Big Island Poke is a restaurant for everyone. The Newly opened Saint Paul restaurant offers a diverse palate with plenty of options, able to accommodate all. Although surrounded by food options, the independent restaurant tucked in a plaza on Snelling has its own unique vibe. The recently opened Japanese/Korean restaurant exudes cleanliness and a welcoming atmosphere.

Although the space itself was not cozy, the welcoming staff made up for it to create a nice atmosphere. Most of the walls were white, while one had a not-so-striking mirror. The restaurant itself was a medium size, with around half of the space being used for the bowl station. The other half had around 6 tables, each with seating for 2-4 people. Visually, the restaurant was typical, what you’d expect out of a new Japanese style restaurant.

The restaurant has a Chipotle-style system of ordering, where you get to choose your base, protein, and toppings, which are all in front of you. Big Island Poke offers a wide range of options, ranging from eel to chicken to salmon. The toppings are no less variable, with fruits and vegetables alike. Along with sauces, this mixture creates an unlimited amount of options, suitable for all.

I started with a poke bowl that included salmon, tuna, avocado, mango, edamame, cucumber, and furikake, coming out to a total of $17. The flavors were all well-balanced and clearly fresh. The high-quality ingredients made for a well-rounded entree that was filling and satisfactory. The meals come with complimentary water.

The choices of food are not limited there, though, as next, I split a Korean-style Hot Cheeto potato mozzarella and hot dog corn dog with my friend. The smell that exuded the large corndog was noxious, and it continued to stink up my refrigerator for the following days. I didn’t care for it, but it went over well with others that tried it. The flavor combination was a bit too varied for me, and it’s important to note that Big Island Poke sells corn dogs with exclusively hotdog or mozzarella filling, and non Hot Cheeto or potato options, all priced at around $7. I opted for the most complex option.

Finally, to finish off the meal I ordered a White Chocolate Oreo Mochinut which was all in all delicious. For a shareable dessert, the price of $4 was reasonable. The dough was not overly decadent nor overly fried, and the chocolate Oreo flavor came through well.

In addition, the restaurant also offers a variety of boba tea, a soup and salad option, and other Asian delicacies such as chicken gyoza, shrimp tempura, spring rolls, and takoyaki, which, unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of trying.

A potential drawback may be an absence of Wi-Fi, but the big island poke experience was overwhelmingly positive. The customer service was impeccable, the environment was comfortable, and the food was fantastic, aside from the corndog. All in all this is a great place to go with a friend if you want to enjoy a nice afternoon out in St. Paul.