**** HFS has moved their retail location and is now HFS at Centerpark Labs
I'm not quite sure how I heard about Hawaiian Fresh Seafood…..having combed thru my emails, I'm thinking it was via the "coconut wireless". Anyway, I decided to head on over to a business park in Sorrento Valley, off of Mira Mesa Boulevard, to this Seafood Wholesaler's retail market; a la Catalina Offshore.
This is one of those places that you probably wouldn't stumble across. There is a small outdoor dining area and on the side of the building you'll find the retail entrance.
And from here you just follow the signs to the retail area.
I recall being told that during these times; and I'm referring to Covid-19, the Seafood Market operation will sometimes run out of product. So, I made it a point to get there just right after they open at 10am. And wouldn't you know it; there was already four people ahead of me at different stages of being served.
I'm not sure what the Hawaii connection is with this company; I read that they have their own fishing fleet. And guess what? The really nice young man taking care of me is from Ewa Beach! As I spoke, he immediately asked me where I was from…… He is currently going to college here in San Diego.
I took a look at what was offered….it's kinda obvious that I wasn't going to be getting any salmon…..I was, after all, missing "home" and was to get something with Ahi.
So, I got the two scoops poke for $12.99. It's so simple; just like our favorite places back home, this ain't no "chi-poke" shop. It's just poke and rice. I got the Shoyu Ahi and the California Ahi.
First thing I noticed was the quality of the fish; no "sugi" (connective tissue), the fish had the perfect, slight buttery-meatiness to it. The Shoyu Ahi had been nicely seasoned, not overdone, but well coated, not overly salty; the texture as quite good. There was a bit too much mayo on the California Ahi for me; and just a bit too much "stuff". But man, the texture of the fish is what got me. Let's not get too overblown with this….this isn't as good as our favorites back home; but it's good enough to be at what I call "good supermarket" level for the islands.
To put it frankly; this makes the stuff at the place that claims to be "1-1/2" to be closer to "1/3"…….you know the word "one" and the word that sounds very much like "third".
I decided to return the next day and hit the place up on my way back home to check on Frankie to grab some poke for the Missus. She's been kind of bummed that we can't travel and especially aren't really able to go back home to visit Her parents. Spending our entire time (14 days) in quarantine would just not do it for us.
This time I even took notice of the fresh fish available……that premium grade ahi looked pretty good.
I ended up getting four 1/2 pound portions for us to sample.
Clockwise from the top – Kilauea Volcano Ahi, Spicy Ahi, Spicy Cilantro, and Shoyu Ahi.
Of course, the hands down favorite was the Shoyu Ahi. Even though it was "less dressed" than before, we just loved the meaty-tender Ahi, no off flavors…….I looked on that "four lettered" site and someone complained that the Poke only had soy sauce flavor to it….well, duh…..
The "Volcano" was quite spicy, fish was good, in fact, it was good quality across the board.
Fish nicely coated, not overly salty.
Both Spicy Ahi Poke had a bit too much mayo for my taste. I'm not the biggest fan of this style, but the Missus enjoys it, and of course has "trained me well" in making the stuff.
In the end; it's all about the fish for me and this place has delivered on both my visits. And I've been told that they sometimes have Ahi Limu, which I'm hoping is true. For now, I'll be happy with getting the Shoyu Ahi Poke…..which, for me, an ex-pat Kama'aina who isn't able to have a fruitful visit "back home" right now, means the world.
Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Fish Market
6491 Weathers Place
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 282-0591
Covid-19 Hours:
Daily 10am – 4pm