BUT, the outside coating was made with - of all things!!! --- CINNAMON!! Cinnamon coated corn beef patties. WTF WTF WTF ! ! ! I kept tasting it to make sure since I've never ever had such a thing, but there it is, a strong taste of Cinnamon. I wondered if they thought they were making malasadas?? Did it get cross contaminated with a pastry??? I love cinnamon but in the right place. In fact I am crazy about Cinnamon, but NOT IN MY corn beef patty, nor any meat dish that I can think of. Really. I also ordered fried rice, one scoop for $1.50. Not worth it, it's really ONE PRECISE scoop. Unless you like a size 0 and weigh about 90 lbs, one scoop is not very filling. Nor was it anything special. I like a chop suey's house one that is oily and really wok'd up. Now I know it's a good place - this was like 10 a.m. and there was a huge line already. Lunch time expect a good 20 minute line wait. I didn't get the poke as I'm not into that. Their plate lunch looks good, but it ain't the weight. I rather go to Kristen's up the road for better food and prices. Guess I won't be going back there again. Poke on

    (3)

  • Kumu D K.

    Born, raised and spent forty years on O'ahu's EASTside - I know where other towns on the island are, I just don't know the best places within those towns. Why would I need to know that? I take what I want with me when I travel around the island. My son lives in Ewa - I watch his puppy when ever there is a UH home game (he and his friends have season tickets) - the puppy is worse than a human grand child - fragile, needy - can't be left alone. So, I was on my way to his house on Saturday, 11-19 around 10a and asked him if he needed me to pick up anything for him along the way. "Yea, mom, can you go to Tanioka's in Waipahu and get me a dozen glazed poi andagi." HUH? Did he just say glazed, as in donuts from some european bakery - with the word POI - as in native starch food of Hawaii and andagi - isn't that an okinawan dessert? I was so confused. I asked him which exit I should take as I was driving past the stadium at the time - and to give me the general directions. He said take the first Waipahu exit - the one that goes along side the mililani-wahiawa exit and after I pass the high school (I assumed Waipahu) it would be on my left ... "Its a fish market mom!" was his words for how to find it on the left. I saw a few cars in front of me making a left into a strip mall type area with a 7-11, then I saw the sign - Tanioka's with a fish. I noticed so many people attempting to find parking - and I got lucky - two cars were leaving and one was right in front of me. I was pleasantly surprised wtih the security guard/doorman - he opened the door for everyone! Then I walked in and OH MY! It was packed (IMHO) ... What I really liked was that there was stanchions - you got right into a line that snaked the entire store - goodies against the wall as well as on tables in the middle of the place. I was overwhelmed and was happy to have my son's text message so I would know what to order - the poke showcase was unbelieveable and I realized really quick that most people were there to get poke! I got to the front the the case and they asked me if I wanted poek - I said no and waited to see when I would be asked what I did want. A young lady came around next and asked if I knew what I wanted and I said, "Well, my son asked me to get him this - and I showed her my text." She was pleasant and reminded me that the test stated "anything else good" at the end - and if I knew what I wanted, I said, "its my first time here, so I'm not sure" ... the GASP from the people in front and behind me was OBVIOUS .. what?? the lady in front of me asked? I said, I never had a reason to be here - I live on the Windward side, but my son moved out to Ewa and asked me to stop here for him. The lady (around my age) started giving me hints about how great the sushi was - she was buying seven rolls. She told me I showed up at a a good time, I was early - and in an hour, there would be a line out the door. Huh?? really - this place was that good? I looked in the case after the poke and ordered myself a piece of mochiko chicken, a musubi that looked like fried rice ... it had soy beans and small bits of chicken and furikaki in it and it was soooo deeelicious! When I got to my son's house, I was sharing with him my experience with being "gasped at" and how he didn't realize that I hadn't been there - but he remembers feeling the same way when he first went there a year or so ago. Then he said, mom - try the stuff I ordered. and so I did - a glazed poi andagi ... wow - now I know what all the fuss is about. I want more -and as an early riser .. knowing that there will be upcoming UH home games ... I know where to stop on my way to Ewa!

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    Utilized Tanioka's for catering services at our estate wedding on June 15, 2013. My wife, then fiance, mostly communicated with tanioka's and could not stop talking about how helpful, good at getting back to you, and very very nice they were over the phone. Their prices were the one of the cheapest and best bang for your buck for catering services especially because my wife and I are budget shoppers. There were so many extra things included in addition to the food that we just could not believe and I had to join yelp and tell everyone. On that day, they were on time and all of their food including pupus never disappointed us or our guests. We were worried about running out if we gave them a count of our actual guests. We did order for 2% more people, but there was more than enough food for everyone including our vendors. Tanioka's knows their stuff when it comes to food, catering, and accommodating the wedding party requests. They will work with you to cut costs while still providing great food and service. I would definitely give them a call for our next big catering event and recommend them to others looking for a caterer especially because one of the big parts of any wedding is the food.

    (5)

  • Tevita A.

    Ooh the nostalgia that always brings me back to Tanioka's. Since October of last year my new tradition has been to stop there every Friday before music class to pick up Spicey Ahi on Rice, Crab Maki, Fish and Tofu patties as well. The prices are very fair but the only thing I must complain about is the long lines. The long lines are a sign of great product so really can't complain too much. I think maybe they should make more lines for people to check out and help the customers. I will always love going there; always will!

    (4)

  • Lan N.

    Crazy line out to the door! Our interest was piqued, and we weren't leaving without our yelp highlights: mochiko and garlic chicken, crunchy garlic ahi and spicy ahi with sushi rice bowls, and the fish cake. I searched for the spicy ahi cones, but couldn't find anything that looked like a cone. There was the inari, and I figured that was what everybody raves about, but decided against buying any, since it's not my thing. Seriously, everything that we ate was good...haha, esp the fried stuff. I had the mochiko chicken from Mamaya in Shirokiya, and this to me was a lot better. It still had some skin on it! The poke was decent, too, though i don't know why they call the garlic one crunchy, b/c I sure didn't get any crunch. I wouldn't go out of my way for the poke here, but as for the fried chickens, definitely! O, and I really like how the sushi rice went with the poke. Since it had a flavor of it's own and very substantial texture, I didn't eat as much of it with the fish as I normally do. I also ordered sushi rice with the fried stuff, and didn't feel that it was as compatible.

    (4)

  • Janet K.

    I'm not gonna lie... I do drive my townie butt all the way to Waipahu for some fish patties, poke and assorted musubis. This place is like an okazuya with more emphasis on local kine grinds. I'm a big fan of okazuyas. I love variety!!! My bf loves the cone sushi. He claims it's the best! They have this sweet potato haupia crunch dessert in the fridge that's to die for. Service is efficient (although there seems to be way more bodies than needed on the staff side). I guess the more the merrier as long as they're doing a great job controlling the line that's going out the door (which they do). Get there early because they do run out of food.

    (5)

  • Brian F.

    Ok, while I am a fan and have been since forever, I've come to the conclusion that Tanioka's is no longer a good value. Prices have shot up in the last few years. They probably serve the smallest poke bowl I've ever seen and they've changed the size of the cone sushi to smaller size while continuing to charge the same.

    (4)

  • Jeremy Z.

    Great variety of foods to choose from. Known for their seafood and poke. For me, i LOVE their fried chicken and poke. They are pricey but if you have the money, then why not eh? Their plate lunches are bomb. Comes with a free 32 oz. fountain drink. The place can be SUPER packed when lunch time is approaching due to the size of the store but the line goes by fast so I ain't complainin'. I'll always come back here, no doubt

    (5)

  • Leon L.

    I've been on the island for a short time but this place has some really good poke. It's always fresh and the fish melts in your mouth like butter. They also have plate lunches and a la cart items. Service is always quick and easy. You pick your items, pay for it and you're out the door. It's a take out place. i think the prices reflect the market price of the fish, i've notice raising prices in several markets.

    (5)

  • Al L.

    me and my gf love tanioka's, ono food, always an option since its near where i live, longs are line but worth the wait always get the spicy ahi and their garlic chicken is bomb, a must have for my week ends off

    (4)

  • Joanna B.

    POKE POKE POKE.... this place is packed with all sorts of food! i wanted to try everything but had to make sure i didnt get too much to keep my sexy bod. onion limu poke- if you enjoy stank onion breath then this is for you! the white onions in the poke is strong but i loved every bit of it. tako poke- mmm...chewy goodness. awesome sesame flavor. fried chicken- im so sad i didnt get more. crunchy and not greasy. PERFECT! mochicko chicken/mochiko chicken masubi- i enjoyed the mochiko masubi better than the mochiko chick just by itself. (i bought 6 and ate some on the plane ride back home) all in all, this place is a spot to check out. best poke i have ever had. p.s. dont forget to pick up one of their cute reuseable bags!

    (5)

  • Robert R.

    Since they didn't have pre-made mini bentos, I tried to make my own at the counter. Must have been an off day. I told the clerk what items I wanted and had to repeat myself 4 times. Needless to say, I walked out disappointed and hungry...

    (2)

  • Grant S.

    So I go to Tanioka's a couple of times a week just for the poke and spicy marlin. But I only get for myself cuz its too good to share.haha Being from Waipio, Tanioka's is just around the bend and its sooooo good. Its in a busy little plaza but its worth the drive. The best thing to get is the poke. All kinds, all of them are good, all fresh and consistent. The fish patties are soooo good too. Its always clean inside and the workers are all friendly. Theres always a line so you know this place is da bomb.

    (5)

  • Caleb K.

    Really good Poke! Probably the best on Island or Hawaii! Oh yeah the fried chicken is also a personal favorite!

    (5)

  • Shuji K.

    Crowded at 2pm...but they have efficient system there and we didn't wait long. Bought a half block of ahi for about nine dollars, and took it home for sashimi. The taste was very fresh. The sesame take was good...like my dad said, "not too chewy and salty, but just right, yea"

    (4)

  • Gary P.

    So this review will be the beginning to what I hope to be a long list of primal/paleo reviews to go along with my newish lifestyle. I may not be the strictest when it comes to paleo but I keep it within reason. So here it goes. Today I stopped by here for the poke. I know shoyu has gluten but 99% of poke is pretty lean protein so I definitely include that in my paleo diet. I had the Korean tako and limu onion ahi and damn were they good. The ahi was much better and fresher than anything I've had anywhere else on island including Alicia's. The tako was also full if flavor and tasted great. I'm definitely hitting this place up whenever I'm ewa. They also have a couple other things that could be eaten paleo and by a couple I mean two because everything else either comes with rice or is fried. They have Hawaiian plate so you could get Kailua pig and poi. Sashimi looked pretty fresh as well. With a name that includes seafood you sure as hell better have good seafood and this place comes through with the Ono poke.

    (4)

  • Joe W.

    I had never wept over food until I went to Tanioka's. True story. I was having a bad day and my girlfriend decided to take me to Taniokas. I had the spicy ahi on rice and the ahi patty. Usually I greedily scarf down the spicy ahi and leave some rice to eat with the ahi patty... that's my "technique." But anyway, with ahi patty half way lodged in my mouth, I turned to my girlfriend and started laughing uncontrollably until tears came to my eyes. All I could mumble through the ahi patty was "it's sooo good!" I just wish it wasn't $2/patty, jeeez. Food- 5 Stars Value - 2 Stars

    (5)

  • Nam N.

    I'll keep this one short and sweet. We needed goodies for a day-long beach adventure where the gang was going to take my neices out to surf for the first time at Barber's Beach. The bf's cousin suggested Tanioka's for quality poke....and y'all already know how we love us some poke!!! Saturday morning, the line was pouring out the door with locals--GOOD SIGN! Tanioka's had all kinds of island goodies including poke, musubis, snackies, homemade icecream, bento boxes, and a ton of maki rolls. Overall, super tasty but the poke was on average twice as much as the one you can pick up at Foodland with little flavor difference. Still, a very fun spot to pick up local goodies!!! Btw...surfing lessons were a success!!!

    (4)

  • Arlene A.

    Tanioka's is Waipahu's landmark. Whenever you have a conversation with someone who isn't familiar with Waipahu, once you mention Tanioka's all of a sudden they know their bearings. Parking can be limited at times but with people popping in and out, it's never too long before a stall becomes available. Although there is always a long line, it moves rather fast. I've stood in line out the door during the holidays and UH game days. It's cool though, because they have people monitoring the lines and offering samples. There are tons of employees to help you and set you up with everything you need. Their system of helping people is pretty efficient considering there's the load of employees trying to get through the never ending line of customers. Tanioka's has the most freshest fish and food. A few of my faves is the garlic chicken, salmon patty and spicy ahi. My graduation party was catered from Tanioka's and everyone loved it. Also, whenever we go to UH football games, it's our go-to spot to pick up some tailgating goods. I love Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Brandee N.

    I love taniokas. Kinda pricey....and I don't like their rice... But everything else I love. Fish patties are the bomb!

    (4)

  • Aileen S.

    the line is intimidating but totally worth the wait. i love how the staff is always smiling and helpful even though its always busy and jam packed with hungry customers. the food is always a win. im not a fish person (besides filet-o-fish) but the fish patties are wonderful. the fried chicken is also effing delicious...omg. im telling you, every-effing-thing at taniokas is awesome. taniokas, i love you. ~_^

    (5)

  • Elsie N.

    Tanioka's is that perfect place to pick up island food for any time of day and any occasion. Unfortunately, don't expect to just show up anytime of day during open hours and be able to pick up whatever you want. Their full offerings go so fast. Very fast! You can expect that by 11am, the place starts selling out of some of the best things. And by 1pm, you are left with slim pickings. By closing at 3(?), you can expect to pick up the last random items that are left. But this you will do because your anticipation and the disappoint of getting there too late will force you to clean out the place of whatever is left. Not that I know this from personal experience :/ The best thing ever is ahi poke with sushi rice. You can call ahead and order this. A $10.95 half tray of this can feed 2-3, as long as you have other things to eat also. Pick up some seasoned dried seaweed sheets to eat with the ahi poke. You'll have to get this from a grocery store as Tanioka's does not sell these themselves. Other also very noteworthy items are: Cold soba noodles in the deli case - very refreshing Fried chicken - garlicky goodness Fried bananas Home made Li hing frozen yogurt/ice cream Any of the rice balls I'm so glad we found out about Tanioka's. We ate here 3 times in one week. It's the kind of place that makes you wish you were hungrier and can eat more meals in a day. Lines may seem long but they move quickly. Order in advance if you can to ensure item availability. Wish we'd known about it all those other times visiting this island! If you are on Oahu and wondering if you should go, yes go!

    (5)

  • Gina W.

    Definite MUST when visiting Honolulu. So good that we came back a second time before our flight home. Although I wasn't able to enjoy the poke at this time (being knocked up and all) I will say the other items are still worth the trip. I tried the delicious garlic chicken, fried sweet potato, inari mini cone and some fried rice. We also split some masubis. The shop is togo style so the service is quick in and out which I like. I would come early to avoid lines or weekdays during off hours.

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    Another great local's favorite and hole-in-the-wall establishment! Fresh ahi poke served up daily, along with some local plate lunches. Great place for lunch. Went there on a sunday at noon, there's a line, but Tanioka's has a good assembly line going, so it was a relatively short wait for the amount of customers that were ahead of us. We tried the Limu Ahi and Spicy Ahi ($14.95/lb. each). Both ahi were fresh and had great texture, the seasoning was a bit too salty for me, but overall, a great poke place.

    (4)

  • Derek R.

    fried chicken, maki sushi, cone sushi.... winnaz! da kulolo broke dah mouth!

    (5)

  • Maddie C.

    5 Stars ALL ROUND! We got 7 different kinds of Poke, and ALL WERE SUPER FRESH AND DELICIOUS. The standouts, though, were definitely the Marlin Pokes. The spicy marlin poke was sooooooooooooooo good. OMG. It was out of this world. The other pokes were awesome but I can't stop thinking about the spicy Marlin Poke. We also got some lunch plates, and here are our thoughts on the lunch plate food: 1) Kalua Pig--no nonsense, good lau lau. Not too dry, not too soggy, and not too salty. Really yummy. 2) Lau Lau--pretty tasty, though some portions of the pork I got in there were a little tough. I would have liked "fatter" pieces in my lau lau. I've had better at Ono Hawaiian, but still pretty good. 3) Garlic Chicken--has a crispy sweet coating. My husband LOVED this dish (but it was not my flavor profile). He thinks its the best fried chicken he's ever had. 4) Beef Stew--tasty! The 4.5 star overall rating does not lie. Go here early, or you'll wait in line for 30 minutes like we did.

    (5)

  • P S.

    Great selection. We purchased the ahi and tako poke along with the fried chicken, sweet potato tempura and a cranberry-strawberry scone. They were all very tasty!!! The line moves fast and the employees are very friendly!

    (4)

  • Stacy H.

    Poke isnt bad. I tried the shoyu and garlic ahi. Both were good and you can sample all the poke.

    (4)

  • Kristine M.

    T... is for the tenacious tako that tickles my tastebuds. A... is for the andagi that makes me proud to be Okinawan... represent! N... is for the namasu, I don't like namasu, but it starts with an "N". I... is for the imitation crab poke, which tastes better than it sounds. O... is for the onion poke, ocean salad, and opihi... ONOLICIOUS. K... is for the kalua pig and lau lau plate lunch... droool. A... is for the ALL the other delicious items that I will now rant and rave about. My all time faaaavorites: Shoyu poke (OH YEAH!), fish patties (salmon or ahi), spam musubi, fried rice (CHEEHU!), fried noodles (CHEEPONO), lumpia, garlic chicken, sesame tako (CHEEHUAHUA), and lomi salmon. Tanioka's is THE best, hands down, NO comparison, NO contest. When you first walk in, you got to know what you want, order it, move on down, pay and scram. No dilly-dallying, unless you happen upon a slow period. The good stuff sells out soon after lunch time, no matter what day of the week it is. If you plan to go before a UH football game, good luck... sucker. There is just SOMETHING about their food. It's just, really, really, really, REALLY freakin' ONOLICIOUS. I used to work there making bentos in the back kitchen. I ate the food every....single....day, for an entire semester. It was the best semester of my life. All hail Tanioka's...

    (5)

  • Ashley E.

    I lived on Oahu for two years and think it's cruel that my friends didn't introduce me to Tanioka's until weeks before I left. This isn't the kind of place that draws people in based on appearance - but it's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're part of an elite club because you know how amazing it is. I was recently back on the island for a few weeks visiting and in spite of a long list of foods I wanted to get during my limited stay, I ate at Tanioka's three or four times. Spicy ahi poké: A MUST! Spicy ahi is my favorite variety of poké, and none compares with Tanioka's. In fact, the five-star rating is based on this dish alone! It's always fresh and just the right amount of spicy. Try it in the poké bowl special - you won't be disappointed. [If they would deliver their spicy ahi party cake to the Mainland, I'd want one for my birthday!] Musubi: Both the mochiko chicken and Spam were tasty, but not necessarily anything I'll crave. Garlic chicken (lunch only?): I stole a bite from a friend, but it was so ono that I would definitely order it the next time I'm in town. Cone sushi: Meh. I know Tanioka's is known for its cone sushi, but I wasn't particularly impressed. Could be that I'm not much of a cone sushi expert. Fried sweet potato: Good flavor, but far too grease-soaked to be edible. Crunchy ahi roll: Yum! Be sure to say yes to the magic sauces. A last note: don't be turned off by the line. Even when it's out the door, you should be on your way with tasty eats in under 20 minutes.

    (5)

  • Dustin E.

    My cousin catered her daughter's first birthday party today. Wow, the food was sooooo gooooood! YUMMY! Everything was so delish and fresh. The flavors were excellent, the amount of food great, and OMG, the shoyu pork was melt in the mouth! Chicken karaage was delicious, the noodles, the fish patties, the salad dressing... the poke was really good, I only got the tako poke, but WOW! My mouth was in heaven. Great job, Tanioka's and Happy Birthday Audrey! LOVED EVERY BITE!

    (5)

  • Andrew A.

    Overall (9.5) - favorite bento place on the island Food (10/10) Price (9/10) Location (8/10) - out of the way for most in Waipahu. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. I have been going here since I was a little kid. If you haven't heard of this place by now... I just don't know what to say. Everything is pretty much bomb. What I like/LOVE 1) wasabi miso tako poke 2) mochiko chicken 3) fried noodles 4) dried poke 5) fish patties 6) vegetable tempura 7) spicy ahi/tako bento. Okay so I listed a good chunk of their menu, it is just that good. Poke is great too, but I keep coming back for the mochiko chicken and fried noodles. Wasabi miso tako poke is also a MUST. Some things were hit and miss for me like the poi mochi cause it gets too oily. But I do not know how you can go wrong with this place. TIP: gets crowded during lunch rush, go early before things run out! Would I come back? YES YES and YESSSSSSSSSSSSS.

    (5)

  • Ryan I.

    I'm going to give away a little secret. Sometimes Tanioka's screws up. But they screw up in a really good way. Having had a coupon for "buy one pound of shoyu poke and get the second for half off" from the Entertainment book, we stood in line on a crowded* Saturday. When we got to the poke counter, I asked for the shoyu poke in two one pound containers. We looked at the poke, and something looked..... wrong. The fish was really light pink, almost like a different fish altogether. Could it have been nairagi or even opah? My wife remarked to the guy that the color looked different, and he offered to change the poke for us, but we declined, picked up our other stuff**, and headed home. We got home, busted out the chopsticks, and proceeded to go to town on this poke. Oh, damn. Best. Poke. Ever. I think they somehow managed to accidentally use the uber expensive toro part of the tuna in this poke. Not the usual, stringy cheaper cuts of the fish. It was a glorious mistake. The fatty tuna just melted in your mouth. Literally melted. No hint of chewy, sinewy, slimy fish, like you might get at some other places (cough cough Costco cough cough). If you see the light pink fish there, don't buy it. Call me and I'll take care of the problem. *Tanioka's is notoriously close to the Waipio Soccer Complex, which has soccer games all weekend. On any given Saturday, the line will be so long at Tanioka's that they actually hire a security guard to open the door for people, as the line is 30 people long and snakes out the door. Be prepared to wait, but the people behind the counter move the line really quickly. **As if the poke wasn't good enough, the other food there is awesome as well. I know I dissed the fish patties in another review, but I still really like them. The salmon and tofu patties are equally as good, and the various musubi are awesome too. And my daughter will not only polish off the soybeans, but she'll drink the marinade afterward!!

    (5)

  • Beth K.

    Excellent Poke! We picked up the pre-portioned type over the rice that is in the cooler before you get to the actual poke case. It was a trio of tuna, mackeral and tako. All 3 were so delicious. The ahi sashimi was excellent! We also ordered a plate lunch with both types of pork, kailua and lau-lau. The kailua was really yummy the other pretty good too. We also ordered a bunch of the fried food in the cases, most of that was pretty greasy though. I did love the banana lumpia! The line was a little long but moves fast and it is a little overwhelming the first time you go because it is a little confusing. Totally worth it though for the amazing poke alone!!!

    (4)

  • Criselda W.

    After mass on Sundays, I commit a deadly sin at Tanioka's - gluttony. There are SO many choices of delicious, local staples, it's hard to make a decision. But what can I say that others have not already said? I've tried several types of poke and they were all good. I usually get their spicy ahi poke, cone sushi, corned beef hash, spam musubi and banana lumpia (all in one visit). The only problem I have with Tanioka's is that the last few Sundays I have visited, they were out of a lot of food (by 11am!) and I was stuck with just the fish patties. Everyone raves about them but they taste a little bland to me. Perhaps I was just missing my corned beef hash and banana lumpia. Tanioka's, please make more food on Sundays! Not just fish patties! And yes, the line does snake out the door on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Keala R.

    They are amazing! They catered a wedding that I helped with coordinating and really proved to be a staff of initiative! They were soooo helpful in sooo many ways! Call them for your next event! Seriously! Mahalos Justin and the gang of the July 8th wedding in Kualoa! You guys rock! Mahalo nui loa!

    (5)

  • Lea M.

    When I think of home, I also think about all the great foods I ate while I was living in Hawaii. One place that'lll always be the place to stop is Tanioka's. I LOVE their poke and every time I stop by the lines are insane! When you see the line wrapped up in the store that MUST mean that this little place got it going.

    (5)

  • Cameron D.

    Great place to pick up snacks and things for a Picnic. Very busy but fast service makes it for a quick visit.

    (4)

  • Jane G.

    Sorry Tanioka's, you're going down a notch. I gave them 5, just in spite of Todd T. and that damn wowgrinds website. Like in my first review, MOCHIKO CHICKEN MUSUBI. It features a hearty piece of flavorful chicken that's not too sweet. The regular spam musubi is so much better than the ones that have been microwaved God knows how many times and sitting under those lights next door at 7-11. It's SO easy to go nuts and grab everything you see and drop much more bills than you originally planned. Candies, musubis, fried chicken, poi mochi, andagi, fish patties, bentos, poke, plate lunches... it's amazing what they fit into this store. My sister goes here so much, most of the guys know her and chat her up. These guys know what they're doing. The line could fill up their whole store, but you would barely notice the wait. Well, I don't, I'm too busy looking at what else I can buy. And they're nice! The guys are anyway. I haven't heard great things about the girls who work there. One thing my sister likes to get is their chi chi dango. It's soft and chewy, and they can custom make it with the colors that you want. I have to say though, I'm not too big on their poke. It's good, but I now go to Jimmy's ( yelp.com/biz/jimmys-prod… ) for all of my poke cravings.

    (4)

  • Gizelle M.

    Came here today and had a fish cake and a Lomi ahi bowl and it was delicious! It cost about $7 for the bowl and a dollar and some change for the fish cake. I have no complaints about this place. The employees were pleasant.

    (4)

  • Ryan M.

    Best POKE period! I haven't had poke better then any other place. Of course you pay a premium for good poke and they only use the top grade cuts of fish. I generally don't eat fish patties, but I do eat fish patties when it's from Tanioka's. The fried chicken and garlic chicken are AWESOME! Just eat them with rice and you'll be a happy camper. Honestly, I pretty much like anything that Tanioka create's. Try them, you won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Tawnie-Ann M.

    I love this place! Inari sushi, fish party, fried chicken, ect!!! It's all fantastic! Line is alwayssss long but so worth the wait!! The only things I'm not impressed by is their Poke....with the exception of their imitation crab poke..in my opinion, no one makes it better than them. Everything else is okay to me and a bit over priced. Foodlands poke is so much greater than their and cheaper!

    (4)

  • Jesse F.

    My wife and I visited this place on Sunday for lunch. The line was out of the door, but there are about 10 employees inside this small place speeding customers in and out. They have a large selection of poke and a few fried items. We tried the spicy ahi poke & limu poke w/ 2 scoops of fried rice. Simply put, it was delicous. This is a must go place if you're looking for great poke.

    (4)

  • Richard B.

    Here are some of my favorites: poke bowl, limu poke, Shoyu poke, imitation crab poke, rice musubi, fish patties, fried rice, and fried chicken. They also have the best and moistest cone sushi. It can be costly when you grab the small items, but it is well worth it. Any time I go to a party and they are serving Taniokas, I know the food will be great. Best pupus in town.

    (5)

  • Stephanie I.

    Tanioka's is my favorite place to get poke. They have the freshest seafood and the best combinations of flavors. I like to pick up some mochiko chicken musubis, cone sushi, spicy musubis, and fried chicken as well. This place is ALWAYS busy, but if you tend to get a million customers with a million employees working behind the counter.. things tend to even out. Try to come early though, because they do run out of the good stuff.

    (5)

  • E C.

    This is my favorite poke place on earth. Seriously. We get their poke every time we are in Oahu. The lines out the door is proof of their incredible food. We love it so much that we decided to take some back home to NY to share with family at the end of our vacation. When the manager/ owner (handsome Japanese man in his late fifties) found out about our plans, he was incredible....... he packed the poke with special ice packs and extra plastic bags and taped them shut for a long trip home. The poke survived the 12 hour flight and was enjoyed by so many!! We can't wait for our next trip to Hawaii to experience Tanioka's again. Not only do they serve delicious food, they also provide service that is a testament to the aloha spirit.

    (5)

  • David J.

    We always come to Tanioka's when we visit Hawaii. They is generally a line, but it goes by quickly. Great Poke!!! I generally don't like raw tuna, but something about Poke and something about Tanioka's, it's just good. They are generally rushed, but they still try to be nice. Regardless of their friendliness, best Poke I had in Hawaii hands down.

    (5)

  • Elton J.

    This is a Must STOP when you go to waipahu, I MEAN A MUST STOP!!! The Best place on the island for POKE and much much more. Every time I go there I have 2 have the spicy Ahi on sushi rice. It's the only place on the island, when you leave with alot less money then you came in with and feel like a winner. It reminds me of las Vegas without the craps table but after you eat you are a winner ( money will spent ). Can't wait to go back ( las Vegas ) Nah TANIOKA'S a jackpot in every bite!!

    (5)

  • Jen K.

    Tanioka's is the Matsumoto's of poke and seafood. They have a huge selection and they are known island-wide for their fresh poke and seafood. I'll come here and bear the long lines (I frickin' avoid lines like the plague) just for a quarter pound of poke. Today we stopped in for a quarter pound each of sesame tako poke ($8/ lb) and smoked marlin ($14/ lb). The smoked marlin was so yummy. Really sweet, though. The tako was standard. Fresh, not too chewy. omg, its been so long since I had real poke. Almost spoojed right then and there. Lines are always long here especially pau hana time. Prices are a little high, but quality is paramount. They also sell some local kine snacks, musubi, and obento.

    (4)

  • Mali T.

    Bad Azzzzzzzzz! So many selection of Poke- It's like you don't know where to start! The lines are long, but it goes fast! I usually get half pound of each Poke! Because they are alllll SoooooooOOOoo Good! Great service and friendly staff! Their Mochiko chicken musubi is a yum yum yum and the Spicy tuna bowl- Onolicious! Every time I think about this place it's nothing but drools..Serious Drools haha! Fresh fish daily and Like I say there are so much selections, it's amazing! I love the varieties of Poke, pre-packed items and their SPAM MUSUBI as well! Okay nuff said =)

    (5)

  • Don K.

    My only problem with Taniokas is the parking lot during lunch hour 1100-1230 is always a mad house. The staff is super efficient and always friendly. The fish is always fresh and delicious. I havn't had anything from taniokas that I do not like. Garlic chicken plate = mean, Beef stew = = mean, any plate you get = mean. Mochiko chix musubis are a must try as well as the fish patties. Ready made bentos are also all super good. Good luck walking in here and not spending $13 dollars on lunch simply because you kept grabbing food on your way to the checkout. The store layout has you walking past everything they offer which does some damage to your wallet when you're hungry.

    (5)

  • Milton C.

    Had to post a review for Tanioka's. Hands down best place for Poke. Freshest and largest pieces of poke I've had! So many varieties too. Shoe, spicy shoyu, limu(my fav), Alae, spicy Korean Tako(octopus). Tried all these and so good! My wife loved it so much we went back the next day for lunch. We did the two choice poke bowl for $8.95. Lots of food that filled us up with fresh buttery goodness. It is off the beaten path for tourists(in waipuhu) off of farrington HW. It is on the way to north shore so you can plan for lunch or do take out. Lots of locals stop there. Musubi is good with many varieties. My fav are mochiko chicken musubi and musubi with egg. The first time one of the workers messed up or order and the owner threw in a few free musubis to make up. The next time we came, he threw in an order of yakisoba!! Awesome place. Will be a must stop every time I'm here.

    (5)

  • Kelcie A.

    fish patty musubi and spicy tuna on sushi rice are my favorite!! but everything here is good! They also have a good catering menu. Make sure you go early before they run out of everything. I suggest going before lunch otherwise the line can go out the door. Food is really good but is a little pricey (which is why i gave them 4 stars).

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    Spicy ahi bowl...pretty good. Not great. Only ate here because Poke Stop was all out of creamy ahi poke. Their poke (at least their spicy ahi) doesn't taste that fresh...not my favorite.

    (3)

  • Dean H.

    All I am going to say is go eat the, what I can only call it as, the TRIPLE PLAY poke rice combo. No worries about the dirty parking lot and the guy asking for money at 7-11....seriously WAY too much good food there to even list but I will try..... Chizo Musubi Furikake Salmon musubi Cone Sushi Triple play combo rice Spicy Ahi on sushi rice is the shizz (my staple from there) Fried chicken Of course the MANY choices of poke Fish patty etc etc etc.... Seriously, go there, eat, and be happy....

    (5)

  • Kelsey M.

    OMG "THE" best Poke I've ever had!!!!

    (5)

  • Nicole K.

    i am a total fan of taniokas. i'm glad i live close. they do run out of food at the end of the day, so get there early. the seafood is what they're famous for, but their bentos are super good, too. spicy salmon is my favorite. they give good portions, as well.

    (5)

  • Michelle G.

    This would be a 4.5 if I could mark it that way. We went there an ordered from the snack side. I haven't tried the meals. They have all kinds of Poke and their Limu Poke is the best I've ever had...though it can be considered very rich and filling. The Tako Poke was very good. On top of that, other snacks we bought were really wonderful. Their Cone Sushi, Sweet Potato Tempura, Poi Andagi, and Kololo were the best I've ever had. I took .5 off because I've had better Spam Musubi, but theirs is very good.

    (4)

  • Julia M.

    MSG - in all of it as I was told by the staff

    (1)

  • Richard N.

    Ok so here is the situation, I grew up in Hawaii and currently reside in the Bay Area. I am trying to always convince myself that whatever food craving I have for local/Hawaiian food can be satisfied by these random plate lunch places that are popping up all over the bay. Enter Taniokas. I cant believe that it took me my whole life to finally come here. On my current trip to Honolulu I told my food guide to take me to wherever I could get Hawaiian food, poke, and all the local favorites...and it had to be the best. We scored. Taniokas serves the best Inari (cone sushi) I have had in my life, only if you grew up in Hawaii can you appreciate the inari as a main item not a side, this is the best, a not overbearingly sweet juice saturates the inari wrapper which is fluffy and not too chewy. Awesome. They offer plate lunches and I had a lau lau plate for 7.00, good deal for lau lau, lomi salmon, rice or poi. The fried chicken was better than most I have had. I think they use the fine japanese powder to fry and it is not oily, and seasoned just right. Seriously I have eaten fried chicken in the west coast at Roscoes, Ezelles in Seattle, OB chicken in Oakland, all over the south...this is good chicken. And lastly the poke. We ordered the lomi ahi and as my food guide Gri put it, "it is like fish pudding". Lomi ahi is the part they scrape off of the rib, they mix in onions, shallots. The texture si so smooth almost a toro grade quality. This is some of the best poke I have ever had. They also serve all the musubis and other local fare. If you are visiting from out of town go get lost in Waipahu and get some of the best local food out there for a cheap price.

    (5)

  • Darcy K.

    This place is the real deal. Poke is always fresh, HAWAIIAN STYLE is the best! You really taste the difference (compare with grocery store fresh poke). Mochiko chicken is so amazing here too. Maybe its because its been years since the last time I had mochiko chicken, but I swear it was magical when I took a bite. I also like their deluxe spam musubi, covered with furikake! They are always busy so come early to get what you want!

    (5)

  • Kram E.

    Awesome Everything! Been here for a week and have been back three times after finding Tanioke's on Yelp. From plain ahi poke to fried rice to Alaskan king crab poke to you name it - everything on the menu is outstanding. Telling that Police and Fire are often standing in line for lunch. Always seems to be a line - but it moves quickly - though I did get flustered a time or two - so many things to choose from I ended up with a different set of food that I intended to buy - but everything is awesome! While I see some people are a bit put off by price - I personally appreciate that Tanioka's doesn't appear to compromise on quality in anything they make. Hard envision poke as something "buttery" or "melt in the mouth", but that's how great it was - every one of the dozen styles we tried. My only disappointment at the end of this week on Oahu - on Sunday as we headed to the airport for the flight home we stopped at Tanioka's to pick up some boxes for the plane ride home. About 10:00. Sign in the window expressed apologies for opening late that day - at 11:00 due to a large catering order. There were 3 delivery trucks loading up in front... Oh well - you can be sure it will be one of our first stops when we return.

    (5)

  • Circle C.

    Love this place. Good food, good desert. We will be back, if we come to Oahu again.

    (5)

  • Anna K.

    My family is pretty picky when it comes to throwing big parties such as baby luau's, weddings etc... The pok'e " Needs " to be from tanioka's or it's not acceptable, No exceptions. The food is always the main focus of the party, I mean who cares if the brides dress was gorgeous or there was touching moments that occurred during the party. The thing everyone remembers is the food lol. Im not gonna lie the pok'e is awesome and i loved it up until i had a mental blockage one day stopping there for lunch. I absolutely loathe Marlin like the fish pisses me off and I dont quite know why but i cringe whenever i see it. I eat Ahi,Aku,Mahi,Salmon and cod. That's my extent of fishes that i will venture to consume. However I only eat Ahi Pok'e no others. Anywho so i go there with my cousin one day to grab lunch. Bento's,pok'e and what not. So i'm looking at the case with the pok'e and i see what looks like spicy ahi so i get excited cause that's my favorite pok'e. Did i mention im nearsighted and my vision isnt the greatest at times. I got closer to the case only to realize that it wasn't spicy ahi, it was spicy marlin!! Seriously I lost my appetite and half ran out of the place. My cousin was like what the hell happened? So i told her, of course she thought i was mental but heres the topper. She ordered a lb of the spicy marlin during my freak out without me knowing. I know i have some mental food issues and it's not tanioka's fault but i havent eaten there since. The pok'e is top notch but if you despise marlin , close your eyes cause they serve it.

    (5)

  • Theresa S.

    I went to Tanioka's during my week vacation in Hawaii. I was so craving poke after being entirely disappointed by the previous serving I had at Time's (my bad for getting it at a supermarket). I hadn't been in Tanioka's for years and therefore I have no recollection of what it looked like inside before but I totally loved it. So much food from your little snack items like mochi crunch, seeds and cookies to misubi and fried chicken. And of course, the raw fish. I ordered the ahi poke with onion. ONO ono ono! I was completely satisfied and was happy able to leave Hawaii on a happy tummy.

    (5)

  • April C.

    Nevah can get enough of this place...everything ONO!!! especially when you going tailgating, kids football or baseball game or Drinks at a friends house...my Fave CONE SUSHI N DRIED AHI OR AKU POKE, n Spicy Ahi Tuna wit furukake Ova rice. All their poke's is AWESOME...I'm a Happy Camper there :)))

    (5)

  • Julie M.

    The poke is top notch here. The marlin, hot shoyu, Alae, limu, ahi with onions were all delicious! I also love there chicken misubi, fried mussels and fried Japanese clams. Delish!

    (5)

  • Dan B.

    Thank you Tanioka for showing me why people in Hawaii love Poke. So I came for the poke but was in awe of how good the food looked so tried both. I was not disappointed by either. I truly enjoyed the Korean tako, sesame ahi, and my Deluxe Bento II. The only thing about this place is the Bentos go quickly. I was lucky to get one at 11 so good luck with finding one after 12 noon. Overall, this is a great local spot: it embodies the what locals really eat.

    (3)

  • Jen S.

    My daughter recently got married (07/25/09)...and we used Tanioka's to cater both the wedding and her bridal shower (07/19/09). There food was excellent! We were a little worried being that the groom's guests were from NY and maybe not quite ready for our island local food so we ordered both the Hawaiian Food & the Prime Rib menus for the wedding and needless to say EVERYONE loved all the food! (It was one of the first times that we ever had so little food leftover!) Being that we were using them for both the wedding & the Bridal Shower, we wanted to be sure that the menus weren't duplicated which wasn't a problem because of their vast amount of selections. Needless to say our NY guests also enjoyed the Beef Teri, Fried Chicken, Somen Salad & Potato Salad which was also included in their Oriental Menu. But even more importan to us, than the food being absolutely delicious, their service is also excellent! Our contact (Tyce) kept in contact with me regularly and was also very good at returning my phone calls & answering my questions. He was also so helpful with menu suggestions and ordering amounts and as you can tell with the lack of leftovers (lol) was pretty much on the money, which actually saved us from over ordering and kept us on budget! All orders also include the plates, napkins, chopsticks...everything you need! (Not too mention, whenever I pop in to pick up some Poke for myself.....someone always tosses in an extra goodie or two! Mmmm...the ahi belly was absolutely ono! Mahalos, Tyce!) I know everyone knows how great their food is just to take home or afterwork pau hana time, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc., but just wanted to also let you guys know, that if you're not sure about using them for your wedding...you should give them a try! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Ly N.

    I've seen Tanioka's buyer a few times at the fish auction swooping up nice ahi and always wanted to check out the place. Got a chance to stop by last weekend. Line was super long but moved surprisingly fast; we were in there for 15 minutes at most. The poke: best on the island. So fresh, and perfectly seasoned. Many poke places here over-salt and/or over-spice their poke and mask the fish flavor. But not Tanioka's. Really wish that they were closer to town so i could go more often.

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    I wish I could have tried more stuff. They have an awesome selection of poke, as well as other snacks like croquettes, musubis, etc. Service was super fast and friendly. Will definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Hans W.

    We recently met with Jasmine and Justin for a tasting of their catering menu and have to say that the food was great (especially the fried chicken and all of the different Poke!). Perhaps even more impressive was their warm hospitality and customer focus. Tanioka's is a family owned and family run business and you really got a sense for the pride and caring that they have in their food, service and attitude. Combine the above, with good food at very reasonable prices and you end up with a "must consider" option if you have an event that needs catering!

    (5)

  • Tiffany A.

    Who doesn't love this place??? When you gotta have some 'ono poke with a plate lunch winnahs! Went for lunch yesterday and I really wanted to try a different plate lunch but I stuck to my go-to: Garlic Chicken with two scoops rice and mac salad on the side. And because I was in the mood for some ahi, got 1/2 lb of the Limu Poke... soooo good! What's good is that the plate lunch was kind of big so it lasted until dinner as well (unfortunately not the poke haha). Small kine bummers: the butter mochi I got lacked some kind of omph. Good thing only cost me $1. Oh and for anyone who doesn't know about the prices, yes the fish is pricey but it's fresh. If you want cheap, head to Foodland or any other grocery store where get frozen kine. I'm not dissing those (because some are really delicious!) but a lot of locals prefer fresh over frozen.

    (5)

  • Heather S.

    I'd fly to Hawaii just to get some of Tanioka's fresh poke. LOVE. The marlin poke with tobiko is amazing. It's one of the best things I've ever eaten. During our short 5-day vacation to Hawaii, me and my girlfriends hit this place up not once, twice, but three times. Although it can get crowded, especially on weekends, the service is quick and efficient, not to mention super nice. I'll be drooling about Tanioka's until we meet again.

    (5)

  • Jenny C.

    Let's go back old school and see if anyone is with me on this. Does anyone remember back in like the early 2000's when Tanioka's opened a small shop in downtown, Pioneer Plaza to be exact and sold their awesome food there? Boy do I miss those days. I used to buy their mini spicy tuna rice pack for like two bucks. It's too bad that they didn't stay open too long... But! I did get to travel out to Waipahu and tried their food again. The spicy tuna rice bento, as good as I remember it. Be warned that the rice is more vinegary/sweet than other spicy tuna rice bowls...but shoot, that added to my nostalgia. :) Definitely worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Joanne H.

    OmG ! I love this place!! So many poke to choose from. The service was friendly and helpful. I came in looking like tourist and they gave me some recommendation on what to get. They also have snacks, desserts and fish masubi! Must go!

    (5)

  • Yon S.

    Wow. This place is NOT cheap. $10 for a spicy poke bowl? $6 for onion ogo? I paid over $40 for 4 items right off. Didn't taste that great either. Makes Donki and Marukai look good. Not sure what the fuss is about.

    (2)

  • Amanda Z.

    We went out to the Waipio soccer complex twice this past weekend and went to Tanioka's on both days, talk about delicious food overload! Never went here before, but after sampling the spicy poke on sushi rice at Yelp Helps, I just had to try it out. The first time we picked up a large bento (w/mochiko chiken, fish patty, teri beef, cone sushi, noodles and musubi - mochiko chicken was YUM), small spicy poke sushi rice (SO GOOD), haupia, corned beef patty (yum), lumpia (ordered banana but got the normal one instead, was still good), fried ahi roll (bomb), ahi bites, crab cake. I guess we were kind of hungry. Second time around just picked up lunch for me...spicy poke on sushi rice (I tell you, I'm hooked). I didn't even get to try any of the poke! We will def. be back to eat more of everything.

    (5)

  • R.K. C.

    We catered our daughter's 1st Birthday Luau and to my surprise they actually gave us an extra side of poke and we didn't even order it. They just wanted to bless us with it. Then we were standing outside the store and talked with the owner and he gave us both Tshirts for free. Needless to say their Customer Service is amazing! They went way beyond what we expected and the food was amazing as well!

    (5)

  • BAJIBU K.

    I'm a born and raised townie, but this place is definitely worth the drive to Waipahu! Love love love the poke inari!! The inari is sooooo juicy and the poke is always fresh! The friend chicken blows KFC and Zippy's out of the water with a perfect crunch and just enough seasoning! Their mochiko chicken is also awesome, not too sweet and saucy! I took my friends from Texas here and even they LOVED the fried chicken!! We actually took two trips there for lunch because they didn't want to leave Hawaii without eating it again! My only complaint is that this place gets CRAZY, you get into a frenzy during the lunch rush and you feel like you need to grab everything!! Well... maybe that's just me. And I guess I'm lucky this place isn't closer, or I'd be here every day and be the size of a small school bus.

    (4)

  • Jade N.

    The BESTEST pupu's of all time. Love it all... the ahi poke, tako, raw crab, everything. The Hawaiian plates are good too. There is always a line whenever I end up there but it's worth waiting for.

    (5)

  • .Alan Y.

    While everyone else on the flight back to Oakland was eating a soggy bagged sandwich, I was grubbing on a 1/4 pound tub of ahi limu poke that I had packed in a bag of ice and stashed in my backpack. The wahine sitting next to me was eyeing my chopstick action up and down, and the burly Hawaiian flight attendant was all up in my grill "YOU BUSTIN' ME UP WIT DAT POKE BRUDDAH" as he sadly watched me eat the last piece of fish. My only wish was that I had a bowl of rice and some furikake to go with it. Edit: I just got back from Oahu on 1/27 and let me tell you, the Spicy Marlin Poke is the friggin' bomb. I also tried the Sesame Tako Poke. Who would think that octopus could be so tasty and tender. Mmmmmmm. Great job Tanioka's!!! And they also gave me a free box of haupia! Love this place!

    (5)

  • Cheryl K.

    Tanioka's is a staple name in local catering and pupus. I was brought up going to Waipahu a lot and Tanioka's is a household name. I remember a long, long time ago, my old job catered a prime rib meal and it was amazing! We also recently attended a kid's party where Tanioka's was catered and it was in Kaneohe! Anyways, this review is based on a weekend trip to Tanioka's. On the weekends its known to be super busy so I refrain from going there. My husband insist that we go and the line won't be that bad. The line was bad and I did my woosah breath to alleviate my impatience and we waited as the line snaked around the store. It was not that bad. Funny thing is I was not even hungry but by standing in line, I started yearning for food. Lol. In this one trip I picked up haupia-sweet potato dessert, boiled peanuts, spicy ahi inari, limu onion poke, and the husband chose a teriyaki chicken musubi and spicy ahi poke bento thing. They didn't have kulolo that day but they normally have it on weekdays. Their food and pupus are always amazing.

    (5)

  • Christopher-desiree G.

    BEST of the BEST!!! I believe so. You have GOT to try their CRUSTED AHI ROLL! Yes, you have to. It's in a category of its own... Nuff said

    (5)

  • James Q.

    They have very reasonable and tasty catering menu. The food was great and priced right. There spicy tuna cake is awesome! Best finger food joint on the Leeward side.

    (4)

  • Claire G.

    Mmmm Poke. Yummy Poke. I like going here for the trio; ahi, marlin, and tako. Their garlic chicken is delish, i like the texture of their fried chicken, what more can I ask for? Oh yeah! their masubis! Only downside I can think of is that they're in Waipahu, kind of a drive for me, but well worth it when I got the craving.

    (4)

  • Dari J.

    I haven't found anything at Tanioka's that I don't like! It's a dangerous place to go on an empty stomach...I'll take one of this and one of that and before you know it...you're spending over $30! The lines can get long but it's worth the wait. There are so many people working that you're never left waiting for help. Go early because they run out of the popular stuff.

    (5)

  • Keoni Q.

    We got ripped off! We spent $222 for noodles, shrimp, mochiko chicken, shoyu pork and potato Mac salad. They told us it can feed 25 people? Really it could feed 25 people if they were vegetarians on a no carb diet! Stick to counter deli I highly recommend you cater else where. They were a big disappointment.

    (1)

  • Alan B.

    this seafood deli is pure poke goodness. went here on a relatively not so busy time at 2:30pm on a thurs afternoon. the tanioka's sign with the fish outside freshly caught my eye from a mile away. when i first stepped in i was impressed by the selections of goods that they have. think toy store but instead with fresh poke and tasty musubi inspiring my attention. i wanted to try everything but i came here for the poke first and foremost. i thought it was cool that they allowed samples of most pokes with the dried poke being the exception. so here are a few items that i have tried. alae poke: the ahi is so delicate and has a melt in your mouth texture. one of the freshest i have ever tried. it has a slight sweetness, and unique salty flavor from the alae salt. spam musubi: can't beat freshly made spam musubi. it's always the best when you eat it straight from the islands. rice was seasoned perfectly and the spam had a touch of sweetness and saltiness from the soy. ume musubi: fresh rice and super tart ume musubi the way it was meant to be. fish cake: i think this cake was good. it had fried a combo of ahi n some other fish with the right amount of saltiness, very fluffy. dried poke: this was an interesting albeit pricey item that i have never tried before coming here. its basically poke dried up so it has the consistency of soggy jerky. taste wise the fish has a lot more deeper sesame soy flavour and a lot more chewier than fresh poke, its not fish at all though. its very fresh tasting. the price per pound is 24.99. If you are an adventurous poke eater give this a go. overall attentive and friendly staff, with an assembly line quickness and amazingly fresh selection of good eats. im diggin it.

    (5)

  • junk m.

    I like this place. Can't say I know much about Hawaiian food but I thought everything was pretty good and fresh. I hate the tourist overprice kind of place. This is very local. There was a long line but it moved pretty quickly. The spicy poke was really good and fresh. Perfect place to buy some food to go for a lovely beach picnic. I'm planning to go back again to buy some more to take with me on the plane home.

    (5)

  • Maria I.

    It's like i died and went to poki heaven!

    (4)

  • John K.

    There were only 2 items I had at Tanioka's and those were the fried chicken and the poke. Therefore, my review is based only on those 2 items. The Poke (alae and alae limu) were the best I had on the island. Unfortunately, I discovered Yelp after having left the island but will most definitely check out the other places my fellow Yelpers have suggested. During my bus commutes from Waikiki to Town, there were a few recurring thoughts running through my mind: being late to work (and how late), getting off work to hit the beach, and POKE! That being said, Tanioka's had the best poke EVAR! The savory pieces of ahi with drool-inducing seasoning hit the spot every time. I missed it so much when I moved back to Cali that I began a quest to find poke. Though I did find some decent poke here, it just doesn't compare! I will be returning in the summer and Tanioka's is at the top of my list of things to do!! The fried chicken was delish as well. Highly recommended for a quick takeout dinner!

    (5)

  • Ben Y.

    In my opinion, nobody beats Tanioka's for poke. New Year's Eve wouldn't be the same without cone sushi, maki sushi and fish picked up in the morning (call ahead and pre-pay to avoid the crazy long line). And how the hell do they get their tako so soft? The only downside to Tanioka's is that I always go crazy and buy too much.

    (5)

  • John K.

    What more can I say about this place that hasn't already been said! The poke is always fresh and flavorful! The bentos are to die for and service is very friendly. Only downside for me is the menu. It's a bit confusing but I can look past that because the food here is so damn good. If your in Waipahu and have a craving for fish. Then go to tanioka!

    (5)

  • Ellen Mae V.

    I love poke, I love the selection, I love that it's casual, I love that it's local!!! I wish we could give 1/2 stars because then I'd do them justice with a 4.5. The only reason my review is shy a star is: 1) they ran out of 3 pokes that I wanted (but I suppose that's testimony to how good the food is) 2) the marlin poke I had was too salty 3) I'll admit, it was/is a little pricey and I spent more than I had budgeted for my trip. (Thank goodness for my bus pass) Overall, I'm wiling to give this place another chance. Maybe I'll come earlier and take advantage of the entire selection.

    (4)

  • Rob S.

    this place is my/.our all time favorite - been a fan and patron from the very first day - yah I hear peeps say it is so expensive - and what's the fuss - been to many other places - and Tanioka's is consistent - efficient - and guaranteed - with taste and freshness - tried others poke - but they are winners - fresh and we buy their ogo - it is culturally grown - but CRUNCHY - great to make pickled - their fishcakes - if you give them enough notice - you can order it in bulk and prepare it at home - Some other places were named - tried them - but they are not consistent - Tanioka's - has to share minimal parking with so many businesses - so tha parking may be a b___tch - but we always manage to find parking - Sometimes - you want cheap - then you pay for what you get - I know that they are good - so the price doesn't stop me- there are some businesses - who keep prices low but size of the item - and quality suffers - Love Sam's poke - it is "cheap" - love their bentos - but sometimes I get there a tad late - then the selection is limited - wish at times - they opened earlier than nine - ima true blue fan of theirs !

    (5)

  • Nicola V.

    Thank goodness the second time my friends and I visited Oahu, we were close to Tanioka's! Last time my friends and I just got take out for their poke, but this time, we were able to try the other things they offered. They have a wide selection of musubis (including mochiko chicken musubi, my favorite!!) and other goodies you can only get in Hawaii. My friends and I would come here first thing and pick up snacks for the day. This place is a lot smaller than I thought, but at least their set up is efficient and the line goes by quick. Tanioka's will be my first stop next time I'm in Oahu!!

    (5)

  • Shawn T.

    The best boneless chicken I've had in any restaurant.....and I'm Black.

    (4)

  • Brad Y.

    One of the best poke places on the island!! They've got awesome poke, bentos, and pretty much any other local dish that you can think of. Perfect for grabbing before heading out to the beach, picnics, or family gatherings. Just beware that the line can get pretty long sometimes.

    (5)

  • Les U.

    I've been a regular customer ever since Tanioka's first opened in the old Ishiharaya location. Back then, my favorite was their limu poke. I think I still have their original Tanioka's tailgater t-shirt (green with white tako) somewhere in the closet. Today, my standard order is spicy ahi bento, fish patty, spam musubi and boiled peanuts. i don't think anybody can touch their spicy ahi and fish patty. The tako poke with tomatoes is also very good. Parking at times can be tricky. Best advice is to go early and beat the crowd.

    (5)

  • Leilani Q.

    The best ahi & salmon poke Ive had in my life. IN MY LIFE! A lil more expensive than most places but sooo good n worth it.

    (5)

  • Arbine V.

    Love this place! Poke is super fresh and tasty. My favorite is the spicy ahi. The inside space isn't that huge and there is almost always a line there but the food is worth it. They catered an event my friends had and people came to the event just because they heard Tanioka's was catering it. The one danger I have while waiting in line is that it smells so good in there and there's a lot of good food right in front of you, well within arms reach, that I always want to leave with more than I am supposed to. Now that I live less than five minutes away from Tanioka's, I'm sure they will be taking a lot more of my money.

    (5)

  • Cheryl S.

    Always a line must be a SIGN!!! Yes, it is!!! This place is AWESOME!! Yummy Yummy get in my Tummy. Ok, every time I go here I always have to wait but it isn't one of those waits that doesn't have its reward. This place is truly worth it. I can honestly say that I have not found one item I did not like. (If you know me that is rare..hahaha!) This is my routine... I stand in line (mouth already watering) first grab is the ling hing pineapples and haupia... I know I know that isn't fish or okazu but it's an awesome yummy treat, you can call it my dessert.... The poke is all good there... but my all time favorite is the limu poke. My pops fav is the maki sushi. So that is a must for my daddy...well only the best for my dad! Right?!! I would go there just to pick up his favorite sushi. Then the choices to make the right lunch.... I would say one of each but that maybe over doing it... hahah.. You just have to go and see for yourself.... I would list all that I like but then that list may end up too long so I will keep this review short and sweet... Just go there already... why are you still reading? Need I say more???? =)

    (5)

  • Jin Hee K.

    Their poke is SOOOOO good!!! But best of all, the staff was AMAZING!!! I just wish this place wasn't so far from where I lived!

    (5)

  • Kastriot K.

    I had the Poke Bowl. Delicious. Seemed like a very popular place too, plenty of people on line to get their morning fish.

    (4)

  • Kurt N.

    they have a very different style for their ahi poke here. i like to come here after a round of golf at the run down muni makalena golf course.

    (4)

  • Beverly P.

    Honestly, I don't get the big fuss about this place. The poke here is so overpriced and I've tasted better poke from grocery stores. The snacks here too aren't that great. I think it's more of a hype. Also, the service here isn't top notch either. There are so many kids working here that it seems like more of a club than a food service place. Basically, Tanioka, I'm not interested.

    (2)

  • Jolos P.

    I like the food, but hate the way this shop is set up. I wish they would put the bentos at the beginning the line. Or have a seperate line for bento.

    (3)

  • Rita L.

    just gotta say again, how i love the fish patties. the salmon patties are pretty damn good too! no japanese clam today, but the limu poke and our hot alae was soo fresh! great service, bentos are great, try the mochiko chicken, sooo good!

    (4)

  • Sean K.

    Did take out from here 5 times during our 10 day stay. Best Poke on the island! Hands down. Love the hot Alae Poke with tuna, alae salt, and a sauce that tasted like a hint of gochujang. Delicious.

    (5)

  • Sam D.

    Awesome food. Fresh fish. Long lines during lunch, but it also means food quality is top notch. Friendly staff! I always keep going back for more. Highly recommended! Get the Salmon Patties!

    (5)

  • Teresa G.

    LOVE their potato/mac salad. so ono. 10000% better than Zippy's. They have yummy spam musubi and mochiko chicken. This place is packed on game day events so come early! They have plenty variations of poke. Love their garlici edaname. :)

    (5)

  • S G.

    Pupu, poke, snacks....it's all good!

    (5)

  • Nori M.

    Spicy ahi poke was very fresh. Poi andagi was nothing special.

    (3)

  • Rise D.

    Tanioka's is the gem of the leeward side in terms of quality poke. I love their spicy ahi and the goteborg salami musubi. I recently tried the crispy ahi roll and that was delicious too. There is always a line here but service is efficient and friendly. It's a little bit pricey but you are definitely paying for quality. There are also some bentos that I would love to try. I love Tanioka's! I suggest going before 11:00a to get the best selection.

    (5)

  • julie-marie o.

    They have the best fresh fish and the best spicy ahi!!

    (4)

  • david c.

    poke boner! on my way to Kaneaki Heiau Temple, we stopped here and were gonna stop at the poke stop too but i ran out of time. we got marlin, spicy ahi (didnt like the spicy sauce), limu poke, tako sesame. also got a few musubis and a fish patty (nothing special). the place pretty much rocked.

    (5)

  • Cliff V.

    Poke is Ono! Fried chicken is winners! Musubi assortment is plentiful. I like the fish patty musubi....

    (5)

  • Maile F.

    My favorite place on the island to grab quick local grinds. Tanioka's always satisfies all my cravings. The best poke and fried boneless chicken. I tried the ahi bites. Looked like something new. Was winnahs. Like ahi meatballs on a stick. With bits of onion and waterchestnuts. I heart Tanioka's!

    (5)

  • Alan K.

    Tanioka's Seafood and Catering is one of my favorite for party food catering. All the food are awesome. For those with regular palette, try the fried chicken, beef teriyaki, and fish patties. For those with loca palette, definately go with the Hawaiian food, lau lau, kalua pig, lomi salman, long rice, all good. It isn't cheap but when you are entertaining a big crowd, Tanioka will take the food out of your worry list. P.S. If you go hungry, you'd be in trouble. Don't say I didn't warn you.

    (5)

  • Lydia L.

    Tanioka's catered my wedding and we loved the poke!!! They were so great to work with and delivered right on time with two very helpful assistants (they even helped pour our champagne.

    (5)

  • Elle V.

    Poi mochi, fish patties, and mochiko chicken musubi that's all I got to look forward to while waiting in the car as my bf stands in line ;) Hahahaha I hate waiting and you know there's a wait at Taniokas! But it's so worth it!

    (4)

  • Alfred G.

    This place is hella good!! the different types of poke are always fresh and good, prices are reasonable. The okazuya items (musubis, patties, sushi, fried noodles etc.) are very tasty. If you are ever hungry for local food or have a craving for fresh fish, this is the place to go and if you ever want to cater a party give them a call, they will not let you down

    (4)

  • Joo S.

    i love this place. it's the one place in waipahu i don't get lost trying to find. i'm always tempted to get everything whenever i come here! although it's small, they really maximize the space with tons of delectable food and goodies :) i noticed that no matter what time it is, there's always a line for their okazu items and fresh selection of poke. for some reason i always see policemen waiting in line too... this must be the spot for the waipahu beat! i always get the spicy tuna bowl and corn beef hash. the hash is more on the potato-y side but i still like it for its texture and subtle fatty flavor. the spicy tuna bowl is sooooo good!!! i also get their haupia-okinawan sweet potato pie. yum! i should try more things but i always end up sticking to what i know i like. till next time...

    (5)

  • Yasuo O.

    K. so i went to a golf tourney and they brought the bentos. nothing special but after having the dinner at the function, i realised how ono the bento was compared to the food at Pearl. yum!

    (4)

  • dean t.

    A must stop for any Hawai'i expats returning for a visit - poke from fresh fish, the finest sashimi. Gotta get the spicy ahi tuna poke, limu poke and sesame tako poke. Gets pricier each time I return, but it's terrific seafood. Special telephone orders handled by a friendly, competent staff - which is greatly appreciated around the holidays by out-of-towners like me. Definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Mako Y.

    Fresh poke with an unlimited array to choose from. However, the real all-star here is there fried chicken and fish patties. These two items propel this fish market onto an elite level. I wasn't a big fan of the crab cakes, but I'm still trying out all of the other different items in the store (which will take me a life time due to the vast variety of ono-looking food that is spread throughout the store) but I warn that this market is high-priced, so beware! The bill will sneak up on you like a thief in the night, so keep your mental calculator on to keep your stomach in check.

    (4)

  • Albert Y.

    Coming back to Tanioka's on vacation was fun but not as good as I remember. Don't get me wrong, the food is still quite good but the prices are a little high. Poke Stop poke is just as good in my opinion and is a little cheaper and friendlier. The spicy ahi rice lunch is still great at $5.95 though. Overall 3.5 star!

    (3)

  • Erica A.

    Poke is always fresh and tasty. They may run out of some foods quickly, though, so sometimes you have to get there early. Their catering side is awesome! They helped out my family with catering for a funeral and they were courteous, helpful, respectful, and quick. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Hana G.

    All the poke tasted the same to me.

    (3)

  • Allan H.

    One of the GF's friends took us to Tanioka's and OMG I am in LOVE! Being from the mainland, I've never seen so many different types of poke! I thought there was only tuna, but how wrong I was! Despite the line, it moved quickly and we were in and out within about 15 minutes. Next time I'm on Oahu, I'm going to make it a point to go back here for poke!

    (5)

  • Shannon C.

    I love their sweet potato tempura!!! It's sooooooo good! It's been years since I had one, but it's still YUMMY! I was in a hurry and there was a line of people waiting for the poke, so I just got some Okazu things. I got the fried spicy tuna roll (Yummy), sweet potato tempura (Yummy), ahi bites on a stick (Yummy), fish patty musubi (Yummy), and lumpia (that I didn't like). But I can't deduct any stars because their sweet potato tempura is that good! It has like a mochi batter on it. Just writing about it makes me wanna go there right now to get one!

    (5)

  • Scarface T.

    To everyone that likes this place sorry but it's way overatted. I had the fried chicken and it was dry. It ain't fried chicken without the bone. GF had the fried rice(plain),crab cake(imitation crab), and the shoyu poke(too much sesame oil). If you want some amazing spread of seafood and roast meats go to Alicia's. I also recommend Tamashiro Market.

    (1)

  • Celly A.

    The dude heard about Tanioka's from his cousin in law. We entered the super tiny parking lot shared with 7 eleven. We entered this spot and the line went around the store. The line goes by fast because theres about 7 people helping customers. We order lumi poki and this spicy poki ( I forgot the name). We ordered them in rice bowls with a bunch of masubis. One of the workers (he seems like the owner) greeted us and noticed we were buying alot. He asked if we were from here, and we told him we were visiting from SF. He gave us a warm welcome and gave us a free lumpia/egg roll. So nice! I loved the rice bowl! So yummy in my tummy! It was the best Poki I had when visitng Hawaii!

    (5)

  • Christopher S.

    I love the food! Pretty pricey! Friendly workers! Will go again!

    (4)

  • Harry R.

    Visiting from stateside. We approached a local couple and asked where the best Poke was to be had. They tell us that we need to go to Tanioka's for that but it is quite a ways from Waikiki. Well, we will go to any length for "the best" so off it was. The other positive reviews are spot on but they don't point out that it can be confusing to see all the Poke and other options. The line was substantial and we got to talking with the owner. We followed his suggestion and got little bits of 5 different types of poke, plus a couple of tempura shrimp, a cup a white rice and one of fried rice. I love Ahi and was very pleased with the quality and selection. We also tried the mahi-mahi poke. Headed down to a local park and just enjoyed. Thank you Mel......... Also note that this place is take out only.

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    I love this place!! They have excellent plate lunches and great snacks! Their hamburger steak is the best! Garlic chicken is delicious! Poke is so fresh and clean tasting! Such good quality made food at such affordable prices! Quick and friendly service also!

    (5)

  • Keri M.

    I LOVE TANIOKA'S!!!! Tanioka's just catered our wedding last weekend. I can't praise them enough! Ono food, great service, and good prices. Tyce, who helped us through everything, was on point and professional! From the first time I called, Tyce was ready to give advice on everything from food choices to vendors and always answered emails or phone calls within 24 hours. He was always willing to work with us to find what was best for us and our wedding. Tanioka's and Tyce are the perfect example of customer service at it's best! I would recommend Tanioka's to family and friends looking for a caterer every chance I get. Everyone complimented the food and even the left-overs were good! Tanioka's has something for everyone and I will use their services from now on!

    (5)

  • chuck m.

    All i have to say is SPICY AHI on sushi rice. Shoots.

    (5)

  • Tupu S.

    For years friends, family, old roommates, ex-lovers (you get the drift) always raved about Tanioka's. Being that I lived in the mainland for so long and trips to waipahu were far from routine - I NEVER had the chance to go. Well.... I truly been missing out all these years!! A few months ago a friend takes me to Tanioka's at first I said to myself... Seriously? In between 7-11 and a muffler shop? Is this REALLY the place everyone raves about? So I walk in and the line circles out to the front door.. As I stand in amazement of how damn busy it is on a Wednesday afternoon when everyone should be at work or school - this place is packed! As I wait patiently, there's an array of bentos, musubi's, fried chicken, poi andagi, the infamous fish cakes, fresh poke and the list of local favorites go ON and ON!!.. At a moments time I felt like I lived under a rock for 20+ years of not having tried any of their food until recently.. I ordered the spicy ahi tuna bento, poi andagi, and fried rice.. Needless to say, I was in HEAVEN... Cheating on my diet never felt and tasted sooo good! Lastly but definitely not the least- the staff there are SUPER friendly! You can tell that this is a mom and pop place since the consumers are regulars and the staff seem to know everyone by name, in addition to talks of hows your brother this, sister that.... Although it was a long line, it went by quick and the wait was TOTALLY worth it.. My trips to waipahu will be more frequent (on the weekends of course)..

    (5)

  • Noa L.

    this place is great! fresh fish!

    (5)

  • Leslie G.

    The food is incredible and the service is just as good. I had to order for a party and they helped me so much in figuring out what to order and how much. I pretty much let them select what types of poke for our platter and I later regretted having to share since it was so good!

    (5)

  • Fatima H.

    One of my favorites. I love the Limu Poke - ahi and tako. I'm not a fan of the shoyu so much though. The quality of the fish is never in doubt and the crack seed is always fun to look though.

    (5)

  • Danielle O.

    This is the place for poke, assorted snacks and fried side items. It's always busy, especially on the weekends, but they keep the line moving. The must-haves are the poke! Whether it's the shoyu poke, mussel poke or whatever, it's good. They also have andagi, boiled peanuts, samurai ice, and tons of fried stuff. The price is more than reasonable.

    (4)

  • Carol L.

    Best spicy ahi poke! Albsolutely the best spicy marlin poke...so worth the price..mealts in your mouth..love the tobiko too. Easy home lunch a musubi and a fish patty regular or marlin M M guud!!

    (5)

  • Ken U.

    First time eating food from here and I lived in Hawaii 20+ years. Man, what the heck is wrong with me? What makes it even worst is I know the owner at a personal level. (my bad Justin, Everytime I come to Hawaii from now on I'm getting food here at least once.) Great food, I ordered the hamburger steak/garlic chicken mixed plate and let me say it was delicious. Heard the poke is to die for here, might just buy some to take back with me! The only downside is that once you buy the food you have to take-out because there is nowhere to sit and eat at Tanioka's.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    If you're into local style poke you have to check out Tanioka's. The place is the place to go if you're any where near Waipahu and are headed to a tailgating party, house warming, or any other local gathering where poke would be appreciated. The staff is friendly and very helpful - especially if you know Mel Tanioka. But, they do get busy on big days so call ahead and place your orders as they always have a separate line for phone orders.

    (4)

  • Dayna A.

    the only fish market i ever wanna eat poke at... since i live right down the street from here i was raised on the stuff and being that my dad fishes i couldn't eat previously frozen if i tried... this is the only place that you can take this poke to a party and just by the taste the people will automatically know where its from so don't try to lie cuz people will know... everyone says its soOOooo expensive 13.95 a lbs is average price as for the rest of the stuff there everything is good from the mochiko chicken to the musubis to the plate lunches quality and freshness guarentee

    (5)

  • danny g.

    Being a big fan of fish i highly recommend this place.. the spicy ahi is great. Take the time and visit Taniokas.

    (5)

  • J R.

    2nd to none has excellent choices of hawaiian/local food items to their local favorite poke delights! Including tako poke (octupus), ahi limu, shoyu ahi, spicy ahi! They also have kalua pig, lomi salmon, fish patty cakes...where do i stop? The question you'd be asking yourself is..."How much you willing fo spend?" =) Stop by & you'll see why!

    (5)

  • Brent M.

    Went there the other day and the line was all the way to the the door at 10:30am! This place is delicious but the prices are getting ridiculous now. Its a good place to go to treat yourself but prices are too high to eat here regularly. I guess it doesn't matter if you jack the prices, people will still come.

    (3)

  • Brent K.

    Tanioka's has one of the best spicy ahi poke on the island hands down! Pretty much all their poke is AWESOME! They normally serve the spicy ahi on sushi rice with some nori strips on it. It's not a set your mouth on fire spicy, but it does the job for me. The boiled peanuts are also pretty good. During UH football season, that place can be a mad house. Poke is almost equivalent to rice at tailgates, it's a staple!

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    Great place for poke and okazuya food. LOVE the fish patty!

    (5)

  • Carrie K.

    "Yum yum in my tum tum" so says Pooh. Well, I'm not talking about sweet bee-hive honey. I'm talking about Tanioka's ono-ono pupu's, especially their juicy cone sushi! *sigh* I've got to stop day-dreaming about 'local-kine' foods. Just thinking about it, I'd buy my plane ticket right now just to have a couple of those heafty cone sushi's! The battered and deep fried sweet potato..mmmm It's a little oily though; but I just roll 'um up in some paper towels and try to get as much oil out of them as I can before eating these lovely munchies. Sweet, a little touch of salt, battered, and deep fried 'til golden brown...just the way everything should be right?! Sounds like every body lying on a beach. Anyways...I'm having a "missing home" moment right now. My apologies... The fried saimin...ooohh so good!! ALL the poke's are awesome. I can't complain. They KNOW what they're doing. I know the quality of their fish is fresh...not more than 24 hours old! Gotta be!! Their laulau isn't too bad. I've had better...well, ya know, your own family members always make the better versions of the foods you love right? They also sell snacks like crack-seed (and I'm not talking about drugs here people!; more like li-hing mui, rock-salt plums), candies, cookies...but I don't pay attention to those because my focus is on the cone sushi!! That's a legal drug...I've gotten hooked on it! The guys who work there are quick and always get your order right; (I have yet to get my order mixed up with someone elses.) even when the order/pay line wraps around in the store and goes out the door. Unbelievable! The prices are right...the place isn't difficult to find because of the big ahi on their sign! (see pic!) But, because they're located right next to a 7-11..parking is just a little tight. And just like those Liliha Bakery cocoa puffs, cone sushi does pretty well on an airplane flight from Honolulu to San Francisco too!!

    (4)

  • Margie N.

    The people here are such nice people and always fast and efficient. The owner there even honored my gift certificate that had expired! I love their fish patties-sooooo goodd! Everything is great there, you will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Gerald A.

    Growing up in Waipahu, this was the place. My cousins would walk from Waipahu Int. and pick me up at St. Joe's to walk to their house right across the high school. It was a far walk, but the pit stop at Tanioka's made it worth it every day. Every time I drop by, I still get the same things I used to get. Mini Spicy Ahi on Rice, crab and salmon patties, and of course, sweet potato tempura. I've noticed lately that the crab patties have been scarce, but I've subbed that with a 1/4 lb. of whatever interesting poke they have. Wish so much out there, I could probably close my eyes and point at random and get something good.

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    Our family of 4 got take out and took it to Pearl Harbor while we waited for entrance to the memorial. The garlic chicken was a big hit, as was the poke, and lomi salmon. The line was long but moved fast. The staff was extremely helpful and patient despite the business of the place.

    (5)

  • R O.

    My dad wanted sashimi for his birthday, so I bought a tray of sashimi from Tanioka's. I almost fell over when they told me how much it would cost. I think I might have turned a little blue in my face because the lady was very concerned that I was okay with what I ordered. I mean, genuine care for me over the sale. It's rare to find that these days. Parking kind of sucks and they have about 15 workers behind the counter because they are super crowded, but I'd go there again. Even with the (high) prices, I'd recommend going there. The sashimi was wonderful and the (older) man & woman behind the counter were SUPER nice...the kind of local business you'd like to see make it through this recession.

    (5)

  • Topazskye L.

    This is poke heaven at its finest. I totally love the spicy ahi poke, the tako poke, the imitation crab poke..shucks I wanted to have a little bit of everything. On the 10 days we were in hawaii, I've been here 3 times and there was a line every single time! It is also musubi galore here and its a dizzying array of options I tried the spicy musubi and it was good but the gotenberg musubi is the one that makes u delirious with musubi joy. The sausage was just so tasty and together with the furikake speckled rice, it was just awesome. Before coming back to the mainland, we wanted to pack some bento for the flight but they ran out of bento at 2pm but the saving grace was the gotenberg musubis so we grabbed those and went to zippy's for the zippacks (ya...that's definitely not my top pick if I had a choice!)

    (5)

  • Nicole D.

    I live right down the road from taniokas. So I'm a pretty frequent customer there. I absolutely love their poke!!

    (5)

  • Irene C.

    I'm so glad I had my own rental car! This place was definitely worth the trek out to try the poke. I was a bit overwhelmed with the selection, it was so large. Definitely worth a return trip!

    (4)

  • Jeff I.

    I'll have to go back there again to get a better idea of what the food is like. I only stopped by to pick up a bento for lunch today. Kinda small for five bucks, but was pretty good. I should have got their poke and rice bowls or something else. They've been there forever, and I should have more opportunities to go there again.

    (3)

  • David C.

    My parents used to own a store nearby. The first thing I would do after getting off of the plane is visit my dad at the store. After that, rice and poke from Tanioka's. Shoyu Onion or Limu Poke. I used to only like shoyu but there is something about limu poke that is just soooo hawaii. It tastes like the ocean. Like the taste in your mouth after a surf session. Kim Chee Tako is also a winner. Make sure to get hot rice to eat with your poke. It just makes it sooo much better.

    (4)

  • Ninja N.

    MY ABSOLUTE FAVE ON THE WEST-SIDE! Poke's unbeatable as well as their spicy ahi on sushi rice - $3.89! What a deal! Fish patties rule! The workers are very pleasant & efficient! WOW, haven't you seen the line out the door?

    (5)

  • Kaili N.

    i love going to parties when tanioka's is catering it! i'm surprised by how much i like their food, especially the fish patty. i mean, that's something that i wouldn't normally like but theirs is really good. also, their tempura isn't the type that i am accustomed to (japanese light golden flakes), but i really like it as well. what the hell are they putting in their food? crack?!

    (4)

  • Hayl T.

    Best place to get poke.

    (5)

  • Joe S.

    first time and big we were overwhelmed this is only take out,always very busy so know what you want before going into line. so many Poke's to choose from and they have other item alike different kinds of great bento boxes etc. must try once. I told my daughter to try when they go in June. parking is hard but they do have a parking lot.great place to buy lunch before going home on the plane

    (5)

  • Kekama H.

    This is the best place to pick up all kinds Poke! I never knew there was more then one kind until I went here.

    (4)

  • superman o.

    Nothing bad to say. They are affordable, consistent and the quality is good.

    (4)

  • Dina V.

    Saw them rated for BEST POKE in the Best of Honolulu and had to check 'em out! Best damn ahi I've ever had! It literally melted in my mouth. The flavors were PERFECT! I'm a big fan of tako too, but I have yet to try it out. Saw they've got a make your bento deal too and everything looked inviting, but again have yet to try it. Most seemed to be of the fried variety!

    (5)

  • J F.

    After spending the morning swimming at the beach lagoon, we decided to pick up some food and bring it back to enjoy beach side. I have to say the fried chicken was a bit of a disappointment but the Deluxe Musubi, lumpia, and lumi poke are to die for. Super delicious. (In fact on my way to the airport I picked some up to eat on the plane.) The sesame tako poke was good too, even though octopus isnt my thing. The real drawback is that I wished they had picnic benches we could eat on.

    (4)

  • P C.

    great fried chicken and sushi, You can get a bunch of fresh tuna sushi for $12 for lunch, yummy, love the fresh fish... so good. We went there as soon as we left the airport, we love HI and the fresh fish

    (5)

  • a H.

    Wasn't too hard to find since we were staying at the Aulani resort. It's basically a market but the poke there is legit. They had many variations and were all very fresh. If you're in the mood for poke go there.

    (5)

  • Masumi K.

    I absolutely love this place!!! This is my number one place to go to for bentos and musubis. This place usually starts getting really busy around 11 ish - noon. So I highly recommend that you go early. Parking is not that bad here either. For the quality of their food here, they deserve a better parking lot! Maybe it's just me, but their food must make people crazy (in a good way) because all the times I've gone here to grab lunch some crazy person in the parking lot quickly backs out of their stall without even looking. Perhaps they are in a rush to get back to work. The poke here is the bomb! My dad is a picky person when it comes to poke and sashimi. He's like some sort of fish quality expert. He knows if it's fresh or not just by tasting it. And he said he "loves" Tanioka's poke. Now for my dad to say that ... WOW. The soybeans here are delicious also! And also their furikake musubi! I always grab 4 when I go down because they sell out quick during lunch hours. Be sure to also try their fried rice. They make the best fried rice in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Gina A.

    I love their poke and their musubi's. Its always fresh and tastes good, can't go wrong here!!!!

    (5)

  • Barry A.

    Taniokas makes damn good poke' Taniokas and Ruger Market are probably my two favorite places to buy poke' if I'm not making my own. Another one of the spots I "beeline" for when I step off the plane on Oahu. It's easy to walk out of there with too much food, because ALL of their poke's are phenomenal. Poke', dried fish, musubis, beer, edamame, boiled peanuts...... food stuffs that remind me of being a youth growing up in paradise. That's why I'll always go back. aloha~!

    (5)

  • Sean J.

    I go out of my way to get some Shave Rice and maybe some Haupia sweet potato squares from this place. All the workers are very helpfull and friendly!

    (4)

  • Ax C.

    Did the snacks for a work farewell. Decent enough. No wow factor.

    (2)

  • Travis M.

    Hands down the best poke on the island. Main reason is because it's consistently fresh. The other foods are good too, but the poke is what I mainly come here for, that and of course one bag of poi.

    (5)

  • Misty P.

    I love this place! I only come here once a year when I have to go to my annual training in Waipahu and this is my go to for lunch. Their poke and Hawaiian plate lunches are tasty and fresh. I love their okazuya style menu, and their fish patties are the bomb! I also recommend their fried chicken, noodles and various different rice balls and musubis. On rare occasion they make a tasty soft butter mochi which I'll grab for dessert. Can't go wrong with this place. It's a little pricey, but fresh, tasty and fast. Lines may get long and parking might be tough to get during lunch hour. I recommend going during early lunch hours 10-11 or after the lunch crowd, 1-4pm.

    (5)

  • Michelle And Bernard S.

    I give Taniokas 5 stars for food variety, taste, freshness, and customer service. The wait is always long since its such a popular place, and their prices are high. Be prepared to spend when you walk through their doors. I've never left their spending under $20. There fish patties rock, poke is oh so fresh, and i really enjoy their sushi, nice and huicy cone sushi! When you walk in everything looks good. And believe me the better it looks the better it tastes. Get their when the doors open or you'll be waiting in line outside the shop.

    (5)

  • Michiko H.

    Last semester after classes at LCC I would always grab lunch here! Everything is so Onolicious its ridiculous! I'm a huge fan for their beef stew and pork chop plate lunches. Lets not forget one of the best places for Poke and catering! Every event that's been held at my work has been catered by Taniokas cause their that awesome. Only thing is when it comes to PARKING it can get crowded during lunch time but the line goes really fast so people are always cycling out.

    (5)

  • Terry P.

    Amazing! If you are looking for poke, this is one of the best of Oahu. Although it's a little bit of a drive, you really appreciate the quality once you take a bite. The selection is also terrific!

    (5)

  • Brad A.

    If you like poke and spicy ahi, this is one of the best places to go. Yes, the traffic is terrible. Yes, the parking is terrible. Yes, the prices are expensive. Yes, the line is out the door packed. Yes, you should just deal with all of the above and go, your tastes buds will thank me. If you're a spicy ahi lover like myself, you will appreciate the subtle sesame flavor and lack of mayo. They let the freshness of the ahi speak for itself. Many places slather on the mayo to cover up the "oldness" of the fish. Not here! The ahi is nice and red, soft and tender, mmm...makes me want to get some right now.... I'll see you in line. ;D

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :9:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Tanioka’s Seafoods & Catering

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