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Food was EXCELLENT. That calamari was one of the best I have ever had. It was crisp but not to the point where it hurt the inner of my mouth - super soft and tender. The cucumber was also perfect and it's amazing how everything was so crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside! The crab pasta was a standout. The flavors just melded together perfectly with the soft shell crab being an amazing garnish to the dish. It was tender and crisp. You can just eat it as is with the pasta and it just was absolutely delicious. They give you an option if you want some blue crab garnish on the pasta - make sure to say yes. The crab adds such a nice kick to the creaminess of the pasta. Did I also mention how big the portion was!? You could probably order the crab pasta and another entree to share with friends. Dessert was unique. The flan was rich and the lychee was a delicious side. The popcorn ice cream was very different than what I'm used to. The ice cream has a very grainy texture with the accents of popcorn. The butter mochi was standard but a good additional texture for the popcorn ice cream. Not too sure if I would order that again, but the flan was definitely my favorite dessert of the meal. Ambiance is a darker mood with dim lighting. It adds to the luxurious vibe of the restaurant itself. I noticed people came dressed up for their reservations as they walked in. Definitely a great spot to go with friends/family. Service was quick and helpful - very attentive with filling up our waters and making sure we were ok. Definitely a standout restaurant. I'm a fan!
Ever since this place opened, my wife and I have been back numerous times! Very lovely set up inside, full bar, and an ambience that's great for any meal or date night. Our go to's are the chicken pho, and soft shell crab pasta. The pasta is so rich with a little spice and soft shell crab is crispy and light. Centered in town, it is easy to get too. Swing by now!
Had lunch with my wife and brother-in-law. I had to minus a star from my previous review. Soon after being seated a child started crying loudly. I think it was one of the staff or owner's child. Very annoying. This went on for about 10 minutes. The couple seated near the child got up and left. A couple of minutes later The child was wheel out on a stroller. As for the food I noticed the many Yelpers gave high reviews for the soft shell crab with pasta. My take is that the crab was crispy and had a strong garlic flavor. I really didn't care for the sauce used in the noodles. The calimari was crisp and tender. The dipping sauce I didn't care for. This is a Vietnamese after all so Enjoy.
First time here seen all the reviews from other Yelpers and it's all pretty good . Had to try it for myself so had lunch with sister and brother in law. Parking lot is very crowded because they share with other businesses like Starbucks and Orielly Auto parts . I was disappointed in the soft shell crab Pasta the pasta was very sweet the soft shell grab was ok. Their appetizers have lots of garlic . I love garlic but not so much on top of fried foods . The fried chicken , calamari all had lots of garlic . Ambiance is very noisy although the highlight was our server he was fast and efficient. He took away our rubbish from our table right away . Hope the best for Chao but to be honest I won't be going back just not my cup a tea . Support Local whenever possible
"Good food is very often, even most often, simple food." ― Anthony Bourdain I have been seeing so many photos and reviews for this amazing place before arriving on vacation that I knew I would be stopping by for a bite. I already knew what I want, I just needed to get myself here and wow. What a great meal! Beef Carpaccio: Paper-thinly sliced raw beef tenderloin with an herb mix, onions, crispy shallots, lime vinaigrette, and Thai chili. Such a flavor bomb compared the usual Italian classic with lemon, olive oil, and capers. Crispy Calamari: Garlic, jalapeño, and a chili lime sauce. I don't even remember eating this as there were so many plates on the table. I only realized this was ordered after uploading my photos on here. I'm sure they were great though. Grilled Sweet Corn: Curry butter, pork floss, and chives. I avoided this not because it didn't look or smell good because it did. I just generally avoid eating corn-on-the-cob in public. I'll end up looking like a child with corn on my face if I attempted to eat corn-on-the-cob in public! Hamachi Poke: Spicy tobiko roe mayo, salted calamansi, and served with shrimp chips. Good flavor balance and fun texture. I can absolutely inhale this all by myself. Spanish Octopus: Mixed herbs, roasted peanuts, and roasted fish sauce. Perfectly tender with a great flavor profile. Duck Salad: Seared duck breast, lettuce, crispy fried noodles, and fresno chiles with a creamy house dressing. Get this. The fresh crisp bite of salad helps cut the flavors of everything else you are eating. Brisket Beef Stew: My twinsie actually had this and it smelled great. Taste wise, I'm sure it was good. It's beef, potatoes, and onions in bo kho. It can only be good. Soft Shell Crab Pasta: Fried soft shell crab, fresh noodles, and lemongrass tossed in beurre monté ("mounted butter"). This was the single dish that made me want to pop in. I have been haunted on Yelp by this soft shell crab that's standing up, needing me to have five it with my chopsticks. It was good. It was tasty. I ate a lot of the noodles even. Chao Penicilin: Chivas, ginger, and honey. This was Randy S.'s drink but I fell in love with it quickly. It tasted like a fresh ginger root was strangled and poured into a glass. This is 100% my kind of drink. I love it when ginger bites back. Vietnamese Espresso Martini: Vietnamese coffee, Mr. Brown, and Absolut vodka. You can't go wrong with Vietnamese coffee and you definitely can't go wrong with an espresso martini. Up until the point when I tried the Chao Penicillin, I was elated with my martini, haha! What a great place. I'll be day dreaming of that Soft Shell Crab Pasta and Chao Penicilin now that I've finished this review.
Lunchtime led us to a lovely meal, Chao. A place that was highly raved about by friends, and my Dad and I were anxious to try. Our experience was great, and I'm still thinking of what I ate. My unnie, Li Y., made reservations for us. We were sitting inside, farther back. The restaurant is stylish yet more casual. A nice watering hole for locals and visitors to enjoy meals, drinks, or happy hour. We came for lunch and were treated like family by all staff. It was great to talk story, have our questions answered, and enjoy our meal at our own leisure. We chose to order family style and shared the Crispy Calamari, Roasted Eggplant, Duck Rice, and Soft Shell Crab Pasta. Everything was superb. The flavors, seasonings, spices, all of it was on point. Loved the roast on the eggplant, the calamari was crispy and great with the sauce, and the crab pasta was so creamy and nicely balanced. My favorite was the duck rice. The duck was so tender, and the rice had so much flavor. I could eat so much of it and hope to try their other rice dishes in the future. Their Ube Dream drink was also a nice surprise--creamy ube with a refreshingly tart lime taste. Chao took my taste buds on a trip, and I recommend everyone try this spot if you're into Vietnamese or fusion cuisine. Find them in the Nuʻuanu Shopping Plaza. Parking is hit-or-miss in the plaza, depending on the time of day you go.
The hype is real. Been hearing about this place for a while and finally got to try. The scallop ceviche was sooo yummy and fresh and a nice take on ceviche. Their beef tar tar was also so good and so soft. The star of the show was the crab pasta which we added extra blue crab which totally took my breath away. The flavors are so diverse and creamy and the soft crab had surprisingly a lot of meat inside. I would absolutely come again just for that. They have a parking lot right outside but I can get busy so come early.
Well we finally came here to eat lunch. We came when they 1st opened their soft opening. Today 6-10-26 it was busy. Made reservations on open table even though we're there before they open at 11. We ordered spring rolls, calamari, chicken wings. And tried their soft shell crab pasta. The appetizers were good if you love garlic its for you. I'm not much of a garlic eater but was ok. The soft shell crab pasta was on the sweet side the pasta that is. The soft shell crab was good. The place was crowded and I think the owners son wasnt happy kept on crying and made the place nosiey. After about 15 mins or so she took him outside.
Ok, it has been a hot minute since I've felt compelled to write a review. But oh man, does this place deserve it. Heard about Chao for a while, but never really tried it until someone made the bold claim that it is their favorite restaurant in Hawaii. Reservations were easy enough on a weeknight. When we got there, I will admit, I had some reservations. They're on a nondescript spot in Nuuanu, nothing fancy or showy. But holy cow, the food blew us away! Let me preface by saying that we have been trying to "discover" a new spot that was unique and delicious. Chao for sure delivered. First, the drinks. We had the Vietnamese Espresso Martini and the Night Market Fun. The martini was coffee forward as expected, but it was exceptionally smooth, with that distinct Vietnamese coffee flavor. Night Market was a tequila/mezcal based drink, and while I normally steer clear of mezcal, I decided to give it a try. It was very refreshing and the mezcal was pronounced in the smokiness, but it wasn't overpowering or abrasive. Definitely enjoyed both significantly but my favorite would have to be the espresso martini. Next, we got the wings and the grilled corn. The wings were perfectly cooked and exceptionally seasoned. The balance of salt, sweetness, and very slight heat was pleasantly unexpected. It is kid-friendly and we had to order another one just for the girls. The grilled corn was topped with chives, curry butter, and pork floss. The toppings and the char highlighted the nice gentle sweetness of the corn. For our mains, we ordered the House Fried Rise with the lemongrass chicken, the soft shell crab pasta with extra blue crab meat, and the Washugyu Picanha. The fried rice cooked in chicken fat was so flavorful but not in a cloying way, and the kids loved the chicken (although not as much as the wings). The rice also complemented the picanha perfectly, so no need to order rice with it. Pro tip: The chimichurri was quite strong so use sparingly! The salad underneath it though, that made the dish. It was the perfect crunch and acidity that made you want to keep going for more! Finally, the pasta. It comes with 2 whole deep-fried soft shell crabs with lemongrass and garlic beurre monte. It also has some masago mixed in and the extra blue crab meat was a must! It was very rich, creamy, and all umami in the very best way! Bites of the crunchy soft shell crab and masago provided an amazing texture balance, and the extra blue crab just took it over the top. Pro tip: get a drink that'll give you the palate cleansing and acidity that would cut through the richness of the pasta. We were too full to try the dessert but the coconut flan looked enticing. They also had happy hour starting at 8pm so I ordered a lilikoi margarita. Needless to say, it was done really well, not overly sweet, tastes very much like fresh passion fruit, with that hint of tartness from the lemon. It t was really refreshing! The staff were very attentive and friendly, and knowledgeable of the menu. They genuinely looked happy to be there. Our server took his time to go over the check with us to make sure we were charged correctly. I don't think I've ever seen that before. It was quite nice. The place is very loud though, the one con that is not really a deterrent, so maybe not the best choice for a first date. We already booked our next reservation and we can't wait to try the rest of the menu! So glad we found our "new" spot that is unique and wonderful!
The food was just amazing. I especially loved how the Hamachi Crudo was prepared because the meat was individually fried and placed back into the fish which made it easier to enjoy bite size pieces. Perfectly fried! The Soft Shell Crab Pasta was by far, delicious. Everything we tried were hands down fantastic! Good lighting, clean restaurant and restroom...efficient and friendly service. Located in a little strip mall, so parking can take a bit to find. Highly recommend this
4 days ago
Chao is a great little gem in nu'uanu with a cozy but slightly elevated ambiance. My entire family went for Mother's Day and shared a variety of delicious Thai fusion dishes that were presented beautifully and tasted amazing. The service was great and with our reservation, we were seated in a timely manner despite it being a busy evening. Highlights for us included the duck fat fried rice and whole steamed moi. The entire restaurant is pretty accessible and the shopping plaza in which it's located has plenty of parking especially in the evening hours. Great spot to take friends to share a bite, have a cocktail or celebrate a date night!! read more
Very charming and cozy restaurant that's great for both small gatherings and larger parties. Best to call ahead and make a reservation. The menu is simple yet elegant, with plenty of tempting options. Started off with the hamachi crudo. My friend doesn't really eat fish but she said it was worth the try. She took off the skin from the hamachi. She pointed out that it was the first she had hamachi with skin on it! Tried the soft-shell crab pasta, and it did not disappoint--it was absolutely delicious! We also shared the duck salad, which was fresh and flavorful. My friends both ordered the chicken pho, with one adding an egg. They agreed the soup was really good. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality of the food. Our server was outstanding--attentive, friendly, and happy to explain the menu and answer our questions. We all ordered the Vietnamese iced coffee, and it was a favorite at the table. It was perfectly blended and the perfect way to finish the meal. The only downsides are that parking can be a bit difficult, and the restaurant gets quite loud when it's full. Overall, it's a wonderful spot with delicious food, excellent service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. I'd definitely come back! read more
Some things are ok and others are LIFE CHANGING!!! The flavor and dip of the calamari blew my socks off. Salt, fat, acid, heat, sugar- it had everything perfectly balanced. The punch of lemongrass in the sauce really adds that extra oomf. You must also get the soft shelled crab pasta- it's a favorite for a reason!! It's thick, creamy, delicious and has all the right herbs and seasonings. Beef carpaccio, Spanish octopus, and hamachi crudo are also good but even better when you eat them together. Fried rice and pork ribs I would personally pass on next time. Drinks are just ok. Strong! Get your moneys worth lol. Need to come back and try more things on the menu and the non-alcoholic drinks! Service is good and lots of parking in the lot out front. Gets busy sometimes but there's also street parking. Restaurant interior is cute and feels like an elevated casual spot. read more
Food was EXCELLENT. That calamari was one of the best I have ever had. It was crisp but not to the point where it hurt the inner of my mouth - super soft and tender. The cucumber was also perfect and it's amazing how everything was so crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside! The crab pasta was a standout. The flavors just melded together perfectly with the soft shell crab being an amazing garnish to the dish. It was tender and crisp. You can just eat it as is with the pasta and it just was absolutely delicious. They give you an option if you want some blue crab garnish on the pasta - make sure to say yes. The crab adds such a nice kick to the creaminess of the pasta. Did I also mention how big the portion was!? You could probably order the crab pasta and another entree to share with friends. Dessert was unique. The flan was rich and the lychee was a delicious side. The popcorn ice cream was very different than what I'm used to. The ice cream has a very grainy texture with the accents of popcorn. The butter mochi was standard but a good additional texture for the popcorn ice cream. Not too sure if I would order that again, but the flan was definitely my favorite dessert of the meal. Ambiance is a darker mood with dim lighting. It adds to the luxurious vibe of the restaurant itself. I noticed people came dressed up for their reservations as they walked in. Definitely a great spot to go with friends/family. Service was quick and helpful - very attentive with filling up our waters and making sure we were ok. Definitely a standout restaurant. I'm a fan! read more
Ever since this place opened, my wife and I have been back numerous times! Very lovely set up inside, full bar, and an ambience that's great for any meal or date night. Our go to's are the chicken pho, and soft shell crab pasta. The pasta is so rich with a little spice and soft shell crab is crispy and light. Centered in town, it is easy to get too. Swing by now! read more
20 days ago
Had lunch with my wife and brother-in-law. I had to minus a star from my previous review. Soon after being seated a child started crying loudly. I think it was one of the staff or owner's child. Very annoying. This went on for about 10 minutes. The couple seated near the child got up and left. A couple of minutes later The child was wheel out on a stroller. As for the food I noticed the many Yelpers gave high reviews for the soft shell crab with pasta. My take is that the crab was crispy and had a strong garlic flavor. I really didn't care for the sauce used in the noodles. The calimari was crisp and tender. The dipping sauce I didn't care for. This is a Vietnamese after all so Enjoy. read more
First time here seen all the reviews from other Yelpers and it's all pretty good . Had to try it for myself so had lunch with sister and brother in law. Parking lot is very crowded because they share with other businesses like Starbucks and Orielly Auto parts . I was disappointed in the soft shell crab Pasta the pasta was very sweet the soft shell grab was ok. Their appetizers have lots of garlic . I love garlic but not so much on top of fried foods . The fried chicken , calamari all had lots of garlic . Ambiance is very noisy although the highlight was our server he was fast and efficient. He took away our rubbish from our table right away . Hope the best for Chao but to be honest I won't be going back just not my cup a tea . Support Local whenever possible read more
"Good food is very often, even most often, simple food." ― Anthony Bourdain I have been seeing so many photos and reviews for this amazing place before arriving on vacation that I knew I would be stopping by for a bite. I already knew what I want, I just needed to get myself here and wow. What a great meal! Beef Carpaccio: Paper-thinly sliced raw beef tenderloin with an herb mix, onions, crispy shallots, lime vinaigrette, and Thai chili. Such a flavor bomb compared the usual Italian classic with lemon, olive oil, and capers. Crispy Calamari: Garlic, jalapeño, and a chili lime sauce. I don't even remember eating this as there were so many plates on the table. I only realized this was ordered after uploading my photos on here. I'm sure they were great though. Grilled Sweet Corn: Curry butter, pork floss, and chives. I avoided this not because it didn't look or smell good because it did. I just generally avoid eating corn-on-the-cob in public. I'll end up looking like a child with corn on my face if I attempted to eat corn-on-the-cob in public! Hamachi Poke: Spicy tobiko roe mayo, salted calamansi, and served with shrimp chips. Good flavor balance and fun texture. I can absolutely inhale this all by myself. Spanish Octopus: Mixed herbs, roasted peanuts, and roasted fish sauce. Perfectly tender with a great flavor profile. Duck Salad: Seared duck breast, lettuce, crispy fried noodles, and fresno chiles with a creamy house dressing. Get this. The fresh crisp bite of salad helps cut the flavors of everything else you are eating. Brisket Beef Stew: My twinsie actually had this and it smelled great. Taste wise, I'm sure it was good. It's beef, potatoes, and onions in bo kho. It can only be good. Soft Shell Crab Pasta: Fried soft shell crab, fresh noodles, and lemongrass tossed in beurre monté ("mounted butter"). This was the single dish that made me want to pop in. I have been haunted on Yelp by this soft shell crab that's standing up, needing me to have five it with my chopsticks. It was good. It was tasty. I ate a lot of the noodles even. Chao Penicilin: Chivas, ginger, and honey. This was Randy S.'s drink but I fell in love with it quickly. It tasted like a fresh ginger root was strangled and poured into a glass. This is 100% my kind of drink. I love it when ginger bites back. Vietnamese Espresso Martini: Vietnamese coffee, Mr. Brown, and Absolut vodka. You can't go wrong with Vietnamese coffee and you definitely can't go wrong with an espresso martini. Up until the point when I tried the Chao Penicillin, I was elated with my martini, haha! What a great place. I'll be day dreaming of that Soft Shell Crab Pasta and Chao Penicilin now that I've finished this review. read more
Lunchtime led us to a lovely meal, Chao. A place that was highly raved about by friends, and my Dad and I were anxious to try. Our experience was great, and I'm still thinking of what I ate. My unnie, Li Y., made reservations for us. We were sitting inside, farther back. The restaurant is stylish yet more casual. A nice watering hole for locals and visitors to enjoy meals, drinks, or happy hour. We came for lunch and were treated like family by all staff. It was great to talk story, have our questions answered, and enjoy our meal at our own leisure. We chose to order family style and shared the Crispy Calamari, Roasted Eggplant, Duck Rice, and Soft Shell Crab Pasta. Everything was superb. The flavors, seasonings, spices, all of it was on point. Loved the roast on the eggplant, the calamari was crispy and great with the sauce, and the crab pasta was so creamy and nicely balanced. My favorite was the duck rice. The duck was so tender, and the rice had so much flavor. I could eat so much of it and hope to try their other rice dishes in the future. Their Ube Dream drink was also a nice surprise--creamy ube with a refreshingly tart lime taste. Chao took my taste buds on a trip, and I recommend everyone try this spot if you're into Vietnamese or fusion cuisine. Find them in the Nuʻuanu Shopping Plaza. Parking is hit-or-miss in the plaza, depending on the time of day you go. read more
Awesome food, casual ambiance, good service, but I was freezing my butt off. This place has a different take on Vietnamese food but I love how modern and true to the culture it is. Don't come here for the pho though, try everything else! read more
2 days ago
Came for lunch to celebrate 3 birthdays. Beef pho was great! It had a tender piece of brisket that covered a 1/3 of the bowl. Very satisfying and now I am stuffed! Great service as well. Very nice decor and ambiance. read more
The hype is real. Been hearing about this place for a while and finally got to try. The scallop ceviche was sooo yummy and fresh and a nice take on ceviche. Their beef tar tar was also so good and so soft. The star of the show was the crab pasta which we added extra blue crab which totally took my breath away. The flavors are so diverse and creamy and the soft crab had surprisingly a lot of meat inside. I would absolutely come again just for that. They have a parking lot right outside but I can get busy so come early. read more
20 days ago
Well we finally came here to eat lunch. We came when they 1st opened their soft opening. Today 6-10-26 it was busy. Made reservations on open table even though we're there before they open at 11. We ordered spring rolls, calamari, chicken wings. And tried their soft shell crab pasta. The appetizers were good if you love garlic its for you. I'm not much of a garlic eater but was ok. The soft shell crab pasta was on the sweet side the pasta that is. The soft shell crab was good. The place was crowded and I think the owners son wasnt happy kept on crying and made the place nosiey. After about 15 mins or so she took him outside. read more
19 days ago
Ok, it has been a hot minute since I've felt compelled to write a review. But oh man, does this place deserve it. Heard about Chao for a while, but never really tried it until someone made the bold claim that it is their favorite restaurant in Hawaii. Reservations were easy enough on a weeknight. When we got there, I will admit, I had some reservations. They're on a nondescript spot in Nuuanu, nothing fancy or showy. But holy cow, the food blew us away! Let me preface by saying that we have been trying to "discover" a new spot that was unique and delicious. Chao for sure delivered. First, the drinks. We had the Vietnamese Espresso Martini and the Night Market Fun. The martini was coffee forward as expected, but it was exceptionally smooth, with that distinct Vietnamese coffee flavor. Night Market was a tequila/mezcal based drink, and while I normally steer clear of mezcal, I decided to give it a try. It was very refreshing and the mezcal was pronounced in the smokiness, but it wasn't overpowering or abrasive. Definitely enjoyed both significantly but my favorite would have to be the espresso martini. Next, we got the wings and the grilled corn. The wings were perfectly cooked and exceptionally seasoned. The balance of salt, sweetness, and very slight heat was pleasantly unexpected. It is kid-friendly and we had to order another one just for the girls. The grilled corn was topped with chives, curry butter, and pork floss. The toppings and the char highlighted the nice gentle sweetness of the corn. For our mains, we ordered the House Fried Rise with the lemongrass chicken, the soft shell crab pasta with extra blue crab meat, and the Washugyu Picanha. The fried rice cooked in chicken fat was so flavorful but not in a cloying way, and the kids loved the chicken (although not as much as the wings). The rice also complemented the picanha perfectly, so no need to order rice with it. Pro tip: The chimichurri was quite strong so use sparingly! The salad underneath it though, that made the dish. It was the perfect crunch and acidity that made you want to keep going for more! Finally, the pasta. It comes with 2 whole deep-fried soft shell crabs with lemongrass and garlic beurre monte. It also has some masago mixed in and the extra blue crab meat was a must! It was very rich, creamy, and all umami in the very best way! Bites of the crunchy soft shell crab and masago provided an amazing texture balance, and the extra blue crab just took it over the top. Pro tip: get a drink that'll give you the palate cleansing and acidity that would cut through the richness of the pasta. We were too full to try the dessert but the coconut flan looked enticing. They also had happy hour starting at 8pm so I ordered a lilikoi margarita. Needless to say, it was done really well, not overly sweet, tastes very much like fresh passion fruit, with that hint of tartness from the lemon. It t was really refreshing! The staff were very attentive and friendly, and knowledgeable of the menu. They genuinely looked happy to be there. Our server took his time to go over the check with us to make sure we were charged correctly. I don't think I've ever seen that before. It was quite nice. The place is very loud though, the one con that is not really a deterrent, so maybe not the best choice for a first date. We already booked our next reservation and we can't wait to try the rest of the menu! So glad we found our "new" spot that is unique and wonderful! read more
The food was just amazing. I especially loved how the Hamachi Crudo was prepared because the meat was individually fried and placed back into the fish which made it easier to enjoy bite size pieces. Perfectly fried! The Soft Shell Crab Pasta was by far, delicious. Everything we tried were hands down fantastic! Good lighting, clean restaurant and restroom...efficient and friendly service. Located in a little strip mall, so parking can take a bit to find. Highly recommend this read more
Finally got to try CHAO! This area isn't one I'm very familiar with, but it was pretty straightforward to get to. Parking can be a bit challenging, though we got to find a spot. They have happy hour until 5PM. We tried Chicken Wings Beef carpaccio Spanish octopus Soft shell crab pasta Everything was delicious with spicy kick! Definitely coming back to try more their menu, read more
3 months ago
I wish I would've eaten here sooner on our vacation so I would've been able to eat there a second time. It was so good. We need a reservation through OpenTable so we are seated right away, although there were several available tables during lunchtime. Caleb was our waiter and he was so friendly and helpful. We ordered the duck rice, crab pasta, chicken wings and gai lan stir fry. Wow was everything so good. I couldn't stop commenting during the meal on how great the food was. Definitely putting it on a rotation for the next time. I'm in Oahu. If you have a kid with you, ask for the treasure chest read more
13 days ago
Beef Carpaccio & Softshell crab pasta are the HIGHLIGHTS. Bahn mi and deep fried calamari are skippable. Ceviche had a fresh light coconut flavor I enjoyed. Will still give a 5 stars because the beef carpaccio is one of the best dishes I've had in 2026. Also the phone quality is god awful when you call them. read more
Service, ambiance and food were top notch here! It was a busy Saturday afternoon and we happened to be seated very quickly without reservations! Parking is easy as well in the big parking lot. We had an amazing server and I believe his name is Caleb I'll definitely return again for the pasta with soft shell crab! I loved the flavor and we also had a yummy chicken broth soup that was good too read more
Food was great and the servers were knowledgeable of the menu. The decor is really nice and eclectic with a modern feel. Food is served family style, so you will need to order a few small plates to saturate a group. We had a group of 7 and so we started with a couple chicken salads which were fresh and spicy. Two orders of the chicken wings which were butting with umami, an order of fried mushrooms which were delicious and really meaty, and order of charred bok choy which was really Smokey and a great compliment to the mushrooms and chicken pho that I got. The drinks were good as was the rest of the food. Their dinner menu looks really good so we will definitely be back to try that. read more
Tuesday April 7, 2026 First time, coming here. Plenty parking. We got there around 6:30pm. We waited outside for a while as it was packed inside. We ordered and it took a while for the food to come out. That's understandable. Good food takes time to make. It came out and everything smelled good and it looked good too. First time, trying bone marrow and it was good. The pho had a rich, savory beef broth that tasted really good. We were given a free appetizer of shrimp ceviche with shrimp chips from the young girl which was really nice of her and a very nice surprise to us. Ambiance is casual and comfortable in here. We will definitely be back again. Support a local business. read more
I have been wanting to try Chao ever since my daughter told me about it and said I would love it - she knows me best! I finally had one of "the" best meals ever! Tried the Seafood Ceviche with shrimp crackers, Chicken Salad, Calamari, Whole Moi with lettuce set and the Soft Shell Crab with Pasta. Every dish was so full of flavors dancing on my palate. My favorites were the ceviche, moi and pasta - I think I like the creamy pasta more than the soft shell crab! Prices are affordable for the quality of dishes, for 3 of us it came to about $50/person. Located in Nuuanu in a small shopping center, although there are a lot of parking spaces, spots run low so get there a bit earlier than your reservations in case you need to circle around. I will definitely bd returning to try their other dishes. Really enjoyed my experience here! read more
I've been hearing a lot of really good things about this restaurant so I was really excited to try it! First off, this space is so chic and the decor is very eye catching! Vibrant wall designs and wooden accents that suit the vibe perfectly. We were a little early for our reservation so we were able to sit at the bar for a drink until our table was ready. The count for our party was off by two and we were very lucky to get accommodated. For drinks, I ordered the night market fun which featured mezcal, reposado, and passion fruit. Lightly boozy and fruity with a hint of smoke. I also tried the espresso martini which was also pretty good. Our table ordered a few different appetizers to share and the most notable one were the crispy calamari - simply for the sauce which had a nice lemongrass flavor. The calamari was also very tender with a nice crispy exterior. We also ordered the duck salad, spring rolls, chicken wings, ceviche and beef carpaccio which were decent but nothing outstanding. We all decided to order our own entrees. I opted for the bun bo hue, which I was really excited about because it's not as common to find on menus in comparison to pho. I thought that the lemongrass flavor was very prevalent in the broth but it lacked that umami depth that you get from other restaurants. I am huge fan of fermented shrimp paste so I expected a little more of that flavor. I also wanted a heavier spice kick.... which I know can be fixed with a little more sriracha but y'know... I also got to try a few of the other entrees like the chicken pho, and the soft shell crab pasta. The soft shell crab pasta left the biggest impression on me - it's rich, creamy, and packed with a lot of crab flavor. Service was also pretty good for the most part but I think there was some confusion as some duplicate order of drinks hit our table. Granted we were a large party so it's understandable. I think it's a nice place to take someone if they are new to Vietnamese cuisine. I think what is a dealbreaker for me is the price when considering other restaurants that are on the affordable end. I think this restaurant has lots of potential and I would still definitely return for their lunch offerings! read more
23 days ago
My friend and I went here on a Wednesday at 5Pm. I decided to make a reservation just in case because the parking lot looked small. However, there was no one there then it started filling up around 6PM. Once we sat down they gave us waters and checked on us immediately after. We took a long time deciding but they kept checking on us. We sat near the fire exit and we were close to two other tables but it wasn't too bad. My friend shared a Hamachi Poke appetizer, beef carpaccio, & soft shelled crab pasta. The Hamachi poke was decently sized. I thought the hamachi portion was small until we saved it for last. Trust me, there is enough poke for the chips they give you. We underestimated and we didn't want to hog the poke so we ran out of chips before the poke. The beef carpaccio had a very Thai taste to it (hence the Thai chili) but the vinaigrette was very tasty and very strong. I really enjoyed it and I haven't had carpaccio before. It was a big plate too. The soft shelled crab pasta: TAKES IT HOME! It was very buttery but it didn't feel as heavy like some other pasta dishes. It came with two soft shelled crabs and I thought it was so cool it's like the WHOLE CRAB! read more
Despite its trendy ambiance, Chao is also just as good for a casual date night or meal. I went for dinner on a random Tuesday night and the service was impeccable. The waiters were quick, attentive, and were super friendly. I have been meaning to try this place for a while -- now that the foodie influenced hype has died down. What I found was that the food matched the hype. I ordered several items because I couldn't make up my mind on one or two. They're known for their soft shell crab pasta, which was cooked to perfection -- creamy and balanced with two decently sized crabs. I really enjoyed the duck salad, which was light, refreshing, and a little zesty. Also, the salad dressing is amazing. The brisket bò kho was also great -- seasoned very well with generous brisket cuts cooked to perfection (super tender). I am definitely coming back to try some other dishes, such as the fried moi and bún bò hué, and some of their tasty drinks! read more
Wow! Loved the food. Loved the vibes and ambiance. Definitely what I was hoping and so much more! Didn't have a reservation but I'd recommend you make one, especially around dinner time. Sat at the bar, no wait time. Bartender, Daniel, was great! He sold us with the add ons to our dishes and it didn't disappoint. The soft shell crab pasta- yes! And get the added blue crab and tabiko. This dish was my favorite. The soft shell was salty, while the pasta was creamy and a little sweet. Fried whole moi- yes! If you get it with the wrap set, it could be an appetizer to share. If you get the moi by itself, I'd recommend getting a side vegetable like the corn, eggplant, or bok choy. Grilled sweet corn- yes! Of course it's gonna get stuck in your teeth, it's fine. I can't describe the taste. Just get it. 4 pieces (2 small corns cut in half) Seafood ceviche- yes! It's sweet, tangy, slightly spicy, refreshing, light, a little salty from the shrimp chip. On the smaller size but worth it. Good size for 1-2 people. There's a parking lot, but there there are other shops and restaurants. read more
Yes, I been gate keeping this place; a rather small restaurant off of Nuuanu and N.School Street. Getting a table can be difficult so be sure to make reservations unless you spontaneously have a craving... that happens too here! Lunch is easier to grab a table than dinner. Service is always spot on. Servers are pleasant, yet efficient. Love that they offer detailed explanations of the sometimes exotic dishes as well as their recommendations. Still, there hasn't been a dish at Chao I absolutely havent loved! The flavors are balanced and robust in flavor. And if not spicy enough for you, as for some chili paste or try the house sauce left on the table (tastes like a base of tomato paste or sun dried tomatoes puree with just a smidgen of heat). Favorites for me: - soft shell crab served with pasta, - duck salad, - all fresh fish dishes, - still more to discover! Looking forward to returning for their beef pho with oxtail, maitake mushroom fritters, bone marrow. Conveniently located in a strip mall with free but in demand parking. Sharing lot with Starbucks and other popular eateries. read more
Located at 1613 Nuuanu Ave., this little gems puts out some tasty food. We just went for a few apps and drinks. Everything we had was tasty. The staff was very friendly and parking was a breeze. Check them out when you're in the area. Their happy hour is from 2-5. Alooooooha and happy eating. read more
2 days ago
The food was fresh and delicious! We had the soft shell crab and chicken pho- both exceeded expectations. read more
30 days ago
Service and food were fantastic! I'm usually not a soft drink or cocktail person, but I decided to try the Ube Dream and was pleasantly surprised. They absolutely nailed the ube flavor, and it wasn't overly sweet, which I really appreciated. The soft shell crab is a must-order! The crispy crunch paired perfectly with the creamy pasta and added such a great texture. The bone marrow was delicious, though I wish there had been a little more of it for the price--it disappeared way too fast! The Spanish tako was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Overall, a great experience, and I'll definitely be back! read more
Parking: located in nuuanu shopping plaza with parking lot Service: table service. would rec making a reservation as it gets pretty busy Ambiance: modern, casual Food: Went for their Sunday menu and all the options were so good. The soft shell crab pasta, calamari, and Vietnamese chicken wings were stand outs. read more
We made a reservation for Saturday night and it was really busy! The parking lot gets full quickly so it took a little while to find a stall. We were seated after a few minutes and it was really bright and lively inside. We ordered the maitake mushrooms, chicken wings, duck salad, crab pasta and calamari. It was a lot of fried food and really rich but everything was yummy and a good portion for 2. The prices are reasonable and it's a nice place to grab a meal and catch up! read more
Flavor really good! Calamari: 7/10 only 5 little pieces, could be crispier but the dipping sauce is delicious. 10/10 for the sauce lol. Liked the fried peppers. Small portion but good flavor. Braised brisket moco: 7/10 super fatty piece.. but the 3 bites of meat was so good! Fell apart super tender and flavor is delicious. But probably will not order again due to risking no protein/meat for the price. Crab pasta: 8/10 ever since I had Michelin star SScrab in Vietnam I've been craving it ever since. Not as crispy as I'd like but the pasta was yummy! Lots of carbs of course. Overall super flavorful, and expensive but hey that's very on brand for Oahu haha Matcha cloud: 8/10 valid! Would get again with less ice. Came on a Sunday around 7:30 and we were able to be sat by 7:45ish and they still took our order even tho they closed at 8. Good service :) waiter was nice. read more
Came to Chao on a Friday night for dinner. We made reservations, and good thing we did because it was fairly busy inside. The parking lot was super crowded, but luckily someone was leaving when I got there. Inside of the restaurant had nice decor and felt cozy. I ordered the chicken pho. I usually opt for beef pho, but this chicken pho was pretty good. The broth was flavorful, but the chicken was a little more on the dry side. The workers were very nice and brought out bean sprouts for me even though they usually only bring out basil. I would definitely recommend giving this newer spot a try! read more
5 months ago
5 months ago
Chao is a Vietnamese restaurant. First of all, the parking lot is very small and is shared with other shops, so it was very hard to find parking. I had to wait a while. Upon entering the restaurant, I immediately noticed that the noise level was very high -- it was so loud inside, almost like a sports bar. It was loud enough that I even thought about leaving. If a noisy dining environment is not your thing, you may not enjoy this place. They do have a bar, but we did not order any drinks. We were seated at a table right next to the kitchen. Since there is no door to the kitchen, we could see all the waitstaff going in and out and doing their work, which was not very pleasant during our dining experience. The tables are also placed very close together -- so close that I could touch the guy sitting next to me if I wanted to. The waitstaff was nice. He greeted us and learned that we were visiting for the first time, and he explained the menu to us a bit. We ordered the salt & pepper calamari. My wife asked, "Where is the salt and pepper taste?" It was more like just fried calamari. The pho was pretty good in my opinion, but the portion was small. The beef was very tender, but my wife thought it was too tender and almost mushy, without much texture. We also ordered the soft-shell crab pasta. It came with two small fried soft-shell crabs -- tasty -- and the pasta itself was good. Overall, because of the limited parking and the loud noise level inside the restaurant, we don't think we will go back. read more
No wait which was good....service? Meh.... Not friendly although water was brought out quickly. Menu limited however looking around seems like most people were ordering Pho. Ordered the soft shell crab pasta and the Duck Confit and waffle. Portions small for the price. Crab pasta was ok. Couldn't figure out what kind of pasta the used. It was chewy which was different. Soft shell crab was good. Duck confit was battered and fried. Waffle, egg with that syrup was nothing spectacular. I also ordered a Vietnamese coffee with a matcha foam. It was the messiest drink ever! I don't know who made this drink but it was sloppy. Visuals are everything and this failed horribly. Sadly I will never return and hope you have a better experience than I did. read more
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More info about Chao
1613 Nuuanu Ave
Ste A12
Honolulu, HI 96817
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(808) 888-0166
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http://chaohawaii.com
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What time does the menu change from lunch to dinner?
Will it be open for Christmas day lunch?
You can give them a call to find out their a Christmas schedule.
Just comparing the photos I see on Yelp, it looks like the food at Happy Hour are the same prices as at Dinner??? No discount? Only the drinks are slightly discounted at Happy…
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Chao - asianfusion - Updated July 2026
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