“Bakudan” means “bomb” in Japanese, and its explosive connotation was perfect in the culinary aspect, according to business owner Rheindell Alupay.
“It’s an explosion in your mouth,” Alupay explains, when referring to his poke.
Bakudan Poke used to be located in Mapunapuna and regularly popped up at events across Oʻahu. The business recently relocated and now operates out of Laʻakea Fish Company in Kalihi.
“We started to collab with Laʻakea Fish Company; it made so much sense because they’re one of the leading guys that provide fresh fish,” Alupay says. “Laʻakea has been here for almost two years; they provide me with the good fish.”
The menu at this new location is different because there’s a “different variety of poke,” according to Alupay. Customers can choose from one- ($16), two- ($18), or three-choice ($20) poke bowls. All bowls feature a base of your choice — sushi rice, nacho chips or garden salad — crab salad and toppings like tobiko, furikake and green onions.
Poke flavors range from spicy lomi ‘ahi and spicy ‘ahi avocado to crunchy garlic taegu ‘ahi, cold ginger scallion ‘ahi and wasabi masago ‘ahi.
“We use sashimi-grade cubes for our poke, which helps the quality,” says Alupay, who notes that popular flavors include crunchy garlic taegu poke, wasabi masago ‘ahi, lomi ‘ahi and cold ginger scallion.
Poke nachos feature your choice of poke topped with spicy mayo, unagi sauce and house crab salad. The biz also offers house chirashi ($25) — ‘ahi sashimi, your choice of rice or salad, and choice of poke — and torched ‘ahi donburi bowls ($18-$22).
Of course, the business’s signature Bakubombs are still available. Each pack contains four pieces of cone sushi stuffed with a torched crab filling ($14) or poke flavor of your choice (two-choice poke $16, poke sampler for $20).
“For the four Bakubombs with your choice poke, you can mix and match whatever (flavor) you want,” Alupay says.
Bakudan Poke is open at Laʻakea Fish Company from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays. The business is still open for catering, though, Alupay notes.
“We do sushi tables, sushi cakes and sashimi platters,” he confirms.
Limited customer parking is available in front of Laʻakea Fish Company.
CONTACT
Bakudan Poke (at Laʻakea Fish Company)
1818 Kanakanui St., Honolulu
808-842-3809
Instagram: @bakudan_chef
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
