GREAT EATS HAWAII: MAMA PHO VIETNAMESE CUISINE

MAMA PHO
ALA MOANA SHOPPING CENTER
HO'OKIPA TERRACE
1450 ALA MOANA BLVD
HONOLULU, HI. 96814
808-941-8000
www.mamapho.biz
www.yelp.com/biz/mama-pho-honolulu-2

Some of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants are small Mom and Pop owned Hole in the Walls so I was surprised to see a large Mama Pho at Ala Moana Shopping Center. The former space occupied by Ruby Tuesday on the Ho'okipa Terrace is now a large modern and purple inspired Vietnamese restaurant serving bowls of Pho and other favorites. We started with the Green Papaya Salad ($13.50) rather than the Spring Rolls like we usually order. An attempt to keep it healthy. The Salad came very quickly and looked great. Liked the Shrimp which were cut in half and chilled. The Green Papaya did not have any heat so we added some hot sauce. Pretty good. The Special Bahn Mi Sandwich ($9.25) was served on a toasted Baguette and warmed. Something was missing from this sandwich and it turned out that it did not have the typical pickled vegetables (Daikon and Carrots) that I really like on any Bahn Mi. Also could not taste any of the Liver Pate which I also enjoy on this type of sandwich. The Mama Special Pho ($14.95) was really good and included a good amount of meats. Like the flavor of the broth as did my Wife. Service was good and the place was bright and clean. Don't know if it is worth paying the higher prices to enjoy this type of food in a mall.