Fish Express

It’s a nice locals fish market. A pleasant «cultural» experience. There is no place to sit down to eat our plate of food. We found a nice park towards the Post Office to chow down. It’s a decent meal for a decent price but not extraordinary. I was surprised to see noodles in my potato salad but found it surprisingly delicious.
I am glad we tried the Fish Express — a local’s favorite. One of the best adventures is to absorb the culture by savoring the food. I enjoyed the Fish Express adventure and the food was OK.

My wife is a fish lover! However, Fish Express just didn’t do it for her. AT ALL. If it were up to her, this would definitely be a 1 star review. However, I bought some candies here that were very good, boosting the review up by a star. I also don’t think she ordered what she would have knowing all the options, she simply took the recommendation of one of the workers there, which didn’t pay off. She thought she was getting seafood, and well, half of what she got was chicken. I can’t completely tear this place down, because I don’t feel like we have tried enough to know whether it’s good or bad. That’s why this review sits right in the middle.

Great selection of many choices.
The food is packed up for «to go» orders only.
Food is fresh and looks good.

Another awesome poke spot on Kauai. Doesn’t get any fresher. I like their traditional & their spicy. It is our first stop upon landing at Lihue.
Not to be missed is their kalua (or lau lau) plate that comes with white rice, lomi salmon and chicken long rice. That’s a plate lunch!
I still can’t decide whether or not I like Fish Express better or Koloa Fish Market. I don’t think you can go wrong with either 5-​star poke joint.

Overall impression:
One of the top places to eat on Kauai. Just make sure to get there early because they run out of food.
Average price:
Poke~$ 13−18/lb.
Bentos-​$ 7 each
Positives:
–their fish is excellent, very fresh, they make great poke mixes
–outstanding quality of food, in general
–reasonable prices
–convenient location
–generally friendly and helpful staff
Negatives:
–run out of food if you go late
–hours are generally during lunch, when you tend not to be in lihue because you’re on the north shore or something. And not open on Sunday.
I love coming here. The problem is that it’s never open when I need it to be! I usually want to grab a bento to bring with me on a hike or beach outing but they aren’t open til 10 :(
But that basically gives testimony to how good this place is. It’s usually very busy. They run out of food because everyone wants to come here. Everything is made with lots of quality in mind. The staff is great (except this one old Japanese guy that wasn’t so friendly). Overall, excellent place to go and have lunch or pick up fish for a party!

Blah… Food was awful and over hyped. I had two bites of my fish taco and tossed that and the second order. Got the ahi poke bowl and it was gross.
They weren’t very friendly and I wasted my money. Needless to say I wouldn’t return.

Do not visit Kauai without stopping by here. Definitely recommend this spot, they have much more than just raw fish, their hot dishes are also very well prepared. I have been by twice, and cannot wait to visit again to try more of their items. The space is small and can get crowded at peak times, but they work pretty quickly and never too long of a wait.
Fish quality is excellent, flavor is on point, service great. My husband’s favorite is the albalone poke, mine is the spicy ahi. We also got the Ahi Katsu with Wasabi Sauce. The sauce was a lot creamier than I expected, but flavor was unlike anything I’ve ever had!

Looks may be deceiving, and that’s exactly happened to me as I walked into this awesome fresh seafood place in Kauai. I just wanted a quick bite, and this establishment did not have any cars in the parking lot and the inside looked empty. Little did I know this is a famous place other others have commented. I liked the food and the staff was very kind to let me taste different types.
Excellent food — I had the blackened Ono fish with guava basil sauce, with brown rice and fresh greens, and two small packs to poke– ahi poke and spicy ahi with crab.
I wish they had few tables inside or outside for travelers to eat there itself.

FAVORITE place for poke/​sashimi in Kauai!
I’ve loved everything that I’ve tried here. And the prices are fantastic.
The lobster poke is my favorite. The lobster tasted fresh and the sauces weren’t overpowering. The lobster did taste more like crawfish though. Added rice for a poke bowl and the total came out to under $ 8. Not a bad price!
The ahi poke bowl was great too. Really fresh. For a poke bowl, ours came out to under $ 6!
The ‘abalone like fish’ was yummy! Loved the consistency. It actually tasted like abalone too.
Came back a few days later and ordered their yellow tail sashimi and fried chicken. The sashimi was amazing! Couldn’t believe how much sashimi they gave at such a low price. And it tasted super fresh!
The fried chicken was good but I’ve had better elsewhere. I got a giant piece but a lot of it was inedible hard skin. Other than that no complaints.
Definitely a go to in Kauai for fresh fish.

I expected more from this place, seeing all the great reviews! I admit the poke are very fresh, but everything was too salty.
Ahi Spicy Poke
Lobster salad: Both EXTREMELY salty. It was quite disappointing.
Albacore: This was less salty and delicious!
Sashimi: very fresh and delicious. Thank goodness they didn’t add salt in this one!

Good Poke, but don’t go too close to closing
FOOD:
Unfortunately because we came in about 30 minutes before the fish market closed, the poke selection wasn’t great. We ended up getting a seafood mix, which was pretty cheap (about $ 7 per pound) and seaweed salad. I would have liked to see more selection.
That being said, I though the seafood mix was pretty good!
SERVICE:
It’s fine. You order and the food comes. Not overly friendly, but I have learned to never expect that from a fish market.
PRICE:
Reasonable. Get the seafood mix for a deal!

Updated: Bumped up to 5 stars. After spending the week on the island, we ended up coming back 4x. We definitely prefer this place to Pono Market in Kapaa.
Our first food stop in Kauai was a winner. It was so unexpected but the chicken karage or fried chicken was amongst the best we’ve ever had, even when compared to LA or the Bay Area. We liked it so much we went back a 2^nd time in the same day! We also ordered 2 fish plates, the Macadamia nut crusted Ahi and a Garlic Butter Ono. Both were decent, maybe 3.5 stars due to the generous portions of fish. Lastly we tried the Poke during our 2^nd visit of the day, as it was almost $ 5/​pound cheaper than Costco. Highly recommended, but not a dine in place so take it back home or to your hotel. I’m sure we’ll be visiting again during this vacation.

Simple little place, exactly what you are looking for in a fish market.
Great Poke ($ 10.36)

Poke is the best on Kauai. They even got the Hanamaulu fried chicken and shrimp. Others have tried to replicate it but Fish Express must have gotten the secret recipe cuz it tastes n looks da same. Add that to your bento and have lunch/​dinner at the beach. This place is so good, don’t waste time reading all the reviews just go there!

«ONO»
That’s all that needs to be said about the Fish Express but I’ll elaborate for sure.
When you leave the airport in Lihue, Fish Express is less than 5 – 10 minutes down Kuhio Hwy from the light a Ahukini Rd.(Traffic allowing of course).The left turn is kind of tricky so be careful if this is your first time driving on Kauai.
FYI — This is a fish market, not a restaurant. There is no seating so don’t be shocked and pissed. Take it back to your car and enjoy it. It’s just as good, I promise.
I suggest dropping by early, they tend to sell out of the popular stuff because it is super fresh and also they don’t have crazy hours they close at about 5:00pm during the week.
They have everything from the infamous Ahi Poke, Spicy or onion. Lobster Salad, like shrimp salad but Lobster is 100x’s as tasty.
The crab cake salad is amazing too. This is a little more literal, there’s a couple of crab cake patties on a bed of greenery and an amazing ginger dressing to drop on top. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous with your palette, give the tako a try. It’s also taste-​bud mind-​blowingly delicious.
They carry this brand of coconut water that I couldn’t find anywhere else on the island in a brownish/​reddish can. It tastes better to me than the CO2 stuff that’s everywhere (which is still good).
I tried this place 3 times in a span of 5 days while on the island. I tried poke in Waimea, I tried Poke in Kapa’a and Fish Express easily, hands down has the best. The prices are in line with what you might pay at other fresh seafood markets. There’s no dollar menu just in case you’re looking for a cheap meal. The prices are worth it for sure though.
If you’re new to Poke, the Spicy Ahi bowl is a great way to ease into trying it for the first time. Spicy Ahi Tuna, Wasabi Cream sauce on a bed of sticky white rice… Holy Sh** is it delicious. They sell out quick so I was only able to have one bowl.
Right hand to God, this will be my first stop when I go back to Kauai. I might even let my luggage circle to baggage claim while I go get some Poke.
Mahalo, you guys create seafood magic here.

Another place we have not visited for ten years. But found 25 years ago on first trip. Same quality same tiny joint… But the lines are bigger. The word is out!!!
Great varieties of poke and fish. Best on island. Get a box lunch to go and you are set.
We got a variety including lobster poke which was tasty indeed. My fav is crab (not with a K the real stuff and ahi tuna spicy style with Maui onion!
Next time I’m gonna try that feud chicken!

Location was very close to the airport, perfect for a quick hunger fix. Ordered the salted squid, spicy poke, Hawaiian plate and a box of shrimp.
I’d have to say that the fried tempura shrimp was the best! Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing for the rest of the food we ordered. The shrimp was $ 1.20 a piece or $ 12 for a small to-​go box.
It’s a small place with no tables or seats, get your food to go, or better yet eat in your car. Friendly and helpful staff, they even took care and put away our leftover trash.
Large parking lot right outside of it.

Definitely a local spot.
Easy to find off one of the main roads in Lihue. Came straight here after landing at the airport. Parking was tough. They have a small lot, and everyone is there. People were parked illegally and made their own spots. Apparently, that seemed to be the norm as our time on island went on… But coming off the plane, it’s a bit nerve racking.
When I finally made a parking spot for my rental, it was equally hectic inside. Tons of poke of all flavors. All by the pound. You line up and choose. Luckily, everyone working there is so friendly and helpful.
The poke:
Spicy ahi: A little too much mayo, which was a bit overpowering. Some fresh fish, for sure, but was akin to dousing sashimi with the spicy mayo sauce (but from a great Japanese place!)
Shoyu ahi: Some of the best on the island. Marinated just the right amount of time, while letting the fish speak for itself. On a bed of rice, it was authentic. Good snap of the green onion. Couldn’t be better.
Spam masubi: What can I say? What a treat! Love it. Fish Express does it right.
I’d be back if I could. Wouldn’t mind doing it like a local.

Whoa wasnt expecting them to give out samples! Love that their poke is not too spicy or salty (even the ones that say «spicy»).
According to the nice lady helping us out, we came at the right time cuz the poke was around 12.99/ lb or so but last week it was about $ 18. So 3 of those servings of poke were so affordable! The spam musubi was also delish! My only regret was not getting the taro dessert also. She was right, they don’t sell them everywhere on the island.
Ono rating: 5

I’m here for their lobster salad. It left me savoring for more. I think I’m going to try to make this at home. I ordered a lunch box of that with ahi poke and rice. I wish I can eat like this everyday! I originally wanted the fried chicken, but they ran out. Andy got the last scrumptious pieces. Of course, I tried one from his fried chicken and shrimp plate. Since, we’re on vacation, it’s okay to be bad, am I right?!