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    Banh Mi Paradise

    4.6 (30 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    Bahn Mi and Green Papaya Salad
    Amy A.

    Super small Vietnamese sandwich shop in Samsung Plaza. The lady was nice and tried her best to accommodate my husband's request. Tried the Special Bahn Mi and the Crispy Pork Bahn Mi and both were delicious. The size is pretty generous for the price. So happy the bread was toasted well as requested. I don't think they put mayo or which was great. The pate and pork were pretty tasty and I enjoyed the brown umami bomb sauce too which I'm guessing was Maggi? You won't be able to get sriracha or garlic chili from there so be prepared to bring your own. My husband bought me some sambal at a nearby Asian grocery store because I can't eat bahn mi without spicy chili of some kind. I'd definitely come back but only if armed with my spicy condiment of choice haha.

    We're on our way to Hawai'i's first Vietnamese restaurant to serve Bánh mì bò lá lốt (betel nut leaf bánh mì)
    Lyla D.

    About six months ago, right after my total knee replacement surgery, I noticed fellow Elite Friend Donna O's delicious review of the newly opened Bánh Mì Paradise in the Sam Sung Plaza on Ke'eaumoku Street. Donna's review made me salivate for the grilled betel nut leaf-wrapped beef rolls, or bò lá lốt, which I've eaten atop rice vermicelli noodles and as a side dish and craved for over 30 years since trying them with my eldest sister at a Vietnamese restaurant in San Jose, California, and more recently during a trip to Southeast Asian countries. Now, the opening of Bánh Mì Paradise on O'ahu finally has its FIRST Vietnamese restaurant offering this unique and tasty betel nut leaf beef wrap in a bánh mì, along with other popular sandwiches and fresh fruit beverages. Walking into this small sandwich shop in the Sam Sung Plaza, I knew that we'd order our sandwiches to-go because both tables seating two or three were taken. The woman at the counter greeted us with a welcoming smile. As we entered, she pointed to the menu behind her while flipping over a menu on the counter showing their fresh fruit beverages. My husband ordered the Crispy Pork Sandwich (Bánh Mì Thịt Heo Quay), and I asked for the Betel Nut Leaf Wrapped Beef Sandwich (Bánh Mì Bò Lá Lốt). We paid and waited outside while another woman in the kitchen prepared our orders. Within a few minutes, we were notified to pick up our order and hurried home. Both sandwiches were served warm and wrapped in foil. As we unwrapped the sandwiches, we felt the perfect Vietnamese-style baguette, with its light, crisp, crunchy, and thin crust that doesn't cut your mouth when biting into the sandwich, unlike the denser, harder crust in traditional French baguettes. Also, the baguette's interior was light and airy. Upon opening the betel nut leaf beef wrap sandwich (Bánh Mì Bò Lá Lốt), the interior of the bread was airy and soft and stuffed with five betel nut wrapped beef rolls, a schmear of mayonnaise, fresh cut cucumber slices, and accented with pickled carrot and turnip julienne (đồ chua) and a hefty dose of refreshing cilantro. The beef rolls were juicy and well-seasoned with garlic, shallots, lemongrass, and fish sauce, and possibly some other herbs or spices like cloves or cardamom. The betel nut leaf had a slight peppery, bitter flavor that complemented the seasoned ground beef. I found myself chuckling as I suggested to my husband that I'd make this bánh mì my go-to, but I was concerned about the health benefits or side effects of eating betel nut leaves. $12.60 My husband's Crispy Pork Sandwich (Bánh Mì Thịt Heo Quay) was equally impressive, stuffed with crispy, bubbly, roasted-skin pork belly pieces, cucumber slices, pickled carrot and turnip julienne (đồ chua), and cilantro. I'm not sure whether there was any mayonnaise in the sandwich, since I didn't get to taste it, but my husband wolfed it down soon after I took the pictures. He said that every bite of the sandwich filled his mouth with flavorful, crispy pork, fresh, refreshing vegetables, and airy bread. He said this sandwich is his new go-to. $12.60 We're glad to have tried this tasty, affordable, and friendly eatery and will include it in our lunch or early dinner rotation.

    Marissa K.

    I tried the beef wrapped in betel leaf bánh mì and WOW -- this one is seriously special. The beef was incredibly flavorful, juicy, and slightly smoky, with that signature aromatic kick from the betel leaf that makes each bite stand out. It's not your typical bánh mì filling, and that's exactly why I loved it. The French bread was perfectly crusty on the outside and soft inside, holding everything together without getting soggy. The pickled veggies added the right amount of crunch and tang, balancing the richness of the beef. Fresh herbs and sauce tied it all together beautifully. If you want something beyond the usual grilled pork or cold cuts, this is 100% the move. Unique, fragrant, and super satisfying. I'd come back just for this sandwich alone.

    Grilled Betel Leaf Banh Mi
    Toan D.

    Stopped by the Samsung Plaza location and tried two sandwiches: the Betel Leaf Bánh Mì and the House Special. I've had betel leaf-wrapped beef (bò lá lốt) by itself in Vietnamese restaurants before, but never inside a bánh mì. Very unique and delicious! The betel leaves add a subtle herbal aroma and nutty flavor that pair perfectly with the smoky grilled beef and crisp baguette. Also enjoyed the House Special Bánh Mì, a more traditional version with giò lụa (Vietnamese ham), pork belly, and their house-made pâté. The mix of butter, mayo, and pickled daikon and carrots brought all the flavors home. The bread was warm fresh and flaky. Nothing more satisfying than biting into a warm flaky banh mi bun! Just a heads-up, the jalapeño slices are thick, so tread lightly if you can't take the heat. They have two locations -- one in Waikiki and this one at Samsung Plaza on Ke'eaumoku St. Note: prices are a bit higher in Waikiki. Parking at Samsung Plaza allows a 20-minute grace period, which is super convenient. Happy Eating!

    Outside
    Nadine C.

    Takeout lunch from Honolulu, Hawaii... I saw that Donna O. was First to Review for Bahn Mi Street Cafe... and she raved about it. I had to see for myself... Located at the Samsung Plaza, I drove into the shared parking lot and told the attendant that I was just going to grab something from Bahn Mi Cafe. I pointed at the sign and asked if I could park for free... he nodded "yes"! Yay! Thank you! Inside, the cozy café is on the warm side because the door is left open. There were two tables with two chairs each - for dining-in, but it's not air-conditioned... I ordered the #1 and #2 from the menu. Both sandwiches were freshly made by the cashier. I couldn't tell which Bahn Mi was the Special and which one was the Roast Pork becausethey were in the same package. My sister and I guessed that the Roast Pork was the tastier sandwich. I looked inside of the sandwiches first and removed the sliced jalapeños. I liked the pickled veggies and the soft bread! My sister enjoyed this lunch - she kept the leftovers for her dinner!

    Irene M.

    Banh Mi is it... I was just so full of hope but was a bit disappointed with what I got. I've been craving sandwiches lately and looking for a spot and Donna O found this new spot in Ke'eaumoku Plaza and since it was Sunday street parking was free so I was able walk right in for a quick peek and see what they have and what a lovely and minimalistic vibe as it's obvious you place your order at the service counter and is nice that they have a couple of tables for you to enjoy your bite right there. As I glanced at their menu and saw that they have three different types of Banh Mi majority is obvious as the name along with pictures right beside is almost clear of what are the difference with exception of the "House special sandwich" so I asked what it was and with a slight accent I only caught pork and pate but no much besides that so with that hesitation I decided on the "Crispy roast pork sandwich". I took my sandwich home to enjoy and as it's filled with all the usual you'd find in a banh mi like the pickled daikon and carrots slices of cucumber but to my surprise as I pulled the bread apart was to see slices of jalapeños which isn't the normal ingredient I'd expect and as I was sharing half with mom that would've been tragic if she bit into it after I discovered it I took it off but the lingering affect still remains. I've experienced a lot of this with new places as their menu doesn't have enough description with the item along with ingredients. Not usual a fan of banh mi and the bread was too chewy as every bite was a struggle and the toppings went everywhere if it was slightly toasted I think it would've been a much better and cleaner bite the roast pork was very chewy and didn't really impressed me very much. Thank you!

    Keeaumoku location. Drinks and Banh Mi
    Donna O.

    Omg, this place was so legit and so good! I was so amazed by the crispy but not hard yet soft bread and the delicious flavors of both of my banh mi sandwiches. First I ate 1/2 of the grilled betel leaf wrapped beef! It was absolutely delicious! It was out of this world and I don't think anyone else offers it. Best banh mi I ever had. My new favorite! Even the pieces on my crispy roast pork banh mi had so much flavor even had 3 pieces on 1/2 of the banh mi and it was so tasty and flavorful. Right amount of saltiness and oil on the pork! The drink I had was called House special! It was made with sour sop, strawberry and passion fruit and that was so refreshing! Never had a drink with Sour sop inside! Few menu on the items but it was really good. This location is in the Sam Sung Plaza across Pate Vietnamese Cuisine. There's one in Waikiki on Kuhio Ave but the man who answered the phone at that location said different menu and owner, although the lady who helped me at the Keeaumoku location said same owner. I called the Waikiki location because I couldn't get through to the Keeaumoku location since they were on the phone. Whether or not they are the same owner or just have the same Restaurant's name, it's easier for me to get my banh mi from here! Service was fast in making the sandwiches! Please try them out. Everyone has different opinions but I just loved my sandwiches! Yummy! I'll be back for more! Wow!

    Chicken bahn mi
    Krystle K.

    Really good chicken sandwich and it's affordable. Parking is free for 15 min then you need validation. Service was good and ambiance was nice. I will be back since this was one of the best chicken bahn mi sandwiches I have eaten.

    Justin H.

    For those of you haven't try this shop yet , this Vietnamese sandwich shop is a must try. Sandwiches here I will say you can't find it anywhere on this island. It's the best banh mi sandwich by far, services are excellent too. Only few tables inside seating. I would recommend take out.

    Brenda L.

    First time trying this place and it did not disappoint! Very authentic. The banh mi bread was fresh. I ordered the Ba la Lot banh mi, crispy pork, and the combination. The Ba la Lot was perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The crispy pork tasted homemade and crisp to perfection, and the combination was so delicious with the pate and the butter mixture was so creamy! Very reasonable for the size of the banh mi. I would definitely come back!

    Fresh Sugar cane juice Nước Mía
    Julie N.

    This hole in the wall banh mi place is legit. The aunties there are so nice. The banh mi sandwich are soft, crunchy, & so tasty. The drinks are so refreshing. The sugar cane juice is fresh, mango smoothie is delicious & the sour sop drink is a must try if you love sour sop! Brings back so much memories of Vietnamese street food or when I would buy banh mi on the streets in Vietnam. Highly recommend!

    We are Bahn Mi snobs and we happen to find this place on the way to Mediterranean food and completely derailed our plan. We had the chicken it is phenomenal and they are opening a second location on Kaua Kawa in Waikiki shortly.

    Tofu sandwich

    The Tofu sandwich was heavy Yes, it was a huge sandwich! I've never had this huge Banh Mi in this area! And it was yummy and it had lots of Tofu and vegetables! I love it!

    Inside

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    Ask the Community - Banh Mi Paradise

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    The Pig & The Lady

    The Pig & The Lady

    4.1
    (3.6k reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    We sat at the chef's counter, which made the whole experience even better. The place is super…read morepopular, and after eating here it's obvious why. Every dish had bold, balanced flavors and not a single miss. Truly on point from start to finish. Great energy, great food, and a kitchen that clearly knows what it's doing. Easy recommendation.

    Thought I'd write a review before they move their restaurant to the Kaimuki area. August 30, 2025,…read morei believed is their last day serving in Chinatown. I heard they will keep this space for special events. The restaurant is quite busy and I'm glad we had reservations. Good thing I was there prior to lunch hour opening, otherwise we may lose our reservations since the person who made reservations tends to be habitual in arriving late. We dined in May, but it's been awhile since I first dined here. I preferred dining in Chinatown during lunch time than at dinner. Our waiter was really nice and helpful. I forgot his name, but I remembered that his eyeglasses that he wore was cool/funny, since the frames for each eye didn't match the other eye! lol. Funny it wasn't me who first noticed it. One was square frame and the other was a round frame! The restaurant doesn't do anything special for birthdays except may write Happy Birthday in chocolate on the dessert plate that you purchase for the birthday person. Their desserts are unique and refreshing. I think there are some rotating desserts /flavors like their seasonal menu for their main menu. I guess you can always keep coming back without being bored of the menu! I was bummed to see a previous dish posted of a pasta that I wanted to try that wasn't on the current spring seasonal menu! When we dined for brunch over the weekend, I was able to get the Hainan chicken with the crispy roast pork combo. It was very filling , tasty and satisfying. I do love ginger sauce on the cold ginger chicken but sometimes the chicken is just okay. This Hainan chicken was really good and the chicken was really moist! I thought it was the best I've tried! It was good that I wanted to takeout one last time in August before they moved! No more the 50/50 combo with the crispy roast pork on the lunch menu during the weekday. It was on the spring menu. Of course it's best to eat it in the restaurant than for take out. Bathroom is a must for me when dining out and they had only one shared bathroom for everyone! There was a guy who tried to make several attempts but wasn't successful, since there was always someone in the restroom. I'm glad the waiter told me there was a bigger separate bathroom with several stalls for men and ladies upstairs. You go straight through the kitchen to catch the elevator and to another kitchen /storage area! Thank Goodness! Best wishes at your new location. You offer yummy and tasty food!

    Photos
    The host/hostess table right inside the front door!
    The host/hostess table right inside the front door!
    The dining area.
    The dining area.
    The bar & counter area.

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    The bar & counter area.
    Patê Vietnamese Cuisine

    Patê Vietnamese Cuisine

    4.6
    (267 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    This has always been my go-to pho place. Maybe it's because I live nearby, but this place has…read morealways been consistent with their food, you don't wait long for your order (it's also a small seated restaurant), their prices are inexpensive, and they have pickled garlic on their table- need I say more. Today I decided to order takeout- I don't feel like dining in alone and wanted to just chill in my apartment w/ my dinner. Pro tip- call in your order. Try not to use deliver apps, even if selecting 'pick-up' because their prices (like every other restaurant on delivery apps) tend to cost a dollar or more. Upon calling in my order, the lady said it'll be ready in 5mins. I thought that was a high expectation, but I've dined in before and we also don't wait long for our orders to arrive to our table. I arrived to their restaurant maybe about 7mins after calling and Lo and behold, my order was ready for pickup already Pro tip- ask for their pickled garlic. They'll give you a mega small container for it but I'll take what I can get lol when I dine in, and I eat each bite with their pickled garlic When I got back to my place and started taking out the items, the broth was mega hot and they even packed siracha and hoisin sauce in small containers I wanted to add that I thought they were skimpy on the amount of brisket they gave, but when I started putting them in my bowl, they do give you a decent amount. Overall I'll definitely order from Pate again! Always loved this place!

    Pate is a great find. It's right across from Walmart on Keeaumoku in the Samsung Plaza. Lots of…read moreparking in the lot, first hour is free now. What makes them unique is the house noodle dish. You can choose your type of noodles, protein, and even the broth style - dry or soup. if you pick the dry style, it still comes with a smaller bowl of broth. And I asked for the pho broth instead because the house broth is shrimpy/fishier than I'd like. I ordered what most people recommended - the roast pork, with egg noodles and won ton, and the broth on the side. So yummy! And the staff are really nice and friendly. Only thing is the place is so small so there may be a wait. But everything was really tasty!

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    Le’s Banh Mi

    Le’s Banh Mi

    4.8
    (411 reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    I love their sandwiches!! But I don't like their location .. otherwise I would be going back more…read moreoften ... Let me just say ... this has to be one of the best banh mi sandwiches I've ever eaten ... I ordered the Tofu / Mushroom and it was so delicious! The bread had a lot to do with it because it was so crispy .. light and so fresh. . I think the bread is important .. It makes a big difference if the bread is good or not . My friend ordered the Lemongrass chicken and she also enjoyed it. We had to wait a while for our order as they got busier while we were there. Lot of people were doing take outs. It's a very small place on the third floor but there are a couple of tables on the inside and outside .. you can sit down comfortably and eat . They also have drinks such as Iced Tea or Iced Vietnamese Coffee which goes perfect with your sandwich. I will continue to come here to eat their sandwiches .. as long as they continue to make the crispy.. light fresh bread .

    They don't have large menu but they get their banh mi done right! We had the Saigon special and…read morelemongrass chicken. The meats are well seasoned, bread is nicely toasted, pickled veggies are the right sour and sweet balance. Their chili sauce has real kicks! Their service is quick and friendly. They have a few small tables and seats. It's on the third floor of the 808 building. We definitely will go back again!

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    An Di Dzo

    An Di Dzo

    3.9
    (271 reviews)
    0.8 mi
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    Two co-workers and I were at Whole Foods and decided to try An Di Dzo for lunch. I ordered a French…read more75, a cocktail consisting of London Dry Gin, Sparkling wine, lemon juice and simple syrup ($15) while we perused the menu. I had Vermicelli Cold Noodle with spring roll and pork (Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio, $19.50), Number 17 at our favorite place on Smith and Hotel Streets. Another chose Chicken Pho (Mien Ga, $17.75) while the third tried the Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo Kho, $19.75). We split a Classic Combo Banh Mi ($15.50). My vermicelli dish was fine, on par with the one at P** V******, but maybe not as good as the one at K*** V********* C******. I didn't hear any complaints about the Mien Ga. The Beef Stew was petite but came with two large pieces of toasted baguette. I was disappointed in the banh mi ... the baguette felt stale and there weren't enough pickled vegetables (do chua) and cilantro for me. I can get a better banh mi for $11 elsewhere. What did I think? The food was okay, but we could get comparable dishes for less money at three places in Chinatown. I was hoping for more ... As such, a rating of 3.75. Postscript: The co-worker that ate the beef stew suffered from intestinal distress for the remainder of the afternoon. He was the only one to use the raw basil and bean sprouts. I was fine, as was the other person in our party.

    Would give zero stars if I could…read more Customer service was awful. Our young server (wearing a Stussy shirt) looked irritated every time we had to ask for anything and completely forgot our drinks. The food itself was meh, and to top it off there was a hair in my dish. The server said sorry but immediately made us pay the full bill with no refund or any compensation. He didn't even tell anyone else, so we had to show the chef ourselves after we had already paid. Extremely disappointing. Never coming back and I wouldn't recommend anyone else go here either.

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    Thuong An Lac

    Thuong An Lac

    4.9
    (134 reviews)
    1.9 mi
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    if i could rate this place 1000+ stars i absolutely would. my bf and i have been coming to thuong…read morean lac for years now and this place has nestled it's way deep into our heart and will forever stay there. it's not just how amazing the food is, which that speaks for itself, but the owners are some of the sweeeetest people i've ever met. they really know how to make you feel welcome. even though no one really speaks english here, it's all good energy, trust. i still remember the very first time we came here, when we tried their water, our eyes went wide! my bf n i both looked at each other like "whatttt, this is complimentary water???" it's kangen water infused with pandan and trust me, it's sooo good. their pho is the best vegan pho i've ever had! they have a good variety of plant based meats and are pretty generous with their portions too. this quaint, homey and cozy little restaurant located in the market place of chinatown holds it's own. the ambience feels like stepping into your vietnamese aunty's home or if a buddhist prayer temple had a side restaurant this would be it. we love thuong an lac!! thank you for serving our community by bringing us cruelty free, yummy foods!!! cảm ơn :)

    If you're looking for vegan pho in Hawaii, this is the place to go. There aren't many vegan pho…read morespots on the island, and this is easily the best I've had. It's tucked away in the entrance of Chinatown Market, making it a true hidden gem. My favorite is the "beef" noodle soup. The broth is incredibly rich and flavorful--you'd never guess it's completely vegan. I also highly recommend the taro spring rolls, which are crispy, delicious, and the perfect appetizer. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so it may not be able to accommodate larger groups. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. As someone who loves noodle soup, I appreciate being able to enjoy such a satisfying meal while knowing it's entirely plant-based. I'll definitely be back!

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    Thuong An Lac
    Condiments for pho and a glass of iced barley tea
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    Pho Time

    Pho Time

    4.2
    (433 reviews)
    8.3 mi
    $$

    Pho Time is our go-to pho spot in Central Oahu when we're craving pho and don't want to drive into…read moretown. We tried the BBQ pork summer rolls. They only come with two, but they're huge. I'm usually more of a spring roll person, but these were so good and something I'd definitely order again. I had the brisket pho, and my boyfriend got the beef and flank pho. Both were delicious, and the broth was flavorful and comforting. I'm pretty particular about Thai tea, but theirs is always really good. The restaurant is small and fills up quickly. The service is always good and the food comes out fast. If you're in the Aiea area and looking for a solid pho spot, Pho Time is worth a visit!

    My husband and I were really craving some Pho/Banh Mi and thought that we would try something other…read morethan our usual and Pho Time seemed like the perfect fit based on photos we saw on their online ordering system. While the servers were nice, we did order ahead of time and showed up when the Beluga app (where we ordered off of) told us to show up, but I ended up waiting 15 minutes at the restaurant later than I was supposed to get my food. Additionally, the staff seemed to forget I was sitting/waiting for my food. My suspicion is that the online ordering service isn't actively monitored and our order wasn't started until I actually showed up to the restaurant to pick up our food at the designated time. The food was okay for us. I'm a big Banh Mi fan and was looking forward to eating their Combination Banh Mi, but unfortunately the Banh Mi seemed a little rushed in preparation and lacked flavor. My husband on the other hand, ordered their Combination Pho and it absolutely did not disappoint. Although their Banh Mi was not as delicious and flavorful as I expected, their Pho was the exact opposite of that. They give you a generous amount of broth and their portions of greens was beyond enough (maybe a little bit too much for one serving). The last food item to talk about are their Spring Rolls. It wasn't anything too special compared to your usual Spring Rolls, but I will say that their dipping sauce and everything else that comes with it (rice noodles, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots) made it so that you could easily make it a meal vice an appetizer. If you're looking for a cozy place to have dinner, their space was a bit crowded but if you're okay with then this place is good. Just be warned that their prices are a little bit on the higher side in my opinion and be prepared for long wait times to receive your order.

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    Crispy chicken, crispy shrimp and bbq pork belly in ours delicious homemade egg noodle soup.

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    Crispy chicken, crispy shrimp and bbq pork belly in ours delicious homemade egg noodle soup.

    Banh Mi Paradise - vietnamese - Updated August 2026

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