Pho 99 — Restaurant in Hawaii

This is the most legit pho, ever! We discovered this place on our last day on the Big Island. If we would’ve have found this restaurant earlier in our stay, trust me when I say my husband would’ve been here every day. One of the other reviewers stated the pho is better than probably more than 90% of those on the mainland. We’re from Cali with pho restaurants galore and I have to wholeheartedly agree with that statement! Maybe even kick it up a notch and say 95%! LoL, for real, the hubby wanted to take the broth in a cup to go!

The food has authentic herbs and ingredients. The broth tasty and clear with a just a hint of fat droplets floating at the top. You know the broth is good when you don’t have to add much to make the broth good — it’s good solo even without the Siracha and hoisin sauce — talk about trying to look for that fish sauce. Portions are sizable for one person. You walk out of the restaurant feeling so full after trying to slurp down all of your pho broth. We ordered the Pho Dac Biet (with all the trimmings), the seafood pho and shrimp papaya salad to share.

The menu is limited but the food tastes like it came straight out of my mother in law’s kitchen. Four words: it is hella grubbin’!!! The restaurant is owned by this cute older Vietnamese couple who does everything themselves. Bring your patience and your stomach. It’s restaurants like this that made me wish I had more stomachs...

This is the first time I’ve felt compelled to leave a review for a restaurant - I loved it that much.

My husband and I make it a point to eat pho in whatever city or country we happen to be in, and Pho 99 is by far our favorite. We felt like we were eating in the owners own kitchen - it was very casual and comfortable, and we immediately felt welcomed. The spring and summer rolls were incredibly fresh, and the owner told us that they spend their only days off preparing the rolls so that they will be fresh for opening on Tuesdays. The pho was perfect- clear broth, not oily or too salty, and the spices and flavors were so well combined that not one flavor stood overpowered another.

The owner offered genuine and sincere apologies to customers who came in just a little too late, after all of the pho broth and spring rolls had run out. As we were the last customers of the evening, he told us to please take our time while they started to clean up, and even gave us a bag to bring home some extra lychee -as if he were our dad or grandpa sending us home with extra treats.

Not only was the food amazing, but the kindness of the owners and the obvious pride they have in providing their guests superb quality Vietnamese food made this dinner even more wonderful....

I've enjoyed pho throughout the states and Vietnam. If you're looking to be greeted like you're the son or daughter that's visiting your parents or grandparents, then you have found the right place.

The "summer rolls" are tightly wrapped with incredibly fresh ingredients. The shrimp is descaled all the way to the tail with precision and care. The "spring rolls" are freshly fried, crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. The pho is served in a metal bowl (you know it's going to be good) and has clear broth with little oil. The flavors are balanced and delicate with a very clean finish. The cuts of meat are thin and the proportion of noodles to broth is perfect. After our meal, the owner shared lychee with us and insisted that we take some home in a Ziplock bag. This is the epitome of a "mom and pop shop" that takes pride in its quality and treats its customers like family. Having dined at hotdog stands to 3-star Michelin restaurants, this is one of the most delicious and authentic dining experiences...