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| - If you crave real Hawaiian poke, I do not recommend this restaurant because the poké served at Koa Lua is inauthentic, the portions of fish are tiny, and the staff is not accommodating.
I was very excited to learn that a poké joint was opening near my place but I was extremely disappointed all three times I've visited this place.
The portion of fish is so meager that it was hard to believe! A thin veneer of fish at the top of the bowl, barely enough to sustain even the mildest of appetite. This scantness was unfortunately consistent through all my visits.
To add fuel to the flames, the staff is unwilling to accommodate even the slightest requests. For example, I requested to have salad instead of rice but was denied.
Lastly, the authenticity is to be questioned. In Hawaii, where poké originates, the portion of raw fish is generous and is mixed with different sauces; it is sometimes served with rice and/or some vegetables/salad. At Koa Lua, the poké is a far cry from authentic. One of my orders had rice crispies in it!
However, I do commend Koa Lua for trying something different in Montreal. The ambience is tropical and breezy.
Overall, Koa Lua was a culinary disappointment.
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