Kawamata Seafood is a Hawaiian-style poke shop tucked into Dana Point, California, with a cult following built on exceptionally fresh fish and bold house sauces. Build your bowl by choosing a base, protein — ahi tuna, salmon, or octopus — and as many toppings as you like, each priced individually.
Signature items
Most-ordered based on reviews
More fish and rice per dollar
All poke and specialty bowls come in two sizes. Toppings are priced individually and added to either size.
| Bowl | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Poke Bowl | Regular | $12.50 |
| Poke Bowl | Large | $15.75 |
| California Bowl | Regular | $12.50 |
| California Bowl | Large | $15.75 |
| Spicy Tuna Bowl | Regular | $12.50 |
| Spicy Tuna Bowl | Large | $15.75 |
Like-for-like comparison of a standard poke bowl across popular Hawaiian and poke restaurants.
| Category | Kawamata Seafood | Aloha Poke Co. | Pokeworks | Sweetfin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular poke bowl | $12.50 | ~$13.00 | ~$13.50 | ~$14.00 |
| Large poke bowl | $15.75 | ~$16.00 | ~$16.50 | ~$17.00 |
| Side / snack | $3.60 (musubi) | ~$3.00 | ~$3.50 | ~$4.00 |
| Toppings (each) | $0.99–$1.80 | varies | varies | varies |
Kawamata Seafood opened in Dana Point, California, at 26881 Camino de Estrella — a small, unassuming spot near the coast that quickly developed a fierce local reputation. The restaurant takes its name from Kawamata, and built its following through a singular focus: the freshest possible raw fish, prepared Hawaiian-style and served in customizable poke bowls. Long before the poke craze swept Southern California, Kawamata was doing it quietly and doing it right.
The restaurant runs a deliberately compact menu. You choose your base — white rice, brown rice, or cabbage — then select from ahi tuna, salmon, or octopus as your protein. House sauces include an original blend and spicy mayo. Toppings like avocado, seaweed salad, kimchi, shrimp tempura, and crispy garlic chips are priced individually, letting diners build a bowl exactly to their taste. Specialty bowls like the California Bowl and Spicy Tuna Bowl offer a pre-curated combination for those who prefer a guided choice.
Kawamata is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and it is not uncommon to find a line forming before opening. The restaurant accepts credit cards, offers outdoor seating, and is wheelchair accessible. It has earned a 4.7-star Google rating and is ranked among the top seafood restaurants in Dana Point — a testament to its commitment to quality over quantity.
Find current hours, confirm today's prices, and plan your visit to their Dana Point location.
Visit Kawamata Seafood in Dana PointKawamata Seafood is located at 26881 Camino De Estrella, Dana Point, CA 92624. The restaurant sits near the southern Orange County coastline and has limited on-site parking with additional street parking available nearby.
Kawamata Seafood is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The restaurant is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Hours may vary on holidays — call (949) 248-1914 to confirm before visiting.
A regular poke bowl is $12.50 and a large is $15.75 as of the most recently documented menu. Toppings are priced separately, ranging from $0.99 (jalapeño) to $1.80 (shrimp tempura or scallop). Prices may have changed — confirm with the restaurant.
Kawamata offers ahi tuna, salmon, and octopus as the primary poke proteins. The spicy tuna bowl uses mashed (minced) tuna with house spicy seasoning. All fish is sourced fresh and prepared daily.
Yes — the build-your-own bowl model is the foundation of Kawamata's menu. You select your base (white rice, brown rice, or cabbage), then your protein(s), your sauce (original or spicy mayo), and any toppings you want. Each topping is individually priced.
Vegetarian and vegan guests can order a bowl with a cabbage or rice base and select toppings like edamame, kimchi, seaweed salad, sweet corn, and jalapeño. There is no dedicated vegan protein, so guests who avoid fish would build a topping-focused bowl.
Yes — Kawamata Seafood is well suited to takeout. The restaurant is primarily a counter-service poke spot with limited outdoor seating, so many guests order to go. Poke bowls travel well when assembled correctly and consumed within an hour.
Kawamata is widely regarded as one of the best poke restaurants in Southern California, with a 4.7-star Google rating and a ranking among the top seafood spots in Dana Point. Its pricing is competitive — regular bowls at $12.50 are in line with or slightly below the county average — and its reputation for fish freshness sets it apart from chain poke brands.
Kawamata Seafood is a counter-service restaurant and does not take reservations. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The restaurant can get busy, particularly on weekends, so arriving closer to opening (11:30 AM) is recommended to avoid long waits.