'Ai Pono Cafe

Came in and place was very nice and I Got a side of the guava chili chicken and the dirty lickin Korean chicken in a plate and everything was Ono! Came with rice slaw and Mac salad and The slaw was top notch, Mac was really good and so was the rice but the chicken was really tender and had so much flavor, and I got a couple of sauces on the side and I forgot the names but the white one was the best! Also added a POG and a Rice Krispie treat as well, so much good stuff they got here, definitely worth it and I’ll be back to try more items on the menu, service was really good too

Went here to check the hype I had heard about the food. So I Just got into California from texas. Texas has a few spots claiming to be Hawaiian food yet are actually far from hitting the mark. So being from Hawaii and local food addict I had to stop and try Ai pono in high hopes. The staff was great the pictures of the food looked great. I ordered the zombie plate because it had some of my hawaii favorites all in one. Meat Jun, Kalbi short ribs & Chicken. Presentation was nice but the plate over all lacked what I expected as hawaiian plate lunch flair & flavors. The meat jun was as if it was a lightly breaded price of meat, slightly tough to chew no egg batter consistency really no flavor and no type of sauce for it, fyi meat jun needs a sauce. The short ribs and chicken was okay but not really hawaiian food, maybe more a fusion and seemed as if both had the same taste. The most shocking part was missing Mac salad, it did not come with my plate! No hawaii plate lunch would dare leave Mac salad as something you pay extra on the side for. I purchased a side of the salad found that the mac salad was okay, but again not the Hawaii flavor I went there expecting. I was taken back that just two plate lunches and two Hawaiian sun drinks cost over $60. I realize its California but think for what you get, its slightly over priced.. Over all experience, the food had a good flavor and was cooked well. It just didn't give me that back home Hawaii flavor or satisfaction I went looking for. Ive read the other reviews, it seems like those that left a review commenting that this was the perfect Hawaiian food, may need to actually taste some real Hawaiian food so n they can make an informed decision. This was not really Hawaii food lol. My mainland search for Hawaii plate lunch food continues. I have been all over the 49 states and have ate at many spots serving Hawaii favorites. I found its few & far between spots that actually take me home with the food they claim as being Hawaii inspired.. I probably won't return to this place. l had ate at a couple other Hawaii food places in LA, that I won't mention here that did alot better with doing Hawaii food justice. Honestly my ventures with hawaiian food here on the mainland US have been more disappointments then satisfaction. I will keep searching for that one, Ai pono just didn't hit the mark.

Finally had a chance to try this place out (saw it on TikTok a while ago) and it's amazing! Great food and great atmosphere. Great flavors and lots of food. Had the mento bento box (pictured) and left a happy happy man. Go if you're in the area, drive there if you're not. Worth it and now our new favorite for Hawaiian food in Costa Mesa.

Everything we got was great! I hope they offer the oxtail soup again. I didn’t know it was a temporary offer.

Food: As a chef 9/10 As a non chef 10/10 Shrimp Special 8/10 Crispy Shrimp, Garlic Rice, Mac Salad, Cole Slaw - Great flavors, fresh shrimp, good acid, girlfriend loves it. Crackhead Chicken 10/10 Chicken, Rice, Cole Slaw, Mac Salad - Chicken was cherry. Crispy, good flavor, love the Mac Salad, solid flavors all around. Ube / Regular Rice Crispies 9/10 Can't complain... Service:10/10 Aloha all around. Engaging knowledgeable staff. Auntie made me feel like I was at home. Never felt uncomfortable, always attended to. Ambiance: 9/10 Love the local art, colors, design and decor. Cleanliness: 8/10 Restaurant was clean. Bathrooms were a little dirty. Price: 9/10 Summary: Should you go? Absolutely. I would drive back to OC just to eat some more ono kine grindz. Reminds me of being back on the big island. Big hype, but big flavors to back it up. Mahalo!

Food was super yummy, I liked all the combo plate options so that you can try a bunch of things as one meal. We ordered the chef special and daily special (one star I think is what it was called?) and the crack chicken and Mac salad were my favorites! The poke was also great and so were the spare ribs and fish. Hefty portions, we were all full and most of us did not finish our meal at the restaurant. Music inside was quite loud and made it difficult to hear each other talking.

Ai'Pono is one of the best Hawaiian places I've been to outside of Hawaii. Evalated street food at its best. Thanks Chef

It was good. It didn’t have as much variety as I thought for things to pick up more like plates. I really was looking for poke. But there was only two options. A little disappointed in the cheesecake because they had a butter guava and a lilikoi. Also, my fault for not asking, but I thought the cheesecake would be that flavored. It was just a topping. Guava pepper chicken is all the rage, but that cracked chicken was pretty good. It wasn’t dry good flavor. Didn’t care for the Mac salad. Shoyu poke had too much fiber on some bites. The spicy was not spicy at all. Did not like the teriyaki tasting drizzle making it sweeter It is fairly good all around not my favorite. I’d rather go to da Hawaiian since it is closer to me in this place doesn’t really offer me anything worth making an extra drive for. If I am in this area, this would be the place to go for a plate.

I came to Ai Pono Cafe on a Saturday night and it was packed. Despite the crowd, they got my food out in under 10 minutes, which already impressed me. I ordered the Crackhead Steak, which is battered and fried sirloin. I've never had anything like it before. Crispy, juicy, flavorful, it seriously blew me away. I asked for the sauce on the side since I'm not big on mustard, but the teriyaki sauce they included was insanely good. I ended up dipping everything in it. The sides, rice, mac salad, and slaw, were all legit. You can tell they care about every part of the plate, not just the main. The staff was super friendly, and the cashier was especially pleasant and welcoming. You can feel the good vibes as soon as you walk in. I don't usually write Yelp reviews anymore, but this meal absolutely deserved one. If you're thinking about going, go hungry and get the Crackhead Steak. You'll thank me later.

Ai Pono Cafe is a casual Hawaiian restaurant that offers a fusion of Asian items with Hawaiian cuisine. Ordering is done at the front and then one's number is called out. Da Korean Zombie - $25 - This came with Korean short ribs, Korean chicken, meat jun, rice, kimchee and mac bean sprouts. The short ribs were marinated in a teriyaki sauce and were juicy and tender. The fried chicken was actually boneless chicken thighs and not bad. The meat jun consisted of thin beef strips fried in a egg flour batter. The beef was a little tough and this dish was completely tasteless. Overall, the food was just ok, and I had to use some siracha to help salvage the dishes. I did feel that pricing was on the high side, given that this is a casual restaurant.

Da "Spicy" Plate (7/10): The rice and mac salad and the guava chili pepper chicken was pretty good. I couldn't taste much of the spice or guava in the chicken; it mainly tasted like fried chicken. The crispy Korean chicken was not crispy; it was way too saucy and sweet. The ahi katsu had a nice breading and tasty sauce; it was definitely not too fishy, which I liked. I would not get this plate again, and I recommend getting something else. Overall Thoughts: The service is relatively timely. There was a small line to order even though I went on a Saturday at lunch. The food came out in a decent amount of time. I am definitely disappointed in the portion sizes because, for the price, the plate is definitely not worth it. My girlfriend's sister even mentioned that she was still hungry after eating a plate to herself. There is outdoor seating, which was nice because we had our dog coming along with us. This place was pretty busy indoors as well-most of the tables and chairs were packed with lots of people. The interior vibe gave Hawaiian, which was very on theme with the type of cafe/restaurant it was. If I were to come back again, I would want to try the chicken katsu. If you do end up coming here, just remember that the portion sizes are pretty small, and their Korean marinades don't seem super "authentic."

Wanted to branch out from my usual Hawaiian BBQ spot and came across this plaza! I got the Chicken Katsu while my boyfriend got the "Crackhead" Chicken. We both shared a Mango Lemonade to wash down our food, which we were able to get a refill for! The katsu was crispy and juicy! Paired with the mac salad, I was disappointed how it lacked flavor to it. Definitely tasted more creamy than anything. The crackhead chicken was pretty salty so the mac salad actually balanced that part out. Some pieces were slightly drier than others. The portion for the price was well worth it. I would come back to try their other items!

My husband had an appointment in Newport, and by the time he was done, we were both starving. A quick Yelp search led us to this little hidden gem with rave reviews for Hawaiian street food--and it did not disappoint! It's a tiny spot with limited seating, both indoors and out, but it has a cozy charm. I went with the Mento Bento, kind of like a sampler box with all the meats they're known for--so good! I love being able to try a bit of everything. My husband ordered something with tuna poke (don't ask me the name--I totally forgot), but it was super fresh and packed with flavor. What I really liked was how different it felt from your typical Hawaiian fast food. It had more personality, more soul. You order at the counter, then grab a seat if you're eating in--simple and efficient. Overall, we left full and happy. Definitely planning to come back and explore more of the menu. This spot's a keeper!

Ai Pono Café has been (minor) hit or (major) miss for me on both visits. First visit (dine-in): We wanted to try a little of everything, so we ordered the Chef's Plate, which includes garlic butter mahi mahi, black magic teri beef, and spicy ahi poke, along with the daily special--two-choice chicken plate (we picked Guava Chili Pepper Chicken and Crackhead Chicken). In hindsight, I'd skip the seafood. The mahi mahi was dry, and the ahi poke was overly sauced and didn't taste fresh, and the sauce was terrible. We did not finish this. The guava chicken, though, was fantastic! Juicy and flavorful, I love that it's guava, because you don't see that everywhere. The Crackhead Chicken was also a standout: crispy and addicting signature sob sauce. The plates were slightly salty (which is why you need rice). The mac and slaw were good. I came back with my siblings, who were excited to try it too. And decided to go here since we were starving. Unfortunately, they had already run out of katsu (so go early if that's what you're craving). We ordered the Korean Short Rib and Crackhead Chicken, but they messed up the order and gave us garlic butter mahi mahi instead, forgetting the short rib. We drove back and they just made us the short rib. The Korean BBQ is extremely salty, but has good flavor. The Crackhead Chicken, however, continues to be the one thing I'd come back for. But because they messed up our order, we didn't get to enjoy it hot and fresh. Despite the popularity, the café hasn't impressed me, and it's pretty pricy too. And you might not even be able to get their chicken, which sucks. The space has plenty of tables and really emulates the Hawaiian beach shack vibes. If you go, I'd recommend only getting the chicken.

I've had a lot of Hawaiian plate lunches and dinners. I've enjoyed a number of poke. places. Hands-down, this was the best I have had outside of Hawaii. Spicy poke was incredible. Mac salad was legit. Staff was great, food came out quick and the vibe was awesome. Don't do anything but get in your car and drive straight over. You will not be disappointed.

Best Hawaiian spot in OC. Diverse menu with a lot of options besides the typical bbq'd meats! I got Da "Makai" plate which came with 2 types of ahi tuna poke, Mahi Mahi and rice. The ahi tasted fresh and paired well with the cooked fish. It came with a sweet/spicy/vinegary sauce. It was delicious! I really am looking forward to trying something else next time. This place is clearly popular as it was pretty busy when we came before closing. Service is quick and the staff is friendly. Very Hawaiian vibe with pictures of past leaders like Queen Liliʻuokalani, surf boards, store merch and islander inspired art. They have seating inside and some tables outside. Located right next to Target so there is lots of parking!

The Best Hawaiian food outside of Hawaii! Don't sleep on this treasure. If you love Hawaiian, poke, ribs, katsu, and the works then come here! We had Da Spicy Plate- with Spicy Poke, guava chill pepper chicken, and Korean fried chicken with rice and Mac salad. and the Da Stockton Slap- with Poke, garlic shrimp, and blackened ahi with mixed greens and rice. They were both so delicious! I love a mixed plate to try different items. I can't wait to come back and try more items!

We came here after a beach day on Saturday and this spot was going off. Their menu is pretty extensive, with a ton of really good Hawaiian options. We ended up ordering a spicy tuna bowl, chicken katsu, and a Korean fried chicken masubi. There was a little bit of a wait, and not a ton of space, but we got our food and found a table and everything was delicious.

I always try and stop at this place whenever I'm in Newport. Their plates make for the perfect post beach meal!! Such authentic Hawaiian food and the best mac salad in the OC. This time I got the DA Korean Zombie plate and the DA Makai Plate. The flavor was ever present, but portions were significantly smaller than on my past visits which was a bit disappointing. The galbi was a standout and seasoned to perfection. I'd never tried meat jun before and it was such an interesting texture with the egg. I loved the juxtaposition of these savory, rich meats with the fresh seafood on my second plate. The spicy poke was next level and just as fresh and bright as always. I loved the blacked mahi too but it was a bit dry. I added some hot sauce and kimchi and it definitely saved the day. The staff here are so nice and there is always a line out the door, so you know it's a community favorite. I will be back!

The beef in the da chef's place was so sweet and the chicken in the crackhead chicken plate was so salty, we drank three cups of water. The garlic mahi mahi and the mac salad were yummy. The space is small but the place clears up fast.

Always heard good things about this place, but I'm not sure it was up to my expectations. I got Da Roots Plate which I suppose came with a good variety for the price of $22. This might be on me, but I didn't realize the ahi katsu included the drizzle of miso spicy mustard which really shocked my taste buds. I was not a fan, but the tuna itself was good. The poke and mac salad were great and the short rib was flavorful, maybe a bit on the salty side. My boyfriend said his katsu was just okay.

Can't believe I've never been here before. Hawaiian cuisine is one of my favorite comfort food and their menu here is big enough that one can easily find a dish or Hawaiian plate combo that would tickle their fancy. The ones our group got were The Roots, The Zombie, The Stockton, and The Spicy. They all vary from having fresh poke, ahi katsu, shortrib, Korean fried chicken, jin, sweet chili garlic shrimp, etc plus rice and mac salad. A combo plate comes with three set proteins but you can also opt to order single plates if you have one favorite. They were all ono and everyone in our party had their own favorite item. Mine was the Ahi Katsu and Shrimp :) The place is casual with its walls adorned with huge portraits of significant Hawaiian figures. Laid back and friendly service was expected and that's what we got. Until next time!

Wow the vibes inside take me back to Hawaii; staff was welcoming and friendly and the smell of the char grilled meats is intoxicating. Be sure to come early or else there is a high chance of the popular items being sold out if you come near closing like I did. I got the Da Korean Zombie and Da Makai Plate. Both a good deal for around $20 give or take a few dollars. Each order is enough for 2 meals for me. The poke was fresh, tender and seasoned just right. The grilled mahi mahi was on the dry side but I think it's just the nature of such a lean fish. The meats in the Korean zombie all had that charred flavor that you only get off the grill. Such a gem in OC that takes you back to the islands.

My favorite go to Hawaiian food spot. Was able to finally able to able special. The portion sizes are very unpredictable here. The food is always good quality and the wait times are pretty short. Prices are also increasing pretty frequently here but always worth stopping by because the food is amazing.

I stumbled across this place after exploring and was blown away. It felt like I was back on the island eating at a local spot. I was surprised at how much food we got and how much flavor there was in each bite. I got the spicy chicken plate and wife had the Mento "fricken" bento plate. The Portuguese sausage musubi wasn't really hitting the spot and wasn't like the island. It felt like another spam musubi. The chef was there giving orders to the cooks to help get the orders out faster. There was a line of people coming here and it did not disappoint.

This place really transports its guest to an intimate shack in Hawaii. The atmosphere is very causal and fun with witty signs and goofy decor. The combos are huge and they have a variety of different options. I personally had the Maki with poke and mahi mahi. The poke was so yummy, their spicy poke was my favorite but the shoyu is great option too. The mahi mahi was blackened and I enjoyed it especially with the sauce they provide on the side. My boyfriend ordered their Thai Shrimp and that was so delicious, I would come back again and get that combo plate! If you're missing hawaii the atmosphere and food it's a good place to visit :)

I found Ai Pono Cafe through social media. Wanted to show my cousins how Hawaiian food taste like and They love this place. The vibe, the music, the merch, is giving island vibe. We all tried rice dishes because we wanted something fulfilling. My cousin got the Katsu fried chicken, Dirty-licking korean chicken rice and both were really crispy, sauce was good, I like the smashed potatoes that comes with every portion. ( only minus 1 point cause the Korean short ribs bbq was a bit on the sweeter end and my preference is I dont like my bbq to be too sweet. But It is just personal taste) I want to go back to try their Spam musubi Service was excellent If you come here at lunch time on weekend, be expecting to wait for table. Ideally Ai Pono cafe is more for togo.

Ai Pono is a gem in the Costa Mesa area and is definitely the place to try if you're looking for Hawaiian and Korean fusion. Their plates here come with generous portions, but do come pricy with their original plates ranging from $21 - $26. The quality does offset the price as the sauces, flavors, and textures are so rich and delicious. The poke tasted fresh too. The beef that I had was a bit dry, but overall the entire meal was great! Inside, there are two large shared tables in the center with small counter seating on the sides. It does get quite busy around lunch time and parking can be hard to find. I recommend visiting off peak times. Overall, the service was quick and the staff here were so friendly and were able to explain the menu for us. I would definitely return to try other items in the future!

We got takeout here and it was ready within 5-8 minutes! The service was fast and friendly and the ambiance of the place seemed more of a takeout or quick dining experience. We got the ahi poke and crackhead chicken. The poke was with shoyu sauce and it was light and fresh. The chicken was crispy and the flavor was sweet and had a tiny kick. This place was really solid and perfect for takeout to go on a picnic!

Very disappointing Hawaiian food. I got the Korean zombie plate and it comes with some sort of mystery flattened meat with no flavor. The ribs are overly sweet and sauce does not pair well or taste good. The customer service is also very poor. The cashier smirked while I asked for a refund and was very rude and said they have a no return policy (red flag!!). There are much better Hawaiian places than this overpriced, subpar one.

The vibes in here are immaculate. I went with the Ahi Katsu, which, while tasty, ended up a bit on the dry side. Since it was my first time here, I feel that I didn't order the right thing to try. I originally planned on ordering the poke as a side, so I'll definitely have to give that a try next time. Aside from that, the service was great; the staff was quick and friendly. I really enjoyed the seating inside, especially the bench-style table. I'll be back to explore more of the menu!

FOOD: Good portions and flavor. The roots combo was ~$21. The kbbq was flavorful (honestly small portion of meat roughly 4-5 cut up pieces). The fish was great, they give you both poke and the seared tuna. That makes the box worth it. The Mac salad is also really good, they could serve a bit extra though. AMBIANCE: plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. They have "lunch table" set up so you'll likely share the table with other patrons. There's a water station and bathroom for guests. It is extremely crowded on the weekends. PARKING: the location shares a lot with target and other small businesses. It took a minute to find a parking spot. (There's a park down the street if there's lack of parking or seating. Def head over there!)

By far one of the BEST Hawaiian BBQ places I've ever tried. I initially came here just for spam musubi's but I had to order one of their more popular entrees because I couldn't help myself. Everything is cooked fresh to order and I like the vibe inside. The restaurant has some funny signs. You should definitely check it out next time on your next Ulta or Target run, as its in the same plaza. Lots of parking, but can get busy at times.

This is LEGIT Hawaiian street food made by a local from Hawai'i and they did not disappoint! As someone from Hawai'i, I am always excited to find an establishment from a local that I can support! The ambiance can be described as casual Rockabilly-ish beach vibes. The menu was pretty extensive. We thought their shrimp and Korean chicken plates were tasty and would order again. The portions were pretty standard for a plate lunch. The service was quick and the lady who helped us gave us some great recommendations. This place seems to be consistently busy which is always a good sign. We would definitely come back here!

made a pit stop for lunch before heading to the beach. food was good and fresh. the only thing was that everything was a bit too salty :(

This placed is a newly Hawaiian spot in Costa Mesa. It's not a bad spot. Living in Hawaii for years definitely ruined mainland made Hawaiian food. This place is def popular than i expected it to be. For starters I got the Olive plate which comes with kalbi short ribs, chicken, and meat jun. The overall plating is nice. I still think the price is a bit steep but overall it wasn't bad. The food was actually delicious. I wish I got more. I give it a 4.8/5. I didn't take a picture of the spicy poke because it was terrible. I guess i expected the paste to be like Foodland. I give it a 1/5. Overpriced for such terrible taste. Overall the place is pretty cool and the service is amazing typical to go order type. Ambiance is fast pace.

Very confusing to see a place that's rated more than it deserves. Service was very unfriendly and unwelcoming. The meat Korean ribs were dry, tough and drenched in sauce. Their Korean chicken was even worse. Makes sense why they have a "no refunds" policy. A business that has consistent returns and does not stand by their quality cannot be trusted. Will not return.

I've been meaning to try this place for so long and I'm glad I finally had the chance to do so. We went on a Friday afternoon and it was relatively busy, but they got through the line fairly quickly. My friend and I shared their crackhead chicken and one of their special boxes of the day. The prices are fair and for those 2 boxes, there was actually a lot of food we weren't able to finish. I really enjoyed the poke that came in the special box. All their foods have a lot of flavor and paired nicely with each other. If I went back, I'd probably get one of their Ai Pono originals to have a little of everything. I highly recommend this spot if you're looking for some good Hawaiian food. The spot is next to a Target, so there's a relatively large parking lot there. There's seating inside and outside, but depending when you go, it could be pretty busy. The staff is really friendly and works quickly to get your food out. Overall, really great place!

I was having Hawai'i blues. But I'm so glad I found this place. The food was scrumptious. Drove 45 minutes and it was worth it! The service was amazing. The ambience brought me back to the beautiful islands of Hawai'i. Definitely coming back!

Hands down the best Hawaiian food in OC! The plates come with huge portions, and every bite was packed with flavor. It honestly feels like you're in Hawaii because everything is so authentic--from the dishes to the vibe. Definitely a must-try if you're craving real island eats and hearty portions.

Ai Pono Cafe is serving up some legit and authentic Hawaiian cuisine! This spot is located in a plaza with a good amount of parking spots. Inside, they have about 6-8 tables for seating and are decked out with some awesome Hawaiian inspired decor. As for their menu, they have a great selection of different plate options. Wifey and I opted to get the Korean Short Rib plate and the Da Roots plate. Each plate comes with a side of mac salad and some generous portions. Everything was delicious and hit the spot! Overall, this is definitely a go to spot for some authentic Hawaiian cuisine. All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. There is a reason why this spot has over 1,000+ positive reviews!

This place is packed for good reason! I don't have Hawaiian often but I really should because I loved my plate! I will say I wish portions of the proteins were a little bigger with less rice, but I think I just went on an off day because the pictures on Yelp look a lot better!

I tried their Korean Zombie plate and everything was so good. I also tried some poke (I think it was tuna but I don't remember exactly) from my husband and enjoyed that, as someone who isn't huge on sushi/poke. Overall, a really good Hawaiian spot that I will come back to!

Ok so we all loved the food, esp being a local island girl myself it was a nice touch of home. Though not local more mainland twist to island food. All tasted good and seemed fresh but it wasn't until the next day all of us had tummy aches and bloating among other problems. It just didn't sit well but not to say it wasn't packed with flavors. Portions for the price are small, and true island portions are usually double the size. This may be a more critical review given my local ties to Hawai'i. Poke for mainland was fresh but not as fresh as we are used too and the flavors could have been more impactful. No fishy smell which is good and soft but we are used to even more buttery packed flavors. Again it hit the spot and we are happy we found it. We may need to try it again. Customer service was so friendly and attentive

The Makai was tasty! I enjoyed the shoyu ahi poke and the spicy ahi poke. I recommend Da"Roots" plate.

He has been raving about this place and I was so excited to finally try it! We stopped by on our way home from San Diego and I had to try their loco moco, my absolute fave! The eggs were cooked perfectly, the gravy was just the right amount on rice, and each bite was so good. This place gets a little crowded but so worth the wait. Can't wait to come back next time we're in the area!

Vibes were good, the poke wasn't. For 16.00 I got a poke bowl with literally the smallest pieces of fish in it, 80% rice and the rest of it the seaweed salad. I had high hopes because I hate those 'build your own' bowl places, and I love good, authentic Hawaiian poke - but this wasn't it. The service was friendly but price was crazy for half a scoop of poke and feeling hungry afterwards. The fish was cut into tiny tiny mushy pieces. My bf got the ahi katsu which he said was alright. There's a lot of seating indoors and some outdoors. The wait wasn't too long even for lunch hour/rush hour. Overall, wouldn't come here to satisfy your poke cravings. Try somewhere else.

super obsessed with this hawaiian street food spot! i always get their chicken katsu which comes with sides of macaroni salad and cole slaw. the portion size is just right and leaves me feeling satisfied. there is seating inside and outside and its never been packed when i've gone. staff is super friendly and we usually receive our food in ~10 minutes. the interior is also super cool! great spot for a quick lunch :)

ORDER da "roots" plate (2/5) everything was SO salty besides the mac salad. the shoyu poke doesn't taste fresh at all. the short ribs were dry and overcooked, so it was hard to take a bite of. the sauce for the short ribs was insanely salty and made the rice salty as it was drizzled over the rice. i had this place saved for a long time, so i am bummed to say the food was not enjoyable at all. there is a free mango/guava lemonade deal from tues-thurs from 4pm-5pm, so we got the mango lemonade... which was also salty. didn't taste like lemonade or mango. SERVICE the food was ready quick. AMBIANCE spacious restaurant.

I am an original local boy and ate at this place. The food is better than average. However I gave them 2 stars because service is average, not much of an Aloha spirit for a hawaiian style place. And the food is extremely over priced....Mac salad (scoop is small)$4.00 see the picture....the plate looks manini and looks like it was kapulu (slapped together). If you're local you'll understand what I'm saying.

'Ai Pono serves Hawaiian plate lunches that are perfect for casually dining in or taking to a beach picnic! I've dined here several times over the past few years and it never misses. It can be pricey, but 1 plate will usually span 2 meals for me. Their proteins range from galbi, poke, seared tuna, shrimp, chicken, and more. There's something for everyone! So far, I've tried: Da "Stockton" Slap, Da "Chef's" Plate, Da "Spicy" Plate, Da "Roots" Plate, and Da "Makai" Plate. Not sure I have a favorite yet - they've all been tasty overall and hit the spot for different cravings. However, I have noticed that the quality can differ from time to time. For example, sometimes the sauce on the galbi can be a bit overpowering or the cooked fish can be a tad dry. Since it can be a pricier lunch, it would be nice if there was more quality control. With that said, I do get excited when my friends agree that 'Ai Pono is the lunch move haha. The interior is relaxed with a variety of decor. While I love the eclectic-ness of the inside, I prefer eating on the tables outside facing their window art. The service is also very hospitable, and you can tell that they care about their customers. Everyone is kind and will check in with you from time to time to ask if you need anything (always an unexpected bonus in a casual eatery).

Tried Ai Pono Cafe for the first time and went for their *Korean Style Chicken*--definitely the highlight. Crispy, flavorful, and lives up to the name! The mac salad was a standout: creamy, well-seasoned, and perfectly chilled. Slaw and rice were just okay, not bad but nothing special. Overall, a solid Hawaiian food spot worth checking out, especially if you're craving bold, savory flavors with a twist. Worth a try!

I arrived an hour before closing so a few of the most popular plates were sold out. We ended up getting the spicy Korean plate and the makai plate. Having Hawaiian Korean food in the continental US is pretty rare but reminds me the islands. The stand outs were the short ribs and the spicy ahi poke. I'll definitely have to come back to try the rest of their menu. The interior design is like a beachside barbecue restaurant in Hawaii with plenty of seating inside and a bit outside as well.

Not bad. I have been following this business on social media for a whole and I have always wanted to give them a try. Drove up from San Diego to give it a shot. The inside of the restaurant was chill. It was a Sunday afternoon and pretty busy. Thats a good sign. I ordered the Katsu Plate and the Prime Rib Loco Moco. I figured Id spend a little since I probably wont be in the area in the future. Katsu Plate: Mac...solid. Got Double mac. Rice...solid...Katsu sauce...solid. The Chicken Katsu itself, nice crispy breaded. Now the portion...for $18.00 + tax...lil skimpy in my opinion. 5 strips. Loco Moco Prime Rib: Legit. I wish I had ate this plate first fresh. I actually ate this plate the next evening. It's probably very good served fresh.

Ai Pono Cafe is a Hawaiian food spot located in a plaza with Target and other restaurants. It can get pretty busy but there is plenty of parking so it's not too difficult to find a spot. We came as a group of 6 on a Saturday afternoon and the restaurant was full but the line to order was short. There is seating inside and outside which is nice, and the indoor seating has picnic-style benches which are great for larger groups. My partner and I ordered the Spicy Ahi Poke Bowl, Da "Korean Zombie", and a slice of Lilikoi Butter Cheesecake. The food came out very quickly. The poke bowl was fresh and light which is what we were looking for. We wish there was a slightly larger portion of ahi, but the flavor was good. The Korean Zombie combo was a good portion and tasty. It didn't come with mac salad which was a miss on our part. The chicken were flavorful and tender but the short ribs were tough. The butter cheesecake is probably one of our favorite cheesecakes for texture and flavor, especially with the lilikoi sauce on top. Overall, giving Ai Pono Cafe a 4/5. The service and staff are quick and friendly. The music is a bit loud inside for having conversations. The food is solid, and the cheesecake is even better. Would recommend people looking for a good Hawaiian spot and would come back to try other items.

Even all the way down here. Make your food betta! I heard his nieces think your food is mid. Bra you still haven't improved.

The original Ai Pono Cafe that started it all. Loved where this restaurant is located and loved it even more that there's plenty of parking! Drove out from Las Vegas location to try the one in Costa Mesa. I wanted to see if I I would like it. Turns out that I REALLY liked it! The service and atmosphere was great. The food was yummy. Everything was seasoned right and it really hit the spot.