Best Pho in Hilo, Hawaii
1
Tiger Tea Restaurant
Restaurant Address: 250 Keawe St, Hilo, HI 96720
Tiger Tea Restaurant in Hilo, Hawaii serves up authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a diverse menu featuring both traditional and modern interpretations of classic dishes. The restaurant specializes in pho with richly flavored broths, fresh banh mi sandwiches, and an extensive selection of bubble tea drinks that locals rave about. The friendly family-owned establishment maintains a clean, welcoming atmosphere while offering vegetarian options and reasonable prices that keep customers coming back.
Price Range: $
Many reviews praise the pho broth, describing it as "excellent," "one of the best," and having a "perfect balance of savory, sour, sweet, and spicy."
Reviews show a mixed opinion. Some found the prices great, while others thought they were high.
One review mentions parking in front of the restaurant, but this doesn't confirm consistent availability.
Multiple reviews mention that the food can be made spicy and that there are spicy options available.
While some reviews praise the portions, others note that some dishes lacked sufficient meat or tendon. More information is needed to definitively answer.
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2
Phở Việt Restaurant
Restaurant Address: 80 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
Phở Việt Restaurant in Hilo, Hawaii, is a cozy, no-frills establishment that has earned a reputation for serving some of the island's most authentic Vietnamese pho. The restaurant specializes in flavorful bone broth served with fresh vegetables and various meat options, though parking can be challenging due to its downtown location. While the menu is intentionally simple, focusing primarily on pho varieties, the restaurant maintains high standards with consistently fresh ingredients and attentive service in their intimate dining space.
Price Range: $
Numerous reviews highlight the delicious and flavorful broth as a key feature of the restaurant's pho.
Reviews are mixed; some describe the restaurant as reasonably priced or offering good value, while others mention price increases and compare it unfavorably to competitors.
Reviews mention limited or street parking only, and one review specifically points out the lack of parking places.
Many reviews refer to the availability of spicy options, including a homemade hot sauce and spicy beef pho.
Reviews are mixed; some mention perfect portion sizes, while others describe portions as small or lacking.
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3
Van Vietnamese Cuisine
Restaurant Address: 419 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
Van Vietnamese Cuisine in Hilo, Hawaii offers fresh, fast-service Vietnamese comfort food in a clean, bright setting. The restaurant is known for its flavorful pho with house-made chili oil and generous portions of vermicelli bowls, spring rolls, and banh mi sandwiches. With reasonable prices and consistently quick service, this family-run establishment has become a reliable spot for both locals and tourists seeking authentic Vietnamese flavors in a casual atmosphere.
Multiple reviews praise the pho broth, describing it as flavorful, delicious, and amazing.
Many reviews describe the restaurant as affordable and reasonably priced, indicating it is budget-friendly.
One review mentions the restaurant having plenty of parking.
Several reviews mention adding chili oil or sauce to make dishes spicier. Spicy options are implied.
Some reviews describe generous portions, while others mention small portions, indicating inconsistencies in portion sizes.
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4
New Saigon Restaurant
Restaurant Address: 96 Kalanianaole St, Hilo, HI 96720
New Saigon Restaurant in Hilo, Hawaii, serves up generous portions of authentic Vietnamese cuisine with their signature pho being the star attraction. The cozy, no-frills establishment offers a peaceful dining atmosphere with views of the nearby pond area from their side dining room. Their menu features everything from traditional pho and vermicelli bowls to banh mi sandwiches, with reasonable prices and friendly service that keeps locals coming back.
Price Range: $
Reviews are mixed; some praise the pho broth, while others find it too salty, watery, or sweet. Therefore, a definitive 'great' cannot be objectively asserted.
Many reviews describe the restaurant as having great value and inexpensive prices.
One review mentions parking as a bit small, but still available. Other reviews do not discuss parking.
Reviews mention the availability of spicy sauces and accouterments, suggesting the ability to customize spice levels.
Some reviews describe generous portions, while others mention needing to order multiple pho for one person to be satisfied.
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5
Hilo Rice Noodle Soup
Restaurant Address: 1990 Kinoole St #110, Hilo, HI 96720
Hilo Rice Noodle Soup in Hilo, Hawaii offers a delightful blend of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine that has become a local favorite. The restaurant specializes in authentic pho, cold vermicelli dishes, and crispy spring rolls, with many regulars particularly praising their comforting noodle soups and flavorful salt-and-pepper specialties. While the casual eatery features outdoor seating and takeout options, their consistently tasty food and friendly service keep customers coming back despite the modest setting.
Price Range: $$
Several reviews praise the pho's deliciousness, but there is no consensus on the quality of the broth itself. Some reviews focus on other aspects of the dish.
Reviews suggest prices are generally reasonable or affordable, although one review mentions a $20 per plate price as being too expensive.
The reviews do not provide information on parking availability.
Some reviews mention spicy dishes or the use of sriracha, suggesting that spicy options are available or can be added.
Reviews have conflicting opinions on portion sizes, with some describing them as generous and others as small or child-sized.
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6
Lam's Garden
Restaurant Address: 172 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
Lam's Garden in Hilo, Hawaii serves up authentic Vietnamese cuisine with their signature pho and traditional dishes being the main attraction. The restaurant offers generous portions of both meat and vegetarian options, featuring flavorful broths and fresh ingredients in a casual dining atmosphere. Their menu extends beyond just pho to include vermicelli bowls, banh mi sandwiches, and spring rolls, making it a versatile spot for Vietnamese comfort food on the Big Island.
Price Range: $
Many reviews praise the pho broth's flavor, although some mention it being too sweet.
Reviews describe the restaurant as reasonably priced, surprisingly cheap, or offering good value for the portion size.
Several reviews mention the availability of parking, with some praising the accessibility of the parking lot.
While some reviews mention the broth's sweetness, others note the availability of chili oil (though not always spicy). More information is needed to definitively answer this.
Many reviews explicitly state that the pho portions are large or generous.
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7
1 Plus 1 Cafe
Restaurant Address: 315 Makaala St, Hilo, HI 96720
Located in Hilo, Hawaii, 1 Plus 1 Cafe offers a casual dining experience with quick service and a varied Asian fusion menu. The restaurant features a mix of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, with specialties ranging from pho to stir-fries and summer rolls, though reviews suggest the authenticity and quality can be inconsistent. While the friendly staff provides attentive service and reasonable prices draw customers in, finding parking nearby can sometimes be challenging during peak hours.
Many reviews criticize the pho broth, describing it as bland, lacking flavor, or using artificial broth. Positive reviews regarding broth are absent.
Reviews describe prices as reasonable or affordable in some cases and large in relation to the portion size in other cases.
One review mentions difficulty finding close parking, while another notes that it is very busy, suggesting that parking may be limited or competitive.
While some dishes are described as spicy (e.g., salt and pepper dishes), there's no explicit mention of the restaurant offering a general ability to customize spice levels for all dishes.
Some reviews praise the generous portions, while others note smaller portions or issues with the quality of the food, making it difficult to definitively state if the restaurant consistently offers generous portions of pho.