Pokenori

location.
119 N Church Street

hours.
mon-thurs 11am-3pm & 5-9:30pm
fri 11am-3pm & 5-10pm
sat 12-3pm & 5-10pm
sun 12-3pm

what they are known for.
sushi burritos!

menu.

features.
​outdoor dining

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Pokenori has made a huge splash in the Spartanburg restaurant scene.  It’s new, innovative, and above all, insanely delicious.  Their twist on sushi is as fresh as the ingredients they are serving up!

I’ll admit, I was a bit overwhelmed on my first visit (and there have been multiple). There are many, many selections...and what makes that exciting is that you can design your favorite meal and order it over and over, or you can get something different every time you visit. 

Your meal can be ordered as a rice bowl, salad, or yes, a sushi burrito. Check out “The Signatures” if you are feeling overwhelmed by the choices before you. “Spicy Ahi” will get you spicy tuna with lettuce, sweet onion, cucumber, masago (those tiny orange fish eggs which are standard in the sushi world), and sriracha aioli. “Umami Poke” features raw salmon with lettuce, mango, carrot, cucumber, masago and spicy ginger. I can’t wait to try the “Honey Wasabi Shrimp and Scallop” which has both shrimp and scallops, lettuce, masago, cucumber, sweet and green onions, and wasabi aioli – perfect for those that aren’t fans of raw seafood!

​If you go down the rabbit hole of creating your own dish, don’t fret.  They move the line quickly but they do not rush you, so take your time! First up is choosing your protein like raw tuna or salmon, tempura shrimp, scallops, and tofu. Next, your basic veggies: lettuce, sweet onions, green onions, cucumber, carrots, edamame, cabbage, jalapenos…you get the idea.  After that, you get some more complex toppings like crab salad, seaweed salad, mango, pickled ginger, radishes, pineapple, etc.  Then there are the sauces…sriracha aioli, wasabi aioli, spicy ginger, sweet teriyaki…YUM.  And last, but very important, your crunchy toppings like sesame seeds, lotus crisps, garlic crisps, shredded nori, onion crisps, and wonton crisps.  Crunch-factor should not be overlooked!

Good news and bad news: the above lists are not exhaustive! This is the most customizable meal you will find in Spartanburg.  

Rice bowl with tuna salad and salmon, red onion, cilantro, pickled ginger, sriracha aioli, jalapenos, seaweed salad, and wonton crisps. ($8.95 + $1.95 for 1 extra protein)

I’d be remiss not to mention the décor of this new space. Its light and airy, contemporary, and right in line with the Japanese-Hawaiian fusion they aim to serve up.  There is ample seating inside for small or large groups, plus outdoor seating in the alcove where LIT coffee was set up for a little while.

You may already be planning a visit to Pokenori for your next lunch meal, but don't discount them for dinner!  They have wine and beer...date night anyone?!

​What a welcome Pokenori has received so far, and I know it’s just going to get better for them.  Thanks for being in Spartanburg, and y’all be sure to check them out!

​And if you’re looking for more Spartanburg restaurant reviews, look no further!