Yoki Express in Boston's Seaport District Has Closed; Happy Rice Sushi to Open in Its Space

A Japanese dining spot in Boston's waterfront area has shut down, and it looks like it will be replaced by another Japanese eatery.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Yoki Express in the Seaport District is no longer in business, with Happy Rice Sushi planning to open in its space. Yoki Express was known for its sushi burritos and poke bowls and had an ownership connection to Yoki Japanese Restaurant & Bar, which remains open in Medford; the menu for Happy Rice Sushi doesn't yet have a menu, simply saying "modern sushi."

Yoki Express first opened back in 2017.

The address for the now-closed Yoki Express (and upcoming Happy Rice Sushi) is 53 Boston Wharf Road, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for Happy Rice Sushi will be at https://happyricesushi.com/

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Atlantic Poke Opens in Framingham

A pair of dining spots west of Boston that feature poke bowls have been joined by a third location, and this one is the first one inside Route 495.

According to a source along with the website for the business, Atlantic Poke is now open in Framingham, moving into a space at Shoppers World. The new location of the eatery joins others in Marlborough and Shrewsbury, and it offers poke bowls, bubble tea, seaweed chips, brownies, marshmallow treats, and more.

The address for the new location of Atlantic Poke at Shoppers World is 1 Worcester Road (Route 9) Unit 521B, Framingham, MA, 01701. The address for all three locations is at https://www.atlanticpoke.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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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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Waikiki Opens in the Old Johnny D's Space in Somerville's Davis Square

A few years ago, it was reported that a poke bar could be opening at the site of an iconic music club that had closed a couple of years earlier. Now we have learned that the place has finally debuted.

According to a post from Eater Boston, Waikiki is now open in the former Johnny D's space in the Davis Square section of Somerville. As mentioned earlier here, the new Holland Street spot offers such options as poke, sushi rolls, and raw juices, while also serving milk tea, fruit slushes and teas, smoothies, and salad bowls as well.

Johnny D's closed down in 2016 after being in operation for nearly 50 years.

The address for Waikiki is 17 Holland Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its website can be found at https://waikiki-poke-bar.business.site/

[Earlier Article]
Waikiki Could be Opening in Former Johnny D's Space in Somerville's Davis Square

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

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Love Art Sushi Opens in Downtown Boston

A couple of years ago, it was reported that the people behind the "Love Art" restaurants in Boston would be opening a new location in the downtown section of the city, and now we have learned that while the original concept (and name) has changed a bit, it is now open.

According to a press release, Love Art Sushi has debuted on Water Street in the Congress Square development, with the new eatery offering sushi bowls along with poke options as well. (The original plan had been to open as Love Art Poke and focus on Hawaiian-style raw fish salads.) In addition to sushi bowls and poke, diners are also able to order "Makirittos" (a combination maki/burrito dish) as well as an array of gluten-free and vegan options, and a premium sushi bento program will be available for special order as individualized catering dishes for organizations and offices starting in late April if all goes as planned.

Other restaurants from the Love Art Udon team include Poke by Love Art near North Station and another location of Love Art Sushi in the Fenway/Back Bay.

The address for this new location of Love Art Sushi in downtown Boston is 40 Water Street, Boston, MA, 02109. Its website can be found at https://loveartsushi.com/

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

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The OkiPoké Is Opening at MarketStreet Lynnfield

A pair of poke shops will soon be opening a third location in the local area, with this one coming to a mixed-use development north of Boston.

According to an article in the Boston Real Estate Times, The OkiPoké is planning to open at MarketStreet Lynnfield, joining two other outlets in Burlington and Westford. Based on the menus at those spots, expect to see poke bowls, burritos, and salads, while the article says that ramen dishes will be offered as well. If all goes as planned, the new location of The OkiPoké will be opening this spring.

Several other restaurants and food spots are on their way to MarketStreet Lynnfield as well, including Alchemy (a New American restaurant that used to be in Gloucester) and GFG Cafe, which will offer Greek fare.

The address for The OkiPoké is at https://theokipoke.com/

[May 24 update: A press release mentions that the MarketStreet Lynnfield location of The OkiPoké is now open.]

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

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Poke Boys Opens in the Former Tonkatsu King Space at Hong Kong Supermarket/Super 88 Food Court in Allston

A brand new spot has come to a popular Boston food court, and it focuses on a food item that has become increasingly hot over the past few years.

According to a source (Sarah Wu), Poke Boys is now open in the former Tonkatsu King space at the Hong Kong Supermarket/Super 88 Food Court in Allston, with the eatery offering both dine-in and pickup service. The menu for the restaurant includes both build-your-own bowls and signature bowls, along with soups, cold appetizers, and donburi, with the bowls including both tuna and salmon as seafood options.

Tonkatsu King, which shut down several months ago, focused on Korean cuisine along with some Japanese dishes.

The website for Poke Boys can be found at http://www.pokeboysma.com/

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

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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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Broken Coconut to Open in Boston's Seaport District

A "beach to bowl" spot with roots in New York City is expanding to the Boston waterfront.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Broken Coconut is opening on Northern Avenue in the city's Seaport District, with a "coming soon" sign that also includes the hashtag #eatpretty. The Tables section of The Boston Globe also mentions that the dining spot is on its way to the waterfront, saying that it plans to open sometime next spring.

Broken Coconut first opened in the Noho section of Manhattan in the fall of 2017, offering a variety of bowls (including poke bowls) as well as coconut yogurt, salads, egg dishes, toasts, matcha, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of Broken Coconut in Boston's Seaport District is 30 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the original location in New York can be found at https://www.brokencoconutnyc.com/

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

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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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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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Manoa Poke Shop in Somerville Is Reopening

A Somerville restaurant that shut down earlier this year is returning to its old space.

Eater Boston is reporting (via an Instagram page from the place) that Manoa Poke Shop on Beacon Street is opening back up, with the dining spot soft-opening this weekend and also being open next weekend, though it is not yet known when it might resume normal hours. The post mentions that the eatery will offer poke (a Hawaiian raw fish salad) once again, along with Polynesian specialties that include its popular fried chicken dish.

Manoa closed in January after being in operation for approximately two years, though the business has continued to do pop-ups at events since its closure, according to Eater.

The address for Manoa Poke Shop is 300 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA, 02143.

[Earlier Article]
Manoa Poke Shop in Somerville Is Closing

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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Ono Poke Bar Is Opening Below Yume Wo Katare in Cambridge's Porter Square

It looks like a new restaurant featuring a trendy food item may be on its way to a space under an award-winning ramen spot in Cambridge.

According to a source, Ono Poke Bar has a "coming soon" sign below Yume Wo Katare in Porter Square, which seems to jibe with an earlier thread on Facebook that indicated the eatery would indeed be coming to the Mass. Ave. storefront. Very little is known about the upcoming spot--including whether it has a connection to Yume Wo Katare--but it is assumed that the place will include Hawaiian-style raw fish salad on its menu.

The people behind Yume Wo Katare, which has received rave reviews from both local and national media outlets since opening in 2012, have another restaurant on the other side of Porter Square--Yume Ga Arukara, a counter-service spot that focuses on dishes with udon noodles.

[December 23 update: A license commission page within the city's website confirms that Ono Poke Bar is indeed planning to open under Yume Wo Katare, with a hearing on its request for a common victualler license taking place last week. (The notice also says that the eatery plans to have seating for 12.]

[February 14, 2020 update: A Facebook post from Boston City Life mentions that Ono Poke Bar 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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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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Karen Akunowicz Is Opening SloPoke within Whole Foods Market in Charles River Plaza

by Marc Hurwitz

Earlier this year, a James Beard Award Winner opened a new restaurant in South Boston that focuses mainly on Italian food. Now she is planning to open another spot, with this one being inside a grocery store near the downtown area of the city.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Karen Akunowicz is planning to open SloPoke within the Whole Foods Market in the Charles River Plaza near where the West End borders Beacon Hill. The new eatery from Akunowicz, who opened Fox and the Knife in Southie in February, will feature poke bowls that include pre-set, customizable, and pre-made grab-and-go, with tuna, salmon, and shrimp being seafood options while sweet potatoes and tofu will be a couple of non-seafood options.

Eater says that SloPoke plans to open on May 10.

The West End location of Whole Foods is at 181 Cambridge Street in Boston, while the Instagram page for SloPoke can be found at https://www.instagram.com/slopoke_bos/

[May 12 update: An Instagram post from the place indicates that SloPoke is now open.]

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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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Yoki Express Is Opening in the Former Bruegger's Bagels Space in Cambridge's Porter Square

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a fast-casual spot by the Boston waterfront that features a couple of trendy food items is expanding to Cambridge.

According to a source, Yoki Express is planning to open in the old Bruegger's Bagels space in Porter Square, with a public hearing notice posted in a window of the Mass. Ave. storefront indicating that the eatery seeks to "continue the operation of a fast order food restaurant" within the space. If approved by the city and it does open, the new Yoki Express may feature poke bowls and sushi burritos, based on the menu at the Seaport District location. (Yoki Express is also connected to Yoki, a Japanese restaurant and bar in Medford.)

Bruegger's Bagels closed its Porter Square location late last summer, shortly after a Kenmore Square location of the chain shut its doors.

The address for the proposed Yoki Express is 1876 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02140.

[July 12 update: Yoki Express could be one step closer to opening in Cambridge by next week, as a license commission hearing agenda page within the city's website indicates that a meeting regarding its request for a common victualler license is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17.]

[December 30 update: According to a Facebook events page, the new location of Yoki Express has its grand opening on January 31.]

[January 13, 2020 update: Eater Boston mentions that Yoki Express in Cambridge is actually open for business as it gets ready for its grand opening at the end of the month.]

[Earlier Article]
Bruegger's Bagels in Cambridge's Porter Square Has Closed

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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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Poke Station and Kitchen Opens by Northeastern University in Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A new restaurant that focuses on a couple of hot dining trends has come to Boston, and this one should be popular with college students.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Poke Station and Kitchen is now open by Northeastern University, with the Huntington Avenue dining spot featuring poke (which is a Hawaiian raw fish salad) and sushi burritos, while also offering such items as Korean fried chicken, dumplings, pork buns, and more. Poke and sushi burritos have become more and more popular over the past couple of years, with such places as Pokeworks in Somerville's Davis Square, Poke City and Manoa in Cambridge, Yoki Express in Boston's Seaport District, Love Art Sushi in the Back Bay/Fenway area, Poke Garden in Brookline, and others coming to the area.

Eater says that Poke Station and Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The address for this new restaurant near Northeastern is: Poke Station and Kitchen, 313 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

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