Top pick1$$Phở 97
Chinatown·Vietnamese Restaurant
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Chinatown is Honolulu's undisputed home for Vietnamese food, and I've pulled together every spot worth knowing across the neighborhood's 9 qualifying restaurants. From steaming bowls of phở at local staples like Phở 97 and Phở Tô Châu Restaurant — a bustling, bare-bones café celebrated for its Vietnamese classics — to the plant-based spread at Thuong An Lac Vietnamese Vegan Restaurant, there's genuinely something for every craving.
This is a curated BEST guide, meaning Nate's hand-picked recommendations appear first and carry the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page. Spots Nate has personally visited are also marked so you can see exactly where he's eaten. The remaining restaurants are ordered by their reputation and standing in the neighborhood.
Whether you're after a hearty bowl of noodle soup, Vietnamese classics at a casual café like Phở Huong Lan in the Chinese Cultural Plaza, or something off the beaten path, this list gives you a reliable starting point for eating your way through Chinatown.
The ranking
Top pick1$$
2$$
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5$Casual cafe in Chinese Cultural Plaza focusing on pho (noodle soup) & other Vietnamese classics.
6$
7$This bustling, bare-bones cafe with a menu of Vietnamese classics specializes in pho noodle soup.
8Vietnamese fare in Kalihi. Salty Lemon (Summer Frappe) is a solid pick and offers takeout.
9Thuong An Lac Vietnamese Vegan Restaurant brings vietnamese to Kalihi. Family-friendly casual dining.
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FAQ
Chinatown has a strong cluster of well-regarded Vietnamese spots, with Phở 97, Pho Vietnam, and Anh Hong Restaurant consistently standing out among locals and visitors. Check the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page to see which spots have earned Nate's personal recommendation.
Most Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown are known for being wallet-friendly — places like Phở Tô Châu Restaurant and Phở Huong Lan are casual, no-frills spots where a satisfying bowl of phở won't break the bank.
NateEatsHawaii actively catalogs restaurants across Oahu, and this guide is updated as new spots open, close, or rise in reputation — so you can trust the list reflects what's actually worth visiting in Chinatown right now.