Mama Phở — Restaurant in Honolulu

Our friend Yves told us about a place for pho that he tried that was really good, so much so, that he went back twice in one day just to see if he felt the same way the second time. He told us that it was still good. We were like ok now we have to try it for ourselves if he said that as this guy eats out at lots of places and he loves pho and for him to say that this place is really good is saying something.

So here we are. The place is smack dab in the middle of the Aina Hina Shopping Center next door to Pieology the pizza place which we also love. Perusing the huge the menu, our eyes zoomed on number 21 Pho with Rare Steak and Flank Steak ($12.50) as that is one of our go to bowls of pho. We both ordered a bowl each and it came out quick.

First thing we noticed is how big the spoon is. Then as we were eating and i put my spoon in the bowl and I noticed at the top of the handle of the spoon had a little lip so that the spoon doesn't sink into the pho and get all wet. What a novel idea. Ok enough of the spoon. Made our hot sauce concoction and then we took a sip of the broth and oh my. It was one of the cleanest tasting broths we had both tasted and we knew exactly why our friend came here twice in one day. The bowl had a generous amount of meat and noodles. Some say it is a little on the high side but you know the saying, " you get what you pay for". Well this place is totally legit and yes if we are in the area or want a bowl of one of the best tasting pho we will definitely come back here.

Side points: If you don't like pho they have Vermicelli Bowls - Bun. Bringing your children? Perfect as they even have a children's menu. Still hungry or you have a sweet tooth? they have desserts. Fried Bananas & Ice cream $4.95. Four Season $4.95 which is Logan, coconut jelly, green jelly, tapioca seed, red beans, attap fruit and peanuts. Flavored Tapioca Pudding $3.50. Assortment of different flavors.

Ok they don't sell alcohol...

Budget cuts of beef. Tough and smelly.

This is the worst Pho restaurant on Oahu and I wouldn’t be leaving this review (even if their food is bad) if they didn’t turn the blame back on me as I asked how to better order (because I wasn’t gonna write them off on just one strike, misunderstandings happen and I wanted to give benefit of the doubt)

The issue: Putting aside the fact that beef tastes mediocre, They don’t serve their Pho as pictured, order item 17. They claim that they serve the meat uncooked only when “to-go” even though the picture shows it in porcelain dishes (or whatever material, not in to-go styrofoam). Ok, that mismatch between actual food and menu picture is confusing, but not a crime. So I ask the waiter “how can I order this property next time, so I can get it as pictured?” And he then goes (abridged) “Well, you have to tell us before you order it next time if you want it a certain way.”

No kidding. That’s why I asked.

I was done with this place. I was being pretty decent I think by trying to make this into a misunderstanding or simply my own fault for presuming things will come as pictured.

But then telling me I didn’t order it right when I asked precisely if I should have ordered it right is just a bummer.

There’s plenty of places to go eat Pho on Oahu, like in Kaimuki or To Chau. Make sure it’s never here. They don’t care, and perhaps arguably more importantly, their Pho is the lowest quality in the entire island,...

This place has many tables and they are usually busy but there is always at least one table available. The pho pronounced "pha" is smelly like stink feet soup but taste oh so good. It's just soup with chicken or meat that you choose and noodles. They give you fresh basil, lemons and bean sprouts. You put this as a topping in your pho. If you are hungry you can get extra noodles for a small price. Or more soup or more chicken, meat, basil, etc. The service is fast because most of the soup is already made so it's just assembly required and off to your table. The prices are reasonable. They also have other items. Spring rolls, etc. But I only go there for the pho. The beef tongue or beef brisket are alternatives to chicken. They have a couple sauces to change the flavor a bit too, like plum sauce. Try it. Get past the smell. You will be a...