I was pleasantly surprised by this hidden restaurant. Very clean and modern looking pho cafe. The broth wasn't too complex but it was clean and yummy. The service was prompt and the server was nice. The restaurant was surprisingly empty for a Saturday night. What I liked best about my combination pho was the unexpectedly generous portions of tendon and tripe. Normally five minutes after I start in on my pho - I'll keep digging through the noodles and sprouts hoping to find just one more delicious morsel of tendon. After all, that's the main reason anyone orders the combination pho, right? Well, there was not just one, or two, or even five large thick chunks of tendon. There were six! Bite after big bite of yummy tender tendon just kept appearing....I was a happy camper. I will definitely be coming back.

The other day, we drove up to the Kaimuki Shopping Center to take care of some business at our credit union when I noticed Fairwood Drive-Inn/Pho 27 right next door. While my husband entered the credit union, I walked up Pho 27 to peruse the menu that was posted outside and my eyes widened when I saw their menu item, oxtail pho. Within a few minutes (thankfully, this credit union was quick) my husband exited the credit union and I excitedly told him about the oxtail pho. Hey, good thing he's easy going since he agreed upon dining at Pho 27 right away. When you enter the restaurant, it shares the space with Fairwood Drive-Inn in front. If you want pho, all you need to do is walk straight past the Fairwood order counter and then you'll find yourself in Pho27. The Pho27 space is nicely air-conditioned, has contemporary lighting fixtures and seats. There are pictures of several of the menu items that adorn the walls above their seating booths. A friendly and demure waitress greeted us and seated us immediately. The other dining booths were filled with other customers so we figured this would be a good experience. Our demure and soft-spoken server kindly made some recommendations as this was our first dine here. However, we had pretty much made up our minds and ordered the Tofu Salad, Oxtail Pho and Pigs' Feet Pho. We had made our selections based upon the pictures that were posted outside of the restaurant. TOFU SALAD: The tofu salad was light, refreshing and cleared our palates for the upcoming pho. It was a good change as we can get the green papaya or shrimp salads at other Vietnamese restaurants. The dressing was served on the side so the customer can "control" the spiciness and sharpness of this "vinaigrette". It was large enough of a serving to be considered an entrée salad. $7.95 OXTAIL PHO: Whoa..this was a behemoth-sized serving! There were 4 large and tender oxtails and the rest of the bowl was filled with noodles, shiitake mushrooms, fresh ginger root slices, carrots, Napa cabbage, green onions and peanuts. The broth was beefy and was more similar to Chinese-style oxtail soup. I really liked this pho and its generous serving was too much for me to even finish before I started feeling like I was seeing pho from behind my eyes. Haha. $14.50 PIG'S FEET PHO: The pho broth of this huge bowl was unlike the broth in my oxtail pho. It was more like what we're used to from other Vietnamese restaurants (Hale Vietnam, PHO'hana or Rice Paper). It was clear and clean tasting without any greasiness. There were the usual fresh vegetable condiments (culantro, bean sprouts, spearmint, Thai basil, jalapeño peppers, lemon wedges) that cooked in the steaming hot broth when my husband sprinkled them in. The two pigs' feet were the leg part so no worries about being skiddish by seeing the knuckles or trotter. These leg pieces were thick-cut, tender and well-seasoned and SERVED ON THE SIDE. The sauce was like a Chinese barbecue-like sauce (hoisin) and in our opinion, would've made for a better pairing with steamed rice. My husband confirmed that it was tasty and very filling. $10.95 We asked our server if they served pigs' feet IN pho like the oxtails because we felt the sauce made it more messy to eat and would taste better with rice. She confirmed that slow-cooked pigs' feet were available in soup noodles and the item is listed under a different menu name. Aha! That's what we'll order the next time. Pho27 did not disappoint as it hit us with great flavors and very generous portions. There was good value for the portion sizes and we certainly wouldn't mind returning to try more of their other dishes when we're in the Kaimuki area again.

If I'm in the Kaimuki Shopping area (usually to see my dentist), I will venture here for phõ. Is it the best? No. But it's ok. The phõ part of the restaurant is in the back. The front portion of the restaurant is local style foods. I came when lunch just started and was the 1st one to arrive. Tables are clean and has a modern feel to it. I ordered the veggie phõ, medium and was just the right amount. There is nothing outstanding about their phõ other than I appreciate the veggies. Some places put only a few pcs of vegetables. They had a fair amount of broccoli in it that I separated out so i could dunk into my special sauce I created. The broth is a little on the sweeter side. Service was ok and prompt especially with me being the only one. I've been here during peak hours and have had decent service which I can't complain. If you're looking for fast phõ with a clean broth, come here. I'd prefer a more rich broth, but this is phõ and vegetarian so I don't expect much.

Lyla and I have started our diet, to cut back and be good for 2 weeks... no competition. Motivate each other! We had banan and did well.. Healthy right??? Then we have Lyla's Husband Ed, who stated he was hungry and we ended up here!! After Banan, I started getting cold and with Hurricane Lester on its way. Pho sounds good! They have been here, was my first time. This place is odd, 2 restaurants in one??? What? Front is Fairwood.. walk to the back there's another entrance to Pho.. hmmm looks more dine in while the front looked like a self seated Chinese food take out. The 3 of us were set on pho.. looking through the menu and we all ended up getting Won ton Pho! Yum! Their broth is very flavorful, not too salty, not sweet, not oily, not clear like water. Pho noodles are good, doesn't fall apart. Comes with 6 won ton, my first piece didn't have shrimp, but then I found them in the pieces after. Taste of the wonton was odd, can't describe it, by the last one I got sick of it. I got extra won ton pii (wrapper) from the top... missing a 7th piece? haha. We also got salt and pepper wings to share. Wings came with the parts I like wingette! Yay for me and Ed. Sorry Lyla, no drums. I had 2 pieces, it was soft, tender, moist, juicy and sweet! I liked the flavor. Although it had lots of jalepeno on top, wasn't spicy. If I'm on this side, another option! The workers are Chinese. We'll we continue/start our diet tomorrow! I'll be good.. I promise!

Kudos to my dad for choosing this place for lunch one day (he always chooses Panda Express or Zippy's). I would normally get pho at Vietnamese restaurants but for some reason I got the tofu lemongrass sandwich and I do not regret it! Restaurant is located upstairs from Times on Waialae and 4th ave. Super convenient for me since I live nearby. The lights hanging in their are pretty artsy and gives off a fancy feel but this place is pretty casual. All the times I've been here it's never been super crowded which is a good thing because I soaking crowds anyway. I have tried their pho but after tasting the lemongrass tofu, omg - it's my new fave. What I like to do is share an order of veggie pho and half a tofu sandwich with my dad and dip my sandwich in the pho soup -voila! I made my own veggie French dip! I like how the lemongrass tofu has so much flavor and their not stingy with filling the sandwich. Other places I've tried give more bread than anything. But Pho 27 is generous plus the bread is crispy on the outside and oh so soft on the inside. I'll be having my pho lemongrass tofu French dip here regularly.

Their chicken pho had large pieces of chicken/bone, the kine used for oyster sauce chicken. Even had a drumstick in the pho. That was really different. The spring roll was very salty. Waste of money.

I ordered the two meat iption pho. The both on this place was really tasty and the brisket was super tender and flavorful. The only thing that I didn't enjoy was that my food wasn't very hot... not fun eating cold pho. Also, you can't order the small size pho to go so I had to get the large size.

I love this place. The staff are very friendly and the food is delicious. They give large portions here. My regular dish here is the vermicelli with spring rolls and barbecue pork. The meat is marinated well and the spring rolls are very tasty. I'm always coming back here!

Not impressed. Not Satisfied. The highlight wasn't even the food, it was the smelly table w/drawer. When we sat down, the table had a stink sweaty and sour smell caused from a used and dirty rag. I had to ask for the table to be re-wiped or it was gonna ruin my appetite. #nojoke I believe I am sensitive to taste and smell which is maybe why I LOVE FOOD so much but it's also a curse at times like this. The most enjoyable part about lunch was opening the drawer/table which held our utensils and napkins. Very cool concept and space saver. I wouldn't mind having that in my house. What I would NOT like in my house is the food we ordered. I'm not trying to trash this place but I'm just giving my 2 cents about my experience. The food was quite plain tasting compared to other pho places I've been to like my #1 Aloha PHO!!! Maybe it's a different cooking method or part of Vietnam but I personally didn't care for the taste. My dad ordered some chicken dish which came with a so so dipping sauce. Again, not impressed and some what dissatisfied. I would NOT RECOMMEND this pho place....but my parents like it. So on that note...dont bother lol my parents aren't FOODIES.

I'll have to pass on this place.. The pho isn't bad but the flavor of the broth isn't my thing. There's something about it that doesn't taste like any pho I've ever had, almost like a Chinese soup that's trying to be pho. Again, it wasn't bad but it didn't seem right to me. I'm not going to judge them for their broth, but they should call it "faux" or "phaux." On my most recent visit.. I waited about 5 minutes to be seated. The place was empty and there was no one around. I walked in further, found a server, and got her attention. After confirming they were not closed I asked to be seated. The server was friendly bit could be a little more attentive. I ordered a large combination pho with the meat outside. The soup wasn't hot at all.. It was very warm but not hot enough for the meat; it remained pink the entire time. The garnish seemed fresh but they really don't give you much basil. It's about half as much as other places. I personally prefer more basil. To be fair I've been here a few times.

3.5 overall stars Pho 27 Cafe, located in the Kaimuki Shopping Center, has reopened after a brief stint as the former Vietnamese eatery named Pho 27. After Pho 27 closed, the place turned into a ramen restaurant and again, it closed quickly. Then it was followed by the opening of another restaurant serving Chinese food. I do hope Pho 27 Cafe can make it because it is such a cute place to eat, talk story and hang out. The entry to the restaurant can be accessed through the same doorway shared with Fairwood Drive Inn & Diner. A quick glance from the cashier's counter shows Pho 27 Cafe has about 12 to 13 tables-booths spread comfortably and evenly in the long I-shape restaurant. I entered Pho 27 Cafe to find its decor and furnishings appeared exactly the same as the prior pho restaurant. Well the menu looks different and upon closer inspection, the new menu revealed a new page incorporating some Hong Kong style fare: i.e. sizzling platter meals and baked spaghetti/fried rice dishes to include soup and salad. Explains why the caption below the restaurant's name included Chinese letterings. Since this is their second month back, Pho 27 Cafe is offering a 10% re-opening discount. Cool jellybeans! IDK how long this special is good til though. Also, I'm glad to find the interior didn't changed much because I was always partial to it when I used to eat there before they closed the restaurant. The entire place is almost completely white and the tall ceiling made the long space looked "opened and airy" but still modern. It's kinda cool they hang those architectural lantern-like white ball drops from the black ceiling. Loved the vanilla leather seats at each booth because they're so comfortable. Lighting is soft and relaxing, making it not too hard to slouch there if one is not careful. They served decent pho and the broth was pretty good from my past dining experiences there. However, I decided to order the #34 vermicelli noodles with BBQ pork and spring rolls. This bun bowl came out beautifully arranged and it looked really appetizing. Serving size was right on, the julienned veggies (lettuce, cucumbers, carrots and basil) tasted fresh and refreshing. Unfortunately the pork was a tad too salty for me and the spring rolls could have used longer frying time. These were the only 2 sticking points I wasn't too keen on. Next time, I will probably order the pho to see if it is still the same pho. It's unclear if Pho 27 Cafe is the same owner as the previous Pho 27. Under the beverage section, they got a variety smoothies but there was one that stood out: the caramel latte smoothies. Sounded interesting and unusual; perhaps it will complement the pho nicely when I return.

I've returned four times to eat here I get the won ton pho every time. The first time I got it I had picked out pieces of cow tongue. It was cooked, it's just not my thing. However, I loved the refreshing broth and wontons filled with pork and shrimp. my love got the lemon grass chicken and was underwhelmed. The spring rolls and summer rolls are very well done. Either one will be a great appetizer choice. The atmosphere is casual and the restaurant is clean. Additional napkins and utensils are readily available in a drawer on the side of each table(cool quirky fact). There's usually only one person working the front register and dining area, sometimes there is a little wait. Parking is pretty good considering the lot is shared with Longs oh yeah and it's free Side note-special pho like the unusual wonton pho only come in large no medium available but they don't stuff you with fillers. The dishes are equally balanced. One of my daughters tried the char siu pho & that was good . The other daughter tried the short ribs in pepper sauce, total loss. Shouldn't even be on their menu . It's rare to like every single thing you try at a restaurant with so much unique variety. For the most part I think they got something good going on here.... it's worth exploring.