GREAT EATS HAWAII: PHO KAPAHULU VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

Sunday, August 26, 2012

PHO KAPAHULU VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

PHO KAPAHULU VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

HONOLULU, HAWAII

PHO KAPAHULU VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

804 KAPAHULU AVENUE

HONOLULU, HAWAII 96816

808-737-2055

HOURS: Monday thru Sunday 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

www.phokapahulu.com

We were walking down Kapahulu Avenue looking for a new place to try before a Wahine Volleyball game. A sign for Lu Lu's Mexican food caught our eye so we headed towards the sign. Turned out that the Mexican food was being served at the On Stage Bar. We looked in the place and it just did not seem inviting or the place to take children. Right next door was Pho Kapahulu. A tiny little place with no air conditioning and around six tables. We looked in and saw that it was very clean and empty except for one table serving a couple. We were greeted by a smiling man that wore a shirt that said I love Pho. Pho is the famous Vietnamese soup that is one of my favorite dishes. Pho Kapahulu specializes in serving Pho and also they promote their Ox Tail Soup. Will have to try these on another visit. Since it was hot and the restaurant did not have air conditioning the entire family decided not to have a hot soup dish during this visit. Instead we went for some lighter dishes that the family could share. We ordered the Spring Rolls ($9.50). Served with lettuce for wrapping and cucumber, noodles and dipping sauce. We place the Spring Roll on the lettuce, add the cucumber, noodles, dipping sauce and hot sauce to make a great little Vietnamese Burrito. These Spring Rolls were good. Better than most places we have tried. One thing about Pho Kapahulu is do not go here if you are in a rush. Takes a bit of time to get your dishes, but you can tell that they prepare things properly and care about everything on the plate. Nice presentations and clean. The Green Papaya Salad ($9.50) included fresh shredded Green Papaya, roast pork, boiled shrimp, mint leaves and cilantro. I liked the shredded papaya and light sauce. Didn't quite think the slices of pork went with the salad. Good though, we all enjoyed it. The Grilled BBQ Chicken ($11.95) was marinated in Lemon Grass and served with onion, cilantro and cucumber. Needed to add some hot sauce to this for flavor. I liked Pho Kapahulu. You can tell that these are hard working people running the business. The food is good and the place is clean. I will be back soon to try the Pho.