Pokewaves is bringing its blend of Hawaiian bowls and sushi rolls to its second location in Isla Vista.
Pokewaves owner Shu Du told the News-Press that he’s taking the business to Isla Vista in part because of the amount of UCSB students his Calle Real location already brings in.
“‘Hey your poke bowls are good, why don’t you open in Isla Vista?’” said Du, paraphrasing what students told him.
Du said he’s in the midst of searching for a partner to help take over the existing location at 4791 Calle Real, located between the Starbucks and He said he would also be just as happy with selling it.
The second location, coming to 901 Embarcadero Del Mar, will be retaining its original menu: a selection of tasty sushi trays and fresh seafood bowls that originally garnered attention with the bluefin ahi tuna and Scottish-caught salmon. Pokewaves’ bowls are an agreeable $20 and the Happy Meal sushi tray can get you 50 rolls for $50, both of which offer build-your-own options.
Du arrived in the States from China in 2016, where he started working in his mother’s sushi restaurant. Having learned his skills from the restaurant’s Japanese chef and friend who was in the poke business, Du sought his own restaurant and opened Pokewaves in 2023.
Du said he’s expecting the grand opening will arrive sometime between June 24 and July 1.
