Uroko Cafe
Atypically excellent poke bowls - including a volcano - in Costa Mesa
Hidden within a traditionally Japanese commercial part of Costa Mesa – specifically nestled between the Mitsuwa supermarket and Kagura katsu shop – Uroko Cafe has specialized in Hawaiian-style poke bowls for nearly a decade. Local legend had it that Uroko’s poke was superior to the countless chains now offering raw cubed seafood bowls across Orange County, and we can confirm this: it does strike an atypically good balance of protein quality and pricing.
From tuna to salmon to albacore, the proteins are all fresh and tasty, with plenty of toppings, sauces, and sides to mix in with rice, salad, or chips – and a scoop of avocado is available without a surcharge. That’s not always the case at other poke places, though given avocado prices, it should be. On the other hand, you can’t choose more than one portion of the same protein or add-in, so if you pay for 5 scoops of fish, you can’t get 5 scoops of spicy tuna, which is sort of ridiculous.
Although poke is typically made with raw fish, one highlight on our visits has been the Volcano Poke, which is finished with a torch to add char and heat to typical poke ingredients. The result is the flavor and texture equivalent of a four-course meal on a single plate.
Uroko’s biggest differences arguably aren’t poke-related. You can order sushi here, and there’s also a gigantic collection of imported Japanese drinks and handmade beverages to choose from, as well as a handful of frozen mochi ice cream flavors.
Close to The Lab, the shabby chic/industrial space straddles the line between turn-of-century Costa Mesa and Japanese-Hawaiian vibes, with plenty of seating room. There are two additional Orange County locations in Costa Mesa and Cypress.
Stats
Price: $$
Service: Counter
Open Since: 2015
Addresses
3030 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714.436.5798
Instagram: @urokocafe17th