Mochiko Hawaiian in Newtonville Expands to New Location at Boston Landing in Brighton

A restaurant in the western suburbs that is known in part for its fried chicken and bubble tea has expanded to a new location, and this one is within the Boston city limits.

Based on a check on the place, Mochiko Hawaiian is now open at Boston Landing in Brighton, joining one on Walnut Street in Newtonville. The new Guest Street eatery offers such options as chicken sandwiches, pork sandwiches, fried chicken plates, burgers, spam handrolls, tater tots, hash browns, smoothies, iced tea, milk tea, and more.

The address for the new location of Mochiko Hawaiian at Boston Landing is 133 Guest Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. The website for the business is at https://www.mochikohawaiian.com/

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Kanaka Cafe to Open in the Former Pinoy Kabayan Filipino Asian Cuisine Space in Downtown Boston

A new restaurant that offers Filipino dishes and more will be opening in the heart of Boston, and it will be taking over the space where another Filipino dining spot had been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Kanaka Cafe is opening on Broad Street in downtown Boston, moving into the former Pinoy Kabayan Filipino Asian Cuisine space. The Instagram page for Kanaka Cafe mentions that it will be featuring "Authentic Hawaiian, Filipino dishes and Poke Bowls" including items such as garlic shrimp, fried chicken, Kalua pork, poke nachos, crab salad, pork and peas, and more.

Pinoy Kabayan Filipino Asian Cuisine debuted in September of 2023, 

The address for the upcoming Kanaka Cafe is 71 Broad Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Mochiko Hawaiian Fried Chicken Is Opening in Newtonville

A fried chicken place in MetroWest is planning to open a new location closer to Boston.

According to a source, Mochiko Hawaiian Fried Chicken is looking to open in Newtonville, moving into the space on Walnut Street that had been home to a location of Los Amigos until it moved. A picture sent to us indicates that both a building permit and a sidewalk seating application for the proposed place have been posted out front, with the latter including the name "Mochiko Hawaiian" on it. The original location of Mochiko Hawaiian Fried Chicken, which can be found in Marlborough, offers fried chicken sandwiches and fried chicken plates that use a sweet rice flour made from short-grain rice.

The address for the new location of Mochiko Hawaiian Fried Chicken is 324 Walnut Street, Newton, MA, 02460. The website for the original location in Marlborough is at https://www.mochikochix.com/

[August 8 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mochiko Hawaiian Fried Chicken is now open in Newtonville.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Kokoda Is Opening in Boston's Seaport District

A new dining spot that offers foods found on the Pacific Islands is on its way to the Boston waterfront.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Kokoda is planning to open in the Seaport District, moving into a space on Northern Avenue in the Fan Pier area. The website for the upcoming eatery indicates that it will offer dishes with Hawaiian, Fijian, and Samoan influences (and with a focus on seafood and bowls), and that Ron SH (Cloud & Spirits, Love Art brand) is behind it.

The address for Kokoda in the Seaport District is 53 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. Its website can be found at https://www.kokodaboston.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/kokodaboston/

[July 5 update: A message sent to us indicates that Kokoda plans to have its grand opening on Saturday, July 9 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a limited menu that features dishes with bluefin tuna and local New England yellowfin, and all dishes and soft drinks will be complimentary.]

[July 11 update: A new message sent to us confirms that Kokoda is now open.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Poke City to Open in Former Wheelhouse Space in Boston's Financial District

A Cambridge restaurant that features a trendy food dish is expanding across the river, opening in a downtown Boston space where a dining spot known for its hamburgers had been.

According to a source (Geoff Wong), Poke City is planning to open on Broad Street in the old Wheelhouse space, with signs out front indicating that it is indeed connected to the restaurant by the same name on Mass. Ave. near Porter Square. Based on the menu at the Cambridge location, expect to see poke (Hawaiian raw fish salad) as well as soups, salads, ice cream, and more at the new outlet. No opening date for the Boston location of Poke City has been given as of yet, so keep checking back for updates.

Wheelhouse closed at the end of last month, though it will soon be opening back up at High Street Place, a new food hall coming to downtown Boston.

The address for the upcoming Poke City in the Financial District is 63 Broad Street, Boston, MA, 02109. The website for the Cambridge location can be found at https://www.pokecityma.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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The Okipoke Opens in Burlington

A Westford restaurant that focuses on a trendy food item has expanded to a new space closer to Boston.

According to its website and Instagram page, The Okipoke is now open in Burlington, moving into a space within the 3rd Ave development and joining its original location at Cornerstone Square in Westford. The new eatery focuses on poke options, including salads, bowls, and burritos, with ingredients including raw fish (tuna and salmon), cooked seafood (crab, shrimp, scallops), and non-seafood items such as chicken and tofu.

The address for this new dining spot in Burlington is: The Okipoke, 19 3rd Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. Its website can be found at https://www.theokipokewestford.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/okipoke01886/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Pokeworks Is Opening in Boston's Longwood Area

A group of dining spots featuring a couple of increasingly-trendy food items is opening another Boston-area location, with this one coming to a section of the city known for its medical facilities.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Pokeworks is planning to open in the Longwood section of Boston, moving into a space on Brookline Avenue. Based on its other locations, the proposed eatery would likely feature poke (a Hawaiian raw fish salad) as well as sushi burritos, and it would join existing locations in Somerville's Davis Square and Cambridge's Harvard Square, along with an outlet that will be opening at Arsenal Yards in Watertown.

The address for this new dining spot in Boston's Longwood area is: Pokeworks, 425 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for Pokeworks can be found at https://www.pokeworks.com/

[January 28, 2020 update: A Facebook events page indicates that the Longwood location of Pokeworks is now open, and that its grand opening is slated to take place on February 7.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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POKE by Love Art Is Opening at The Beverly Near North Station in Boston

A few months ago, it was learned that the people behind two Boston restaurants with similar names but different concepts would be opening a third spot downtown with a similar name and yet another concept. Now we have learned that this upcoming spot will be joined by an express location a short distance away.

According to a press release, POKE by Love Art is opening at The Beverly, a residential development across from North Station and TD Garden in the West End section of the city. The new eatery will be similar to Love Art Poke on Water Street in the Congress Square development in the Financial District, but with an abridged menu being offered. Expect to see a variety of Hawaiian-style raw fish salad options at POKE by Love Art, including vegan offerings.

Once it opens, POKE by Love Art (and Love Art Poke) will join Love Art Sushi near where the Back Bay and the Fenway meet and Love Art Udon by Boston University.

The Beverly is located at the intersection of Beverly Street and Causeway Street.

[January 16, 2020 update: According to a source, POKE by Love Art plans to open tomorrow (Friday, January 17).]

[Earlier Article]
Love Art Poke to Open in Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Love Art Poke Plans to Open in Downtown Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

The people behind two Boston restaurants with similar names but different concepts will be opening a third spot downtown, and in keeping with the pattern, this one will also have a similar name but a different concept from the other two.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Love Art Poke is planning to open on Water Street in the Congress Square development, with the dining spot focusing on Hawaiian-style raw fish salad while also offering vegan options as well. Once it opens, the eatery will join Love Art Sushi near where the Back Bay and the Fenway meet and Love Art Udon by Boston University.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in downtown Boston is: Love Art Poke, 40 Water Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

[July 18 update: An email sent to us indicates that Love Art Poke may be opening later this summer, though no specific opening date has been given as of yet.]

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Manoa Poke Shop in Somerville Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A Somerville restaurant that focuses on a dish that has been trendy over the past few years is shutting down.

According to a source, Manoa Poke Shop on Beacon Street is closing, with an Instagram post from the eatery thanking customers for their support and saying that "It has been a crazy amazing journey for us all, and we wouldn't trade it for anything." No specific closing date has been given, but it looks like it may be shuttering over the next week or so.

Manoa first opened in January of 2017, offering poke (which is a Hawaiian raw fish salad) along with fried chicken, chili rice bowls, kalua pig (slow-cooked pork shoulder), and more. It is one of a number of poke shops that have opened in the Greater Boston area over recent times, including Pokeworks in Somerville's Davis Square, Poke City in Cambridge, Yoki Express in Boston's Seaport District, Love Art Sushi in the Back Bay/Fenway area, and Poke Garden in Brookline.

The address for this soon-to-close restaurant in Somerville is: Manoa Poke Shop, 300 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at https://manoa.fish

[January 21 update: Boston Magazine states that Manoa Poke Shop will close for good after business hours on Saturday, January 26.]

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Pokeworks to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

by Marc Hurwitz

A group of dining spots featuring a couple of increasingly-trendy food items will be opening a third Boston-area location.

According to a press release, Pokeworks is planning to open at the upcoming Arsenal Yards complex in Watertown, joining existing locations in Somerville's Davis Square and Cambridge's Harvard Square. Expect to see poke (a Hawaiian raw fish salad) as well as "pokirritos" (a type of sushi burrito) at the upcoming eatery, which is headquartered in Irvine, CA, and currently has nearly 20 locations across the United States.

Arsenal Yards will be a mixed-use development located at the site of the old Arsenal Mall, with the complex including retail, office, and residential space. As reported earlier, a location of Shake Shack will also be moving into the development.

The website for Pokeworks can be found at http://www.pokeworks.com/

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Pokeworks Is Opening in Somerville's Davis Square

Several months ago, we reported that a Hawaiian poke spot was planning to come to Somerville, taking over the space where a hot pot and sushi restaurant had been. Now it appears that the place is getting close to opening.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, a new restaurant at 261 Elm Street is currently hiring; the address given indicates that this will be Pokeworks, with this being confirmed on the restaurant's website. (The space used to be home to Yumi.) As mentioned before, Pokeworks will likely offer a Hawaiian raw fish salad known as "poke" along with "pokirritos" which are a type of sushi burrito. Once it opens, the new shop will join two others in California as well as one each in New York City and Seattle.

Last month, a dining spot called OGinger opened next door at 263 Elm Street, and it serves sushi burritos as well.

The website for Pokeworks can be found at http://www.pokeworks.com/

[November 29 update: Eater Boston mentions that Pokeworks opens in Davis Square on Thursday, December 1.]

[December 1 update: A Facebook post from the restaurant indicates that today's opening of the Somerville location of Pokeworks is actually a soft opening.]

[December 9 update: Based on its Facebook posts, it appears that Pokeworks is now fully open in Somerville.]

[Earlier Articles]
Yumi in Somerville's Davis Square Has Closed; New Restaurant Apparently Coming
OGinger Opens in Somerville's Davis Square

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Manoa to Open in Somerville

It looks like a Hawaiian eatery is on its way to Somerville, and it may be joining at least one other Hawaiian spot that is also planning to come to the city.

According to a job listing on the bostonchefs.com site, Manoa is looking to open on Beacon Street near Porter Square, with the description saying that it will be "a neighborhood-oriented business inspired by the poke shops and superettes of Hawaii....their menu will feature top-quality local seafood along with other classic Hawaiian dishes." An exact address for the dining spot has not been given as of yet, nor is there a specific opening date; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

A couple of months ago, we had reported that a chain called Pokeworks had been planning to open on Elm Street in Davis Square, with that place offering both poke (which is a Hawaiian raw fish salad) and "pokirritos" (sushi burritos). At the time, it looked like dining spots offering poke and pokirritos would be coming to both 261 Elm Street and 263 Elm Street, indicating that Pokeworks could be taking over both spaces, though this has not been confirmed.

[January 6, 2017 update: Eater Boston states that Manoa opens its doors tomorrow (Saturday, January 7).]

[Earlier Article]
Yumi in Somerville's Davis Square Has Closed; New Restaurant Apparently Coming

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