Summer Specials Heat Up

Tommy and Lien Dang have worked diligently for decades to bring delicious fare from their homeland to Hawaii’s people at affordable prices, and satisfied diners continue to reap the rewards.

Pho My Lien serves up fresh and fulfilling Vietnamese cuisine to its constantly growing legion of loyal customers. The husband-and-wife duo have offered their popular home-style dishes since initially opening the doors at their previous Waikiki locale in 1999, and relocating to Aiea 10 years ago to their current home in Westridge Shopping Center adjacent to Pearlridge.

“Everything we serve includes fresh ingredients and vegetables that are delivered daily,” says Walter James, a longtime friend of Tommy and Lien and financial adviser to the couple. “What you see every day is freshness on each plate. We’ve been serving these dishes for about 14 years now. We’re a family-style restaurant with great prices.”

Pho My Lien draws its name from the traditional noodle soup, which Vietnamese rely on as a daily elixir that clears the head and warms the heart. Pho ($7.95 for large) is served with herbs, mint leaves, bean sprouts, chili pepper, lemon wedges and multiple sauces so diners can craft the soup to their liking. Pho comes with choices of beef, mixed vegetables or shrimp and squid ($8.95 for a large).

The summer days continue to heat up, and Pho My Lien is rewarding customers by offering a trio of savory specials throughout the month of July. As a special scoop for Dining Out readers, the restaurant will be offering a brand-new Papaya Salad Pupu Assortment for just $7.99. The hearty spread, which will make its debut in July as one of the specials, includes a small papaya salad topped with shrimp, two spring rolls and a summer roll.

Diners also may delve into Egg Noodle or Rice Noodle Soup ($7.99 on special in July, $8.95 regular), as the large bowl is filled with a tasty broth enveloping shrimp, squid and pork. Bean sprouts and jalapenos accompany the soup, allowing customers to add the fresh vegetables to the dish as they please.

Rice Vermicelli ($7.99 in July, $9.95 regular) offers an incredible value as the dish includes a bed of crisp lettuce topped with fresh noodles, which are then covered by vegetables and one’s choice of crispy egg roll, barbecue beef, barbecue shrimp, barbecue chicken or barbecue pork. For just $2 more, another meat selection can be added to the hearty meal.

“We give you about a half-pound of noodles with this dish, and you can see that the bowl is so big, you could probably serve two or three people,” says James when describing the vermicelli bowl.

Pho My Lien’s extensive menu also features sauteed dishes and customer favorites such as Hot Spicy Lemongrass Stir-Fry ($7.95). The zesty dish comes with a choice of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp or tofu, and as James explains, diners have the option of ordering the creation mild or spicy, depending on their desired level of heat. Shrimp Fried Rice ($10.50) also stands out as a go-to rice plate, and features fresh shrimp and vegetables blended together with a large plateful of perfectly seasoned rice.

“You get great value for your money,” James says. “We’re conveniently located right across from Pearlridge Center, and offer plenty of free parking.”

Pho My Lien is open for lunch and dinner daily, and also offers a 10 percent military discount. Takeout orders are welcomed, and may be placed by calling the restaurant at 488-4900.

Soup-er selections and a un-pho-gettable dining experience await at Pho My Lien.

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