“My eldest sister invited us to her home to help her with some minor DIY home repair replacements and discuss our upcoming travels to East Asia. While we gladly replaced her light bulbs, smoke alarm batteries, and bird holes and inspected for water damage around her house in preparation for our trip, our conversation turned to our favorite topic: FOOD. She was raving about a Vietnamese restaurant that she and her friends frequent in the 'Aiea neighborhood, which we had only heard about from fellow Yelp Friends but hadn't had the opportunity to try. Since we formerly lived in 'Aiea, we were familiar with the location of Pho 97 One & Hot Pot in the Waimalu Plaza Shopping Center and it didn't take us more than a 20-minute drive from my sister's house to the restaurant while thoughts of chả giò (Vietnamese fried spring rolls), phở, bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup), and bún riêu cua (tomato-based broth crabmeat noodle soup) danced in our heads. My sister must have a "lead foot" because we took separate vehicles and left her house simultaneously, yet she texted us that she was already inside the restaurant when we arrived. It was a good thing she arrived a few minutes earlier than us since she snagged the last available table within this spacious restaurant. One of the servers had already placed menus, glasses of iced water, and eating utensils at our table, so we had to decide what to eat. Since my sister had eaten at this restaurant before, she recommended we start with a refreshing, light, and nutritious salad of jellyfish and shrimp, otherwise known as "Gỏi sứa tôm" instead of our usual appetizer of fried spring rolls or chả giò before indulging into hot noodle soups. FOOD: - Gỏi sứa tôm (Jellyfish and Shrimp Salad): this refreshing, delicious, and textural salad is composed primarily of rehydrated jellyfish strips and boiled shrimp. The seafood sat atop a bed of shredded cabbage and topped with mint, coriander, fried shallots, peanuts, and drenched in-house special dressing. The house special dressing was mildly acidic and balanced sweet, sour, spicy flavors from the signature fish sauce and spicy bird's eye chili peppers. The contrasting gelatinous yet soft, crunchy mouthfeel of the jellyfish and tender boiled shrimp to crisp shredded cabbage excited our tastebuds and appetites. The salad was generously portioned, and although flavorful, we took home half. $14.50 - Phở Dặc Biệt (Special Combination): my husband was looking for a hearty serving of phở with "the meats." The special combination featured slices of beef cuts from flank, sirloin, or eye of round beef balls and tripe. The beef-based phở broth was transparent, non-fatty, and savory. But, wow! The portion of rice noodles was humongous. As my husband said, it seemed like this bowl was bottomless, even for a medium portion. $14.95 - Bún bò Huế (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup): I was on the fence between the bún bò Huế and crab meat noodle soup when my sister suggested that I get the spicy beef noodle soup because she planned on getting the non-spicy-crab-meat-noodle soup or bún riêu cua. I wasn't sure how spicy this version would be, but I took the chance to order it without asking for a mild spice level. I was pleasantly surprised with the spice level that didn't make my mouth burst into flames, which allowed me to enjoy the harmonious flavors of spicy, sweet, sour, salty, and fragrant lemongrass. I added fresh herb garnishes and even a couple of jalapeño pepper slices to enhance the noodle soup further. My sister tried a spoonful of the broth but immediately started to cough from the spice level and steaming hot soup temperature. Hmm, I guess my spice level tolerance has increased over the past. This noodle soup bowl was also generously portioned and chock full of beef shank slices, chả lụa (pork sausage or Vietnamese ham), rice vermicelli, and aromatic and savory beef broth. I struggled to finish even though my stomach had been growling from hunger. $17.00 - Bún riêu cua (Crab meat Noodles in To“
“Soooo deliciouso, I got on Uber eats, good price and good quality! Was ready very quick and they accommodated extra siracha and hoisin sauce for no extra fee which was very nice. Sooo give it a go, I only got the vegetable pho but rare beef on the side so idk about all the other things on the menu but the pho was very good!! I'll order again if I'm ever wanting some pho again“
“Came for a quick late lunch. Ordered the lemon grass chicken bánh mi ($12) It was very flavorful. Savory and the pickled veggies were a perfect crunch. Service is great, came here at 4:15pm and not too busy. Ambiance is relaxing and restaurant is clean.“
“Authentic, real Vietnamese food. Best broths in town! Pho is outstanding and with lots of Vietnamese-street options. Love this place! They also cater private parties - talk to Ria, she will hook you up! Check out their other location as well - dynamite:“
Vietnamese • $
“The menu is extensive so I asked for suggestions but since no one speaks English they just pointed at a few items and I said yes because life is short and it was awesome. The only downside is that when I go back, I won't remember what I had so fingers crossed that I try something new.“
“Favorite Bahn Mi on the island, think I’ve ordered all 5 different sandwiches. BBQ is my personal favorite but you can’t go wrong. Fresh, delicious ingredients, its hard to find something so quality. Call ahead if you’re in a hurry, they can get busy.“
“This spot is located near the Walmart.To me, Bahn mi consists of quality fresh ingredients, texture, pickles, right amount of sauce and good baguette.I’ve tried pretty much everything in their menu in the last. This time I tried their vegetarian tofu and mushroom. Personally speaking, I could use a bit more taste in the lemongrass tofu, still tasted good though.The Vietnamese coffee is also very good.“
“Good food and very good service!Highly recommend the fried calamari and the summer roll! The summer roll peanut sauce was very delicious! But the pad thai was kinda dry. But overall good food.Vegetarian options: They have a list of vegetarian menu and they are delicious!“
“Authentic Bun Bo Hue, like when I was in Vietnam! The broth is so tasty, I could eat two but one is more than enough. It's such a treat to eat here. The food is amazing & prices are fair. I am SO grateful for this restaurant. Even if you're a picky eater or know a picky eater, I'm sure they would love the grilled pork (com tit nuon).“
“Duc's is open from 4:00pm, which is perfect for all the downtown happy hour frolickers. The time was however perfect for my elderly parents. We scored prime parking in front of the restaurant and maneuvering my parents were quite a breeze. The owner immediately greeted us us with a buttery smile and took my parents' drink order. We applauded the escargot, baguettes, and steak Saigon. We wished the lamb a little warmer. The spring rolls were the star of the show.“
“My wife and I came here 6 years ago and the quality is just as good as last time. The broth is very delicious, no MSG or other additives, just beef broth and aromatics. As someone who has been to Vietnam and had authentic Pho and Vietnamese food, the combination of Pho, Vietnamese Coffee, and the lovely family working there made me feel like I was back in Vietnam. We absolutely love it here!“
“Super fresh and delightful food from Bella Banh Mi Cafe! I can honestly say that this is the best banh mi I have ever had and I have had a lot of banh mis in my lifetime! I loved the smoked flavor to the meats. They give more insides than bread or wrapper, which is hard to come by these days. They put generous amounts of cucumber, carrots, and Chinese parsley in my sandwich and I enjoyed every last bite! The bread was perfect - flaky with lots of crunch. The summer rolls filled with bbq pork had that great charbroiled taste too and they did not skimp on the meat. The homemade peanut dipping sauce was perfection! This was a delicious and filling lunch! I simply cannot wait to come back!“
“For some reason since the pandemic the price of Pho has skyrocketed. I mean everything has gone up in price, but pho seems to have gone up more than any other food. Pre pandemic, it was about $11. Now, if you're lucky its $16. My usual Pho place, Pho Tri on Kalakaua and Beretania had a special on Saturdays. Buy one bowl at about $11, get the second one for 50% off. Two people could dine for $20. After discontinuing this offer, they raised the price up to $16 meaning the cost had gone from $17 to $32. I stopped going there and stopped eating Pho as a result. For $16 you can still get a fresh caught fish plate at Nico's which to me represents much better value.Anyway I still get the urge to eat Pho and this place was convenient with excellent reviews.We got one Rare Steak and Meatball Pho ($17) and one Seafood Pho ($17.50).I would say everything was average. My dining partner said the broth was too oily. It didn't bother me too much. Size was average, amount of protein was average, amount of garnishments was average, taste was average. Everything is what you'd expect.Service was good. Water was refilled, and whom I presume were the owners were friendly. I think the price is a little high, but its a small restaurant and they need to make a living. I would go back if I wanted Pho and didn't want to drive. Some places in Chinatown, the taste and portion size is a little bit better and the prices are a couple bucks less.“
“Delicious, beautiful Vietnamese cuisine, bold in flavour! We came for lunch (on a whim) on a Saturday without reservations. Placed our name on “the list” at check in, and they texted us about 45mins later to notify us of a table being ready. If you know ahead of time, reservations are a good idea!For lunch, we started with le chicken wings. So crispy, hot and juicy! Full of flavour and the dipping sauce it sits on adds extra punch! For mains, we each had a Bahn mi and added a mini pho (extra $7). The beef brisket is so tender and delicious, charred veggies add so much depth. Highly recommend. The crispy pork bahn mi was also very good!! Worth a visit.Parking at the Chinatown Municipal lot is close and cheap if you don’t want to circle the block!! Daily max of $3, even cheaper on weekends (it’s $0.50/hr weekends)Parking: Parking at the Chinatown Municipal Lot is cheap ($0.75/hr weekdays, $0.50/hr weekends, and daily max of $3)“
“This place is good all around. My only gripe is as other reviewers have said: They're pretty skimpy on the meat for the price! I ordered the pho combo meat along with the summer shrimp rolls. While the beef balls were two pieces cut in half but decently-sized, the brisket and raw meat pieces were barely two slices each. As far as the tripe, it was barely a spoonful. With the $3 charge for extra noodles that made my price about $21 for just the pho, the restaurant can do better in the meat area.However, the drip coffee was excellent. Just don't come by later and tell me to pour it into the cup of ice I asked for like you did next time. Clearly, since I ordered this drink that's not even on the menu, I've eaten Vietnamese food and drunk this drink before and know what I want and how/when to do it.The chili paste I also asked for that you had and didn't automatically bring out with the hosin and Sriracha sauces were also excellent.All in all, I would come and eat here again.“
“I lived in SF for a few decades and always went to the same pho place (over 75 yelp checkins from me) Unfortunately it didn't make the impact of COVID. Are here and it was great service and great food. Pho was really tasty. Small place and typical of Honolulu Chinatown restaurants. Would recommend.“
“I love Insomia! My favorite dish is beef Pho for breakfast. Did not know this hidden Vietnamese place right at Kakaako! The owners (husband and wife) are awesome and entertaining. It is cute small coffee shop. Everything is so clean and nice. Convenient parking at the garage in the same building. The owner gives a parking validation valid for one hour. I've already recommended some friends who went there and love Isomia, too!“
“First time at this restaurant. The inside was quite plain, but when the food hit the table, I understood what the fuss about this place was. My wife got the chicken Pho and I got the BBQ chicken/ spring roll vermicelli. Super fresh and delicious. Pricing was fair.“
“This is probably my new favorite place for a seafood phõ as it is so flavorful. Also my kid said their bahn mi is the best yet. This place is tucked away across Walmart on Keeaumoku. It gets busy and has limited dining times. We were very fortunate to be the last on the list and they waited to serve us despite the restaurant closing. This place is small and quaint- eat and leave so others can enjoy too! We will definitely be returning.Parking: get validation“
“The sweetest husband and wife run this little, now TAKEOUT ONLY, shop. I've been eating here for years and the consistency and quality has never wavered.Lemon beef salad is an absolute must - tons of beef, herbs, garlic, and daikon perfectly seasoned and priced. The chicken wings are also the best I've ever had! Perfectly crispy and juicy, make sure to use a healthy portion of the salt and pepper it comes with to take it to the next level!Parking can be limited, but street parking is also available most times of the day (watch for tow away times on King St. during commuter hours)“
“After 8 years of regularly going to Peace Cafe, I can attest it is the hill to die on for vegan food!! Across all fronts: service, quality food, full vegan menu availability, atmosphere it's 10/10 in my books! Across they years I've tried quite a few of their dishes but theres a few I keep going back for: the katsu plate katsu curry, peace plate, yogini, and peace sampler are my go-tos - with their tempeh katsu being my all time fave! They also offer rotating specials and a variety of other sandwiches and desserts which I love! Parking can be tricky but it's so worth it!“
“This awesome restaurant catered another event for us and we are so pleased! Nearly every guest wanted to k ow where the food came from! A huge hit for sure! You won't have to worry if you order from here, the food and service are excellent!“
“This is my favorite Pho in Waikiki, maybe in all of Oahu! Food is great, owners are amazing. Support this local business!!! My recommendation is the vermicelli salad with shrimp, so ono. DO NOT park at 7-eleven, good chance you will get towed. I watched 2 vehicles get towed in 30 minutes. My husband loves their pho. For the pic I posted I got extra shrimp and no spring roll. Trying to be healthier... but I did miss the fried deliciousness!!!“
“This is an excellent, small, family owned and run Vietnamese Restaurant. They have a very diverse, tasty menu items. My favorite is the curry crab and garlic fried rice. But, YOU won't be disappointed with any menu item.My friends from Japan and I just happened upon Bac Nam. We had just visited the Makiki Christian Church around the corner. Our party needed a rest. We were tired of walking. And, we all desperately required a good, healthy, tasty and filling meal. So, we decided to try Bac Nam Restaurant. What an unbelieveable find. The dishes are absolutely delicious.We had no introductions to this restaurant. But, the kind family style service and stunning dish flavors immediately won us over. And, since then, I have become a long-time, dedicated fan of theirs.My favorite is the combination of curry crab and garlic fried rice. Some of the restaurant patrons, who passed by my table, nodded and remarked that the dish was one of their favorites too.Later, I discovered that customers from all over Japan including as far north as Hokkaido, are their devoted patrons.My Vietnamese friends, who later came to Hawaii from Boston for a visit, also gave their full, strong stamp of approval along with their seal of authenticity.For all these reasons, I highly recommend the Bac Nam Restaurant for your's and your family's next stop. Give them a try. I believe, you will not be disappointed.Parking: Free parking stall behind the restaurant.“
“We went at lunch time and there were only 2 other people, so the service was very fast. The staff was humble and kind, and the food was excellent. Very fresh herbs in abundance and the dishes were light and savory, with the pho having a unique tasty flavor. My new favorite Vietnamese dining experience.“
“Maybe you pass this place on your way to Pipeline. Maybe you shouldn't because the food is so damn delicious. Maybe you should come here everyday because you can get a delicious bahn mi in whatever flavor your desire, pho, or a staple Vietnamese dish. Just eat here, you won't regret it. Vegan options available.“
“This restaurant is only offering take-out and has a humble aesthetic, but the food was tasty, and the owners were friendly. We had combos that included the short ribs, egg rolls, curry chicken, garlic shrimp, and teriyaki chicken. We also tried the sweet potato tapioca and the taro tapioca. Everything was delicious.“
“This was my first time coming to this Vietnamese restaurant and the food was great. We had the Combination Pho, Lemon Grass Chicken, and Specialty Sandwich which were all good. We also ordered a side of spring rolls which were good but had only come with two green lettuce leaves which I found a little odd. Otherwise all the food was on point. I'll be coming back for sure to get my Vietnamese food fixThe restaurant was quite busy when we got there and the people kept coming so I'd imagine that it would be best to come earlier if you have a bigger group. Otherwise the tables do clear out quite quickly.As far as cost, this place is reasonably priced but it is in Chinatown so the parking is always a challenge. They also automatically charge gratuity for groups more than 6 people. Just keep that in mind if you come here with 6+ people.“
“i LOVE lemongrass chicken here and i LOVE the pho but like they kinda like wrap it weird i think its this place idk but like sometimes the pho like gets loose and goes rampant like a raging tiger but that does not matter cause i LOVE it, thank you, Love, “
“I got number 28 (beef, flank, tendon, tripe pho) and I thoroughly enjoyed and chowed down on that large bowl. Their portions are pretty big, with the additional garnishes. Their broth is pretty good by itself, but I love to add some spice/sauce. Service was quick and efficient, the interior was nice and giving hole-in-the-wall, and parking was relatively easy to find (limited spots tho). The next time I go there, I wanna try some non-pho items on their menu :))“
“Had an opportunity recently to come back to the island for a visit and the must have on my list was PHL. I remember when I was in school this place was on my weekly rotation, sometimes even twice a week. Not sure if it's due to being in college and started drinking and this is ALWAYS a good cure for hangovers, but PHL always hits the spot. Not only their combo pho, but also their spring rolls. One thing I don't get elsewhere that this place is so thoughtful, is they cut the lettuce to the exact size for rolling on the outside of the spring rolls. Add a little mint, you got the perfect combo. Also, rarely in Colorado the pho places would leave out the baby sauce dishes, I always have to ask for it. My favorite way to eat pho is to dip the sauce and not drench the soup... and when you eat at PHL, you need to taste the soup. It's just that good. If they used any msg my body couldn't tell, it just tastes like it's slow simmered for hours.... And I'm not tired after. The meat ball is also a whole small meatball cut in half, not sliced flat pieces that does not look like it's a meatball. Most of the time, those sliced meatball has a weird taste... not here at PHL. I always get the combo pho, everything is so delicately sliced, the tendon is super tender, the tripe smells clean, the beef is all so tender too. It's been 20 years since I moved away, and one of the owners was looking at me like she knew me - she said, you look so familiar... I let her knew I was a long time kama'aina that moved away... but before I did I visited every week, even when I moved away from Honolulu to Makakilo. I also really love their sate chili sauce. Come to find out they use this specific kind that can really be found on the island that's from Thailand. It's spicy and savory. They sell the jars here if you'd like to take one home or you could find it in any of the Vietnamese mom and pop grocers in Chinatown. Thanks to Ann and her siblings/family for sharing decades of deliciousness. Please keep going strong so I can still come back to enjoy your family tradition. If you're in HNL, please come support them.“
“I came in tired and in need of some comfort food. I was greeted happily and sat with my friend in the corner taking in the open space and soothing ambience. The rare steak and meatball pho had me warm and satisfied until the next day and I shared the big bowl with my friend. We ordered extra protein and had to take the rolls home for later. I will be making this my usual spot when I'm on island. 10/10 would recommend“
“I came to this place three days in a row because the food was really good! The portions were big, compared to most places in Honolulu, definitely worth the price. My favorite was the papaya salad, so filling and just delicious, the pad Thai had the best tofu I’ve ever had, and the chai tea was amazing! Staff is friendly, I would recommend this place to anyone that comes to Honolulu! Location is a bit hidden but the food is worth it!“
“When in doubt Russel knows! In town for a few hours lunch with Russel & Kar this was his suggestion and of course it was Ono! We had spring rolls they were crispy hot and refreshing with the lettuce wraps and dip pho with rare beef on side and Russel had his favorite salad. Tea was filled regularly and we left super happy and full for a really good value too!!!“
Vietnamese • $
“This place was amazing! We didn't have a lot of time and stopped in for dinner on a Saturday night. The pho was amazing and the service was excellent and fast. The staff were super friendly. As we entered there were two ladies leaving who stated the food was excellent so another really great endorsement. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back.“
“Came here to pick up dinner to go (they're open for dine in as well in case you're wondering). My nearest go to pho restaurant. Try out the Pho with flank. Had a little bit of fat on it, which adds flavor to the soup iykyk. Their large size isn't as large as some other pho restaurants on the island, so don't be too disappointed if you order large and it doesn't fill you up. Overall, if you're in the area of stadium mall and craving some pho (especially on a cold night), come check em out!“
“Very good Vietnamese food. I particularly like this place because their Pho broth is very savory and doesn't have too much of an oily feel to it. Their desserts are super Ono and the workers are friendly and take the time to talk to you and answer menu questions. Parking can be a bit tricky but definitely worth the food!“
“It's on the edge of Chinatown, and there's no big signboard, so you'll have to be careful if you accidentally walk past it. This pho specialty store is housed in a building that gives you a sense of the times, and the pho is served with plenty of things like bean sprouts and medicinal herbs on top. Beef-based soup is the best. The M size was full of volume. However, please note that you cannot pay by card, only cash. I ended up with only $2 left.“
“Food was great and customer service was better! Lacking 1 star because of the crazy price and thick noodles. I prefer thinner noodles! Both were excellent. Price was astronomical it's Hawaii so expected. $32 for 2 regular #12s. But friendly, flavorful and quick.“
“One of the better Thai restaurants around Hawaii with not bad portions. Everything we had was really tasty and I didn’t swell up or have a headache after so it was a plus!??I will definitely return to try other items on the menu I heard is good.“
“This place is awesome. Staff was super friendly and welcoming. The Pho has a slightly sweet flavor, but it's delicious; cooked for 16 hours and is well worth the money. (Not too expensive. Veggie and tofu spring rolls were awesome, too.Vegetarian options: Veggie and tofu pho, veggie n' tofu spring rolls, Veggie vermicelli.Kid-friendliness: Didn't complain about my kid wanting white rice separately and being picky about other stuff.“
“Honestly I can't stop raving about this place! My friend and I visited and we ordered the pho special, banh mi sandwich, and bao buns and all I can say is DELICIOUS the pho had a lot of meat and the lemon grass chicken was so flavorful! Honestly they all tasted delicious and I can't stop recommending it to my friends“
“I recently went here with my family and a few friends and absolutely loved it. The service was quick with our waiter being very friendly. He brought out paper and crayons for the baby with us to play with. I wish I hadn't eaten before hand because the food was amazing. I ended up getting only a small amount, but I will definitely need to go back and try more when I'm on the island again.The pho and shrimp fried rice were some of the best i've had. Overall I really enjoyed the restaurant and highly recommend it.“
“Went to this bar for the superbowl and it was fun! Definitely a dive bar for the locals but surprisingly had DELICIOUS food! The kimchi fried rice was outstanding with lots of flavor. The tater tot nachos were super cheesy and delicious. The bbq pizza had too much bbq sauce (too overwhelming) but still good. Honestly, some of the best bar food I've had. The decor, however, is outdated and we sat by the bathroom with ripped seats, which hurt my thighs.“
“Greeted right when you walk through the door. The restaurant is nicely decorated. Gives me an old style pub feel mixed with some art. They have a wide variety of alcohol at the bar area. Our booth had comfortable couch type seating. Our server was amazing! She gave awesome recommendations! We ordered the papaya mango salad. It was fresh and delicious! They don't ask the spice level, but it paired perfectly with everything we ordered. The fried chicken isn't crispy, more like the original style from kfc type fried chicken. The flavor on those wings though? Unreal! The lechon was okay, a bit on the salty side. The spicy garlic noodles gave me mililani restaurant fried noodles vibes. Krazy fried rice was good as well. Yuzu cheesecake was not too rich, but just right. The star of the show? Oyster shooters! Best I ever had! Didn't drink at this dinner, but will definitely come back and try some next time.“
“Walking in on a Thursday early dinner 5 o clock hour and it was completely empty, soon after it was popping though but from what I observed, everyone was taken care of right away. Happy with the portions plated, the Bahn mi bread was great! Not so chewy, crispy and yummy. Contents in the sandwich was well spread too, I liked adding the papaya salad into the sandwich... the more the merrier. Would come again!“
“Ordering ahead was easy. Wish they had an online ordering system with a menu though. Parking is small and easy to miss, if you made it to the ramp by 24 hour fitness... then you missed their parking lot. They have outdoor seating but it's next to a very busy street, I'd recommend just getting take and enjoying it at home. The flavors were unique and they had different types of escargot which was nice but the mango conch papaya salad was my favorite. The flavors and textures where on point for that dish. The place is a little pricey but the food is very unique. It was worth the try.“
“Went for lunch here with the bestie today for the first time and it was delish! We had the steak pho and chicken sandwich. Friendly and attentive service, loved the ambiance--large open restaurant, and they spaced us out so we weren't all crowded together with the other customers. The soup broth was amazing and there were so many veggies. The sandwich was just as good as the pho, the bread soft and crispy and the chicken was seasoned perfectly. There wasn't enough time to talk because we were enjoying the food so much!“
“This is my second pho experience in the district and I can 100% this one was best so far. I really enjoyed the broth and the beef was very fresh. The greens were also bright and crisp. Amazing service, definitely will come back. The pho was amazing! Note that they recently had a name change to golden river, same owner/staff. The place can be empty at times but I think it’s because the lunch crowds eats fast.“
“It's a great location to come after touring Pearl Harbor.It's so, so delicious. It's perfect for Korean tastes. fried rice. Everything including rice noodles is delicious.The portions are large, so you can eat to your fill, the price is reasonable, and it's perfect.“