Pho My Lien

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurant? Well, much credit goes to the many chefs, owners and managers who work diligently day in and day out to make sure Hawaii’s diners have a top-notch dining experience.

This week, Dining Out gets the inside scoops from Pho My Lien’s chef and owner Lien Bui, who gives us a little taste of Pho My Lien and shares just what fuels her culinary drive.

Name: Lien Bui
Title: Chef/Owner of Pho My Lien
Training/Education: Self-taught family cooking Years at restaurant 14 years

Who or what inspires you as a chef/manager/owner? The pride in knowing that people enjoy my cooking, and become repeat customers and friends.

What’s your most popular dish? Our Soft Beef Tendon Pho (Gan Bo). It is deliciously flavored with herbs, mint leaves, bean sprouts chili peppers, lemon wedges and my “secret” special sauce.

Is there a dish that you create that’s not on your menu, but available upon request? Yes. Hot Spicy Lemongrass with mixed vegetables, beef and pork stir-fry.

What is the biggest compliment you’ve ever received as a chef/ manager/owner? Having been self-taught, and as chef and owner of Pho My Lien, being voted Hawaii’s best Vietnamese restaurant in 2012 by our loyal customers has been my greatest professional achievement and, of course, a huge compliment.

If you could serve food to a celebrity, who would it be and why? What dish would you serve? Chef Gordon Ramsey. It would be my pleasure to serve him a buffet of several of my specialty dishes. While I hope he would be pleased and impressed, I would certainly also look forward to any suggestions.

Pho My Lien

Westridge Shopping Center
98-150 Kaonohi St., Aiea
488.4900
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.