Ono means delicious in Hawaiian, and the fish earns the name. Lean, mild, and clean, it is one of the easiest island fish to love and one of the easiest to cook well.
What is ono
Ono, known on the mainland as wahoo, is a fast pelagic fish with firm white flesh and a mild, clean flavor. It sits in the same easygoing category as mahi mahi, a crowd-pleaser that does not taste fishy.
What it tastes like
Mild and delicate, with a firm but flaky white flesh. Ono is leaner than ahi and cleaner-tasting than most, which is why it converts people who think they do not like fish.
Ono vs mahi mahi
They are often mentioned together and both are mild white fish, but ono is firmer and a touch more delicate in flavor, while mahi mahi has slightly more character and a looser flake. If you like one, you will like the other. Ono rewards a lighter hand, since it is lean and can dry out if overcooked.
How to eat it
A quick, hot sear is ono at its best, golden outside and just cooked through. It grills well, bakes cleanly, and shines in fish tacos and poke. Because it is lean, pull it off the heat a moment early. Cooking ahi in the same meal? See our guide to searing ahi.
How to buy ono
Shop our ono premium fillet, cut to order and shipped cold, or browse the full whitefish selection. New to ordering fish this way? Start with our guide to buying sashimi-grade fish online.
Shop OnoCommon questions
What does ono taste like?
Mild, clean, and slightly sweet, with firm white flesh that is not fishy.
What is the difference between ono and mahi mahi?
Both are mild white fish. Ono is firmer and more delicate in flavor, while mahi mahi has a bit more character and a looser flake.
Can you eat ono raw?
Yes, sashimi-grade ono can be eaten raw, though it is most loved for a quick sear.
Selected by Ham. Honolulu since 1981.