Your Mom-and-Pop Stop for Pho-nomenal Food

Restaurateurs Tommy Dang and Lien Bui have spent the last 15-plus years serving up delicious fare from their homeland of Vietnam at Pho My Lien, and satisfied diners continue to reap the rewards via delectable dishes offering incredible taste and value.

Pho My Lien features an extensive menu full of fresh and tasty Vietnamese fare that its growing legion of loyal customers continues to enjoy nearly two decades after the owners opened their previous Waikiki locale in 1999. The dynamic culinary duo moved to their current restaurant in Westridge Shopping Center adjacent to Pearlridge five years ago, and customers have followed with appetites in tow. As evidence of its stellar cuisine and commitment to customer service, Pho My Lien continually is rated as one of Hawaii’s top pho purveyors within Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Hawaii’s Best People’s Choice Awards.

“We’ve been serving these dishes for more than 15 years now, and we are popular with both the older and younger generations,” says Walter James, a longtime friend and financial adviser to Dang and Bui. “We’re a family-style restaurant with great prices. Consistency in the items, ingredients and preparation are also very important to us — you can expect and receive the same quality every time you visit.”

Crispy Spring Rolls ($8.50) serve as a popular appetizer at Pho My Lien for the entire family to enjoy. The delicious spring rolls are crafted with pork, chicken and shrimp, along with shredded carrots, long rice and mushrooms in a thin flour sheet. The rolls are then deep fried until golden brown and crispy, and are served with lettuce, mint leaves, rice noodles and a savory sauce.

Pho My Lien’s extensive menu also features flavorful noodle dishes, including Crispy Noodle or Soft Noodle Pan-Fried ($11.50) with a hearty portion of shrimp, squid and scallops. Rice Plate with Barbecue Beef Short Ribs ($11.50) is another go-to choice for local diners, as the flavorful and tender short ribs are presented along with slices of cucumber, tomato, lettuce and a special fish or soy sauce.

Diners also rave about Hot Spicy Lemongrass Stir- Fried ($8.50). The zesty dish comes with a choice of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or tofu, and as James explains, customers may order it mild or spicy, depending on their desired level of heat.

As an inside scoop for Dining Out readers (remember to mention this article), the restaurant is offering Green Papaya Salad (regularly priced at $7.95) for just $5.99 throughout June. The salad is a perfect option on a hot summer day, and features a refreshing mix of shredded green papaya and shrimp mixed with mint leaves, peanuts and a special house-made dressing.

“You get great value for your money,” James says. “We have a lot of loyal customers, and we’d like to thank them for their loyalty and friendship in supporting the business. We appreciate the local community and those that come back again and again.”

Pho My Lien is open for lunch and dinner daily and also offers a 10 percent military discount. Takeout orders are welcomed, and diners are encouraged to call ahead to place their orders.

Pho My Lien

Westridge Shopping Center
98-150 Kaonohi St. Suite B213-B, Aiea
488-4900
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 8 p.m. Sunday
Takeout orders are welcomed, and customers are encouraged
to inquire about catering options and hosting large
gatherings (please provide at least four days’ notice for
groups up to 40 people), including holiday parties.