Rion’s Ocean Room: The Only Poke in Orlando Worth Going Out of Your Way For
Poke is an iconic staple of Hawaii that I haven’t had the opportunity to eat a lot of, mostly because the quality of poke here in Orlando is very mediocre. A poke bowl should have two key ingredients, the rice and the fish. Any place that puts edamame or drowns out the taste of the fish with spicy mayo isn’t worth going to if you want a true Hawaiian poke experience.
Does Rion’s Ocean Room hit that criteria cleanly? Probably not, since two important seasonings for traditional poke are crushed roasted kukui nuts and Hawaiian seaweed which are basically impossible to source on the mainland. But I am not the authority to judge since I have never even set foot in Hawaii so I cannot speak on its authenticity. It is apparent though that this place puts more care into their poke compared to the various other places where it’s more of a build-your-own bowl adventure with a Chipotle style assembly line.
Ahi Tuna Poke
I have been to Rion’s Ocean Room a couple of times and I would recommend the non-spicy mayo based poke options after having tried a few of their offerings. The ahi tuna is a classic. Very clean fish flavor, savory and well seasoned with the soy sauce, and the crunch of the sweet onions adds a nice texture. You don’t need a thousand topping offerings. You can add garlic chips, rice cracker flakes, green onions, and tobiko if you want to jazz up the meal.
Salmon Poke
The salmon is also a great option if you prefer a fattier fish. Glistening little morsels that pair great with the neutral plain white rice. It may seem like a small portion and quite pricey at over $20 if you go for the two poke option, but raw fish is something you shouldn’t cheap out on and it is deceptively filling.
Scallop Poke
On my latest visit I noticed the ahi tuna poke was starting to become a little greyish, but this is an inevitability that I will give Rion’s Ocean Room a pass on since there is so much exposed surface area on the fish that the oxidation is pretty rapid. It is completely safe to eat.
I never saw them offer a scallop poke before so I had to try it. I would say it is just alright. If you are someone that might be intimidated eating such a hefty portion of raw fish then this is a safer option. The scallops are cooked and don’t really have much flavor, you will mostly just taste the spicy mayo. I would have preferred raw bay scallops with a little less sauce, but I know this one will have its fans. I would rather just get a side of the imitation crab salad if I want that creamy element to pair with my poke and rice.
The Verdict: Is Rion’s Ocean Room Worth It?
This little stall inside East End Market is pretty much the only place I would go in the city for some quality poke. Rion’s Ocean Room definitely charges a premium but it is obvious they put a lot more care towards their poke offerings than anywhere else in Orlando. If you’re someone that also hates eating salads for a takeout meal but don’t want to feel guilty eating fast food, the poke bowl at Rion’s is a healthier, tastier option.
Tips for Visiting Rion’s Ocean Room
- Stick with the non-spicy mayo options for the best poke experience
- Ahi tuna and salmon are your best bets for classic poke flavors
- Skip the scallop poke unless you want a safer cooked option
- The topping options are simple with garlic chips, rice cracker flakes, green onions, and tobiko
- Located inside East End Market so plan for the parking situation
Have you tried Rion’s Ocean Room at East End Market? Where’s your go to for poke in Orlando?
