4. Restaurants

Pho Bistro 2

1694 Kalakaua Ave,Ste C, Honolulu, HI, 96826
  • (808) 949-2727
  • Store is closed

Pho Bistro 2 Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Debrah D.

    First time here, the address says Kalakaua Ave; however if you get lost, just remember it's across Homebar. Parking is either on the street or behind/on the side of the building. I'd like to say that this place beats the Phi Bistro in Waipahu. Service was friendly and excellent. The server was very attentive, always refilled our waters, and offered my kids utensils and bowls without having to request for them. I love a server with common sense! This place is clean and well maintained compared to the other location. Food was spot on, our cravings definitely satisfied. We each had the house special pho. An order of spring and winter rolls.

    (5)

  • Brent K.

    Today the soup was to salty for me. But most of the time it's ok. Today we had spring rolls and Pho. The sping rolls only came with three on the plate. They must be cutting back or something. My reguler Pho place was closed and we were in a rush and wanted soup so we came here.

    (3)

  • Cobra K.

    Great, no frills, Pho restaurant.

    (4)

  • Kelly N.

    This is my FIRST Yelp review! I usually do not write reviews since the quality of workers and food vary on a regular basis, making overly positive or sour reviews inaccurate for the average consumer. Well I will try my best to be detailed and explain my reasons thoroughly. I have been craving pho and have been Yelp-stalking nearby locations for a few days now. I always pass by this restaurant, but the few stalls near the entrance is usually full so I never bothered to peek in and try it out. Due to the delicious pictures and fairly decent reviews, I thought I should try this place out! Especially since it is located close to where I live. I called and ordered take-out around lunch time today. 1 Papaya Salad 1 (#13) Pho Rare Steak (also requested extra basil) Totalling $19.58 after tax Due to the woman's rushed tone I assumed they were busy, and decided to walk. Good thing I did because I did not see any parking nearby. The entrance is tiny and surrounded by neighboring debris, but when I entered, I noticed it was much larger than it seemed. Still, every table was packed with families and small parties. The environment was too confined and noisy for my liking, but it was the food I cared about, and I can always order out next time. The woman at the register, the same woman who answered the phone, was very quick and attentive, which I truly appreciate. I did not want to waste too much time since I walked to and from, and still needed time to eat and get ready before leaving for work. She remembered my ordered and had it ready for me. I honestly do not care about small talk too much since that is all I do at work, so I try to keep my needs simple and reasonable, at least regarding this rating, and judgments of food establishments. I was home within ten minutes and was eager to dig in. Before I ate, I took pictures for you fellow curious Yelpers. :) I also threw the basil, other veggies, and raw meat into the broth before starting my salad. I do not like the bitterness from raw bean sprouts and prefer my meat mostly cooked, so I try to start them asap (especially if I order take-out, since you lose some of the heat during the commute). I smiled widely when I opened the plate of papaya salad since it was much larger than I expected (100 brownie points!). The uploaded pictures from people dining-in looked about half the size so I had hearts in my eyes! The sauce was perfectly balanced (sweet and tangy, with a pinch of spice), and complemented the sour lime juice and creaminess from the ground peanuts beautifully. I could just drink this sauce! Straight up, no chaser! Haha While eating, I fantasized of all the other types of salads I could use the dressing with. Simple to say, I enjoyed it. AND the sliced shrimp was surprisingly soft. Well I was surprised at least. I was expecting a rubbery texture from freezer burn or dried out refrigeration, but was actually contemplating if they marinated the shrimp! Hahaha Now, I have ordered take-out pho quite a few times, and from different restaurants, but I have never had broth still be hot enough to make me flinch after my boat-load of veggies have been stewing. I could have let it sit ten more minutes and it would still be hotter than a certain pho establishment in Mccully (grrrr). Sorry low blow, I know. Moving on. Yes the broth melts faces and I was beyond proud of giving them my business. I do not enjoy cold soup, and usually my extra veggies ruins this for me. Another 100 brownie points! Woot! The broth was not too salty, oily, or anything else other pho snobs like to moan about. I enjoyed my meal, and I bet if I refer my friends, they would enjoy it too! I look forward to exploring their menu, and their spring (and all other seasons) rolls, as well as other sides. I was trying to look for a picture of their chicken salad, but got too hungry from scrolling through their Yelp pictures and had to eat something. I'll be sure to upload it if I try it!

    (5)

  • Allie-ski Y.

    Tasty all around at this spot! We got the papaya salad to start. It had a strong vinegar flavor which I loved and the shrimp with the acidity paired so nicely together. I had the grilled pork vermicelli bowl. The pork was awesome! The pork was so moist and tender with a slight sweet flavor. The grill marks add a nice char taste that I also love. Such deliciously cooked meat. My friend ordered a side of the beef pho broth which was also so flavorful. One of the best broths I've ever had. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone! Lots of space, kid friendly (there were a lot of young children/babies there eating with their parents), good service and fantastic taste!

    (5)

  • Rosemary P.

    Great place for authentic Vietnamese Food at reasonable prices. Try their new pork chop rice plate.

    (4)

  • Denise L.

    Just the thing after a long day of flights gone wrong and hours of exploring the Waikiki area on foot. My business partner and I were on a quest for some good food after trekking around Waikiki for 5 miles, and Yelp was on the case! We stopped by several places but most of them were dingy and didn't have a good process for food preparation. This business partner used to be an executive in the food industry, so there was no way we were eating somewhere unclean. Pho Bistro 2 passed the test. Although it is in a somewhat seedy-looking area and the construction made everything look run-down, the interior is clean. We started with the **Spring Rolls** which were fresh and delicious. The peanut sauce was a little too salty but I may be a little picky when it comes to my peanut sauce. I grew up with that stuff, after all. When it's good I can eat all the sauce with a spoon. This one was not spoon-worthy. The **Pho Tai** with rare steak was very hearty and really hit the spot. DATE TIP: This can definitely be a spot to prove your bravery to your date. Looks sketchy outside so walk in there with confidence! And you can be protective too: after some warm pho, walk out with your arm around them. ;)

    (4)

  • Song C.

    Spring rolls are $6.95 and you get 2 huge pieces. Pho Dac Biet was $9.95 and good but not amazing. Typical pho establishment and the waiter was super nice and attentive. My water was always full. Granted I did walk in at 10:45 am on a Saturday. Park in the street or parking lot next door.

    (4)

  • Karen L.

    for hawaii it's not as bad as so many of the others but it's not really true pho depth of taste - I think my parents would not like it at all pho one I think is the highest quality in authenticity and taste here that I've tried on island I wish I could give this 3.5 stars because it's ok and service is good - but half stars are not an option here I'm Vietnamese and I approve this message

    (4)

  • Amy Y.

    It has been a whole year since I ate pho. I never liked going out to eat pho because I think every pho places taste the same. Then this one day I suddenly crave pho out of nowhere. So I yelped search "pho", and Pho Bistro 2 was at the top. Dang, there was good reviews of this place. Could it be too good to be true?! I just had to risk it. I came here for brunch on a Saturday. There were no line and only 3 tables occupied. We walked in...there were no worker there to seat us nor was there a sign. So we waited for a few minutes until someone saw us and seated us. Ok...that sorta made me a little impatient. After being seated we browsed through the menu. We decided on the regular house combination pho and the vermicelli with grilled pork (total: $19~). It came out in 10 minutes or less. I did not expect the vermicelli was that big...it wasn't a plate like other pho places, it was a huge bowl. OMG! My eyes sparkled. I tasted the pho and it was sooo good. It wasn't too salty or bland. I love the soup so much I put all my vermicelli into my bf's pho soup, so I can get more soupy noodle. We were sooo full and happy. I absolutely love this place. It was decent portion and the food was amazingly delicious. I would love to come back. But I'm afraid it wouldn't taste that good the second time around. But we'll see.

    (5)

  • Terry H.

    So I was being a total jerk so Dar and the kids might decide to stay home. I am so Phond of Pho and would really like to include tons of Phonny Phons but I'm gonna rephorain. So here I am kicking it with the crew on Phorn street. Looking so forward to eating. I've been dreaming about this. So here I sit looking at the menu. Lots of parking. Lots of seating. Party favors abound and already a showing 45-minutes early. So I've reviewed the menu. I'm having papaya salad and the special pho. My mouth is drooling. So funny though. Starting a review in the present tense and ending in the past. See you soon. So I'm done eating and walking it off as I finish tris review. It stated as a 3 for me with the papaya salad. The house special pho raised the bar for me. The broth was ok and somewhat flavorful. It was chock full of stuff. I gotta try again. Don't know if it was because of Yelp or that's really the product. They offered free tapioca dessert but I had to leave. A very successful UYE. Good times had by all!

    (4)

  • Sari P.

    My go to Pho restaurant. Great service, good pho even when you take out, their pork chops are awesome, a little salty at times but still good! I will be sad if they were to ever shut down.

    (5)

  • Alysha K.

    I'm so happy Pho Bistro 2 is really close to my house, because I get to stop by after my workouts at 24 hour fitness on the walk back home, on the weekend when I'm feeling hungover, or pretty much just whenever I'm itching for pho. My perfect bowl of pho consists of noodles that are light and on the softer side, tendon, fatty brisket, and side green onion oil. Let me tell you that the tendon here is one of the best I've had in pho before. And everything else hits the spot! Service is great! Staff is very friendly, ordering and food comes out fast. For parking, there is a shared small parking lot that fills up quick.

    (5)

  • Grace L.

    I'm a regular at Pho Tri but since they're undergoing renovations, we've been in search of a new place to satisfy our weekly pho cravings. I read the yelp reviews for this place and thought it would be worth checking out. I ordered a regular steak and tendon (this is what I always order) and noticed a few differences from the dish at Pho Tri. I like the broth and the noodles here better. The noodles seem thinner and more chewy than the Pho Tri noodles. The broth also doesn't taste like there are heaping piles of MSG (it makes me bloated like craaaazy). The only problem I had with Pho Bistro 2 was the tendon. Maybe some people like super soft gelatinous tendon but it honestly just melted in my mouth and tasted like jello. It wasn't chewy at all...just mushy, which is a little unappetizing. I also ordered a thai tea ($3.50), which was good but extremely sweet. My mom isn't a sweet tooth and she cringed at the overpowering sweetness of it. I'm fairly certain all thai teas are that sweet but my mom said she felt it was more so than usual. One down side is the parking. There's a small lot and a few stalls out front along with street parking. We came around noon and there was no parking, nada, zip. Had to wait 15-20 minutes just for a car to leave... I had a good experience and would come back here for pho. However, if I want tendon, I'm just going to have to wait for pho tri to finish renovating!

    (4)

  • Fran C.

    I gotta say............when you have a sore throat, what better way to remedy it, than having a hot bowl of pho! It was the day after Christmas........and I am slowly trying to recover from the holidays, after putting on an eating display yesterday at the Prince Court..........I had to eat something light, and also something soupy for my scratchy throat. I normally go to my favorite hole in the wall place - Pho Nina, but decided to try someplace new. This is where Pho Bistro 2 comes into play........ While driving one day on Kalakaua, I noticed a little pho shop just off of a side street along Kalakaua Ave. (It's kinda across the street from the Home Bar & Grill area). What can I say about the place - Nice little shop, clean, and there is also a very small parking lot just behind the building, with a parking lot attendant on site. I got here about 7 PM tonight, and was lucky to score a parking space. As I walked into the little pho shop, we were greeted quickly, and water & menus were dropped off shortly. Upon scanning the menu, I decided on the Pho Combination Special ($9.75), Combination Special had quite a bit of meat in it......but the best part of this meal was the delicious broth that they served. The broth was all so flavorful! It came out hot, and would definitely give my favorite hole in the wall place (Pho Nina) a run for it's money! I'm glad I stopped by this place today........I will surely come back here again, and turn my friends onto this place! Pho-real gang! Check 'em out........ a pretty good pho noodle shop!

    (4)

  • Gary L.

    Food was delicious. We ordered pho with brisket, combo vermicelli, spring rolls, and lemongrass chicken. Every dish was well executed. Prices were reasonable and service was great. We had our little one with us and she woke up from her nap mid-meal. The server noticed and brought her her own bowl of pho noodles.

    (5)

  • Cheryl Marie S.

    This restaurant has over 400 reviews and carries a Yelp rating of rating of 4 1/2 stars. So when my friend suggested we have an early dinner here, I got excited because I thought I would have a wonderful dining experience. Sadly, this was not the case. All restaurants can have off days, so hopefully my experience was not typical. And I hope too that I will be able to return at another time and have a better meal. First the good points. Pho Bistro 2 (located on the corner of Kalaukaua and Fern) is a large restaurant with perhaps 15 tables. It's clean and well lit. There is a couple of parking spaces at the front door, and there is perhaps 10 more spaces in the small lot next to the restaurant. You enter from the Fern Street side. The signs in the parking lot are a bit confusing, but if you read closely (as I always do now!), you will see that the spaces are reserved for all tenants of the building. Service was prompt. We received our menus and water glasses promptly. The water was refilled frequently during the meal. But here the good points for me ended. The menu has only a few selections, compared to other Pho eateries. But that's ok. It's not the number of items on the menu that counts; it's the quality of each entry. Both my friend and I ordered the large "House Special" - noodles, beef flank, rare beef steak, tripe, tendon and meat balls. Most restaurants would call this the "Combo". Price was $9.95 each, I believe. I asked for the steak on the outside (my friend on the inside), and I asked that the soup be as hot as possible. "Boiling" was the word I used. Perhaps I was misunderstood here, because the manager (who also waited tables) replied that all the soups were boiled. Anyway, cutting to the chase, we received our soups in short while. Both had the steak inside, and my soup was tepid at best. I do want my soup steaming! This is especially true if I am to cook rare meat in the soup. But the meat was already cooked, so whatever. Actually it seemed to have been cooked for a very long time. Rare meat, freshly cooked, will be a bit on the chewy side. All of the meats in my soup were rather soft, including the "rare" steak. The meat balls were spongy. The soup tasted like a large vat of "House Special" had been prepared in advance, sat to warm on the stove and then ladled into our bowls. (I hope this wasn't the case, but it did taste like this to me). My soup was cold before I reached the bottom of the bowl. Other disappoints (sorry, Pho Bistro 2) were in the veggies. Although the quantity given was large, only basil and bean sprouts plus two lemon wedges were served. No peppers! Also the only condiment on the table was a bottle of Sriracha Sauce. There were no little bowls of chili sauce and hoi sin. I thought fondly of a competitor who offered a rack of 15 little bowls of condiments. As I looked over the past Yelp reviews, many were from years past. As I looked around the restaurant at 6 pm, I saw only 4 customers, two of which were myself and my companion. Pho Bistro 2 is a neighborhood restaurant, easily within walking distance of several thousand people. (the Kaheka condo district is just across the street). I would hate to think that the quality of the food has led to a decline in business, but if my experience is any indication, this could very well be the case. The Asian restaurant scene in Honolulu is extremely competitive. Hopefully Pho Bistro 2 can up its game and become a player again.

    (3)

  • Sasha L.

    Pho bistro 2 is hands down my favorite pho place in Hawaii. Every time I'm hung over or not feeling well (or just hungry in general haha), I come here for a piping hot bowl of pho and a side of spring rolls, and am never disappointed. I don't know if it's the best pho in Hawaii because I'm not Vietnamese or a pho connoisseur, but for my taste buds it's the perfect match and the only place I have cravings for. I always used to think of it as my favorite secret hole in the wall, but this time as I went it was redone inside. New tables, chairs, decorations and dishware. It really does look a little fancier :) The same sweet lady works there and always is so nice to me. Best pho spot ever!

    (5)

  • Leng L.

    The pho was great!!! I love pho and would eat here again. I would have given 5 stars if the pho noodles we fresh. They use pho you have to pre-soak. Other than that super yummy!!!! Happy Tummy!!

    (4)

  • Bryan K.

    Normally I wouldn't go to a place with "bistro" in the name, but I have been trying hard to find a good pho place in Honolulu. This place has so many high reviews so I tried it out... surprisingly I didn't think much of it. I know this is Hawaii, but the pho is much better in LA or San Jose. Aren't there tons of Vietnamese in Hawaii too? The broth was nothing to write home about, all in all, just meh. Maybe I'll try other stuff some other time when I'm desperately craving pho... DCP.

    (3)

  • Lloyd S.

    Sometimes you just need Viet!! Today was this day for us. Thanks to the previous Yelppers that gave this place the big thumbs up. I went for the special pho, and was very impressed... Not sure why I went for the large portion, but I have it a good bash and it was gooooood!! Served with bundles of extras on the side so you can add to taste. My wife went for the pork chop which should be advertised as "half a pig" so much food!! But she was content. The venue is unassuming and simple and the staff were friendly and helpful. The price was the fish sauce on top!! A complete bargin less than $30!!

    (4)

  • Minky C.

    FAVORITE PHO restaurant in Honolulu! If you love Pho, you MUST TRY this place! My bb loves Pho and we've been to many Pho restaurants in Oahu and by far this is my favorite Pho restaurant. They are located off of Kalakaua Ave by Home Bar. There is street parking and also a private lot you can park in with a security guard on duty. The restaurant is spacious and very clean compared to some that we have gone to in Chinatown. Prices are also very good here! We have tried several items on their menu and this is how I rate them: - Summer Rolls: Very fresh and generous portions! (5 out of 5 stars) - Pho (Combination w/Rare Beef on side): Soup broth is the best! Lots of meat and very filling! (5 out of 5 stars) - Oxtail Soup: So much Oxtail and Veggies! One of the best I have had in Oahu! (5 out of 5 stars) - Beef Short Ribs: So flavorful!! It was also so very filling! (5 out of 5 stars) The service here is great! Not only do the servers speak English, they are very friendly. We come here as regulars now and they remember our orders the way we like it. They bring out fish sauce for me now without me asking. Talk about service! I like to get the combination pho minus tendon and with the rare streak on the side. Lastly, they take credit cards here which is very nice because we get to eat great food while earning miles for future travel!

    (5)

  • Ms S.

    Just very good pho!!! Favorite Pho Ga place! Chicken is fresh and pho soup tastes really good. Fresh herbs. Restaurant is small & clean, service prompt and pleasant.

    (5)

  • Daniel Q.

    Service is good. It does get busy tho. This is 1 of our favorite vietnamese restaurant on oahu.

    (5)

  • Kaori I.

    AWESOME!!!!! The BEST Oxtail Soup I've ever had!!! Wonderful service...it was pretty amazing to get a nice service in this kind of casual restaurant. I usually don't expect it so it really amazed me. Great service and wonderful oxtail soup what else can I wish for?? My oxtail soup had lots of vegetables with a choice of a bowl of rice or noodle. I picked noodle and it came in another bowl of soup. Nice! And my soup came with a big amount of fresh grounded ginger!! Nice!! Green papaya salad was nicely spicy with a decent amount of shrimp!! Great!! I have to go back soon to try their specialty combo which I had a hard time to make up my mind for my order... I like Bac Num too but the service here is way beyond all other Vietnamese restaurants. Wonderful!!!

    (5)

  • Nicole R.

    YUM. Amazing Vietnamese food! I could happily eat here 3x a week. Their chicken pho is my favorite comfort food when I'm sick. The staff is super friendly and the dining area is clean and bright. Great lunch spot or take out, too!

    (4)

  • Keal S.

    Outstanding service! Recommend getting a large since the regular size pho bowl had only a decent amount of noodles.

    (5)

  • Grace L.

    This review is only for their chicken pho which I eat [TOO?] often :) First things first.. bEST pho in waikiki/ala moana area. Yes they use MSG. Ok so the place looks mad sketchy, especially at night, but the food is legit. What I love is that they are SO NOT stingy with their extras (basil, bean sprouts, onions, etc...) I LOVE that they put fried garlic as a garnish too, it just adds a fantastic pop of flavor to the soup. For the chicken pho, the meat is a combo of dark and white and it's all juicy and delicious. My only complaint is that the garnish culantro (that long thin leafy green that comes with the basil and bean sprouts) was prickly on the sides (they are normally serrated) *so* prickly that it cut my tongue. That was a nasty surprise to my otherwise yummy meal :/

    (4)

  • P C.

    Awesome service! Good pho tai! Ox tail soup looks incredible - good for two. Clean tables etc.

    (4)

  • Millie S.

    Every time I go here it is 5 stars. If you haven't been here you will like the peaceful feeling of the place. It is really clean and the service is consistently good. Delicious everything.

    (5)

  • Terence T.

    I've had pho on both coasts and Hawaii. It's a hobby of mine to find good pho. I have to say this is the best place I've ever had. And I'm only rating this on my second visit to make sure. The first time was almost 3 years ago. The broth is magical. Just the right amount of star anise to level out all the other ingredients. The noodles are perfectly cooked. The meat is top notch especially the rate beef - they even give you the option to put it on the side! Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Diner G.

    Thank you, Yelpers! Would never have found this off the beaten path pho-bulbous restaurant were it not for Yelp. A nice 1.2 mile stroll from the hotels in Waikiki...when we walked in, it was packed (with Asians! Always a good sign ;) I asked if the food has MSG and she was honest and said all dishes are pre-seasoned and they DO USE MSG. She said the only dishes that could be made without MSG were the vermicelli dishes. I get headachy (and I already had a headache) after MSG/salty dishes, but was really craving pho, so I decided I'd take a chance. We ordered (girl is good! She didn't even need to write down our order! And nothing got screwed up!): Spring rolls (deep fried with pork etc): $7.50 for 3 small pieces. Flavor excellent, but price wise I'd probably just have $ go towards a full dish. We loved the egg rolls but it should either cost a little less or they should give more for that price (I'm comparing it to what we get in L.A.). But it was DELICIOUS!!! Pork chop: $10.95 comes with 2 big pieces of pork chops (had some fatty pieces), rice and salad. Huge serving and it too was pho-bulous! Lemongrass chicken: $10.95 comes with pieces of thigh meat chicken, rice and salad. Great tasting. Chicken pho soup: $9.15 for large (thigh and breast meat) and plate of the veggies. Very good. Not a lot of meat though. But still yummy. Our hotel (The Ilima...awesome, affordable place to stay with great & friendly service) has a full kitchen, so we decided to order another dish to go. Grilled chicken : $10.95. We haven't eaten it yet, but if their other dishes are any indication, I'm sure we'll love it. This is a family run place. The daughter-in-law is who we dealt with today. I asked her name to give her a shout out on Yelp but she was shy...she was awesome. On top of everything with water, checking in on us, friendliness. We will definitely be back during every trip to Hawaii. Bonus is they don't charge if u ask for extra veggies for your pho or to use your credit card (pet peeve of mine). Overall, it was a pho-tastic meal with great service. And it's nice and air conditioned in there too and their bathroom is clean. I'm happy to report my headache didn't get any worse by having food with MSG and their food did NOT taste salty. It was delicious. I've enclosed pics of our food and the menu as of 3/12/15. I dunno about you, but I like to see menu and prices before going to a place while I'm on vaca. TIP: get a massage at Pin Thai (see my review) across the street then eat pho. This is what we'll do next time. Have a pho-bulous meal! Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Danae L.

    Service was good. We came for yummy oxtail soup and that's just what we got. we ordered it with white rice and it was delicious.

    (4)

  • Crystal L.

    I've eaten here 3 times now to get my pho fix. Now coming from San Francisco which serves some pretty bomb pho, I have some high standards. Their broth and beef are good. Service is okay. There was one time I ordered vermicelli and found a hair RIGHT ON TOP of the dish as it was laid in front of me... Decided to stick to their pho after that experience.

    (3)

  • Hiyori M.

    I love it I love it I love it! Best pho you can buy at a restaurant in Hawaii, but I'm pretty sure everyone know that's already. I've been coming here for over 8 years since when they first opened & always ate their combo. pho & spring rolls. Recently I tried their pork chop & that was so freaking ONOOOOOOO. The staff is very friendly, they even made me Lao papaya salad because I was craving it instead of the Viet. one on the menu!!!!

    (5)

  • Bob S.

    Best pho in town & great service! The oxtail is also delicious! I highly recommend this place! Free parking available.

    (5)

  • Nicholas L.

    Bottom Line: Both the chicken and the beef combination phos are outstanding. The broth will blow your mind. Service is done via family members, so they take pride in the quality of the food as well as the dining experience. Great place to phone-in orders as well. Lastly, I had a horrible day with my car breaking down in the morning, so I went to Pho Bistro 2 for some comfort food after work. I forgot my wallet, and they were totally cool about it, and let me come back the next day to pay. They run a great family business and I appreciate their courtesy.

    (5)

  • Paco A.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants to eat phò on a cold day like today. But not eating phò today. I'm gonna just eat my favorite appetizer which is the Winter Rolls (shredded pork). The soup here is one of the best tasting on the island. The rice plates are also just as good if your not a phò type a person. Their prices are very reasonable and their portions are big. I'm a big person myself and when I do order the large size I am unable to finish it. The one thing that I don't like is the parking. It is next door and when it's peak time it is tough to find parking and there are only limited stall and only a few street parking spaces available. Therefore I usually choose to come before or after peak hours.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    There is a reason it has such high reviews. The food was amazing. The people were kind. So glad we went there!

    (5)

  • Ala Q.

    There service is horrible...... Took one hour for our food to come out..,, everyone told me good vibes about this place but first time with my other half they gave us horrible service...if I could give them stars I wouldn't...

    (1)

  • Anissa M.

    I am obsessed with pho and I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of sorts. I've had a lot of pho and this restaurant ranks in top 3. The broth is so flavorful and I love the option to have your sirloin on the side so you can dip it to your desired doneness. This is going to be one my regular spots in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Jack W.

    Food and service here continue to excel - the grilled pork vermicelli bowl ($8.45) and house rare beef / beef ball pho ($8.55) were all fantastic as were the summer rolls ($6.65) - tightly wrapped and appealing to Thai basil lovers. The Thai iced tea was sweet and the perfect companion for the meal. Solid choice for Vietnamese in Honolulu!

    (4)

  • Calvin H.

    The staff are very nice and helpful, the dish are awesome, the seasoned is perfect, everything is perfect, I would come it again soon.

    (5)

  • Kandy Y.

    Food taste great, great service too. Right amount of serving. Gianna go back again.

    (4)

  • Tony T.

    Definitely the best pho on the island. Ordered the large dac biet which comes with everything. The broth is well seasoned, the meats are very tender, and they give you lots of garnishes. Cheaper and better than all the other pho shops I've tried around here. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Chelsey N.

    The broth here is one of the best! They put too many noodles doe. I really enjoy the lemongrass chicken and spring rolls too. The parking is monitored by a crazy Paul Blart type but at least he makes sure no on double parks. Anyway this is a go-to place on a soup day.

    (3)

  • Anh B.

    I have to give this place 4stars. Food was ok and serves was ok too. Even through this place was rated 4 and half stars, I think it wasn't that amazing. Came here with my boyfriend family and we all order pho. This place was a lot better than most of the other pho places I been to and at least the pho tasted like pho!! I wouldn't mind coming back here again. Their eggs roll was ok it wasn't that greats oh don't get the spring roll here. Doesn't taste that great.

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    Parking is kind of limited here. That's probably one reason we haven't been back.... The food is good! Fast friendly service and it's clean. The restaurant is actually pretty small so it's nice for a cozy Sunday dinner. I would say it's one notch above average for a pho restaurant!

    (4)

  • Chris K.

    Hands down best pho period! I've tried other places and can honestly say that PB2 is the best. The service is also top notch as well. Here is what happened one time. The super friendly owner came out from the back (as she normally does) to say hi to customers and talk story. She came up on a table of 3 kids (maybe high school age) and noticed that only 2 of them had food and the third didn't. She asked him if it was because he didn't have money and though he initially said he just wasn't hungry, he admitted he didn't have money to order pho. She immediately brought him out a large size bowl of pho and told him not to worry about paying that day. The only drawback is maybe the parking as it can get very full during the lunch hour and sometimes the parking lot attendant is over zealous.

    (5)

  • Chanel K.

    After trying pretty much all the pho places in Chinatown, I decided to venture out to this hidden little spot near the convention center. Lots of free parking with the friendliest parking attendent you'll ever meet in the right next to the restaurant. We ordered the combination pho like we always do. Huge portions lots of side veggies and sauces. Service was alright but the soup was piping. Will return for the huge portions!

    (4)

  • Rebecka A.

    I think sticking with the pho is your best bet. And get an order of shrimp summer rolls too. Such good dipping sauce. Delish! I have had their lemon grass chicken twice. It's delicious but a little oily. The rice is a little over done. You also get a salad with the chicken. It's overall a three star meal. But if you get pho and summer rolls, then that'll be a four star meal!

    (4)

  • Casey N.

    I know every pho place makes their broths in their own way, but this place has a really really good stock! It was sooo good that I was able to eat my pho without putting in any of the other sauces!! What makes a good soup is the stock and if that can stand out to me it gets my good ratings! I ended up getting the pho with rare steak and beef balls. They give a generous portion of eats in there. It could be a bit more though... We ordered summer rolls with shrimp with basil and other veggies and noodles wrapped in rice paper and that was pretty tasty! That sauce on the side was good enough to where it was not too strong but just right! Overall this is one other place I would come back to for their pho! I would recommend this place to others. Also the interior is clean and nice! Staff is friendly and food comes out very quickly! If you're looking for a new pho place to try, give this location a chance! It may be on you list of pho places in the future!

    (4)

  • Maka K.

    Parking: There are 2 stalls in front of the store or else you have to find street parking. On Sundays, you can park in the lot next door by the Cigarette Collection for free. Food: The menu is pretty straight forward. Regular and large sized pho bowls, vermicelli bowls, etc etc. What I like about their pho is that the broth is pretty light. It's not dense or overly salty, which makes me feel less bad about eating it (no high blood pressure for me!) What I like most is that they have all the seasons of rolls---spring, summer, autumn & winter rolls! I can't say I know of many places that have all 4 kinds. Granted, I still haven't tried the autumn or winter rolls, but they're described similarly to a summer roll, except instead of shrimp, you end up w/ tofu or minced pork instead. Conclusion: I wouldn't mind going back to try the other dishes, but I probably would only go on a Sunday (don't like having parking issues lol)

    (4)

  • Jeff Z.

    the waiter was one of the nicest person, he even took the time to show us how to prepare one of the dishes. the phone was also very delicious

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    Yum! I ordered the steak pho and my husband ordered the chicken pho. The flavor was good with both, however I was jealous of my husbands because the chicken tasted much better than the steak. The spring rolls are awesome! Get there early for dinner because the parking spots fill up quick. Service was good and if you do park in the lot for the restaurant and store you get the pleasure of meeting the security guard, he might have been my favorite part of the entire experience.

    (4)

  • Heather P.

    This is the best pho I've had on the island so far. The broth is delicious. I got the seafood pho and my friend got the steak pho, both very good. We also got summer rolls, these were average. The service was good. Not much parking, but there's a guard in the lot for ease of mind.

    (5)

  • Ann N.

    Almost always a wait and slow service. Parking is a nightmare. The pho is great. The pork-chop dish is excellent. Therefore, suck up the wait for yum-o food

    (4)

  • Jayson L.

    Pho in a rain day with the hot soup to fog up your glasses. You don't want to spill the soup but yet you want to see what you are eating =D I feel that i have tried many different pho place in Hawaii. all started from waipahu to kaimuki, in between those stores they are so many pho restaurant that i don't even know where to start. I found pho bistro 2 by accident. one day i drive by the street and saw new pho restaurant. i asked my co-worker about pho bistro and they telling me they always go to pho bistro 1. Ahhhh they made one in town!!! i don't have to drive to waipahu just to try pho bistro. First time i tried here i like the soup. it had a lot of flavor. it wasn't sweet like some other place i been to. i don't like sweet pho soup. i think they chop all their meat because it's never the same size. sometimes i get a really thick piece of meat. i like that. The best thing is they have bigger size sauce tray. i can put plum and hot sauce in one sauce pan. i really like sauce when it comes to pho especially garlic oil hot sauce. it's the best, with out it it won't taste the same. I like this place due to good service and clean, and good flavor on their pho. you can also order supersize pho which it's not on menu but it's gigantic. if you can finish it you deserve a their strong coffee, if not you will fall asleep from too much food.

    (5)

  • Claire F.

    After learning that my favorite pho place was on vacation for a few weeks, desperately needing pho the morning after a long night of drinking, I decided to give this place another try. Same cons still hold...it's kind of dim lit and pretty warm (I realized there is no AC, but luckily our table was in direct line of a fan). I'd like more green onions in my pho and the pieces of chicken they gave me were tainted with cartilege, skin, and fat. However, I will change my opinion of the broth. I am now a fan! I think my taste has changed to prefer the lighter, clearer, sweeter broths instead of my former preference of the darker, "murkier", saltier/more flavorful broths. Some of this change of heart has to do with the fact that the lighter broths don't seem to give me MSG-induced headaches, while the darker ones consistently do. AKA dark broth = MSG (most times). Anyone else have this problem? I find that most pho places I've been to serve up the darker broth, so it's refreshing to find the lighter ones! Pho Bistro 2's version has some of that lighter, sweet taste but is darker in appearance, which can only mean that the taste/broth is somewhere in the middle. And that would make sense, since I still got a slight headache after chowing down on a large bowl of this goodness. I did notice that they used the same broth for both the chicken and meat bowls of pho though. Major plus is that it opens on Sundays til 8pm, as many of my go-to pho places either close early on Sundays or don't open at all. Yet, overall, a good place for pho!

    (4)

  • Dillon S.

    Best oxtail soup ever. It destroys Asahi grill's poor excuse for the infamous Kam Bowl oxtail soup. And to be honest... it would contend very well against the OG Kam Bowl oxtail soup. The amount of vegetables and goodies is phenomenal. Huge portion of ginger in soup as well as on the side! Not to mention the awesome sized oxtail peices. I get mine with rice but some prefer their's with pho rice noodles. Same price. I like the pho here... but I LOOOOOOVE the oxtail. Must must try

    (5)

  • Benjamin C.

    Love this place. The food is good and the people who work there are nice. We love coming here..

    (5)

  • Sean C.

    parking: plenty of street parking also a small private lot reservations: no need, but maybe call ahead to be sure cost: $20 per person restrooms: yes the food: oxtail soup spring, autumn, fall, winter rolls This place feels authentic and homey. As you walk in you're in a big area with tables all open and everyone just talking to each other. We ordered all seasons of spring rolls and I must say that I wasn't as impressed as I thought that I would be. They're spring rolls with different things in them (shrimp, tofu, meat, etc.). Just stick with the spring rolls with shrimp or the fried ones. I thought it was quite clever to make all seasons of rolls but they really weren't all that special. The highlight of this place is the broth. Wow so comforting. I got the ox-tail soup which I thought was just alright. The soup comes in a very large bowl so be ready to eat. There's mushrooms and veggies in the soup. To be completely honest it wasn't all that special. But I highly recommend the pho. The meat is fresh, tender, and soft. The soup base is right on and it's everything pho is suppose to be. Overall, would definitely come back for the pho. It's the ultimate comfort food in a classically authentic space.

    (4)

  • Patrick G.

    When friends are in town, that can only mean one thing: try restaurants that my wife doesn't want to go to! Me and two of my friends were driving in the area and saw this place had good reviews, so it was only natural that we stopped in for a late lunch. Parking was easy as there was a tiny lot in front of the restaurant. There was also ample street parking in the area. Once inside, this place was the traditional hole in the wall restaurant. No thrills or frills. Just the essentials: tables, chairs, utensils. What else could anyone want? The staff were friendly and eager to be out amongst the dining room. This was a nice touch that always helps me enjoy my food mood. Being a relative newbie to pho, I went with the house special as it was the dish I was most familiar with. I prefer cooked beef inside the broth, and sure enough that's how it came out. When it was in front of me, I was very glad I went with the small portion and not the large portion as my one friend's large portion was enormous. I know the price difference was not that much ($8 vs $10) and it may have been more cost effective, but I would prefer not to waste any food. The broth was extremely flavorful and the meat was tasty. I wasn't a big fan of the tripe or the tendons, but it is easy to eat around them and treat them as flavor boosters for the broth. When I talked about the portions being big, I wasn't kidding as I was unable to finish my small portion. I was very full. One big concern I had with Pho Bistro 2 wasn't with the food, or the service. It was with the way I felt about 40 minutes after I left. I only had that long of enjoyment until my stomach started tossing and turning and getting very angry at me. I was worried this may turn in to a serious stomach issue, but after a brief evacuation, I was back to my tip-top self. Why do people always feel better after getting sick? I don't know, but I didn't care because it was over and it was fast. Most people might think that an experience like this may discourage people from wanting to go back to a restaurant, but I enjoyed my food and it was only a freak thing. My friends got the same dish and neither of them got sick. I will gladly go back and give it another try. Until then, I have this awesome story to share with people when talking about Pho Bistro 2.

    (3)

  • Jenifer G.

    Been here a few times, I always get the same thing.. OXTAIL SOUP $15.25! It's a huge portion, definitely shareable or enough to take a bit home. You can order with rice or noodles (I get noodles). The soup has good oxtail size portions, with many cuts of shitake mushrooms, veggies and boiled peanuts; also a side of heaping minced ginger you can dump in. Small parking lot to the right of it, you can also park in the small 2 stalls right in front of the mini mart/cigarette store just next to the restaurant. So far, the food and service seem to be better during dinnertime, not sure why but I always have a great dinner experience and then lunchtime is not as good. It is BYOB :D

    (4)

  • Kristen N.

    This used to be our go to Pho place, the broth is definitely one of the best I've had. Workers are super awesome and the food is delicious, so there has to be a catch right? Totally out of their control but traffic getting there when we want to is always so terrible and by the time we get there, there's no parking. It's as if the stars and the moon don't want us to come here. DAMN YOU STARS! Or however that saying goes.

    (4)

  • Lisa Y.

    This place is the best! Great service, family style...delicious food.,,clean and reasonable cost! My favorite is the Combo Pho and Pork chops! It is to die for...juiciest pork chops that comes with salad and rice for $10.95! It's Byob so bring your favorite beverage to go with the delicious food! Gotta go!

    (5)

  • Sophie B.

    It was my first time at Pho Bistro 2 and I can tell you that I was very satisfied. I ordered the ox tail soup with noodles and pho noodles with chicken. The ox tail soup was great. It definitely fulfilled my craving for soul! The meat was very soft and juicy. I definitely recommend it. The pho noodles with chicken was good too. The chicken was also soft. Definitely recommend this place for anyone who is looking for a good, comforting soup place. :)

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    My wife's favorite ox tail soup on the island so far. Excellent service and very friendly, esp with kids. The combo rice plate (short ribs, chicken, pork chop), spring roll, and winter roll was good.

    (5)

  • Amber C.

    This was my first time trying Pho and it was amazing. Lots of food for the price and the quality was great.

    (4)

  • Queenie B.

    Good experience. Last customer coming in. Very welcoming crew. Knew we were not local, very friendly and was very informative about Hawaii. Pho--Good broth and texture of noodle Tried Oxtail recommendations from yelp. Oxtail--very tender. Good flavorful clear broth with cabbage, mushrooms, vegetable not the red I was expecting. We'll try the broken rice next time.

    (5)

  • Kawikali ..

    I ordered the shrimp summer rolls, shrimp pad thai, thai iced tea. I didn't care for the pad thai. Summer rolls were good & iced tea was sweet. Great service! They made my daughter side orders of tofu & rice as she is a picky eater.

    (3)

  • Brittany M.

    Been coming to this place for the past 7 years and it's still one of my favorites. The workers are always really nice, the price is reasonable, & the food is always great! Sometimes it's hard to find parking since the lot is small, but you just have to come at the right times. Love this pho place !

    (5)

  • Erin B.

    I had a regular steak pho today at lunch. I am in town for a conference and arrived along with everyone else from said conference on mass. The restaurant was slammed but the service was speedy and the food was good. The server forgot my drink but when I asked it was quickly delivered. Highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Diana T.

    This restaurant used to be very good when I was in Honolulu a while back, at least ranked 4 stars of 5. However, when I tried it again recently, they somewhat tumbled. Here's what I like about their restaurant: 1. The grilled meats for the rice & verminelli dishes are well-marinated & cooked alright. When they're cooked, they're not too dry nor too raw; they're just right. 2. Small clean environment even their restroom is average in cleanness. Now the following below are suggestions for their business to improve for the future: 1. For the pho, the broth does not taste right. It tasted more like Hu Tieu rather than pho. Pho broths should have flavor of cow bone, star anise, roasted onions, and ginger in them. 2. It's a bit too pricey. Please lower the price of foods. 3. For the rice dishes, should sponsor the Com Tam Bi Cha Thit Nuong. (a combination of grilled meats, shredded pork, and egg patty) besides the regular rice with grilled meat. 4. Egg rolls should have more things inside them. The radius of the egg rolls looks a bit too small. Also instead of using traditional egg roll paper, use rice paper instead. Make it more "traditional Vietnamese" Overall, this restaurant is so-so in my rankings. Therefore, I'll grant you a 3 stars out of 5. I hope you can take the chance to enhance your business by following my suggestions stated above. Not bad. 3 stars out of 5. Good luck with your business.

    (3)

  • Kellie I.

    LOVE the pho here!!! This is one of my favorite photos restaurants in town. Great food and great service, what more could you ask for? Large portions and veggies are always plentiful and fresh! Parking can be limited, but so worth circling back around to check for an open stall!

    (4)

  • Rebecca A.

    Very good. Relaxed and low-key. I'm just in town for a convention and this is an easy 5 min walk from the Convention Center. Got the Pho Ga which had a lot of dark meat (not my favorite) but the broth was excellent (perhaps as a result of all that dark meat). Staff were attentive and warm. Totally recommend!

    (4)

  • Jade Anne D.

    My cousin took me out to try the pho. There isn't really a lot of choices to choose from, so I just went with pho. I enjoyed the broth, considering the fact that eating here was my first. I will definitely be coming back for more.

    (5)

  • Emi H.

    My boyfriend's favorite thing to eat is pho. That man could eat rare beef pho morning, noon and night if I let him, and would probably never complain one bit. We've been doing a lot of take out from here lately because work is busier than usual and each time we've been pleased with our meals. The broth at Pho Bistro 2 has a richness and depth that's a standout amongst the pack of noodle houses. He usually picks up our order but I was already out running errands and went on the ever important task of picking up our night's sustenance. I was a little worried there would be no parking but luckily there were lots of spots open. I popped in for my pickup and paid the nice man at the counter. I inquired about the banana tapioca and he kindly offered to give it to me for free. I of course declined and he insisted, which then made me leave him a tip to makeup for his offering. So sweet! My boyfriend & I had a wonderful pho picnic in our living room. The banana tapioca was a wonderful treat while watching "Breaking Bad" and I'm so thankful I have a reliable go-to on the days when life is much too busy to cook dinner. Takeout rules!!!

    (5)

  • W Q.

    Had the #13 on the menu, pho with rare steak plus extra meat for $3. Excellent broth, excellent sliced meat. Great service, friendly and prompt. The Thai Iced Tea was good too, but it's mostly ice, not the best value on drinks. It's still 5 star worthy for pho on taste, value, and service.

    (5)

  • Dee A.

    I'm from San Diego and was trying to find a good place for pho on the island. I read the reviews and decided to give this place a try. I was glad I did. I've eaten pho all over the place and this was some of the best pho ga! My DH came w me the first time and got the pho tai which was also fantastic. I'm a huge fan of broth and I think theirs is some of the best ever. The sweet lady who owns the place (at least I think she does) is just too cute. She goes around making sure everyone is happy with their food. I highly recommend you give this place a try.

    (5)

  • Calvin T.

    Tried the large size combination pho with rare beef. I took out and they let me mix my own sauce. Everything's good. The soup is good. The beef briskets are very tender. The sliced beef is just right. Beef balls, tripe, tendon, etc. just a little of everything... Now that I've seen the reviews for oxtail soup and I'll probably will try that next.

    (5)

  • Ivy L.

    My family was in Hawaii for vacation and we were all craving Vietnamese food after basically a week of eating pasta and fast food. We decided to try this place after reading all of the good reviews on Yelp. The ambiance was definitely lacking. The decor and lighting were fine, but there was just this awful chemical/cleaning smell that permeated the entire small restaurant. It was the first thing my entire group noticed as we walked it. I went from famished to not hungry within seconds. The service was great! Our waitress instantly recognized that we were vietnamese and knew what we were doing; she was super friendly and helpful. The food was alright. Nothing to rave on Yelp about really. The spring rolls were a little too salty, and for some reason, they gave us lemon instead of lime with the pho. I ordered the beef pho with rare meat, and it was okay. The portions were pretty big so that was a plus. One thing I LOVED was the Vietnamese iced coffee- it was just the perfect about of bitterness and sweetness all in a disposable to-go cup.

    (3)

  • Yuko A.

    If you are a meat lover, get the pho meat combo! There was so many slices of meat I was actually putting them on the side for my friend to eat. Don't worry, it wasn't bad, there was just so much! And I had work so I didn't want to be too full and then be sleepy because sleepy at work is never good. It was my first time here but I will definitely be back! It was my first time seeing a pho restaurant with four different appetizer rolls (Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter) yelp.com/user_local_phot… We tried the winter rolls which were basically like summer rolls with pork instead of shrimp in them....Next time I think I'll try their spring rolls though..Those are my faveee The prices are pretty reasonable...I think it was around $8 for a small pho but it was more like the size of a large at other places I've been to. Can't imagine what the large size is.... The guy working there was super nice and our food came out quickly. We were also the first ones there. If you are a guy and go to the bathroom DO NOT SMOKE....or they will lock you up until you clean up your mess.....Theres a sign on the door. I thought it was hilarious...anyone else? Definitely will be back! YELP 365: 236/365

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    The soup broth for their pho is very good! It's one of the best I have ever had on Oahu. The portions are generous and very fresh. Service here is 5 star! The kitchen also accommodates to our order substitutions which is really nice. It sure beats picking out items you don't want. This is Mink's favorite spot and we usually order their summer rolls or winter rolls as our appetizer. We've had their pho and oxtail soup which we highly recommend. Even their rice dishes are excellent. Everything is very flavorful and filling. We have never left disappointed from here. Parking is nice because they have one stall right in front of the restaurant for regular parking and one handicap stall next to it. They have a little lot next to the restaurant as well in the fenced up lot near the canal. Street parking is also available. It's usually very consistent with customers throughout the day but when there is a convention in town then please account for that if you have a limited amount of time for lunch.

    (5)

  • Marissa W.

    after reading all the good yelps decided it was time to try it. Glad we did! Anthony and I are fattys so we ordered spring rolls and an oxtail stew with rice and a large house pho. Everything was delish. The oxtail was big enough to share. And the brisket in the pho was to die for. Can't wait to come back here and eat again!

    (5)

  • Awesome A.

    This is my favorite pho restaurant on island. Mellow clean environment. Great service and it's family run. I love to come here but especially when I have a sore throat. Everything is great on the menu but my favorite is the spring rolls, papaya salad, and pho with rare flank steak. Yum!

    (5)

  • Marifer S.

    I have been going to this place since 2010 with my friend. We both love their pho, spring rolls and summer rolls. They have awesome peanut sauce with crunchy pieces of fried onions.

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    This place was recommended by a friend and it is off the beaten path. Parking can be an issue since there is a small lot next door but we were lucky. We ordered the recommended oxtail soup and had other dishes. The oxtail was a large soup and we ordered the pho instead of the rice. The broth was really tasty and it comes with shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, celery and carrots and cilantro. Three large oxtails come in the soup and it's enough for two people. If we had known that, my friend and I would have shared it. My son and husband ordered the pad Thai with shrimp and they loved it. Our other friends ordered the pho ga (chicken) and the pork chips. The pho ga broth was good and the pork chops are two large chops. We walked away with a doggie bag to take back. The meal did not disappoint.

    (4)

  • Shawna L.

    I've only been here only 2x but is pretty good. the first time needed a phó pick-me-up & got their reg. #14 w/ steak flanks & beef balls. the size for their reg was perfectly filling. the broth & everything was so good & satisfying! I've been on a pad thai mission & so my 2nd time going here decided to try theirs along w/ their spring rolls. the spring rolls were pretty good, they give you 3 fairly small rolls cut in halves. then their shrimp pad Thai was a good size portion, but the flavoring & the way the noodles were cooked was ok. the noodles were a little more on the thin stickier side. but the service is good & quite fast, friendly service. there's a small parking lot on the side or street parking right out front. overall is a good place & for a good price. I haven't tried much of their other foods but as the name of the restaurant shows...it's known for their phó & would def go there again for another phó craving!

    (4)

  • Celine N.

    My second favorite pho shop! My dad and I always come here to eat lunch because they don't have a long wait and the customer service is great and fast! I love the Thai tea which goes great with pho or any dish!

    (5)

  • John P.

    Nothing to add that hasn't already been said about this place. Simply the best Pho I've ever had. Wife says so too. Run here.

    (5)

  • Lina T.

    Love the pho here. Their broth is rich and flavorful and doesn't seem like there's any msg in it. Which is a +! I usually get the large rare beef pho with beef outside. Generally the rare beef is very thinly sliced. But sometimes they're have a off day and it comes out thicker. Still yummy though. If I'm really hungry that day, I'll add on a dish of spring rolls or summer rolls. The spring rolls are a bit expensive for their size though. If youre not feeling pho (idk why you wouldn't wanna eat pho everyday) they also have rice dishes and an assortment of vermicelli. I really recommend the lemongrass one. It's very good! The staff is very nice and attentive and the food comes out fairly quick even during busy hours. Highly recommended. It's become my favorite pho place to visit.

    (4)

  • Selena N.

    came here with my date and i ate everything cos i date myself da pho dac biet taste like how my mother's only biological daughter jus make perfect from chinat0wn. god bless

    (5)

  • Kris B.

    Tried this place for the first time - great little hole-in-the-wall place. I have a usual order whenever I go to a pho restaurant - pho with rare steak and order of either spring or summer rolls... The pho here is definitely delicious. Also had the spring rolls - also definitely delicious! They now have Thai Iced Tea (nom!). The service was friendly and attentive, frequently checked up on us. The price is fairly average for pho. Only downside might be the parking if they get busy - there is some street parking and a little lot nearby. Also, the plum sauce tasted a little different than what I'm used to, not sure why. Otherwise, this could be my favorite new place for pho, and I've gone to other pho places including Hale Vietnam, Green Papaya, and Ha Long Pho Noodle House. Definitely would come here again and I totally recommend this place for a low-key, delicious local pho restaurant!

    (4)

  • Celia B.

    I like this place! Seems like a small, family owned business. Service has always been prompt, friendly and super efficient. Prices are also very reasonable. We've really enjoyed the chicken pho. The broth is great, and they give you plenty of sprouts and basil. I have also had the vermicelli noodles with (lemongrass?) chicken, and that was SUPER good! It was a very large portion, too, and it served as my dinner for 2 nights! The spring rolls and the fresh rolls are also really good! When people want pho we definitely recommend this place, and when we want pho, or Vietnamese in general, this is our go-to spot. Expect some good food and excellent service!

    (4)

  • Nathan C.

    Pho broth needs some work. I wouldn't go back.

    (3)

  • Phuoc T.

    This is the best Pho I have ever had. The owner is very nice and generous. I would recommend to anybody with confident.

    (5)

  • K K.

    A bit of a sketchy location, but wonderful people and delicious pho! Quick service and great portions.

    (4)

  • Jess C.

    We started with summer rolls (the non fried ones), and they were DELICIOUS. Unlike other places, they were the perfect size and freshness, and you could really taste the shrimp. The Oxtail Soup is chock full of sliced cabbage and other veggies, and a generous portion of fall-off-the-bone oxtail. The broth is made with anise and tons of ginger, so naturally it tasted very Chinese; more grated ginger and pho noodles (or rice if you prefer) are served on the side. I think the Oxtail Soup is good if you're looking for something sweeter, or something with lots of veggies, but I prefer flavor of the side of pho noodles, which was made with a mix of chicken and beef broth. Pho Bistro doesn't have the most authentic pho broth or fresh noodles (tasted like the noodles were dried), but I would definitely return because the soup was really tasty. And I want to add, that unlike some other Yelpers, I found the service to be perfectly nice, in fact, maybe friendlier than the average Vietnamese restaurant.

    (4)

  • Florence K.

    4 stars? Did I seriously ONLY give Pho Bistro 2 only 4 stars previously? Was I crazy? Was I drunk? Or just absolutely delirious? I must have been one of the three because Pho Bistro 2 deserves AT LEAST 5 stars, because they seriously have the best pho on the island. Hands down. It all comes down to the broth. Their broth is the perfect blend of flavors, with nothing overpowering. It's the perfect amount of savory with just a tinge of sweetness. I could seriously eat pho from here for the rest of my life. Next, the meats are perfect. My go to choices is always rare steak and well done brisket, and while the rare steak is pretty much similar wherever you go, I swear, Pho Bistro 2 does brisket the best. It's the right thickness as well as the right texture with the right amount of fattiness. But seriously, their broth is amazing which makes the brisket taste even better! Their noodles are also cooked perfectly and Pho Bistro 2 seriously serves the perfect bowl of pho. My boyfriend and I eat pho pretty much once a week, since it's pretty much our favorite thing to go out to eat, and we pretty much always come here. Once in a while I sway away from Pho Bistro 2 in attempt to try someplace new, but always end up utterly disappointed. Seriously, no other establishment is close in comparison. The workers here are also really nice, and I love that they keep refilling my water, because most pho places aren't very on top with that. BEST PHO on the island. Trust me.

    (5)

  • Juliann C.

    This is the only pho place I actually go to when my mom decides she's too lazy to cook me pho! The Good * Location is in town, right outside of Waikiki * Food, big portions, good choices of spicy condiments * Good portion of meat. I always order the combination * Service is good enough :) * Pricy is cherraaay The Bad * Parking situation could be difficult at times. There is only a small little parking lot next to them, so usually i have to find street parking The Weird * I accidentally walked out with that blue plastic cup of water, and I walked back in to try and sneak it back onto a random table. This girl who was eating totally saw me was cracking up and so was the server -__-* i need to work on my ninja skillz

    (4)

  • Anthony W.

    Not sure why the high reviews. Coming from the mainland in Orange County I know Pho!! This joint was clean but the food was quite lacking especially the Pho. First the Pho came out warm not piping hot. Next the broth was laced with nothing but MSG. Broth had no flavor or fragrance of spices needed for Pho. I've had better Pho in Las Vegas. Sorry folks I would rather go somewhere else. I'm usually pretty easy when it comes to Pho but this place sucked!!! Food gets one star but service was on point hence the extra star!

    (2)

  • K S.

    My husband and I had a wonderful meal here tonight! The service was very good, friendly, and the food was delicious. The owner was very friendly and made us feel very welcome. I had the vermicelli with crispy spring rolls and pork, and my husband had the broke rice plate special. Large portions of delicious food very reasonably priced. For those who like beer with your meal, it is not on the menu, but we were told you could bring your own to drink. So if you are a beer drinker, stop and pick up your brew on your way there. Would love to give the oxtail soup a try next time. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Julia S.

    Woo! Definitely a fan! I got take out on easter sunday, and it was rainy and poopie. The pho here hit the spot mannn. The guy at the counter was really nice for someone at a vietnamese place. Service usually isn't the best at super asianey place. He offered me water while I waited! And they had a bowl of lollipops so I took one heh. My bf and I got the large pho with chicken and winter rolls. The winter rolls are like summer rolls but with pork inside. Great options when it comes to rolls! They had the shrimp (summer), with tofu, pork, veggies, and spring rolls. Got home and man so much food! The pho's broth was so nice and warm even after waiting 20 mins to eat. Very deep flavor that I loved and not too salty. A decent amount of chicken, nice chicken! Not dirty looking weird chicken that looks like it came from your toilet, but nice, white thick strips! Weee. The usual sprouts and herbs were given in a bag too. The winter rolls were YUMMY. I didn't know what to expect, but what I got was tasttttyyyy. The pork is nice and peppery! So it was spicy in that sense. And the wraps were not dry. I hate getting dry wraps! They give you the sweet dressing like thing also, which complimented well with the spiced pork. Parking: there's a lot on the right side of it. And a handicap stall infront of the store.

    (4)

  • Allison M.

    This was our first pho experience, so maybe we don't have the most discerning pho palates, but we loved it here! They were fast and inexpensive-- but most importantly, we asked if they could do a vegetarian pho and they said yes! They could do one with tofu or just with vegetables. We got it with tofu and it was fantastic! They gave us so so many bean sprouts to put in, as well as jalapenos. And the noodles were so tasty, hearty, and delicious! We may have become pho-natics!

    (5)

  • Te N.

    Not as good as the Pho from Westminster but their Pho portion size is just right with plenty booth and right amount of meats. The booth texture is a little bit too salty so I had to add lemon and a little water to make it right. However it is good experience and I would come back.

    (4)

  • Jennie N.

    I am Vietnamese and knows that I am a hard critic when it comes to Vietnamese restaurants. With that being said, I thought the food was great! The pho was good although it did not have a lot of garnish and did not have slit of noodles for a large bowl. The house special lunch plate with 3 kinds of meat was awesome!!! It was perfectly seasoned and tender. The service was good and the bathroom was very clean. Bathrooms are very important. If the bathroom is dirty and/or has no soap, what does that say about the cleanliness of the kitchen and the food? (I know I am weird) The only complaint that I have about this place is that the menu does not have a lot of variety and more choices. Hopefully, the next time when I visit Hawaii and this restaurant, the menu would be bigger :)

    (5)

  • kristine f.

    I Pho-king love Pho! Pho Bistro 2 is by far one of the best places for Pho. The soup is delectable and tasty. I crave Pho all the time and when I crave it I think of Pho Bistro 2! They got a handle on their menu! I like their Spring Rolls and Summer Rolls.

    (5)

  • Erin H.

    Fantastic seafood pho. Great customer service. Very reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Trish P.

    Delicious hot pho! i've been here 2 times, and so far, so good..... first time around got pho with brisket, second time around got the combination pho which contains meatballs, brisket, sliced steak, tendon and tripe..... the only problem was - with the combination pho, there were lots of brisket pieces, but hardly anything else. i found a 1/2 a meat ball, ZERO tripe, and ZERO tendon.... what happened here? i will say, there was tons of brisket, so i did not mind too too much.... and i'm definitely wiling to give them another chance b/c maybe it was a fluke. they also have good summer rolls, and speak better english than some places i've been too.... :P i really want to come back for the ox tail - apparently it is super good! the parking is next door, near the discount cigarette store, and if you go on a Sunday, parking is FREE!

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    This place is great, the food is wonderful and the service is awesome! I came here with my wife and 13month old daughter. While my wife and I each ordered a bowl of pho, they even provided our daughter with a complimentary small bowl of broth and noodles. The food was great and their service was even better. Even the security guard in the parking lot was more then helpful. The only downfall is parking is really tight!

    (5)

  • Angela J.

    This is my first time trying this place. I actually searched it on yelp and from the rating and reviews, I thought I'd try it. The area looks kinda scary ish. I went with my husband and we both had pho. I had the seafood kind and he had one just with meatballs. The broth was okay, fairly good. But not the worst I've had. I tasted some flavorless broth that I couldn't even enjoy. Such friendly service! We also had the summer rolls and spring rolls. Both so good! Not everyone can make good spring rolls. Either the ingredients aren't right or they just don't fry it until it's golden crispy brown.

    (3)

  • Loc T.

    Very good pho Dac Biet here compared to the states in California. Customer service is up to Par and they are generous on the meat portions in the pho. Not very far from the Waikiki strip also.

    (4)

  • Venecia H.

    This place popped my Pho cherry, in Hawaii that is. I'm new in town, and the first thing I noticed in Honolulu was the abundance of Pho restaurants. Back in Virginia, a good Pho place was a whopping 20 minutes from my house! Any-who, It was late, around 8:30 and this place was the only Pho nearby that was still open. I ordered pho with the works... tripe, tendon, meatballs, flank, etc..and I must say it was pretty darn good. The atmosphere was clean, and the manager of the place made the whole experience more pleasurable. He was even understanding of my three year old's picky eating. Though I'll probably test out many pho places before I find "the one" I will say that this place is a potential. BTW The thai tea was pretty good too!

    (4)

  • Don N.

    This place is a little off the beaten path but worth it for the Bun Thit Nuong, #18. The vermicelli was fresh and meat was cooked to perfection. The service was prompt and great. The only reason why I can't give this place 5 stars is cuz the Vietnamese ice coffee tasted absolutely terrible. Go with the water on this one.

    (4)

  • Julianne C.

    Came here on a weekday night craving for pho and wanted to try someplace new. Unfortunately, i was not impressed. My friend and I both ordered the pho with rare steak and a vietnamese coffee. Although our food came out fairly quickly, the noodles itself were still somewhat hard, not al dente, but chewy hard. Hmm...I much prefer my noodles more thoroughly cooked. Overall, it was an average bowl of pho. Not good, not bad...soup base was okay... Can't say I will return.

    (2)

  • Rob L.

    Everything was great! Ordered: Thai iced tea Spring rolls Beef and beef balls Pho OX TAIL SOUP Was in Hawaii for vacation and found this place on yelp! Was not let down at all.. Food was awesome and the owners/service was great.

    (5)

  • Jay P.

    You know what I say to people who don't think pho is amazing? PHO YOU! Well, you'll want to punch me if I tell you what I say to people who dislike Pho Bistro 2... Pho Bistro 2 is literally a hop, skip, and a jump away from Don Quixote and Palama Supermarket and is closed during 3 - 4:30 PM everyday...possibly to make more of their amazingly delicious broth? Great location, even greater flavor! The workers are always so nice too! Right when you walk in, I'm sure you'll be greeted with a smile and some familial hospitality. I mean, right when we walked in our female server said we could sit anywhere that we wanted because "the whole restaurant is OURS!" And the water test? PASS...with flying colors! I took one sip of my water and a few minutes later another worker came by and refilled my water. That's less than an inch of space in my glass of water, people. Accessible small parking lot to the right of Pho Bistro 2 that is probably shared. It may be small, but I never had a problem with parking and I have been frequenting this place for years. Seriously, nothing negative about Pho Bistro 2 can come out of my mouth ;)

    (5)

  • Sheena C.

    UPDATE: Whatever I said last time, I take it all back. I'm sorry, Pho Bistro 2. I love you and I've finally come to my senses about it. Pho Bistro is my #3 fav, but what keeps me coming back (more frequently than my pho #2 place, even) is: Location-- Near to my house (well, closer than Ha Long in Kalihi) and very convenient for me. Although the address is listed as Kalakaua, Pho Bistro 2 is actually located on Fern and Kalakaua. It is across from Home Bar on the Kalakaua side, and across of an empty dirt lot on the Fern St. side. Service-- Very friendly family who never turn me away. Hours-- Open until 9pm M-St and until 8pm on Sundays. Food-- The spring rolls are delish and the pho broth is also very good. I love how the raw meat (I order it "outside") is sliced very thinly.

    (4)

  • Brandon S.

    I've been coming here for a number of years now that I thought I already reviewed this place but I guess I haven't?! So this is a place that if you haven't heard about it through friends, family or via the web, the likelihood of you coming across PB2 is slim since it's located on a side street (Fern) off the Makai part of Kalakaua Avenue. If you're driving towards Waikiki, you won't see it. There's obviously a Pho Bistro #1 since this is #2 but I've never been to the original location in Waipahu. I hear it's pretty good....but enough of that I'm getting side-tracked. So the parking here can be a hit or miss. Sometimes there's a lot of parking and sometimes not so much. I guess it just depends if your worthy or not....just kidding. If you're lucky enough to get parking you'll step inside what looks to be your average Vietnamese restaurant with the offering shrines and that fragrant smell of star anise and incense. What makes this place stand out from other Vietnamese restaurants is taste. The Pho broth, spring rolls and some of the other rice & vermicelli noodle dishes are better than most other Vietnamese restaurants. The Pho broth is not too strong or overpowering and has a nice balance to it. It's not too light either so the savory flavors are all blended nicely together. The spring rolls are great b/c they come out piping hot with a nice crisp to the outer shell. A sign that the oil was at the right temperature unlike some places where the rolls come to your table a bit on the soggy side. Because of how the spring rolls are cooked it makes them eating it as a vermicelli noodle dish that more enjoyable. I haven't had the chance to try anything else other than some shrimp, papaya salad and pork chops but those were just as delicious. Check this place out for dinner when you have a chance. Makes a great stop especially if you work in Waikiki and you're on your way out of it.

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    Quick walk from Waikiki. Pho was terrific. Shrimp Summer rolls were good but unimaginative. Will come back to try the Oxtail soup

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    Service is always excellent. Waiters are very friendly. The oxtail soup was delicious and plentiful. They put a lot of veggies in with the oxtail, wonbok caggage, mustard greens, carrots, green onions, chinese parsley and peanuts. It comes with a side of either noodles (pho) or rice. It comes with a lot of grated ginger...i like to add shoyu to the ginger...mmmmm!!

    (5)

  • Dwayne D.

    This was a great little find. The service was prompt and the food was all very tasty. No complaints on either. Portion sizes were ample and just $53 for 4. One regular size pho, one large pho, and two plate dinners. The plate dinners came with meat, steamed rice and salad. We had enough leftover pho to make one large bowl, for breakfast this week. Very nice waitress. Very quaint little place. Nothing fancy, but warm. Nice mixture of locals and tourists. All and all we were very happy with the entire experience.

    (5)

  • Ken C.

    Been to my fair share of pho joints and this one is true to form. Only reason I give this place four stars is that they only had one poor waiter servicing like 12 full tables and also running the register so service was not as prompt as would like it. Nonetheless the food was delish and value was very reasonable. Highly recommend the spring rolls and the special combination platter (you roll your own). Will be coming back next time am in Honolulu

    (4)

  • Nina H.

    You'll never find another broth like Pho Bistro 2 ! The broth here is so packed with flavor and the meats are so generously portioned. With that, any pho combination is a winner ! LOVE their spring rolls; they serve theirs fresh along with lettuce, noodles, cucumber slices, and shredded carrots to create wraps. Many places don't offer the cucumber, and it makes all the difference ! Also LOVE their iced coffee. Don't think it's on the menu yet, but be sure to ask for it. I'm never disappointed by the service that I receive here either. Most of the time it's just a single man handling the whole front of house, but don't underestimate him; he is the most enthusiastic and friendly server I've encountered. I'll definitely be back soon PB2. :)

    (5)

  • Jennifer A.

    My boyfriend and I went there for dinner lastnight and really enjoyed it. I had the chicken pad Thai which was unbelievable- I hold high expectations for pad Thai due to the fact my stepfather owns a restaurant. My boyfriend had the rare steak pho which was really really tasty! Spring rolls and summer rolls were delicious as well! One of the owners a little Asian woman spoke to is on the way out and was so sweet, kind and generous. She offered to buy us desert and was so glad we came to check it out! We will definitely be back and definitely bring our guests there :)

    (4)

  • K K.

    The problem was the pho noodle was to soft, overlooked. The broth was decent but the noodle ruined it. Bun thit nunog was good though. Right amount flavor in the pork and the egg rolls were tasty.

    (3)

  • Chato W.

    After reading all the good reviews on Yelp, I couldn't wait to try this place. I love good pho, but what a disappointment it was to eat there. I ordered a chicken pho and my mom had winter rolls. Her rolls were somewhat better than my pho. The broth really had a peculiar taste and smell that was not pleasant nor tasty. The noodles were so soft and disgusting. What was more disgusting was that a female employee (owner/cook?) came out to talk to a gentleman customer who was sitting alone, maybe an acquaintance, and when she looked my way, she was picking her teeth with a toothpick. I really got queasy at the sight. I have never seen a restaurant employee picking their teeth in the middle of a dining room front of customers. I should give this place one star, but our server, probably the lady's husband, was really nice, but not nice enough for me to return.

    (2)

  • Terry W.

    Restaurant location is not good... The neighborhood looks not safe. Pho with steak is just ok, no surprise - I had very high standard taste of pho.

    (2)

  • Angela M.

    Dear Pho Bistro, We have seen you four times in the last three weeks. Because your broth is glorious. Because your broth is addictive. Because I'm holding myself back from seeing you every single day. You've also made all other pho broths taste extremely sub-par, lowering other restaurants I used to frequent to peasant status in the kingdom. The kingdom of which you are the King of Pho. LONG LIVE PHO KING! We love Pho King. See you very soon, Angela

    (5)

  • Rissa K.

    Pho is ok here. There was no AC and parking is bit hard to find because it fills up fast! I will come back to try their Oxtail soup!

    (4)

  • Tom S.

    As I have several friends that visited this establishment and gave positive reviews, me being a HUGE fan of good pho decided to try it out for myself. First off the parking here sucks! there are only two 1 hour stalls directly in front of the restaurant and a small lot out back. I snagged the last spot in the lot :). If i didn't spot it, I probably would've just left and gone someplace else, which I think might actually have been a better idea. First impressions on entering the restaurant. God it's hot in here. I'm not sure if their AC was having problems that day or if its regularly like that but it definitely was a scorcher in the restaurant. The loud fan blowing near the entrance almost made me walk right out the door. Eating HOT pho in a hot restaurant = HUGE TURN OFF especially when one likes pho to be hot and spicy. One interesting thing about this pho restaurant was that the table cloths were yellow...this might have been nice if the restaurant was more properly lit, but I think they turned down the lights due to the heat...and during my meal they turned off the lights completely. Compared to other pho restaurants the menu offered little selections on the pho and it was very basic. There were only like ~5 choices for the pho (I don't remember the exact number). I actually wanted to try the oxtail with pho but the menu made it seem like that it is only served with rice. So instead I ordered the large combination for $8.95 and I also asked for the banana tapioca. The waiter told me they didn't have the banana with little or no explanation. If you don't have it anymore take it off the menu! Also they seemed in a hurry to snatch the menu out of my hands WTF!!! When I got the pho, I was surprised at how small the bowl was. I hopefully thought that there was more than meets the eye. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/CnL6… ). In no f***ing way was the pho what I would call large. I would call this either a small or a small-medium. I managed to eat it all in under 10mins. I found the broth to be flavorless and quite watery. The redeeming factor was that because it was watery I did not find it at all salty. The meat was also not good (maybe it was a little old). A lot of pho restaurants sell vietnamese iced coffee and Pho Bistro 2 is no exception. Had they not snatched my menu so fast, I might have ordered the iced coffee to make up for the missed tapioca, but after losing my menu I decided against it since it cost $3.25 and I would rather pay a bit more for starbucks instead. Also reading some of the reviews here, people said their coffee came at the end of the meal and given how fast I managed to finish the pho (I was not even wolfing it down) it probably wouldn't even have come during my mealtime. Also I have to say the service was rather bizarre. A man came by and refilled my water when I drank like 1/8th of the water (I only had maybe 2 sips) and I was like WTF...I had only been here 5 mins or so. There was another man there who I found a bit obnoxious (the kind of guy who I'd wanna sock in the face for being annoying as heck). There is a difference between trying to be a good host and just being plain annoying. To me he seemed like he fit the latter description. Overall I would say the pho here is nothing special. major driving point...the LARGE = a SMALL and I would know since I'm a super skinny guy who normally doesn't eat a lot anyways (maybe that's why they thought they could give me less...).

    (1)

  • Yo J.

    Pho is tops Rolls top And try the chicken salad winners

    (5)

  • Steve L.

    Excellent Pho, sketchy location. Found this delightful purveyor of Pho on Yelp, and what a find it was. The walk from the Convention Center up Kalakaua was questionable - witnessed a homeless dude check behind bushes with a stick and a flashlight, then nearly walked by the restaurant after being distracted by the pawn shop in Suite A. Restaurant was no-frills, and the house special Pho bowl was about 11 bucks. Broth was amazing, and vermicelli straddle that thin line between too stringy and too soft, and was able to maintain that quality through the fifteen minutes it took me to slurp down my bowl. Other customers appeared to be townies, with a particular table of possibly-legal-aged Vietnamese/Chinese women obviously having a good time at a table in the middle of the restaurant. Good times were had by all. Took a peek behind the bush on the way back. Nothing.

    (5)

  • AshleyMarie O.

    wonderful dinner here- They even let us in 5 minutes after close and remained SUOER nice The owner is a doll and chatted us throughout our meals EVERYTHING was fantastic- the PHO is killer and the pork chops were great! wish I lived in Hawaii so I could go AGAIN AND AGAIN

    (5)

  • Jessica T.

    Best authentic pho in Honolulu! Hands down exceeds Pho To Chau is Chinatown. The workers are really nice an attentive. The location is not the best but it's worth the walk/drive. Must try!

    (5)

  • Reid A.

    Pho~nominal!! ^.^ All silly puns aside, the pho here is great. The beef broth is tasty. I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of pho. I've eaten at a lot of places here, but this one is the only one noteworthy. I actually crave pho now, and this is the only place I go. The parking lot is on the right side of the building and also some street parking if you can find it. This is the perfect place for lunch.

    (4)

  • SF F.

    Combination of Thai and Vietnamese...vermacelli was ok but grilled pork was burnt and salty. The eggrolls were meh. Given the rating on Yelp, I would have expected a bit better.

    (2)

  • Sharon S.

    We chose this restaurant based on Yelp reviews and it was great. We wanted Pho takeout for our last night in our condo and we weren't disappointed. Excellent food, fast and friendly service and a good location. At 3:00 on. Monday it was almost full. We loved the pho and the summer rolls. Though the outside looks pretty rough, the inside is clean and bright. The restaurant is on the Fern St. Side of the building.

    (5)

  • Arthur S.

    Yummaayy! Spring Rolls from here look absolutely delicious! or someone takes really good pictures! This place is located right next to my favorite Italian place, Amina Pizzeria. So if your not full after you Pho yourself, eat some hearty Italian next door. I enjoyed the Pho here, my order was made pretty quickly, and it was to go. Though i wish i would have stayed longer to get a crunchy fresh spring roll. The room space is nice, its actually bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. Kind of like one of those fun houses you see at the carnival. The place also looked fairly clean and well maintained. The service was excellent. The Vietnamese guy at the front counter seemed a bit sketchy, but the same time, he knew how to sell Pho. I recall him asking me if i wanted this, or wanted that. I basically told him I'm just doin Pho. But i enjoyed the enthusiasm! it made me at least considering other options. *Quiet peaceful, and no lines *Parking right out the back *Excellent price for a good Pho Definitely coming back for another round of Phoing

    (4)

  • Darick M.

    Service was very friendly and attentive! Parking was ok... No complaints about the food.. I had the small Pho Special and and order of the summer rolls since it was my first time here.. since this is kind of how I measure a pho place.. The portion size is generous.. My only complaint is that the broth tastes like swanson's beef broth..

    (4)

  • Chyanne O.

    I feel like sometimes this place is overrated. Pho is good but not exceptional. They are clean and service is friendly but they lack in variety of vietnamese food. they really are just "pho bistro"- don't expect them to have anything else pretty much. I really wished they had the sandwiches and bun rieu cua.

    (3)

  • Lai T.

    Pho Bistro 2 was recommended to me after I struck up a conversation with someone about Vietnamese food on Oahu. My bf and I swung by for dinner after attending the UH law school graduation on Sunday. In my opinion, their menu is rather small. We ordered a large bowl of their pho special and the oxtail soup. The pho was not bad. I liked how they provided ample condiments to add into the pho. I don't know what those greens are called, but they really make a huge difference in pho. I've never had oxtail soup with peanuts. Honestly, I do not remember much about the broth except that the meat on the oxtails was very tender. Also, I really enjoyed the Chinese mustard (?) which they cut up and included in the soup. The bowl itself was pretty big, which I guess justifies the $15. But personally, I'd rather get a smaller bowl and pay less. In our bowl, I think there were approximately 5-6 pieces of oxtail. The service was friendly and fast. I found it interesting how the restaurant was offering complimentary items to tables which were celebrating Mother's Day. That is something which you don't see often at a pho restaurant ;) Overall, I'd come back here more because I like the people who run the business rather than because I loved the food. Oh and be sure that you park on the lot that is on the same side as the restaurant, otherwise you may get towed.

    (3)

  • Kristen G.

    Pho doesn't get any better than this. Deep rich broth, fresh veggies, great shrimp spring rolls. Nothing better than this and a pot of tea, when you are under the weather. Friendly service is a bonus.

    (5)

  • Mayanne K.

    Thank you my fellow yelpers for leading me here when I was deciding where to have lunch with my girlfriends! I was most pleased with the broth and the temperature of the soup. I've been to a few pho places and the pho doesn't come out as hot as it does here. I'm starting to understand that different pho establishments make their broth differently, and it makes a difference! I ordered the large rare beef pho like the little piggie I am because it was only about $0.40 extra! (don't quote me on that but it was only cents more). It was so tasty I ate it all and was so happy. The Spring rolls were okay, I've seen bigger, but I like Spring rolls in general. I was sweating a bit inside, partly from the broth, and also because the AC wasn't on. They were just using fans which was the sad part to experience. Only when more people started trickling in did one of the workers turn on the cool air. The parking lot was full at 1pm on a Sunday, I was bummed, but I was lucky and found nearby street parking. It's not totally impossible to find street parking nearby, but it can be a gamble. Service was okay, as long as my water is filled every once and a while and the server knows when we're ready to get the check. I noticed another table needing something but no one came to them for a while, until he called the server over. They weren't that busy so I was surprised that happened. Despite all this, I'd definitely come back when I'm in the area for some pho that will definitely hit the spot!

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    Best Pho on the island. Great broth for the Pho and Oxtail soup. BYOB which makes it a cheap date.

    (5)

  • Denise K.

    Wow. Oxtail Pho? I was sold!! They are not stingy with the oxtail meat ~ I felt like my bowl was an endless sea of oxtail! I walked outta there so full and happy =) It's a small family owned business and everyone was so nice to us. Service was GREAT! Not like some typical pho restaurants where you order, get your food, and no one ever comes to check on you. Loved it and will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Esther F.

    For the love of Pho, I thank my friend for bringing me here! This place is kind of like a hole in a wall 'cause I would have NEVER seen this place if my friend had not brought me. The owner is super duper nice, the waiters are too, and the prices are pretty decent. $7.60 for their house special (pho dac biet) for their portions?! Aww yeah. You can order the regular or the large which is $8.15, but it's worth it. The interior is clean and simple, and it's quite spacey. They now have this awesome bowl from Pho Garden in San Francisco, California that holds Pho Challenges, but I don't think Bistro will be doing that anytime soon. Haha. Just ask about it, and you'll see their nice lookin' bowl. Oh, and they have Thai Tea. Yay! If you want Pho to go, you'd have to order the large instead of the regular. I don't know why, but large pho to go is good with me! Also, parking is a pain sometimes if it's full and it's also free. There is also the choice of street parking, but you have to pay, unless you went somewhere that doesn't have one. Lucky you. This place used to open pretty late until one day, two groups (I think six?) of drunk people came in and caused a huge commotion.. So now they're opened until 9:30PM instead of 10PM... if I'm not mistaken. Even so, me gusta.

    (5)

  • Ali K.

    Quick update: Been coming here more often these days and they have been consistently on point. Their soup is always hot and tasty and they don't skimp on the meat (but could use a little more noodles.) This is a family operated business and can seem understaffed at times. Also, the food can take a little longer to come out during rush dinner hours but the wait is always worth it and everyone is friendly.

    (5)

  • Duy L.

    Dropped by for dinner on a Thursday evening, June 14, 2012 (sorry, long overdue review!) Gluttony is a sin, but we were on vacation! My buddy and I had just finished eating pizza next door (great place), and I wanted to grab some pho for the sake of yelp reviewing! It's just soup right? It'll wash down the pizza. I ordered the pho ga (chicken), and my buddy got the pho bo (beef). To my dismay, they had used the same broth for both of our pho! W-T-PHO! I didn't want to gripe too much, lest I ruin our vacationing high spirits so I conjectured that it was almost closing time and the chef probably was too lazy to heat up the chicken stock from scratch. You let me down, Pho Bistro 2! Ok, in fairness, I'll say that place is dimly lit, good ambiance for a date. The tables were pretty clean; it's a step up above normal mom-pop pho joints. They used actual limes, and didn't skimp by providing the cheaper lemon instead. They provided the usual jalapeno and mint and thai basil (and those didn't look too brown). The broth was clean, nothing overly flavorful, but nothing to write home about. But, again, to use beef broth in chicken pho? For fuck's sake. Next time just tell me you're out of it, and I'll order something done right.

    (2)

  • Janette F.

    I haven't been here for a while and, today, called in a take out order after watching the Super Bowl. I ordered vegetarian dishes and she kindly asked if it was okay that the dipping sauce had fish sauce it in. I said it was okay because my sister and mother were eating it as well, so for them, that was fine. I went to pick up the food and the daughter remembered me and asked how I was doing. I have always been impressed with her but she actually surprised me this time because I know I have not been there for at least 2 years. That is customer service at its best. I just LOVE this place, their service and their food. It is a must if you are a pho lover because their pho is the best. This is a permanent place on my list!

    (5)

  • Jessie S.

    Exceptional Everything! Popped in the night before for take out. All I have to say is I am blown away by the quality of the food and the amazing, absolutely heartwarming service! Ordered Spring Rolls, Large Pho with rare beef, and a Thai Iced Coffee while we waited. Service is fast and helpful! I was also given plastic ramekins to make my sauces! The Spring rolls were still deliciously hot and crispy after the walk back to the apartment. PB2 does not skimp on the sides. Even for to go I was surprised at the extra sauce(total sucker for), crisp fresh lettuce and cucumbers present in the box. Pho was the same. All the greens and even a separate bag with the peppers and lime. The quality was excellent and the flavor spot on. Not the best Pho I've ever had but service and quality blow it out of the water. An older woman I believe was the owner was making her rounds at the tables in the restaurant. So pleasant and friendly! She invited us back to dine in...Trust me, after moving home and being so close, I will be back. I want to get the ox tail soup!

    (5)

  • Connie W.

    For some people, chicken noodle soup is the cure-all for a cold. For me, it's a big steaming bowl of pho, #14 (steak with meatballs) to be exact. I came down with a cold earlier this week and ended up visiting Pho Bistro-2 two nights in a row. I've continually awarded this place a 5-star review and never imagined it could out-do itself, but if there were six stars, this place has easily earned it. To begin, the Energizer Bunny is much more mellowed out. They recently installed a new air conditioning unit (APPLAUSE!!), and it was entertaining to hear him brag about the improved BTUs. Definitely much cooler and comfortable inside. He also shared with us Pho Bistro 2's origin story (gather 'round, kids): Many years ago, Mom was partner with the owner of Pho Bistro in Waipahu. She'd always wanted a business of her own and made plans to open a second location. However, her partner was reluctant to give up the "secret recipe," even after it was bought and paid for to the tune of $10,000. Mom eventually obtained the recipe and after a few tweaks of her own, opened up Pho Bistro 2, a name she registered long ago and decided to keep. The American Dream is alive and well. On our second night, they rolled out the red carpet for us. We were running late and intended to take our order to-go as to not impose. We walked in five minutes before closing, and they insisted that we stay, "Mom wants to serve you." I've had many more places try to shove me out the door than invite me in at closing time. We had the same pleasant experience as always, and the food never disappoints. So in my world, six stars. Easily.

    (5)

  • Dana T.

    Whenever I feel like some Vietnamese food, but don't want to trek to Chinatown, this is where I come! Their pho is delicious and the service is always so friendly. I also love the oxtail pho and Pho Bistro 2 Special Combination tray. Although the combo tray is so big that you'll need another person to share with you.

    (4)

  • Rebecca M.

    Rock solid, inexpensive pho, off the beaten path from the tourist gluttony of Waikiki. I had the summer rolls, which were decent, and the rare steak pho, which was excellent. The waiter was very friendly even though the service was a bit slow (he said later that I'd arrived at the tail end of an unusual rush). This is both the most reasonably priced and the tastiest meal that I've had here so far.

    (4)

  • Drew L.

    The Pho Bistro 2 came up as one of the best in Waikiki, so stopped by. Had the number 19 vermicelli bowl with grilled pork and spring roll, a staple food for me. Bowl and portion were smaller than I'm used to. The grilled pork was not really grilled and was a little burned on the edges. The spring rolls were great. Overall, I was a little disappointed as I get better in Austin, but a solid 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Lindsay F.

    Ever since they've opened we've been going here for pho. I'd choose ramen over pho any day but if I had to eat it i'd definitely choose bistro! Their soup is delicious I could eat it without any added sauces if I had to. The ladies who work there are so sweet they treat you like family. It's easy to miss since its kind of off to the side. But very convenient since its right by Ala Moana.

    (5)

  • Hubert C.

    I've been to a lot of Pho places and this one is unique. I went with a group of 4 and we all agree that this place is pretty good. The noodles were delicious. I cant really describe it... but it wasnt like any Pho noodles Ive had in DC or California. The soup tasted fresh... we think it is because there is no msg. My Vietnamese friend said the soup tasted exactly how his mom makes it. We were in a hurry to catch a plane (20 min to order, eat, and pay the bill) and the waitress was really accomodating in getting the food to the four of us in time. Theres plenty of parking on the right, and the restaurant is clean with nice decor.

    (5)

  • Gabby V.

    Parking can sometimes get pretty tight here which can get stressful because the parking lot is so small. That's the only downfall. Other than that, the pho here is very tasty and worth your trouble. The service is very personable and they show great hospitality. Their also fast, quick and easy to talk to so it gives you more time to enjoy the delicious food. The is a must-have place to go to for all pho lovers!

    (5)

  • Andy T.

    Wow. I've driven by this place many times feeling bad because it looks like it gets no business. I'm totally wrong! The place is much more spacious than it looks from the outside. The service is extremely friendly and the place is clean. Their pho is absolutely delicious. Typical pho broths from other restaurants have a generic pho taste but this one has more depth in flavor. It resembles "to chau"'s broth but a little more salty. (more msg?) Quality of meat was outstanding, best brisket in pho I've ever had. Portions are rather huge. I don't have to wait in a line for pho? I'm a fan.

    (5)

  • H C.

    Super tender ox tail soup, but it's not your traditional stewy type ox tail. It's more soupy type but very tender and ready to fall off the bone. The only thing i wish was to have more. I think having the noodles on the side is a better way than having it with rice. We also had a bowl of pho with seafood. Everything here was wonderful. Other than this place being a little hard to find as it's address is for the main road, it's actually on the side street, but the plentiful parking makes up for it. I would definitely come back on my next trip to Waikiki.

    (4)

  • Deb Y.

    This is a very clean and very nice place to eat. The owner and staff made us feel like family. They explained all the unique dishes and even provided us with a demonstration on how to use rice paper to roll our meal. This is the most fun we have had eating out in quite a while. The food was great and very affordable. I think this is a great place for visitors to Honolulu because you feel so welcome the minute you walk in the door. Thank you Pho Bistro 2 and Yelp for a wonderful experience!

    (5)

  • Anne H.

    I went there recently and ordered the Pad Thai noodles. There was too much sauce and the chicken tasted funny. But the service was good during this and the last times I was there.

    (2)

  • Nick B.

    I am by no means a Pho expert but this place was great. Good quality meats and very fresh ingredients you add yourself at the table. Very nice and attentative staff. Good job guys!.

    (5)

  • David B.

    i've had pho here a on 3 occasions for lunch. the first two times it was ahhh so so. the soup wasn't hot enough, and i ordered my meat outside and you know how that goes...those two time i ordered the pho thai, the sliced steak meat only. this last time however i ordered pho thai with brisket as well. and bam! it was killer. maybe because this time i went not during lunch time. it seemed the food came out way better. hotter, tastier. the pho was perfect. it hit the spot. 1 out of 3. so it gets 4 stars. the coffee however sucked. way too watery. trust me on this...did i mention i'm vietnamese btw?

    (4)

  • Koren D.

    OMG - it's true! This was the best oxtail soup! The pho is pretty good too. A definite must try. ;o)

    (5)

  • Frank H.

    This place RUINED ALL Pho restaurants for me! No matter where I've been the Pho has NEVER been the same. Everything is fresh, the service is great and the Pho is ALWAYS consistently amazing. Portions are generous and so are the staff; as soon as you walk in you know you are going to have wonderful food and equally great service. I'm from California originally and had great Pho in the bay area but who knew I had to travel across the Pacific to get the Pho I always dreamed of. They do take-out too! As everyone else mentioned the place is clean which is rare for any other Pho place I've ever been. It is simple...Pho Bistro 2 is the best place for Pho! I really have yet to try any of the other entrees because the Pho is just THAT good. Props to my #13 on the menu!

    (5)

  • Donna J.

    Fast and friendly staff brought delicious bowls of pho for my husband and me. As a certified Pho expert, my husband thought this place was close to what mama makes at home. As always Pho was very affordable with large portions. Had all the trimmings of lime, mint, bean sprouts etc. all freshly prepared.

    (5)

  • Bob N.

    Awesome oxtail and pho... Get #22 with the noodles on the side

    (4)

  • T. L.

    The broth was flavorful, but very heavily seasoned with MSG. They were very stingy with the noodles, and I find it so unnecessary when restaurants do that. The portion of beef slices were skimpy, too. Come on now - - we are talking about dried noodles that expand in water when cooked. I will not be going back. Period.

    (2)

  • ben s.

    This is by far the best Pho establishment I have EVER been too. The family that operate the Bistro are the nicest people in the World. I ordered the Pho Combination which comes with beef flank, rare steak, tripe, beef balls, and tendon. The portions of meat to noodles was perfect. Also the broth was amazing. I could drink it for days....If back in Honolulu I would definitely go back again & again & again......

    (5)

  • Diana P.

    Found this place while looking for another restaurant close to the convention center. The food was excellent and the service was A+. Our server made several excellent suggestions, including a killer combo of sauces (rooster sauce, super spicy garlic chile sauce, and hoisin sauce). Eaten and enjoyed at our table: combination #11, cold noodles with lemon grass chicken #21, chicken spring rolls, fried spring rolls, and pad thai. Yum.

    (4)

  • Andrew S.

    About as good pho as I've ever eaten, which is a surprise because there should be some pretty good pho in the Bay Area. Nice to find some in Hawaii.

    (5)

  • A C.

    I was in town for a wedding and totally not excited about the awful tourist scene. I found this place thanks to yelp and it actually turned my vacation around. The Pho is rich and smooth - not too anise heavy, which I like - and the papaya salad was the best I'd had.

    (5)

  • Ashley A.

    Pho was as good as I've ever had, and the service was great! I'm in HI for a conference and I luckily checked Yelp before grabbing lunch. I persuaded several friends to accompany me to Pho Bistro 2 instead of going to the food court, and it was an excellent decision. I'm only out here for a week but there is a pretty good chance I'll be back to this place for lunch. The location is amazing if you are at the Hawaii Convention Center; it's less than a 5 minute walk.

    (5)

  • Lola C.

    This is my go-to place to get pho, mainly because it is close to where I live and it's really good! I'm not a person who uses the soup as a science experiment; I just eat it plain, no sauce or veggies and their soup has the best flavor without getting all thirsty after. The service is good, I mean it's not like the service you'd get at a five-star restaurant but they're always fast and friendly. The food always arrives piping hot...I'm craving some now as I'm writing this review. Sigh...

    (5)

  • Jen T.

    small, sweet pho restaurant tucked away on a lot on fern and kalakaua. it's a clean establishment, good prices ($7.15 for med pho w/ rare steak), tasty pho (and broth), and friendly service! our server was the son of the owner, who was really funny and accommodating to my requests (add tendon!), and at the end of the meal, mama-san came out and scolded me (jokingly) on how i could've better finished my meal! so cute. i had a really pleasant experience here and will be coming back for more soon!

    (5)

  • Johnny H.

    one of the best pho places in hawaii. the atmosphere is nice and the place is clean. and the workers are really nice. the broth is outstanding and you gotta try their winter rolls.

    (4)

  • MJ L.

    Excellent pork/shrimp bun at a reasonable price. Would definitely go back again.

    (4)

  • C. L.

    GREAT food, GREAT service! I would choose the pho here over any other place any day! The broth is out of this world. Also try the green papaya salad:)

    (5)

  • Christopher T.

    We got it to go to eat in our hotel room (we had two small children with jet lag). Parking is next door, but get there early because it fills up fast. I'm not much of a pho fan, but my wife thought it was incredibly good, so I'm just relaying her comments.

    (4)

  • DaLei L.

    What can I say but everything here is excellent. I always did like Pho but it wasn't an addicting thing for me until I tried the soup broth at this place. For most places, the broth usually has a neutral taste where I personally would have to add a lot of hot sauce and plum sauce to fulfill my liking but the broth here has made me become an addict. If that was not enough, the OX tail is off the hook (cow factory hook) because the portions are huge and I'm a big boy. The taste is awesome with the same kind of soup they use for the Pho, got me becoming a carnivore. I need it at least once a week or I start getting light headed and losing blood. Lastly would be the great pork chop that they serve, it really has a taste like no other; a fusion of American classic taste with Asian seasoning, makes it one of the best out of all the rest. I hope by going there enough times, they will adopt me as their very own.

    (5)

  • Aubrey G.

    This place was getting four stars from the moment I walked in. It didn't have that usual vibe of places you go to and tolerate the ambiance because the food is good: it leans more towards a classier crowd (majority of the crowd was post work garb, and families). I went on a thursday and it was crowded even if it's situated kind of in a residential area. I almost drove away because of lack of parking and so so so glad I didn't! I ordered chicken pho and spring rolls. Broth very tasty and I saved a spring roll for my last bite they were so flavorful! I'm very picky about my meats so I admit the chicken was chewy and flavorless, and I didn't see a tofu option which I would have gotten next time. The menu is simple, not overwhelming like a lot of these restaurants. I felt bad for the only waiter on duty but he seemed to be handling it fine! Very kind and polite. It was kind of hot (even with multiple fans going) so couldn't imagine coming during the day! Overall pleasant experience and will call this my new pho place until I can find someplace to top it. Unfortunately it cost me $ 15 so I must go with someone next time to split the rolls!

    (4)

  • Brandon S.

    My very good friend from work took me out to dinner here last night. I have been on a Pho kick lately and this was some of the best I have had. Atmosphere is very hometown and friendly. Service was fast and repetitive, never had to ask. Serving are plentiful, price is very affordable, which is not consistent with the amount if flavor. Everything from Pho, Autum Rolls, peanut sauce, and the fresh sprouts and Thai Basil. Fantastic! Will be a repeat customer for sure. Maybe date night with my wife!!

    (4)

  • George Q.

    solid

    (4)

  • Kelly G.

    As the ultimate hangover food, my friend suggested eating pho at Pho Bistro 2 which was open at 11am on a Sunday! Even at opening, they already had a couple tables with customers. Ordered the chicken salad and 2 #12 (all the meats in the soup). The chicken salad was yummy - there was pieces of dark meat in the salad, some of which had pieces of ligament, but edible. At $10 for a large bowl of pho, you get great portions. I feel like they age their beef a little bit since the flavor was very concentrated and yummy! The brisket wasn't my favorite, but the tendon was melt in your mouth soft. Broth was only alright, Winston Q. says its usually better than what we had yesterday. Guess I'll come back to try their broth when they are more on par. Takes card!

    (3)

  • Reney O.

    Sadness. Pho Bistro 2 is my cure-all when I'm sick but it was just too far of a drive from home this time....damn flu [and traffic] for making this so damn difficult. Pho Bistro 2 is my go-to pho place because they have THE best tasting pho out of the maybe 7 or 8 others that I've tried on the island. There are pho restaurants everywhere, so really my sampling group is kinda small. However, the best tasting pho in my books to date nonetheless! A deliciously rich broth, the tenderest and juiciest cuts of meat, and peace and quiet to sit and enjoy the warm healing powers that is 'pho.' What makes Pho Bistro 2 so striking, as oppose to all others for me? Aside from the tastiness, which really should be reason enough, there are the quantitative factors to consider. For $8 or less you get this man-sized bowl of pho, and a large mound of bean sprouts, leaves, and jalapenos to throw in. Also, Pho Bistro 2 does NOT skimp on their meats. Within said man-sized bowl I swear almost a pound of what's in there is meat alone! Pretty safe to say that with every bite you'll get a piece of meat. Not dry and chalky, nor rubbery. It's fresh, tender, melts in your mouth awesomeness! That being said, it's really really REALLY hard to go from AAAAAAAALLLLL this for $7.60 to the $8.25 fat-free tasting, petite-sized, seemingly no anis flavor, with I think 4 (maybe 6) slivers of meat at the other pho restaurant I went to today..... -coughs PHO&COMPANY coughs- Service at Pho Bistro 2 is welcoming and quietly attentive. If the owners are about they really make everyone feel comfortable- share laughter, talk story, and so on. Overall, a steady 4 star experience every time for me. As far as dish recommendations, I tend to get the chicken pho when I'm sick, the meat combo (for the carnivore inside us all!) on average, and the oxtail when I'm in a celebratory mood- it's the yummiest of Pho Bistro 2's soups I think, which would explain the price, haha.

    (4)

  • Jozlyn H.

    Combination pho and spring rolls are delicious! This place can get busy during lunch hours so come early :)

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    Yummy Pho: just what the doctor ordered. The place is a *little* hard to find; but well worth the effort. Just a minute away from the convention center in the Ala Moana shopping center area, this place has a few parking spots and gets crowded! Looked like all locals who are in the know... Definitely enjoyed the large combination beef pho. Great prices and great food - perfect for anyone who wants to avoid the usual tourist traps in Waikiki.

    (5)

  • Bam M.

    Pho bistro is the spot! the owner is awesome. Small vietnamese lady super friendly and very welcoming. I went in about 15 minutes for closing. I was waiting for another friend to show up. He took forever! anywho my and my other friend decided we did not want to hold them back from going home. So we apologized to the owner and told her that our friend was running a bit late, and that we decided we were going to leave and find another place. She smiled and insisted that we stay. She said she didnt care and that she was going to feed us! she waited for my friend who luckily showed up about 10 mins after they had closed down. She treated us extremely well despite having to stay back. We ate and she entertained us a bit. Amazing service! Best dayum Pho in town!!

    (4)

  • Mika M.

    I love the welcoming atmosphere that the servers provide, and the pho is very tasty! I come here almost every week and this place has never disappointed me.

    (5)

  • Tony A.

    I went here with my wife, her family, and two of our friends because according to our friend Kelly, "the oxtail soup is bomb." It is. The servers were friendly and nice considering we came in with a party of 11. Apparently the seafood pho was only okay, but I don't care. I came for some spring rolls and oxtail soup. And that... that was amazing. The broth was rich, the oxtail tender and falling off the bone, and with rice noodles the whole thing was amazing. Usually I add some sriracha or some hoisin to my pho. Not this. It was delightful. Then at the end of the meal, the owner/chef/person who is important came out and she checked on us. A very nice lady. All in all, one of the best meals I had in Oahu that week.

    (5)

  • Bethany R.

    Very good. Decent prices too. Clean restaurant and good service if that's what you are looking for. Tasty tasty. Definitely worth a visit!

    (4)

  • Ed L.

    One of the reasons why I decided to come here, was that I was done with the Great Aloha Run 2012 and was wandering around Waikiki aimlessly searching for good Pho to celebrate the finish line that morning. And so, I looked up some plausible choices in Waikiki, but they did not look appetitizing at all and I already tried them. I had bookmarked the Pho Bistro 2 weeks before coming to this place, so I figured why the hell not. I actually had to make my way out of the vicinity of Waikiki Beach and take the #B bus back up towards downtown and I stopped here. The actual restaurant is actually around the corner of this 1694 Kalakaua Avenue building. I was confused at first. I walked into the restaurant, and found that the lighting was a bit dark and moody. I guess that was ok, but it was mid day, so I guess having that ambiance kind of was good, since bright light wasn't so hot anyways. The service was decent. The server was soft spoken when he took my order. About 5 minutes later, the summer rolls came out and they were cold. You could tell that they pre make it and refridgerated it for the people who order it. I should remind myself to have it heated a bit before getting it served to me. Yeah, that should be better. The combination Pho I had was decently portioned, but could have been larger. The large that they had wasn't large, compared to some other places, but it is what it is. In the end, the server took about 20 minutes to get back to me with the check, while serving the other customers who just happened to show up and he wanted to serve them first. Ugh. After getting the check, I quickly looked over the bill and paid it with my cc. No questions asked, as I just wanted to get out of there. The Pho was average and forgettable, since I could have used more noodles in there. Oh well, there are better places for it. I can understand why this place is getting 4+ stars, but it's average, and that's my story. Prices were average too, charging $9.75 per large Pho and $5 for the summer rolls. B

    (3)

  • punkrock z.

    This pho place is on point. Super close to me like pho 777 but taste way bomber... but also a little more expensive which is why most times im hungover I go to pho 777 (pho 777 is just a couple blocks closer too ***) but in tastes PHO BISTRO 2 is the best pho ive had on the island. (Im sure there is better... but this is the best I've had ok... I still wanna try pig n lady pho too lil diff tho) But ya THE PHO HERE IS BOMB. THE MEAT QUALITY IN THE PHO IS GOOD TOO!! The broth is FANTASTIC and doesn't necessarily need additional sauces to give it more flavor, gettum already! I never have tried the banh mis here but Im sure they are delicious, they obviously take pride im their food here cause there pho is bomb and not low grade at all! Expect to pay around 10 dollars for a small (but derishcious) The bathroom is kinda shady. Super clean but shady... go checkem This place has dank pho tho! Bring ur friends. Ambience is nice too super chill not shabby

    (4)

  • Kim M.

    The reason why I tried Pho Bistro 2 was because of the awesome 4.5-star rating on Yelp. I figured it would one day become my favorite Pho place because of its hard-to-beat reputation; they managed to maintain 4.5 stars with 200-something reviews. Wow. Pho Bistro 2 is located across of Home Bar & Grill on Kalakaua. A mini parking lot is located nearby for customers. First thing I noticed walking in was the unusual warmth of the restaurant; next was the weird mood lighting... Are they trying to save $ by leaving the air conditioner and lights off? Or perhaps they are Asian hippies, real Go Green-ers? Anyway... I ordered my usual beef and tendon Pho, which was just OK. And there were only about 3 or 4 slices of beef. I would have really appreciated their bowl because it kept the broth piping hot for what seemed like an eternity. Unfortunately, I was sweating like a prostitute in church and the broth was heating me up even more! Even though I was uber hungry, I wanted to get the hell out of there. Pho Thinh and Ha Long have been spoiling me and have turned me into a high maintenance Pho-natic. I'm so used to everything being so clean!! And at Pho Bistro 2, cleanliness is clearly not their top priority. Boo to crusty sauce on the Sriracha bottle. :( Mind you, I was one of the first customers who went in shortly after opening at 10:30am. Everything should have been clean at that time, right? Once done eating, I quickly escaped. I think next time I'll pass on paying an average price for an uncomfortable sauna session/ meal. Pho Thinh and Ha Long are my top two choices for Pho. Sorry I strayed. Lesson learned. Yelp 365 - #012/365

    (2)

  • Mel G.

    Got the Pad Thai with tofu- it was quite large and flavorful; I ate the whole thing. My man got the combo platter; Different kinds of meat accompanied with white rice and some greens. Again, very generous portion. The chicken was moist and the rice was soft and fluffy. My sister got the chicken pho; the broth was to die for and the bowl was massive. On top of the great food, the service was perfect. Our server was extremely helpful and kind. Overall a great experience!

    (5)

  • Crystal I.

    You know the pho here is good when you look around and you're the only non Vietnamese person in the whole restaurant This tiny shop is hard to find. I first discovered this place when a friend of mine (who really really really loves pho and has literally tried almost all the pho places on this island) wanted to "open my pho palette" -as he said. I recently took one of my girls here and she LOVED it. I almost always order the simple pho with rare steak. (small about $8, large almost $9). The waiter here is always so nice and always checks up to make sure everything's okay, more then twice even three times. I think what makes the bowl unique from different places is the broth and the noodle consistency. The broth is clearer then normal broth and a lot less salty but very very flavorful and the noodles are chewier. They seem flatter, thinner but very chewy..as if someone made it fresh that day. I recommend this place to anyone who wants to try pho for the first time or someone who is looking to satisfy that pho itch. you will not be disappointed and you will come back when that itch/craving/hangover returns.

    (5)

  • Jenn T.

    I came here because one of my friends had heard this was a great pho place. Its right across from Home bar & grill. There is a tiny parking lot next to it on Fern St, where you can park (which is great cus parking in this neighborhood can be tough!). Though when I came a couple days ago, the restaurant was warm. It seems that their AC was broken? because they had all the fans going. Hopefully next time i go, it wont be as hot. I ordered a chicken pho and some spring rolls. The pho was really tasty, great broth and lots of meat! The spring rolls were crispy and hot, with lots of toppings. Service was quick and friendly. Lots of water refilling, which I love. The restaurant is pretty clean and the utensils are clean as well (which is not always standard at pho places...). It seems to be a locally own pho shop, because we had a chat with the son about his awesome promo deal which they have coming up -- $10 for pho + drink, with byob, karaoke and entertainment on friday/sat night! Sounds promising!

    (4)

  • Garry Y.

    We decided to try this place since we were on a lunch break from an event at the Hawaii Convention center, only a five minute walk. The restaurant is clean and the service pretty good even though there was a large lunch crowd. The price was a little high, but fine for the edge of Waikiki We would go again

    (4)

  • Michelle W.

    Mediocre food, terrible service...waited over 15 min to get served, and 20 min to get the check even though there were only 3 other tables... Pho had so much msg I drank 3 glasses of water afterwards, and the brisket was very tough. Not coming back, prefer Pho Tri better.

    (2)

  • ivan S.

    I'm here in a Hawaiian vacation with the family. Back home in LA I was searching for the best local restaurants and pho bistro 2 came out as the number one, so it was a must go and I did It was the best. We order the combination pho soup the best, also the oxtail soup and the summer roll . The service is really attentive a lot of their clients are only local people so you know that if local people go its going to be good.

    (5)

  • Traci H.

    Lot of flavor, free parking, and they are open on Sunday. My take is that it's good pho, with a lot of flavor, but it has a "dirtier" flavor than my normal Pho Thinh (which is sadly closed on Sundays). The chicken tasted like it was cooked separately and then shredded, so it had way more flavor than some other chicken pho. But the broth was also a lot deeper and darker flavored. Not my thing. And to me the broth is what totally makes the soup. I can't tell if it was full of MSG or what it was that made it such that I ate it all, but left most of the bowl of broth behind. Hard to describe but it didn't have the same clean crisp flavor that I prefer. But if you like the complex dirtier flavor then this one is for you. Oh yeah, it's actually fronting Fern Street and the parking is in front or right next door on Fern...you'll never find it if you're looking for their storefront on Kalakaua! I'll be back if I'm already in the area or in need of pho on a Sunday. Oh and it's hot as all heck in there. I think they keep their prices low by keeping the air conditioner set on hot and humid. Yelp 365 Challenge #01/365 August 1, 2011

    (4)

  • Rose D.

    I'm very particular about Pho and this place definitely made it #2 on my fav Pho places on Oahu! Awesome service and really sweet owner!

    (5)

  • Jenna S.

    Decided to give this place a try because of the reviews. The pho itself was good, but the spring rolls were small and over fried. There's also no AC or air circulation so it smelled funky, parking situation sucks too, the place is small so I figure all the cars are for the massage parlor upstairs lol. Won't be back here.

    (1)

  • Jane M.

    Honestly, out of all the pho places in Hawaii, this is the ONLY pho place I will go to. Unless I'm desperate/super sick. The ambiance of the restaurant is warming. In the morning they do turn the lights off because they usually like to conserve energy (have you ever went to an eco friendly pho restaurant before?). The servers are super funny and nice, when you're unsure of what to eat, you should ask the servers! The owner of the restaurant is super funny also! Now to get down and dirty with the regular combo pho (I always skip the onions though -__-)! The pho itself is so delicious. I haven't tasted a pho so yummy, but I will let you know this, it is a bit sweeter (which I do like). Their pho is SO MEATY! In the combination they have so much variety! And their spring rolls come out super fresh and yummy. I've been to those restaurants where it seems as though they just reheated the spring rolls they made in the morning and it is N-A-S-T-Y... The summer rolls are so refreshing on a HOT day! And the winter rolls are so different, but I do LOVE them! I love coming to this pho restaurant! But if you don't believe me, you should try it out yourself!! The ratings do say it all!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Hallelujah! A Pho place that actually has NICE PEOPLE who work and own it! Seriously, I was starting to believe that going to a Pho restaurant in Honolulu meant you just had to be yelled at or ignored if you wanted good food. Or you had to suffer bland soup and sub par food for friendliness. Enter Pho Bistro 2. I came to Pho Bistro on a referral from a co-worker who said it was her favorite place. Not only is the food good, but they are super attentive and nice. They really liked my toddler son, they gave him his own bowl of soup after they saw him eating from mine and even offered us 3 different sizes of utensils for him to use because we forgot ours. We didn't even have to ask, they just saw us using the adult size and they offered it! So nice! Okay so the food to me was good too, and although it is a bit more expensive than some other places out there, its the service that just made it so much better. Let's face it, Pho is a personal thing; what's 5 star to me may be 3 star to another. But from the past 4 years of abuse at the hands of other Pho restaurants, I'll pay an extra dollar to be treated like a valued customer. Not yelled at, or stalked by the owner after I give them a not so great review (true story!). That being said, here's my recap: Pros: -SUPER NICE and attentive service -Good food, fresh ingredients. -Easy parking, tucked away on a side street. Cons: -was hot in there, the day we went, the a/c wasn't working or they opted to not use it. Alls I know was it was hot and they had hella fans blowing around -not necessarily the prettiest or newest of decor but its clean and spacious

    (4)

  • Papaya T.

    i love this place. come here almost weekly with my boyfriend and most of the time they already know what we're going to order before we order it. very comfortable neighborhood vibe, everyone's friendly and the food is always fresh and delicious. there's only two places where i'll order a vegetarian papaya salad, this is one of them.

    (5)

  • Annie L.

    Pho Bistro used to be my favorite Pho restaurant in town. But I have to admit that something was lacking after my last visit. Pho comes in 2 sizes: regular or large. I usually go for a regular combination with the meat outside. ALWAYS opt for meat outside because it's fresher and the meat doesn't get overcooked. The broth here is super clear but still makes your taste buds dance. The one thing I will give to this place is the consistency of the noodles. They never overcook it so the noodles are always the perfect chewy consistency. Let me tell you, there's nothing worse than mushy noodles...YUCK! Their spring rolls are bite sized yummy goodness....MUST bathe them in the sauce. It's delicious!!! If you're lucky, the young lady with unbelievable memory will serve you. She is an absolute gem. I don't know how she takes ALL the orders, serves, busses, cashiers, and still manages to keep your ice water filled. She's AMAZING. The dude's not quite as good as her, but his service is still not bad. Overall, Pho bistro is very clean and you don't have to venture into Chinatown for a decent bowl of pho. The parking is a little bit of a pain when it gets busy but just be patient....the people usually go in and out pretty quickly. About 8 bucks for a bowl....you can come here for a date and leave satisfied for about 20 bucks...not bad!

    (4)

  • Cassie P.

    I consider myself to be on a never ending mission for the best pho. If we're going to talk about the actual soup, Pho Bistro 2 is somewhere in the middle of the list. Things I liked: The room was really nice. You felt comfortable. They took the time to paint the walls and make it pretty. The service was awesome. They checked on you, offered you more water, etc. And they were sincere. Watch out - they LOVE children! We had our soon-to-be one year old son with us, and both the mother and daughter couldn't resist playing with his toes and making us really comfortable with him there. Honestly, for this reason alone, I want to bump them up a star, but it would go against my "pho mission" rules. The soup: I just felt it lacked flavor. They do not offer a veggie/tofu pho on the menu, which is what I usually get, so I had the chicken while my boyfriend had the rare beef. He really enjoyed his, and his broth was pretty good just the way it was. I added all the goodies and it tasted like all the goodies. I probably will come back - it's a really convenient location (cutting through from moiliili, you miss all the traffic) and there's ample parking. I just prefer maybe Pho Thinh in the neighborhood or Vietnam Cafe Pho Saigon if I'm going all out.

    (3)

  • Joie Y.

    What I really love about this place is that they give a lot of meat. I mean a lot of meat! I always run out out of veggies, noodles, and broth, but there is always a lot of meat. Which for me is good, because I am a self proclaimed meatatarian. I love me some meat! That's good considering that meat is much more expensive than veggies. I sometimes find myself wanting to raid the next tables veggies. But I hold back. :D I do like their broth, because it tastes clean. The broth isn't murky, but clear. And it does not seem too oily. I have to say that I do like the broth at another place, but this has to be one of the better broths in town. The place does get pretty full during regular dining hours. They have mixed up my order when it is busy. I try to get there when it isn't so busy so I can enjoy my meal.

    (4)

  • Kent I.

    I feel like I've been punched in the gut. Pho Bistro 2 was one of those special restaurants that you crave the day after you have it. I am saddened to write that the quality of the food has gone downhill. After first trying the pho, I thought I had mistakenly gone to the wrong restaurant, or order the wrong item. Suddenly, the pho tastes average, like every other pho restaurant I have had. New ownership? New recipe? I don't know, but whatever they changed it was for the worst. This is a sad and very depressing news.

    (2)

  • Tommy P.

    My family and I were looking for a new pho restaurant to eat and we decided to give this place a try. I ordered a #12 a special and it was so much better than any other places we had tried in the past. The soup taste just right definitely a good place to try.

    (5)

  • Zar A.

    The only item I've ever ordered here is the OXTAIL SOUP! Delisssshhh. The staff doesn't speak Vietnamese here, which is quite odd in my opinion. This is probably the only Vietnamese restaurant I've been to where the staff does not speak Vietnamese. How am I supposed to practice my Vietnamese now?? Overall, restaurant is fairly clean, decent Vietnamese atmosphere, fair prices, nice staff. My only eff is PARKING... They don't have parking.

    (4)

  • Dawn L.

    Our regular joint, Pho Thinh (see my review), was closed and the Hungrier Half and I were both fighting a cold so desperately in need of some TLC--aka pho. So I did what any self-respecting Yelper would do: search pho via the Yelp app on my phone. And I found Pho Bistro 2 just down the street. Sweet! We must have good timing because we found a perfect stall and pulled right in. As soon as we opened the door to the restaurant it was like the clouds had parted and we had been greeted by the angel at heaven't gates--HELLO!!!!! Well, hello, you. This guy is something. Special. There are not quite words to describe him. He's a ball of energy...happy, contagious energy. He loves his job and his customers. He's passionate about what he does and the food he serves. It's kinda crazy. I might have thought he was a bit much for (sick) first timers like us, but we loved him. He talks to everyone--even the ones who do think he's a bit much. His mom was slaving over the hot stove in the kitchen and he was workin' the floor. They have a great vibe. And fantastic food. We stuck to our usual routine and ordered the biggest pho we could get our paws on to share then split a spicy lemongrass chicken vermicelli and make it even spicier when we get it. I'm not happy unless it burns. He picked us out for first timers. And suggested that if we come back that we try the oxtail soup...that is, if we like oxtail soup. Do we like oxtail soup?!? It's all I eat when I'm in Vegas, homie! So next time, because there will DEFINITELY be a next time for this place, I'm trying his oxtail soup!

    (4)

  • Shiori T.

    It was my first time eating pho, and I could not have asked for a better experience. The staff is friendly and patient, and the pho is delicious! I got the pho with rare steak, which has slices of raw beef (can get it in the soup or on the side) which is cooked by the hot soup. There are many variations as to how you can change the soup flavor, with chili sauce, sriracha, lemon, etc. but my favorite is the soup by itself. The Thai iced tea is a little bit pricey for the amount but delicious as well. Overall, a pho-nomenal experience! (Hah hah what a knee-slapper)

    (5)

  • Tracy C.

    Best oxtail soup ever! And super friendly service. I can eat here weekly!

    (5)

  • Justin U.

    I thought this place was ok. My regular pho spot (Pho Minh Thu) was closed, so I did what any sane person would do in need of finding a place to eat...I Yelped Pho in the search box and viola, Pho Bistro 2 popped up with an impressive 137 - 4.5 star reviews. I said, wow, must try! So I did. Walked in, got seated right away. The waiter quickly brought me a glass of water and took my order. I ordered the large bowl of pho with rare steak and meatballs. After 10 minutes, my order came out. The first thing I noticed was that their large bowl seemed medium sized. The broth was really good though, and noodles were soft. However, the meat portions came hella chang. There must've been a total of 4 meatballs, and 3 strips of steak in my large bowl of pho. Not sure if this was normal, but it sure didn't wow me. But on a positive note, this place uses limes rather than lemons. What I also thought was weird, was that their hoisin sauce was in a yellow mustard bottle. Anyways... As my buddy Dan H. said, 'The degree of separation between good and bad pho is very slim. Tiny nuances in the taste of the broth, quality of meat, amount of veggies served, etc can make bad Pho good and good Pho great.' so true. ps...I hear their Oxtail soup is amazing, so I'll have to give this place another shot sometime in the future.

    (3)

  • Ivy C.

    Yum! Turned my anti-pho boyfriend into a pho lover! We walked over from Modern Honolulu - figured the positive reviews would be worth it and we were right. We both got the Large Steak and Meatballs because it's less than a dollar more than regular size. Portion was big and lots of meat. The owner even came by to check on us near the end, apologized for any slow service because her children were at a football game and couldn't help out that night. Either way, they were attentive and friendly. One star down is because we did not like the egg rolls that were $8. When we ordered the egg rolls as appetizers, we expected egg rolls. This had only three tiny fried egg rolls with a large side of vermicelli and salad (neither of which we wanted - assuming it was the appetizer so it wouldn't come with side items).

    (4)

  • Will L.

    I went over to PB2 for lunch on a Wednesday. The reason this place only gets 3 stars is partly because of the bad parking situation. They have two stalls in front of their premises - and one is a handicapped stall. The non-handi stall was taken. OK, so that's out. The next set of parking stalls down has about 7 or 8 stalls, and all were taken. So I went into the neighborhood and any vacant curb space was restricted by the ubiquitous NO PARKING - FROM HERE TO THE CORNER signs. Finally after about 5-6 minutes of winding my way through the McCully area apartment neighborhood, I found a spot. When I arrived, the place was about 80% packed which was pretty impressive in a non-business traffic location. I had the beef pho with steak meat and asked for the steak slices to be served on the side. The pho itself was nicely flavorful and the steak meat was fresh and tender. I also had the spring rolls and they were good. The place also has a small AC compared to how big the dining room is and so with a bunch of people inside, small AC and even with some fans running, it does not overcome the high temp of the room, no doubt caused partly by the steaming pho everywhere, as well as body heat of the 80% filled to capacity patronage. The result: I was kind of sweaty as I was leaving the joint, and this is right smack dab in the middle of December (yes, understand that this is Hawaii December). Overall the pho and the rolls were solid, nothing crazy exceptional to me but definitely worth going to for a pho-fix. However, due to the bad parking and weak AC, the pho is not so great for me to go out of my way to get there. My next stop in my pho-tastic adventure, a place closer to my home, Pho Saigon, on Palama.

    (3)

  • Lyman W.

    This is the best pho any where their broth is amazing .The waitstaff is attentive. They give you plenty of basil and sprouts as well as condiments. I have had pho in 4 different states and this is my favorite. :)

    (5)

  • Maivelyn A.

    My favorite place to go when im craving Pho!! The food is very tasty. Ive never had to wait to be seated. The place is clean, the staff is nice. Portions are perfect. Prices are decent. Parking sucks, its a little parking lot to the left.

    (4)

  • shana r.

    Service and food was amazing, friendly and attentive staff. The Pho ga was the best I ever had!

    (5)

  • Annie W.

    I would say 3.5 stars, because it really was good. The portion was a bit small for $7.45 a bowl. I did appreciate the cleanliness and look of the restaurant. The lighting is quite dim and because the portable AC units cannot reach the whole restaurants, it's a bit warm even with all the fans running. My soup did not come out piping hot and with the added bean sprouts cooled it down a tad bit. There was definitely more soup than necessary and we need more noodles here, please... The 5 pieces of rare steak came on a side plate as requested and the quality of the meat was not bad at all (just small patches of brown). I know next time I would need a large order to satisfy my hunger. The parking is not too bad. There's 2 slots in the front and 5 or so other slots that is shared with a tiny liquor store right next door. We didn't know if the lot belonged to them because of the fence, but apparently it did and luckily we did find street parking. The search continues... Maybe it's better than the rest, but we'll have to try some more pho on the island.

    (3)

  • Sena I.

    My mother and I came here while on vacation and found this place via yelp. It's small but don't let that scare you away. The food here is great. I got the Bun and my mother got the Pho. The broth was delicious and the Bun was so fresh. The owner - a petite woman - is super sweet. She said she would find us parking if we ever had trouble finding a spot haha. Now that's service for ya. Definitely would recommend this place if you're in the craving for some authentic Vietnamese.

    (4)

  • Jah J.

    This is THE BEST pho place in Honolulu (maybe the whole island). The pho and vermicelli dishes are consistently great- fantastic favors, always fresh, huge portions and nicely priced. The service is always warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt. I've also had the papaya salad, chicken salad and summer rolls. Go! Try it! It rocks! Serious Pho!

    (5)

  • Crystal B.

    I ALWAYS come here when I am in the mood to have a nice hot fresh bowl of Pho. They are always friendly and the food is always out before you know it. I highly recommend getting their Spring Rolls. It is DA BOMB DOT COM.

    (5)

  • jon k.

    I have always wanted to try this place and I finally got to go on Sunday and boy was it worth the wait. I ordered the pho with beef balls and rare steak. The broth was out of this world. I ordered spring rolls which were fantastic also. Great service and the best pho and spring rolls I have had so far.

    (5)

  • Angel W.

    Was good but not as good as Pho Bistro in Waipahu. There's is the best broth. Will need to make the drive next time. Plus the parking at 2 was difficult, very limited.

    (4)

  • David P.

    The broth was really good, they never let me go thirsty, and they gave me a very good portion of meat. The only things I didn't like which puts them below To Chau is that I didn't like their noodles much and they should have brought our summer rolls out first since they are appetizers. Thought the noodles were too hard. However, the peanut sauce for the summer roll was the best I have had in all pho places! I would definitely repeat this place.

    (4)

  • Olivia D.

    I am a crazy Pho-natic! I am so addicted to pho, that I have been eating it at least once a week for over 15 years. My co-workers found this one day when we were all craving takeout, but couldn't decide between Italian and Vietnamese. The solution? We sent someone to Pho Bistro 2 for pho and bún and Amina Pizzeria next door for calzone and lasagna! Since that initial visit, I've been back every single week for their pho. I just went there again for lunch today. Their broth is the BEST on the island; it ties with Pho To Chau in my book, but it's different. I think it's a little sweeter, but both broths have a very nice balance of spices and herbs and layered flavors. Really, Pho Bistro 2's broth is outstanding. I usually get the pho tai (rare steak only) and my pho buddy Ange gets the house special combination pho with steak, flank, brisket, beef balls, and tripe. If you want the combination with only some of the items, they will do it for you. I love the flank and brisket cuts as well; they are so flavorful and most of the time, they are not too fatty. The only reason they get 4 stars instead of 5 is because their portions are small. Even with their large-sized bowl, I don't get enough noodles and especially, beef. The noodle portion is smaller than at any other pho restaurant and I think they give you only five paper-thin slices of beef. At To Chau, they give me so much beef that sometimes, I can't even finish it all. Thank goodness my pho buddy generously gives me some of her steak and flank, or I would be hungry an hour later. I think the only difference between their large and regular sizes is that you get more soup with the large size. You also get less veggies here and if you order a side of onions, instead of a plate of onions, you only get a cup saucer full. The service is always very good. They remember their regular customers and are friendly and efficient. I'll be back in a few days.

    (4)

  • Debbie L.

    I came here last night after playing tennis, and I just wanted to emphasize again.. on how DELICIOUS their Pho is! Yum yum yum! I could eat there everyday! :) Best Pho ever!!

    (5)

  • Mai T.

    There is a lot of Pho restaurants in Hawaii, but this place was really good! My sister took me to Pho Bistro 2, after wanting to eat something warm and good. The broth had a nice flavor and all the vegetables they bring with the pho is always a pleasant treat.. also makes me feel like I am healthy! I havent really tried anything else, but they do have a good selection of different items from noodles to rice as well as soups. If you feel like being healthy, but at the same time what to satisfy your taste buds, Pho Bistro might be the place!

    (4)

  • Dean H.

    What can I say but delicious broth and fresh ingredients, sooooo good indeed! Soooo fresh veggies and broth is savory and not salty and not sweet...just right...ahhhhh The pho came piping hot and so did the spring rolls... The waitress was very helpful and even mixed a special dipping sauce for us with the plum sauce, siriracha and the chili paste...sweating hard and that is a good thing....if u don't sweat, it is not good, ya hear???? My fam and I ate up for about 13 bucks each with tip, large bowls of pho and 2 orders of spring rolls.... U bet we will be back....

    (4)

  • Joy N.

    My boyfriend and I eat here quite often and I recommend this restaurant to my friends. The service here is pretty good and the food is delicious. They are open till nine most nights and eight on Sundays. My favortie is their pho and spring rolls. They also have an oxtail soup that you can get with either rice or pho noodles. I recommend getting it with the noodles. It's soooo yummy!!!! They have the hoisin sauce, sriracha sauce and these two chili pepper sauces that I use always. One is a roasted oil (so the flavor is a little smoky and wonderful), the other one is a little more on the sweet side. I mix these two together in a small dish and put a little bit in each spoonful. Mmmmm. The lemongrass chicken plate is really good also. In short, their food is winner!!!! I would have given this place five stars, but there is one waiter (he doesn't work all that much) that is just not good. Other than that, the place is great!!!!

    (4)

  • Esther Y.

    Came here one rainy day after hearing SO much about Pho Bistro 2 from others and Yelp. I had to ditch a few friends who went to another subpar pho restaurant, drive through a couple floods, and park illegally, so I expected it to be worth it. Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing. The pho here is of the northern style (I was unaware of the difference between northern and southern style pho until my friend that I brought here enlightened me), and I thought that the broth was just not very flavorful. I expected the broth to taste like it had been slow-simmered for hours, and it didn't live up. Save your time, money, and headache of parking for something better. I recommend To Chau in Chinatown (long wait) or Ha Long Pho.

    (3)

  • Igor M.

    Some of the best Vietnamese food around

    (4)

  • Tricia Z.

    Excellent pricing, interesting service and amazing food. I had a vermicelli dish with pork that was awesome and tried some of my friends dish which was the rice combo plate which was also awesome. As other reviewers said they definitely could use a little more a/c but I wasn't complaining as I am not use to the Honolulu weather at all! The guy who runs this place with his mom was a very interesting character he was funny but all too weird at the same time. He was nice enough to give us all free desert (some kind of taro-pudding) which I did not particularly care for but everyone else seemed to love it. Oh and the Summer rolls are AWESOME by the way! I don't think I'll be able to get ones as good as those anywhere here in CT which is very disappointing! I would visit again in a heartbeat if back in Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Marcus S.

    The broth is what got me. The broth is what will bring me back. I will take my broth-er next time so he can enjoy. Don't broth-er me while Im eating. Did i mention the broth? This is a cozy little place that is pretty darn good. Only thing is I have had better so thats the reason for 3 stars. It's not to say I would not go back because I would.

    (3)

  • Steph J.

    Let me start by saying that I LOVE pho. With that said, this place is better than most (To Chau is still my favorite). It's a very clean place and the service was excellent. I typically order Pho Tai (Pho with rare steak - but I get the steak in the broth so it'll cook). I ordered some Summer Rolls and definitely two thumbs up for that and their dipping sauce. Most restaurants know how to make a Summer Roll but mess up the sauce. But the sauce here was perfect and very yummy. The reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because I typically like to drink iced coffee with my pho. My iced coffee came to me after I was done eating. Truly disappointing when there's a typical pho, meat dipped in sauce and drink of iced coffee cycle I like to enjoy. The iced coffee was also good but I just wished it came before the pho did. Oh well, now I know. There's a small parking lot adjacent to it but I got the last stall and there was someone waiting for my stall when I was about to leave and this was with the restaurant not even being half filled so I can see how it may be a problem if it got any busier. Nonetheless, I'd probably go there again if I was in a pinch and craving pho and didn't have the time to stand in line at To Chau.

    (4)

  • Evan H.

    Used to come over here every single day before work. Too bad my lunch buddy moved away. Anyways! High quality fresh ingredients. The spring roll and summer rolls are fresh and tasty here! Add a LARGE combination pho and you're good to go! They also have all the different spicy things I like to put inside the soup too. I noticed not every places has those red oil and chili spices available. The staff there are very friendly and remember you if you go often. They're almost always busy there so sometimes there can be a little bit of a wait. Parking is a little rough once their mini lot fills up. Try to carpool if possible.

    (5)

  • Terri P.

    Tuesday 4/24: Rule 1: When visiting anywhere get away from the tourist center. Rule 2: use Yelp and believe the reviews, but take with a grain of salt. So here I am with a craving for Vietnamese. Attentive service. All locals. Huge winter rolls served in 5 min. Staff across the room sorting fresh basil. Vermicelli w/crispy spring rolls delivered 3 3 min later. No silverware offered to this old Haole woman (a compliment). Cute very young couple in the corner holding hands. More food than I can eat! Fresh, cool noodles and veg with hot spring rolls - very nice.

    (4)

  • Krissy M.

    Very good! My aunt brought me and my mom here for an early dinner last week and I loved my pho - I picked the beef one, and in size L, since the price difference was minimal and I don't have many opportunities to eat pho :) My mom had the oxtail soup and raved about that, and my aunt had the tofu-veggie vermicelli dish, wish she said was really good, too. Service was friendly, albeit a little slow (others seemed to get food a little faster than us, but not a huge deal) and there was a language gap but none of this detracted from the meal.

    (4)

  • m s.

    So finally I got to eat pho here! and yes, it was really good as I expected:) Since I knew a Vietnamese restaurant I can have a good pho near by my work, I have been satisfied just coming to that place over and over. Now I got a chance to be near by Pho Bistro 2 today and I had a great experience of new sensation of pho taste. We were a group of two when we visited there, just before got crowded, we got our seat easily. A waiter, I believe he's a manager or owner, served us promptly and friendly as well. We started off with "Winter Roll". Wow, it was great! I did not even know there were Autumn and Winter Rolls other than Spring and Summer ones. Winter Roll at Pho Bistro comes with spicy shredded pork in fresh rolled rice paper. What I love was the combination of spiciness and freshness of this roll. Retro melamine plate was cute for me:) Then before the rolls filled me up, the signature pho of the store (with rare, steak, brisket, tendon and meatball) served. I always try its soup first. I don't know why but I guess I just want to enjoy the first sip of pho even before I put any side veggies such sprout, lime or basil. Wow, I can tasted great depth and sweetness in this mild salty broth. Love it. Great pho and nice service, how I can put less stars! Parking was hard for us to find, that is the only concern, but we could on the street about 3 blocks away. Not a problem. I am so glad to come this place and I am sure I'll be back here again. #001/ 365 yelp challenge

    (4)

  • Miles E.

    You've had the rest, try the best (insert copyright logo) Here I am again, the love story continues. Oxtail pho, be mine forever. okay okay, i believe I said pho trinh was my issshh. Pho Bistro 2 is now it for me. I don't know what it is, the delish oxtail, freshly made rolls (spring or summer), phan-tastic noodles, great service, or the magical combination that is all the above and sets this place apart. If you have a hankering for some good pho or even local style oxtail soup.. come here, that is all. Happy Yelping!

    (5)

  • Janet K.

    This is Pho Bistro's 70th review so I'll keep it short and sweet. Pho broth is super flavorful... similar to oxtail soup and they give a lot of meat. Service is wonderful and the restaurant is pretty clean. If you want to start with an appetizer roll, try the Winter Roll. One of the best pho restaurants out there pho sho!

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    Sadly they do not have vegetable broth so I couldn't get the pho, but they did have this other thing called "Vermicelli" which is like the pho noodles, but skinnier? I got it with grilled shrimp, and it was GOOD! ($9.45)

    (4)

  • Wes N.

    Excellent pho! Wonderful broth! My japanese friends do not do parsley/cilantro so they love it here!

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    Went to Pho To-Chau and thought it was good. But the cleanliness and service was another matter. I was staying in the Waikiki area and didn't want to tread all the way to Chinatown so went on a Yelp to find a good pho place nearby. Decided to try Pho Bistro 2 and boy was it the right choice. The pho was as good as To-Chau. The service was excellent which is not very normal for a pho restaurant!

    (4)

  • Kelly T.

    MMM... [writing this review as I'm watching Anthony Bourdain's visit to Vietnam :-)] I've only been to Pho Bistro a few times, but it's soooo worth Yelping about. Granted, the menu is pretty close to other pho restaurants, but they do everything really right here. Haha...not sure if that made any sense, but you get the idea. My friends normally order the oxtail soup, my husband orders the chicken pho (very intense, but light chicken flavor) and I get the vermicelli with grilled pork and egg rolls. Last time I got it with the lemon grass chicken...mmm....yep, I'm definitely ordering that again. The lemon grass flavor wasn't too strong, which is exactly how I like it. :-) Oh, and if it does matter...the restaurant is very clean...

    (5)

  • Jade N.

    My order: Chicken pho. (Pho ga) Ok so I am a Chicken Pho lover...Plain and simple. I'm sorry to say but this place beats Pho Bistro in Waipahu. I am definitely still a fan of Pho Bistro because of it's location and easy access. BUT... Pho Bistro 2 just did it. I LOVE the broth and the garnishes. The smell of the dried onions and that addicting taste of wanting to drink the soup till the last drop. I can't wait to go back. Place is clean and service is a 10! Nice atmosphere and nice interior (i know who helped with the interior) .. =0) Please check this place out. You will be satisfied to the fullest. It's also a roomy place...just FYI in case you need to be wheeled out.

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    Chicken seems to be a precious commodity when it comes to this place... tasty food, but compared to other pho restaurants, there's simply not much of it in the bowl, which is my only consistent complaint. But, pleasant atmosphere and helpful waitstaff that remember your order if you come in often enough. They always bring out a fork and small soup spoon for my 3-yr old, so they earn bonus points for kid-friendliness. Don't come mid-afternoon because they're closed between lunch and dinner. Otherwise, make it a point to stop by if you're in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Lily L.

    When you eat phone its all about the broth! However, here that's not the case. The quality lacks as well as quantity. Very small portion overpriced..Yes they are one of the few places who have lime and parsley. But the soup just wasn't cutting it for me,sorry. Such a low selection of pho. If your name has pho in it. It would be nice if you had more than 4 choices.

    (2)

  • Dustin B.

    I had a huge hankering for some Bun. Almost went to Pho 1 but read reviews on yelp and decided to go here. Glad we did. Seems like it is a family owned joint. Staff was very accommodating and helpful. Simple easy menu with excellent food. The owner brought out suckers for the kids. Wow. Definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Monkie T.

    My husband and I love this place. The people are friendly. The food is excellence!! I know my Vietnames food, for I am Vietnames after all. Everything on the menu is great!! Our favorite is the summer rolls and bu tet. We miss this place so much since we moved to the Mainland. We haven't found anything like that here in Charleston. This will be the 1st place we go to eat when we head back to Honolulu.

    (5)

  • angela a.

    This has become my favorite place to eat Pho (except when I make it, of course...Hubby says otherwise :(). We ate here for the first time on 3/23 for dinner (after about 1 1/2 hours waiting in traffic). The restaurant was easy to find, although if you follow GPS directions, heading south on Kalakaua Ave, you don't have to make a U-turn. You can turn left onto Fern St. There's two spots out front, one is handicap parking and the other is 1 hour parking only. There is a small parking lot on the side of the building. Other than that, you'll have to find some place to park on the street. Okay, onto the cleanliness/service. Driving or walking by this place, it sure looks like a hole in the wall. Right next door is a "massage" place with darkened windows and a convenience store with bars on the windows. Yeah, it doesn't exactly give off a good vibe. Never the less, hubby and I got past these places with no scars. The inside of the restaurant is very clean. We were seated promptly and there were two other couples enjoying their meals. It is a small restaurant and maybe sits about 20 people. Everyone here was very friendly. I believe this is a family owned business as we talked to our waiter, he refers to his mom and pop who can be seen around the restaurant. Our orders were taken promptly, along with glasses of water. Of course I was wondering about the food since there were only two other couples here on a Friday night... Our order: Spring roll appetizer and two small bowls of Pho tai. The spring rolls: Good. Do I think they are anything to write home about? Not really. I would say they are your standard Vietnamese spring roll. They were on the small size for what I've ordered at other Vietnamese restaurants for the same price. Not picking on Pho Bistro 2, but the Vietnamese restaurants here in general...I don't understand why it's $7-8 for an appetizer of 2-3 spring rolls. Does that stop me from ordering them? Yes. Does it stop my husband? No. So, this is one I throw in the "I make them better at home, waaaaay cheaper, but I didn't, so this is what I have to pay" category. This is one of the Pho restaurants where you can get rare beef on the outside. I've been to a couple of Pho places and ordered the rare beef on the outside...and the soup wasn't hot enough to cook it (eww, I know). So, I asked our waiter if the soup was hot enough to cook it. Our waiter says "Of course. I wouldn't serve it otherwise." He then checked in with me twice to make sure I didn't want a side bowl of hot broth to make sure my meat was cooked thoroughly. Talk about customer service! Yes, the broth was hot enough. The broth: super tasty and clear. It's so flavorful that if you didn't want to add any condiments to it, you could just eat it like that. I love that they serve culantro here. Yum! I wish they'd serve it with limes (that's how I grew up), but I haven't found a Pho place here that serves limes. The Pho here was so good that my husband and I ate dinner again the following night. We drove all the way from Mililani just to eat here. So yes, it's that good. Is mine better? Of course it is. Maybe it's because I slave over the stove all day to cook it. Hubby think Pho Bistro 2 is better. Why do you ask? All he'll tell me is that "it's different". Hmmm.

    (5)

  • Angela P.

    One of the very few pho restaurants that's comfortably clean! Pho Bistro 2 isn't secluded or tucked away but there's no neon sign planted on the building--so you still can miss it if you're not watching where you're going. Parking can test you if there's no street or if the lot next to the building is full. The broth is flavorful and I love the fresh summer rolls. Everything is so crunchy, delicious flavor-blending, and so darn healthy for you that you just can't complain. The price is even better. For summer rolls and a bowl of pho (I usually get the rare beef) it comes out to under $15. Great to bring friends and family for one of those budget-friendly take outs :) mmmm. Great prices, great food, and pretty decent service. This is my GO to pho place... pho-sure! Haha :P

    (4)

  • Clarissa M.

    Went here for the first time. Parking was available on the side of the building next to a cigar shop. Upon entry we were quickly greeted and seated. The place was also super clean and each table had all the condiments, chopsticks, and napkins well stocked. 2 stars given. Our order was quickly taken and the food was promptly served. We shared the egg rolls which were smaller in girth than I am typically used to at other Vietnamese restaurants. But, the rolls were tasty nonetheless. We also equally enjoyed the Chicken Pho (the broth was super duper tasty) and the Vermicelli noodles with Pork and Egg Rolls. Another star given. The service throughout our dining experience was also very friendly and pleasant. Another star given. We will be back again!

    (4)

  • Faye M.

    I first started coming here on the regular a few years back, but kinda went MIA since then...until the other day! I met my old coworker/"work sister", her husband, and baby for lunch, unfortunately it was pretty hot out - so I didn't get what I really wanted - pho! I did get the rice noodles with spring rolls and grilled pork. It was perfect! Totally hit the spot, and it was a big serving...I didn't finish it all! Service is always great here...they're always very friendly and I've never had a problem. Parking is really limited, when I try to come for dinner - there's never any stalls open! Must be busy, or the massage place on the 2nd floor is doing good! I kid, I kid!!

    (5)

  • Ed C.

    I love the service, the parking space, and the amazing Pho. I come here at least twice a month

    (5)

  • Anna P.

    This place was recommended by my sister's friend and was content with the reviews. When we were looking for the place, the neighborhood seemed a bit sketchy but was rest assured with the security at the parking lot. I called them ahead of time to reserve a table for eleven and was ready by the time we got there. I ordered #19 with rice instead of noodles and they were able to accomodate it with no fuss. My hubby ordered the combination Pho and was happy with it. Everyone else in my party of eleven enjoyed their meal. I think this will be my go to Vietnamese place when visiting Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Rza Marie R.

    By far the best Pho place on the island. Te meat was tender, there broth was extremely tasty reminds me of the pho I use to get back home in San Jose! Mmm mmm!

    (5)

  • S K.

    Located on the outskirts of Waikiki, more like Ala Moana vicinity - this casual local pho joint is fantastic. The oxtail soup is the must try item here. The broth is super flavorful and inundated with veggies - sprouts, shitake mushrooms, carrots, vietnamese greens, scallions, basil, and jalapenos (did I miss something?). To top it off, it comes with a side of crushed ginger. Sounds like an overload, but the flavors all work well together! They actually ran out of oxtail one time I've been here, so it shows how popular that item is. Will be back on our next trip to the islands!

    (4)

  • Christa Lei S.

    This is actually my favorite pho place-- it turned me into someone who actually enjoys pho. The majority of the time, I've felt that pho was too sweet for my tastes, but I love the broth here. And it comes out piping hot. It's tasty, and I don't have to put sriracha in at all (which is how you know it's tasty.) The service is always great, they're very efficient. The only thing I don't like is how the iced coffee already comes out mixed, but it still tastes good. The Oxtail Soup here is amazing as well. And big portions! :) Yummmm. I can't wait to go again.

    (5)

  • Kasey T.

    We are regulars here and the owners are awesome. Don't be afraid to chat with them. They love to talk. The quality of the Pho is superb and mom gets mad if you don't eat all of your meat (jokingly of course). Bon apetit!

    (5)

  • Lisa T.

    My absolute favorite Pho restaurant on the island... The service here is really good considering every time I've been there it's packed with only one really nice woman working the place. She seems to already know our order as soon as we walk in or if we call ahead to have it ready on the table when we arrive (although she doesn't recommend that cause the noodles won't be as tasty if it sits for a long time). Their Pho broth is full of flavor... I judge a broth on whether or not I need to add all the lovely extra sauces to the mix...this place doesn't need it. Don't get me wrong though...the sauces add another dimension to the already tasty broth. I especially love their special home made garlic chili paste/oil. I would buy that if I could and believe me I've tried. :) They give a nice size portion of veggies. Their oxtail soup is super good as well especially considering I'm not a huge oxtail soup fan. This will make Kapiolani Coffee Shop look minuscule with their portion size. I've tried other Pho places and this one keeps me coming back...and making pho-haters become pho-lovers :)

    (5)

  • Jin B.

    THE BEST PHO I'VE EVER HAD! Advice: This is the place where Pho Gods and Goddess' smile down on. You MUST eat pho here!!!!!

    (5)

  • oNEloVE C.

    Hella good service!! Oxtail Soup-on point so big I had left overs Spring and Winter Rolls-so fresh by far the best I ever had Papaya Salad-super fresh and not to spicy with good crunchy texture My friends loved their pho and we thought the food was not overly salty like most Pho places!!!! Love this place!

    (5)

  • Dan Q.

    If you hate good pho, don't come here. However, if you like good pho at great prices then head over to Pho Bistro. Very good soup, noodles and meat. The large is way too large for one but would be good to share between a couple who can then explore the other options one the menu. Remember, good pho and good times, head here. Interestingly, there is a sign in Japanese noting it is BYOB. Not sure as didn't bring any but may be worth asking about.

    (5)

  • Shirley L.

    After a massage across the street at The Massage Specialist, M and I were ready for some brothy goodness. We had their thin, sliced beef pho, the spring roll noodle salad (my personal favorite) with a papaya salad appetizer. Pho - like I said about Wong Kwok, having noodle soup outside of the home requires that the broth be very flavorful. That's my number one and most important requirement. If the broth is not good, the whole dish falls on its face. And Pho Bistro 2 has GREAT BROTH! The best part is that it tasted very clean and nutritious, not at all overly oily. The noodles were your standard pho noodles, but the beef was thinly sliced and cooked to perfection by the heat of the broth. We had ours in the soup before the dish was brought to the table, but if you prefer yours less well done, you have the option of ordering a plate of raw, thin sliced beef on the side. Noodles - This is my favorite dish at one of my favorite pan-Asian restaurants in Olympia, WA. In comparison, the spring rolls served on top of the noodles at the version at Pho Bistro 2 is a little less crispy than the one I like at Chopsticks (Olympia, WA). That said, it was delicious nonetheless. Papaya Salad - personally, I think it was a little too acidic and salty for my tastes. That means, it's TOO flavorful! Is that possible? I guess so, given my opinion of this dish. Typically, I am a fan of flavor. But, with this dish, I think the fragrance and refreshing nature of the green papaya itself has been taken away by the overly powerful sauce full of vinegar and salt. If it could just be toned down a little bit, I think it would be a great started. Although, I have to say that because the appetizer was so salty, I really downed the pho broth when it came to the table! Overall, this is a great place. I would come back in a heart beat for the pho.

    (4)

  • Chandler H.

    We showed up with a party of 16, and Pho Bistro accommodated us perfectly! I would have never thought a large group would work here, but it did. The food and service was fantastic. They were so sweet to the kids, and accommodating to the adults on every wish. We left full, happy, and with an amazingly low bill for such a large party.

    (5)

  • Serena F.

    You: *In a very whiny voice*.... "AUNTY! When are you guys going to stay open later?! I'm sick of settling for other pho places when I crave pho at midnight! I want to scream every time I end up craving pho after 9:30! Aarrghhhh, this is blasphemy!! *Flame erupts from head* I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!! Aunty: ......... If the situation above accurately describes something you've felt before, have no fear, late night hours are here! From now on, every Friday and Saturday, Pho Bistro 2 will close at 1am. Woohoo!!! To sweeten the deal, they're also offering a $10 special for 1 regular sized pho (any style) and 1 soft drink. Yippee!

    (5)

  • Russel M.

    Pho was very good. Chicken with Lemongrass was average. Much better can be had at Pho Thinh. Otherwise worth a visit for the Pho and Iced Coffee. Good Service and very clean.

    (4)

  • Devon S.

    Me: "Yes, may I please have a regular pho with tendon and beef balls"? Waitress: *blank stare* Me:" ...Is that ok?" Waitress: *nods head* *takes menu from my hand* It was at that exact moment that I knew my experience was going to be "less than 5-star". I was REALLY craving a good bowl of Pho on that day, too. I took a chance on this place based on the reviews on Yelp, but alas, a good bowl of Pho was not meant to be. I know that small businesses are taking the brunt of the blow from these tough economic times, but 2 pieces of tendon and 3 beef balls is a bit stingy. Oh, sure, I was given a good amount of noodles, but the broth-simmered meat is what really accentuates the soup. Speaking of the broth, it was not very flavorful. It didnt have that full, beefy undertone that one comes to expect from Pho broth. The service was not so great either. The place was rather packed and there was only one server working that day. She decided to stop and talk story with one table for about 10 to 15 minutes, giving no heed to the other customers needing water refills and ready to place orders. That didnt go over very well with me, or the people at the table behind me either. All in all, I have certainly had better Pho and a better dining experience at other establishments. 2 stars even. 1.5 for food.service, .5 for sympathy. "S"

    (2)

  • G B.

    The broth was good, and there egg roll was ok. The portions was good amount. One of the other things I like critique is the chile oil and that was good but not the best I've tasted.The waiter was a nice guy. But the only down fall was the soup was not hot enough. It was too warm.. Who likes to eat pho warm? But other than that, I give this place a 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Larry W.

    This restaurant was outstanding. The owner and staff were friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. We had the #14 Pho, the thai ice tea, and tapioca. One of the best Phos I've ever had. The price is very reasonable. Next time I going for the OX tail soup.

    (5)

  • theresa s.

    i work in the downtown/chinatown area, so it is sometimes hard to muster the effort to trek outside of this neighborhood to seek out good pho (but i have, see my review of ha long). i had been on an oxtail kick since i had the oxtail ramen at nakamura (note to self- still have to write the review on that one. bookmarked!) i am not a big fan of the traditional oxtail soup- something with the peanuts, maybe... but when i heard the bistro offered oxtail pho, i headed there straight away. 2 of my favorite things? all in one bowl?! i had to try it for myself. i dont think it is on the menu, but you just have to ask for pho with oxtail on top (instead of the rare beef, etc). nice sized pieces of falling-off-the-bone oxtail, and the pho broth was very good!

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Very nice people. Good food. Just one warning - if the tables are full and it is close to closing time (like 15 minutes before), they will close early.

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    The food is good. The price is decent. They also deliver. But for some reason I can't rate them higher than 3-stars. The service is either too friendly (one of the guys is too talkative and hyper, like on crack or something). The others can't speak English so my order isn't correct all the time. Parking also sucks. Story: In the parking lot, the van next to us had three people doing something sketchy-looking in the van (maybe a drug deal?).. When we came back AFTER eating at the restaurant, there was a fat lady naked in the van, just sitting there with some guy doing what looked like electrical wiring or something. Suuuuper weird. Do I like the food here? Yeah, it's pretty decent. Would I come here all the time? Probably not. I just don't feel comfortable here.

    (3)

  • Warren M.

    Great Food, Excellent Customer Service, Fast, and Comfortable. This place was recommended to me by a friend. After eating the pho here I can tell you that this is my one and only go to place for pho. The owners were friendly and talked to us about everything on the menu. The price was good and the items came to our table quickly. The oxtail was tender and meaty. The side ingredients were fresh and plentiful. I recommend this to everyone I know that wants to eat pho.

    (5)

  • Rachel Ann K.

    I had been craving pho for awhile, and this hit the spot, regardless of the wait :) Our group got 2 orders of spring rolls. They actually messed up our order, and thought we got summer rolls, but didn't bring those out either. We notified the waiter, who apologized and asked if he could bring the spring rolls out with our pho. They were burnt, and really small. They also don't give a lot of lettuce, but I'm sure they would bring some more out if we had asked. It was super busy, and the parking lot beside the building was limited but we saw a huge group leave about 5 minutes after we arrived. They all drove separately, and took up the whole lot. The service was lacking that night, from other reviews though they seem to be prompt, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The lady I'm assuming is the owner, was very stressed and there were only two servers working. A table beside us attempted to leave since they had sat there for a good amount of time without being served. When she noticed they were leaving she pleaded with them to stay, and apologized. They complied but didn't look pleased. Not the best service of the night, but all of the employees were super nice! So forgiven, especially since the pho was delicious. I ordered a regular size bowl of pho, with brisket and beef balls. The broth was yummy and they didn't skimp out on the meat. The pho made up for the commotion going on that night in the restaurant. I'll definitely come back, but try for a weekday next time where it's not so busy or order takeout.

    (4)

  • Punahou W.

    Our go to place for Pho. Soup is true, love the brisket though there is sometimes too much tripe in my bowl. Still it's tasty, and the spring rolls are good. Owners Are awesome, always friendly and talkative. They have twin toddlers and are always welcoming and generous to our tot. Great family business.

    (4)

  • Kim D.

    One of my favorite places to grab Pho in town, and I'm not just saying that because the owner of the restaurant is my Aunty LOL. The portions are decent sized, with varying bowl sizes including, regular, large, & super (which my BF always gets and is not listed on the menu). Not to mention the prices are pretty reasonable. We usually get an appetizer, either spring rolls or summer rolls, which are both pretty tasty. I normally get the rare beef pho w/meat balls, while my bf gets the combination. The broth is savory with lots of flavor unlike some other Pho places that serve a watered down, bland broth, which I won't put on blast, to be nice LOL. I usually get the small sized bowl for around $8 something, while my bf gets the super bowl that costs around $12. Keep in mind, that super bowl is pretty darn big! The location might be a little difficult to find for some since it's not really on a main street, but there is parking;a few stalls in front, as well as a small lot nearby, which is free=). Overall, the restaurant is clean, prices and portions are decent, food is good and tasty, and the staff is friendly (unlike many Pho restaurants that have terrible customer service lol). Oh yeah, and the thai tea is pretty bomb too!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    I visited Pho Bistro 2 once before and truly didn't appreciate what I was getting. The food was amazing. I had ordered a vermicelli and spring roll and another person had ordered the Ox Tail Soup. Now, the soup had been recommended before from a friend. They exclaimed how great it was and indeed it lived up to the expectation. The ambiance was perfect. The parking was very easily accessible and the price for the food was on-point. The great part about my visits is the owner that comes out to check on your experience and the food. In this day and age, our society has become more demanding about quick and easy service that we sometimes leave "quality" at the back of the list. Many times, business owners forget about the "customer" and focus too much on "the business". NEWSFLASH!! Your business is your customers. The owner of Pho Bistro 2 came by to speak with us and made sure we were enjoying our meals. It was an amazing experience for me and my guests. To top it all off, my guests couldn't stop raving about Pho Bistro 2 and will be bringing friends back to enjoy. (Isn't it amazing that by performing simple customer service acts, you will be able to increase the amount of business you get?) Kudos to Pho Bistro 2!!

    (4)

  • Lai X.

    Pho to me is the representation of vietnamese food to america. Their all the same to me but to my friends who swears to a select few (hale vietnam, to chau, ha long) pho bistro 2 is def a fav! Tho im guilty of forgetting to check in i must have dined here over 30-40 times. Thats mainly cuz i live nearby but also their pho is on point! the mama always gives us the remote to watch the games while we enjoy the pho. Very nice lady. They also had a really aggressive (in a nice way) waiter but i dont think hes there anymore. The place is nice and cozy staff always on it! spring rolls are on point. What more can i say.. the only down side is that they dont have the coffee (the one that brews in the little metal thing ontop of ur personal ice cup). That was the only complaint i got from this place but i dont mind. Other than that this is ledjit Pho sho

    (5)

  • M S.

    Good pho, reasonable prices!

    (4)

  • Anony M.

    solid pho place. large sized restaurant. clean with nice decor. standard vietnamese fare.

    (5)

  • Bj U.

    3.5 stars to be fair. beef ball pho was my order.. this place was actually not bad at all but i cant just give it 4 stars because well... 4 is way too close to 5 and well... im trying to keep a fair balance between what i give 5 and 4 stars.... its complicated =) the broth as said many times before will make or break the entire restaurant and here it is pretty light and flavorful.. i was very pleased with it. there was something in my water? lol it was kind of funny because i think it was a stick of some sort haha but hey it happens... i took the stick out and drank my water like a champ =) overall it was a pretty ok time even with the stick... my friend and i now refer to this place as the tree house.... because one joke lead to another and well we got kind of carried away haha

    (3)

  • Crystal L.

    Pho better or pho worse? Def pho worse. My pho broth was bland...very bland. I had to put more than the usual hoisin and sriracha than I usually add. It was cheaper than most places. Most regular bowls will cost you about $8 these days. I don't remember exactly how much but Pho Bistro cost less. And you save even more money for the sauna treatment. For no cost, you can sit in the window-less/air-con-less steaming restaurant and sweat it out to your heart's content. And the banana tapioca! How do you mess up on tapioca? You just boil it! But for $3, you do get a lot of this inedible tapioca. The sad part was that the owner/workers are very nice! Great service! The location really hurts them. I would not have known this place existed without yelp. Two stars to yelp for making me go all the way there and promising me the best pho on the island!

    (2)

  • Paul A.

    The only reason I don't give it 1 srar is because the owners son was very nice and the food wasn't Westminster, California quality but alright. The reason for low rating, and I hate to say this, Roaches. If you're going to go to Pho Bistro 2, PLEASE sit at a center table in the middle of the restaurant. We sat against the wall and witnessed multiple roaches crawling in the condiments and one on the floor. Was hoping to have a great experience because I went there solely on yelp reviews but I don't care if there are a 1000 5 star reviews because it took 3 roaches to make me never return!

    (2)

  • Eric C.

    Pho was good. The Hoisin sauce was kind of chunky. Not sure if it was just the brand they used. The Thai Tea is a must get. One of the better thai tea's.

    (4)

  • Jenny A.

    The oxtail soup is what's good here; huge, warm, flavorful. My bf order Pho but they never brought it to him. The server was overly enthusiastic, (I wanted whatever he was on), yet still lack the efficiently of an attentive waiter. The place is grungy. I would skip the lukewarm odd smelling tea, crusty special hot sauce, or any other raw food that could potential give you a parasite after. Really, just stick to the oxtail soup.

    (3)

  • Jen R.

    I've been putting off writing this review until a time when I'm full so that I don't feel the need to go there mid-review.... I now realize that doesn't matter. I always want to go to Pho Bistro! I got the regular pho and summer rolls, ended up taking one and a half rolls home. I knew it would be too much food but the reviews were so good I couldn't resist. So glad I didn't... the peanut sauce was unbelievably good. I usually end up using hoisin cause I'm just not a fan of peanut sauce but WOW, Pho Bistro rocks it. The Pho was mmm mmm good... delicious broth and perfectly cooked noodles. Bean sprouts were clean and crisp, just how I like it. I was the only patron, but I did get there right as they opened for dinner. I chatted with the woman who served me, who I presume is the owner. She was hilarious, AND finally explained to me why all pho places in the US use jalapenos instead of chili peppers like they do in Vietnam. Basically what it boils down to is most of us are sissy's and can't handle the chili peppers. She said they always have them in the back so to just ask next time! SWEEEEEEEEETTTT! That made me the happiest pho-ing girl on the island! The fresh spiciness of the chili peppers add an amazing touch, I highly recommend you try it next time! Just a little side note... bathroom is for paying customers only. This creepy elvis look a like came in and used the bathroom and started to walk out and the hilarious woman I experienced turned into a fiesty little firecracker and chased the man out. I thoroughly enjoyed the show AND my pho! Well, as expected... must go get my pho fill NOW. Go ahead.. get yours too, Pho Bistro will not disappoint.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    The pho broth here is delicious and full of flavor. The service was great too! I would definitely come back here for pho!

    (5)

  • Audrey M.

    I been going here ever since my uncle showed me this place. Me and my husband loves their pho,summer roll and spring rolls. Yum yum the other dishes are good too they give a good amount of serving. Waiting is never long unless theirs a big group. Waiting time for the food isn't long too they never messed up my order. I always recommend this place to friends

    (5)

  • Joyce C.

    after having way too muh shaved ice, musibi, malasadas, my friend and i are craving our ultimate comfort food--pho. it's interesting to try to find a pho place on oahu as it's not very prevalent. but we found this place, and surprisingly, it's quite good. my friend ordered the ox tail noodle soup, it's loaded w/ meat and lots of veggies, the broth has a gingery taste (i love ginger) to it, i really like it! we also ordered a side of spring rolls (which was great also w/ fish sauce) and the guy who ordered our meal gave me a bowl of pho soup for free because i told him i wasn't very hungry. and the pho broth turns out to be very flavorful and delicious as well. who knows i can actually find a decent tummy warming pho place on oahu? ;P

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    Wife and I were looking for a good replacement for the oxtail soup at the now defunct Kapiolani Coffee Shop. The oxtail seemed pricey at 15 bux, but the portion was HUGE and came with a large side of rice or pho noodles. My wife had the pho dac biet, which was also very tasty and didn't skimp in meat, and the bowl of oxtail was easily twice the size. She had the regular size pho, which was comparable to a large size pho in Los Angeles. The pho broth was on the sweeter side, but tasty and did NOT taste like a lot of MSG was added.

    (5)

  • Emily L.

    It's been a few months since I've had Pho and mannn I had some major cravings. There's a small group of friends I always eat Pho with because no one seems to appreciates Pho like they do. Anyways, it's been a while since I've Pho'd (yes, i just used the word Pho as a verb) with them since I've been away at school and finally we all found time to hang out. I've been looking for a new place to eat pho. Why? No reason really just that I noticed I've been eating at the same places over and over again and I wanted to venture out someplace new. Yelp, of course, was my instant go-to site to find a highly rated Pho restaurant. Out pops Pho Bistro 2!! Imma make a list of pros and cons. Pros 1) Lots of meat - When I Pho, I usually finish the meat first and the noodles last. This time it was the opposite. Yay!! 2) Spring rolls -yum yum yumm!! I really liked that they cut up their spring rolls into smaller pieces. Easier to handle and easier to eat. 3) Clean and spacious - I love me some clean restaurants where the tables aren't sticky or too close together where it feels like you're sitting with strangers. 4) Fast and efficient service - Didn't have to wait too long for anything and they actually cleaned up our table before we got to the door (amazingg!). Then again we did come in a little before maybe because we came in a little bit before lunch. Most pho restaurants I've been to are pretty quick actually... Cons 1) Parking - I think they share a parking lot with their neighboring stores. It seemed pretty packed so I parked on the streets. Pretty much it. The price was alright. I thought the spring rolls were a little on the expensive side... about $6.50 to $6.75 (??) I believe for 3 spring rolls (which were cut in half). I'm not sure if anyone else finds this expensive.... maybe I'm just cheap...well I'm a college student, nuff said.

    (4)

  • Chelsea U.

    Their pho broth never lets you down. Their spring rolls are so flavorful. And the pork chops are to die for.

    (5)

  • Dawn S.

    We tried Pho Bistro 2 because we saw they had good ratings on Yelp. As soon as we walked into the restaurant we were quickly greeted, seated, and given waters. My boyfriend had the BBQ and I had the beef pho. We also shared an order of spring rolls. All of the food was delicious. I service was EXCELLENT. There was one young man who was waiting on all the tables in there, but he was super friendly, attentive, and prompt. We will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Brandon Y.

    Went for the Oxtail Soup. Glad I did.!!! The meat fell off the bones, ... very tender, and not overly fatty. The broth was awesome. Perfect balance of flavors, and also liked the compliment of vegetables (mustard green). Staff was great. Very nice people. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Sukatuh S.

    Who? My wife and me What? Best pho on this island Where? 1694 Kalakaua St. When? Last week Which? Combination Pho...simply awesome Why? Because Olivia D. said so Whence? Huh?

    (5)

  • S D.

    Love the brisket in the Pho... The tenderness is superb!!! Usually it's tough at other places, but here... I was pleasantly surprised. The broth is good... I prefer more taste. Service was EXCELLENT!!! Love the fact that the owner visits each table and asks how we are doing and how we liked it. Like that she asks for honest feedback. Open till 1am on weekends.

    (4)

  • David G.

    Did I go to the same place everyone is talking about? Unfortunately, I did and I really don't get why everyone loves this place. The service is beyond friendly and very fast. I think that helps to slant peoples opinions of this restaurant. The Pho I thought was good, but their portions could be bigger. Their Green Papaya salad was not even edible. It was swimming in some shoyu vinegar sauce with nasty tasting shrimp on top. I was really surprised at how bad it was. I'm open to going back and trying more of their Pho. Maybe, I just went on an off night, but I will not order anything else then their Pho.

    (3)

  • Liz M.

    This restaurant is definitely my new pho place. It is clean, the service was excellent, we didn't wait long at all. We order the Summer rolls (gio cuon) and it was good, the peanut sauce had fried shallots in it, so that was a plus. The Pho ga (chicken pho) was phenomenal, usually i order beef pho, but the chicken's flavor was intense and delicious. I would recommend this restaurant :)

    (4)

  • Hungry W.

    We ordered two beef pho and one order of spring rolls. It took 56 freaking minutes for the waiter to bring our food! I know this because I "checked in" when we got there and when we got our food, it said I had checked in 56 min ago!!! If you wanna chill in a pho place and mingle then this is the place for you. Don't go here on your lunch break.

    (2)

  • Reina C.

    The owner of this place is very friendly and welcoming. He entertained us most of the time. We had spring rolls for appetizers which isn't excellent, just alright. I had pho combination which is my usual at every pho place and theirs was pretty good and pretty big for a small bowl. My husband had detail soup and it was a HUGE bowl. He loved it, it was excellent. When we were leaving and asking for container, he asked us where were from and when he said from Kailua, he gave us 2 tapioca desserts for free. He said we have a long ride home so we deserve a free dessert for coming so far to eat at their restaurant :) This place is awesome overall and will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Jaye V.

    I've eaten at this restaurant about 4 times now since i've moved to Oahu. Their service is up to par and super extra friendly. Anyone who claims that they have horrible service must be out of their damn minds. We receive excellent services every single time we visit. Our first visit, we asked for seafood pho (which they didn't have - the seafood had beef broth). Tuam (spelling?) offered us a vegetarian pho; they didn't have it in the store, but he told us that a lady had dropped of vegetarian broth for them to try it out. He made us one out of that. It was quite delicious. I was very pleased. He only charged us for a side bowl of noodles because he said he got the veggie broth free, and water is free, so he'll only charge us for the noodles. The second time we went, same thing happened. The third time we went, Tuam's mom was there and she gave us a free bowl of pho for my little girl. She loves my little girl! The fourth time we went, the mom was there too. I tried the pad thai the 4th time and was pretty happy with it. I'm a very picky eater, and i think the pad thai could've been a lot better, but it was okay. Anyway, bottom line, this place is awesome. Great services, and good food. =) We will always think of this place when we want warm company, friendly faces, and good pho

    (4)

  • L G.

    Again-in a city full of chains...thank goodness for Yelp. This place was about a 15 minute walk from our hotel. This meal hit the spot after a 12 hour tour of beautiful Oahu. Definitely a locals/neighborhood place and a lot of Vietnamese people which is a good sign. And probably the best pho Ive ever had. It was my husbands first time having pho and he loved it too. The service was friendly, and I think they could tell we were out of towners. Its a very casual, comfortable place. The broth was so aromatic, I can still smell it, the beef was tender, the noodles just right.

    (5)

  • Mayu M.

    Lunch time has terribly slow service. I come to this location because i know some of the workers (family of owner). Anyways, i have been coming to eat here for awhile and i must say, the food and the service has gone down hill. They only seem to take food orders for people they know. I had to go to the cash register area to put in my food order. the food order was not totally correct but we ate it anyways. the water came after all the food was delivered to the table. we also had to paid at the counter like we were eating at a fast food restaurant. I am very disappointed with my experience. I don't know if i will return. sorry to my friends who work there.

    (2)

  • Donna L.

    I went to Pho Bistro 2 for a lunch meeting with two colleagues. Our bill for three food orders with no drinks came to $24+tip. My colleagues both ordered chicken pho which they liked and commented on how good the broth was. They both eat a lot of pho but it was their first time at Pho Bistro 2. The platter of herbs and sprouts that came with their soup was generous and fresh. Pho Bistro 2 does not offer a vegetarian broth*, so I ordered cold rice noodles with tofu. The tofu was fried and very flavorful. The noodles were served with nuts, fresh herbs, lettuce, and a side dressing. The whole dish came together nicely with lots of flavor and good textures. I couldn't finish the whole bowl, so I took home some leftovers. I hope our next lunch meeting is at Pho Bistro 2. *On a recent visit, our waiter (the owner's son) mentioned that if I brought my own veggie broth cube, they would prepare a vegetarian pho for me for the price of a side order of noodles, about $2. **They offer a short list of vegetarian options including cold rice noodles, pad thai, green papaya salad, and autumn rolls.

    (5)

  • Paul A.

    First off the food was fantastic. We had two bowls of pho ga and a vermicelli bowl with grilled chicken and tons of vegetables. The chicken and veggie vermicelli wasn't exactly on the menu but they were more than accommodating. We also wanted grilled chicken summer rolls which aren't listed either. They were happy to oblige us again. We had one set with a sweet chili fish sauce which were very good and took a second set home with peanut sauce- again very tasty. The owner's son waited on us and is VERY personable, funny and bends over backwards to make sure you are well treated. He threw in thai tea for free for anyone that wanted it. If I lived in Waikiki I would eat there all the time. Excellent find.

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    This place is a hidden gem. I have not been able to find any place in the city that makes their oxtail soup like this place. Everything is fresh and is served with rice or noodles along with chopped ginger. The location is small and everyone eating there walks out with a smile. I love this place and can't wait to come home for more!

    (5)

  • Patricia G.

    Tucked away on a side street in a somewhat seedy part of town, I wasn't expecting much from this eatery. Low and behold I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanly, serene atmosphere when I walked in. After a scrumptious, reasonably priced meal we were greeted by the friendly, cheerful owner who wanted to find out how we came upon her pho restaurant in an area inundated with restaurants of the same type. We told her we Yelped it, we were visitors and we loved her food. She was so pleased to have us that she served us complimentary tea and delicious dessert. What a treat!

    (4)

  • Lilmissap L.

    We are here last night after just finishing dinner with friends! We had yelped it an saw that it received 4.5 stars which is really high for a pho restaurant so we had to try it since we were in the area. There was four of us 2 couples and we ordered one oxtail soup with a side of noodles and an oxtail pho. It was yummy! The oxtail soup broth is much more flavorful than the oxtail pho. But in both the oxtail is so tender and delicious. I would definitely come back to try other items on the menu. The service was great. The lady was very nice and friendly with my kids.

    (4)

  • Phil L.

    We took a friend from Guam to Pho Bistro 2 today for lunch. Excellent ! The Oxtail soup (we ordered 2 bowls) was absolutely delicious. Also ordered the Combination Pho for take out as we loved it the last time we ordered. The restaurant seems to focus on quality ingredients (from the meat to the vegetables to the broth) and they have put a lot of thought into their recipes. I didn't even know about this place until a Vietnamese Taxi Driver recommended it to me a few weeks ago. This is our third time to visit this restaurant (all visits on the weekend). On our previous two visits, restaurant was 1/2 to 3/4 full. Today, it was packed. We felt lucky to get a table. It's obvious to me the word is getting out.

    (5)

  • Inthira M.

    This is more like a 3.5. The owner here is so funny. He is really a character and he will entertain you throughout your whole meal. I should actually make the review 4 stars just for his awesome attitude. I came here the other day to try their famous oxtail soup. I had it with the pho noodles instead of the rice. We also ordered the spring rolls and summer rolls to start with. The owner was so nice in that he cut the summer roll into 4 slices each because there was three of us so that everyone could enjoy more than just one each. So thoughtful! The springs rolls were pretty standard, but for some reason I liked the dipping sauce here better than other places. I know, I know, it sounds crazy because at every restaurant it tastes the same, but it just tasted a teeny bit better here for some reason. Lol. When the food came my mouth almost dropped to the floor because my bowl was huge. My friend had the small pho and my fiance had the large pho, I read that there's a superbowl that's not listed on the menu and I think that's the one my oxtail soup came in. The bowl was loaded with fresh veggies: cabbage, cilantro, carrots, celery, and ginger. By the time I was full there was still so much vegetables in it it looked like I had hardly touched it. There were 3 huge pieces of oxtail (and I mean huge! I've never seen oxtail this big before). The flavor of the broth had a good beef taste to it. Not too salty or plain, just right. The only thing I wish they did was remove some of the fat from the oxtail, but I know it helps with the flavoring so I didn't mind removing it myself. Overall, this place is pretty good!

    (3)

  • Lee H.

    Good place for Pho. The food is very good and people working their seems to genuinely want you to have a pleasant experience. Prices is normal for Hawaii. Just cam from LA so I found things were a dollar or two dollars more an item than in many places in San Gabriel Valley. The one huge negative aspect is they have a crazy security guy in the parking. He went crazy when after ordering my food I walked to another place of business. I tried to explain to him that my family was still in the restaurant, but he was inflexible. He kept messing with his phone as we were "talking" so I was worried he was calling the towing company.

    (4)

  • Ken C.

    Wow, this place had the best pho I've ever had! Granted, I've only had pho in California and I've never been to Vietnam... but still it was freaking good! The broth was great, the noodles great and the beef was just melt in your mouth awesome! The location isn't anything fancy and parking is a little tricky, shared with a liquor store and massage parlor next door, but it's all about the food. I will come here again for sure the next time I'm back in Honolulu!

    (5)

  • Tracy P.

    Just excellent food, fast and friendly service, and good prices. Clean and simple atmosphere, nothing fancy or pretentious! Free parking in the lot adjacent to the building. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    I really wanted to come here because of all the great reveiws on Yelp and all the pictures looked so good. I was not dissapointed! I ordered Pho with rare beef and the broth so very flavorful without having to add much Sriracha or plum sauce. My only complaint is that the broth wasn't very hot, but it was enough to cook the steak. All the better to inhale it, I guess. The noodles were a nice, chewy consistency and the beef slices were good and thick. We got super fast, friendly service. This could possibly be my new favorite place to eat. It's tasty, reasonable, clean and close to my apartment. Win-win! I can't wait to come back and try the summer rolls and the Oxtail soup.

    (4)

  • Patrick S.

    1st thing I ask was, is this place affiliated with the same restaurant as waipahu?? And the waiter said no. Over all the food is really good a lot of meat, the small size was more than the price in waipahu but, the bowl was bigger. Funny thing was the "font" lettering is the same as waipahu l!?!? Hmm you sure you guys is not in "cahoots" with each other. Haha!! The food taste exactly the same. I would come back again!!

    (5)

  • Tammy S.

    My husband has been wanting to go to this place for awhile but for some reason I always refused to go until recently. I'm glad that he talked me into it because now we can't stay away! It's great! The service is wonderful and I am absolutely in love with their oxtail soup. The spring and summer rolls are delicious too. Get the Vietnamese iced coffee, I never did care for coffee but I will drink this one!

    (5)

  • Janice L.

    The ox tail soup was good. Large enough for two. I'm giving this place 4 stars for the oxtail soup. The beef and beef ball pho was nothing special. I'd skip the Pho. So much better pho in San Francisco.

    (4)

  • Sierrah I.

    One of my favorite Pho places to eat at in town! Appetizer: I usually ALWAYS start off with the spring rolls. They're smaller in size compared to some other pho places, but taste much more delectable! Entrée: Ox Tail Pho is delicious! It comes in a huge portion too, and the choice of either pho noodles or rice. I'm a big fan of the vermicelli noodle dishes as well. I love vermicelli noodles when they're thin noodles versus the thicker style (IDK, I have weird, nit-picky preferences when it comes to food.) and Pho Bistro serves the thin noodles so BIG WINNER! I usually go for the BBQ pork vermicelli or combo up with some pork and more spring rolls if I'm in the mood ^o^ Most vermicelli rice noodle bowls come with shredded lettuce, cucumber, mint, pickled vegetables- usually carrots and radish, and topped with peanuts. If you don't like certain things, i.e. for me mint and peanuts are a no-no, they are more than happy to leave them out and cater to your liking (: I'm a big fan of Vietnamese style pork chops too, but I would skip them here. They aren't that good compared to Pho One, Pho Saigon, or even Pho 777. (Yesss, I've tried the pork chops at all three!!) Boyfriend always goes for the PHO, which is very cheap and affordable. I'm not too big on Pho, but the one thing I really like about Pho Bistro's pho is that the soup broth is good. Even just on it's own, without the hoisin or siracha sauce- it's very rich in flavor and not tooo cinnamon-y if you know what I mean? My #2 place for Pho. (#1 has to go to Ha Long, sorry..)

    (4)

  • Kimo S.

    I actually really like this place and I've been to many Vietnamese restaurants for Pho over the years. From California to Hawaii, I think I can say that this place should rank pretty high on the list in Hawaii for Pho. The portion size was a little small for my liking, especially since I ordered the large but it works out since I get to finish my wife's bowl usually. I believe next time I'll order the "superbowl" which the table next to me did AFTER I placed my order. Oh well. The server is pretty crazy and wild, so be prepared for a bit of a show... also, if you don't like an act with your meal you might want to skip this place. My wife wasn't too thrilled by the antics but it didn't bother me much. Overall, I'll be coming back... the parking is a little sketchy but the location is great for me!

    (5)

  • Rodney L.

    Best ox tail soup ever!!! Consistent quality. Superb broth. Fresh ingredients. Great service. BYOB!

    (5)

  • Raphael L.

    Not the best Pho in town, but one of the better ones. The broth was good as was advertised in all of the reviews I read. But it wasn't as hot as I would have liked. And then I'm not sure if it was just because I didn't request it, but the chili peppers provided wasn't as strong as I've had in other places. I wouldn't count that against them...it could have just been a weak batch. Summer rolls were good. Tasted fresh. But not quite packed together as well as another place I frequent. It starts falling apart after a bite or two. Service was great. I think we got served by the owner who took care to make us feel welcome and explained everything to us. Parking was a little sketchy, but there was an attendant out there who was super nice and helped us find a cramped stall. Overall, it was a good experience and I'd go there again.

    (4)

  • Jo H.

    We went there the first time before 9:30pm and found out they were already closed although the Yelp page said it was open until 9:30pm. Please correct your info. We went again and found the place nicely furnished with paintings on all of the walls. The staff was very nice. The prices were higher than the usual pho restaurant probably because of the nice decor. The Vermicelli with spring roll and pork was great and the pieces were cut into bite size portions. The large pho with rare steak did not have a lot of steak or noodles. It was different than in the photos on yelp. They should make their dishes match their photos or take new photos. The taste of the broth was good.

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    I'm Vietnamese, and I have tried hundreds of bowls of pho in my lifetime, so trust me when I say: This is one of the cleanest, freshest, soul-satisfying bowls of pho I have had on this island! I used to go to Pho One on Kapiolani, but they won't be seeing me too often, since I've found this place :) I had the Pho Tai Bo Vien (rare steak & meatballs), and although I do agree with other yelpers about the skimpiness of the meatballs, this is the only bowl of pho I have had on this island that has left me leaving satisfied! Even at 9pm, the broth was clean & hot, and the noodles were not too soggy & not too hard...JUST RIGHT! The owners recognize you if you come by often, and they are really some of the sweetest, most down-to-earth people! The only thing I might ask they improve on is adding more meatballs & MINT to the pho, but besides that, anyone who likes pho needs to try this place, enough said!

    (4)

  • Jay M.

    Only one server for the whole restaurant? It totally stressed out our waiter. He told our group to order as soon as possible because it was so busy. And the iced coffee didn't arrive until after we finished our food. The food was standard- nothing bad and nothing much better than what I had in other restaurants. The prices are just slightly more than what I'm used to in the mainland. But it satisfies any pho/vermicelli bowl cravings.

    (3)

  • Brian A.

    Oxtail Soup. Had to go back for the Oxtail soup and I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed a South East Asian spin on a local favorite. We had gone here before because it's around the corner from where we live. It's a nice small place that provides some alright beefy tasting pho. The difference from regular oxtail soup and Pho Bistro 2's oxtail soup is that it seems to add all kinds of veggies and additional flavoring to their broth. Of course the relationship between actual pho and oxtail soup is a close one. Both are based on the simmering of their respective bones and meat, but with a slight variation on the different spices used in each. The oxtail soup meat was full of fatty fall off the bone goodness. You get the choice of having it with a side bowl of rice or rice noodles. It was a ton of food. I was really stuffed by the end and still had a whole takeout container full of broth that I took home (because we have some rice noodles at home I can whip up easily and add to the flavorful broth). The price of the oxtail soup was right around the normal price of $12-13. Since I'll be getting another meal out of it, it was well worth the price. Parking does kinda suck here seeing that it's under about 10 spaces for several businesses that share the building.

    (4)

  • Annie W.

    I used Yelp to find this place and I thank my fellow yelpers for their wonderful suggestion! I've only been in Honolulu for a month and a half and this place tops all the other restaurants I've been to in regards to service. So, lets start the review: This place is not only clean (which is one of my pre-req for any restaurant), but it has above average interior designs. The restaurant is med-small size, but despite the size the owner utilized the space well, and is able to emulate a spacious restaurant within the limited area. The food is delicious and presented well for a casual asian restaurant. The one thing that really stuck out is the service; the waiters and the hostess are all very courteous and efficient. We got our drinks in less than 3 mins, and our food arrived in less than 15 mins (and they had a full house too). Our water was refilled 5 times in 40 mins! When we asked for our bill, our waiter got it to us in less and a minute (and he was one of the only two waiters for this place). When we left, they all thanked us and said good-bye. Now thats good service. I am definitely going back to this place when I get the munchies for pho! What I ordered: House Special Pho (approx. $9.50) and spring rolls (approx. $7) Parking: There is a private lot to the right of the restaurant

    (4)

  • Rodney V.

    While in town waiting for my gf at the hospital i got hungry, so on my phone i yelped Pho and this was on the top of the list. When i arrived there it look like a hole in the wall places...(my favorite type) well as i sat down a waiter was there to great me and served me a glass of water right away. I ask the waiter for their House Pho with side order tendons and tripe, which he didnt chargme for. I waited about 3-5 mins when they brought out my dinner. Let me tell you as soon as i tasted the broth i was in heaven. This place by far the best tasting broth i have had. Actually the Pho is plain out delicious. My mouth is getting wattery writing about this. This is a must go joint for Pho,.

    (5)

  • James I.

    I love the pho with seafood from this place. Instead of meat, you get pieces of imitation crab, shrimp, fish balls, and squid. The pho is always full of flavor and is always comforting when you're sick or when you just want to eat good pho. Occasionally it gets too busy for the staff to maintain their typical level of service, but if you walk in knowing that, then you'll understand. For me, the pho is worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Dan C.

    Pho pho pho. I brought my friend (who's the president of the Seattle's "pho"natics club, and we had an amazing time here. Very generous portions, with a clear, tasty broth and top quality meat. I like how the owner comes out and talks and interacts with everyone. She'll even scold you if you don't finish your food!

    (5)

  • Bonnie S.

    Came here with my family while on vacation in Hawaii and had a pho craving. First of all everyone working here is Super Duper nice and totally care for their customers satisfaction. The pho was yummy and tasted how pho should taste. My husband got Korean bbq and I was a little jealous cause it looked and smelled freaking good and guess what!? It WAS really really good! It was a little on the expensive side but I felt like it was worth it either way. Would recommend this place if you want some good clean pho!

    (5)

  • Michael T.

    Really, really, really slow service!!!! There was only one waiter for the entire place and he was stretched thin. It took 50 mins for our food to come up, and then my friend called and asked if I could order a to-go for her. We ended up waiting for another 1/2 hour. We always had to ask the waiter for more water. Since he was so busy, after a while we were hesitant to ask for water at all, so we sat there dying of thirst. I don't understand why they don't hire more help, since it seems like they're so busy. The pho was decent, and the meats were pretty tender. But the broth was a little too strong in herbs. They gave very little vegetables and again we were hesitant to ask for more because the waiter was so busy. I would give this place 4 stars if it weren't for the horrible service. I think there are better pho places out there with better service, price, and parking.

    (2)

  • Jon A.

    The pho here is very good. The meat they put is very large and you will not leave hungry! They have limited parking and they place looks clean. The ox-tail soup is great too!

    (4)

  • Michelle Y.

    Came here with a group of 9. Since there were no big tables available we decided to split up. 5 girls on one table and the 4 guys all the way across the room on another. I had the small chicken pho with everything, other dishes included chicken over vermacelli noodles, pho with meat balls, and 2 regular phos with everything inside. I was satisfied with my dish, however my friend who ordered the pho with meatballs was ripped off. She had a total of 2 meatballs. I guess some could argue that there were 4 pieces (2 balls cut in half) lol and I wouldn't really be complaining if the meatballs were of good hefty size but they weren't!!! Her pho looked wimpy. Good thing for her we were stocked up with snacks in the car. Overall we were happy when we left this place...one of the better pho restaurants on the island!

    (4)

  • Sheri D.

    Oh my God! How could I've forgotten about Pho Bistro 2?!?! I. F*CKING. LOVE. THIS. PLACE. Their spring rolls and lemon grass chicken are kick-ass and the pho is pure orgasmic nirvana in your mouth. ::drool:: Hands down, it's the BEST pho here on the island! YUMMY!!!

    (5)

  • Annie L.

    I can't remember the last time I met someone sweeter than the woman who runs this place. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall, but the service is fantastic and pho is decent and well-priced. Unfortunately, they don't have a vegetarian broth, but I guess you can't have it all...

    (4)

  • Dan H.

    Let's be honest. The degree of seperation between good and bad Pho is very slim. Tiny nuances in the taste of the broth, quality of meat, amount of veggies served, etc can make bad Pho good and good Pho great. Positives: thick meat, better-than-average broth. Really friendly service, good parking for the area. Negatives: Too expensive. Maybe a dollor or two more than most Pho. Doesn't sound like a lot, but when I'm looking for Pho, I'm looking for cheap comfort food. That's my only semi-major complaint.

    (3)

  • Zach T.

    Been here twice now, these Yelp reviews seem to keep drawing me back. 4.5 star average, really? Ordered Pho with rare steak (in) and beef balls both times. Broth was hot, flavorful. Both times, about 12 hours after eating here my stomach took a turn for the worse. No kidding -- completely cleared me out. Originally thought it was a one time thing, or that it was something else I ate. Not the case. Otherwise decor, and staff is satisfactory. Exterior of the building is complemented by an enticing "Massage" sign leading upstairs. Gives you something to think about as you're eating away.

    (2)

  • Iris T.

    Amazing service!!! Restaurant is family owned and you feel totally comfortable and welcome as soon as you walk in! The oxtail soup is the staple dish! Don't bother ordering the pho - def all about the oxtail soup here!!!

    (5)

  • sky i.

    4.5 Stars Excellent pho. The soup broth burst with beefy zest and their meat was nice and tender. Best Pho outside of Downtown, IMO. I've watched Miss Saigon twice, Good Morning Vietnam once, and a huge fan of Dat Phan so when it comes to Vietnamese food, I know what I'm talking about. Haha.

    (5)

  • Grimeater A.

    Props to my friend for introducing me to Pho Bistro 2. I was always a die hard Huong Lan fan until I tried this place. Yes the prices are a bit higher than most places but you do get more meat in the Pho. The broth is pretty flavorful and the meats in the combo bowl taste pretty fresh. The oxtail soup is pretty good and well portioned. Much better deal than Zippy's oxtail soup. I did find the oxtail a little tough for my tastes. I also tried the Winter Rolls which is Summer Rolls with shredded pork instead of shrimp. A lot tastier in my opinion. Although it still won't replace Huong Lan as my first choice for Pho, Pho Bistro 2 is a close second.

    (4)

  • Erwin M.

    So I decided to stop by after work to try out the oxtail soup.. Over all ?? Not bad? Portions is very large and plenty of vegetables.. I didn't like the flavor of the broth tho, I think they use the same broth as the pho. It's doesn't have that beefy flavor that I'm use to of eating... Next time, I'll bring my kids to try out there pho....

    (3)

  • dean t.

    Second-to-the-last lunch in Honolulu before our return flight to the Mainland - had to return for some noodle soup and summer rolls. Six months ago, it was terrific... and aside from the sole waitress working the entire dining room during a brisk lunch hour, I had few complaints this time around. True, a lot more noodles/less shrimp in the pricey summer rolls and the pho broth could have been (temperature-wise) hotter, but the grilled chicken rice plate ordered by my wife was delicious. Had to try some - she loved it. Best noodle soup my son and I have had....staying away from bowls of local saimin, esp. Hamura's!

    (4)

  • Eliza S.

    First time trying Pho Bistro after being referred by a friend. Really really great pho broth probably the best ive had in Hawaii. Very similar to local style oxtail soup flavor but more mild. It was almost so good i didn't want to ruin it by putting in hoisin and hot sauce...but i like my food spicy so? Really delicous pho i definately recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Elena H.

    Big portion, good price and good food. As everyone pointed out, their oxtail soup was outstanding.

    (4)

  • T T.

    Pho was pretty good, right about of spices, not watered down, not too salty. I would come back again (and that's saying a lot from me) Bun Thit Nuong = delicious, lots of meat!! Goi Cuon (summer rolls) = they really packed it with noodles, like, A LOT. I'd rather have more shrimp, but most vietmamese places will stuff their roles with noodles. 1 plate had 2 spring rolls (4 pieces all together) Good for kids too, they had a high chair for my 18mo boy. Got little bowls and scissors to cut the noodles Hoisin sauce was perfect, not watered down Had ngo gai and la que, which are more expensive herbs that cheaper vietnamese restuarants will leave out of their condiment bowl Wait was longer than expected, only one server for a filled restuarant for monday lunchtime Parking was easily accesible for us but we got the last spot in the lot Prices were high for pho! (My family used to own Pho 54 in San Jose, so my perspective for pho restaurants may be different than some others)

    (4)

  • Yi X.

    best pho ever. I tried out in both LA and San Francisco before. this is THE best pho. The restaurant is small but clean and cozy. Food is good. I tried the "oxtail" recommended by previous yelp review and it was fantastic. Best thing: close to waikiki beach and only about 5 mins drive if you live by the beach hotels.

    (5)

  • Ron L.

    Stopped by Pho Bistro 2 minutes before 3pm today (Wed). Apparently, they close between 3 - 4:30 daily, but the woman behind the corner didn't mind me ordering some exceptional dishes to go. We took it back to our condo at the Ilikai and ate it while our daughter napped. The pho was pho-nom-ina (sorry, couldn't resist)l. My wife heated up the tasty broth and added in all the noodles and goodies (bean sprouts, basil, sriracha/hoisin mix) that come with it. It is a nearly perfect bowl of pho, but a bit on the salty side. The spring rolls were crispy and succulent with all of the classic accoutrements: fish sauce, lettuce, rice noodles and cucumbers. To top it off, we had the bun (vermicelli) with grilled shrimp (minus the pork). Oh man, the shrimp were perfectly cooked. That bun was just heavenly.

    (5)

  • M G.

    We got take out here and it was sooo great! Ordered the beef with vermicelli noodles and another dish with spring rolls and pork. Price was great and the meal was very satisfying. I am getting hungry just writing about it.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    Ate hear twice while on vacation, so that should give you some idea of how good it was. Prices were what I'm used to paying in California. Pho Dac Biet ~ $9.00 for a regular size bowl, which stuffed me to the gills. Like others have said, the broth is quite beefy with nice essences of ginger, anise, and pleasant yet subtle sweetness. Guaranteed to enjoy!

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    What can I say? The ox tail is good. The only thing I don't like about this place is the hours. I guess I just don't like the fact it closes early on Sundays.

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    This place is awesome, consistent and amazing broth. Always parking and great service! Must try!

    (5)

  • Steph G.

    This was the first place we visited at Waikiki and boy did we have a hell of a time looking for the place. Quick warning for all tourists, there is no parking! Thank god we found residential parking just two streets down. The place is an average size for a pho place. There were lots of locals there. I ordered the sampler, and my friend ordered the pho. The sampler was $12, but was basically a dish with all different sorts of ingredients and rice wraps to create your order spring rolls! We had a lot of fun putting together some horrible looking rolls. My friend said that the pho was pretty average (aka not as good as back at home), and the service was a little bit slow, but otherwise this place is great for a quick and inexpensive lunch.

    (4)

  • Aaron N.

    Unlike many pho restaurants I've been to, it is always clean, cool and generally pleasant. (And if you are a football fan there's usually a game on.) Food is pretty consistently good. I usually get the summer rolls to start, then pho w/rare steak + meatballs, meat outside. The oxtail soup is excellent but I save that for days when I am unbearably hungry, because it is a seriously huge meal. Wouldn't have found this place without Yelp, and I'm glad I did.

    (4)

  • Maria Q.

    YUUUUUUMMMMMMM!!!!! Hands down my favorite pho place. The broth is ono, it's clean and the people remember your name. I always get the combo pho and they're very generous with the toppings and the meaty goodness. I'm pretty full with the just the regular size and the large size is good for two people (maybe with a small appetizer as well). My fiance always gets the combination plate which is just as delicious. The marinade that they use for the meat is perfect. I've tried their oxtail soup and it is definitely different from the oxtail I'm used to - I echo that it's kinda like pho oxtail soup. So ono, regardless. This was a once weekly treat for me when I used to live within walking distance. Now it's more like bi-monthly - but man, it's still as good as ever.

    (5)

  • Myron I.

    broth is pretty good. nice place. water cups always refilled..

    (4)

  • Jon T.

    Big fan of this local vietnamese family restaruant. A friend of mine lives right down the road and turned me on to this place. I enjoyed myself so much that I decided to take my boss who automatically fell in love with the SUPER BOWL. I'm not quite as big as my boss so I stick to the large combination Pho meat inside and generally we share an order of the deep fried spring rolls. They also make this killa combination plate lunch; the pork chop is wicked good. Besides from their great food they give great service. Soon and her husband Jan along with the rest of their staff is outstanding. Eating Pho you need water service and hats off to them cuz my glass is rarely empty. Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

    (4)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: a small pho restaurant that is easy to miss, but is packed with people who know about it ;) something good: woooow! the pho is really good here, i'm really particular when it comes to the soup and they got it :) the servers are really animated here, they are also very attentive and that's a plus in my book! something not so good: it's busy, and it's confusing where to park, but it was my first time here, so maybe i'll get the hang of it next time ;) ! something to try: pho with beansprouts

    (4)

  • Raphael K.

    This being PB2's 93rd review, we won't spend too much time saying how awesome this place is. Just know that every dish is good, they came out quick, the interior was clean, spacious & simply accented by indoor plants inbetween tables giving a homely feeling, & service was very friendly & attentive. One thing worth noting are the 4 seasons rolls. Spring rolls are deep fried like lumpia. It wasn't greasy at all. Summer rolls use rice wrappers. Its fillings are uncooked except for the shrimp. The dipping sauce was rich in flavor, but not too salty nor was there any strange aftertaste. We were provided with lettuce in which to wrap them. I also had the Autumn and Winter rolls, but I can't remember enough to describe them. The green papaya salad and sauce were very good compared to some other places. Oxtail soup was light to the taste, perhaps not salty enough, but the ingredients were cooked perfectly and in the right proportion. The peanuts were soft, & the vegetables balanced well with the oxtail meat, which just melts in your mouth. Pho with rare beef is awesome, too, perhaps among the best we ever tried in Hawaii up there with Pho To Chau on River Street. The soup is light yet full of flavor, which leaves one feeling satisfied and comfortable after the meal. This place exceeded our expectations in terms of quality & the price is just right making it all the while worth it.

    (5)

  • Gary F.

    Had to try this place out after reading all the write ups. 1 plus, parking. 1 plus, really clean. 1 minus, food took kind of long to come out. It took about 15 minutes. The place wasn't that busy, maybe about half full. Got the Ox tail, my mom got the combo Pho and the little one got the grilled chicken rice place. The Ox tail was ok. For some reason my mind kept saying, it's different. Don't compare it to the standard Ox tail soup. I did like the visual. Mushrooms, ginger and veges were neatly placed in the soup and looked great. The soup was strong and brothy(not sure if that's a word) Ox tail was "fall off the bone tender!". overall, it was good but my personal preference would be the Kam bowl Ox tail. My mom said the Pho was good. The chicken and rice dish was good. Couple of nicely grilled chicken. Overall satisfied. Price on the higher side for Vietnamese food. May go back to try other dishes since the parking and restaurant was clean!

    (4)

  • Keith R.

    If you like ox tail soup, this is THE place to get it. The broth is light yet flavorful with carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, Chinese parley, peanuts and no less than three huge ox tails that are fall-off-the-bone tender. It is accompanied with a small bowl of grated young ginger (add shoyu). You can have it with pho noodles or rice. Simply great, bordering on medicinal. The pho is also just as comforting. It's all in the broth. Spring rolls are tasty, crunchy and hot. This restaurant is clean and the service efficient and friendly. It's a family-owned/operated restaurant and they know how to take care of customers. There are always regulars here so you know it is good. The prices are sooooo reasonable compared to other places. You definitely get your money's worth here.

    (4)

  • Satoru Y.

    Wow. Oxtail Soup is phenomenal: One of the best I have ever had. It is a great medley of fresh and vibrantly purifying flavors. The mixture of shiitake, ginger, and boiled peanuts melds beautifully with the broth. The broth is the same base as the pho; but made into something much more with the addition of the oxtail and other veggie ingredients. Did I mention that the oxtail is so tender that it falls right off the bone. I'm speechless.

    (5)

  • JimBob L.

    Good food and good service. Recommended if you are in the area and are craving for Pho. Their Papaya salad is pretty good too.

    (4)

  • Trung L.

    One of the best places to eat Vietnamese cuisine on Oahu. My buddy and me always go there at least once a week, and I always get the combination w/ extra brisket and sometimes treat myself to their Oxtail soup, both definitely a must try :3 Love the hospitality!

    (5)

  • Linda P.

    We had the Asian coffee, winter rolls, two kinds of pho, one sea food and one meat, and some kind of pudding desert- a huge amount of food. Serving size was very large. We walked there at night from our hotel and, in the dark being from out of town, the neighborhood seemed a little dodgy, although we didn't really encounter any problems. I might drive or taxi next time but will definitely go back when we return to Honolulu to visit our family there. My five star rating is not for an elegant, romantic, or cutting edge gourmet restaurant. This is a "mom and pop" operation with Formica tables, vinyl seats, tile floor and limited Asian menu, but the food was delicious! The service was very attentive, excellent. The people were very nice.

    (5)

  • Jon W.

    I eat pho at least once a week and i can say it wasnt nearly my favorite. The bikram yoga pho experience was a bit much. It was hot as hell in there. Not easy to sit above a hot bowl of pho and enjoy it while sitting in a hot box. I'll give it another try and maybe give the oxtail a chance.

    (3)

  • Les M.

    The large rare beef pho (#13 on menu) was good but I still felt a little hungry upon finishing it. That is unusual from most of my other experiences with pho in Southern California establishments. Furthermore we had to wait for a while to have our dishes cleared from the table as there was only 1 server for a full house of customers. As we waited my partner's pho broth separated in the bowl with clear liquid on top and dark to the bottom. This left an unappetizing visual of the mediocre soup. One positive was the condiment plate included another green herb (slightly bitter) in addition to the Thai basil. Unfortunately the server did not know the English name for it, but was very nice in trying to explain its characteristics. We chose the spring rolls (#1) as an appetizer, and these were excellent. They were accompanied by a plentiful helping of delicious vermicelli noodles for filling in the lettuce leaves. I just wish they had provided the usual mint leaves as well but did not. The parking attendant was nice and helpful. Perhaps based on the rating and other reviews I expected more. Overall a good dining experience, but the star attraction -- the pho -- was lacking in quality and quantity.

    (3)

  • Joey B.

    The Oxtail Soup is the best! The Pho is the best! I have no complaints. I love this place. I have a difficult time eating at other Pho places, because I find myself comparing it to this place. I always order: Spring Rolls and a large Combination Pho. On my second visit I rotate with ordering: Oxtail Soup with extra ginger and a side of rice. The staff is very awesome and parking is convient!

    (5)

  • dan z.

    Excellent soups, very nice service and reasonable prices!

    (5)

  • Jen V.

    This place is AMAZING! We were on Oahu for 2 weeks over the holidays, and we went back here twice, it was sooo good! On our first visit, we brought our 6 year old daughter. Our super friendly waitress steered us to a noodle dish for our daughter, which she loved. We also ordered the seafood pho, one of the house specialties plates (can't recall the name, but you basically build your own rolls with rice paper, rice noodles, pork, shrimp, etc.); and the papaya salad. The papaya salad was seriously the best we've ever eaten, anywhere. Incredibly fresh ingredients, especially the herbs. That specialty plate was also super fresh, and packed with flavor. To be honest, the seafood pho was just so-so; nothing outstanding. When we returned for our second visit, we ordered the papaya salad and the special plate again -- we'd been haunted by their amazing flavors! We had the same waitress on our return visit, and again, we were blown away by her friendliness. These folks are serious about yummy food, and are really excited to make food that their customers enjoy. We had a great chat with the waitress about how they love getting new customers via Yelp -- so help 'em out & keep the Yelp feedback coming! They really do read what we write & want to hear from us!

    (5)

  • N b.

    NO!!! its hard to find a clean Pho place..do they even exist?! We saw at least three roaches crawling in the dining area. And not the small ones. I even had to smash one with my napkin! Gross! If they can't keep their seating area clean I don't want to imagine what their kitchen looks like. The dining cleanliness reflects its kitchen.

    (1)

  • Jina K.

    I love this place. I never liked pho till i ate here! My family's been going here since they first open, and we still go every saturday! I always order the seafood pho with no dried onions. Plus the waitress is amazing!!

    (5)

  • Katherine F.

    I would have to say that my Pho experience in Honolulu, was better than I expected it would be. We came in a big group and they were able to accommodate us easily which was nice. It was kind of sad watching only one lady have to run the whole seating area. She was good though and making sure to check on us. The broth was a bit too sweet and should be more beefy, but it still tasted good. You just didn't need to put any Hoosin sauce in it. :) Another good thing is that they will let you put the beef on the side with no extra charge, but I guess they weren't too concerned since they were charging $8.25/8.75 per bowl.... That's one really really expensive bowl of pho. PLUS I got the Tai Bo Vien and it arrived with 4 small slices of meatballs. I think it was 1 meatball sliced into four pieces. Also, be careful...you can't drink in their parking lot. They will kick you out.

    (4)

  • P C.

    the pork chop was and yummy, really tender and the side salad was perfect with it. The papaya salad was my favorite ,just refreshing . We also tried pho and it was good, they however are soooo nice they gave us great service !!!! wowowww and they had guava juice another great treat , ohh yah it was very affordable.

    (5)

  • Dat P.

    We just checkin to our hotel and were starving, and looked for a breakfast/lunch place but ended up wandering around for about 5 min and stumbled upon this neat little place. And I verified yelp before we went in. Language barrier may be a problem, but if you know how to order at a Vietnamese restaurant and have the patience there shouldn't be any problems. They were very accommodating and helpful. We ordered some "Summer Rolls" which is the equivalent to "Spring Rolls" in most places in California I have been to, and they were super fresh and delicious. I then ordered one of the Vermicelli dishes with Grilled Pork, which as well tasted super fresh and it tasted pretty healthy. My partner ordered the Seafood pho and thought it was quite spectacular. They also offered us some dessert, the banana tapioca with coconut milk, or whatever it was called. DELICIOUS! Everything tasted just as good as at home what mom makes! Thank you, we will come again next time we are in Honolulu! :)

    (5)

  • Grace L.

    :) It was relatively cold and super rainy during one of our days in Oahu, so we decided that we wanted a big bowl of noodles and collectively decided Pho. We split a winter roll and a large bowl with meatballs and rare steak. It was good, nothing amazing, but we were happy and all warm and fuzzy inside. Unfortunately, there was only one server there that day, so it was a bit slow and drink refills were pretty much non existent, but we were happy to warm up our bodies with a large bowl of soup that we were satisfied and happy.

    (3)

  • Shannon C.

    Update: Since having my baby last year, I've been back several times to enjoy the crack sprinkled pho, but yesterday I had lunch with my girlfriend (who I think has a share of the stocks to Pho Bistro 2) and ordered the lemongrass chicken. That was really good. Oh and I had my favorite sweet potato tapioca to go! My girlfriend got me hooked. She's here almost everyday. I wondered why, but wonder no more cause I got hooked. The best pho and sweet potato tapioca! While I was pregnant, I would crave Pho Bistro 2. My husband would ask me what I wanted to eat and it was always pho from here. Since my son was born, I haven't had time to eat here, but soon I wil return!

    (5)

  • Mark Ryan S.

    I'm no pho expert, but loved what I had here. It's walking distance from our hotel so we hoofed it over in warm weather. I almost didn't get pho 'cause it's warm but the A/C inside cooled me down enough that hot pho was appealing. Wife ordered some cold noodles with pork, and we split an order of spring rolls. Rolls were HOT inside, super crispy and super fresh. Pho had lots of meat and came with a plate of optional additives (fresh jalapeños, sprouts and licorice-y mint leaves). Great food. Even better was the service and super-friendly family staff. The owner's son was our main server and is crazy friendly/talkative. Great experience at Pho Bistro 2 (not to be confused with Pho Bistro).

    (4)

  • Danny C.

    Good Pho. Good Service. Grilled meet combo ALL MEATS were great. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, never dry. Spring rolls were excellent and fresh. Service was personal, affable, pretty stellat experience overall. We might come back :)

    (4)

  • John C.

    Oxtail soup has been on my list of favorite finds for a long time now. We all have our favorite restaurants for a good bowl such as Zippys, the old Kam Bowl, Kapiolani Coffee Shop, Asahi and others. Last year a good friend introduced me to what I feel to be one of THE best oxtail soups I have tasted. It can be found just off of Kalakaua Blvd. at a pretty little Vietnamese restaurant called Pho Bistro. Pho Bistro which will be celebrating their third anniversary this November is most known for their excellent bowls of pho served with the freshest vegetables available. Getting back to the soup. I have to admit oxtail is not your common menu item at a Vietnamese restaurant. The oxtail at Pho Bistro is simply ono, ono, and mea ono! Served in a huge bowl the soup is an explosion of bright colors, aroma and taste. The broth which is rich and deep in flavor is light on the lips meaning it does not have that oily feel you get in oxtail soups from other restaurants. In addition, the broth is made especially for the oxtail soup and is not used in the pho dishes making it unique on the menu. Freshly cut mustard cabbage, shitake mushrooms, carrots, ginger, peanuts, onions and green onions swim around plump, meaty and tasty cuts of oxtail. Simmered to perfection each bowl arrives at the perfect temperature for immediate grinds and is accompanied by the classic side dishes of ground ginger and a bowl of rice. What really got me hooked on their oxtail is the fresh taste. Individual ingredients in the soup carry their own distinct flavor enhancing the eating experience and not overpowering each other. Restaurant owner Lien says that she uses an Okinawan recipe and has adapted several times to customers suggestions and requests. What she has created works very well. Nuff said! At under $12.00 a bowl, the oxtail at Pho Bistro is a winner in my book hands down. Pho Bistro is a family owned and operated businesses. On any day one of Lien's son's or her daughter-in-law will welcome you to your table and take your order. The décor is simple, friendly and inviting. For those of you who enjoy a good bottle of wine or beer with your meal know that Pho Bistro is BYOB friendly. What a deal! Be aware that although the Pho Bistro address is on Kalakaua Blvd. the main restaurant entrance is on Fern St.. A small parking lot is available however stalls are in high demand during lunch and dinner hours.

    (5)

  • Kristina K.

    Pho was okay here. I've had pho that was similar and/or better...but the OXTAIL SOUP was delish! My boyfriend ordered and I had some of his. Would come here again just for the oxtail soup!

    (4)

  • Josh K.

    Best ox tail soup super great staff and owner was awesome to speak with.

    (5)

  • Andrea-Li A.

    best pho ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hands down:) bomb.com

    (5)

  • Natalie L.

    Would rather go to Hale Vietnam any day than waste my time on this place. Hale Vietnam is always consistent and maybe you pay a little more than those hole in a wall places but the service is great and the food is always delicious. Anyway, back to the review. Got take out from Pho Bistro 2 upon reading such rave reviews on yelp, ordered summer rolls and instead they gave us spring rolls. The portion was unheard of. They literally gave us 1 spring roll cut in half and then another half for like $8 or $9?! WTF! An entire order of spring rolls is 1.5 rolls? And I didn't even want spring rolls! Ugh. The Pho and oxtail soup was unremarkable and definitely wasn't worth the price ($10+) and them getting our order wrong. I called when I got home because it seemed I was overcharged the more I thought about spending over $35 on 3 items during my drive home and then confirming that they had indeed overcharged me for the wrong order about $10 more according the their takeout menu. When I called the guy working said the takeout menu they had right at the register was outdated. Why do you give out menus with inaccurate prices? Never going back. I definitely don't feel like 1.5 spring rolls justifies charging $9!

    (1)

  • Matt J.

    Went to Pho Bistro 2 with high expectations after reading rave reviews on Yelp. Wasn't expecting such a spacious place, it was a bit warm inside but very comfortable. Ordered the combination pho. I could not believe how much meat they gave you, it felt like it never ended! The noodles and soup were great and the veggies were fresh. This is definitely my new favorite place for pho, it didn't disappoint!

    (5)

  • Susan R.

    Had the pho and summer rolls. :) Vegetables were fresh, broth was tasty and not oily, and the meat was good quality. Summer rolls were good too, but only had shrimp in them. I usually see shrimp and pork in the ones I've had. :( I only saw one guy running working all the tables. He was nice though!

    (4)

  • Khai L.

    Pho is okay I'm from California and the soup back home at the mainland is more flavorful. Also, the Vietnamese iced coffee here is not strong enough.

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    Went in in Easter and they had a little something extra for everybody. Service was excellent and best pho I've had so far on the island.

    (4)

  • Amit S.

    The sauce here is great! Not the usual fishy fish sauce. Try the lemon grass chicken. The Pho was perfect too!

    (5)

  • Brent S.

    One of the better Phos in Hawaii. They give lots of meat and the broth is very flavorful.

    (4)

  • Chelsey C.

    Went back last weekend and it was great as usual. They make you feel so welcome here. They truly appreciate their customers and I truly appreciate their service. A couple of regulars also came through to eat and the staff took time to catch up with them a little bit. How lovely:)

    (5)

  • Judith H.

    first time today and what a treat. loved everything. i will return.

    (5)

  • nicholas n.

    Addenudum, this is review of Pho bistro 2, since there are two places with same name. I lived in Orange County, so I am very familiar with pho, especially Little Saigon. I visited Hawaii several times so I am familiar with several pho places. This one is the best of all the pho place. This restaurant has others food like rice and noodle, but the review will mostly pho, especially if pho is in the title. food: 4/5 (broth is good and tasty, noodle is firm, meat is tender, lots of vegetables on the side: actually, all the pho restaurants have lots of vegies on the side). the rice noodle with fry pork is very good ambiance: 3/5 service: 4/5 (the manager/server is funny, helpful, and curteous. Service can be slow as there is only one server, but the server compensates by being all of the above. He is half Vietnamese/American, but does not speak Vietnamese as I learned. His attitude can irritated some people, but this place like all dive-y place is about food, not service. cleanlyness: 3/5. typical of a dive cost: 4/5 ( a bowl of large pho is $9.00, average price for the most restaurant) safety: 4/5, safe during daylight or at night. overall: 4/5 This is probably the most decent pho place in Oahu, especially near Waikiki. The server is cool. cash only.

    (4)

  • Tram D.

    Best Pho on the island! I would know since I grew up eating Pho my whole life!! Definitely the place to go!

    (5)

  • Nonya B.

    I'm confused with people rating this place with more then 2 stars, long story short, came here to eat some pho, ordered a combination with beef outside no round onion, my order came with no green onion and no parsley and no side meat, asked the waiter who doesn't speak English for green onion and parsley and my side meat the owner came over and told me she wouldn't charge me for it, wtf? owner talks to much, loud and rude, service is slow and waiter needs to learn English

    (2)

  • Sean H.

    I vacationed in Hawaii a month or so ago and my local friends in Waikiki knew I was a "Pho-Natic" so they took me to Pho Bistro 2 in Honolulu! The restaurant was very large, good for groups and reminded me of an old time diner! With many long tables, nothing too fancy, but you could smell how good the Pho was going to be the minute you walked in! Service: The waiter was quick to take our order and the food came out relatively quick being we ordered a lot of food! Price: I cant remember how much the Pho was, but from what I can remember, it was comparable to what the prices are in Seattle- around 6-8 dollars for a large bowl of Pho. Broth: This was absolutely wonderful broth! Probably one of the best broths I have had since starting my Pho- adventure! Not too salty, and very flavorful! Selection: They had a nice size menu and one item my friend Dan got was the Oxtail soup, which I had not had since I was a kid! It was AMAZING! Very tasty and I think I may get that next time I am in Hawaii! Thanks for the taste Dan!!! I got the rare beef pho and the great thing about this restaurant, is they brought the rare beef, thinly sliced on a plate seperate from the pho! You then place the rare beef into the soup and it cooks then! I think more Pho restaurants should do this! The amount of basil, jalapeno, sprouts and lime were very adequate! Many condiment sauces to choose from as well. Location: In Honolulu Hawaii. Parking was alittle challenging. Score: Based on my many pho trials, I give this place a 9 out of 10. 9 only for the reason parking was tough. I will be going to Pho Bistro 2 EVER TIME I visit Honolulu! Thank you Pho Bistro 2!!! Sean Hoops, The Seattle Pho-Natics President

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    pho was not good enough to come back to again unless all the other places are closed. i dont know it it's the MSG that had my mouth foaming and salivating but it sure wasn't worth it. parking was not abundant and the rolls weren't the best. I'll have to stick with Hale Vietnam, To Chau, and every once in awhile Pho Pearl.

    (2)

  • lawrence C.

    Best authentic Vietnamese restaurant so far. Friendly service. Pork chops are awesome. Pho is very good, especially if you order the rare thin slices of meat on the side.

    (5)

  • Natasha G.

    i found this place through a friend that read the great reviews of their ox tail soup. we had take out the first time and ive been hooked ever since. the portions are huge snd the soup is absolutely delicious. the wait is usually about 15 minutes and the price is about $16, but its totally worth it. it comes with 3-4 large pieces of ox tails tons of vegies and your choice of rice or noodles. very yum!

    (4)

  • Anthony S.

    My Favorite Pho' Stop it town! Awesome food and great service!

    (5)

  • Vu N.

    Family-owned and operated, this small restaurant is one of the best Pho restaurants I've eaten on Oahu. It's within walking distance of Waikiki if you're up for a casual stroll in the evening. The owner/chef is a Vietnamese lady who was warm and hospitable during my visit. The services were attentive and she even joined our table after serving us. She openly discussed in details what made her ox tail soup special and introduced us to her sons who were mixed Vietnamese and Caucasian. The restaurant interior is small and doesn't get a lot of light. If weather permits, I would recommend sitting outside where they have two sets of table. I would recommend pho and green papaya salad, which were as good an any other places in Little Saigon in Westminster/Orange County.

    (4)

  • Ellen Mae V.

    I'm from San Jose so my review is perhaps rather biased if you consider the fact that San Jose is littered with numerous authentic, family owned and delicious Pho restaurants. I gave this place a 4 mostly on the basis that it is CLEAN. Let me reiterate that... IT IS CLEANER THAN MOST Pho restaurants!!! I'm kind of nosy so I often peak into the kitchen and found nothing to make me speculate the cleanliness of the food that is set in front of me. Needless to say, the sanitation efforts of the staff.. well... they actually make an effort here and in my book that IS worth a whole star. Food wise, the pho and other dishes are good. A rather decent 6 out of 10. I particularly love the papaya salad. It's cool, crisp and spicy and perfect on a warm Hawaiian day. Personally, I've had better broths (there are a few places in Chinatown where you can really taste the long and low simmered broths). But all that aside, I enjoy coming here because I always leave satisfied, the place is clean, the staff is rather friendly and the lingering smell of Pho restaurant isn't as dense as other restaurants.

    (4)

  • Scott F.

    Some of the best pho I've had anywhere. The owner is INCREDIBLY nice -- she gave my eight year old son extra pho because he liked it and finished off his own. Extremely flavorful broth and fresh add-in's. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

    (5)

  • Marc G.

    Excellent pho and vermicelli. Super nice wait staff and/or owners. All my Asian compatriots loved it--which added to its credentials. I had the pork and egg roll vermicelli and it was crazy good. The food was terrific and the price was right.

    (5)

  • Matthew W.

    meatballs are a no go. brisket and rare beef are better choices. vegetables very fresh and broth is three stars. Pretty clean restaurant, parking seems troublesome because of it's location under an apartment complex and next to Ala Moana. Non soup dishes like bbq chicken looked good.

    (3)

  • Diego R.

    Once we got off the plane from the Main land, this was our 1st place to eat because of the reviews and the close proximity to our hotel. I had the vermicelli with chicken and my wife had the Pho- combo. The serving size was comparable to other Vietnamese places, both dishes were flavorful and filling. The service was quick and friendly. The restaurant itself is casual. No AC but they had a fan and parking is very limited.

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    AMAZING food. Great portions. Very friendly. Resonably priced. The manager is HILARIOUS!!

    (5)

  • Wade I.

    Today was the first time eating there. I've always wanted to try since I do automotive work for the used car dealer across the street but never did. Today my wife agreed with me to try. It was super good. Friendly waitress and fast service. Looks like I'll be going there more often

    (5)

  • Eins K.

    I also like Pho 777 but the broth made here at Bistro makes the broth at 777 taste average. Nice staff and service. The only thing I don't like is trying to find parking there.

    (5)

  • K N.

    Second time there, first time with girlfriend and second with husband, Twan (sorry if misspelled) but he is a great host, should have more like him in the restaurant business. As always the oxtail was awesome as well as the spring rolls. The price is very reasonable and the oxtail too huge to finish in one sitting. Their tea (red bag with no name) is delish, never had tea that was soooooo gooooood. Very clean and nice atmoshpher.

    (5)

  • Toney N.

    Let's talk bout OXTAIL! There oxtail's are like hideously HUGE. SERVING... to big for one person. Trust me i'm a oxtail man and nothing beats them. In fact, i had some tonite!

    (5)

  • RUTH F.

    My husband and I had dinner here last night and what an awesome find. He had the oxtail soup and I had the House Special Combination Plate. The grilled beef was the best part- the chicken and pork were just ok. I suggest to just order the Vietnamese Grilled Beef and rice. Amazing.

    (5)

  • Esther Y.

    like everyone else has stated-you are treated like family when you walk in the door. Our 1 yr old baby loves this place because "grandma" comes out of the kitchen to see him personally when he arrives to tickle his fat. The Pho here is unbelievable. if you want to avoid the crowds come when they open at 4;30. We have a obsession with the oxtail pho (not on menu) and come as much as 3 times a week sometimes!

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    This review is based solely in comparison to other Vietnamese/pho places here in Honolulu! With that disclaimer said, pho bistro 2 is pretty darn good but most importantly is that service was impeccable!!!! Had the summer roll, fresh, tasty and light. The pho was yumm good and tasty broth. Only confusing thing was the parking situation which is next to the business, no worries we told the owners and they going to put a sign up haha

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Best PHO I've EVER tried, and living in Hawaii I've tried alot of PHO! I had the sliced beef pho and the beef melts in your mouth it is so tender. The broth is about as good as I could imagine. The veggies were fresh and delicious. The portions were generous and the price is right. Did I mention the service was fast? It was. Also, at our table there was a condiment tray with EVERY thing you could possibly want... which I love because I hate asking for this sauce and that little thing and so on... I had everything I wanted right there (sauces, spoons, chopsticks, forks, napkins, even more stuff that I cant remember). My GF had the oxtail soup, which was pretty impressive. Im not a fan of oxtail but I ate some and it was good. The portion was massive. The bowl was like enormous. The meat was like huge cuts. Also we had the spring roll appetizer which was very tasty I highly recommend that one. Even if you dont like PHO you will like this place. They also have some good non-PHO dishes that I was tempted to try (like their pork chop) but hey one meal at a time right? I've heard their Vermicelli dishes are tasty too. Just remember that this place is on fern street, almost at kalakaua st. and there is alot of parking on the side of the building. That threw me off... at first I only thought there were only the 2 parking spaces right in front of the door. It is worth a the trip. And one more thing: it is easy to access fern street from kalakaua driving either direction: you can turn left on to fern street if you are going towards waikiki and right on to fern street if you are coming out of waikiki.

    (5)

  • Iazy i.

    easily one of the better pho eateries on the island... and by that, i mean definitely top 10, most likely top 5. the broth is flavorful, more-than-average meat, and cleaner than a lot of the places you'll find. parking is sometimes an issue. one of their hidden gems, if you havent tried it, is their oxtail soup. the amount of meat is significant and the pieces are monstrous. this may not be popular opinion, but i actually enjoy eating their's more than kapiolani coffee shops.

    (4)

  • Anthony L.

    The soup here is amazing! The waitress there was remarkable. Best Pho i've had in years!! Def. stop by if you're in the area and craving for Pho!

    (5)

  • Wallen D.

    This place might have gotten a better rating if I wasn't from the Bay Area. Oakland Chinatown is littered with pho restaurants that serves bigger bowls of pho for the same price and similar quality if not better. The place was very clean though. Within walking distance from many of the hotels on Ala Moana or Ala Wai blvd in Waikiki.

    (3)

  • Mark J.

    Solid 4.5! This is my first pho on the island so I'm basing this review in comparison with all the pho places in Seattle. First off, the place was nice, clean and big. I didn't have to wait in line.. I'm sure that's not the case during peak hours but yea.. I had the winter roll and the house pho... Winter roll was nice and big, sauce was ok.. Pho was delicious! The broth was definitely richer than the ones in Seattle! And the meat,ohh! I'm gonna need a new paragraph for the meat. The meat was delicious! It's soft an tender that when I scoop to the bottom of the bowl, I get bits and pieces of the meat... But the best of all, there was a ton of meat!!! Compared to pho in Seattle, te meat of my pho here was amazing! Back in seattle i would have to eat the noodles before I see the meat... Here I started going at the noodles and two bites later... It was all meat!! Haha!! Now I kinda wonder if there was enough noodles... Oh the noodles btw was nice and firm! Hmm lastly.. One meat part listed on the menu was "beef balls" now I've been watching a lot of Andrew Zimmern's bizarre foods.. So I was like what?!?! Haha but when I got it i was relieved that I wasn't literally beef balls haha!! But yea. Overall it was a good expeience l.. It wouldve gotten a 5 star from me if it wasn't for the 35 minute wait for my pho.. Which i didn't really mind since i had nothing else to do..

    (4)

  • Chi-Hye M.

    This place is really good and clean. The service is always good. i love how they always refill your water before its empty... When I'm in town and i crave Pho really badly this is the place that i go...even though my lunch is only an hour long...haha They bring the food out fast and i usually return to work within an hour. they have a lot and one stall in front of the restaurant but its full most of the time so look for street parking...

    (4)

  • Takumi A.

    Been going to PHO BISTRO 2 for over 3 years and still craving for more pho! Staff treats everyone like family and always keep things clean. I have never seen a clean Pho restaurant other than this one and i love it. simple and friendly atmosphere makes this restaurant my number one pick of all PHO. Thank you MA! for always putting smiles on all our faces! Are you new to this restaurant? well if you know you can eat, then order the "ABE- BOWL" , its pretty much a super bowl #12 Combination, meat in-SAi that i came up with. GOOD STUFF!! Wish it was a 24 hr operation, id be there every night! Thanks PHO BISTRO 2 EEEEEEEEE!!!!!

    (5)

  • jacko l.

    Wow. The pho is as good as it gets being outside of my hometown, Little Saigon, CA in the Mainland. Its all in the broth. They got it down pat. Must try the Pho Dac Biet if you love meat. Service was tentative and with a smile. Prices are more than fair.

    (5)

  • Carol L.

    Outstanding! The broth is sooooo guud! I had the tendon with rare steak and my hubby had the combo!! I would definitely drive allllll the way into town for this place!! The owner, Lin is the best. I told her a friend recommended it! She was sooo happy!! The banana tapioca hot tea is a great dessert at the end too! Thank you Lin!! =)

    (5)

  • leigh h.

    Found this spot on yelp. It was great. It was very inexpensive not that money was of concern for our team of four. We went because of the high yelp rating and were not disappointed. It is a typical hole in the wall so don't expect vallet parking. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Rocelle S.

    At first I will explain my weird aversion for pho if you want the review for the food please skip to the following (***). I know, I know I shouldn't be rating a Pho restaurant if I haven't well..actually eaten the Pho. But I am a weird one I tell you...I just am not into Pho and the rice noodle thing. I guess it's because I grew up on Pancit and Vermacilli noodles that the semi flat rice noodle just does not appeal to me, I now know because I am also not a fan of Pad Thai which uses the same kind of noodle. Don't get me wrong I wanted to love Pho, it's so awkward because my favorite food is soup. I am a bit angry at myself but I guess that is just me. Sooo after explaining why I didn't Pho at Pho Bistro I will move on to my review. I bought the massive bowl of oxtail soup. I didn't care if it was 10 o'clock in the morning I was feeling soup so I bought myself soup. Let's just say it took me a LONG time to find this place...lol only because I put the address wrong on my GPS coordinates. That was how determined I was to find this place. So after about forty minutes driving around the wrong place I noticed the wrong address and diverted the trip down the other side of Kalakaua Ave. The Bistro is right next to a pawn shop. The parking is very limited but lucky me right when I drove a space opened up. When walking into the restaurant I was pleasantly surprise, the aroma of the broth hit me right at the entrance. Looking around I was more intrigued with the beautiful art work displayed on the walls. The waitress who helped us was very helpful and nice she greeted us and sat us on a table towards the wall with a comfy bench looking chair. On the table was a napkin holder and various condiments to fit any picky eaters preference. (***) We first started off with the spring rolls. LOL you can't really go wrong with spring rolls it was cut in half for us and served with the works lettuce, noodles, cucumber and the vinegar sauce. The waitress was nice enough to warn us that they were super hot and boy they were HOT! not spicy hot just temp wise. Then we moved onto the Oxtail soup--and let me tell you that bowl of soup was MASSIVE!! It was huge!! I was so happy to have only ordered that for both of us because I could have never finished that on my own. The bowl was intricately made, I ordered the works so I guess you could order the soup with certain veggies only. It had cut up pieces of I think bak choy (not sure), carrorts, shitake mushrooms (yummy) and ginger grated into art. The bowl is accompanied with your choice of rice noodles or rice and extra pureed ginger on the side. I wanted to test my liking for rice noodle so I order it. The broth itself was light and flavorful. It didn't taste old like Zippy's oxtail but sort of fresh. The meat was tender like fall off the bone tender. The bowl fed the both of us and there was a little extra more. I would've packed it, but I didn't want to bring it to school. The water was alright. The reason why this place gets that extra 1/2 star that made it a four for me was the restroom. Right when walking into the restroom area it smelled of orange zest. I love that fresh fruity smell and it reiterated the fact that this place was EXTRA CLEAN!! It is very hard to find restaurants that are well taken care of so I appreciate that a lot. All in all Pros: +Affordable +VERY Clean +Very friendly staff +Yummy food Cons: -none that I can think of ~ So what are you waiting for go try it already!! Tell me how it goes =]

    (4)

  • Brian N.

    I went with Hubert C. to Pho Bistro......2 (is there even a 1?). anyway, this pho restaurant was a literally an oasis for us. in a rush to get to the airport, we skipped all the restaurants and parking disasters in waikiki and out of nowhere, pho bistro appeared. while it's not the nicest pho restaurant (but better than most), the service was superb. the staff was very attentive and kept asking us how we were doing as well as refilling our glasses of waters (tap water is so in now). i think at one point, she even offered to do the check individually, which we declined. while I wouldn't say there wasn't any msg, there was noticeably less compared to other pho restaurant's that i've been to. overall, if i was ever in hawaii again, i would def drag my friends out here to eat again. i would take pho bistro over a touristy luau any day of the week.

    (4)

  • Joyce K.

    After many reviews from my friends about this place, I decided to give Pho Bistro 2 a try. So let's start the place with 5 Stars. The minute you walk in you're greeted by the friendliest person ever. Nice, funny, great personality. He even double stacked some chairs for my son so he could reach the table to eat. The next thing I knew, we where sitting there for a good 5 mins before we even got to see the menu. Minus 1 Star. We placed our order and in several minutes we got our food...so we thought until we realized that my BF didn't get his combo plate and my beef balls where missing from my pho and the raw beef was already in my soup. Minus another Star. The super nice man apologized and quickly had our order corrected. He even gave my son a free Strawberry Guava Juice. The food we ordered finally came. Can I just say, WOW! If you're looking for super good pho soup, this is the place. There is so much flavor to this stock I couldn't get enough of it. Add back a Star. My BF's combo plate was tasty and the meat was cooked to perfection. The Spring Roll was okay, I've had better. But the soup, oh my. Hands down the best! May I add that this soup did not make me super thirsty like all the other pho places I've been to. I'll give this place another try. I have a feeling this will be my new favorite pho place.

    (4)

  • Keith F.

    Had the oxtail soup. Very tasty. Broth was light and fresh. Great meal.

    (4)

  • SY Y.

    Living in Los Angeles, I get many chances to taste out Pho from different Pho restaurants. Pho at Pho Bistro 2 is the best one that I ever had. My family and I really enjoyed the Pho at this restaurant, while our visit to Honolulu this summer. After finishing our broth, we didn't felt thirsty at all. Their oxtail soup is recommended too. Best wishes to Tuan and hope to visit Kona Pho in the near future.

    (5)

  • Lorenz S.

    Good pho and amazing service. The lady who owns the place is really sweet. It was our first time there and she gave us free desert and jasmine tea. Really friendly all around.

    (5)

  • Jeff I.

    I'd say that this is one of the best Pho I've had. Thick cuts of beef, the broth was tasty, and the noodles were not the thick kind, but had a good taste. The service was fast and friendly, and the prices was average. One thing though was the parking, it's only two spots and street parking. But it's worth it. The best way to get there is to get on Kalakaua heading away from Waikiki so it's going to be on your right.

    (5)

  • T C.

    It's getting late, we need to eat...but where should we go? My husband Yelped for noodle places since it was our son's choice and Pho Bistro 2 came up high on the list. One of the clinches - they had oxtail stew on the menu. We got in, were seated quickly (since it was about an hour prior to closing), browsed the menu and immediately placed our orders. So I was craving the oxtail soup, but the Husband decides to order it. I go for the combo BBQ and our son opts for the Pho Ga (Chicken with pho). You have to appreciate when they ask if you want rice or noodles with your soup as opposed to giving you what they have more of. LOVE customer service! The oxtail soup is superb...absolutely undoubtedly superb. It had chopped up fresh mustard greens in the broth which gave it a completely different flavor but it was oh so good! My combo BBQ was excellent and meaty and their chicken was well marinated. If I never tasted the broth of the oxtail soup and the oxtail itself, I would have been completely and contently happy but dammit, when you are teased sometimes you just can't help yourself. The family owned establishment has the nicest people around. They come around often to check on you and make sure you are enjoying your food. My husband wasn't able to talk to them much since he had his face down deep into the soup!

    (5)

  • Jaynie K.

    Pho Bistro is like, right in my 'hood and I never even noticed it until I started reading the reviews on Yelp. Last week, on the way to Palama Supermarket, the moms and I popped in for lunch and we were pleased. I had the oxtail soup, which was chock full of goodies and a really great broth. Elisa was right, "cleansing" is a good word for it. I'd bet it'd make a great hangover cure! One of you happening partying folks try it out and let me know if I'm right! :) My mom enjoyed the pho dac biet, which brought us back for dinner tonight. We both had the pho dac biet, and shared winter rolls. The winter rolls were wrapped in soft chewy rice paper, filled with shredded pork, mint, lettuce, and rice noodles. The pho was great! The broth was really beefy and rich. The noodles were springy, cooked just right. The rare steak was tender, the beef balls were chewy-delicious, the bits of tripe and tendon were so good! The only downside was that the well-done flank was a little overwhelming. The thick slices were more like chunks, and they overpowered everything else. But the accompanying veggies were spotless and fresh! Mmm! Service was great, friendly and my water glass was filled just when I needed a refill! :)

    (4)

  • Matthew H.

    I ate here for takeout and ordered the chicken lemongrass vermicelli. The lemongrass was tasty and the dish was fresh and well put-together. I might have considered giving it 5-stars were it not for the fatty thigh meat they used for the chicken (why do hawaiin and japanese restaurants love the thighs so much??) Still, the owners clearly put care and detail into their food and the atmosphere there seemed friendly and upbeat. I prefer Pho Thinh, but Pho Bistro is definitely worth checking out too.

    (4)

  • Fred D.

    The food is great! The portion is perfect and the price can't be beat..most of it's the cleanest Pho restaurant I've been in!!

    (5)

  • elisa o.

    OK my friend took me here and WOOHOO!!! I had their OXTAIL soup dish, and it blew my mind. It is not the local style oxtail soup. It is actually a "pho" take on it. Broth felt "cleansing". It is soo hard to explain. It also comes with a bowl of jasmine rice. Parking on the premises. Hours of business... MON - SAT 10:30A - 9:30P SUN 11:00A - 8:00P Corner of Fern St and Kalakaua. If you were coming from Waikiki it will be on the right side!

    (5)

  • Ryoko Y.

    I love the food here, at Pho Bistro 2. I'm not biased, even though the owner is a friend of mine. Elisa is right, the Oxtail soup is delectable! My faves are the Pho, Bun, Spring rolls, & Oxtail soup. You can really taste the TLC put into each and every dish. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • boston j.

    Pho was pretty good, but the parking lot dude was really rude. We were standing around really full and some hawaiin dude with a BMW or Benz comes in and yells at us saying get out of my parking lot. Hella rude bluh

    (3)

  • Jason N.

    So I'm not a big fan of pho, but i could live on the pho at this place. Rustic and comforting, with a perfectly refined balance of flavors (not heavy licorice-ish- ishy). The bun (my favorite always) is delicious and the proportions are large for what you spend. 5 stars...only because that's the highest rating.

    (5)

  • Salmah R.

    I'm not a pho girl, but I must say that I became addicted to it when I lived in Hawaii because of this place. Pho experts who came to visit me (my sister and boyfriend) insisted on going back as often as possible. The food is great and the prices are even better. If you like Pho, you must go here.

    (5)

  • Jesse M.

    Let me just start off by saying, not all pho or pho shops are created equal. I've been to many a pho restaurant and this one is my favorite by far. To start, the place is a bit hard to find and the parking lot is small and often crowded. It shares one tiny lot with a handful of other businesses but the times I've been here I've been able to find parking. The food is well worth it. The best way to tell if a restaurant is good at what they do is by looking at the type of people eating there. If a place has good sushi, there should be a lot of Japanese people eating there. If a place has good gyros, there should be a lot of Greek people eating there. If a place has good beer, there should be a lot of Germans and Irish fighting there. Haha I'm kidding. know it sounds racist, but who would be a better judge if the food is any good than the people who originated it and were probably raised eating it? Anyhow my first time into Pho Bistro2 it was full of Vietnamese people. My group was the only non-Vietnamese people in the restaurant. "Yes!" I thought to myself "This is going to be good" And it was. The pho broth was quite tasty and savory. They gave a generous portion of the mint, beansprouts and other vegetables for the soup. The cuts of meat were tender, with just the right amount of fat. It was the best pho I've had thus so far. The most impressive things about this place is the service. I watched in amazement as one woman ran the whole show. The was taking orders from over fifteen tables, bussing dishes, and ringing people up at the cash register. If I had a restaurant of my own, I'd hire her on the spot to work for me. On top of that, she kept our waters filled through out lunch which is hard to do when I mix all the spicy sauces into my broth and practically kill my face with it. We're talking sweaty brow, snot dripping, action. This place is great.

    (5)

  • Brad N.

    Pho Bistro 2 is an oasis of cool from the afternoon heat. With two A/C's and four fans, this is definitely a great place to cool down. I'm Vietnamese-American and I grew up in Little Saigon, Orange County, California. I've had pho in So Cal, Nor Cal, New York, France, and Vietnam. I know a good bowl of pho when I eat one. Pho Bistro 2 serves one of the best tasting phos I've ever had. Unfortunately, this California boy is not used to Island prices. $8.49 for a large bowl of pho? Unfortunately again, I am very sensitive to MSG. I did detect a little bit of MSG in the broth. My headache afterward confirmed this fact. However, if you're used to $8.50 pho and am immune to MSG (I'm jealous), then head on over to Pho Bistro 2 for one of the best phos you'll ever eat.

    (3)

  • First Name L.

    What have you done for me lately? Unfortunately Pho restaurants are only as good as their last bowl of pho. I went this weekend, expecting my usual bowl of pho. My experience was different, ordering was out of sync, pho was not that good, barely got any meat (i usually order pho tai), iced coffee tasted extremely watered down. Anyway, the experience left me soul searching for my next favorite pho place. No longer will it be Pho Bistro 2. Sigh...

    (3)

  • A V.

    Wonderful service. The host was pretty funny and talkative. He was friendly and didn't make a fuss when I asked if he could fill my camelbak with cold water. Bathroom was clean for a Pho place, but the overal restaurant is about as average as any other Pho place you would find in San Jose (which means it's kind of sticky). Because it was super hot that day, I decided to get Bun Thit Nuong instead of Pho. The egg rolls were kind of small, but they were generous with the meat. I took one star off for no AC (in 90 degree weather) and difficulty finding parking.

    (4)

  • Bill C.

    The pho was terrific! Huge and satisfying. The atmosphere is a bit frenetic, but I'm ok with that. Sweet staff.

    (5)

  • Eugene W.

    I would give this place 10 out of 5 stars!!! First off, food here is AMAZING! Me and my wife had Pho dishes. The restaurant is extremely clean. Customer service is equivalent to services in a 5 star hotel! We asked for the cab's phone number, but owners called for us and checked for cab's arrival outside of their restaurant. This is above and beyond our expectations for a vietnamese restaurant!

    (5)

  • Michelle H.

    Rating: 3.5 star Good stuff! Bowls are quite huge and they give you lotsa meat. Downside is that there's less noodles. Broth is quite tasty and not loaded with MSG. Also tried the green papaya salad which was pretty good. The papaya was on the chewier side than the crispier side, but flavors were great.

    (3)

  • Lynnette S.

    We live in China Town but drive to Pho Bistro 2 because its that good! They were out of Mtn Dew so they made a special trip to get us some! How many places would do that for you? The Pho consistently has great flavor. The steak, pork chop & chicken is always perfectly cooked! We haven't had a bad meal yet. Parking is free, restrooms are clean

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    I've missed having access to good Ph since leaving Seattle for Kansas City. We stopped here while on vacation in Honolulu. Great food and exceptional service. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Carol M.

    Love the oxtail soup here! The soup wasn't oily like many other places. There was a lot of vegetables and flavorful slowly braised oxtail in a generous size bowl. If you can't eat the whole thing you can take the left overs home, although it was so yummy I ate the whole thing! Love the fact you can get this with rice or rice (pho) noodles. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • J S.

    This place is a gem - the pho is yummy, the people are really friendly, and it is one of the few places near Waikiki where you can eat yourself round with a delicious dinner for $10. Not too crowded, typical decor for a pho place. It's simple but wonderful

    (5)

  • Karen A.

    First time eating pho and thought it was great. Service was fast too.

    (5)

  • Lan N.

    4.5 stars. The Viet food here is slightly different than the traditional type that I'm used to (South Viet). My husband got the vermicelli noodles with lemon grass chicken. Very good. I got the oxtail soup with noodles. I wasn't sure what it was but thought I would recognize it when I saw it. I did not. The broth and the noodles were separate. The broth had shitake mushrooms, peanuts, and various Asian veggies in it. The beef tail (and spine) had succulent fall of the bone meat on it. There was some finely sliced ginger scattered on top of the broth and ground/chopped lemon grass on the side. I've never had lemon grass on the side...and peanuts are hardly ever in soups...so either this is just not South Viet or not Viet at all (the cook, i assumed, came out to talk to her son, who was eating with a group of friends. What they spoke sounded like Lao or Cambodian...def not Viet). Wherever the food origin, it was delicious, and I see why the place got so much Yelp love. My bowl of soup was HUGE. I'm suffering from belly pains as I'm typing. But it's the good pain, and I would go back there in a heartbeat. If only my stomach can keep up with my mouth.

    (5)

  • Bryan C.

    Excellent hole in the wall place to eat some of the best Pho, Oxtail Soup, Rolls, etc...in town. Not only that, the service is excellent. Go visit braddah Twan at Pho Bistro 2. Thank you once again braddah Twan for your excellent service.

    (5)

  • Kang X.

    Ox tail soup is the best. (about $12) The prices have gone up over the past 3 years, but that's the same every where. If you're allergic to MSG you might want to avoid any of the pho or chili/garlic sauce. Friendly staff too. Just beware, there is a janitor who cleans outside and tends to give patrons a hard time just for being there.

    (5)

  • Katlyn M.

    Very nice rare beef pho, egg rolls and combination specials. The pho broth is delicious and you don't taste a lot of MSG like other restaurants. I also like how they serve the rare beef on the side, so it's not overcooked. I also tried one of the special combinations. You basically make your own spring rolls with egg rolls, prawns, pork, and beef! It was really good and fun. Parking is also super easy in the lot and on the street. The restaurant itself is nice, clean and I love the green interior decor. Service has always been great the few times we've been there. My ice water is always full. It is a bit on the pricey side, but so is everything on the island. All in all, I highly recommend this place! What a great find and it's away from the hubbub of Chinatown. Thanks to the other Yelpers for helping me find this place :-)

    (5)

  • Hugh B.

    This is probably the best pho restaurant on the island, hands down. The broth is flavorful, the vegetables are fresh and the service is great! The portions they give are generous and prices are very reasonable compared to other pho places. They definitely spared no expense in satisfying their patrons. The only issue would probably be the parking and sometimes long waits for a table. They also seem to be a little understaffed in the dining area. But like any awesome restaurant, it's something to be expected. An item that really adds a kick to their dishes is their garlic chili sauce, try it! If you are going on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday evening, go early. The parking situation in their small lot patrolled by a security nazi will surely frustrate some. But overall, love this place!

    (5)

  • Debra K.

    I drove by this place about 6 times before I found the front door -- which is actually on Fern Street. And, I was lucky I didn't come much earlier because they are closed everyday between 3 and 4:30. There is a parking lot next door on Fern, so parking is very convenient. I was impressed with the interior -- yes, it was very clean, but instead of eating in I ordered rare steak pho for take out. I loved that they gave me lots of basil :) I liked my pho and will go back there again, but I still like my bay area site in the El Cerrito Ranch 99 mall better.

    (3)

  • Joe W.

    best pho and best oxtail soup on the island. i combine them both and order "oxtail pho" no one on the island comes close to their oxtail. aloha

    (5)

  • Joseph P.

    Loved it!! The reviews are true!!

    (5)

  • Julea T.

    My husband & I were in Oahu for our honeymoon from Seattle/Renton and were going to Teppenyaki because my brother has suggested it. We didn't realize they closed @ 8pm and arrived outside the restaurant @ 845pm. I decided to walk around the block to find a cab. It was dark and sprinkling out so we were in a rush to get a cab. I happened to look across the street and saw a pizzery w/pasta but we weren't in the mood for that but around the corner from that i saw "pho bistro" and we hadn't had actual 'pho' in oahu so we decided to try it. My husband looked up the reviews on his iphone and saw excellent ratings so we went for it. Right when we walked in it was a very friendly atmosphere and great ventilation! We got our food ordered and were in the middle of eating when we noticed that the Son of the lady whom owned the restaurant was constantly going around checking customers. Of course that's a good thing (some asian restaurants dont' even have that!). There was a japanese couple sitting behind me and needed a cab so the Son actually gets on his cell phone and calls a cab! It gets even better! He tells the couple to stay put in their seats and he'd watch out for the cabbie (came in less than 5 mins!). We definitely noted this excellent service! When we were done w/our food we also asked for a cab and he said they are normally here w/in 5. He even had his mom look out for the cab when he went to use the restroom! But after 5 minutes he noticed they weren't here yet and called again and right as he got on the phone the cab drove up. We gave him good tip to begin with but he and his mom actually walked my husband and I out to the cab and said next time we're in town he'd hook us up w/their special desert! If we ever visit Oahu (Waikiki) again we're definitely going back to "Pho Bistro!"

    (5)

  • Frank G.

    Pho Bistro 2 is one of those hidden gems that you never really hear much about. Everyone raves about To Chau, but frankly I find that place overrated. Located off a little side street on Kalakaua (Fern) right outside Waikiki and behind Century Center, the quality of the meat here at Pho Bistro 2 has been the best I've had on the island! The brisket is thick and perfectly done, and the soft tendon is consistently melt in your mouth soft! I love soft tendon and they always get it right here.

    (5)

  • Terri P.

    Tuesday 4/24: Rule 1: When visiting anywhere get away from the tourist center. Rule 2: use Yelp and believe the reviews, but take with a grain of salt. So here I am with a craving for Vietnamese. Attentive service. All locals. Huge winter rolls served in 5 min. Staff across the room sorting fresh basil. Vermicelli w/crispy spring rolls delivered 3 3 min later. No silverware offered to this old Haole woman (a compliment). Cute very young couple in the corner holding hands. More food than I can eat! Fresh, cool noodles and veg with hot spring rolls - very nice.

    (4)

  • Krissy M.

    Very good! My aunt brought me and my mom here for an early dinner last week and I loved my pho - I picked the beef one, and in size L, since the price difference was minimal and I don't have many opportunities to eat pho :) My mom had the oxtail soup and raved about that, and my aunt had the tofu-veggie vermicelli dish, wish she said was really good, too. Service was friendly, albeit a little slow (others seemed to get food a little faster than us, but not a huge deal) and there was a language gap but none of this detracted from the meal.

    (4)

  • m s.

    So finally I got to eat pho here! and yes, it was really good as I expected:) Since I knew a Vietnamese restaurant I can have a good pho near by my work, I have been satisfied just coming to that place over and over. Now I got a chance to be near by Pho Bistro 2 today and I had a great experience of new sensation of pho taste. We were a group of two when we visited there, just before got crowded, we got our seat easily. A waiter, I believe he's a manager or owner, served us promptly and friendly as well. We started off with "Winter Roll". Wow, it was great! I did not even know there were Autumn and Winter Rolls other than Spring and Summer ones. Winter Roll at Pho Bistro comes with spicy shredded pork in fresh rolled rice paper. What I love was the combination of spiciness and freshness of this roll. Retro melamine plate was cute for me:) Then before the rolls filled me up, the signature pho of the store (with rare, steak, brisket, tendon and meatball) served. I always try its soup first. I don't know why but I guess I just want to enjoy the first sip of pho even before I put any side veggies such sprout, lime or basil. Wow, I can tasted great depth and sweetness in this mild salty broth. Love it. Great pho and nice service, how I can put less stars! Parking was hard for us to find, that is the only concern, but we could on the street about 3 blocks away. Not a problem. I am so glad to come this place and I am sure I'll be back here again. #001/ 365 yelp challenge

    (4)

  • Miles E.

    You've had the rest, try the best (insert copyright logo) Here I am again, the love story continues. Oxtail pho, be mine forever. okay okay, i believe I said pho trinh was my issshh. Pho Bistro 2 is now it for me. I don't know what it is, the delish oxtail, freshly made rolls (spring or summer), phan-tastic noodles, great service, or the magical combination that is all the above and sets this place apart. If you have a hankering for some good pho or even local style oxtail soup.. come here, that is all. Happy Yelping!

    (5)

  • Janet K.

    This is Pho Bistro's 70th review so I'll keep it short and sweet. Pho broth is super flavorful... similar to oxtail soup and they give a lot of meat. Service is wonderful and the restaurant is pretty clean. If you want to start with an appetizer roll, try the Winter Roll. One of the best pho restaurants out there pho sho!

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    Sadly they do not have vegetable broth so I couldn't get the pho, but they did have this other thing called "Vermicelli" which is like the pho noodles, but skinnier? I got it with grilled shrimp, and it was GOOD! ($9.45)

    (4)

  • Wes N.

    Excellent pho! Wonderful broth! My japanese friends do not do parsley/cilantro so they love it here!

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    Went to Pho To-Chau and thought it was good. But the cleanliness and service was another matter. I was staying in the Waikiki area and didn't want to tread all the way to Chinatown so went on a Yelp to find a good pho place nearby. Decided to try Pho Bistro 2 and boy was it the right choice. The pho was as good as To-Chau. The service was excellent which is not very normal for a pho restaurant!

    (4)

  • Marcus S.

    The broth is what got me. The broth is what will bring me back. I will take my broth-er next time so he can enjoy. Don't broth-er me while Im eating. Did i mention the broth? This is a cozy little place that is pretty darn good. Only thing is I have had better so thats the reason for 3 stars. It's not to say I would not go back because I would.

    (3)

  • Kelly T.

    MMM... [writing this review as I'm watching Anthony Bourdain's visit to Vietnam :-)] I've only been to Pho Bistro a few times, but it's soooo worth Yelping about. Granted, the menu is pretty close to other pho restaurants, but they do everything really right here. Haha...not sure if that made any sense, but you get the idea. My friends normally order the oxtail soup, my husband orders the chicken pho (very intense, but light chicken flavor) and I get the vermicelli with grilled pork and egg rolls. Last time I got it with the lemon grass chicken...mmm....yep, I'm definitely ordering that again. The lemon grass flavor wasn't too strong, which is exactly how I like it. :-) Oh, and if it does matter...the restaurant is very clean...

    (5)

  • angela a.

    This has become my favorite place to eat Pho (except when I make it, of course...Hubby says otherwise :(). We ate here for the first time on 3/23 for dinner (after about 1 1/2 hours waiting in traffic). The restaurant was easy to find, although if you follow GPS directions, heading south on Kalakaua Ave, you don't have to make a U-turn. You can turn left onto Fern St. There's two spots out front, one is handicap parking and the other is 1 hour parking only. There is a small parking lot on the side of the building. Other than that, you'll have to find some place to park on the street. Okay, onto the cleanliness/service. Driving or walking by this place, it sure looks like a hole in the wall. Right next door is a "massage" place with darkened windows and a convenience store with bars on the windows. Yeah, it doesn't exactly give off a good vibe. Never the less, hubby and I got past these places with no scars. The inside of the restaurant is very clean. We were seated promptly and there were two other couples enjoying their meals. It is a small restaurant and maybe sits about 20 people. Everyone here was very friendly. I believe this is a family owned business as we talked to our waiter, he refers to his mom and pop who can be seen around the restaurant. Our orders were taken promptly, along with glasses of water. Of course I was wondering about the food since there were only two other couples here on a Friday night... Our order: Spring roll appetizer and two small bowls of Pho tai. The spring rolls: Good. Do I think they are anything to write home about? Not really. I would say they are your standard Vietnamese spring roll. They were on the small size for what I've ordered at other Vietnamese restaurants for the same price. Not picking on Pho Bistro 2, but the Vietnamese restaurants here in general...I don't understand why it's $7-8 for an appetizer of 2-3 spring rolls. Does that stop me from ordering them? Yes. Does it stop my husband? No. So, this is one I throw in the "I make them better at home, waaaaay cheaper, but I didn't, so this is what I have to pay" category. This is one of the Pho restaurants where you can get rare beef on the outside. I've been to a couple of Pho places and ordered the rare beef on the outside...and the soup wasn't hot enough to cook it (eww, I know). So, I asked our waiter if the soup was hot enough to cook it. Our waiter says "Of course. I wouldn't serve it otherwise." He then checked in with me twice to make sure I didn't want a side bowl of hot broth to make sure my meat was cooked thoroughly. Talk about customer service! Yes, the broth was hot enough. The broth: super tasty and clear. It's so flavorful that if you didn't want to add any condiments to it, you could just eat it like that. I love that they serve culantro here. Yum! I wish they'd serve it with limes (that's how I grew up), but I haven't found a Pho place here that serves limes. The Pho here was so good that my husband and I ate dinner again the following night. We drove all the way from Mililani just to eat here. So yes, it's that good. Is mine better? Of course it is. Maybe it's because I slave over the stove all day to cook it. Hubby think Pho Bistro 2 is better. Why do you ask? All he'll tell me is that "it's different". Hmmm.

    (5)

  • Jade N.

    My order: Chicken pho. (Pho ga) Ok so I am a Chicken Pho lover...Plain and simple. I'm sorry to say but this place beats Pho Bistro in Waipahu. I am definitely still a fan of Pho Bistro because of it's location and easy access. BUT... Pho Bistro 2 just did it. I LOVE the broth and the garnishes. The smell of the dried onions and that addicting taste of wanting to drink the soup till the last drop. I can't wait to go back. Place is clean and service is a 10! Nice atmosphere and nice interior (i know who helped with the interior) .. =0) Please check this place out. You will be satisfied to the fullest. It's also a roomy place...just FYI in case you need to be wheeled out.

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    Chicken seems to be a precious commodity when it comes to this place... tasty food, but compared to other pho restaurants, there's simply not much of it in the bowl, which is my only consistent complaint. But, pleasant atmosphere and helpful waitstaff that remember your order if you come in often enough. They always bring out a fork and small soup spoon for my 3-yr old, so they earn bonus points for kid-friendliness. Don't come mid-afternoon because they're closed between lunch and dinner. Otherwise, make it a point to stop by if you're in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Lily L.

    When you eat phone its all about the broth! However, here that's not the case. The quality lacks as well as quantity. Very small portion overpriced..Yes they are one of the few places who have lime and parsley. But the soup just wasn't cutting it for me,sorry. Such a low selection of pho. If your name has pho in it. It would be nice if you had more than 4 choices.

    (2)

  • Dustin B.

    I had a huge hankering for some Bun. Almost went to Pho 1 but read reviews on yelp and decided to go here. Glad we did. Seems like it is a family owned joint. Staff was very accommodating and helpful. Simple easy menu with excellent food. The owner brought out suckers for the kids. Wow. Definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Monkie T.

    My husband and I love this place. The people are friendly. The food is excellence!! I know my Vietnames food, for I am Vietnames after all. Everything on the menu is great!! Our favorite is the summer rolls and bu tet. We miss this place so much since we moved to the Mainland. We haven't found anything like that here in Charleston. This will be the 1st place we go to eat when we head back to Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Angela P.

    One of the very few pho restaurants that's comfortably clean! Pho Bistro 2 isn't secluded or tucked away but there's no neon sign planted on the building--so you still can miss it if you're not watching where you're going. Parking can test you if there's no street or if the lot next to the building is full. The broth is flavorful and I love the fresh summer rolls. Everything is so crunchy, delicious flavor-blending, and so darn healthy for you that you just can't complain. The price is even better. For summer rolls and a bowl of pho (I usually get the rare beef) it comes out to under $15. Great to bring friends and family for one of those budget-friendly take outs :) mmmm. Great prices, great food, and pretty decent service. This is my GO to pho place... pho-sure! Haha :P

    (4)

  • Clarissa M.

    Went here for the first time. Parking was available on the side of the building next to a cigar shop. Upon entry we were quickly greeted and seated. The place was also super clean and each table had all the condiments, chopsticks, and napkins well stocked. 2 stars given. Our order was quickly taken and the food was promptly served. We shared the egg rolls which were smaller in girth than I am typically used to at other Vietnamese restaurants. But, the rolls were tasty nonetheless. We also equally enjoyed the Chicken Pho (the broth was super duper tasty) and the Vermicelli noodles with Pork and Egg Rolls. Another star given. The service throughout our dining experience was also very friendly and pleasant. Another star given. We will be back again!

    (4)

  • Faye M.

    I first started coming here on the regular a few years back, but kinda went MIA since then...until the other day! I met my old coworker/"work sister", her husband, and baby for lunch, unfortunately it was pretty hot out - so I didn't get what I really wanted - pho! I did get the rice noodles with spring rolls and grilled pork. It was perfect! Totally hit the spot, and it was a big serving...I didn't finish it all! Service is always great here...they're always very friendly and I've never had a problem. Parking is really limited, when I try to come for dinner - there's never any stalls open! Must be busy, or the massage place on the 2nd floor is doing good! I kid, I kid!!

    (5)

  • Ed C.

    I love the service, the parking space, and the amazing Pho. I come here at least twice a month

    (5)

  • Anna P.

    This place was recommended by my sister's friend and was content with the reviews. When we were looking for the place, the neighborhood seemed a bit sketchy but was rest assured with the security at the parking lot. I called them ahead of time to reserve a table for eleven and was ready by the time we got there. I ordered #19 with rice instead of noodles and they were able to accomodate it with no fuss. My hubby ordered the combination Pho and was happy with it. Everyone else in my party of eleven enjoyed their meal. I think this will be my go to Vietnamese place when visiting Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Rza Marie R.

    By far the best Pho place on the island. Te meat was tender, there broth was extremely tasty reminds me of the pho I use to get back home in San Jose! Mmm mmm!

    (5)

  • Crystal B.

    I ALWAYS come here when I am in the mood to have a nice hot fresh bowl of Pho. They are always friendly and the food is always out before you know it. I highly recommend getting their Spring Rolls. It is DA BOMB DOT COM.

    (5)

  • jon k.

    I have always wanted to try this place and I finally got to go on Sunday and boy was it worth the wait. I ordered the pho with beef balls and rare steak. The broth was out of this world. I ordered spring rolls which were fantastic also. Great service and the best pho and spring rolls I have had so far.

    (5)

  • Angel W.

    Was good but not as good as Pho Bistro in Waipahu. There's is the best broth. Will need to make the drive next time. Plus the parking at 2 was difficult, very limited.

    (4)

  • David P.

    The broth was really good, they never let me go thirsty, and they gave me a very good portion of meat. The only things I didn't like which puts them below To Chau is that I didn't like their noodles much and they should have brought our summer rolls out first since they are appetizers. Thought the noodles were too hard. However, the peanut sauce for the summer roll was the best I have had in all pho places! I would definitely repeat this place.

    (4)

  • S K.

    Located on the outskirts of Waikiki, more like Ala Moana vicinity - this casual local pho joint is fantastic. The oxtail soup is the must try item here. The broth is super flavorful and inundated with veggies - sprouts, shitake mushrooms, carrots, vietnamese greens, scallions, basil, and jalapenos (did I miss something?). To top it off, it comes with a side of crushed ginger. Sounds like an overload, but the flavors all work well together! They actually ran out of oxtail one time I've been here, so it shows how popular that item is. Will be back on our next trip to the islands!

    (4)

  • Christa Lei S.

    This is actually my favorite pho place-- it turned me into someone who actually enjoys pho. The majority of the time, I've felt that pho was too sweet for my tastes, but I love the broth here. And it comes out piping hot. It's tasty, and I don't have to put sriracha in at all (which is how you know it's tasty.) The service is always great, they're very efficient. The only thing I don't like is how the iced coffee already comes out mixed, but it still tastes good. The Oxtail Soup here is amazing as well. And big portions! :) Yummmm. I can't wait to go again.

    (5)

  • Kasey T.

    We are regulars here and the owners are awesome. Don't be afraid to chat with them. They love to talk. The quality of the Pho is superb and mom gets mad if you don't eat all of your meat (jokingly of course). Bon apetit!

    (5)

  • Lisa T.

    My absolute favorite Pho restaurant on the island... The service here is really good considering every time I've been there it's packed with only one really nice woman working the place. She seems to already know our order as soon as we walk in or if we call ahead to have it ready on the table when we arrive (although she doesn't recommend that cause the noodles won't be as tasty if it sits for a long time). Their Pho broth is full of flavor... I judge a broth on whether or not I need to add all the lovely extra sauces to the mix...this place doesn't need it. Don't get me wrong though...the sauces add another dimension to the already tasty broth. I especially love their special home made garlic chili paste/oil. I would buy that if I could and believe me I've tried. :) They give a nice size portion of veggies. Their oxtail soup is super good as well especially considering I'm not a huge oxtail soup fan. This will make Kapiolani Coffee Shop look minuscule with their portion size. I've tried other Pho places and this one keeps me coming back...and making pho-haters become pho-lovers :)

    (5)

  • Jin B.

    THE BEST PHO I'VE EVER HAD! Advice: This is the place where Pho Gods and Goddess' smile down on. You MUST eat pho here!!!!!

    (5)

  • oNEloVE C.

    Hella good service!! Oxtail Soup-on point so big I had left overs Spring and Winter Rolls-so fresh by far the best I ever had Papaya Salad-super fresh and not to spicy with good crunchy texture My friends loved their pho and we thought the food was not overly salty like most Pho places!!!! Love this place!

    (5)

  • Dan Q.

    If you hate good pho, don't come here. However, if you like good pho at great prices then head over to Pho Bistro. Very good soup, noodles and meat. The large is way too large for one but would be good to share between a couple who can then explore the other options one the menu. Remember, good pho and good times, head here. Interestingly, there is a sign in Japanese noting it is BYOB. Not sure as didn't bring any but may be worth asking about.

    (5)

  • Shirley L.

    After a massage across the street at The Massage Specialist, M and I were ready for some brothy goodness. We had their thin, sliced beef pho, the spring roll noodle salad (my personal favorite) with a papaya salad appetizer. Pho - like I said about Wong Kwok, having noodle soup outside of the home requires that the broth be very flavorful. That's my number one and most important requirement. If the broth is not good, the whole dish falls on its face. And Pho Bistro 2 has GREAT BROTH! The best part is that it tasted very clean and nutritious, not at all overly oily. The noodles were your standard pho noodles, but the beef was thinly sliced and cooked to perfection by the heat of the broth. We had ours in the soup before the dish was brought to the table, but if you prefer yours less well done, you have the option of ordering a plate of raw, thin sliced beef on the side. Noodles - This is my favorite dish at one of my favorite pan-Asian restaurants in Olympia, WA. In comparison, the spring rolls served on top of the noodles at the version at Pho Bistro 2 is a little less crispy than the one I like at Chopsticks (Olympia, WA). That said, it was delicious nonetheless. Papaya Salad - personally, I think it was a little too acidic and salty for my tastes. That means, it's TOO flavorful! Is that possible? I guess so, given my opinion of this dish. Typically, I am a fan of flavor. But, with this dish, I think the fragrance and refreshing nature of the green papaya itself has been taken away by the overly powerful sauce full of vinegar and salt. If it could just be toned down a little bit, I think it would be a great started. Although, I have to say that because the appetizer was so salty, I really downed the pho broth when it came to the table! Overall, this is a great place. I would come back in a heart beat for the pho.

    (4)

  • Chandler H.

    We showed up with a party of 16, and Pho Bistro accommodated us perfectly! I would have never thought a large group would work here, but it did. The food and service was fantastic. They were so sweet to the kids, and accommodating to the adults on every wish. We left full, happy, and with an amazingly low bill for such a large party.

    (5)

  • Devon S.

    Me: "Yes, may I please have a regular pho with tendon and beef balls"? Waitress: *blank stare* Me:" ...Is that ok?" Waitress: *nods head* *takes menu from my hand* It was at that exact moment that I knew my experience was going to be "less than 5-star". I was REALLY craving a good bowl of Pho on that day, too. I took a chance on this place based on the reviews on Yelp, but alas, a good bowl of Pho was not meant to be. I know that small businesses are taking the brunt of the blow from these tough economic times, but 2 pieces of tendon and 3 beef balls is a bit stingy. Oh, sure, I was given a good amount of noodles, but the broth-simmered meat is what really accentuates the soup. Speaking of the broth, it was not very flavorful. It didnt have that full, beefy undertone that one comes to expect from Pho broth. The service was not so great either. The place was rather packed and there was only one server working that day. She decided to stop and talk story with one table for about 10 to 15 minutes, giving no heed to the other customers needing water refills and ready to place orders. That didnt go over very well with me, or the people at the table behind me either. All in all, I have certainly had better Pho and a better dining experience at other establishments. 2 stars even. 1.5 for food.service, .5 for sympathy. "S"

    (2)

  • G B.

    The broth was good, and there egg roll was ok. The portions was good amount. One of the other things I like critique is the chile oil and that was good but not the best I've tasted.The waiter was a nice guy. But the only down fall was the soup was not hot enough. It was too warm.. Who likes to eat pho warm? But other than that, I give this place a 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Larry W.

    This restaurant was outstanding. The owner and staff were friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. We had the #14 Pho, the thai ice tea, and tapioca. One of the best Phos I've ever had. The price is very reasonable. Next time I going for the OX tail soup.

    (5)

  • theresa s.

    i work in the downtown/chinatown area, so it is sometimes hard to muster the effort to trek outside of this neighborhood to seek out good pho (but i have, see my review of ha long). i had been on an oxtail kick since i had the oxtail ramen at nakamura (note to self- still have to write the review on that one. bookmarked!) i am not a big fan of the traditional oxtail soup- something with the peanuts, maybe... but when i heard the bistro offered oxtail pho, i headed there straight away. 2 of my favorite things? all in one bowl?! i had to try it for myself. i dont think it is on the menu, but you just have to ask for pho with oxtail on top (instead of the rare beef, etc). nice sized pieces of falling-off-the-bone oxtail, and the pho broth was very good!

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Very nice people. Good food. Just one warning - if the tables are full and it is close to closing time (like 15 minutes before), they will close early.

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    The food is good. The price is decent. They also deliver. But for some reason I can't rate them higher than 3-stars. The service is either too friendly (one of the guys is too talkative and hyper, like on crack or something). The others can't speak English so my order isn't correct all the time. Parking also sucks. Story: In the parking lot, the van next to us had three people doing something sketchy-looking in the van (maybe a drug deal?).. When we came back AFTER eating at the restaurant, there was a fat lady naked in the van, just sitting there with some guy doing what looked like electrical wiring or something. Suuuuper weird. Do I like the food here? Yeah, it's pretty decent. Would I come here all the time? Probably not. I just don't feel comfortable here.

    (3)

  • Warren M.

    Great Food, Excellent Customer Service, Fast, and Comfortable. This place was recommended to me by a friend. After eating the pho here I can tell you that this is my one and only go to place for pho. The owners were friendly and talked to us about everything on the menu. The price was good and the items came to our table quickly. The oxtail was tender and meaty. The side ingredients were fresh and plentiful. I recommend this to everyone I know that wants to eat pho.

    (5)

  • Rachel Ann K.

    I had been craving pho for awhile, and this hit the spot, regardless of the wait :) Our group got 2 orders of spring rolls. They actually messed up our order, and thought we got summer rolls, but didn't bring those out either. We notified the waiter, who apologized and asked if he could bring the spring rolls out with our pho. They were burnt, and really small. They also don't give a lot of lettuce, but I'm sure they would bring some more out if we had asked. It was super busy, and the parking lot beside the building was limited but we saw a huge group leave about 5 minutes after we arrived. They all drove separately, and took up the whole lot. The service was lacking that night, from other reviews though they seem to be prompt, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The lady I'm assuming is the owner, was very stressed and there were only two servers working. A table beside us attempted to leave since they had sat there for a good amount of time without being served. When she noticed they were leaving she pleaded with them to stay, and apologized. They complied but didn't look pleased. Not the best service of the night, but all of the employees were super nice! So forgiven, especially since the pho was delicious. I ordered a regular size bowl of pho, with brisket and beef balls. The broth was yummy and they didn't skimp out on the meat. The pho made up for the commotion going on that night in the restaurant. I'll definitely come back, but try for a weekday next time where it's not so busy or order takeout.

    (4)

  • Punahou W.

    Our go to place for Pho. Soup is true, love the brisket though there is sometimes too much tripe in my bowl. Still it's tasty, and the spring rolls are good. Owners Are awesome, always friendly and talkative. They have twin toddlers and are always welcoming and generous to our tot. Great family business.

    (4)

  • Serena F.

    You: *In a very whiny voice*.... "AUNTY! When are you guys going to stay open later?! I'm sick of settling for other pho places when I crave pho at midnight! I want to scream every time I end up craving pho after 9:30! Aarrghhhh, this is blasphemy!! *Flame erupts from head* I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!! Aunty: ......... If the situation above accurately describes something you've felt before, have no fear, late night hours are here! From now on, every Friday and Saturday, Pho Bistro 2 will close at 1am. Woohoo!!! To sweeten the deal, they're also offering a $10 special for 1 regular sized pho (any style) and 1 soft drink. Yippee!

    (5)

  • Russel M.

    Pho was very good. Chicken with Lemongrass was average. Much better can be had at Pho Thinh. Otherwise worth a visit for the Pho and Iced Coffee. Good Service and very clean.

    (4)

  • Kim D.

    One of my favorite places to grab Pho in town, and I'm not just saying that because the owner of the restaurant is my Aunty LOL. The portions are decent sized, with varying bowl sizes including, regular, large, & super (which my BF always gets and is not listed on the menu). Not to mention the prices are pretty reasonable. We usually get an appetizer, either spring rolls or summer rolls, which are both pretty tasty. I normally get the rare beef pho w/meat balls, while my bf gets the combination. The broth is savory with lots of flavor unlike some other Pho places that serve a watered down, bland broth, which I won't put on blast, to be nice LOL. I usually get the small sized bowl for around $8 something, while my bf gets the super bowl that costs around $12. Keep in mind, that super bowl is pretty darn big! The location might be a little difficult to find for some since it's not really on a main street, but there is parking;a few stalls in front, as well as a small lot nearby, which is free=). Overall, the restaurant is clean, prices and portions are decent, food is good and tasty, and the staff is friendly (unlike many Pho restaurants that have terrible customer service lol). Oh yeah, and the thai tea is pretty bomb too!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    I visited Pho Bistro 2 once before and truly didn't appreciate what I was getting. The food was amazing. I had ordered a vermicelli and spring roll and another person had ordered the Ox Tail Soup. Now, the soup had been recommended before from a friend. They exclaimed how great it was and indeed it lived up to the expectation. The ambiance was perfect. The parking was very easily accessible and the price for the food was on-point. The great part about my visits is the owner that comes out to check on your experience and the food. In this day and age, our society has become more demanding about quick and easy service that we sometimes leave "quality" at the back of the list. Many times, business owners forget about the "customer" and focus too much on "the business". NEWSFLASH!! Your business is your customers. The owner of Pho Bistro 2 came by to speak with us and made sure we were enjoying our meals. It was an amazing experience for me and my guests. To top it all off, my guests couldn't stop raving about Pho Bistro 2 and will be bringing friends back to enjoy. (Isn't it amazing that by performing simple customer service acts, you will be able to increase the amount of business you get?) Kudos to Pho Bistro 2!!

    (4)

  • Lai X.

    Pho to me is the representation of vietnamese food to america. Their all the same to me but to my friends who swears to a select few (hale vietnam, to chau, ha long) pho bistro 2 is def a fav! Tho im guilty of forgetting to check in i must have dined here over 30-40 times. Thats mainly cuz i live nearby but also their pho is on point! the mama always gives us the remote to watch the games while we enjoy the pho. Very nice lady. They also had a really aggressive (in a nice way) waiter but i dont think hes there anymore. The place is nice and cozy staff always on it! spring rolls are on point. What more can i say.. the only down side is that they dont have the coffee (the one that brews in the little metal thing ontop of ur personal ice cup). That was the only complaint i got from this place but i dont mind. Other than that this is ledjit Pho sho

    (5)

  • Bj U.

    3.5 stars to be fair. beef ball pho was my order.. this place was actually not bad at all but i cant just give it 4 stars because well... 4 is way too close to 5 and well... im trying to keep a fair balance between what i give 5 and 4 stars.... its complicated =) the broth as said many times before will make or break the entire restaurant and here it is pretty light and flavorful.. i was very pleased with it. there was something in my water? lol it was kind of funny because i think it was a stick of some sort haha but hey it happens... i took the stick out and drank my water like a champ =) overall it was a pretty ok time even with the stick... my friend and i now refer to this place as the tree house.... because one joke lead to another and well we got kind of carried away haha

    (3)

  • Crystal L.

    Pho better or pho worse? Def pho worse. My pho broth was bland...very bland. I had to put more than the usual hoisin and sriracha than I usually add. It was cheaper than most places. Most regular bowls will cost you about $8 these days. I don't remember exactly how much but Pho Bistro cost less. And you save even more money for the sauna treatment. For no cost, you can sit in the window-less/air-con-less steaming restaurant and sweat it out to your heart's content. And the banana tapioca! How do you mess up on tapioca? You just boil it! But for $3, you do get a lot of this inedible tapioca. The sad part was that the owner/workers are very nice! Great service! The location really hurts them. I would not have known this place existed without yelp. Two stars to yelp for making me go all the way there and promising me the best pho on the island!

    (2)

  • Paul A.

    The only reason I don't give it 1 srar is because the owners son was very nice and the food wasn't Westminster, California quality but alright. The reason for low rating, and I hate to say this, Roaches. If you're going to go to Pho Bistro 2, PLEASE sit at a center table in the middle of the restaurant. We sat against the wall and witnessed multiple roaches crawling in the condiments and one on the floor. Was hoping to have a great experience because I went there solely on yelp reviews but I don't care if there are a 1000 5 star reviews because it took 3 roaches to make me never return!

    (2)

  • Jen R.

    I've been putting off writing this review until a time when I'm full so that I don't feel the need to go there mid-review.... I now realize that doesn't matter. I always want to go to Pho Bistro! I got the regular pho and summer rolls, ended up taking one and a half rolls home. I knew it would be too much food but the reviews were so good I couldn't resist. So glad I didn't... the peanut sauce was unbelievably good. I usually end up using hoisin cause I'm just not a fan of peanut sauce but WOW, Pho Bistro rocks it. The Pho was mmm mmm good... delicious broth and perfectly cooked noodles. Bean sprouts were clean and crisp, just how I like it. I was the only patron, but I did get there right as they opened for dinner. I chatted with the woman who served me, who I presume is the owner. She was hilarious, AND finally explained to me why all pho places in the US use jalapenos instead of chili peppers like they do in Vietnam. Basically what it boils down to is most of us are sissy's and can't handle the chili peppers. She said they always have them in the back so to just ask next time! SWEEEEEEEEETTTT! That made me the happiest pho-ing girl on the island! The fresh spiciness of the chili peppers add an amazing touch, I highly recommend you try it next time! Just a little side note... bathroom is for paying customers only. This creepy elvis look a like came in and used the bathroom and started to walk out and the hilarious woman I experienced turned into a fiesty little firecracker and chased the man out. I thoroughly enjoyed the show AND my pho! Well, as expected... must go get my pho fill NOW. Go ahead.. get yours too, Pho Bistro will not disappoint.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    The pho broth here is delicious and full of flavor. The service was great too! I would definitely come back here for pho!

    (5)

  • Audrey M.

    I been going here ever since my uncle showed me this place. Me and my husband loves their pho,summer roll and spring rolls. Yum yum the other dishes are good too they give a good amount of serving. Waiting is never long unless theirs a big group. Waiting time for the food isn't long too they never messed up my order. I always recommend this place to friends

    (5)

  • Joyce C.

    after having way too muh shaved ice, musibi, malasadas, my friend and i are craving our ultimate comfort food--pho. it's interesting to try to find a pho place on oahu as it's not very prevalent. but we found this place, and surprisingly, it's quite good. my friend ordered the ox tail noodle soup, it's loaded w/ meat and lots of veggies, the broth has a gingery taste (i love ginger) to it, i really like it! we also ordered a side of spring rolls (which was great also w/ fish sauce) and the guy who ordered our meal gave me a bowl of pho soup for free because i told him i wasn't very hungry. and the pho broth turns out to be very flavorful and delicious as well. who knows i can actually find a decent tummy warming pho place on oahu? ;P

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    Wife and I were looking for a good replacement for the oxtail soup at the now defunct Kapiolani Coffee Shop. The oxtail seemed pricey at 15 bux, but the portion was HUGE and came with a large side of rice or pho noodles. My wife had the pho dac biet, which was also very tasty and didn't skimp in meat, and the bowl of oxtail was easily twice the size. She had the regular size pho, which was comparable to a large size pho in Los Angeles. The pho broth was on the sweeter side, but tasty and did NOT taste like a lot of MSG was added.

    (5)

  • Eric C.

    Pho was good. The Hoisin sauce was kind of chunky. Not sure if it was just the brand they used. The Thai Tea is a must get. One of the better thai tea's.

    (4)

  • Emily L.

    It's been a few months since I've had Pho and mannn I had some major cravings. There's a small group of friends I always eat Pho with because no one seems to appreciates Pho like they do. Anyways, it's been a while since I've Pho'd (yes, i just used the word Pho as a verb) with them since I've been away at school and finally we all found time to hang out. I've been looking for a new place to eat pho. Why? No reason really just that I noticed I've been eating at the same places over and over again and I wanted to venture out someplace new. Yelp, of course, was my instant go-to site to find a highly rated Pho restaurant. Out pops Pho Bistro 2!! Imma make a list of pros and cons. Pros 1) Lots of meat - When I Pho, I usually finish the meat first and the noodles last. This time it was the opposite. Yay!! 2) Spring rolls -yum yum yumm!! I really liked that they cut up their spring rolls into smaller pieces. Easier to handle and easier to eat. 3) Clean and spacious - I love me some clean restaurants where the tables aren't sticky or too close together where it feels like you're sitting with strangers. 4) Fast and efficient service - Didn't have to wait too long for anything and they actually cleaned up our table before we got to the door (amazingg!). Then again we did come in a little before maybe because we came in a little bit before lunch. Most pho restaurants I've been to are pretty quick actually... Cons 1) Parking - I think they share a parking lot with their neighboring stores. It seemed pretty packed so I parked on the streets. Pretty much it. The price was alright. I thought the spring rolls were a little on the expensive side... about $6.50 to $6.75 (??) I believe for 3 spring rolls (which were cut in half). I'm not sure if anyone else finds this expensive.... maybe I'm just cheap...well I'm a college student, nuff said.

    (4)

  • Chelsea U.

    Their pho broth never lets you down. Their spring rolls are so flavorful. And the pork chops are to die for.

    (5)

  • Dawn S.

    We tried Pho Bistro 2 because we saw they had good ratings on Yelp. As soon as we walked into the restaurant we were quickly greeted, seated, and given waters. My boyfriend had the BBQ and I had the beef pho. We also shared an order of spring rolls. All of the food was delicious. I service was EXCELLENT. There was one young man who was waiting on all the tables in there, but he was super friendly, attentive, and prompt. We will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Brandon Y.

    Went for the Oxtail Soup. Glad I did.!!! The meat fell off the bones, ... very tender, and not overly fatty. The broth was awesome. Perfect balance of flavors, and also liked the compliment of vegetables (mustard green). Staff was great. Very nice people. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Sukatuh S.

    Who? My wife and me What? Best pho on this island Where? 1694 Kalakaua St. When? Last week Which? Combination Pho...simply awesome Why? Because Olivia D. said so Whence? Huh?

    (5)

  • S D.

    Love the brisket in the Pho... The tenderness is superb!!! Usually it's tough at other places, but here... I was pleasantly surprised. The broth is good... I prefer more taste. Service was EXCELLENT!!! Love the fact that the owner visits each table and asks how we are doing and how we liked it. Like that she asks for honest feedback. Open till 1am on weekends.

    (4)

  • Jenny A.

    The oxtail soup is what's good here; huge, warm, flavorful. My bf order Pho but they never brought it to him. The server was overly enthusiastic, (I wanted whatever he was on), yet still lack the efficiently of an attentive waiter. The place is grungy. I would skip the lukewarm odd smelling tea, crusty special hot sauce, or any other raw food that could potential give you a parasite after. Really, just stick to the oxtail soup.

    (3)

  • David G.

    Did I go to the same place everyone is talking about? Unfortunately, I did and I really don't get why everyone loves this place. The service is beyond friendly and very fast. I think that helps to slant peoples opinions of this restaurant. The Pho I thought was good, but their portions could be bigger. Their Green Papaya salad was not even edible. It was swimming in some shoyu vinegar sauce with nasty tasting shrimp on top. I was really surprised at how bad it was. I'm open to going back and trying more of their Pho. Maybe, I just went on an off night, but I will not order anything else then their Pho.

    (3)

  • Liz M.

    This restaurant is definitely my new pho place. It is clean, the service was excellent, we didn't wait long at all. We order the Summer rolls (gio cuon) and it was good, the peanut sauce had fried shallots in it, so that was a plus. The Pho ga (chicken pho) was phenomenal, usually i order beef pho, but the chicken's flavor was intense and delicious. I would recommend this restaurant :)

    (4)

  • Hungry W.

    We ordered two beef pho and one order of spring rolls. It took 56 freaking minutes for the waiter to bring our food! I know this because I "checked in" when we got there and when we got our food, it said I had checked in 56 min ago!!! If you wanna chill in a pho place and mingle then this is the place for you. Don't go here on your lunch break.

    (2)

  • Reina C.

    The owner of this place is very friendly and welcoming. He entertained us most of the time. We had spring rolls for appetizers which isn't excellent, just alright. I had pho combination which is my usual at every pho place and theirs was pretty good and pretty big for a small bowl. My husband had detail soup and it was a HUGE bowl. He loved it, it was excellent. When we were leaving and asking for container, he asked us where were from and when he said from Kailua, he gave us 2 tapioca desserts for free. He said we have a long ride home so we deserve a free dessert for coming so far to eat at their restaurant :) This place is awesome overall and will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Jaye V.

    I've eaten at this restaurant about 4 times now since i've moved to Oahu. Their service is up to par and super extra friendly. Anyone who claims that they have horrible service must be out of their damn minds. We receive excellent services every single time we visit. Our first visit, we asked for seafood pho (which they didn't have - the seafood had beef broth). Tuam (spelling?) offered us a vegetarian pho; they didn't have it in the store, but he told us that a lady had dropped of vegetarian broth for them to try it out. He made us one out of that. It was quite delicious. I was very pleased. He only charged us for a side bowl of noodles because he said he got the veggie broth free, and water is free, so he'll only charge us for the noodles. The second time we went, same thing happened. The third time we went, Tuam's mom was there and she gave us a free bowl of pho for my little girl. She loves my little girl! The fourth time we went, the mom was there too. I tried the pad thai the 4th time and was pretty happy with it. I'm a very picky eater, and i think the pad thai could've been a lot better, but it was okay. Anyway, bottom line, this place is awesome. Great services, and good food. =) We will always think of this place when we want warm company, friendly faces, and good pho

    (4)

  • L G.

    Again-in a city full of chains...thank goodness for Yelp. This place was about a 15 minute walk from our hotel. This meal hit the spot after a 12 hour tour of beautiful Oahu. Definitely a locals/neighborhood place and a lot of Vietnamese people which is a good sign. And probably the best pho Ive ever had. It was my husbands first time having pho and he loved it too. The service was friendly, and I think they could tell we were out of towners. Its a very casual, comfortable place. The broth was so aromatic, I can still smell it, the beef was tender, the noodles just right.

    (5)

  • Mayu M.

    Lunch time has terribly slow service. I come to this location because i know some of the workers (family of owner). Anyways, i have been coming to eat here for awhile and i must say, the food and the service has gone down hill. They only seem to take food orders for people they know. I had to go to the cash register area to put in my food order. the food order was not totally correct but we ate it anyways. the water came after all the food was delivered to the table. we also had to paid at the counter like we were eating at a fast food restaurant. I am very disappointed with my experience. I don't know if i will return. sorry to my friends who work there.

    (2)

  • Donna L.

    I went to Pho Bistro 2 for a lunch meeting with two colleagues. Our bill for three food orders with no drinks came to $24+tip. My colleagues both ordered chicken pho which they liked and commented on how good the broth was. They both eat a lot of pho but it was their first time at Pho Bistro 2. The platter of herbs and sprouts that came with their soup was generous and fresh. Pho Bistro 2 does not offer a vegetarian broth*, so I ordered cold rice noodles with tofu. The tofu was fried and very flavorful. The noodles were served with nuts, fresh herbs, lettuce, and a side dressing. The whole dish came together nicely with lots of flavor and good textures. I couldn't finish the whole bowl, so I took home some leftovers. I hope our next lunch meeting is at Pho Bistro 2. *On a recent visit, our waiter (the owner's son) mentioned that if I brought my own veggie broth cube, they would prepare a vegetarian pho for me for the price of a side order of noodles, about $2. **They offer a short list of vegetarian options including cold rice noodles, pad thai, green papaya salad, and autumn rolls.

    (5)

  • Paul A.

    First off the food was fantastic. We had two bowls of pho ga and a vermicelli bowl with grilled chicken and tons of vegetables. The chicken and veggie vermicelli wasn't exactly on the menu but they were more than accommodating. We also wanted grilled chicken summer rolls which aren't listed either. They were happy to oblige us again. We had one set with a sweet chili fish sauce which were very good and took a second set home with peanut sauce- again very tasty. The owner's son waited on us and is VERY personable, funny and bends over backwards to make sure you are well treated. He threw in thai tea for free for anyone that wanted it. If I lived in Waikiki I would eat there all the time. Excellent find.

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    This place is a hidden gem. I have not been able to find any place in the city that makes their oxtail soup like this place. Everything is fresh and is served with rice or noodles along with chopped ginger. The location is small and everyone eating there walks out with a smile. I love this place and can't wait to come home for more!

    (5)

  • Patricia G.

    Tucked away on a side street in a somewhat seedy part of town, I wasn't expecting much from this eatery. Low and behold I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanly, serene atmosphere when I walked in. After a scrumptious, reasonably priced meal we were greeted by the friendly, cheerful owner who wanted to find out how we came upon her pho restaurant in an area inundated with restaurants of the same type. We told her we Yelped it, we were visitors and we loved her food. She was so pleased to have us that she served us complimentary tea and delicious dessert. What a treat!

    (4)

  • Lilmissap L.

    We are here last night after just finishing dinner with friends! We had yelped it an saw that it received 4.5 stars which is really high for a pho restaurant so we had to try it since we were in the area. There was four of us 2 couples and we ordered one oxtail soup with a side of noodles and an oxtail pho. It was yummy! The oxtail soup broth is much more flavorful than the oxtail pho. But in both the oxtail is so tender and delicious. I would definitely come back to try other items on the menu. The service was great. The lady was very nice and friendly with my kids.

    (4)

  • Phil L.

    We took a friend from Guam to Pho Bistro 2 today for lunch. Excellent ! The Oxtail soup (we ordered 2 bowls) was absolutely delicious. Also ordered the Combination Pho for take out as we loved it the last time we ordered. The restaurant seems to focus on quality ingredients (from the meat to the vegetables to the broth) and they have put a lot of thought into their recipes. I didn't even know about this place until a Vietnamese Taxi Driver recommended it to me a few weeks ago. This is our third time to visit this restaurant (all visits on the weekend). On our previous two visits, restaurant was 1/2 to 3/4 full. Today, it was packed. We felt lucky to get a table. It's obvious to me the word is getting out.

    (5)

  • Inthira M.

    This is more like a 3.5. The owner here is so funny. He is really a character and he will entertain you throughout your whole meal. I should actually make the review 4 stars just for his awesome attitude. I came here the other day to try their famous oxtail soup. I had it with the pho noodles instead of the rice. We also ordered the spring rolls and summer rolls to start with. The owner was so nice in that he cut the summer roll into 4 slices each because there was three of us so that everyone could enjoy more than just one each. So thoughtful! The springs rolls were pretty standard, but for some reason I liked the dipping sauce here better than other places. I know, I know, it sounds crazy because at every restaurant it tastes the same, but it just tasted a teeny bit better here for some reason. Lol. When the food came my mouth almost dropped to the floor because my bowl was huge. My friend had the small pho and my fiance had the large pho, I read that there's a superbowl that's not listed on the menu and I think that's the one my oxtail soup came in. The bowl was loaded with fresh veggies: cabbage, cilantro, carrots, celery, and ginger. By the time I was full there was still so much vegetables in it it looked like I had hardly touched it. There were 3 huge pieces of oxtail (and I mean huge! I've never seen oxtail this big before). The flavor of the broth had a good beef taste to it. Not too salty or plain, just right. The only thing I wish they did was remove some of the fat from the oxtail, but I know it helps with the flavoring so I didn't mind removing it myself. Overall, this place is pretty good!

    (3)

  • Lee H.

    Good place for Pho. The food is very good and people working their seems to genuinely want you to have a pleasant experience. Prices is normal for Hawaii. Just cam from LA so I found things were a dollar or two dollars more an item than in many places in San Gabriel Valley. The one huge negative aspect is they have a crazy security guy in the parking. He went crazy when after ordering my food I walked to another place of business. I tried to explain to him that my family was still in the restaurant, but he was inflexible. He kept messing with his phone as we were "talking" so I was worried he was calling the towing company.

    (4)

  • Ken C.

    Wow, this place had the best pho I've ever had! Granted, I've only had pho in California and I've never been to Vietnam... but still it was freaking good! The broth was great, the noodles great and the beef was just melt in your mouth awesome! The location isn't anything fancy and parking is a little tricky, shared with a liquor store and massage parlor next door, but it's all about the food. I will come here again for sure the next time I'm back in Honolulu!

    (5)

  • Tracy P.

    Just excellent food, fast and friendly service, and good prices. Clean and simple atmosphere, nothing fancy or pretentious! Free parking in the lot adjacent to the building. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    I really wanted to come here because of all the great reveiws on Yelp and all the pictures looked so good. I was not dissapointed! I ordered Pho with rare beef and the broth so very flavorful without having to add much Sriracha or plum sauce. My only complaint is that the broth wasn't very hot, but it was enough to cook the steak. All the better to inhale it, I guess. The noodles were a nice, chewy consistency and the beef slices were good and thick. We got super fast, friendly service. This could possibly be my new favorite place to eat. It's tasty, reasonable, clean and close to my apartment. Win-win! I can't wait to come back and try the summer rolls and the Oxtail soup.

    (4)

  • Patrick S.

    1st thing I ask was, is this place affiliated with the same restaurant as waipahu?? And the waiter said no. Over all the food is really good a lot of meat, the small size was more than the price in waipahu but, the bowl was bigger. Funny thing was the "font" lettering is the same as waipahu l!?!? Hmm you sure you guys is not in "cahoots" with each other. Haha!! The food taste exactly the same. I would come back again!!

    (5)

  • Tammy S.

    My husband has been wanting to go to this place for awhile but for some reason I always refused to go until recently. I'm glad that he talked me into it because now we can't stay away! It's great! The service is wonderful and I am absolutely in love with their oxtail soup. The spring and summer rolls are delicious too. Get the Vietnamese iced coffee, I never did care for coffee but I will drink this one!

    (5)

  • Janice L.

    The ox tail soup was good. Large enough for two. I'm giving this place 4 stars for the oxtail soup. The beef and beef ball pho was nothing special. I'd skip the Pho. So much better pho in San Francisco.

    (4)

  • Sierrah I.

    One of my favorite Pho places to eat at in town! Appetizer: I usually ALWAYS start off with the spring rolls. They're smaller in size compared to some other pho places, but taste much more delectable! Entrée: Ox Tail Pho is delicious! It comes in a huge portion too, and the choice of either pho noodles or rice. I'm a big fan of the vermicelli noodle dishes as well. I love vermicelli noodles when they're thin noodles versus the thicker style (IDK, I have weird, nit-picky preferences when it comes to food.) and Pho Bistro serves the thin noodles so BIG WINNER! I usually go for the BBQ pork vermicelli or combo up with some pork and more spring rolls if I'm in the mood ^o^ Most vermicelli rice noodle bowls come with shredded lettuce, cucumber, mint, pickled vegetables- usually carrots and radish, and topped with peanuts. If you don't like certain things, i.e. for me mint and peanuts are a no-no, they are more than happy to leave them out and cater to your liking (: I'm a big fan of Vietnamese style pork chops too, but I would skip them here. They aren't that good compared to Pho One, Pho Saigon, or even Pho 777. (Yesss, I've tried the pork chops at all three!!) Boyfriend always goes for the PHO, which is very cheap and affordable. I'm not too big on Pho, but the one thing I really like about Pho Bistro's pho is that the soup broth is good. Even just on it's own, without the hoisin or siracha sauce- it's very rich in flavor and not tooo cinnamon-y if you know what I mean? My #2 place for Pho. (#1 has to go to Ha Long, sorry..)

    (4)

  • Kimo S.

    I actually really like this place and I've been to many Vietnamese restaurants for Pho over the years. From California to Hawaii, I think I can say that this place should rank pretty high on the list in Hawaii for Pho. The portion size was a little small for my liking, especially since I ordered the large but it works out since I get to finish my wife's bowl usually. I believe next time I'll order the "superbowl" which the table next to me did AFTER I placed my order. Oh well. The server is pretty crazy and wild, so be prepared for a bit of a show... also, if you don't like an act with your meal you might want to skip this place. My wife wasn't too thrilled by the antics but it didn't bother me much. Overall, I'll be coming back... the parking is a little sketchy but the location is great for me!

    (5)

  • Rodney L.

    Best ox tail soup ever!!! Consistent quality. Superb broth. Fresh ingredients. Great service. BYOB!

    (5)

  • Raphael L.

    Not the best Pho in town, but one of the better ones. The broth was good as was advertised in all of the reviews I read. But it wasn't as hot as I would have liked. And then I'm not sure if it was just because I didn't request it, but the chili peppers provided wasn't as strong as I've had in other places. I wouldn't count that against them...it could have just been a weak batch. Summer rolls were good. Tasted fresh. But not quite packed together as well as another place I frequent. It starts falling apart after a bite or two. Service was great. I think we got served by the owner who took care to make us feel welcome and explained everything to us. Parking was a little sketchy, but there was an attendant out there who was super nice and helped us find a cramped stall. Overall, it was a good experience and I'd go there again.

    (4)

  • Jo H.

    We went there the first time before 9:30pm and found out they were already closed although the Yelp page said it was open until 9:30pm. Please correct your info. We went again and found the place nicely furnished with paintings on all of the walls. The staff was very nice. The prices were higher than the usual pho restaurant probably because of the nice decor. The Vermicelli with spring roll and pork was great and the pieces were cut into bite size portions. The large pho with rare steak did not have a lot of steak or noodles. It was different than in the photos on yelp. They should make their dishes match their photos or take new photos. The taste of the broth was good.

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    I'm Vietnamese, and I have tried hundreds of bowls of pho in my lifetime, so trust me when I say: This is one of the cleanest, freshest, soul-satisfying bowls of pho I have had on this island! I used to go to Pho One on Kapiolani, but they won't be seeing me too often, since I've found this place :) I had the Pho Tai Bo Vien (rare steak & meatballs), and although I do agree with other yelpers about the skimpiness of the meatballs, this is the only bowl of pho I have had on this island that has left me leaving satisfied! Even at 9pm, the broth was clean & hot, and the noodles were not too soggy & not too hard...JUST RIGHT! The owners recognize you if you come by often, and they are really some of the sweetest, most down-to-earth people! The only thing I might ask they improve on is adding more meatballs & MINT to the pho, but besides that, anyone who likes pho needs to try this place, enough said!

    (4)

  • Jay M.

    Only one server for the whole restaurant? It totally stressed out our waiter. He told our group to order as soon as possible because it was so busy. And the iced coffee didn't arrive until after we finished our food. The food was standard- nothing bad and nothing much better than what I had in other restaurants. The prices are just slightly more than what I'm used to in the mainland. But it satisfies any pho/vermicelli bowl cravings.

    (3)

  • Brian A.

    Oxtail Soup. Had to go back for the Oxtail soup and I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed a South East Asian spin on a local favorite. We had gone here before because it's around the corner from where we live. It's a nice small place that provides some alright beefy tasting pho. The difference from regular oxtail soup and Pho Bistro 2's oxtail soup is that it seems to add all kinds of veggies and additional flavoring to their broth. Of course the relationship between actual pho and oxtail soup is a close one. Both are based on the simmering of their respective bones and meat, but with a slight variation on the different spices used in each. The oxtail soup meat was full of fatty fall off the bone goodness. You get the choice of having it with a side bowl of rice or rice noodles. It was a ton of food. I was really stuffed by the end and still had a whole takeout container full of broth that I took home (because we have some rice noodles at home I can whip up easily and add to the flavorful broth). The price of the oxtail soup was right around the normal price of $12-13. Since I'll be getting another meal out of it, it was well worth the price. Parking does kinda suck here seeing that it's under about 10 spaces for several businesses that share the building.

    (4)

  • Annie W.

    I used Yelp to find this place and I thank my fellow yelpers for their wonderful suggestion! I've only been in Honolulu for a month and a half and this place tops all the other restaurants I've been to in regards to service. So, lets start the review: This place is not only clean (which is one of my pre-req for any restaurant), but it has above average interior designs. The restaurant is med-small size, but despite the size the owner utilized the space well, and is able to emulate a spacious restaurant within the limited area. The food is delicious and presented well for a casual asian restaurant. The one thing that really stuck out is the service; the waiters and the hostess are all very courteous and efficient. We got our drinks in less than 3 mins, and our food arrived in less than 15 mins (and they had a full house too). Our water was refilled 5 times in 40 mins! When we asked for our bill, our waiter got it to us in less and a minute (and he was one of the only two waiters for this place). When we left, they all thanked us and said good-bye. Now thats good service. I am definitely going back to this place when I get the munchies for pho! What I ordered: House Special Pho (approx. $9.50) and spring rolls (approx. $7) Parking: There is a private lot to the right of the restaurant

    (4)

  • Rodney V.

    While in town waiting for my gf at the hospital i got hungry, so on my phone i yelped Pho and this was on the top of the list. When i arrived there it look like a hole in the wall places...(my favorite type) well as i sat down a waiter was there to great me and served me a glass of water right away. I ask the waiter for their House Pho with side order tendons and tripe, which he didnt chargme for. I waited about 3-5 mins when they brought out my dinner. Let me tell you as soon as i tasted the broth i was in heaven. This place by far the best tasting broth i have had. Actually the Pho is plain out delicious. My mouth is getting wattery writing about this. This is a must go joint for Pho,.

    (5)

  • James I.

    I love the pho with seafood from this place. Instead of meat, you get pieces of imitation crab, shrimp, fish balls, and squid. The pho is always full of flavor and is always comforting when you're sick or when you just want to eat good pho. Occasionally it gets too busy for the staff to maintain their typical level of service, but if you walk in knowing that, then you'll understand. For me, the pho is worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Dan C.

    Pho pho pho. I brought my friend (who's the president of the Seattle's "pho"natics club, and we had an amazing time here. Very generous portions, with a clear, tasty broth and top quality meat. I like how the owner comes out and talks and interacts with everyone. She'll even scold you if you don't finish your food!

    (5)

  • Bonnie S.

    Came here with my family while on vacation in Hawaii and had a pho craving. First of all everyone working here is Super Duper nice and totally care for their customers satisfaction. The pho was yummy and tasted how pho should taste. My husband got Korean bbq and I was a little jealous cause it looked and smelled freaking good and guess what!? It WAS really really good! It was a little on the expensive side but I felt like it was worth it either way. Would recommend this place if you want some good clean pho!

    (5)

  • Michael T.

    Really, really, really slow service!!!! There was only one waiter for the entire place and he was stretched thin. It took 50 mins for our food to come up, and then my friend called and asked if I could order a to-go for her. We ended up waiting for another 1/2 hour. We always had to ask the waiter for more water. Since he was so busy, after a while we were hesitant to ask for water at all, so we sat there dying of thirst. I don't understand why they don't hire more help, since it seems like they're so busy. The pho was decent, and the meats were pretty tender. But the broth was a little too strong in herbs. They gave very little vegetables and again we were hesitant to ask for more because the waiter was so busy. I would give this place 4 stars if it weren't for the horrible service. I think there are better pho places out there with better service, price, and parking.

    (2)

  • Jon A.

    The pho here is very good. The meat they put is very large and you will not leave hungry! They have limited parking and they place looks clean. The ox-tail soup is great too!

    (4)

  • Michelle Y.

    Came here with a group of 9. Since there were no big tables available we decided to split up. 5 girls on one table and the 4 guys all the way across the room on another. I had the small chicken pho with everything, other dishes included chicken over vermacelli noodles, pho with meat balls, and 2 regular phos with everything inside. I was satisfied with my dish, however my friend who ordered the pho with meatballs was ripped off. She had a total of 2 meatballs. I guess some could argue that there were 4 pieces (2 balls cut in half) lol and I wouldn't really be complaining if the meatballs were of good hefty size but they weren't!!! Her pho looked wimpy. Good thing for her we were stocked up with snacks in the car. Overall we were happy when we left this place...one of the better pho restaurants on the island!

    (4)

  • Sheri D.

    Oh my God! How could I've forgotten about Pho Bistro 2?!?! I. F*CKING. LOVE. THIS. PLACE. Their spring rolls and lemon grass chicken are kick-ass and the pho is pure orgasmic nirvana in your mouth. ::drool:: Hands down, it's the BEST pho here on the island! YUMMY!!!

    (5)

  • Annie L.

    I can't remember the last time I met someone sweeter than the woman who runs this place. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall, but the service is fantastic and pho is decent and well-priced. Unfortunately, they don't have a vegetarian broth, but I guess you can't have it all...

    (4)

  • Dan H.

    Let's be honest. The degree of seperation between good and bad Pho is very slim. Tiny nuances in the taste of the broth, quality of meat, amount of veggies served, etc can make bad Pho good and good Pho great. Positives: thick meat, better-than-average broth. Really friendly service, good parking for the area. Negatives: Too expensive. Maybe a dollor or two more than most Pho. Doesn't sound like a lot, but when I'm looking for Pho, I'm looking for cheap comfort food. That's my only semi-major complaint.

    (3)

  • Zach T.

    Been here twice now, these Yelp reviews seem to keep drawing me back. 4.5 star average, really? Ordered Pho with rare steak (in) and beef balls both times. Broth was hot, flavorful. Both times, about 12 hours after eating here my stomach took a turn for the worse. No kidding -- completely cleared me out. Originally thought it was a one time thing, or that it was something else I ate. Not the case. Otherwise decor, and staff is satisfactory. Exterior of the building is complemented by an enticing "Massage" sign leading upstairs. Gives you something to think about as you're eating away.

    (2)

  • Iris T.

    Amazing service!!! Restaurant is family owned and you feel totally comfortable and welcome as soon as you walk in! The oxtail soup is the staple dish! Don't bother ordering the pho - def all about the oxtail soup here!!!

    (5)

  • sky i.

    4.5 Stars Excellent pho. The soup broth burst with beefy zest and their meat was nice and tender. Best Pho outside of Downtown, IMO. I've watched Miss Saigon twice, Good Morning Vietnam once, and a huge fan of Dat Phan so when it comes to Vietnamese food, I know what I'm talking about. Haha.

    (5)

  • Grimeater A.

    Props to my friend for introducing me to Pho Bistro 2. I was always a die hard Huong Lan fan until I tried this place. Yes the prices are a bit higher than most places but you do get more meat in the Pho. The broth is pretty flavorful and the meats in the combo bowl taste pretty fresh. The oxtail soup is pretty good and well portioned. Much better deal than Zippy's oxtail soup. I did find the oxtail a little tough for my tastes. I also tried the Winter Rolls which is Summer Rolls with shredded pork instead of shrimp. A lot tastier in my opinion. Although it still won't replace Huong Lan as my first choice for Pho, Pho Bistro 2 is a close second.

    (4)

  • Erwin M.

    So I decided to stop by after work to try out the oxtail soup.. Over all ?? Not bad? Portions is very large and plenty of vegetables.. I didn't like the flavor of the broth tho, I think they use the same broth as the pho. It's doesn't have that beefy flavor that I'm use to of eating... Next time, I'll bring my kids to try out there pho....

    (3)

  • dean t.

    Second-to-the-last lunch in Honolulu before our return flight to the Mainland - had to return for some noodle soup and summer rolls. Six months ago, it was terrific... and aside from the sole waitress working the entire dining room during a brisk lunch hour, I had few complaints this time around. True, a lot more noodles/less shrimp in the pricey summer rolls and the pho broth could have been (temperature-wise) hotter, but the grilled chicken rice plate ordered by my wife was delicious. Had to try some - she loved it. Best noodle soup my son and I have had....staying away from bowls of local saimin, esp. Hamura's!

    (4)

  • Eliza S.

    First time trying Pho Bistro after being referred by a friend. Really really great pho broth probably the best ive had in Hawaii. Very similar to local style oxtail soup flavor but more mild. It was almost so good i didn't want to ruin it by putting in hoisin and hot sauce...but i like my food spicy so? Really delicous pho i definately recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Elena H.

    Big portion, good price and good food. As everyone pointed out, their oxtail soup was outstanding.

    (4)

  • T T.

    Pho was pretty good, right about of spices, not watered down, not too salty. I would come back again (and that's saying a lot from me) Bun Thit Nuong = delicious, lots of meat!! Goi Cuon (summer rolls) = they really packed it with noodles, like, A LOT. I'd rather have more shrimp, but most vietmamese places will stuff their roles with noodles. 1 plate had 2 spring rolls (4 pieces all together) Good for kids too, they had a high chair for my 18mo boy. Got little bowls and scissors to cut the noodles Hoisin sauce was perfect, not watered down Had ngo gai and la que, which are more expensive herbs that cheaper vietnamese restuarants will leave out of their condiment bowl Wait was longer than expected, only one server for a filled restuarant for monday lunchtime Parking was easily accesible for us but we got the last spot in the lot Prices were high for pho! (My family used to own Pho 54 in San Jose, so my perspective for pho restaurants may be different than some others)

    (4)

  • Yi X.

    best pho ever. I tried out in both LA and San Francisco before. this is THE best pho. The restaurant is small but clean and cozy. Food is good. I tried the "oxtail" recommended by previous yelp review and it was fantastic. Best thing: close to waikiki beach and only about 5 mins drive if you live by the beach hotels.

    (5)

  • Ron L.

    Stopped by Pho Bistro 2 minutes before 3pm today (Wed). Apparently, they close between 3 - 4:30 daily, but the woman behind the corner didn't mind me ordering some exceptional dishes to go. We took it back to our condo at the Ilikai and ate it while our daughter napped. The pho was pho-nom-ina (sorry, couldn't resist)l. My wife heated up the tasty broth and added in all the noodles and goodies (bean sprouts, basil, sriracha/hoisin mix) that come with it. It is a nearly perfect bowl of pho, but a bit on the salty side. The spring rolls were crispy and succulent with all of the classic accoutrements: fish sauce, lettuce, rice noodles and cucumbers. To top it off, we had the bun (vermicelli) with grilled shrimp (minus the pork). Oh man, the shrimp were perfectly cooked. That bun was just heavenly.

    (5)

  • M G.

    We got take out here and it was sooo great! Ordered the beef with vermicelli noodles and another dish with spring rolls and pork. Price was great and the meal was very satisfying. I am getting hungry just writing about it.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    Ate hear twice while on vacation, so that should give you some idea of how good it was. Prices were what I'm used to paying in California. Pho Dac Biet ~ $9.00 for a regular size bowl, which stuffed me to the gills. Like others have said, the broth is quite beefy with nice essences of ginger, anise, and pleasant yet subtle sweetness. Guaranteed to enjoy!

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    What can I say? The ox tail is good. The only thing I don't like about this place is the hours. I guess I just don't like the fact it closes early on Sundays.

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    This place is awesome, consistent and amazing broth. Always parking and great service! Must try!

    (5)

  • M S.

    Good pho, reasonable prices!

    (4)

  • Anony M.

    solid pho place. large sized restaurant. clean with nice decor. standard vietnamese fare.

    (5)

  • Steph G.

    This was the first place we visited at Waikiki and boy did we have a hell of a time looking for the place. Quick warning for all tourists, there is no parking! Thank god we found residential parking just two streets down. The place is an average size for a pho place. There were lots of locals there. I ordered the sampler, and my friend ordered the pho. The sampler was $12, but was basically a dish with all different sorts of ingredients and rice wraps to create your order spring rolls! We had a lot of fun putting together some horrible looking rolls. My friend said that the pho was pretty average (aka not as good as back at home), and the service was a little bit slow, but otherwise this place is great for a quick and inexpensive lunch.

    (4)

  • Aaron N.

    Unlike many pho restaurants I've been to, it is always clean, cool and generally pleasant. (And if you are a football fan there's usually a game on.) Food is pretty consistently good. I usually get the summer rolls to start, then pho w/rare steak + meatballs, meat outside. The oxtail soup is excellent but I save that for days when I am unbearably hungry, because it is a seriously huge meal. Wouldn't have found this place without Yelp, and I'm glad I did.

    (4)

  • Maria Q.

    YUUUUUUMMMMMMM!!!!! Hands down my favorite pho place. The broth is ono, it's clean and the people remember your name. I always get the combo pho and they're very generous with the toppings and the meaty goodness. I'm pretty full with the just the regular size and the large size is good for two people (maybe with a small appetizer as well). My fiance always gets the combination plate which is just as delicious. The marinade that they use for the meat is perfect. I've tried their oxtail soup and it is definitely different from the oxtail I'm used to - I echo that it's kinda like pho oxtail soup. So ono, regardless. This was a once weekly treat for me when I used to live within walking distance. Now it's more like bi-monthly - but man, it's still as good as ever.

    (5)

  • Myron I.

    broth is pretty good. nice place. water cups always refilled..

    (4)

  • Jon T.

    Big fan of this local vietnamese family restaruant. A friend of mine lives right down the road and turned me on to this place. I enjoyed myself so much that I decided to take my boss who automatically fell in love with the SUPER BOWL. I'm not quite as big as my boss so I stick to the large combination Pho meat inside and generally we share an order of the deep fried spring rolls. They also make this killa combination plate lunch; the pork chop is wicked good. Besides from their great food they give great service. Soon and her husband Jan along with the rest of their staff is outstanding. Eating Pho you need water service and hats off to them cuz my glass is rarely empty. Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

    (4)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: a small pho restaurant that is easy to miss, but is packed with people who know about it ;) something good: woooow! the pho is really good here, i'm really particular when it comes to the soup and they got it :) the servers are really animated here, they are also very attentive and that's a plus in my book! something not so good: it's busy, and it's confusing where to park, but it was my first time here, so maybe i'll get the hang of it next time ;) ! something to try: pho with beansprouts

    (4)

  • Raphael K.

    This being PB2's 93rd review, we won't spend too much time saying how awesome this place is. Just know that every dish is good, they came out quick, the interior was clean, spacious & simply accented by indoor plants inbetween tables giving a homely feeling, & service was very friendly & attentive. One thing worth noting are the 4 seasons rolls. Spring rolls are deep fried like lumpia. It wasn't greasy at all. Summer rolls use rice wrappers. Its fillings are uncooked except for the shrimp. The dipping sauce was rich in flavor, but not too salty nor was there any strange aftertaste. We were provided with lettuce in which to wrap them. I also had the Autumn and Winter rolls, but I can't remember enough to describe them. The green papaya salad and sauce were very good compared to some other places. Oxtail soup was light to the taste, perhaps not salty enough, but the ingredients were cooked perfectly and in the right proportion. The peanuts were soft, & the vegetables balanced well with the oxtail meat, which just melts in your mouth. Pho with rare beef is awesome, too, perhaps among the best we ever tried in Hawaii up there with Pho To Chau on River Street. The soup is light yet full of flavor, which leaves one feeling satisfied and comfortable after the meal. This place exceeded our expectations in terms of quality & the price is just right making it all the while worth it.

    (5)

  • Gary F.

    Had to try this place out after reading all the write ups. 1 plus, parking. 1 plus, really clean. 1 minus, food took kind of long to come out. It took about 15 minutes. The place wasn't that busy, maybe about half full. Got the Ox tail, my mom got the combo Pho and the little one got the grilled chicken rice place. The Ox tail was ok. For some reason my mind kept saying, it's different. Don't compare it to the standard Ox tail soup. I did like the visual. Mushrooms, ginger and veges were neatly placed in the soup and looked great. The soup was strong and brothy(not sure if that's a word) Ox tail was "fall off the bone tender!". overall, it was good but my personal preference would be the Kam bowl Ox tail. My mom said the Pho was good. The chicken and rice dish was good. Couple of nicely grilled chicken. Overall satisfied. Price on the higher side for Vietnamese food. May go back to try other dishes since the parking and restaurant was clean!

    (4)

  • Keith R.

    If you like ox tail soup, this is THE place to get it. The broth is light yet flavorful with carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, Chinese parley, peanuts and no less than three huge ox tails that are fall-off-the-bone tender. It is accompanied with a small bowl of grated young ginger (add shoyu). You can have it with pho noodles or rice. Simply great, bordering on medicinal. The pho is also just as comforting. It's all in the broth. Spring rolls are tasty, crunchy and hot. This restaurant is clean and the service efficient and friendly. It's a family-owned/operated restaurant and they know how to take care of customers. There are always regulars here so you know it is good. The prices are sooooo reasonable compared to other places. You definitely get your money's worth here.

    (4)

  • Satoru Y.

    Wow. Oxtail Soup is phenomenal: One of the best I have ever had. It is a great medley of fresh and vibrantly purifying flavors. The mixture of shiitake, ginger, and boiled peanuts melds beautifully with the broth. The broth is the same base as the pho; but made into something much more with the addition of the oxtail and other veggie ingredients. Did I mention that the oxtail is so tender that it falls right off the bone. I'm speechless.

    (5)

  • JimBob L.

    Good food and good service. Recommended if you are in the area and are craving for Pho. Their Papaya salad is pretty good too.

    (4)

  • Trung L.

    One of the best places to eat Vietnamese cuisine on Oahu. My buddy and me always go there at least once a week, and I always get the combination w/ extra brisket and sometimes treat myself to their Oxtail soup, both definitely a must try :3 Love the hospitality!

    (5)

  • Linda P.

    We had the Asian coffee, winter rolls, two kinds of pho, one sea food and one meat, and some kind of pudding desert- a huge amount of food. Serving size was very large. We walked there at night from our hotel and, in the dark being from out of town, the neighborhood seemed a little dodgy, although we didn't really encounter any problems. I might drive or taxi next time but will definitely go back when we return to Honolulu to visit our family there. My five star rating is not for an elegant, romantic, or cutting edge gourmet restaurant. This is a "mom and pop" operation with Formica tables, vinyl seats, tile floor and limited Asian menu, but the food was delicious! The service was very attentive, excellent. The people were very nice.

    (5)

  • Jon W.

    I eat pho at least once a week and i can say it wasnt nearly my favorite. The bikram yoga pho experience was a bit much. It was hot as hell in there. Not easy to sit above a hot bowl of pho and enjoy it while sitting in a hot box. I'll give it another try and maybe give the oxtail a chance.

    (3)

  • Les M.

    The large rare beef pho (#13 on menu) was good but I still felt a little hungry upon finishing it. That is unusual from most of my other experiences with pho in Southern California establishments. Furthermore we had to wait for a while to have our dishes cleared from the table as there was only 1 server for a full house of customers. As we waited my partner's pho broth separated in the bowl with clear liquid on top and dark to the bottom. This left an unappetizing visual of the mediocre soup. One positive was the condiment plate included another green herb (slightly bitter) in addition to the Thai basil. Unfortunately the server did not know the English name for it, but was very nice in trying to explain its characteristics. We chose the spring rolls (#1) as an appetizer, and these were excellent. They were accompanied by a plentiful helping of delicious vermicelli noodles for filling in the lettuce leaves. I just wish they had provided the usual mint leaves as well but did not. The parking attendant was nice and helpful. Perhaps based on the rating and other reviews I expected more. Overall a good dining experience, but the star attraction -- the pho -- was lacking in quality and quantity.

    (3)

  • Jen V.

    This place is AMAZING! We were on Oahu for 2 weeks over the holidays, and we went back here twice, it was sooo good! On our first visit, we brought our 6 year old daughter. Our super friendly waitress steered us to a noodle dish for our daughter, which she loved. We also ordered the seafood pho, one of the house specialties plates (can't recall the name, but you basically build your own rolls with rice paper, rice noodles, pork, shrimp, etc.); and the papaya salad. The papaya salad was seriously the best we've ever eaten, anywhere. Incredibly fresh ingredients, especially the herbs. That specialty plate was also super fresh, and packed with flavor. To be honest, the seafood pho was just so-so; nothing outstanding. When we returned for our second visit, we ordered the papaya salad and the special plate again -- we'd been haunted by their amazing flavors! We had the same waitress on our return visit, and again, we were blown away by her friendliness. These folks are serious about yummy food, and are really excited to make food that their customers enjoy. We had a great chat with the waitress about how they love getting new customers via Yelp -- so help 'em out & keep the Yelp feedback coming! They really do read what we write & want to hear from us!

    (5)

  • N b.

    NO!!! its hard to find a clean Pho place..do they even exist?! We saw at least three roaches crawling in the dining area. And not the small ones. I even had to smash one with my napkin! Gross! If they can't keep their seating area clean I don't want to imagine what their kitchen looks like. The dining cleanliness reflects its kitchen.

    (1)

  • Jina K.

    I love this place. I never liked pho till i ate here! My family's been going here since they first open, and we still go every saturday! I always order the seafood pho with no dried onions. Plus the waitress is amazing!!

    (5)

  • Katherine F.

    I would have to say that my Pho experience in Honolulu, was better than I expected it would be. We came in a big group and they were able to accommodate us easily which was nice. It was kind of sad watching only one lady have to run the whole seating area. She was good though and making sure to check on us. The broth was a bit too sweet and should be more beefy, but it still tasted good. You just didn't need to put any Hoosin sauce in it. :) Another good thing is that they will let you put the beef on the side with no extra charge, but I guess they weren't too concerned since they were charging $8.25/8.75 per bowl.... That's one really really expensive bowl of pho. PLUS I got the Tai Bo Vien and it arrived with 4 small slices of meatballs. I think it was 1 meatball sliced into four pieces. Also, be careful...you can't drink in their parking lot. They will kick you out.

    (4)

  • P C.

    the pork chop was and yummy, really tender and the side salad was perfect with it. The papaya salad was my favorite ,just refreshing . We also tried pho and it was good, they however are soooo nice they gave us great service !!!! wowowww and they had guava juice another great treat , ohh yah it was very affordable.

    (5)

  • Joey B.

    The Oxtail Soup is the best! The Pho is the best! I have no complaints. I love this place. I have a difficult time eating at other Pho places, because I find myself comparing it to this place. I always order: Spring Rolls and a large Combination Pho. On my second visit I rotate with ordering: Oxtail Soup with extra ginger and a side of rice. The staff is very awesome and parking is convient!

    (5)

  • Dat P.

    We just checkin to our hotel and were starving, and looked for a breakfast/lunch place but ended up wandering around for about 5 min and stumbled upon this neat little place. And I verified yelp before we went in. Language barrier may be a problem, but if you know how to order at a Vietnamese restaurant and have the patience there shouldn't be any problems. They were very accommodating and helpful. We ordered some "Summer Rolls" which is the equivalent to "Spring Rolls" in most places in California I have been to, and they were super fresh and delicious. I then ordered one of the Vermicelli dishes with Grilled Pork, which as well tasted super fresh and it tasted pretty healthy. My partner ordered the Seafood pho and thought it was quite spectacular. They also offered us some dessert, the banana tapioca with coconut milk, or whatever it was called. DELICIOUS! Everything tasted just as good as at home what mom makes! Thank you, we will come again next time we are in Honolulu! :)

    (5)

  • Grace L.

    :) It was relatively cold and super rainy during one of our days in Oahu, so we decided that we wanted a big bowl of noodles and collectively decided Pho. We split a winter roll and a large bowl with meatballs and rare steak. It was good, nothing amazing, but we were happy and all warm and fuzzy inside. Unfortunately, there was only one server there that day, so it was a bit slow and drink refills were pretty much non existent, but we were happy to warm up our bodies with a large bowl of soup that we were satisfied and happy.

    (3)

  • John C.

    Oxtail soup has been on my list of favorite finds for a long time now. We all have our favorite restaurants for a good bowl such as Zippys, the old Kam Bowl, Kapiolani Coffee Shop, Asahi and others. Last year a good friend introduced me to what I feel to be one of THE best oxtail soups I have tasted. It can be found just off of Kalakaua Blvd. at a pretty little Vietnamese restaurant called Pho Bistro. Pho Bistro which will be celebrating their third anniversary this November is most known for their excellent bowls of pho served with the freshest vegetables available. Getting back to the soup. I have to admit oxtail is not your common menu item at a Vietnamese restaurant. The oxtail at Pho Bistro is simply ono, ono, and mea ono! Served in a huge bowl the soup is an explosion of bright colors, aroma and taste. The broth which is rich and deep in flavor is light on the lips meaning it does not have that oily feel you get in oxtail soups from other restaurants. In addition, the broth is made especially for the oxtail soup and is not used in the pho dishes making it unique on the menu. Freshly cut mustard cabbage, shitake mushrooms, carrots, ginger, peanuts, onions and green onions swim around plump, meaty and tasty cuts of oxtail. Simmered to perfection each bowl arrives at the perfect temperature for immediate grinds and is accompanied by the classic side dishes of ground ginger and a bowl of rice. What really got me hooked on their oxtail is the fresh taste. Individual ingredients in the soup carry their own distinct flavor enhancing the eating experience and not overpowering each other. Restaurant owner Lien says that she uses an Okinawan recipe and has adapted several times to customers suggestions and requests. What she has created works very well. Nuff said! At under $12.00 a bowl, the oxtail at Pho Bistro is a winner in my book hands down. Pho Bistro is a family owned and operated businesses. On any day one of Lien's son's or her daughter-in-law will welcome you to your table and take your order. The décor is simple, friendly and inviting. For those of you who enjoy a good bottle of wine or beer with your meal know that Pho Bistro is BYOB friendly. What a deal! Be aware that although the Pho Bistro address is on Kalakaua Blvd. the main restaurant entrance is on Fern St.. A small parking lot is available however stalls are in high demand during lunch and dinner hours.

    (5)

  • Kristina K.

    Pho was okay here. I've had pho that was similar and/or better...but the OXTAIL SOUP was delish! My boyfriend ordered and I had some of his. Would come here again just for the oxtail soup!

    (4)

  • Josh K.

    Best ox tail soup super great staff and owner was awesome to speak with.

    (5)

  • Andrea-Li A.

    best pho ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hands down:) bomb.com

    (5)

  • Jason N.

    So I'm not a big fan of pho, but i could live on the pho at this place. Rustic and comforting, with a perfectly refined balance of flavors (not heavy licorice-ish- ishy). The bun (my favorite always) is delicious and the proportions are large for what you spend. 5 stars...only because that's the highest rating.

    (5)

  • Salmah R.

    I'm not a pho girl, but I must say that I became addicted to it when I lived in Hawaii because of this place. Pho experts who came to visit me (my sister and boyfriend) insisted on going back as often as possible. The food is great and the prices are even better. If you like Pho, you must go here.

    (5)

  • Shannon C.

    Update: Since having my baby last year, I've been back several times to enjoy the crack sprinkled pho, but yesterday I had lunch with my girlfriend (who I think has a share of the stocks to Pho Bistro 2) and ordered the lemongrass chicken. That was really good. Oh and I had my favorite sweet potato tapioca to go! My girlfriend got me hooked. She's here almost everyday. I wondered why, but wonder no more cause I got hooked. The best pho and sweet potato tapioca! While I was pregnant, I would crave Pho Bistro 2. My husband would ask me what I wanted to eat and it was always pho from here. Since my son was born, I haven't had time to eat here, but soon I wil return!

    (5)

  • Mark Ryan S.

    I'm no pho expert, but loved what I had here. It's walking distance from our hotel so we hoofed it over in warm weather. I almost didn't get pho 'cause it's warm but the A/C inside cooled me down enough that hot pho was appealing. Wife ordered some cold noodles with pork, and we split an order of spring rolls. Rolls were HOT inside, super crispy and super fresh. Pho had lots of meat and came with a plate of optional additives (fresh jalapeños, sprouts and licorice-y mint leaves). Great food. Even better was the service and super-friendly family staff. The owner's son was our main server and is crazy friendly/talkative. Great experience at Pho Bistro 2 (not to be confused with Pho Bistro).

    (4)

  • Danny C.

    Good Pho. Good Service. Grilled meet combo ALL MEATS were great. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, never dry. Spring rolls were excellent and fresh. Service was personal, affable, pretty stellat experience overall. We might come back :)

    (4)

  • Jesse M.

    Let me just start off by saying, not all pho or pho shops are created equal. I've been to many a pho restaurant and this one is my favorite by far. To start, the place is a bit hard to find and the parking lot is small and often crowded. It shares one tiny lot with a handful of other businesses but the times I've been here I've been able to find parking. The food is well worth it. The best way to tell if a restaurant is good at what they do is by looking at the type of people eating there. If a place has good sushi, there should be a lot of Japanese people eating there. If a place has good gyros, there should be a lot of Greek people eating there. If a place has good beer, there should be a lot of Germans and Irish fighting there. Haha I'm kidding. know it sounds racist, but who would be a better judge if the food is any good than the people who originated it and were probably raised eating it? Anyhow my first time into Pho Bistro2 it was full of Vietnamese people. My group was the only non-Vietnamese people in the restaurant. "Yes!" I thought to myself "This is going to be good" And it was. The pho broth was quite tasty and savory. They gave a generous portion of the mint, beansprouts and other vegetables for the soup. The cuts of meat were tender, with just the right amount of fat. It was the best pho I've had thus so far. The most impressive things about this place is the service. I watched in amazement as one woman ran the whole show. The was taking orders from over fifteen tables, bussing dishes, and ringing people up at the cash register. If I had a restaurant of my own, I'd hire her on the spot to work for me. On top of that, she kept our waters filled through out lunch which is hard to do when I mix all the spicy sauces into my broth and practically kill my face with it. We're talking sweaty brow, snot dripping, action. This place is great.

    (5)

  • Brad N.

    Pho Bistro 2 is an oasis of cool from the afternoon heat. With two A/C's and four fans, this is definitely a great place to cool down. I'm Vietnamese-American and I grew up in Little Saigon, Orange County, California. I've had pho in So Cal, Nor Cal, New York, France, and Vietnam. I know a good bowl of pho when I eat one. Pho Bistro 2 serves one of the best tasting phos I've ever had. Unfortunately, this California boy is not used to Island prices. $8.49 for a large bowl of pho? Unfortunately again, I am very sensitive to MSG. I did detect a little bit of MSG in the broth. My headache afterward confirmed this fact. However, if you're used to $8.50 pho and am immune to MSG (I'm jealous), then head on over to Pho Bistro 2 for one of the best phos you'll ever eat.

    (3)

  • First Name L.

    What have you done for me lately? Unfortunately Pho restaurants are only as good as their last bowl of pho. I went this weekend, expecting my usual bowl of pho. My experience was different, ordering was out of sync, pho was not that good, barely got any meat (i usually order pho tai), iced coffee tasted extremely watered down. Anyway, the experience left me soul searching for my next favorite pho place. No longer will it be Pho Bistro 2. Sigh...

    (3)

  • A V.

    Wonderful service. The host was pretty funny and talkative. He was friendly and didn't make a fuss when I asked if he could fill my camelbak with cold water. Bathroom was clean for a Pho place, but the overal restaurant is about as average as any other Pho place you would find in San Jose (which means it's kind of sticky). Because it was super hot that day, I decided to get Bun Thit Nuong instead of Pho. The egg rolls were kind of small, but they were generous with the meat. I took one star off for no AC (in 90 degree weather) and difficulty finding parking.

    (4)

  • Bill C.

    The pho was terrific! Huge and satisfying. The atmosphere is a bit frenetic, but I'm ok with that. Sweet staff.

    (5)

  • Eugene W.

    I would give this place 10 out of 5 stars!!! First off, food here is AMAZING! Me and my wife had Pho dishes. The restaurant is extremely clean. Customer service is equivalent to services in a 5 star hotel! We asked for the cab's phone number, but owners called for us and checked for cab's arrival outside of their restaurant. This is above and beyond our expectations for a vietnamese restaurant!

    (5)

  • Michelle H.

    Rating: 3.5 star Good stuff! Bowls are quite huge and they give you lotsa meat. Downside is that there's less noodles. Broth is quite tasty and not loaded with MSG. Also tried the green papaya salad which was pretty good. The papaya was on the chewier side than the crispier side, but flavors were great.

    (3)

  • Lynnette S.

    We live in China Town but drive to Pho Bistro 2 because its that good! They were out of Mtn Dew so they made a special trip to get us some! How many places would do that for you? The Pho consistently has great flavor. The steak, pork chop & chicken is always perfectly cooked! We haven't had a bad meal yet. Parking is free, restrooms are clean

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    I've missed having access to good Ph since leaving Seattle for Kansas City. We stopped here while on vacation in Honolulu. Great food and exceptional service. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Carol M.

    Love the oxtail soup here! The soup wasn't oily like many other places. There was a lot of vegetables and flavorful slowly braised oxtail in a generous size bowl. If you can't eat the whole thing you can take the left overs home, although it was so yummy I ate the whole thing! Love the fact you can get this with rice or rice (pho) noodles. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Lan N.

    4.5 stars. The Viet food here is slightly different than the traditional type that I'm used to (South Viet). My husband got the vermicelli noodles with lemon grass chicken. Very good. I got the oxtail soup with noodles. I wasn't sure what it was but thought I would recognize it when I saw it. I did not. The broth and the noodles were separate. The broth had shitake mushrooms, peanuts, and various Asian veggies in it. The beef tail (and spine) had succulent fall of the bone meat on it. There was some finely sliced ginger scattered on top of the broth and ground/chopped lemon grass on the side. I've never had lemon grass on the side...and peanuts are hardly ever in soups...so either this is just not South Viet or not Viet at all (the cook, i assumed, came out to talk to her son, who was eating with a group of friends. What they spoke sounded like Lao or Cambodian...def not Viet). Wherever the food origin, it was delicious, and I see why the place got so much Yelp love. My bowl of soup was HUGE. I'm suffering from belly pains as I'm typing. But it's the good pain, and I would go back there in a heartbeat. If only my stomach can keep up with my mouth.

    (5)

  • Bryan C.

    Excellent hole in the wall place to eat some of the best Pho, Oxtail Soup, Rolls, etc...in town. Not only that, the service is excellent. Go visit braddah Twan at Pho Bistro 2. Thank you once again braddah Twan for your excellent service.

    (5)

  • Kang X.

    Ox tail soup is the best. (about $12) The prices have gone up over the past 3 years, but that's the same every where. If you're allergic to MSG you might want to avoid any of the pho or chili/garlic sauce. Friendly staff too. Just beware, there is a janitor who cleans outside and tends to give patrons a hard time just for being there.

    (5)

  • Katlyn M.

    Very nice rare beef pho, egg rolls and combination specials. The pho broth is delicious and you don't taste a lot of MSG like other restaurants. I also like how they serve the rare beef on the side, so it's not overcooked. I also tried one of the special combinations. You basically make your own spring rolls with egg rolls, prawns, pork, and beef! It was really good and fun. Parking is also super easy in the lot and on the street. The restaurant itself is nice, clean and I love the green interior decor. Service has always been great the few times we've been there. My ice water is always full. It is a bit on the pricey side, but so is everything on the island. All in all, I highly recommend this place! What a great find and it's away from the hubbub of Chinatown. Thanks to the other Yelpers for helping me find this place :-)

    (5)

  • Hugh B.

    This is probably the best pho restaurant on the island, hands down. The broth is flavorful, the vegetables are fresh and the service is great! The portions they give are generous and prices are very reasonable compared to other pho places. They definitely spared no expense in satisfying their patrons. The only issue would probably be the parking and sometimes long waits for a table. They also seem to be a little understaffed in the dining area. But like any awesome restaurant, it's something to be expected. An item that really adds a kick to their dishes is their garlic chili sauce, try it! If you are going on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday evening, go early. The parking situation in their small lot patrolled by a security nazi will surely frustrate some. But overall, love this place!

    (5)

  • J S.

    This place is a gem - the pho is yummy, the people are really friendly, and it is one of the few places near Waikiki where you can eat yourself round with a delicious dinner for $10. Not too crowded, typical decor for a pho place. It's simple but wonderful

    (5)

  • Karen A.

    First time eating pho and thought it was great. Service was fast too.

    (5)

  • Debra K.

    I drove by this place about 6 times before I found the front door -- which is actually on Fern Street. And, I was lucky I didn't come much earlier because they are closed everyday between 3 and 4:30. There is a parking lot next door on Fern, so parking is very convenient. I was impressed with the interior -- yes, it was very clean, but instead of eating in I ordered rare steak pho for take out. I loved that they gave me lots of basil :) I liked my pho and will go back there again, but I still like my bay area site in the El Cerrito Ranch 99 mall better.

    (3)

  • Joe W.

    best pho and best oxtail soup on the island. i combine them both and order "oxtail pho" no one on the island comes close to their oxtail. aloha

    (5)

  • Joseph P.

    Loved it!! The reviews are true!!

    (5)

  • Julea T.

    My husband & I were in Oahu for our honeymoon from Seattle/Renton and were going to Teppenyaki because my brother has suggested it. We didn't realize they closed @ 8pm and arrived outside the restaurant @ 845pm. I decided to walk around the block to find a cab. It was dark and sprinkling out so we were in a rush to get a cab. I happened to look across the street and saw a pizzery w/pasta but we weren't in the mood for that but around the corner from that i saw "pho bistro" and we hadn't had actual 'pho' in oahu so we decided to try it. My husband looked up the reviews on his iphone and saw excellent ratings so we went for it. Right when we walked in it was a very friendly atmosphere and great ventilation! We got our food ordered and were in the middle of eating when we noticed that the Son of the lady whom owned the restaurant was constantly going around checking customers. Of course that's a good thing (some asian restaurants dont' even have that!). There was a japanese couple sitting behind me and needed a cab so the Son actually gets on his cell phone and calls a cab! It gets even better! He tells the couple to stay put in their seats and he'd watch out for the cabbie (came in less than 5 mins!). We definitely noted this excellent service! When we were done w/our food we also asked for a cab and he said they are normally here w/in 5. He even had his mom look out for the cab when he went to use the restroom! But after 5 minutes he noticed they weren't here yet and called again and right as he got on the phone the cab drove up. We gave him good tip to begin with but he and his mom actually walked my husband and I out to the cab and said next time we're in town he'd hook us up w/their special desert! If we ever visit Oahu (Waikiki) again we're definitely going back to "Pho Bistro!"

    (5)

  • Frank G.

    Pho Bistro 2 is one of those hidden gems that you never really hear much about. Everyone raves about To Chau, but frankly I find that place overrated. Located off a little side street on Kalakaua (Fern) right outside Waikiki and behind Century Center, the quality of the meat here at Pho Bistro 2 has been the best I've had on the island! The brisket is thick and perfectly done, and the soft tendon is consistently melt in your mouth soft! I love soft tendon and they always get it right here.

    (5)

  • Natalie L.

    Would rather go to Hale Vietnam any day than waste my time on this place. Hale Vietnam is always consistent and maybe you pay a little more than those hole in a wall places but the service is great and the food is always delicious. Anyway, back to the review. Got take out from Pho Bistro 2 upon reading such rave reviews on yelp, ordered summer rolls and instead they gave us spring rolls. The portion was unheard of. They literally gave us 1 spring roll cut in half and then another half for like $8 or $9?! WTF! An entire order of spring rolls is 1.5 rolls? And I didn't even want spring rolls! Ugh. The Pho and oxtail soup was unremarkable and definitely wasn't worth the price ($10+) and them getting our order wrong. I called when I got home because it seemed I was overcharged the more I thought about spending over $35 on 3 items during my drive home and then confirming that they had indeed overcharged me for the wrong order about $10 more according the their takeout menu. When I called the guy working said the takeout menu they had right at the register was outdated. Why do you give out menus with inaccurate prices? Never going back. I definitely don't feel like 1.5 spring rolls justifies charging $9!

    (1)

  • Matt J.

    Went to Pho Bistro 2 with high expectations after reading rave reviews on Yelp. Wasn't expecting such a spacious place, it was a bit warm inside but very comfortable. Ordered the combination pho. I could not believe how much meat they gave you, it felt like it never ended! The noodles and soup were great and the veggies were fresh. This is definitely my new favorite place for pho, it didn't disappoint!

    (5)

  • Susan R.

    Had the pho and summer rolls. :) Vegetables were fresh, broth was tasty and not oily, and the meat was good quality. Summer rolls were good too, but only had shrimp in them. I usually see shrimp and pork in the ones I've had. :( I only saw one guy running working all the tables. He was nice though!

    (4)

  • Khai L.

    Pho is okay I'm from California and the soup back home at the mainland is more flavorful. Also, the Vietnamese iced coffee here is not strong enough.

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    Went in in Easter and they had a little something extra for everybody. Service was excellent and best pho I've had so far on the island.

    (4)

  • Amit S.

    The sauce here is great! Not the usual fishy fish sauce. Try the lemon grass chicken. The Pho was perfect too!

    (5)

  • nicholas n.

    Addenudum, this is review of Pho bistro 2, since there are two places with same name. I lived in Orange County, so I am very familiar with pho, especially Little Saigon. I visited Hawaii several times so I am familiar with several pho places. This one is the best of all the pho place. This restaurant has others food like rice and noodle, but the review will mostly pho, especially if pho is in the title. food: 4/5 (broth is good and tasty, noodle is firm, meat is tender, lots of vegetables on the side: actually, all the pho restaurants have lots of vegies on the side). the rice noodle with fry pork is very good ambiance: 3/5 service: 4/5 (the manager/server is funny, helpful, and curteous. Service can be slow as there is only one server, but the server compensates by being all of the above. He is half Vietnamese/American, but does not speak Vietnamese as I learned. His attitude can irritated some people, but this place like all dive-y place is about food, not service. cleanlyness: 3/5. typical of a dive cost: 4/5 ( a bowl of large pho is $9.00, average price for the most restaurant) safety: 4/5, safe during daylight or at night. overall: 4/5 This is probably the most decent pho place in Oahu, especially near Waikiki. The server is cool. cash only.

    (4)

  • Tram D.

    Best Pho on the island! I would know since I grew up eating Pho my whole life!! Definitely the place to go!

    (5)

  • Nonya B.

    I'm confused with people rating this place with more then 2 stars, long story short, came here to eat some pho, ordered a combination with beef outside no round onion, my order came with no green onion and no parsley and no side meat, asked the waiter who doesn't speak English for green onion and parsley and my side meat the owner came over and told me she wouldn't charge me for it, wtf? owner talks to much, loud and rude, service is slow and waiter needs to learn English

    (2)

  • Sean H.

    I vacationed in Hawaii a month or so ago and my local friends in Waikiki knew I was a "Pho-Natic" so they took me to Pho Bistro 2 in Honolulu! The restaurant was very large, good for groups and reminded me of an old time diner! With many long tables, nothing too fancy, but you could smell how good the Pho was going to be the minute you walked in! Service: The waiter was quick to take our order and the food came out relatively quick being we ordered a lot of food! Price: I cant remember how much the Pho was, but from what I can remember, it was comparable to what the prices are in Seattle- around 6-8 dollars for a large bowl of Pho. Broth: This was absolutely wonderful broth! Probably one of the best broths I have had since starting my Pho- adventure! Not too salty, and very flavorful! Selection: They had a nice size menu and one item my friend Dan got was the Oxtail soup, which I had not had since I was a kid! It was AMAZING! Very tasty and I think I may get that next time I am in Hawaii! Thanks for the taste Dan!!! I got the rare beef pho and the great thing about this restaurant, is they brought the rare beef, thinly sliced on a plate seperate from the pho! You then place the rare beef into the soup and it cooks then! I think more Pho restaurants should do this! The amount of basil, jalapeno, sprouts and lime were very adequate! Many condiment sauces to choose from as well. Location: In Honolulu Hawaii. Parking was alittle challenging. Score: Based on my many pho trials, I give this place a 9 out of 10. 9 only for the reason parking was tough. I will be going to Pho Bistro 2 EVER TIME I visit Honolulu! Thank you Pho Bistro 2!!! Sean Hoops, The Seattle Pho-Natics President

    (5)

  • dan z.

    Excellent soups, very nice service and reasonable prices!

    (5)

  • Brent S.

    One of the better Phos in Hawaii. They give lots of meat and the broth is very flavorful.

    (4)

  • Chelsey C.

    Went back last weekend and it was great as usual. They make you feel so welcome here. They truly appreciate their customers and I truly appreciate their service. A couple of regulars also came through to eat and the staff took time to catch up with them a little bit. How lovely:)

    (5)

  • Judith H.

    first time today and what a treat. loved everything. i will return.

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    pho was not good enough to come back to again unless all the other places are closed. i dont know it it's the MSG that had my mouth foaming and salivating but it sure wasn't worth it. parking was not abundant and the rolls weren't the best. I'll have to stick with Hale Vietnam, To Chau, and every once in awhile Pho Pearl.

    (2)

  • lawrence C.

    Best authentic Vietnamese restaurant so far. Friendly service. Pork chops are awesome. Pho is very good, especially if you order the rare thin slices of meat on the side.

    (5)

  • Natasha G.

    i found this place through a friend that read the great reviews of their ox tail soup. we had take out the first time and ive been hooked ever since. the portions are huge snd the soup is absolutely delicious. the wait is usually about 15 minutes and the price is about $16, but its totally worth it. it comes with 3-4 large pieces of ox tails tons of vegies and your choice of rice or noodles. very yum!

    (4)

  • Anthony S.

    My Favorite Pho' Stop it town! Awesome food and great service!

    (5)

  • Vu N.

    Family-owned and operated, this small restaurant is one of the best Pho restaurants I've eaten on Oahu. It's within walking distance of Waikiki if you're up for a casual stroll in the evening. The owner/chef is a Vietnamese lady who was warm and hospitable during my visit. The services were attentive and she even joined our table after serving us. She openly discussed in details what made her ox tail soup special and introduced us to her sons who were mixed Vietnamese and Caucasian. The restaurant interior is small and doesn't get a lot of light. If weather permits, I would recommend sitting outside where they have two sets of table. I would recommend pho and green papaya salad, which were as good an any other places in Little Saigon in Westminster/Orange County.

    (4)

  • Ellen Mae V.

    I'm from San Jose so my review is perhaps rather biased if you consider the fact that San Jose is littered with numerous authentic, family owned and delicious Pho restaurants. I gave this place a 4 mostly on the basis that it is CLEAN. Let me reiterate that... IT IS CLEANER THAN MOST Pho restaurants!!! I'm kind of nosy so I often peak into the kitchen and found nothing to make me speculate the cleanliness of the food that is set in front of me. Needless to say, the sanitation efforts of the staff.. well... they actually make an effort here and in my book that IS worth a whole star. Food wise, the pho and other dishes are good. A rather decent 6 out of 10. I particularly love the papaya salad. It's cool, crisp and spicy and perfect on a warm Hawaiian day. Personally, I've had better broths (there are a few places in Chinatown where you can really taste the long and low simmered broths). But all that aside, I enjoy coming here because I always leave satisfied, the place is clean, the staff is rather friendly and the lingering smell of Pho restaurant isn't as dense as other restaurants.

    (4)

  • Scott F.

    Some of the best pho I've had anywhere. The owner is INCREDIBLY nice -- she gave my eight year old son extra pho because he liked it and finished off his own. Extremely flavorful broth and fresh add-in's. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

    (5)

  • Marc G.

    Excellent pho and vermicelli. Super nice wait staff and/or owners. All my Asian compatriots loved it--which added to its credentials. I had the pork and egg roll vermicelli and it was crazy good. The food was terrific and the price was right.

    (5)

  • Matthew W.

    meatballs are a no go. brisket and rare beef are better choices. vegetables very fresh and broth is three stars. Pretty clean restaurant, parking seems troublesome because of it's location under an apartment complex and next to Ala Moana. Non soup dishes like bbq chicken looked good.

    (3)

  • Diego R.

    Once we got off the plane from the Main land, this was our 1st place to eat because of the reviews and the close proximity to our hotel. I had the vermicelli with chicken and my wife had the Pho- combo. The serving size was comparable to other Vietnamese places, both dishes were flavorful and filling. The service was quick and friendly. The restaurant itself is casual. No AC but they had a fan and parking is very limited.

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    AMAZING food. Great portions. Very friendly. Resonably priced. The manager is HILARIOUS!!

    (5)

  • Wade I.

    Today was the first time eating there. I've always wanted to try since I do automotive work for the used car dealer across the street but never did. Today my wife agreed with me to try. It was super good. Friendly waitress and fast service. Looks like I'll be going there more often

    (5)

  • Eins K.

    I also like Pho 777 but the broth made here at Bistro makes the broth at 777 taste average. Nice staff and service. The only thing I don't like is trying to find parking there.

    (5)

  • K N.

    Second time there, first time with girlfriend and second with husband, Twan (sorry if misspelled) but he is a great host, should have more like him in the restaurant business. As always the oxtail was awesome as well as the spring rolls. The price is very reasonable and the oxtail too huge to finish in one sitting. Their tea (red bag with no name) is delish, never had tea that was soooooo gooooood. Very clean and nice atmoshpher.

    (5)

  • Toney N.

    Let's talk bout OXTAIL! There oxtail's are like hideously HUGE. SERVING... to big for one person. Trust me i'm a oxtail man and nothing beats them. In fact, i had some tonite!

    (5)

  • RUTH F.

    My husband and I had dinner here last night and what an awesome find. He had the oxtail soup and I had the House Special Combination Plate. The grilled beef was the best part- the chicken and pork were just ok. I suggest to just order the Vietnamese Grilled Beef and rice. Amazing.

    (5)

  • Esther Y.

    like everyone else has stated-you are treated like family when you walk in the door. Our 1 yr old baby loves this place because "grandma" comes out of the kitchen to see him personally when he arrives to tickle his fat. The Pho here is unbelievable. if you want to avoid the crowds come when they open at 4;30. We have a obsession with the oxtail pho (not on menu) and come as much as 3 times a week sometimes!

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    This review is based solely in comparison to other Vietnamese/pho places here in Honolulu! With that disclaimer said, pho bistro 2 is pretty darn good but most importantly is that service was impeccable!!!! Had the summer roll, fresh, tasty and light. The pho was yumm good and tasty broth. Only confusing thing was the parking situation which is next to the business, no worries we told the owners and they going to put a sign up haha

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Best PHO I've EVER tried, and living in Hawaii I've tried alot of PHO! I had the sliced beef pho and the beef melts in your mouth it is so tender. The broth is about as good as I could imagine. The veggies were fresh and delicious. The portions were generous and the price is right. Did I mention the service was fast? It was. Also, at our table there was a condiment tray with EVERY thing you could possibly want... which I love because I hate asking for this sauce and that little thing and so on... I had everything I wanted right there (sauces, spoons, chopsticks, forks, napkins, even more stuff that I cant remember). My GF had the oxtail soup, which was pretty impressive. Im not a fan of oxtail but I ate some and it was good. The portion was massive. The bowl was like enormous. The meat was like huge cuts. Also we had the spring roll appetizer which was very tasty I highly recommend that one. Even if you dont like PHO you will like this place. They also have some good non-PHO dishes that I was tempted to try (like their pork chop) but hey one meal at a time right? I've heard their Vermicelli dishes are tasty too. Just remember that this place is on fern street, almost at kalakaua st. and there is alot of parking on the side of the building. That threw me off... at first I only thought there were only the 2 parking spaces right in front of the door. It is worth a the trip. And one more thing: it is easy to access fern street from kalakaua driving either direction: you can turn left on to fern street if you are going towards waikiki and right on to fern street if you are coming out of waikiki.

    (5)

  • Iazy i.

    easily one of the better pho eateries on the island... and by that, i mean definitely top 10, most likely top 5. the broth is flavorful, more-than-average meat, and cleaner than a lot of the places you'll find. parking is sometimes an issue. one of their hidden gems, if you havent tried it, is their oxtail soup. the amount of meat is significant and the pieces are monstrous. this may not be popular opinion, but i actually enjoy eating their's more than kapiolani coffee shops.

    (4)

  • Mark J.

    Solid 4.5! This is my first pho on the island so I'm basing this review in comparison with all the pho places in Seattle. First off, the place was nice, clean and big. I didn't have to wait in line.. I'm sure that's not the case during peak hours but yea.. I had the winter roll and the house pho... Winter roll was nice and big, sauce was ok.. Pho was delicious! The broth was definitely richer than the ones in Seattle! And the meat,ohh! I'm gonna need a new paragraph for the meat. The meat was delicious! It's soft an tender that when I scoop to the bottom of the bowl, I get bits and pieces of the meat... But the best of all, there was a ton of meat!!! Compared to pho in Seattle, te meat of my pho here was amazing! Back in seattle i would have to eat the noodles before I see the meat... Here I started going at the noodles and two bites later... It was all meat!! Haha!! Now I kinda wonder if there was enough noodles... Oh the noodles btw was nice and firm! Hmm lastly.. One meat part listed on the menu was "beef balls" now I've been watching a lot of Andrew Zimmern's bizarre foods.. So I was like what?!?! Haha but when I got it i was relieved that I wasn't literally beef balls haha!! But yea. Overall it was a good expeience l.. It wouldve gotten a 5 star from me if it wasn't for the 35 minute wait for my pho.. Which i didn't really mind since i had nothing else to do..

    (4)

  • Chi-Hye M.

    This place is really good and clean. The service is always good. i love how they always refill your water before its empty... When I'm in town and i crave Pho really badly this is the place that i go...even though my lunch is only an hour long...haha They bring the food out fast and i usually return to work within an hour. they have a lot and one stall in front of the restaurant but its full most of the time so look for street parking...

    (4)

  • Takumi A.

    Been going to PHO BISTRO 2 for over 3 years and still craving for more pho! Staff treats everyone like family and always keep things clean. I have never seen a clean Pho restaurant other than this one and i love it. simple and friendly atmosphere makes this restaurant my number one pick of all PHO. Thank you MA! for always putting smiles on all our faces! Are you new to this restaurant? well if you know you can eat, then order the "ABE- BOWL" , its pretty much a super bowl #12 Combination, meat in-SAi that i came up with. GOOD STUFF!! Wish it was a 24 hr operation, id be there every night! Thanks PHO BISTRO 2 EEEEEEEEE!!!!!

    (5)

  • jacko l.

    Wow. The pho is as good as it gets being outside of my hometown, Little Saigon, CA in the Mainland. Its all in the broth. They got it down pat. Must try the Pho Dac Biet if you love meat. Service was tentative and with a smile. Prices are more than fair.

    (5)

  • Carol L.

    Outstanding! The broth is sooooo guud! I had the tendon with rare steak and my hubby had the combo!! I would definitely drive allllll the way into town for this place!! The owner, Lin is the best. I told her a friend recommended it! She was sooo happy!! The banana tapioca hot tea is a great dessert at the end too! Thank you Lin!! =)

    (5)

  • leigh h.

    Found this spot on yelp. It was great. It was very inexpensive not that money was of concern for our team of four. We went because of the high yelp rating and were not disappointed. It is a typical hole in the wall so don't expect vallet parking. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Anthony L.

    The soup here is amazing! The waitress there was remarkable. Best Pho i've had in years!! Def. stop by if you're in the area and craving for Pho!

    (5)

  • Wallen D.

    This place might have gotten a better rating if I wasn't from the Bay Area. Oakland Chinatown is littered with pho restaurants that serves bigger bowls of pho for the same price and similar quality if not better. The place was very clean though. Within walking distance from many of the hotels on Ala Moana or Ala Wai blvd in Waikiki.

    (3)

  • Rocelle S.

    At first I will explain my weird aversion for pho if you want the review for the food please skip to the following (***). I know, I know I shouldn't be rating a Pho restaurant if I haven't well..actually eaten the Pho. But I am a weird one I tell you...I just am not into Pho and the rice noodle thing. I guess it's because I grew up on Pancit and Vermacilli noodles that the semi flat rice noodle just does not appeal to me, I now know because I am also not a fan of Pad Thai which uses the same kind of noodle. Don't get me wrong I wanted to love Pho, it's so awkward because my favorite food is soup. I am a bit angry at myself but I guess that is just me. Sooo after explaining why I didn't Pho at Pho Bistro I will move on to my review. I bought the massive bowl of oxtail soup. I didn't care if it was 10 o'clock in the morning I was feeling soup so I bought myself soup. Let's just say it took me a LONG time to find this place...lol only because I put the address wrong on my GPS coordinates. That was how determined I was to find this place. So after about forty minutes driving around the wrong place I noticed the wrong address and diverted the trip down the other side of Kalakaua Ave. The Bistro is right next to a pawn shop. The parking is very limited but lucky me right when I drove a space opened up. When walking into the restaurant I was pleasantly surprise, the aroma of the broth hit me right at the entrance. Looking around I was more intrigued with the beautiful art work displayed on the walls. The waitress who helped us was very helpful and nice she greeted us and sat us on a table towards the wall with a comfy bench looking chair. On the table was a napkin holder and various condiments to fit any picky eaters preference. (***) We first started off with the spring rolls. LOL you can't really go wrong with spring rolls it was cut in half for us and served with the works lettuce, noodles, cucumber and the vinegar sauce. The waitress was nice enough to warn us that they were super hot and boy they were HOT! not spicy hot just temp wise. Then we moved onto the Oxtail soup--and let me tell you that bowl of soup was MASSIVE!! It was huge!! I was so happy to have only ordered that for both of us because I could have never finished that on my own. The bowl was intricately made, I ordered the works so I guess you could order the soup with certain veggies only. It had cut up pieces of I think bak choy (not sure), carrorts, shitake mushrooms (yummy) and ginger grated into art. The bowl is accompanied with your choice of rice noodles or rice and extra pureed ginger on the side. I wanted to test my liking for rice noodle so I order it. The broth itself was light and flavorful. It didn't taste old like Zippy's oxtail but sort of fresh. The meat was tender like fall off the bone tender. The bowl fed the both of us and there was a little extra more. I would've packed it, but I didn't want to bring it to school. The water was alright. The reason why this place gets that extra 1/2 star that made it a four for me was the restroom. Right when walking into the restroom area it smelled of orange zest. I love that fresh fruity smell and it reiterated the fact that this place was EXTRA CLEAN!! It is very hard to find restaurants that are well taken care of so I appreciate that a lot. All in all Pros: +Affordable +VERY Clean +Very friendly staff +Yummy food Cons: -none that I can think of ~ So what are you waiting for go try it already!! Tell me how it goes =]

    (4)

  • Brian N.

    I went with Hubert C. to Pho Bistro......2 (is there even a 1?). anyway, this pho restaurant was a literally an oasis for us. in a rush to get to the airport, we skipped all the restaurants and parking disasters in waikiki and out of nowhere, pho bistro appeared. while it's not the nicest pho restaurant (but better than most), the service was superb. the staff was very attentive and kept asking us how we were doing as well as refilling our glasses of waters (tap water is so in now). i think at one point, she even offered to do the check individually, which we declined. while I wouldn't say there wasn't any msg, there was noticeably less compared to other pho restaurant's that i've been to. overall, if i was ever in hawaii again, i would def drag my friends out here to eat again. i would take pho bistro over a touristy luau any day of the week.

    (4)

  • Joyce K.

    After many reviews from my friends about this place, I decided to give Pho Bistro 2 a try. So let's start the place with 5 Stars. The minute you walk in you're greeted by the friendliest person ever. Nice, funny, great personality. He even double stacked some chairs for my son so he could reach the table to eat. The next thing I knew, we where sitting there for a good 5 mins before we even got to see the menu. Minus 1 Star. We placed our order and in several minutes we got our food...so we thought until we realized that my BF didn't get his combo plate and my beef balls where missing from my pho and the raw beef was already in my soup. Minus another Star. The super nice man apologized and quickly had our order corrected. He even gave my son a free Strawberry Guava Juice. The food we ordered finally came. Can I just say, WOW! If you're looking for super good pho soup, this is the place. There is so much flavor to this stock I couldn't get enough of it. Add back a Star. My BF's combo plate was tasty and the meat was cooked to perfection. The Spring Roll was okay, I've had better. But the soup, oh my. Hands down the best! May I add that this soup did not make me super thirsty like all the other pho places I've been to. I'll give this place another try. I have a feeling this will be my new favorite pho place.

    (4)

  • Keith F.

    Had the oxtail soup. Very tasty. Broth was light and fresh. Great meal.

    (4)

  • SY Y.

    Living in Los Angeles, I get many chances to taste out Pho from different Pho restaurants. Pho at Pho Bistro 2 is the best one that I ever had. My family and I really enjoyed the Pho at this restaurant, while our visit to Honolulu this summer. After finishing our broth, we didn't felt thirsty at all. Their oxtail soup is recommended too. Best wishes to Tuan and hope to visit Kona Pho in the near future.

    (5)

  • Lorenz S.

    Good pho and amazing service. The lady who owns the place is really sweet. It was our first time there and she gave us free desert and jasmine tea. Really friendly all around.

    (5)

  • Jeff I.

    I'd say that this is one of the best Pho I've had. Thick cuts of beef, the broth was tasty, and the noodles were not the thick kind, but had a good taste. The service was fast and friendly, and the prices was average. One thing though was the parking, it's only two spots and street parking. But it's worth it. The best way to get there is to get on Kalakaua heading away from Waikiki so it's going to be on your right.

    (5)

  • T C.

    It's getting late, we need to eat...but where should we go? My husband Yelped for noodle places since it was our son's choice and Pho Bistro 2 came up high on the list. One of the clinches - they had oxtail stew on the menu. We got in, were seated quickly (since it was about an hour prior to closing), browsed the menu and immediately placed our orders. So I was craving the oxtail soup, but the Husband decides to order it. I go for the combo BBQ and our son opts for the Pho Ga (Chicken with pho). You have to appreciate when they ask if you want rice or noodles with your soup as opposed to giving you what they have more of. LOVE customer service! The oxtail soup is superb...absolutely undoubtedly superb. It had chopped up fresh mustard greens in the broth which gave it a completely different flavor but it was oh so good! My combo BBQ was excellent and meaty and their chicken was well marinated. If I never tasted the broth of the oxtail soup and the oxtail itself, I would have been completely and contently happy but dammit, when you are teased sometimes you just can't help yourself. The family owned establishment has the nicest people around. They come around often to check on you and make sure you are enjoying your food. My husband wasn't able to talk to them much since he had his face down deep into the soup!

    (5)

  • Jaynie K.

    Pho Bistro is like, right in my 'hood and I never even noticed it until I started reading the reviews on Yelp. Last week, on the way to Palama Supermarket, the moms and I popped in for lunch and we were pleased. I had the oxtail soup, which was chock full of goodies and a really great broth. Elisa was right, "cleansing" is a good word for it. I'd bet it'd make a great hangover cure! One of you happening partying folks try it out and let me know if I'm right! :) My mom enjoyed the pho dac biet, which brought us back for dinner tonight. We both had the pho dac biet, and shared winter rolls. The winter rolls were wrapped in soft chewy rice paper, filled with shredded pork, mint, lettuce, and rice noodles. The pho was great! The broth was really beefy and rich. The noodles were springy, cooked just right. The rare steak was tender, the beef balls were chewy-delicious, the bits of tripe and tendon were so good! The only downside was that the well-done flank was a little overwhelming. The thick slices were more like chunks, and they overpowered everything else. But the accompanying veggies were spotless and fresh! Mmm! Service was great, friendly and my water glass was filled just when I needed a refill! :)

    (4)

  • Matthew H.

    I ate here for takeout and ordered the chicken lemongrass vermicelli. The lemongrass was tasty and the dish was fresh and well put-together. I might have considered giving it 5-stars were it not for the fatty thigh meat they used for the chicken (why do hawaiin and japanese restaurants love the thighs so much??) Still, the owners clearly put care and detail into their food and the atmosphere there seemed friendly and upbeat. I prefer Pho Thinh, but Pho Bistro is definitely worth checking out too.

    (4)

  • Fred D.

    The food is great! The portion is perfect and the price can't be beat..most of it's the cleanest Pho restaurant I've been in!!

    (5)

  • elisa o.

    OK my friend took me here and WOOHOO!!! I had their OXTAIL soup dish, and it blew my mind. It is not the local style oxtail soup. It is actually a "pho" take on it. Broth felt "cleansing". It is soo hard to explain. It also comes with a bowl of jasmine rice. Parking on the premises. Hours of business... MON - SAT 10:30A - 9:30P SUN 11:00A - 8:00P Corner of Fern St and Kalakaua. If you were coming from Waikiki it will be on the right side!

    (5)

  • Ryoko Y.

    I love the food here, at Pho Bistro 2. I'm not biased, even though the owner is a friend of mine. Elisa is right, the Oxtail soup is delectable! My faves are the Pho, Bun, Spring rolls, & Oxtail soup. You can really taste the TLC put into each and every dish. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • boston j.

    Pho was pretty good, but the parking lot dude was really rude. We were standing around really full and some hawaiin dude with a BMW or Benz comes in and yells at us saying get out of my parking lot. Hella rude bluh

    (3)

  • Brittany M.

    Been coming to this place for the past 7 years and it's still one of my favorites. The workers are always really nice, the price is reasonable, & the food is always great! Sometimes it's hard to find parking since the lot is small, but you just have to come at the right times. Love this pho place !

    (5)

  • Erin B.

    I had a regular steak pho today at lunch. I am in town for a conference and arrived along with everyone else from said conference on mass. The restaurant was slammed but the service was speedy and the food was good. The server forgot my drink but when I asked it was quickly delivered. Highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Diana T.

    This restaurant used to be very good when I was in Honolulu a while back, at least ranked 4 stars of 5. However, when I tried it again recently, they somewhat tumbled. Here's what I like about their restaurant: 1. The grilled meats for the rice & verminelli dishes are well-marinated & cooked alright. When they're cooked, they're not too dry nor too raw; they're just right. 2. Small clean environment even their restroom is average in cleanness. Now the following below are suggestions for their business to improve for the future: 1. For the pho, the broth does not taste right. It tasted more like Hu Tieu rather than pho. Pho broths should have flavor of cow bone, star anise, roasted onions, and ginger in them. 2. It's a bit too pricey. Please lower the price of foods. 3. For the rice dishes, should sponsor the Com Tam Bi Cha Thit Nuong. (a combination of grilled meats, shredded pork, and egg patty) besides the regular rice with grilled meat. 4. Egg rolls should have more things inside them. The radius of the egg rolls looks a bit too small. Also instead of using traditional egg roll paper, use rice paper instead. Make it more "traditional Vietnamese" Overall, this restaurant is so-so in my rankings. Therefore, I'll grant you a 3 stars out of 5. I hope you can take the chance to enhance your business by following my suggestions stated above. Not bad. 3 stars out of 5. Good luck with your business.

    (3)

  • Kellie I.

    LOVE the pho here!!! This is one of my favorite photos restaurants in town. Great food and great service, what more could you ask for? Large portions and veggies are always plentiful and fresh! Parking can be limited, but so worth circling back around to check for an open stall!

    (4)

  • Rebecca A.

    Very good. Relaxed and low-key. I'm just in town for a convention and this is an easy 5 min walk from the Convention Center. Got the Pho Ga which had a lot of dark meat (not my favorite) but the broth was excellent (perhaps as a result of all that dark meat). Staff were attentive and warm. Totally recommend!

    (4)

  • Allie-ski Y.

    Tasty all around at this spot! We got the papaya salad to start. It had a strong vinegar flavor which I loved and the shrimp with the acidity paired so nicely together. I had the grilled pork vermicelli bowl. The pork was awesome! The pork was so moist and tender with a slight sweet flavor. The grill marks add a nice char taste that I also love. Such deliciously cooked meat. My friend ordered a side of the beef pho broth which was also so flavorful. One of the best broths I've ever had. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone! Lots of space, kid friendly (there were a lot of young children/babies there eating with their parents), good service and fantastic taste!

    (5)

  • Song C.

    Spring rolls are $6.95 and you get 2 huge pieces. Pho Dac Biet was $9.95 and good but not amazing. Typical pho establishment and the waiter was super nice and attentive. My water was always full. Granted I did walk in at 10:45 am on a Saturday. Park in the street or parking lot next door.

    (4)

  • Karen L.

    for hawaii it's not as bad as so many of the others but it's not really true pho depth of taste - I think my parents would not like it at all pho one I think is the highest quality in authenticity and taste here that I've tried on island I wish I could give this 3.5 stars because it's ok and service is good - but half stars are not an option here I'm Vietnamese and I approve this message

    (4)

  • Amy Y.

    It has been a whole year since I ate pho. I never liked going out to eat pho because I think every pho places taste the same. Then this one day I suddenly crave pho out of nowhere. So I yelped search "pho", and Pho Bistro 2 was at the top. Dang, there was good reviews of this place. Could it be too good to be true?! I just had to risk it. I came here for brunch on a Saturday. There were no line and only 3 tables occupied. We walked in...there were no worker there to seat us nor was there a sign. So we waited for a few minutes until someone saw us and seated us. Ok...that sorta made me a little impatient. After being seated we browsed through the menu. We decided on the regular house combination pho and the vermicelli with grilled pork (total: $19~). It came out in 10 minutes or less. I did not expect the vermicelli was that big...it wasn't a plate like other pho places, it was a huge bowl. OMG! My eyes sparkled. I tasted the pho and it was sooo good. It wasn't too salty or bland. I love the soup so much I put all my vermicelli into my bf's pho soup, so I can get more soupy noodle. We were sooo full and happy. I absolutely love this place. It was decent portion and the food was amazingly delicious. I would love to come back. But I'm afraid it wouldn't taste that good the second time around. But we'll see.

    (5)

  • Terry H.

    So I was being a total jerk so Dar and the kids might decide to stay home. I am so Phond of Pho and would really like to include tons of Phonny Phons but I'm gonna rephorain. So here I am kicking it with the crew on Phorn street. Looking so forward to eating. I've been dreaming about this. So here I sit looking at the menu. Lots of parking. Lots of seating. Party favors abound and already a showing 45-minutes early. So I've reviewed the menu. I'm having papaya salad and the special pho. My mouth is drooling. So funny though. Starting a review in the present tense and ending in the past. See you soon. So I'm done eating and walking it off as I finish tris review. It stated as a 3 for me with the papaya salad. The house special pho raised the bar for me. The broth was ok and somewhat flavorful. It was chock full of stuff. I gotta try again. Don't know if it was because of Yelp or that's really the product. They offered free tapioca dessert but I had to leave. A very successful UYE. Good times had by all!

    (4)

  • Sari P.

    My go to Pho restaurant. Great service, good pho even when you take out, their pork chops are awesome, a little salty at times but still good! I will be sad if they were to ever shut down.

    (5)

  • Grace L.

    I'm a regular at Pho Tri but since they're undergoing renovations, we've been in search of a new place to satisfy our weekly pho cravings. I read the yelp reviews for this place and thought it would be worth checking out. I ordered a regular steak and tendon (this is what I always order) and noticed a few differences from the dish at Pho Tri. I like the broth and the noodles here better. The noodles seem thinner and more chewy than the Pho Tri noodles. The broth also doesn't taste like there are heaping piles of MSG (it makes me bloated like craaaazy). The only problem I had with Pho Bistro 2 was the tendon. Maybe some people like super soft gelatinous tendon but it honestly just melted in my mouth and tasted like jello. It wasn't chewy at all...just mushy, which is a little unappetizing. I also ordered a thai tea ($3.50), which was good but extremely sweet. My mom isn't a sweet tooth and she cringed at the overpowering sweetness of it. I'm fairly certain all thai teas are that sweet but my mom said she felt it was more so than usual. One down side is the parking. There's a small lot and a few stalls out front along with street parking. We came around noon and there was no parking, nada, zip. Had to wait 15-20 minutes just for a car to leave... I had a good experience and would come back here for pho. However, if I want tendon, I'm just going to have to wait for pho tri to finish renovating!

    (4)

  • Fran C.

    I gotta say............when you have a sore throat, what better way to remedy it, than having a hot bowl of pho! It was the day after Christmas........and I am slowly trying to recover from the holidays, after putting on an eating display yesterday at the Prince Court..........I had to eat something light, and also something soupy for my scratchy throat. I normally go to my favorite hole in the wall place - Pho Nina, but decided to try someplace new. This is where Pho Bistro 2 comes into play........ While driving one day on Kalakaua, I noticed a little pho shop just off of a side street along Kalakaua Ave. (It's kinda across the street from the Home Bar & Grill area). What can I say about the place - Nice little shop, clean, and there is also a very small parking lot just behind the building, with a parking lot attendant on site. I got here about 7 PM tonight, and was lucky to score a parking space. As I walked into the little pho shop, we were greeted quickly, and water & menus were dropped off shortly. Upon scanning the menu, I decided on the Pho Combination Special ($9.75), Combination Special had quite a bit of meat in it......but the best part of this meal was the delicious broth that they served. The broth was all so flavorful! It came out hot, and would definitely give my favorite hole in the wall place (Pho Nina) a run for it's money! I'm glad I stopped by this place today........I will surely come back here again, and turn my friends onto this place! Pho-real gang! Check 'em out........ a pretty good pho noodle shop!

    (4)

  • Gary L.

    Food was delicious. We ordered pho with brisket, combo vermicelli, spring rolls, and lemongrass chicken. Every dish was well executed. Prices were reasonable and service was great. We had our little one with us and she woke up from her nap mid-meal. The server noticed and brought her her own bowl of pho noodles.

    (5)

  • Cheryl Marie S.

    This restaurant has over 400 reviews and carries a Yelp rating of rating of 4 1/2 stars. So when my friend suggested we have an early dinner here, I got excited because I thought I would have a wonderful dining experience. Sadly, this was not the case. All restaurants can have off days, so hopefully my experience was not typical. And I hope too that I will be able to return at another time and have a better meal. First the good points. Pho Bistro 2 (located on the corner of Kalaukaua and Fern) is a large restaurant with perhaps 15 tables. It's clean and well lit. There is a couple of parking spaces at the front door, and there is perhaps 10 more spaces in the small lot next to the restaurant. You enter from the Fern Street side. The signs in the parking lot are a bit confusing, but if you read closely (as I always do now!), you will see that the spaces are reserved for all tenants of the building. Service was prompt. We received our menus and water glasses promptly. The water was refilled frequently during the meal. But here the good points for me ended. The menu has only a few selections, compared to other Pho eateries. But that's ok. It's not the number of items on the menu that counts; it's the quality of each entry. Both my friend and I ordered the large "House Special" - noodles, beef flank, rare beef steak, tripe, tendon and meat balls. Most restaurants would call this the "Combo". Price was $9.95 each, I believe. I asked for the steak on the outside (my friend on the inside), and I asked that the soup be as hot as possible. "Boiling" was the word I used. Perhaps I was misunderstood here, because the manager (who also waited tables) replied that all the soups were boiled. Anyway, cutting to the chase, we received our soups in short while. Both had the steak inside, and my soup was tepid at best. I do want my soup steaming! This is especially true if I am to cook rare meat in the soup. But the meat was already cooked, so whatever. Actually it seemed to have been cooked for a very long time. Rare meat, freshly cooked, will be a bit on the chewy side. All of the meats in my soup were rather soft, including the "rare" steak. The meat balls were spongy. The soup tasted like a large vat of "House Special" had been prepared in advance, sat to warm on the stove and then ladled into our bowls. (I hope this wasn't the case, but it did taste like this to me). My soup was cold before I reached the bottom of the bowl. Other disappoints (sorry, Pho Bistro 2) were in the veggies. Although the quantity given was large, only basil and bean sprouts plus two lemon wedges were served. No peppers! Also the only condiment on the table was a bottle of Sriracha Sauce. There were no little bowls of chili sauce and hoi sin. I thought fondly of a competitor who offered a rack of 15 little bowls of condiments. As I looked over the past Yelp reviews, many were from years past. As I looked around the restaurant at 6 pm, I saw only 4 customers, two of which were myself and my companion. Pho Bistro 2 is a neighborhood restaurant, easily within walking distance of several thousand people. (the Kaheka condo district is just across the street). I would hate to think that the quality of the food has led to a decline in business, but if my experience is any indication, this could very well be the case. The Asian restaurant scene in Honolulu is extremely competitive. Hopefully Pho Bistro 2 can up its game and become a player again.

    (3)

  • Alysha K.

    I'm so happy Pho Bistro 2 is really close to my house, because I get to stop by after my workouts at 24 hour fitness on the walk back home, on the weekend when I'm feeling hungover, or pretty much just whenever I'm itching for pho. My perfect bowl of pho consists of noodles that are light and on the softer side, tendon, fatty brisket, and side green onion oil. Let me tell you that the tendon here is one of the best I've had in pho before. And everything else hits the spot! Service is great! Staff is very friendly, ordering and food comes out fast. For parking, there is a shared small parking lot that fills up quick.

    (5)

  • Sasha L.

    Pho bistro 2 is hands down my favorite pho place in Hawaii. Every time I'm hung over or not feeling well (or just hungry in general haha), I come here for a piping hot bowl of pho and a side of spring rolls, and am never disappointed. I don't know if it's the best pho in Hawaii because I'm not Vietnamese or a pho connoisseur, but for my taste buds it's the perfect match and the only place I have cravings for. I always used to think of it as my favorite secret hole in the wall, but this time as I went it was redone inside. New tables, chairs, decorations and dishware. It really does look a little fancier :) The same sweet lady works there and always is so nice to me. Best pho spot ever!

    (5)

  • Leng L.

    The pho was great!!! I love pho and would eat here again. I would have given 5 stars if the pho noodles we fresh. They use pho you have to pre-soak. Other than that super yummy!!!! Happy Tummy!!

    (4)

  • Bryan K.

    Normally I wouldn't go to a place with "bistro" in the name, but I have been trying hard to find a good pho place in Honolulu. This place has so many high reviews so I tried it out... surprisingly I didn't think much of it. I know this is Hawaii, but the pho is much better in LA or San Jose. Aren't there tons of Vietnamese in Hawaii too? The broth was nothing to write home about, all in all, just meh. Maybe I'll try other stuff some other time when I'm desperately craving pho... DCP.

    (3)

  • Lloyd S.

    Sometimes you just need Viet!! Today was this day for us. Thanks to the previous Yelppers that gave this place the big thumbs up. I went for the special pho, and was very impressed... Not sure why I went for the large portion, but I have it a good bash and it was gooooood!! Served with bundles of extras on the side so you can add to taste. My wife went for the pork chop which should be advertised as "half a pig" so much food!! But she was content. The venue is unassuming and simple and the staff were friendly and helpful. The price was the fish sauce on top!! A complete bargin less than $30!!

    (4)

  • Minky C.

    FAVORITE PHO restaurant in Honolulu! If you love Pho, you MUST TRY this place! My bb loves Pho and we've been to many Pho restaurants in Oahu and by far this is my favorite Pho restaurant. They are located off of Kalakaua Ave by Home Bar. There is street parking and also a private lot you can park in with a security guard on duty. The restaurant is spacious and very clean compared to some that we have gone to in Chinatown. Prices are also very good here! We have tried several items on their menu and this is how I rate them: - Summer Rolls: Very fresh and generous portions! (5 out of 5 stars) - Pho (Combination w/Rare Beef on side): Soup broth is the best! Lots of meat and very filling! (5 out of 5 stars) - Oxtail Soup: So much Oxtail and Veggies! One of the best I have had in Oahu! (5 out of 5 stars) - Beef Short Ribs: So flavorful!! It was also so very filling! (5 out of 5 stars) The service here is great! Not only do the servers speak English, they are very friendly. We come here as regulars now and they remember our orders the way we like it. They bring out fish sauce for me now without me asking. Talk about service! I like to get the combination pho minus tendon and with the rare streak on the side. Lastly, they take credit cards here which is very nice because we get to eat great food while earning miles for future travel!

    (5)

  • Kelly N.

    This is my FIRST Yelp review! I usually do not write reviews since the quality of workers and food vary on a regular basis, making overly positive or sour reviews inaccurate for the average consumer. Well I will try my best to be detailed and explain my reasons thoroughly. I have been craving pho and have been Yelp-stalking nearby locations for a few days now. I always pass by this restaurant, but the few stalls near the entrance is usually full so I never bothered to peek in and try it out. Due to the delicious pictures and fairly decent reviews, I thought I should try this place out! Especially since it is located close to where I live. I called and ordered take-out around lunch time today. 1 Papaya Salad 1 (#13) Pho Rare Steak (also requested extra basil) Totalling $19.58 after tax Due to the woman's rushed tone I assumed they were busy, and decided to walk. Good thing I did because I did not see any parking nearby. The entrance is tiny and surrounded by neighboring debris, but when I entered, I noticed it was much larger than it seemed. Still, every table was packed with families and small parties. The environment was too confined and noisy for my liking, but it was the food I cared about, and I can always order out next time. The woman at the register, the same woman who answered the phone, was very quick and attentive, which I truly appreciate. I did not want to waste too much time since I walked to and from, and still needed time to eat and get ready before leaving for work. She remembered my ordered and had it ready for me. I honestly do not care about small talk too much since that is all I do at work, so I try to keep my needs simple and reasonable, at least regarding this rating, and judgments of food establishments. I was home within ten minutes and was eager to dig in. Before I ate, I took pictures for you fellow curious Yelpers. :) I also threw the basil, other veggies, and raw meat into the broth before starting my salad. I do not like the bitterness from raw bean sprouts and prefer my meat mostly cooked, so I try to start them asap (especially if I order take-out, since you lose some of the heat during the commute). I smiled widely when I opened the plate of papaya salad since it was much larger than I expected (100 brownie points!). The uploaded pictures from people dining-in looked about half the size so I had hearts in my eyes! The sauce was perfectly balanced (sweet and tangy, with a pinch of spice), and complemented the sour lime juice and creaminess from the ground peanuts beautifully. I could just drink this sauce! Straight up, no chaser! Haha While eating, I fantasized of all the other types of salads I could use the dressing with. Simple to say, I enjoyed it. AND the sliced shrimp was surprisingly soft. Well I was surprised at least. I was expecting a rubbery texture from freezer burn or dried out refrigeration, but was actually contemplating if they marinated the shrimp! Hahaha Now, I have ordered take-out pho quite a few times, and from different restaurants, but I have never had broth still be hot enough to make me flinch after my boat-load of veggies have been stewing. I could have let it sit ten more minutes and it would still be hotter than a certain pho establishment in Mccully (grrrr). Sorry low blow, I know. Moving on. Yes the broth melts faces and I was beyond proud of giving them my business. I do not enjoy cold soup, and usually my extra veggies ruins this for me. Another 100 brownie points! Woot! The broth was not too salty, oily, or anything else other pho snobs like to moan about. I enjoyed my meal, and I bet if I refer my friends, they would enjoy it too! I look forward to exploring their menu, and their spring (and all other seasons) rolls, as well as other sides. I was trying to look for a picture of their chicken salad, but got too hungry from scrolling through their Yelp pictures and had to eat something. I'll be sure to upload it if I try it!

    (5)

  • Debrah D.

    First time here, the address says Kalakaua Ave; however if you get lost, just remember it's across Homebar. Parking is either on the street or behind/on the side of the building. I'd like to say that this place beats the Phi Bistro in Waipahu. Service was friendly and excellent. The server was very attentive, always refilled our waters, and offered my kids utensils and bowls without having to request for them. I love a server with common sense! This place is clean and well maintained compared to the other location. Food was spot on, our cravings definitely satisfied. We each had the house special pho. An order of spring and winter rolls.

    (5)

  • Brent K.

    Today the soup was to salty for me. But most of the time it's ok. Today we had spring rolls and Pho. The sping rolls only came with three on the plate. They must be cutting back or something. My reguler Pho place was closed and we were in a rush and wanted soup so we came here.

    (3)

  • Cobra K.

    Great, no frills, Pho restaurant.

    (4)

  • Rosemary P.

    Great place for authentic Vietnamese Food at reasonable prices. Try their new pork chop rice plate.

    (4)

  • Denise L.

    Just the thing after a long day of flights gone wrong and hours of exploring the Waikiki area on foot. My business partner and I were on a quest for some good food after trekking around Waikiki for 5 miles, and Yelp was on the case! We stopped by several places but most of them were dingy and didn't have a good process for food preparation. This business partner used to be an executive in the food industry, so there was no way we were eating somewhere unclean. Pho Bistro 2 passed the test. Although it is in a somewhat seedy-looking area and the construction made everything look run-down, the interior is clean. We started with the **Spring Rolls** which were fresh and delicious. The peanut sauce was a little too salty but I may be a little picky when it comes to my peanut sauce. I grew up with that stuff, after all. When it's good I can eat all the sauce with a spoon. This one was not spoon-worthy. The **Pho Tai** with rare steak was very hearty and really hit the spot. DATE TIP: This can definitely be a spot to prove your bravery to your date. Looks sketchy outside so walk in there with confidence! And you can be protective too: after some warm pho, walk out with your arm around them. ;)

    (4)

  • Ms S.

    Just very good pho!!! Favorite Pho Ga place! Chicken is fresh and pho soup tastes really good. Fresh herbs. Restaurant is small & clean, service prompt and pleasant.

    (5)

  • Daniel Q.

    Service is good. It does get busy tho. This is 1 of our favorite vietnamese restaurant on oahu.

    (5)

  • Kaori I.

    AWESOME!!!!! The BEST Oxtail Soup I've ever had!!! Wonderful service...it was pretty amazing to get a nice service in this kind of casual restaurant. I usually don't expect it so it really amazed me. Great service and wonderful oxtail soup what else can I wish for?? My oxtail soup had lots of vegetables with a choice of a bowl of rice or noodle. I picked noodle and it came in another bowl of soup. Nice! And my soup came with a big amount of fresh grounded ginger!! Nice!! Green papaya salad was nicely spicy with a decent amount of shrimp!! Great!! I have to go back soon to try their specialty combo which I had a hard time to make up my mind for my order... I like Bac Num too but the service here is way beyond all other Vietnamese restaurants. Wonderful!!!

    (5)

  • Nicole R.

    YUM. Amazing Vietnamese food! I could happily eat here 3x a week. Their chicken pho is my favorite comfort food when I'm sick. The staff is super friendly and the dining area is clean and bright. Great lunch spot or take out, too!

    (4)

  • Diner G.

    Thank you, Yelpers! Would never have found this off the beaten path pho-bulbous restaurant were it not for Yelp. A nice 1.2 mile stroll from the hotels in Waikiki...when we walked in, it was packed (with Asians! Always a good sign ;) I asked if the food has MSG and she was honest and said all dishes are pre-seasoned and they DO USE MSG. She said the only dishes that could be made without MSG were the vermicelli dishes. I get headachy (and I already had a headache) after MSG/salty dishes, but was really craving pho, so I decided I'd take a chance. We ordered (girl is good! She didn't even need to write down our order! And nothing got screwed up!): Spring rolls (deep fried with pork etc): $7.50 for 3 small pieces. Flavor excellent, but price wise I'd probably just have $ go towards a full dish. We loved the egg rolls but it should either cost a little less or they should give more for that price (I'm comparing it to what we get in L.A.). But it was DELICIOUS!!! Pork chop: $10.95 comes with 2 big pieces of pork chops (had some fatty pieces), rice and salad. Huge serving and it too was pho-bulous! Lemongrass chicken: $10.95 comes with pieces of thigh meat chicken, rice and salad. Great tasting. Chicken pho soup: $9.15 for large (thigh and breast meat) and plate of the veggies. Very good. Not a lot of meat though. But still yummy. Our hotel (The Ilima...awesome, affordable place to stay with great & friendly service) has a full kitchen, so we decided to order another dish to go. Grilled chicken : $10.95. We haven't eaten it yet, but if their other dishes are any indication, I'm sure we'll love it. This is a family run place. The daughter-in-law is who we dealt with today. I asked her name to give her a shout out on Yelp but she was shy...she was awesome. On top of everything with water, checking in on us, friendliness. We will definitely be back during every trip to Hawaii. Bonus is they don't charge if u ask for extra veggies for your pho or to use your credit card (pet peeve of mine). Overall, it was a pho-tastic meal with great service. And it's nice and air conditioned in there too and their bathroom is clean. I'm happy to report my headache didn't get any worse by having food with MSG and their food did NOT taste salty. It was delicious. I've enclosed pics of our food and the menu as of 3/12/15. I dunno about you, but I like to see menu and prices before going to a place while I'm on vaca. TIP: get a massage at Pin Thai (see my review) across the street then eat pho. This is what we'll do next time. Have a pho-bulous meal! Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Danae L.

    Service was good. We came for yummy oxtail soup and that's just what we got. we ordered it with white rice and it was delicious.

    (4)

  • Crystal L.

    I've eaten here 3 times now to get my pho fix. Now coming from San Francisco which serves some pretty bomb pho, I have some high standards. Their broth and beef are good. Service is okay. There was one time I ordered vermicelli and found a hair RIGHT ON TOP of the dish as it was laid in front of me... Decided to stick to their pho after that experience.

    (3)

  • Hiyori M.

    I love it I love it I love it! Best pho you can buy at a restaurant in Hawaii, but I'm pretty sure everyone know that's already. I've been coming here for over 8 years since when they first opened & always ate their combo. pho & spring rolls. Recently I tried their pork chop & that was so freaking ONOOOOOOO. The staff is very friendly, they even made me Lao papaya salad because I was craving it instead of the Viet. one on the menu!!!!

    (5)

  • Emi H.

    My boyfriend's favorite thing to eat is pho. That man could eat rare beef pho morning, noon and night if I let him, and would probably never complain one bit. We've been doing a lot of take out from here lately because work is busier than usual and each time we've been pleased with our meals. The broth at Pho Bistro 2 has a richness and depth that's a standout amongst the pack of noodle houses. He usually picks up our order but I was already out running errands and went on the ever important task of picking up our night's sustenance. I was a little worried there would be no parking but luckily there were lots of spots open. I popped in for my pickup and paid the nice man at the counter. I inquired about the banana tapioca and he kindly offered to give it to me for free. I of course declined and he insisted, which then made me leave him a tip to makeup for his offering. So sweet! My boyfriend & I had a wonderful pho picnic in our living room. The banana tapioca was a wonderful treat while watching "Breaking Bad" and I'm so thankful I have a reliable go-to on the days when life is much too busy to cook dinner. Takeout rules!!!

    (5)

  • W Q.

    Had the #13 on the menu, pho with rare steak plus extra meat for $3. Excellent broth, excellent sliced meat. Great service, friendly and prompt. The Thai Iced Tea was good too, but it's mostly ice, not the best value on drinks. It's still 5 star worthy for pho on taste, value, and service.

    (5)

  • Dee A.

    I'm from San Diego and was trying to find a good place for pho on the island. I read the reviews and decided to give this place a try. I was glad I did. I've eaten pho all over the place and this was some of the best pho ga! My DH came w me the first time and got the pho tai which was also fantastic. I'm a huge fan of broth and I think theirs is some of the best ever. The sweet lady who owns the place (at least I think she does) is just too cute. She goes around making sure everyone is happy with their food. I highly recommend you give this place a try.

    (5)

  • Calvin T.

    Tried the large size combination pho with rare beef. I took out and they let me mix my own sauce. Everything's good. The soup is good. The beef briskets are very tender. The sliced beef is just right. Beef balls, tripe, tendon, etc. just a little of everything... Now that I've seen the reviews for oxtail soup and I'll probably will try that next.

    (5)

  • Ivy L.

    My family was in Hawaii for vacation and we were all craving Vietnamese food after basically a week of eating pasta and fast food. We decided to try this place after reading all of the good reviews on Yelp. The ambiance was definitely lacking. The decor and lighting were fine, but there was just this awful chemical/cleaning smell that permeated the entire small restaurant. It was the first thing my entire group noticed as we walked it. I went from famished to not hungry within seconds. The service was great! Our waitress instantly recognized that we were vietnamese and knew what we were doing; she was super friendly and helpful. The food was alright. Nothing to rave on Yelp about really. The spring rolls were a little too salty, and for some reason, they gave us lemon instead of lime with the pho. I ordered the beef pho with rare meat, and it was okay. The portions were pretty big so that was a plus. One thing I LOVED was the Vietnamese iced coffee- it was just the perfect about of bitterness and sweetness all in a disposable to-go cup.

    (3)

  • Yuko A.

    If you are a meat lover, get the pho meat combo! There was so many slices of meat I was actually putting them on the side for my friend to eat. Don't worry, it wasn't bad, there was just so much! And I had work so I didn't want to be too full and then be sleepy because sleepy at work is never good. It was my first time here but I will definitely be back! It was my first time seeing a pho restaurant with four different appetizer rolls (Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter) yelp.com/user_local_phot… We tried the winter rolls which were basically like summer rolls with pork instead of shrimp in them....Next time I think I'll try their spring rolls though..Those are my faveee The prices are pretty reasonable...I think it was around $8 for a small pho but it was more like the size of a large at other places I've been to. Can't imagine what the large size is.... The guy working there was super nice and our food came out quickly. We were also the first ones there. If you are a guy and go to the bathroom DO NOT SMOKE....or they will lock you up until you clean up your mess.....Theres a sign on the door. I thought it was hilarious...anyone else? Definitely will be back! YELP 365: 236/365

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    The soup broth for their pho is very good! It's one of the best I have ever had on Oahu. The portions are generous and very fresh. Service here is 5 star! The kitchen also accommodates to our order substitutions which is really nice. It sure beats picking out items you don't want. This is Mink's favorite spot and we usually order their summer rolls or winter rolls as our appetizer. We've had their pho and oxtail soup which we highly recommend. Even their rice dishes are excellent. Everything is very flavorful and filling. We have never left disappointed from here. Parking is nice because they have one stall right in front of the restaurant for regular parking and one handicap stall next to it. They have a little lot next to the restaurant as well in the fenced up lot near the canal. Street parking is also available. It's usually very consistent with customers throughout the day but when there is a convention in town then please account for that if you have a limited amount of time for lunch.

    (5)

  • Marissa W.

    after reading all the good yelps decided it was time to try it. Glad we did! Anthony and I are fattys so we ordered spring rolls and an oxtail stew with rice and a large house pho. Everything was delish. The oxtail was big enough to share. And the brisket in the pho was to die for. Can't wait to come back here and eat again!

    (5)

  • Awesome A.

    This is my favorite pho restaurant on island. Mellow clean environment. Great service and it's family run. I love to come here but especially when I have a sore throat. Everything is great on the menu but my favorite is the spring rolls, papaya salad, and pho with rare flank steak. Yum!

    (5)

  • Marifer S.

    I have been going to this place since 2010 with my friend. We both love their pho, spring rolls and summer rolls. They have awesome peanut sauce with crunchy pieces of fried onions.

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    This place was recommended by a friend and it is off the beaten path. Parking can be an issue since there is a small lot next door but we were lucky. We ordered the recommended oxtail soup and had other dishes. The oxtail was a large soup and we ordered the pho instead of the rice. The broth was really tasty and it comes with shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, celery and carrots and cilantro. Three large oxtails come in the soup and it's enough for two people. If we had known that, my friend and I would have shared it. My son and husband ordered the pad Thai with shrimp and they loved it. Our other friends ordered the pho ga (chicken) and the pork chips. The pho ga broth was good and the pork chops are two large chops. We walked away with a doggie bag to take back. The meal did not disappoint.

    (4)

  • Shawna L.

    I've only been here only 2x but is pretty good. the first time needed a phó pick-me-up & got their reg. #14 w/ steak flanks & beef balls. the size for their reg was perfectly filling. the broth & everything was so good & satisfying! I've been on a pad thai mission & so my 2nd time going here decided to try theirs along w/ their spring rolls. the spring rolls were pretty good, they give you 3 fairly small rolls cut in halves. then their shrimp pad Thai was a good size portion, but the flavoring & the way the noodles were cooked was ok. the noodles were a little more on the thin stickier side. but the service is good & quite fast, friendly service. there's a small parking lot on the side or street parking right out front. overall is a good place & for a good price. I haven't tried much of their other foods but as the name of the restaurant shows...it's known for their phó & would def go there again for another phó craving!

    (4)

  • Celine N.

    My second favorite pho shop! My dad and I always come here to eat lunch because they don't have a long wait and the customer service is great and fast! I love the Thai tea which goes great with pho or any dish!

    (5)

  • John P.

    Nothing to add that hasn't already been said about this place. Simply the best Pho I've ever had. Wife says so too. Run here.

    (5)

  • Lina T.

    Love the pho here. Their broth is rich and flavorful and doesn't seem like there's any msg in it. Which is a +! I usually get the large rare beef pho with beef outside. Generally the rare beef is very thinly sliced. But sometimes they're have a off day and it comes out thicker. Still yummy though. If I'm really hungry that day, I'll add on a dish of spring rolls or summer rolls. The spring rolls are a bit expensive for their size though. If youre not feeling pho (idk why you wouldn't wanna eat pho everyday) they also have rice dishes and an assortment of vermicelli. I really recommend the lemongrass one. It's very good! The staff is very nice and attentive and the food comes out fairly quick even during busy hours. Highly recommended. It's become my favorite pho place to visit.

    (4)

  • Selena N.

    came here with my date and i ate everything cos i date myself da pho dac biet taste like how my mother's only biological daughter jus make perfect from chinat0wn. god bless

    (5)

  • Jade Anne D.

    My cousin took me out to try the pho. There isn't really a lot of choices to choose from, so I just went with pho. I enjoyed the broth, considering the fact that eating here was my first. I will definitely be coming back for more.

    (5)

  • Kris B.

    Tried this place for the first time - great little hole-in-the-wall place. I have a usual order whenever I go to a pho restaurant - pho with rare steak and order of either spring or summer rolls... The pho here is definitely delicious. Also had the spring rolls - also definitely delicious! They now have Thai Iced Tea (nom!). The service was friendly and attentive, frequently checked up on us. The price is fairly average for pho. Only downside might be the parking if they get busy - there is some street parking and a little lot nearby. Also, the plum sauce tasted a little different than what I'm used to, not sure why. Otherwise, this could be my favorite new place for pho, and I've gone to other pho places including Hale Vietnam, Green Papaya, and Ha Long Pho Noodle House. Definitely would come here again and I totally recommend this place for a low-key, delicious local pho restaurant!

    (4)

  • Celia B.

    I like this place! Seems like a small, family owned business. Service has always been prompt, friendly and super efficient. Prices are also very reasonable. We've really enjoyed the chicken pho. The broth is great, and they give you plenty of sprouts and basil. I have also had the vermicelli noodles with (lemongrass?) chicken, and that was SUPER good! It was a very large portion, too, and it served as my dinner for 2 nights! The spring rolls and the fresh rolls are also really good! When people want pho we definitely recommend this place, and when we want pho, or Vietnamese in general, this is our go-to spot. Expect some good food and excellent service!

    (4)

  • Nathan C.

    Pho broth needs some work. I wouldn't go back.

    (3)

  • Phuoc T.

    This is the best Pho I have ever had. The owner is very nice and generous. I would recommend to anybody with confident.

    (5)

  • K K.

    A bit of a sketchy location, but wonderful people and delicious pho! Quick service and great portions.

    (4)

  • Jess C.

    We started with summer rolls (the non fried ones), and they were DELICIOUS. Unlike other places, they were the perfect size and freshness, and you could really taste the shrimp. The Oxtail Soup is chock full of sliced cabbage and other veggies, and a generous portion of fall-off-the-bone oxtail. The broth is made with anise and tons of ginger, so naturally it tasted very Chinese; more grated ginger and pho noodles (or rice if you prefer) are served on the side. I think the Oxtail Soup is good if you're looking for something sweeter, or something with lots of veggies, but I prefer flavor of the side of pho noodles, which was made with a mix of chicken and beef broth. Pho Bistro doesn't have the most authentic pho broth or fresh noodles (tasted like the noodles were dried), but I would definitely return because the soup was really tasty. And I want to add, that unlike some other Yelpers, I found the service to be perfectly nice, in fact, maybe friendlier than the average Vietnamese restaurant.

    (4)

  • Florence K.

    4 stars? Did I seriously ONLY give Pho Bistro 2 only 4 stars previously? Was I crazy? Was I drunk? Or just absolutely delirious? I must have been one of the three because Pho Bistro 2 deserves AT LEAST 5 stars, because they seriously have the best pho on the island. Hands down. It all comes down to the broth. Their broth is the perfect blend of flavors, with nothing overpowering. It's the perfect amount of savory with just a tinge of sweetness. I could seriously eat pho from here for the rest of my life. Next, the meats are perfect. My go to choices is always rare steak and well done brisket, and while the rare steak is pretty much similar wherever you go, I swear, Pho Bistro 2 does brisket the best. It's the right thickness as well as the right texture with the right amount of fattiness. But seriously, their broth is amazing which makes the brisket taste even better! Their noodles are also cooked perfectly and Pho Bistro 2 seriously serves the perfect bowl of pho. My boyfriend and I eat pho pretty much once a week, since it's pretty much our favorite thing to go out to eat, and we pretty much always come here. Once in a while I sway away from Pho Bistro 2 in attempt to try someplace new, but always end up utterly disappointed. Seriously, no other establishment is close in comparison. The workers here are also really nice, and I love that they keep refilling my water, because most pho places aren't very on top with that. BEST PHO on the island. Trust me.

    (5)

  • Juliann C.

    This is the only pho place I actually go to when my mom decides she's too lazy to cook me pho! The Good * Location is in town, right outside of Waikiki * Food, big portions, good choices of spicy condiments * Good portion of meat. I always order the combination * Service is good enough :) * Pricy is cherraaay The Bad * Parking situation could be difficult at times. There is only a small little parking lot next to them, so usually i have to find street parking The Weird * I accidentally walked out with that blue plastic cup of water, and I walked back in to try and sneak it back onto a random table. This girl who was eating totally saw me was cracking up and so was the server -__-* i need to work on my ninja skillz

    (4)

  • Anthony W.

    Not sure why the high reviews. Coming from the mainland in Orange County I know Pho!! This joint was clean but the food was quite lacking especially the Pho. First the Pho came out warm not piping hot. Next the broth was laced with nothing but MSG. Broth had no flavor or fragrance of spices needed for Pho. I've had better Pho in Las Vegas. Sorry folks I would rather go somewhere else. I'm usually pretty easy when it comes to Pho but this place sucked!!! Food gets one star but service was on point hence the extra star!

    (2)

  • Julia S.

    Woo! Definitely a fan! I got take out on easter sunday, and it was rainy and poopie. The pho here hit the spot mannn. The guy at the counter was really nice for someone at a vietnamese place. Service usually isn't the best at super asianey place. He offered me water while I waited! And they had a bowl of lollipops so I took one heh. My bf and I got the large pho with chicken and winter rolls. The winter rolls are like summer rolls but with pork inside. Great options when it comes to rolls! They had the shrimp (summer), with tofu, pork, veggies, and spring rolls. Got home and man so much food! The pho's broth was so nice and warm even after waiting 20 mins to eat. Very deep flavor that I loved and not too salty. A decent amount of chicken, nice chicken! Not dirty looking weird chicken that looks like it came from your toilet, but nice, white thick strips! Weee. The usual sprouts and herbs were given in a bag too. The winter rolls were YUMMY. I didn't know what to expect, but what I got was tasttttyyyy. The pork is nice and peppery! So it was spicy in that sense. And the wraps were not dry. I hate getting dry wraps! They give you the sweet dressing like thing also, which complimented well with the spiced pork. Parking: there's a lot on the right side of it. And a handicap stall infront of the store.

    (4)

  • Allison M.

    This was our first pho experience, so maybe we don't have the most discerning pho palates, but we loved it here! They were fast and inexpensive-- but most importantly, we asked if they could do a vegetarian pho and they said yes! They could do one with tofu or just with vegetables. We got it with tofu and it was fantastic! They gave us so so many bean sprouts to put in, as well as jalapenos. And the noodles were so tasty, hearty, and delicious! We may have become pho-natics!

    (5)

  • Te N.

    Not as good as the Pho from Westminster but their Pho portion size is just right with plenty booth and right amount of meats. The booth texture is a little bit too salty so I had to add lemon and a little water to make it right. However it is good experience and I would come back.

    (4)

  • Jennie N.

    I am Vietnamese and knows that I am a hard critic when it comes to Vietnamese restaurants. With that being said, I thought the food was great! The pho was good although it did not have a lot of garnish and did not have slit of noodles for a large bowl. The house special lunch plate with 3 kinds of meat was awesome!!! It was perfectly seasoned and tender. The service was good and the bathroom was very clean. Bathrooms are very important. If the bathroom is dirty and/or has no soap, what does that say about the cleanliness of the kitchen and the food? (I know I am weird) The only complaint that I have about this place is that the menu does not have a lot of variety and more choices. Hopefully, the next time when I visit Hawaii and this restaurant, the menu would be bigger :)

    (5)

  • kristine f.

    I Pho-king love Pho! Pho Bistro 2 is by far one of the best places for Pho. The soup is delectable and tasty. I crave Pho all the time and when I crave it I think of Pho Bistro 2! They got a handle on their menu! I like their Spring Rolls and Summer Rolls.

    (5)

  • Erin H.

    Fantastic seafood pho. Great customer service. Very reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Trish P.

    Delicious hot pho! i've been here 2 times, and so far, so good..... first time around got pho with brisket, second time around got the combination pho which contains meatballs, brisket, sliced steak, tendon and tripe..... the only problem was - with the combination pho, there were lots of brisket pieces, but hardly anything else. i found a 1/2 a meat ball, ZERO tripe, and ZERO tendon.... what happened here? i will say, there was tons of brisket, so i did not mind too too much.... and i'm definitely wiling to give them another chance b/c maybe it was a fluke. they also have good summer rolls, and speak better english than some places i've been too.... :P i really want to come back for the ox tail - apparently it is super good! the parking is next door, near the discount cigarette store, and if you go on a Sunday, parking is FREE!

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    This place is great, the food is wonderful and the service is awesome! I came here with my wife and 13month old daughter. While my wife and I each ordered a bowl of pho, they even provided our daughter with a complimentary small bowl of broth and noodles. The food was great and their service was even better. Even the security guard in the parking lot was more then helpful. The only downfall is parking is really tight!

    (5)

  • Angela J.

    This is my first time trying this place. I actually searched it on yelp and from the rating and reviews, I thought I'd try it. The area looks kinda scary ish. I went with my husband and we both had pho. I had the seafood kind and he had one just with meatballs. The broth was okay, fairly good. But not the worst I've had. I tasted some flavorless broth that I couldn't even enjoy. Such friendly service! We also had the summer rolls and spring rolls. Both so good! Not everyone can make good spring rolls. Either the ingredients aren't right or they just don't fry it until it's golden crispy brown.

    (3)

  • Loc T.

    Very good pho Dac Biet here compared to the states in California. Customer service is up to Par and they are generous on the meat portions in the pho. Not very far from the Waikiki strip also.

    (4)

  • Venecia H.

    This place popped my Pho cherry, in Hawaii that is. I'm new in town, and the first thing I noticed in Honolulu was the abundance of Pho restaurants. Back in Virginia, a good Pho place was a whopping 20 minutes from my house! Any-who, It was late, around 8:30 and this place was the only Pho nearby that was still open. I ordered pho with the works... tripe, tendon, meatballs, flank, etc..and I must say it was pretty darn good. The atmosphere was clean, and the manager of the place made the whole experience more pleasurable. He was even understanding of my three year old's picky eating. Though I'll probably test out many pho places before I find "the one" I will say that this place is a potential. BTW The thai tea was pretty good too!

    (4)

  • K S.

    My husband and I had a wonderful meal here tonight! The service was very good, friendly, and the food was delicious. The owner was very friendly and made us feel very welcome. I had the vermicelli with crispy spring rolls and pork, and my husband had the broke rice plate special. Large portions of delicious food very reasonably priced. For those who like beer with your meal, it is not on the menu, but we were told you could bring your own to drink. So if you are a beer drinker, stop and pick up your brew on your way there. Would love to give the oxtail soup a try next time. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Don N.

    This place is a little off the beaten path but worth it for the Bun Thit Nuong, #18. The vermicelli was fresh and meat was cooked to perfection. The service was prompt and great. The only reason why I can't give this place 5 stars is cuz the Vietnamese ice coffee tasted absolutely terrible. Go with the water on this one.

    (4)

  • Julianne C.

    Came here on a weekday night craving for pho and wanted to try someplace new. Unfortunately, i was not impressed. My friend and I both ordered the pho with rare steak and a vietnamese coffee. Although our food came out fairly quickly, the noodles itself were still somewhat hard, not al dente, but chewy hard. Hmm...I much prefer my noodles more thoroughly cooked. Overall, it was an average bowl of pho. Not good, not bad...soup base was okay... Can't say I will return.

    (2)

  • Rob L.

    Everything was great! Ordered: Thai iced tea Spring rolls Beef and beef balls Pho OX TAIL SOUP Was in Hawaii for vacation and found this place on yelp! Was not let down at all.. Food was awesome and the owners/service was great.

    (5)

  • Jay P.

    You know what I say to people who don't think pho is amazing? PHO YOU! Well, you'll want to punch me if I tell you what I say to people who dislike Pho Bistro 2... Pho Bistro 2 is literally a hop, skip, and a jump away from Don Quixote and Palama Supermarket and is closed during 3 - 4:30 PM everyday...possibly to make more of their amazingly delicious broth? Great location, even greater flavor! The workers are always so nice too! Right when you walk in, I'm sure you'll be greeted with a smile and some familial hospitality. I mean, right when we walked in our female server said we could sit anywhere that we wanted because "the whole restaurant is OURS!" And the water test? PASS...with flying colors! I took one sip of my water and a few minutes later another worker came by and refilled my water. That's less than an inch of space in my glass of water, people. Accessible small parking lot to the right of Pho Bistro 2 that is probably shared. It may be small, but I never had a problem with parking and I have been frequenting this place for years. Seriously, nothing negative about Pho Bistro 2 can come out of my mouth ;)

    (5)

  • Sheena C.

    UPDATE: Whatever I said last time, I take it all back. I'm sorry, Pho Bistro 2. I love you and I've finally come to my senses about it. Pho Bistro is my #3 fav, but what keeps me coming back (more frequently than my pho #2 place, even) is: Location-- Near to my house (well, closer than Ha Long in Kalihi) and very convenient for me. Although the address is listed as Kalakaua, Pho Bistro 2 is actually located on Fern and Kalakaua. It is across from Home Bar on the Kalakaua side, and across of an empty dirt lot on the Fern St. side. Service-- Very friendly family who never turn me away. Hours-- Open until 9pm M-St and until 8pm on Sundays. Food-- The spring rolls are delish and the pho broth is also very good. I love how the raw meat (I order it "outside") is sliced very thinly.

    (4)

  • Brandon S.

    I've been coming here for a number of years now that I thought I already reviewed this place but I guess I haven't?! So this is a place that if you haven't heard about it through friends, family or via the web, the likelihood of you coming across PB2 is slim since it's located on a side street (Fern) off the Makai part of Kalakaua Avenue. If you're driving towards Waikiki, you won't see it. There's obviously a Pho Bistro #1 since this is #2 but I've never been to the original location in Waipahu. I hear it's pretty good....but enough of that I'm getting side-tracked. So the parking here can be a hit or miss. Sometimes there's a lot of parking and sometimes not so much. I guess it just depends if your worthy or not....just kidding. If you're lucky enough to get parking you'll step inside what looks to be your average Vietnamese restaurant with the offering shrines and that fragrant smell of star anise and incense. What makes this place stand out from other Vietnamese restaurants is taste. The Pho broth, spring rolls and some of the other rice & vermicelli noodle dishes are better than most other Vietnamese restaurants. The Pho broth is not too strong or overpowering and has a nice balance to it. It's not too light either so the savory flavors are all blended nicely together. The spring rolls are great b/c they come out piping hot with a nice crisp to the outer shell. A sign that the oil was at the right temperature unlike some places where the rolls come to your table a bit on the soggy side. Because of how the spring rolls are cooked it makes them eating it as a vermicelli noodle dish that more enjoyable. I haven't had the chance to try anything else other than some shrimp, papaya salad and pork chops but those were just as delicious. Check this place out for dinner when you have a chance. Makes a great stop especially if you work in Waikiki and you're on your way out of it.

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    Quick walk from Waikiki. Pho was terrific. Shrimp Summer rolls were good but unimaginative. Will come back to try the Oxtail soup

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    Service is always excellent. Waiters are very friendly. The oxtail soup was delicious and plentiful. They put a lot of veggies in with the oxtail, wonbok caggage, mustard greens, carrots, green onions, chinese parsley and peanuts. It comes with a side of either noodles (pho) or rice. It comes with a lot of grated ginger...i like to add shoyu to the ginger...mmmmm!!

    (5)

  • Dwayne D.

    This was a great little find. The service was prompt and the food was all very tasty. No complaints on either. Portion sizes were ample and just $53 for 4. One regular size pho, one large pho, and two plate dinners. The plate dinners came with meat, steamed rice and salad. We had enough leftover pho to make one large bowl, for breakfast this week. Very nice waitress. Very quaint little place. Nothing fancy, but warm. Nice mixture of locals and tourists. All and all we were very happy with the entire experience.

    (5)

  • Ken C.

    Been to my fair share of pho joints and this one is true to form. Only reason I give this place four stars is that they only had one poor waiter servicing like 12 full tables and also running the register so service was not as prompt as would like it. Nonetheless the food was delish and value was very reasonable. Highly recommend the spring rolls and the special combination platter (you roll your own). Will be coming back next time am in Honolulu

    (4)

  • Nina H.

    You'll never find another broth like Pho Bistro 2 ! The broth here is so packed with flavor and the meats are so generously portioned. With that, any pho combination is a winner ! LOVE their spring rolls; they serve theirs fresh along with lettuce, noodles, cucumber slices, and shredded carrots to create wraps. Many places don't offer the cucumber, and it makes all the difference ! Also LOVE their iced coffee. Don't think it's on the menu yet, but be sure to ask for it. I'm never disappointed by the service that I receive here either. Most of the time it's just a single man handling the whole front of house, but don't underestimate him; he is the most enthusiastic and friendly server I've encountered. I'll definitely be back soon PB2. :)

    (5)

  • Jennifer A.

    My boyfriend and I went there for dinner lastnight and really enjoyed it. I had the chicken pad Thai which was unbelievable- I hold high expectations for pad Thai due to the fact my stepfather owns a restaurant. My boyfriend had the rare steak pho which was really really tasty! Spring rolls and summer rolls were delicious as well! One of the owners a little Asian woman spoke to is on the way out and was so sweet, kind and generous. She offered to buy us desert and was so glad we came to check it out! We will definitely be back and definitely bring our guests there :)

    (4)

  • K K.

    The problem was the pho noodle was to soft, overlooked. The broth was decent but the noodle ruined it. Bun thit nunog was good though. Right amount flavor in the pork and the egg rolls were tasty.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    As I have several friends that visited this establishment and gave positive reviews, me being a HUGE fan of good pho decided to try it out for myself. First off the parking here sucks! there are only two 1 hour stalls directly in front of the restaurant and a small lot out back. I snagged the last spot in the lot :). If i didn't spot it, I probably would've just left and gone someplace else, which I think might actually have been a better idea. First impressions on entering the restaurant. God it's hot in here. I'm not sure if their AC was having problems that day or if its regularly like that but it definitely was a scorcher in the restaurant. The loud fan blowing near the entrance almost made me walk right out the door. Eating HOT pho in a hot restaurant = HUGE TURN OFF especially when one likes pho to be hot and spicy. One interesting thing about this pho restaurant was that the table cloths were yellow...this might have been nice if the restaurant was more properly lit, but I think they turned down the lights due to the heat...and during my meal they turned off the lights completely. Compared to other pho restaurants the menu offered little selections on the pho and it was very basic. There were only like ~5 choices for the pho (I don't remember the exact number). I actually wanted to try the oxtail with pho but the menu made it seem like that it is only served with rice. So instead I ordered the large combination for $8.95 and I also asked for the banana tapioca. The waiter told me they didn't have the banana with little or no explanation. If you don't have it anymore take it off the menu! Also they seemed in a hurry to snatch the menu out of my hands WTF!!! When I got the pho, I was surprised at how small the bowl was. I hopefully thought that there was more than meets the eye. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/CnL6… ). In no f***ing way was the pho what I would call large. I would call this either a small or a small-medium. I managed to eat it all in under 10mins. I found the broth to be flavorless and quite watery. The redeeming factor was that because it was watery I did not find it at all salty. The meat was also not good (maybe it was a little old). A lot of pho restaurants sell vietnamese iced coffee and Pho Bistro 2 is no exception. Had they not snatched my menu so fast, I might have ordered the iced coffee to make up for the missed tapioca, but after losing my menu I decided against it since it cost $3.25 and I would rather pay a bit more for starbucks instead. Also reading some of the reviews here, people said their coffee came at the end of the meal and given how fast I managed to finish the pho (I was not even wolfing it down) it probably wouldn't even have come during my mealtime. Also I have to say the service was rather bizarre. A man came by and refilled my water when I drank like 1/8th of the water (I only had maybe 2 sips) and I was like WTF...I had only been here 5 mins or so. There was another man there who I found a bit obnoxious (the kind of guy who I'd wanna sock in the face for being annoying as heck). There is a difference between trying to be a good host and just being plain annoying. To me he seemed like he fit the latter description. Overall I would say the pho here is nothing special. major driving point...the LARGE = a SMALL and I would know since I'm a super skinny guy who normally doesn't eat a lot anyways (maybe that's why they thought they could give me less...).

    (1)

  • Chato W.

    After reading all the good reviews on Yelp, I couldn't wait to try this place. I love good pho, but what a disappointment it was to eat there. I ordered a chicken pho and my mom had winter rolls. Her rolls were somewhat better than my pho. The broth really had a peculiar taste and smell that was not pleasant nor tasty. The noodles were so soft and disgusting. What was more disgusting was that a female employee (owner/cook?) came out to talk to a gentleman customer who was sitting alone, maybe an acquaintance, and when she looked my way, she was picking her teeth with a toothpick. I really got queasy at the sight. I have never seen a restaurant employee picking their teeth in the middle of a dining room front of customers. I should give this place one star, but our server, probably the lady's husband, was really nice, but not nice enough for me to return.

    (2)

  • Terry W.

    Restaurant location is not good... The neighborhood looks not safe. Pho with steak is just ok, no surprise - I had very high standard taste of pho.

    (2)

  • Steve L.

    Excellent Pho, sketchy location. Found this delightful purveyor of Pho on Yelp, and what a find it was. The walk from the Convention Center up Kalakaua was questionable - witnessed a homeless dude check behind bushes with a stick and a flashlight, then nearly walked by the restaurant after being distracted by the pawn shop in Suite A. Restaurant was no-frills, and the house special Pho bowl was about 11 bucks. Broth was amazing, and vermicelli straddle that thin line between too stringy and too soft, and was able to maintain that quality through the fifteen minutes it took me to slurp down my bowl. Other customers appeared to be townies, with a particular table of possibly-legal-aged Vietnamese/Chinese women obviously having a good time at a table in the middle of the restaurant. Good times were had by all. Took a peek behind the bush on the way back. Nothing.

    (5)

  • AshleyMarie O.

    wonderful dinner here- They even let us in 5 minutes after close and remained SUOER nice The owner is a doll and chatted us throughout our meals EVERYTHING was fantastic- the PHO is killer and the pork chops were great! wish I lived in Hawaii so I could go AGAIN AND AGAIN

    (5)

  • Jessica T.

    Best authentic pho in Honolulu! Hands down exceeds Pho To Chau is Chinatown. The workers are really nice an attentive. The location is not the best but it's worth the walk/drive. Must try!

    (5)

  • Reid A.

    Pho~nominal!! ^.^ All silly puns aside, the pho here is great. The beef broth is tasty. I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of pho. I've eaten at a lot of places here, but this one is the only one noteworthy. I actually crave pho now, and this is the only place I go. The parking lot is on the right side of the building and also some street parking if you can find it. This is the perfect place for lunch.

    (4)

  • SF F.

    Combination of Thai and Vietnamese...vermacelli was ok but grilled pork was burnt and salty. The eggrolls were meh. Given the rating on Yelp, I would have expected a bit better.

    (2)

  • Sharon S.

    We chose this restaurant based on Yelp reviews and it was great. We wanted Pho takeout for our last night in our condo and we weren't disappointed. Excellent food, fast and friendly service and a good location. At 3:00 on. Monday it was almost full. We loved the pho and the summer rolls. Though the outside looks pretty rough, the inside is clean and bright. The restaurant is on the Fern St. Side of the building.

    (5)

  • Arthur S.

    Yummaayy! Spring Rolls from here look absolutely delicious! or someone takes really good pictures! This place is located right next to my favorite Italian place, Amina Pizzeria. So if your not full after you Pho yourself, eat some hearty Italian next door. I enjoyed the Pho here, my order was made pretty quickly, and it was to go. Though i wish i would have stayed longer to get a crunchy fresh spring roll. The room space is nice, its actually bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. Kind of like one of those fun houses you see at the carnival. The place also looked fairly clean and well maintained. The service was excellent. The Vietnamese guy at the front counter seemed a bit sketchy, but the same time, he knew how to sell Pho. I recall him asking me if i wanted this, or wanted that. I basically told him I'm just doin Pho. But i enjoyed the enthusiasm! it made me at least considering other options. *Quiet peaceful, and no lines *Parking right out the back *Excellent price for a good Pho Definitely coming back for another round of Phoing

    (4)

  • Darick M.

    Service was very friendly and attentive! Parking was ok... No complaints about the food.. I had the small Pho Special and and order of the summer rolls since it was my first time here.. since this is kind of how I measure a pho place.. The portion size is generous.. My only complaint is that the broth tastes like swanson's beef broth..

    (4)

  • Chyanne O.

    I feel like sometimes this place is overrated. Pho is good but not exceptional. They are clean and service is friendly but they lack in variety of vietnamese food. they really are just "pho bistro"- don't expect them to have anything else pretty much. I really wished they had the sandwiches and bun rieu cua.

    (3)

  • Lai T.

    Pho Bistro 2 was recommended to me after I struck up a conversation with someone about Vietnamese food on Oahu. My bf and I swung by for dinner after attending the UH law school graduation on Sunday. In my opinion, their menu is rather small. We ordered a large bowl of their pho special and the oxtail soup. The pho was not bad. I liked how they provided ample condiments to add into the pho. I don't know what those greens are called, but they really make a huge difference in pho. I've never had oxtail soup with peanuts. Honestly, I do not remember much about the broth except that the meat on the oxtails was very tender. Also, I really enjoyed the Chinese mustard (?) which they cut up and included in the soup. The bowl itself was pretty big, which I guess justifies the $15. But personally, I'd rather get a smaller bowl and pay less. In our bowl, I think there were approximately 5-6 pieces of oxtail. The service was friendly and fast. I found it interesting how the restaurant was offering complimentary items to tables which were celebrating Mother's Day. That is something which you don't see often at a pho restaurant ;) Overall, I'd come back here more because I like the people who run the business rather than because I loved the food. Oh and be sure that you park on the lot that is on the same side as the restaurant, otherwise you may get towed.

    (3)

  • Kristen G.

    Pho doesn't get any better than this. Deep rich broth, fresh veggies, great shrimp spring rolls. Nothing better than this and a pot of tea, when you are under the weather. Friendly service is a bonus.

    (5)

  • Angela M.

    Dear Pho Bistro, We have seen you four times in the last three weeks. Because your broth is glorious. Because your broth is addictive. Because I'm holding myself back from seeing you every single day. You've also made all other pho broths taste extremely sub-par, lowering other restaurants I used to frequent to peasant status in the kingdom. The kingdom of which you are the King of Pho. LONG LIVE PHO KING! We love Pho King. See you very soon, Angela

    (5)

  • Rissa K.

    Pho is ok here. There was no AC and parking is bit hard to find because it fills up fast! I will come back to try their Oxtail soup!

    (4)

  • Yo J.

    Pho is tops Rolls top And try the chicken salad winners

    (5)

  • Mayanne K.

    Thank you my fellow yelpers for leading me here when I was deciding where to have lunch with my girlfriends! I was most pleased with the broth and the temperature of the soup. I've been to a few pho places and the pho doesn't come out as hot as it does here. I'm starting to understand that different pho establishments make their broth differently, and it makes a difference! I ordered the large rare beef pho like the little piggie I am because it was only about $0.40 extra! (don't quote me on that but it was only cents more). It was so tasty I ate it all and was so happy. The Spring rolls were okay, I've seen bigger, but I like Spring rolls in general. I was sweating a bit inside, partly from the broth, and also because the AC wasn't on. They were just using fans which was the sad part to experience. Only when more people started trickling in did one of the workers turn on the cool air. The parking lot was full at 1pm on a Sunday, I was bummed, but I was lucky and found nearby street parking. It's not totally impossible to find street parking nearby, but it can be a gamble. Service was okay, as long as my water is filled every once and a while and the server knows when we're ready to get the check. I noticed another table needing something but no one came to them for a while, until he called the server over. They weren't that busy so I was surprised that happened. Despite all this, I'd definitely come back when I'm in the area for some pho that will definitely hit the spot!

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    Best Pho on the island. Great broth for the Pho and Oxtail soup. BYOB which makes it a cheap date.

    (5)

  • Denise K.

    Wow. Oxtail Pho? I was sold!! They are not stingy with the oxtail meat ~ I felt like my bowl was an endless sea of oxtail! I walked outta there so full and happy =) It's a small family owned business and everyone was so nice to us. Service was GREAT! Not like some typical pho restaurants where you order, get your food, and no one ever comes to check on you. Loved it and will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Esther F.

    For the love of Pho, I thank my friend for bringing me here! This place is kind of like a hole in a wall 'cause I would have NEVER seen this place if my friend had not brought me. The owner is super duper nice, the waiters are too, and the prices are pretty decent. $7.60 for their house special (pho dac biet) for their portions?! Aww yeah. You can order the regular or the large which is $8.15, but it's worth it. The interior is clean and simple, and it's quite spacey. They now have this awesome bowl from Pho Garden in San Francisco, California that holds Pho Challenges, but I don't think Bistro will be doing that anytime soon. Haha. Just ask about it, and you'll see their nice lookin' bowl. Oh, and they have Thai Tea. Yay! If you want Pho to go, you'd have to order the large instead of the regular. I don't know why, but large pho to go is good with me! Also, parking is a pain sometimes if it's full and it's also free. There is also the choice of street parking, but you have to pay, unless you went somewhere that doesn't have one. Lucky you. This place used to open pretty late until one day, two groups (I think six?) of drunk people came in and caused a huge commotion.. So now they're opened until 9:30PM instead of 10PM... if I'm not mistaken. Even so, me gusta.

    (5)

  • Ali K.

    Quick update: Been coming here more often these days and they have been consistently on point. Their soup is always hot and tasty and they don't skimp on the meat (but could use a little more noodles.) This is a family operated business and can seem understaffed at times. Also, the food can take a little longer to come out during rush dinner hours but the wait is always worth it and everyone is friendly.

    (5)

  • Duy L.

    Dropped by for dinner on a Thursday evening, June 14, 2012 (sorry, long overdue review!) Gluttony is a sin, but we were on vacation! My buddy and I had just finished eating pizza next door (great place), and I wanted to grab some pho for the sake of yelp reviewing! It's just soup right? It'll wash down the pizza. I ordered the pho ga (chicken), and my buddy got the pho bo (beef). To my dismay, they had used the same broth for both of our pho! W-T-PHO! I didn't want to gripe too much, lest I ruin our vacationing high spirits so I conjectured that it was almost closing time and the chef probably was too lazy to heat up the chicken stock from scratch. You let me down, Pho Bistro 2! Ok, in fairness, I'll say that place is dimly lit, good ambiance for a date. The tables were pretty clean; it's a step up above normal mom-pop pho joints. They used actual limes, and didn't skimp by providing the cheaper lemon instead. They provided the usual jalapeno and mint and thai basil (and those didn't look too brown). The broth was clean, nothing overly flavorful, but nothing to write home about. But, again, to use beef broth in chicken pho? For fuck's sake. Next time just tell me you're out of it, and I'll order something done right.

    (2)

  • Janette F.

    I haven't been here for a while and, today, called in a take out order after watching the Super Bowl. I ordered vegetarian dishes and she kindly asked if it was okay that the dipping sauce had fish sauce it in. I said it was okay because my sister and mother were eating it as well, so for them, that was fine. I went to pick up the food and the daughter remembered me and asked how I was doing. I have always been impressed with her but she actually surprised me this time because I know I have not been there for at least 2 years. That is customer service at its best. I just LOVE this place, their service and their food. It is a must if you are a pho lover because their pho is the best. This is a permanent place on my list!

    (5)

  • Jessie S.

    Exceptional Everything! Popped in the night before for take out. All I have to say is I am blown away by the quality of the food and the amazing, absolutely heartwarming service! Ordered Spring Rolls, Large Pho with rare beef, and a Thai Iced Coffee while we waited. Service is fast and helpful! I was also given plastic ramekins to make my sauces! The Spring rolls were still deliciously hot and crispy after the walk back to the apartment. PB2 does not skimp on the sides. Even for to go I was surprised at the extra sauce(total sucker for), crisp fresh lettuce and cucumbers present in the box. Pho was the same. All the greens and even a separate bag with the peppers and lime. The quality was excellent and the flavor spot on. Not the best Pho I've ever had but service and quality blow it out of the water. An older woman I believe was the owner was making her rounds at the tables in the restaurant. So pleasant and friendly! She invited us back to dine in...Trust me, after moving home and being so close, I will be back. I want to get the ox tail soup!

    (5)

  • Connie W.

    For some people, chicken noodle soup is the cure-all for a cold. For me, it's a big steaming bowl of pho, #14 (steak with meatballs) to be exact. I came down with a cold earlier this week and ended up visiting Pho Bistro-2 two nights in a row. I've continually awarded this place a 5-star review and never imagined it could out-do itself, but if there were six stars, this place has easily earned it. To begin, the Energizer Bunny is much more mellowed out. They recently installed a new air conditioning unit (APPLAUSE!!), and it was entertaining to hear him brag about the improved BTUs. Definitely much cooler and comfortable inside. He also shared with us Pho Bistro 2's origin story (gather 'round, kids): Many years ago, Mom was partner with the owner of Pho Bistro in Waipahu. She'd always wanted a business of her own and made plans to open a second location. However, her partner was reluctant to give up the "secret recipe," even after it was bought and paid for to the tune of $10,000. Mom eventually obtained the recipe and after a few tweaks of her own, opened up Pho Bistro 2, a name she registered long ago and decided to keep. The American Dream is alive and well. On our second night, they rolled out the red carpet for us. We were running late and intended to take our order to-go as to not impose. We walked in five minutes before closing, and they insisted that we stay, "Mom wants to serve you." I've had many more places try to shove me out the door than invite me in at closing time. We had the same pleasant experience as always, and the food never disappoints. So in my world, six stars. Easily.

    (5)

  • Dana T.

    Whenever I feel like some Vietnamese food, but don't want to trek to Chinatown, this is where I come! Their pho is delicious and the service is always so friendly. I also love the oxtail pho and Pho Bistro 2 Special Combination tray. Although the combo tray is so big that you'll need another person to share with you.

    (4)

  • Rebecca M.

    Rock solid, inexpensive pho, off the beaten path from the tourist gluttony of Waikiki. I had the summer rolls, which were decent, and the rare steak pho, which was excellent. The waiter was very friendly even though the service was a bit slow (he said later that I'd arrived at the tail end of an unusual rush). This is both the most reasonably priced and the tastiest meal that I've had here so far.

    (4)

  • Drew L.

    The Pho Bistro 2 came up as one of the best in Waikiki, so stopped by. Had the number 19 vermicelli bowl with grilled pork and spring roll, a staple food for me. Bowl and portion were smaller than I'm used to. The grilled pork was not really grilled and was a little burned on the edges. The spring rolls were great. Overall, I was a little disappointed as I get better in Austin, but a solid 3 stars.

    (3)

  • Lindsay F.

    Ever since they've opened we've been going here for pho. I'd choose ramen over pho any day but if I had to eat it i'd definitely choose bistro! Their soup is delicious I could eat it without any added sauces if I had to. The ladies who work there are so sweet they treat you like family. It's easy to miss since its kind of off to the side. But very convenient since its right by Ala Moana.

    (5)

  • Hubert C.

    I've been to a lot of Pho places and this one is unique. I went with a group of 4 and we all agree that this place is pretty good. The noodles were delicious. I cant really describe it... but it wasnt like any Pho noodles Ive had in DC or California. The soup tasted fresh... we think it is because there is no msg. My Vietnamese friend said the soup tasted exactly how his mom makes it. We were in a hurry to catch a plane (20 min to order, eat, and pay the bill) and the waitress was really accomodating in getting the food to the four of us in time. Theres plenty of parking on the right, and the restaurant is clean with nice decor.

    (5)

  • Gabby V.

    Parking can sometimes get pretty tight here which can get stressful because the parking lot is so small. That's the only downfall. Other than that, the pho here is very tasty and worth your trouble. The service is very personable and they show great hospitality. Their also fast, quick and easy to talk to so it gives you more time to enjoy the delicious food. The is a must-have place to go to for all pho lovers!

    (5)

  • Andy T.

    Wow. I've driven by this place many times feeling bad because it looks like it gets no business. I'm totally wrong! The place is much more spacious than it looks from the outside. The service is extremely friendly and the place is clean. Their pho is absolutely delicious. Typical pho broths from other restaurants have a generic pho taste but this one has more depth in flavor. It resembles "to chau"'s broth but a little more salty. (more msg?) Quality of meat was outstanding, best brisket in pho I've ever had. Portions are rather huge. I don't have to wait in a line for pho? I'm a fan.

    (5)

  • H C.

    Super tender ox tail soup, but it's not your traditional stewy type ox tail. It's more soupy type but very tender and ready to fall off the bone. The only thing i wish was to have more. I think having the noodles on the side is a better way than having it with rice. We also had a bowl of pho with seafood. Everything here was wonderful. Other than this place being a little hard to find as it's address is for the main road, it's actually on the side street, but the plentiful parking makes up for it. I would definitely come back on my next trip to Waikiki.

    (4)

  • Deb Y.

    This is a very clean and very nice place to eat. The owner and staff made us feel like family. They explained all the unique dishes and even provided us with a demonstration on how to use rice paper to roll our meal. This is the most fun we have had eating out in quite a while. The food was great and very affordable. I think this is a great place for visitors to Honolulu because you feel so welcome the minute you walk in the door. Thank you Pho Bistro 2 and Yelp for a wonderful experience!

    (5)

  • Anne H.

    I went there recently and ordered the Pad Thai noodles. There was too much sauce and the chicken tasted funny. But the service was good during this and the last times I was there.

    (2)

  • Nick B.

    I am by no means a Pho expert but this place was great. Good quality meats and very fresh ingredients you add yourself at the table. Very nice and attentative staff. Good job guys!.

    (5)

  • David B.

    i've had pho here a on 3 occasions for lunch. the first two times it was ahhh so so. the soup wasn't hot enough, and i ordered my meat outside and you know how that goes...those two time i ordered the pho thai, the sliced steak meat only. this last time however i ordered pho thai with brisket as well. and bam! it was killer. maybe because this time i went not during lunch time. it seemed the food came out way better. hotter, tastier. the pho was perfect. it hit the spot. 1 out of 3. so it gets 4 stars. the coffee however sucked. way too watery. trust me on this...did i mention i'm vietnamese btw?

    (4)

  • Koren D.

    OMG - it's true! This was the best oxtail soup! The pho is pretty good too. A definite must try. ;o)

    (5)

  • Frank H.

    This place RUINED ALL Pho restaurants for me! No matter where I've been the Pho has NEVER been the same. Everything is fresh, the service is great and the Pho is ALWAYS consistently amazing. Portions are generous and so are the staff; as soon as you walk in you know you are going to have wonderful food and equally great service. I'm from California originally and had great Pho in the bay area but who knew I had to travel across the Pacific to get the Pho I always dreamed of. They do take-out too! As everyone else mentioned the place is clean which is rare for any other Pho place I've ever been. It is simple...Pho Bistro 2 is the best place for Pho! I really have yet to try any of the other entrees because the Pho is just THAT good. Props to my #13 on the menu!

    (5)

  • Donna J.

    Fast and friendly staff brought delicious bowls of pho for my husband and me. As a certified Pho expert, my husband thought this place was close to what mama makes at home. As always Pho was very affordable with large portions. Had all the trimmings of lime, mint, bean sprouts etc. all freshly prepared.

    (5)

  • Bob N.

    Awesome oxtail and pho... Get #22 with the noodles on the side

    (4)

  • T. L.

    The broth was flavorful, but very heavily seasoned with MSG. They were very stingy with the noodles, and I find it so unnecessary when restaurants do that. The portion of beef slices were skimpy, too. Come on now - - we are talking about dried noodles that expand in water when cooked. I will not be going back. Period.

    (2)

  • ben s.

    This is by far the best Pho establishment I have EVER been too. The family that operate the Bistro are the nicest people in the World. I ordered the Pho Combination which comes with beef flank, rare steak, tripe, beef balls, and tendon. The portions of meat to noodles was perfect. Also the broth was amazing. I could drink it for days....If back in Honolulu I would definitely go back again & again & again......

    (5)

  • Diana P.

    Found this place while looking for another restaurant close to the convention center. The food was excellent and the service was A+. Our server made several excellent suggestions, including a killer combo of sauces (rooster sauce, super spicy garlic chile sauce, and hoisin sauce). Eaten and enjoyed at our table: combination #11, cold noodles with lemon grass chicken #21, chicken spring rolls, fried spring rolls, and pad thai. Yum.

    (4)

  • Andrew S.

    About as good pho as I've ever eaten, which is a surprise because there should be some pretty good pho in the Bay Area. Nice to find some in Hawaii.

    (5)

  • A C.

    I was in town for a wedding and totally not excited about the awful tourist scene. I found this place thanks to yelp and it actually turned my vacation around. The Pho is rich and smooth - not too anise heavy, which I like - and the papaya salad was the best I'd had.

    (5)

  • Ashley A.

    Pho was as good as I've ever had, and the service was great! I'm in HI for a conference and I luckily checked Yelp before grabbing lunch. I persuaded several friends to accompany me to Pho Bistro 2 instead of going to the food court, and it was an excellent decision. I'm only out here for a week but there is a pretty good chance I'll be back to this place for lunch. The location is amazing if you are at the Hawaii Convention Center; it's less than a 5 minute walk.

    (5)

  • Lola C.

    This is my go-to place to get pho, mainly because it is close to where I live and it's really good! I'm not a person who uses the soup as a science experiment; I just eat it plain, no sauce or veggies and their soup has the best flavor without getting all thirsty after. The service is good, I mean it's not like the service you'd get at a five-star restaurant but they're always fast and friendly. The food always arrives piping hot...I'm craving some now as I'm writing this review. Sigh...

    (5)

  • Jen T.

    small, sweet pho restaurant tucked away on a lot on fern and kalakaua. it's a clean establishment, good prices ($7.15 for med pho w/ rare steak), tasty pho (and broth), and friendly service! our server was the son of the owner, who was really funny and accommodating to my requests (add tendon!), and at the end of the meal, mama-san came out and scolded me (jokingly) on how i could've better finished my meal! so cute. i had a really pleasant experience here and will be coming back for more soon!

    (5)

  • Johnny H.

    one of the best pho places in hawaii. the atmosphere is nice and the place is clean. and the workers are really nice. the broth is outstanding and you gotta try their winter rolls.

    (4)

  • Christopher T.

    We got it to go to eat in our hotel room (we had two small children with jet lag). Parking is next door, but get there early because it fills up fast. I'm not much of a pho fan, but my wife thought it was incredibly good, so I'm just relaying her comments.

    (4)

  • Brandon S.

    My very good friend from work took me out to dinner here last night. I have been on a Pho kick lately and this was some of the best I have had. Atmosphere is very hometown and friendly. Service was fast and repetitive, never had to ask. Serving are plentiful, price is very affordable, which is not consistent with the amount if flavor. Everything from Pho, Autum Rolls, peanut sauce, and the fresh sprouts and Thai Basil. Fantastic! Will be a repeat customer for sure. Maybe date night with my wife!!

    (4)

  • George Q.

    solid

    (4)

  • Kelly G.

    As the ultimate hangover food, my friend suggested eating pho at Pho Bistro 2 which was open at 11am on a Sunday! Even at opening, they already had a couple tables with customers. Ordered the chicken salad and 2 #12 (all the meats in the soup). The chicken salad was yummy - there was pieces of dark meat in the salad, some of which had pieces of ligament, but edible. At $10 for a large bowl of pho, you get great portions. I feel like they age their beef a little bit since the flavor was very concentrated and yummy! The brisket wasn't my favorite, but the tendon was melt in your mouth soft. Broth was only alright, Winston Q. says its usually better than what we had yesterday. Guess I'll come back to try their broth when they are more on par. Takes card!

    (3)

  • Mika M.

    I love the welcoming atmosphere that the servers provide, and the pho is very tasty! I come here almost every week and this place has never disappointed me.

    (5)

  • Tony A.

    I went here with my wife, her family, and two of our friends because according to our friend Kelly, "the oxtail soup is bomb." It is. The servers were friendly and nice considering we came in with a party of 11. Apparently the seafood pho was only okay, but I don't care. I came for some spring rolls and oxtail soup. And that... that was amazing. The broth was rich, the oxtail tender and falling off the bone, and with rice noodles the whole thing was amazing. Usually I add some sriracha or some hoisin to my pho. Not this. It was delightful. Then at the end of the meal, the owner/chef/person who is important came out and she checked on us. A very nice lady. All in all, one of the best meals I had in Oahu that week.

    (5)

  • Bethany R.

    Very good. Decent prices too. Clean restaurant and good service if that's what you are looking for. Tasty tasty. Definitely worth a visit!

    (4)

  • Ed L.

    One of the reasons why I decided to come here, was that I was done with the Great Aloha Run 2012 and was wandering around Waikiki aimlessly searching for good Pho to celebrate the finish line that morning. And so, I looked up some plausible choices in Waikiki, but they did not look appetitizing at all and I already tried them. I had bookmarked the Pho Bistro 2 weeks before coming to this place, so I figured why the hell not. I actually had to make my way out of the vicinity of Waikiki Beach and take the #B bus back up towards downtown and I stopped here. The actual restaurant is actually around the corner of this 1694 Kalakaua Avenue building. I was confused at first. I walked into the restaurant, and found that the lighting was a bit dark and moody. I guess that was ok, but it was mid day, so I guess having that ambiance kind of was good, since bright light wasn't so hot anyways. The service was decent. The server was soft spoken when he took my order. About 5 minutes later, the summer rolls came out and they were cold. You could tell that they pre make it and refridgerated it for the people who order it. I should remind myself to have it heated a bit before getting it served to me. Yeah, that should be better. The combination Pho I had was decently portioned, but could have been larger. The large that they had wasn't large, compared to some other places, but it is what it is. In the end, the server took about 20 minutes to get back to me with the check, while serving the other customers who just happened to show up and he wanted to serve them first. Ugh. After getting the check, I quickly looked over the bill and paid it with my cc. No questions asked, as I just wanted to get out of there. The Pho was average and forgettable, since I could have used more noodles in there. Oh well, there are better places for it. I can understand why this place is getting 4+ stars, but it's average, and that's my story. Prices were average too, charging $9.75 per large Pho and $5 for the summer rolls. B

    (3)

  • punkrock z.

    This pho place is on point. Super close to me like pho 777 but taste way bomber... but also a little more expensive which is why most times im hungover I go to pho 777 (pho 777 is just a couple blocks closer too ***) but in tastes PHO BISTRO 2 is the best pho ive had on the island. (Im sure there is better... but this is the best I've had ok... I still wanna try pig n lady pho too lil diff tho) But ya THE PHO HERE IS BOMB. THE MEAT QUALITY IN THE PHO IS GOOD TOO!! The broth is FANTASTIC and doesn't necessarily need additional sauces to give it more flavor, gettum already! I never have tried the banh mis here but Im sure they are delicious, they obviously take pride im their food here cause there pho is bomb and not low grade at all! Expect to pay around 10 dollars for a small (but derishcious) The bathroom is kinda shady. Super clean but shady... go checkem This place has dank pho tho! Bring ur friends. Ambience is nice too super chill not shabby

    (4)

  • Kim M.

    The reason why I tried Pho Bistro 2 was because of the awesome 4.5-star rating on Yelp. I figured it would one day become my favorite Pho place because of its hard-to-beat reputation; they managed to maintain 4.5 stars with 200-something reviews. Wow. Pho Bistro 2 is located across of Home Bar & Grill on Kalakaua. A mini parking lot is located nearby for customers. First thing I noticed walking in was the unusual warmth of the restaurant; next was the weird mood lighting... Are they trying to save $ by leaving the air conditioner and lights off? Or perhaps they are Asian hippies, real Go Green-ers? Anyway... I ordered my usual beef and tendon Pho, which was just OK. And there were only about 3 or 4 slices of beef. I would have really appreciated their bowl because it kept the broth piping hot for what seemed like an eternity. Unfortunately, I was sweating like a prostitute in church and the broth was heating me up even more! Even though I was uber hungry, I wanted to get the hell out of there. Pho Thinh and Ha Long have been spoiling me and have turned me into a high maintenance Pho-natic. I'm so used to everything being so clean!! And at Pho Bistro 2, cleanliness is clearly not their top priority. Boo to crusty sauce on the Sriracha bottle. :( Mind you, I was one of the first customers who went in shortly after opening at 10:30am. Everything should have been clean at that time, right? Once done eating, I quickly escaped. I think next time I'll pass on paying an average price for an uncomfortable sauna session/ meal. Pho Thinh and Ha Long are my top two choices for Pho. Sorry I strayed. Lesson learned. Yelp 365 - #012/365

    (2)

  • Crystal I.

    You know the pho here is good when you look around and you're the only non Vietnamese person in the whole restaurant This tiny shop is hard to find. I first discovered this place when a friend of mine (who really really really loves pho and has literally tried almost all the pho places on this island) wanted to "open my pho palette" -as he said. I recently took one of my girls here and she LOVED it. I almost always order the simple pho with rare steak. (small about $8, large almost $9). The waiter here is always so nice and always checks up to make sure everything's okay, more then twice even three times. I think what makes the bowl unique from different places is the broth and the noodle consistency. The broth is clearer then normal broth and a lot less salty but very very flavorful and the noodles are chewier. They seem flatter, thinner but very chewy..as if someone made it fresh that day. I recommend this place to anyone who wants to try pho for the first time or someone who is looking to satisfy that pho itch. you will not be disappointed and you will come back when that itch/craving/hangover returns.

    (5)

  • Jenn T.

    I came here because one of my friends had heard this was a great pho place. Its right across from Home bar & grill. There is a tiny parking lot next to it on Fern St, where you can park (which is great cus parking in this neighborhood can be tough!). Though when I came a couple days ago, the restaurant was warm. It seems that their AC was broken? because they had all the fans going. Hopefully next time i go, it wont be as hot. I ordered a chicken pho and some spring rolls. The pho was really tasty, great broth and lots of meat! The spring rolls were crispy and hot, with lots of toppings. Service was quick and friendly. Lots of water refilling, which I love. The restaurant is pretty clean and the utensils are clean as well (which is not always standard at pho places...). It seems to be a locally own pho shop, because we had a chat with the son about his awesome promo deal which they have coming up -- $10 for pho + drink, with byob, karaoke and entertainment on friday/sat night! Sounds promising!

    (4)

  • Garry Y.

    We decided to try this place since we were on a lunch break from an event at the Hawaii Convention center, only a five minute walk. The restaurant is clean and the service pretty good even though there was a large lunch crowd. The price was a little high, but fine for the edge of Waikiki We would go again

    (4)

  • Traci H.

    Lot of flavor, free parking, and they are open on Sunday. My take is that it's good pho, with a lot of flavor, but it has a "dirtier" flavor than my normal Pho Thinh (which is sadly closed on Sundays). The chicken tasted like it was cooked separately and then shredded, so it had way more flavor than some other chicken pho. But the broth was also a lot deeper and darker flavored. Not my thing. And to me the broth is what totally makes the soup. I can't tell if it was full of MSG or what it was that made it such that I ate it all, but left most of the bowl of broth behind. Hard to describe but it didn't have the same clean crisp flavor that I prefer. But if you like the complex dirtier flavor then this one is for you. Oh yeah, it's actually fronting Fern Street and the parking is in front or right next door on Fern...you'll never find it if you're looking for their storefront on Kalakaua! I'll be back if I'm already in the area or in need of pho on a Sunday. Oh and it's hot as all heck in there. I think they keep their prices low by keeping the air conditioner set on hot and humid. Yelp 365 Challenge #01/365 August 1, 2011

    (4)

  • Rose D.

    I'm very particular about Pho and this place definitely made it #2 on my fav Pho places on Oahu! Awesome service and really sweet owner!

    (5)

  • Jenna S.

    Decided to give this place a try because of the reviews. The pho itself was good, but the spring rolls were small and over fried. There's also no AC or air circulation so it smelled funky, parking situation sucks too, the place is small so I figure all the cars are for the massage parlor upstairs lol. Won't be back here.

    (1)

  • Jane M.

    Honestly, out of all the pho places in Hawaii, this is the ONLY pho place I will go to. Unless I'm desperate/super sick. The ambiance of the restaurant is warming. In the morning they do turn the lights off because they usually like to conserve energy (have you ever went to an eco friendly pho restaurant before?). The servers are super funny and nice, when you're unsure of what to eat, you should ask the servers! The owner of the restaurant is super funny also! Now to get down and dirty with the regular combo pho (I always skip the onions though -__-)! The pho itself is so delicious. I haven't tasted a pho so yummy, but I will let you know this, it is a bit sweeter (which I do like). Their pho is SO MEATY! In the combination they have so much variety! And their spring rolls come out super fresh and yummy. I've been to those restaurants where it seems as though they just reheated the spring rolls they made in the morning and it is N-A-S-T-Y... The summer rolls are so refreshing on a HOT day! And the winter rolls are so different, but I do LOVE them! I love coming to this pho restaurant! But if you don't believe me, you should try it out yourself!! The ratings do say it all!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Hallelujah! A Pho place that actually has NICE PEOPLE who work and own it! Seriously, I was starting to believe that going to a Pho restaurant in Honolulu meant you just had to be yelled at or ignored if you wanted good food. Or you had to suffer bland soup and sub par food for friendliness. Enter Pho Bistro 2. I came to Pho Bistro on a referral from a co-worker who said it was her favorite place. Not only is the food good, but they are super attentive and nice. They really liked my toddler son, they gave him his own bowl of soup after they saw him eating from mine and even offered us 3 different sizes of utensils for him to use because we forgot ours. We didn't even have to ask, they just saw us using the adult size and they offered it! So nice! Okay so the food to me was good too, and although it is a bit more expensive than some other places out there, its the service that just made it so much better. Let's face it, Pho is a personal thing; what's 5 star to me may be 3 star to another. But from the past 4 years of abuse at the hands of other Pho restaurants, I'll pay an extra dollar to be treated like a valued customer. Not yelled at, or stalked by the owner after I give them a not so great review (true story!). That being said, here's my recap: Pros: -SUPER NICE and attentive service -Good food, fresh ingredients. -Easy parking, tucked away on a side street. Cons: -was hot in there, the day we went, the a/c wasn't working or they opted to not use it. Alls I know was it was hot and they had hella fans blowing around -not necessarily the prettiest or newest of decor but its clean and spacious

    (4)

  • Papaya T.

    i love this place. come here almost weekly with my boyfriend and most of the time they already know what we're going to order before we order it. very comfortable neighborhood vibe, everyone's friendly and the food is always fresh and delicious. there's only two places where i'll order a vegetarian papaya salad, this is one of them.

    (5)

  • Annie L.

    Pho Bistro used to be my favorite Pho restaurant in town. But I have to admit that something was lacking after my last visit. Pho comes in 2 sizes: regular or large. I usually go for a regular combination with the meat outside. ALWAYS opt for meat outside because it's fresher and the meat doesn't get overcooked. The broth here is super clear but still makes your taste buds dance. The one thing I will give to this place is the consistency of the noodles. They never overcook it so the noodles are always the perfect chewy consistency. Let me tell you, there's nothing worse than mushy noodles...YUCK! Their spring rolls are bite sized yummy goodness....MUST bathe them in the sauce. It's delicious!!! If you're lucky, the young lady with unbelievable memory will serve you. She is an absolute gem. I don't know how she takes ALL the orders, serves, busses, cashiers, and still manages to keep your ice water filled. She's AMAZING. The dude's not quite as good as her, but his service is still not bad. Overall, Pho bistro is very clean and you don't have to venture into Chinatown for a decent bowl of pho. The parking is a little bit of a pain when it gets busy but just be patient....the people usually go in and out pretty quickly. About 8 bucks for a bowl....you can come here for a date and leave satisfied for about 20 bucks...not bad!

    (4)

  • Michelle W.

    Mediocre food, terrible service...waited over 15 min to get served, and 20 min to get the check even though there were only 3 other tables... Pho had so much msg I drank 3 glasses of water afterwards, and the brisket was very tough. Not coming back, prefer Pho Tri better.

    (2)

  • ivan S.

    I'm here in a Hawaiian vacation with the family. Back home in LA I was searching for the best local restaurants and pho bistro 2 came out as the number one, so it was a must go and I did It was the best. We order the combination pho soup the best, also the oxtail soup and the summer roll . The service is really attentive a lot of their clients are only local people so you know that if local people go its going to be good.

    (5)

  • Cassie P.

    I consider myself to be on a never ending mission for the best pho. If we're going to talk about the actual soup, Pho Bistro 2 is somewhere in the middle of the list. Things I liked: The room was really nice. You felt comfortable. They took the time to paint the walls and make it pretty. The service was awesome. They checked on you, offered you more water, etc. And they were sincere. Watch out - they LOVE children! We had our soon-to-be one year old son with us, and both the mother and daughter couldn't resist playing with his toes and making us really comfortable with him there. Honestly, for this reason alone, I want to bump them up a star, but it would go against my "pho mission" rules. The soup: I just felt it lacked flavor. They do not offer a veggie/tofu pho on the menu, which is what I usually get, so I had the chicken while my boyfriend had the rare beef. He really enjoyed his, and his broth was pretty good just the way it was. I added all the goodies and it tasted like all the goodies. I probably will come back - it's a really convenient location (cutting through from moiliili, you miss all the traffic) and there's ample parking. I just prefer maybe Pho Thinh in the neighborhood or Vietnam Cafe Pho Saigon if I'm going all out.

    (3)

  • Joie Y.

    What I really love about this place is that they give a lot of meat. I mean a lot of meat! I always run out out of veggies, noodles, and broth, but there is always a lot of meat. Which for me is good, because I am a self proclaimed meatatarian. I love me some meat! That's good considering that meat is much more expensive than veggies. I sometimes find myself wanting to raid the next tables veggies. But I hold back. :D I do like their broth, because it tastes clean. The broth isn't murky, but clear. And it does not seem too oily. I have to say that I do like the broth at another place, but this has to be one of the better broths in town. The place does get pretty full during regular dining hours. They have mixed up my order when it is busy. I try to get there when it isn't so busy so I can enjoy my meal.

    (4)

  • Kent I.

    I feel like I've been punched in the gut. Pho Bistro 2 was one of those special restaurants that you crave the day after you have it. I am saddened to write that the quality of the food has gone downhill. After first trying the pho, I thought I had mistakenly gone to the wrong restaurant, or order the wrong item. Suddenly, the pho tastes average, like every other pho restaurant I have had. New ownership? New recipe? I don't know, but whatever they changed it was for the worst. This is a sad and very depressing news.

    (2)

  • Tommy P.

    My family and I were looking for a new pho restaurant to eat and we decided to give this place a try. I ordered a #12 a special and it was so much better than any other places we had tried in the past. The soup taste just right definitely a good place to try.

    (5)

  • Zar A.

    The only item I've ever ordered here is the OXTAIL SOUP! Delisssshhh. The staff doesn't speak Vietnamese here, which is quite odd in my opinion. This is probably the only Vietnamese restaurant I've been to where the staff does not speak Vietnamese. How am I supposed to practice my Vietnamese now?? Overall, restaurant is fairly clean, decent Vietnamese atmosphere, fair prices, nice staff. My only eff is PARKING... They don't have parking.

    (4)

  • Dawn L.

    Our regular joint, Pho Thinh (see my review), was closed and the Hungrier Half and I were both fighting a cold so desperately in need of some TLC--aka pho. So I did what any self-respecting Yelper would do: search pho via the Yelp app on my phone. And I found Pho Bistro 2 just down the street. Sweet! We must have good timing because we found a perfect stall and pulled right in. As soon as we opened the door to the restaurant it was like the clouds had parted and we had been greeted by the angel at heaven't gates--HELLO!!!!! Well, hello, you. This guy is something. Special. There are not quite words to describe him. He's a ball of energy...happy, contagious energy. He loves his job and his customers. He's passionate about what he does and the food he serves. It's kinda crazy. I might have thought he was a bit much for (sick) first timers like us, but we loved him. He talks to everyone--even the ones who do think he's a bit much. His mom was slaving over the hot stove in the kitchen and he was workin' the floor. They have a great vibe. And fantastic food. We stuck to our usual routine and ordered the biggest pho we could get our paws on to share then split a spicy lemongrass chicken vermicelli and make it even spicier when we get it. I'm not happy unless it burns. He picked us out for first timers. And suggested that if we come back that we try the oxtail soup...that is, if we like oxtail soup. Do we like oxtail soup?!? It's all I eat when I'm in Vegas, homie! So next time, because there will DEFINITELY be a next time for this place, I'm trying his oxtail soup!

    (4)

  • Shiori T.

    It was my first time eating pho, and I could not have asked for a better experience. The staff is friendly and patient, and the pho is delicious! I got the pho with rare steak, which has slices of raw beef (can get it in the soup or on the side) which is cooked by the hot soup. There are many variations as to how you can change the soup flavor, with chili sauce, sriracha, lemon, etc. but my favorite is the soup by itself. The Thai iced tea is a little bit pricey for the amount but delicious as well. Overall, a pho-nomenal experience! (Hah hah what a knee-slapper)

    (5)

  • Tracy C.

    Best oxtail soup ever! And super friendly service. I can eat here weekly!

    (5)

  • Justin U.

    I thought this place was ok. My regular pho spot (Pho Minh Thu) was closed, so I did what any sane person would do in need of finding a place to eat...I Yelped Pho in the search box and viola, Pho Bistro 2 popped up with an impressive 137 - 4.5 star reviews. I said, wow, must try! So I did. Walked in, got seated right away. The waiter quickly brought me a glass of water and took my order. I ordered the large bowl of pho with rare steak and meatballs. After 10 minutes, my order came out. The first thing I noticed was that their large bowl seemed medium sized. The broth was really good though, and noodles were soft. However, the meat portions came hella chang. There must've been a total of 4 meatballs, and 3 strips of steak in my large bowl of pho. Not sure if this was normal, but it sure didn't wow me. But on a positive note, this place uses limes rather than lemons. What I also thought was weird, was that their hoisin sauce was in a yellow mustard bottle. Anyways... As my buddy Dan H. said, 'The degree of separation between good and bad pho is very slim. Tiny nuances in the taste of the broth, quality of meat, amount of veggies served, etc can make bad Pho good and good Pho great.' so true. ps...I hear their Oxtail soup is amazing, so I'll have to give this place another shot sometime in the future.

    (3)

  • Ivy C.

    Yum! Turned my anti-pho boyfriend into a pho lover! We walked over from Modern Honolulu - figured the positive reviews would be worth it and we were right. We both got the Large Steak and Meatballs because it's less than a dollar more than regular size. Portion was big and lots of meat. The owner even came by to check on us near the end, apologized for any slow service because her children were at a football game and couldn't help out that night. Either way, they were attentive and friendly. One star down is because we did not like the egg rolls that were $8. When we ordered the egg rolls as appetizers, we expected egg rolls. This had only three tiny fried egg rolls with a large side of vermicelli and salad (neither of which we wanted - assuming it was the appetizer so it wouldn't come with side items).

    (4)

  • Will L.

    I went over to PB2 for lunch on a Wednesday. The reason this place only gets 3 stars is partly because of the bad parking situation. They have two stalls in front of their premises - and one is a handicapped stall. The non-handi stall was taken. OK, so that's out. The next set of parking stalls down has about 7 or 8 stalls, and all were taken. So I went into the neighborhood and any vacant curb space was restricted by the ubiquitous NO PARKING - FROM HERE TO THE CORNER signs. Finally after about 5-6 minutes of winding my way through the McCully area apartment neighborhood, I found a spot. When I arrived, the place was about 80% packed which was pretty impressive in a non-business traffic location. I had the beef pho with steak meat and asked for the steak slices to be served on the side. The pho itself was nicely flavorful and the steak meat was fresh and tender. I also had the spring rolls and they were good. The place also has a small AC compared to how big the dining room is and so with a bunch of people inside, small AC and even with some fans running, it does not overcome the high temp of the room, no doubt caused partly by the steaming pho everywhere, as well as body heat of the 80% filled to capacity patronage. The result: I was kind of sweaty as I was leaving the joint, and this is right smack dab in the middle of December (yes, understand that this is Hawaii December). Overall the pho and the rolls were solid, nothing crazy exceptional to me but definitely worth going to for a pho-fix. However, due to the bad parking and weak AC, the pho is not so great for me to go out of my way to get there. My next stop in my pho-tastic adventure, a place closer to my home, Pho Saigon, on Palama.

    (3)

  • Lyman W.

    This is the best pho any where their broth is amazing .The waitstaff is attentive. They give you plenty of basil and sprouts as well as condiments. I have had pho in 4 different states and this is my favorite. :)

    (5)

  • Maivelyn A.

    My favorite place to go when im craving Pho!! The food is very tasty. Ive never had to wait to be seated. The place is clean, the staff is nice. Portions are perfect. Prices are decent. Parking sucks, its a little parking lot to the left.

    (4)

  • shana r.

    Service and food was amazing, friendly and attentive staff. The Pho ga was the best I ever had!

    (5)

  • Mel G.

    Got the Pad Thai with tofu- it was quite large and flavorful; I ate the whole thing. My man got the combo platter; Different kinds of meat accompanied with white rice and some greens. Again, very generous portion. The chicken was moist and the rice was soft and fluffy. My sister got the chicken pho; the broth was to die for and the bowl was massive. On top of the great food, the service was perfect. Our server was extremely helpful and kind. Overall a great experience!

    (5)

  • Annie W.

    I would say 3.5 stars, because it really was good. The portion was a bit small for $7.45 a bowl. I did appreciate the cleanliness and look of the restaurant. The lighting is quite dim and because the portable AC units cannot reach the whole restaurants, it's a bit warm even with all the fans running. My soup did not come out piping hot and with the added bean sprouts cooled it down a tad bit. There was definitely more soup than necessary and we need more noodles here, please... The 5 pieces of rare steak came on a side plate as requested and the quality of the meat was not bad at all (just small patches of brown). I know next time I would need a large order to satisfy my hunger. The parking is not too bad. There's 2 slots in the front and 5 or so other slots that is shared with a tiny liquor store right next door. We didn't know if the lot belonged to them because of the fence, but apparently it did and luckily we did find street parking. The search continues... Maybe it's better than the rest, but we'll have to try some more pho on the island.

    (3)

  • Sena I.

    My mother and I came here while on vacation and found this place via yelp. It's small but don't let that scare you away. The food here is great. I got the Bun and my mother got the Pho. The broth was delicious and the Bun was so fresh. The owner - a petite woman - is super sweet. She said she would find us parking if we ever had trouble finding a spot haha. Now that's service for ya. Definitely would recommend this place if you're in the craving for some authentic Vietnamese.

    (4)

  • Jah J.

    This is THE BEST pho place in Honolulu (maybe the whole island). The pho and vermicelli dishes are consistently great- fantastic favors, always fresh, huge portions and nicely priced. The service is always warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt. I've also had the papaya salad, chicken salad and summer rolls. Go! Try it! It rocks! Serious Pho!

    (5)

  • Olivia D.

    I am a crazy Pho-natic! I am so addicted to pho, that I have been eating it at least once a week for over 15 years. My co-workers found this one day when we were all craving takeout, but couldn't decide between Italian and Vietnamese. The solution? We sent someone to Pho Bistro 2 for pho and bún and Amina Pizzeria next door for calzone and lasagna! Since that initial visit, I've been back every single week for their pho. I just went there again for lunch today. Their broth is the BEST on the island; it ties with Pho To Chau in my book, but it's different. I think it's a little sweeter, but both broths have a very nice balance of spices and herbs and layered flavors. Really, Pho Bistro 2's broth is outstanding. I usually get the pho tai (rare steak only) and my pho buddy Ange gets the house special combination pho with steak, flank, brisket, beef balls, and tripe. If you want the combination with only some of the items, they will do it for you. I love the flank and brisket cuts as well; they are so flavorful and most of the time, they are not too fatty. The only reason they get 4 stars instead of 5 is because their portions are small. Even with their large-sized bowl, I don't get enough noodles and especially, beef. The noodle portion is smaller than at any other pho restaurant and I think they give you only five paper-thin slices of beef. At To Chau, they give me so much beef that sometimes, I can't even finish it all. Thank goodness my pho buddy generously gives me some of her steak and flank, or I would be hungry an hour later. I think the only difference between their large and regular sizes is that you get more soup with the large size. You also get less veggies here and if you order a side of onions, instead of a plate of onions, you only get a cup saucer full. The service is always very good. They remember their regular customers and are friendly and efficient. I'll be back in a few days.

    (4)

  • Debbie L.

    I came here last night after playing tennis, and I just wanted to emphasize again.. on how DELICIOUS their Pho is! Yum yum yum! I could eat there everyday! :) Best Pho ever!!

    (5)

  • Mai T.

    There is a lot of Pho restaurants in Hawaii, but this place was really good! My sister took me to Pho Bistro 2, after wanting to eat something warm and good. The broth had a nice flavor and all the vegetables they bring with the pho is always a pleasant treat.. also makes me feel like I am healthy! I havent really tried anything else, but they do have a good selection of different items from noodles to rice as well as soups. If you feel like being healthy, but at the same time what to satisfy your taste buds, Pho Bistro might be the place!

    (4)

  • Dean H.

    What can I say but delicious broth and fresh ingredients, sooooo good indeed! Soooo fresh veggies and broth is savory and not salty and not sweet...just right...ahhhhh The pho came piping hot and so did the spring rolls... The waitress was very helpful and even mixed a special dipping sauce for us with the plum sauce, siriracha and the chili paste...sweating hard and that is a good thing....if u don't sweat, it is not good, ya hear???? My fam and I ate up for about 13 bucks each with tip, large bowls of pho and 2 orders of spring rolls.... U bet we will be back....

    (4)

  • Joy N.

    My boyfriend and I eat here quite often and I recommend this restaurant to my friends. The service here is pretty good and the food is delicious. They are open till nine most nights and eight on Sundays. My favortie is their pho and spring rolls. They also have an oxtail soup that you can get with either rice or pho noodles. I recommend getting it with the noodles. It's soooo yummy!!!! They have the hoisin sauce, sriracha sauce and these two chili pepper sauces that I use always. One is a roasted oil (so the flavor is a little smoky and wonderful), the other one is a little more on the sweet side. I mix these two together in a small dish and put a little bit in each spoonful. Mmmmm. The lemongrass chicken plate is really good also. In short, their food is winner!!!! I would have given this place five stars, but there is one waiter (he doesn't work all that much) that is just not good. Other than that, the place is great!!!!

    (4)

  • Esther Y.

    Came here one rainy day after hearing SO much about Pho Bistro 2 from others and Yelp. I had to ditch a few friends who went to another subpar pho restaurant, drive through a couple floods, and park illegally, so I expected it to be worth it. Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing. The pho here is of the northern style (I was unaware of the difference between northern and southern style pho until my friend that I brought here enlightened me), and I thought that the broth was just not very flavorful. I expected the broth to taste like it had been slow-simmered for hours, and it didn't live up. Save your time, money, and headache of parking for something better. I recommend To Chau in Chinatown (long wait) or Ha Long Pho.

    (3)

  • Igor M.

    Some of the best Vietnamese food around

    (4)

  • Tricia Z.

    Excellent pricing, interesting service and amazing food. I had a vermicelli dish with pork that was awesome and tried some of my friends dish which was the rice combo plate which was also awesome. As other reviewers said they definitely could use a little more a/c but I wasn't complaining as I am not use to the Honolulu weather at all! The guy who runs this place with his mom was a very interesting character he was funny but all too weird at the same time. He was nice enough to give us all free desert (some kind of taro-pudding) which I did not particularly care for but everyone else seemed to love it. Oh and the Summer rolls are AWESOME by the way! I don't think I'll be able to get ones as good as those anywhere here in CT which is very disappointing! I would visit again in a heartbeat if back in Honolulu.

    (5)

  • Steph J.

    Let me start by saying that I LOVE pho. With that said, this place is better than most (To Chau is still my favorite). It's a very clean place and the service was excellent. I typically order Pho Tai (Pho with rare steak - but I get the steak in the broth so it'll cook). I ordered some Summer Rolls and definitely two thumbs up for that and their dipping sauce. Most restaurants know how to make a Summer Roll but mess up the sauce. But the sauce here was perfect and very yummy. The reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because I typically like to drink iced coffee with my pho. My iced coffee came to me after I was done eating. Truly disappointing when there's a typical pho, meat dipped in sauce and drink of iced coffee cycle I like to enjoy. The iced coffee was also good but I just wished it came before the pho did. Oh well, now I know. There's a small parking lot adjacent to it but I got the last stall and there was someone waiting for my stall when I was about to leave and this was with the restaurant not even being half filled so I can see how it may be a problem if it got any busier. Nonetheless, I'd probably go there again if I was in a pinch and craving pho and didn't have the time to stand in line at To Chau.

    (4)

  • Evan H.

    Used to come over here every single day before work. Too bad my lunch buddy moved away. Anyways! High quality fresh ingredients. The spring roll and summer rolls are fresh and tasty here! Add a LARGE combination pho and you're good to go! They also have all the different spicy things I like to put inside the soup too. I noticed not every places has those red oil and chili spices available. The staff there are very friendly and remember you if you go often. They're almost always busy there so sometimes there can be a little bit of a wait. Parking is a little rough once their mini lot fills up. Try to carpool if possible.

    (5)

  • Keal S.

    Outstanding service! Recommend getting a large since the regular size pho bowl had only a decent amount of noodles.

    (5)

  • Grace L.

    This review is only for their chicken pho which I eat [TOO?] often :) First things first.. bEST pho in waikiki/ala moana area. Yes they use MSG. Ok so the place looks mad sketchy, especially at night, but the food is legit. What I love is that they are SO NOT stingy with their extras (basil, bean sprouts, onions, etc...) I LOVE that they put fried garlic as a garnish too, it just adds a fantastic pop of flavor to the soup. For the chicken pho, the meat is a combo of dark and white and it's all juicy and delicious. My only complaint is that the garnish culantro (that long thin leafy green that comes with the basil and bean sprouts) was prickly on the sides (they are normally serrated) *so* prickly that it cut my tongue. That was a nasty surprise to my otherwise yummy meal :/

    (4)

  • P C.

    Awesome service! Good pho tai! Ox tail soup looks incredible - good for two. Clean tables etc.

    (4)

  • Millie S.

    Every time I go here it is 5 stars. If you haven't been here you will like the peaceful feeling of the place. It is really clean and the service is consistently good. Delicious everything.

    (5)

  • Terence T.

    I've had pho on both coasts and Hawaii. It's a hobby of mine to find good pho. I have to say this is the best place I've ever had. And I'm only rating this on my second visit to make sure. The first time was almost 3 years ago. The broth is magical. Just the right amount of star anise to level out all the other ingredients. The noodles are perfectly cooked. The meat is top notch especially the rate beef - they even give you the option to put it on the side! Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Bob S.

    Best pho in town & great service! The oxtail is also delicious! I highly recommend this place! Free parking available.

    (5)

  • Nicholas L.

    Bottom Line: Both the chicken and the beef combination phos are outstanding. The broth will blow your mind. Service is done via family members, so they take pride in the quality of the food as well as the dining experience. Great place to phone-in orders as well. Lastly, I had a horrible day with my car breaking down in the morning, so I went to Pho Bistro 2 for some comfort food after work. I forgot my wallet, and they were totally cool about it, and let me come back the next day to pay. They run a great family business and I appreciate their courtesy.

    (5)

  • Paco A.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants to eat phò on a cold day like today. But not eating phò today. I'm gonna just eat my favorite appetizer which is the Winter Rolls (shredded pork). The soup here is one of the best tasting on the island. The rice plates are also just as good if your not a phò type a person. Their prices are very reasonable and their portions are big. I'm a big person myself and when I do order the large size I am unable to finish it. The one thing that I don't like is the parking. It is next door and when it's peak time it is tough to find parking and there are only limited stall and only a few street parking spaces available. Therefore I usually choose to come before or after peak hours.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    There is a reason it has such high reviews. The food was amazing. The people were kind. So glad we went there!

    (5)

  • Ala Q.

    There service is horrible...... Took one hour for our food to come out..,, everyone told me good vibes about this place but first time with my other half they gave us horrible service...if I could give them stars I wouldn't...

    (1)

  • Anissa M.

    I am obsessed with pho and I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of sorts. I've had a lot of pho and this restaurant ranks in top 3. The broth is so flavorful and I love the option to have your sirloin on the side so you can dip it to your desired doneness. This is going to be one my regular spots in Honolulu.

    (4)

  • Jack W.

    Food and service here continue to excel - the grilled pork vermicelli bowl ($8.45) and house rare beef / beef ball pho ($8.55) were all fantastic as were the summer rolls ($6.65) - tightly wrapped and appealing to Thai basil lovers. The Thai iced tea was sweet and the perfect companion for the meal. Solid choice for Vietnamese in Honolulu!

    (4)

  • Calvin H.

    The staff are very nice and helpful, the dish are awesome, the seasoned is perfect, everything is perfect, I would come it again soon.

    (5)

  • Kandy Y.

    Food taste great, great service too. Right amount of serving. Gianna go back again.

    (4)

  • Tony T.

    Definitely the best pho on the island. Ordered the large dac biet which comes with everything. The broth is well seasoned, the meats are very tender, and they give you lots of garnishes. Cheaper and better than all the other pho shops I've tried around here. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Chelsey N.

    The broth here is one of the best! They put too many noodles doe. I really enjoy the lemongrass chicken and spring rolls too. The parking is monitored by a crazy Paul Blart type but at least he makes sure no on double parks. Anyway this is a go-to place on a soup day.

    (3)

  • Anh B.

    I have to give this place 4stars. Food was ok and serves was ok too. Even through this place was rated 4 and half stars, I think it wasn't that amazing. Came here with my boyfriend family and we all order pho. This place was a lot better than most of the other pho places I been to and at least the pho tasted like pho!! I wouldn't mind coming back here again. Their eggs roll was ok it wasn't that greats oh don't get the spring roll here. Doesn't taste that great.

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    Parking is kind of limited here. That's probably one reason we haven't been back.... The food is good! Fast friendly service and it's clean. The restaurant is actually pretty small so it's nice for a cozy Sunday dinner. I would say it's one notch above average for a pho restaurant!

    (4)

  • Chris K.

    Hands down best pho period! I've tried other places and can honestly say that PB2 is the best. The service is also top notch as well. Here is what happened one time. The super friendly owner came out from the back (as she normally does) to say hi to customers and talk story. She came up on a table of 3 kids (maybe high school age) and noticed that only 2 of them had food and the third didn't. She asked him if it was because he didn't have money and though he initially said he just wasn't hungry, he admitted he didn't have money to order pho. She immediately brought him out a large size bowl of pho and told him not to worry about paying that day. The only drawback is maybe the parking as it can get very full during the lunch hour and sometimes the parking lot attendant is over zealous.

    (5)

  • Chanel K.

    After trying pretty much all the pho places in Chinatown, I decided to venture out to this hidden little spot near the convention center. Lots of free parking with the friendliest parking attendent you'll ever meet in the right next to the restaurant. We ordered the combination pho like we always do. Huge portions lots of side veggies and sauces. Service was alright but the soup was piping. Will return for the huge portions!

    (4)

  • Casey N.

    I know every pho place makes their broths in their own way, but this place has a really really good stock! It was sooo good that I was able to eat my pho without putting in any of the other sauces!! What makes a good soup is the stock and if that can stand out to me it gets my good ratings! I ended up getting the pho with rare steak and beef balls. They give a generous portion of eats in there. It could be a bit more though... We ordered summer rolls with shrimp with basil and other veggies and noodles wrapped in rice paper and that was pretty tasty! That sauce on the side was good enough to where it was not too strong but just right! Overall this is one other place I would come back to for their pho! I would recommend this place to others. Also the interior is clean and nice! Staff is friendly and food comes out very quickly! If you're looking for a new pho place to try, give this location a chance! It may be on you list of pho places in the future!

    (4)

  • Maka K.

    Parking: There are 2 stalls in front of the store or else you have to find street parking. On Sundays, you can park in the lot next door by the Cigarette Collection for free. Food: The menu is pretty straight forward. Regular and large sized pho bowls, vermicelli bowls, etc etc. What I like about their pho is that the broth is pretty light. It's not dense or overly salty, which makes me feel less bad about eating it (no high blood pressure for me!) What I like most is that they have all the seasons of rolls---spring, summer, autumn & winter rolls! I can't say I know of many places that have all 4 kinds. Granted, I still haven't tried the autumn or winter rolls, but they're described similarly to a summer roll, except instead of shrimp, you end up w/ tofu or minced pork instead. Conclusion: I wouldn't mind going back to try the other dishes, but I probably would only go on a Sunday (don't like having parking issues lol)

    (4)

  • Jeff Z.

    the waiter was one of the nicest person, he even took the time to show us how to prepare one of the dishes. the phone was also very delicious

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    Yum! I ordered the steak pho and my husband ordered the chicken pho. The flavor was good with both, however I was jealous of my husbands because the chicken tasted much better than the steak. The spring rolls are awesome! Get there early for dinner because the parking spots fill up quick. Service was good and if you do park in the lot for the restaurant and store you get the pleasure of meeting the security guard, he might have been my favorite part of the entire experience.

    (4)

  • Heather P.

    This is the best pho I've had on the island so far. The broth is delicious. I got the seafood pho and my friend got the steak pho, both very good. We also got summer rolls, these were average. The service was good. Not much parking, but there's a guard in the lot for ease of mind.

    (5)

  • Ann N.

    Almost always a wait and slow service. Parking is a nightmare. The pho is great. The pork-chop dish is excellent. Therefore, suck up the wait for yum-o food

    (4)

  • Jayson L.

    Pho in a rain day with the hot soup to fog up your glasses. You don't want to spill the soup but yet you want to see what you are eating =D I feel that i have tried many different pho place in Hawaii. all started from waipahu to kaimuki, in between those stores they are so many pho restaurant that i don't even know where to start. I found pho bistro 2 by accident. one day i drive by the street and saw new pho restaurant. i asked my co-worker about pho bistro and they telling me they always go to pho bistro 1. Ahhhh they made one in town!!! i don't have to drive to waipahu just to try pho bistro. First time i tried here i like the soup. it had a lot of flavor. it wasn't sweet like some other place i been to. i don't like sweet pho soup. i think they chop all their meat because it's never the same size. sometimes i get a really thick piece of meat. i like that. The best thing is they have bigger size sauce tray. i can put plum and hot sauce in one sauce pan. i really like sauce when it comes to pho especially garlic oil hot sauce. it's the best, with out it it won't taste the same. I like this place due to good service and clean, and good flavor on their pho. you can also order supersize pho which it's not on menu but it's gigantic. if you can finish it you deserve a their strong coffee, if not you will fall asleep from too much food.

    (5)

  • Claire F.

    After learning that my favorite pho place was on vacation for a few weeks, desperately needing pho the morning after a long night of drinking, I decided to give this place another try. Same cons still hold...it's kind of dim lit and pretty warm (I realized there is no AC, but luckily our table was in direct line of a fan). I'd like more green onions in my pho and the pieces of chicken they gave me were tainted with cartilege, skin, and fat. However, I will change my opinion of the broth. I am now a fan! I think my taste has changed to prefer the lighter, clearer, sweeter broths instead of my former preference of the darker, "murkier", saltier/more flavorful broths. Some of this change of heart has to do with the fact that the lighter broths don't seem to give me MSG-induced headaches, while the darker ones consistently do. AKA dark broth = MSG (most times). Anyone else have this problem? I find that most pho places I've been to serve up the darker broth, so it's refreshing to find the lighter ones! Pho Bistro 2's version has some of that lighter, sweet taste but is darker in appearance, which can only mean that the taste/broth is somewhere in the middle. And that would make sense, since I still got a slight headache after chowing down on a large bowl of this goodness. I did notice that they used the same broth for both the chicken and meat bowls of pho though. Major plus is that it opens on Sundays til 8pm, as many of my go-to pho places either close early on Sundays or don't open at all. Yet, overall, a good place for pho!

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    parking: plenty of street parking also a small private lot reservations: no need, but maybe call ahead to be sure cost: $20 per person restrooms: yes the food: oxtail soup spring, autumn, fall, winter rolls This place feels authentic and homey. As you walk in you're in a big area with tables all open and everyone just talking to each other. We ordered all seasons of spring rolls and I must say that I wasn't as impressed as I thought that I would be. They're spring rolls with different things in them (shrimp, tofu, meat, etc.). Just stick with the spring rolls with shrimp or the fried ones. I thought it was quite clever to make all seasons of rolls but they really weren't all that special. The highlight of this place is the broth. Wow so comforting. I got the ox-tail soup which I thought was just alright. The soup comes in a very large bowl so be ready to eat. There's mushrooms and veggies in the soup. To be completely honest it wasn't all that special. But I highly recommend the pho. The meat is fresh, tender, and soft. The soup base is right on and it's everything pho is suppose to be. Overall, would definitely come back for the pho. It's the ultimate comfort food in a classically authentic space.

    (4)

  • Patrick G.

    When friends are in town, that can only mean one thing: try restaurants that my wife doesn't want to go to! Me and two of my friends were driving in the area and saw this place had good reviews, so it was only natural that we stopped in for a late lunch. Parking was easy as there was a tiny lot in front of the restaurant. There was also ample street parking in the area. Once inside, this place was the traditional hole in the wall restaurant. No thrills or frills. Just the essentials: tables, chairs, utensils. What else could anyone want? The staff were friendly and eager to be out amongst the dining room. This was a nice touch that always helps me enjoy my food mood. Being a relative newbie to pho, I went with the house special as it was the dish I was most familiar with. I prefer cooked beef inside the broth, and sure enough that's how it came out. When it was in front of me, I was very glad I went with the small portion and not the large portion as my one friend's large portion was enormous. I know the price difference was not that much ($8 vs $10) and it may have been more cost effective, but I would prefer not to waste any food. The broth was extremely flavorful and the meat was tasty. I wasn't a big fan of the tripe or the tendons, but it is easy to eat around them and treat them as flavor boosters for the broth. When I talked about the portions being big, I wasn't kidding as I was unable to finish my small portion. I was very full. One big concern I had with Pho Bistro 2 wasn't with the food, or the service. It was with the way I felt about 40 minutes after I left. I only had that long of enjoyment until my stomach started tossing and turning and getting very angry at me. I was worried this may turn in to a serious stomach issue, but after a brief evacuation, I was back to my tip-top self. Why do people always feel better after getting sick? I don't know, but I didn't care because it was over and it was fast. Most people might think that an experience like this may discourage people from wanting to go back to a restaurant, but I enjoyed my food and it was only a freak thing. My friends got the same dish and neither of them got sick. I will gladly go back and give it another try. Until then, I have this awesome story to share with people when talking about Pho Bistro 2.

    (3)

  • Dillon S.

    Best oxtail soup ever. It destroys Asahi grill's poor excuse for the infamous Kam Bowl oxtail soup. And to be honest... it would contend very well against the OG Kam Bowl oxtail soup. The amount of vegetables and goodies is phenomenal. Huge portion of ginger in soup as well as on the side! Not to mention the awesome sized oxtail peices. I get mine with rice but some prefer their's with pho rice noodles. Same price. I like the pho here... but I LOOOOOOVE the oxtail. Must must try

    (5)

  • Benjamin C.

    Love this place. The food is good and the people who work there are nice. We love coming here..

    (5)

  • Rebecka A.

    I think sticking with the pho is your best bet. And get an order of shrimp summer rolls too. Such good dipping sauce. Delish! I have had their lemon grass chicken twice. It's delicious but a little oily. The rice is a little over done. You also get a salad with the chicken. It's overall a three star meal. But if you get pho and summer rolls, then that'll be a four star meal!

    (4)

  • Jenifer G.

    Been here a few times, I always get the same thing.. OXTAIL SOUP $15.25! It's a huge portion, definitely shareable or enough to take a bit home. You can order with rice or noodles (I get noodles). The soup has good oxtail size portions, with many cuts of shitake mushrooms, veggies and boiled peanuts; also a side of heaping minced ginger you can dump in. Small parking lot to the right of it, you can also park in the small 2 stalls right in front of the mini mart/cigarette store just next to the restaurant. So far, the food and service seem to be better during dinnertime, not sure why but I always have a great dinner experience and then lunchtime is not as good. It is BYOB :D

    (4)

  • Kristen N.

    This used to be our go to Pho place, the broth is definitely one of the best I've had. Workers are super awesome and the food is delicious, so there has to be a catch right? Totally out of their control but traffic getting there when we want to is always so terrible and by the time we get there, there's no parking. It's as if the stars and the moon don't want us to come here. DAMN YOU STARS! Or however that saying goes.

    (4)

  • Lisa Y.

    This place is the best! Great service, family style...delicious food.,,clean and reasonable cost! My favorite is the Combo Pho and Pork chops! It is to die for...juiciest pork chops that comes with salad and rice for $10.95! It's Byob so bring your favorite beverage to go with the delicious food! Gotta go!

    (5)

  • Sophie B.

    It was my first time at Pho Bistro 2 and I can tell you that I was very satisfied. I ordered the ox tail soup with noodles and pho noodles with chicken. The ox tail soup was great. It definitely fulfilled my craving for soul! The meat was very soft and juicy. I definitely recommend it. The pho noodles with chicken was good too. The chicken was also soft. Definitely recommend this place for anyone who is looking for a good, comforting soup place. :)

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    My wife's favorite ox tail soup on the island so far. Excellent service and very friendly, esp with kids. The combo rice plate (short ribs, chicken, pork chop), spring roll, and winter roll was good.

    (5)

  • Amber C.

    This was my first time trying Pho and it was amazing. Lots of food for the price and the quality was great.

    (4)

  • Queenie B.

    Good experience. Last customer coming in. Very welcoming crew. Knew we were not local, very friendly and was very informative about Hawaii. Pho--Good broth and texture of noodle Tried Oxtail recommendations from yelp. Oxtail--very tender. Good flavorful clear broth with cabbage, mushrooms, vegetable not the red I was expecting. We'll try the broken rice next time.

    (5)

  • Kawikali ..

    I ordered the shrimp summer rolls, shrimp pad thai, thai iced tea. I didn't care for the pad thai. Summer rolls were good & iced tea was sweet. Great service! They made my daughter side orders of tofu & rice as she is a picky eater.

    (3)

  • MJ L.

    Excellent pork/shrimp bun at a reasonable price. Would definitely go back again.

    (4)

  • C. L.

    GREAT food, GREAT service! I would choose the pho here over any other place any day! The broth is out of this world. Also try the green papaya salad:)

    (5)

  • DaLei L.

    What can I say but everything here is excellent. I always did like Pho but it wasn't an addicting thing for me until I tried the soup broth at this place. For most places, the broth usually has a neutral taste where I personally would have to add a lot of hot sauce and plum sauce to fulfill my liking but the broth here has made me become an addict. If that was not enough, the OX tail is off the hook (cow factory hook) because the portions are huge and I'm a big boy. The taste is awesome with the same kind of soup they use for the Pho, got me becoming a carnivore. I need it at least once a week or I start getting light headed and losing blood. Lastly would be the great pork chop that they serve, it really has a taste like no other; a fusion of American classic taste with Asian seasoning, makes it one of the best out of all the rest. I hope by going there enough times, they will adopt me as their very own.

    (5)

  • Aubrey G.

    This place was getting four stars from the moment I walked in. It didn't have that usual vibe of places you go to and tolerate the ambiance because the food is good: it leans more towards a classier crowd (majority of the crowd was post work garb, and families). I went on a thursday and it was crowded even if it's situated kind of in a residential area. I almost drove away because of lack of parking and so so so glad I didn't! I ordered chicken pho and spring rolls. Broth very tasty and I saved a spring roll for my last bite they were so flavorful! I'm very picky about my meats so I admit the chicken was chewy and flavorless, and I didn't see a tofu option which I would have gotten next time. The menu is simple, not overwhelming like a lot of these restaurants. I felt bad for the only waiter on duty but he seemed to be handling it fine! Very kind and polite. It was kind of hot (even with multiple fans going) so couldn't imagine coming during the day! Overall pleasant experience and will call this my new pho place until I can find someplace to top it. Unfortunately it cost me $ 15 so I must go with someone next time to split the rolls!

    (4)

  • Reney O.

    Sadness. Pho Bistro 2 is my cure-all when I'm sick but it was just too far of a drive from home this time....damn flu [and traffic] for making this so damn difficult. Pho Bistro 2 is my go-to pho place because they have THE best tasting pho out of the maybe 7 or 8 others that I've tried on the island. There are pho restaurants everywhere, so really my sampling group is kinda small. However, the best tasting pho in my books to date nonetheless! A deliciously rich broth, the tenderest and juiciest cuts of meat, and peace and quiet to sit and enjoy the warm healing powers that is 'pho.' What makes Pho Bistro 2 so striking, as oppose to all others for me? Aside from the tastiness, which really should be reason enough, there are the quantitative factors to consider. For $8 or less you get this man-sized bowl of pho, and a large mound of bean sprouts, leaves, and jalapenos to throw in. Also, Pho Bistro 2 does NOT skimp on their meats. Within said man-sized bowl I swear almost a pound of what's in there is meat alone! Pretty safe to say that with every bite you'll get a piece of meat. Not dry and chalky, nor rubbery. It's fresh, tender, melts in your mouth awesomeness! That being said, it's really really REALLY hard to go from AAAAAAAALLLLL this for $7.60 to the $8.25 fat-free tasting, petite-sized, seemingly no anis flavor, with I think 4 (maybe 6) slivers of meat at the other pho restaurant I went to today..... -coughs PHO&COMPANY coughs- Service at Pho Bistro 2 is welcoming and quietly attentive. If the owners are about they really make everyone feel comfortable- share laughter, talk story, and so on. Overall, a steady 4 star experience every time for me. As far as dish recommendations, I tend to get the chicken pho when I'm sick, the meat combo (for the carnivore inside us all!) on average, and the oxtail when I'm in a celebratory mood- it's the yummiest of Pho Bistro 2's soups I think, which would explain the price, haha.

    (4)

  • Jozlyn H.

    Combination pho and spring rolls are delicious! This place can get busy during lunch hours so come early :)

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    Yummy Pho: just what the doctor ordered. The place is a *little* hard to find; but well worth the effort. Just a minute away from the convention center in the Ala Moana shopping center area, this place has a few parking spots and gets crowded! Looked like all locals who are in the know... Definitely enjoyed the large combination beef pho. Great prices and great food - perfect for anyone who wants to avoid the usual tourist traps in Waikiki.

    (5)

  • Bam M.

    Pho bistro is the spot! the owner is awesome. Small vietnamese lady super friendly and very welcoming. I went in about 15 minutes for closing. I was waiting for another friend to show up. He took forever! anywho my and my other friend decided we did not want to hold them back from going home. So we apologized to the owner and told her that our friend was running a bit late, and that we decided we were going to leave and find another place. She smiled and insisted that we stay. She said she didnt care and that she was going to feed us! she waited for my friend who luckily showed up about 10 mins after they had closed down. She treated us extremely well despite having to stay back. We ate and she entertained us a bit. Amazing service! Best dayum Pho in town!!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:30 am - 3:00pm
  • Mon : 10:30 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Pho Bistro 2

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