The Pokehana Story

How it began…

The Pokéhana journey actually began with an entirely different restaurant — the Japanese fusion restaurant Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar.

At Okura Sushi, the Lee family offers inventive and delectable twists on classic Japanese sushi and seafood, as well as delicious Robata Grill entrees and signature cocktails. The focus on fresh ingredients and skillful preparation helped Okura to quickly become a local favorite, garnering first place in The Desert Sun’s “Best of The Valley” award in the Japanese restaurant category for over 8 years, and eventually leading to a second location in Laguna Beach.

The Lee family’s commitment to offering the finest-quality ingredients and best service made Okura Sushi a long-time favorite of desert dwellers.

Now, they’ve brought that same passion and drive to Pokéhana.

Continuing the Tradition of Excellence with a Fresh Twist

Jay Lee, the owner of Okura Sushi, believes that true chefs are always learning and working to improve their techniques and their concepts — excellence in taste and quality is the goal. Her son, Daniel, grew up looking over her shoulder at Okura and learning from her determination to put freshness first — always. After spending a few years helping to manage Okura, Daniel wanted to branch out and expand the family’s culinary offerings.

With Pokéhana, Daniel wanted to introduce something new to the local dining scene, delivered through a family-owned, community-based restaurant brand.

In opening Pokéhana, Daniel’s goal was to infuse Hawaiian poké with the Okura touch and offer a fresh twist to the cuisine. He also wanted to offer his community better options when it came to casual dining. His passion for health and fitness are reflected in the high-quality, healthful ingredients that fill each bowl, as well as Pokéhana’s collaborative efforts with local health and fitness businesses like Fit in 42.

The Pokéhana Life!

At Pokéhana, we believe that a healthy lifestyle starts with what you put in your body. Our menu is designed to offer the highest levels of healthful nutrition combined with a true chef’s understanding of taste — all delivered in a convenient bowl!

Fresh, fast, and flavorful – fall in love with the Pokéhana life! Aloha!