I THINK YOU GUYS WHO ARE TRYING VIETNAMESE FOOD AND SAYING THESE RESTAURANTS ARE THE BEST ARE ALL WRONG. I BEEN TO THESE RESTAURANTS AND WAS "NOT" IMPRESSES, IM A FOOD CRITIC MYSELF AND VISITED "MAI LAN" RESTAURANT ON THE CORNER OF KEEAUMOKU AND S. BERETANIA RIGHT NEXT TO THE CHEVRON GAS STATION AMND MUST I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE TASTE OF THEIR VIETNAMESE FOOD. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME THEN GO TRY IT FOR YOURSELF. OH AND IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE A TIP EXPECT A FROWN FROM THE OWNER FOR HE FAVORS MORE TO JAPANESE TOURIST, YOU WILL MANY JAPANESE TOURIST FLOCKING THERE IN THE EVENINGS!
Mahalo for the feedback christm. I hope to get out there one day...
Hard to say which are the "best" pho places. I've been to many and most are pretty good. Of the three you reviewed, I only been to Pho To-Chau. I think what distinguished their pho is the strong star anise flavor and their low price. I often times get discouraged by the long line so I go to the one further down by Nimitz...they good and a bit sweeter. Don't go there often but went to Curry House at Pearl Kai across from Pearlridge and took note of a pho house around the corner that had a long line outside...don't know the name but gotta try that place. Long line usually means good stuff. BTW, Curry House had this black spinach curry that I was tempted to try but changed my mind after looking at it...looked like used engine oil over rice.
Mahaloz for the feedback hemajang. Yeah, Pho To-Chau's soup base reminded me a bit of Ox Tail soup. Was wondering if that's the reason for their popularity. I think the one in Pearl Kai you're thinking of is Cuu Long. Haven't been there, but I think I have to try it now that I've heard a handful of people tell me to go there. And yeah, that black curry looks just weird, but I do want to try it one day... Hehe!
Cuu Long has some of the best pho in hawaii....go check it out!
I went to the one in Pearl Kai and wasn't a big fan. Maybe the downtown one is better?
How about Pho Bistro in waipahu?....great food and the waitresses are nice to look at too..
LOL! That's excuse enough to tryum yeah REEFPOUNDA? ;)
to me the best is in aiea in the pearlkai shopping center by 24 hr fitness....there pho soup is so good there's a line all day! cuu long
its called the place is small so there's a line but the wait is worth it! my son is 2 and he loves the pho soup! you should try it and decide for yourself since everyone has there own taste! but to me its the best!
Man, I really have to try Cuu Long, tanya96701. I've had numerous comments emails regarding that place. Mahalo for the tip! :)
Huong Lan in Cultural Plaza has the best pho, summer rolls, and service. Pho is perfect. Summer rolls are made fresh . . . the best in town! Service is very efficient. After going a few times, they remember your order and any special requests you have. Been going there for years and nothing compares to them. A must try!
Another place to add to the we-must-try list! :) Mahalo pangerine.
Have you tried the Pho at "Pho Bistro" in Waipahu? It's awesome! Sad that they're located next to an adult store, but it's still great! Their pork plate is also a winner, so is the summer rolls.
They are on Farrington Hwy., next to Kuni's Restaurant and they're open 7 days.
Been to To-Chau myself and yes- the lines are just outrageous! the Pho is amazing, but the lines...oh boy.
Nope, I used to live in Waipahu too and den! Guess I gotta try um next time tammyj!
Pho one is the best. Make sure to get the pork wraps, f'ing good bra. Damn I miss that place.
Never tried um Haoleboy6969, but next time I go, I'll chance um!
Last Friday, my pho buddies were on our way to Pho To-Chau but alas, they were closed. Not sure why, maybe went vacation, so we went next door to Cuu Long II. Server said his brother runs the Pearl Kai Cuu Long. Pho was ok, slightly sweet, noodles were on the thick and chewy side and meat balls were ok. Spring rolls were also ok. I personally would rather wait in line at Pho To-Chau if they were open.
Woah, closed, that's not good, though they do close at 2:30PM. Was it after that? Anyway, thanks for the feedback hemajang.
I tried many different pho restaurants in Honolulu everytime I came there for business... the best place for me was Pho Thinh restaurant. It is a small family typed restaurant, good services and good food (especially the soup tastes very fresh and healthy). Next time I will go back there and try their other dishes.
fyi: Pho Thinh locates on South King street between McCully St. and Isenberg St.
Mahalo for the tip James08! Woah! I've got a lot of other places to try now! ;)
Pho 1 is good for pho but next time try the crab meat soup. It's the best I've had in alot of other places I've tried. For pho I'll add in my agreement that you've got to try Cuu Long II: Nine Dragons Restaurant in the Peal Kai Shopping Center. Another place that has excellent pho is Pho Tri on Kalakaua near Beretania. Their combination pho is pretty darn good.
Thanks for the tip MissDee! We walked by Cuu Long yesterday, but it was after we already ate. We'll give it a whirl next time! :)
I have found another good place for Pho' at Green Papaya on Keeaumoku & Makaloa Streets accross Walmart. Try The Super Pho' it's good!
But I rather Have Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup!!
Thanks for the tip christm!
Tried Pho" THIHN today was ok I guess? The Tapioca was good though with banana and purple potato! And the Vietnamese pancake!
I like Saigon on Waialae. Super Pho is good too.
Yup yup, Saigon is good too Ume! Maybe I need to do a Part II to this? :)
Hi - I'm ADDICTED to Hale Vietnam, but am willing to try something else as long as it's at least as good. You mentioned Hale in your first review...did it not compare to Kaimuki's Super Pho, in your opinion? Thanks for the great feedback!
Nah, Hale Vietnam is good too. I just have a preference for Super Pho. Maybe cause I'm just used to it. Parking is always easier there too. Thanks for the feedback madhat70!
I tried Pho To Chau but I'm puzzled because my experience was not as impressive. There wasn't any line, and although it was the only pho restaurant in the area that actually had the smell of pho flowing out of it, the soup was okay.
I've also tried Pho 777 and Pho Minh Thu. So far out of the 3 I feel Pho Minh Thu is passable. A friend also told me Nine Dragons was really good, but now I don't know if it's true!
Can someone help find a place that has pho comparable to San Jose or Orange County?! Many thanks =)
Aloha mmmdragon! Can't help you with the San Jose or OC areas, but were you able to try the others I went to? Perhaps one of them might fit your taste buds?
Aloha! I'm originally from San Jose and OC, so I'm really curious to see if any Pho restaurants here are comparable to the mainland. I recently tried Cuu Long (Nine Dragons) by Pearlridge, and I think Minh Thu and Nine Dragons are competing for top prize right now. Am I missing any other amazing spots? Haha.
Aloha mmmdragon. Personally, I wasn't a fan of Cuu Long, but they're really popular. My experience there fell short (stuck noodles, average broth, etc.). I like Super Pho on Waialae and nearby Hale Vietnam was pretty good too. Good luck!
Pho Thinh, Hale Vietnam & Pho Vietnam are my favorites. Delicious food, clean restaurant and good service too!
Mahalo for the suggestions photastic. I've been to Hale Vietnam, but will try to check out the other two when I get the chance. Mahalo!
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