KTA Super Stores have been
locally owned and operated since 1916 on the Big Island of Hawaii. I have a ton
of childhood memories at this supermarket in my hometown of Hilo, HI. After my
family moved to the mainland, my grandpa was always excited to see his
grandchildren over the summer. My grandpa would make a trip to KTA to pick up a
carton of Meadow Gold Guava Juice and Miko Pupu Rockets. These items would be
waiting for me in the refrigerator after he picked us up from the airport. As
we grew older, we made our own trips to KTA to stock up on our local favorites
from Portuguese sausage, Punalu’u breads, bento, and poke. Put on a pot of
sticky rice before you go to the market so you can start chowing down when you
get home.
KTA has a large selection of
different pokes to choose from and are sold by the pound. The base flavoring is
usually shoyu (soy sauce), sesame seed oil, and Hawaiian salt. Here are some of
our favorites:
Hokki Gai (surf clam) Poke is
chunked clam mixed with sesame seeds, ogo (seaweed), green onions. The clams
are so sweet and slightly briny. The ogo adds a slight crunchy texture. The
green onion adds a refreshing flavor. Rating: 5/5
Marlin Poke is chunked
swordfish mixed with ogo, minced garlic, sesame, and chili pepper flakes.
Swordfish is a meaty fish with an assertive flavor. The garlic and chili pepper
tame it down to bring sweetness out of the fish. The ogo adds a slightly briny
flavor to tie it all together. Rating: 4/5
Spicy Tuna Poke is chunked
tuna mixed with tobiko (fish roe), green onion, and diced onion in a spicy
mayo. Similar to what you would find in a spicy tuna roll in a sushi bar. The
difference is that this is chunked rather than minced so texturally you’ll have
the soft tuna chunks and the crisp, pungent diced onion. The tobiko bursts in
your mouth with sweet briny goodness. Rating: 5/5
Tako Poke is tako (octopus)
mixed with ogo, minced garlic, and chili pepper flakes. The tako is sliced and
acts like a sponge, absorbing all of the flavors, yet retaining the sweet tako
flavor. The ogo’s slightly crunchy texture contrasts nicely with the tender tako.
Rating: 4.5/5
Wakame Salad is a good side
dish to poke or to put your poke on instead of rice. KTA seasons it perfectly
with a balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors. You have the natural briny
flavor from the seaweed itself and then the sweet sour flavor of rice vinegar.
I could eat a whole plate of this! Rating: 5/5
If you’re looking for quick eats, KTA has an
abundance of choices. Poke No Ka Oi!
For more information:
50 E Puainako St
Hilo, HI 96720
+1.808.959.9111
Hours: Daily from 5:30am to
12:00am
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