Paina Cafe — Restaurant in Spring Valley

Tucked away in a picturesque corner, Paina Cafe proudly boasts the title of being the Home of the Original Poke Bowl, creating an ambiance of island hospitality and genuine culinary expertise reminiscent of the Hawaiian shores. While celebrated for its freshly crafted poke, available in a variety of delectable styles, my recent trip led me to forgo the seafood options in favor of their equally enticing plate lunches. What ensued was an enchanting journey through flavors that reaffirmed the cafe's standing as a purveyor of not just poke, but a diverse array of mouthwatering island-inspired dishes.

My choice was the Bento Box #15, a culinary gem that arrived with an alluring trio of flavors—garlic chicken, teriyaki beef, and Portuguese sausage—each meticulously presented alongside a generous serving of fluffy white rice, delicately adorned with a sprinkle of furikake. The garlic chicken, tender and glistening, boasted a crispy exterior that yielded a succulent, full-flavored core, infused with just the right hint of garlic, perfectly balancing its richness. It was a dish that evoked comfort, a harmonious blend of indulgence and familiarity, reminiscent of a homely meal taken to new culinary heights.

The teriyaki beef, exquisitely succulent and marinated to perfection, offered a delightful interplay of sweet and savory, its caramelized glaze and melt-in-your-mouth texture delivering a burst of umami with each delectable bite. Paired with the robust Portuguese sausage, which contributed a smoky, subtly spicy dimension to the bento, the meal unfolded as a symphony of flavors, showcasing the diverse and vibrant tastes of the islands.

The rice, adorned with furikake, served as the ideal canvas for these bold flavors. Its delicate, slightly crunchy topping—a medley of sesame seeds, seaweed, and other seasoning—introduced a nuanced texture and umami essence that harmonized beautifully with the proteins, uniting the entire meal in a delightful equilibrium.

The ambiance at Paina Cafe is nothing short of welcoming, exuding an aura of warmth where simplicity meets comfort. Whether relishing in their renowned poke or savoring a hearty bento box like mine, the experience is enhanced by the serene and hospitable setting. The clean, thoughtfully designed interior, coupled with the amiable and proficient staff, ensures that each visit feels like a brief escape to an island oasis.

In conclusion, my visit to Paina Cafe was a testament to their culinary expertise extending beyond the realm of poke. The bento box was an enchanting revelation, with each element meticulously prepared and brimming with flavor. Whether you're an aficionado of their poke bowls or embarking on a culinary journey through their plate lunches for the first time, Paina Cafe stands as an essential destination for anyone craving authentic island flavors and a gratifying...

Came on a Saturday around 6:15pm to find that they decided to close early at 6pm. The usually close at 8pm. So disappointed but we came back the next day on Sunday during the afternoon. I came with my sisters and friends. It was our first time here and we were looking at the menu that was posted on the door to see what we wanted to order. Mind you, they have a little window for you to order in and you can’t go inside to order. Suddenly this younger looking Asian short and chubby lady comes out to ask if there were any online orders. Then suddenly yelled out rudely “get out of the way of the door and line up against the wall”. I was dumbfounded by her arrogance and rudeness. We were looking at the menu posted on the door. So rude for her to speak to the customers that way. We lined up and got done ordering when the same young Asian lady came out and stated the name “Kayla” and my friend asked if it was her and proceeded to tell her name and what she ordered, a number 1. She looked at her and rudely said “ no it’s not you” and proceeded to go back inside and locked the door. 5 minutes later, she came back out with the same name. My friend again goes and ask if it was hers and gave her name and what she ordered again! 🙄 Turns out it was my friends order this whole time. They also go the order wrong, she wanted a coke, but instead there was sprite in the bag. She went to switch it to a coke red. The server just handed it to her rudely without apologizing and went back inside and locked the door. My friend looked at the coke red and realized it wasn’t the regular coke. She knocked on the door and the same lady came and opened the door. My friend asked if they had the regular coke and she said no. Therefore my friend decided to switch to a sprite instead since they didn’t have the regular coke flavor. She proceeded to give her an attitude and rolled her eyes. She angrily took the coke red back and gave her the sprite. She shouldn’t be working with customers if she continues to have a bad attitude while being super rude. Not only was she awful with customer service but the poke bowl was awful. It was gross and didn’t have any flavor. They don’t even use any sauces over the bowl. The worst poke bowl I had in my life! I ordered brown rice but got white rice instead. The rice was so soggy. I barely ate it and tossed it in the trash. Although I’ll have to say the mochi donuts were very good. That’s the only good thing about this place. Everything...

Update: One star for how the manager dealt with us last Sunday.

My husband and I would, on average, eat here with our kids 3-4 times a week. We would spend between $30-40 each visit.

We would usually buy wasabi poke, spicy tuna and chicken katsu and half a dozen mochi donuts. Last Sunday's katsu batter was too salty compared to the other times we've been here.

My husband approached the gentleman behind the counter to let him know that it was too salty. He then proceeded to tell the employees in the back kitchen that it was too salty. Then the manager in the back gave a response with an aggravated tone saying, "It's too salty?! It's the same batch!! Fine, we'll just replace it!"

By then my husband was turned off by the attitude and approached the front counter again and addressed the lady's attitude. My husband was so turned off by the way things were handled that he took his partially eaten poke bowl and the barely touched katsu and tossed them in the trash. We stepped out of there, not even able to buy mochi donuts (which are my absolute favorite from this place!)

I'm soooo bummed that our favorite poke place gave us that kind of customer service. I guess some people just can't accept honesty these days.

Needless to say, unfortunately it will be awhile til we come back to visit. Not that it probably matters to them.

Previous Post: Where has this place been all my life? We've tried many poke places in the Valley and Paina tops them all! From their wasabi poke to chicken teriyaki, there's nothing on the menu that you wouldn't be impressed with. Thanks for keeping it...