What do you look for in Vietnamese food? I look for authenticity, flavor, and ambiance. The owners share very sweet and make good tasting pho. I'm very happy we stopped by and gave it a shot. It's a small place but cozy and serves legit viet pho. Try it out read more

Had the #1 combo. Tasty, full of flavors and not salty at all. As good as it gets for the islands. Highly recommend this place if you like pho. Friendly service too. read more

WAY surprised by the deliciousness of the raw beef pho at this restaurant. It was closed temporarily last time we were in town, so I had to give it a try since it was open this time around. The pho veggies were super fresh and plentiful, tables and restaurant were super clean. It is a bit hot in there, but the owner turned on a fan just for us once we sat down. I honestly have not had a better bowl of pho in a while. Broth was delicious, meat was great, and noodles were the perfect consistency. We will be back! read more

Pho 99 - Raw beef pho (#4) - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Best Bo Kho I have had in a long time. Comes with pho noodles and bread. The pho combination is fresh and herbaceous. Mom and pop shop so be patient and kind. The restaurant doesn't have AC so prepare to get a little warm. read more

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Surprisingly legit Viet food served in a cozy cafe environment by a really kind and generous owner with very reasonable prices! The papaya salad was so delicious- generous portion of shredded green papaya topped with lots of crunch peanuts and fried shallots. The entire table gobbled it up. I had a small chicken pho and it was super refreshing, light, and savory with lots of tender chicken pieces. It was plenty for my stomach! The owner was so kind towards our school aged child, he brought out a balloon and candies for her and it made her day. So sweet and kind! read more

The Best Pho We've Ever Had - Hidden Gem in Hilo! We eat pho everywhere--from the mainland to different parts of Hawaii--and Pho 99 in Hilo absolutely blew us away. From the outside, it's easy to overlook: a total hole-in-the-wall spot with a modest exterior. But don't be fooled. The moment you step inside, the friendly service and incredible aroma let you know you're in for something special. The broth was hands-down the best we've ever tasted--rich, clear, perfectly seasoned, and deeply comforting. Every bite was packed with flavor and freshness. The meat was tender and high quality, and the noodles had the perfect texture. You can tell they take serious pride in their food here. If you're in Hilo and even thinking about pho, do yourself a favor and stop here. It's one of those rare, unforgettable meals that makes you wish you had discovered it sooner. We'll be talking about this bowl of pho for a long time. read more

Pho 99 - Beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Lovely little Vietnamese restaurant close to farmer's market. Hungry for pork vermicelli bowl so ordered the pork spring roll noodle, by menu number, but got a pork spring roll over tofu vermicelli. I know I ordered correctly and I double checked myself against a could of Yelp photos of same menu item. Oh well. It's was good in my mind I guess. read more

Pho 99 - Ordered pork, got fried tofu. Meh - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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The service is filled with hospitality as if you are guests at a friend's house. The ambiance is the same with the feeling of visiting a friend down the street. We ordered the Beef Pho which had exactly the savory aromatic flavor you hope for. The extras (Calamansi, Basil, Bean Sprouts, Jalapeño) all tasted fresh and delicious. If you mention you are staying in Hawaii for a while, he also has a cute list of top things to see while you are here. Very friendly and strongly recommended! read more

Pho 99 - Beef Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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We ordered the beef pho noodle soup and a cold noodle salad with a spring roll and Banh mi sandwich. The food was so good that we forgot to take pictures. I apologize for that. They've been living here for 45 years. This location has been open for five years, this is authentic traditional, Vietnamese food. If you come to Hilo, I highly recommend come to try the food. The owner is friendly. He even highlight area that we should check it out. Some gorgeous beaches nearby read more

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Great flavor of the broth definitely one of my favorite pho spots in Hilo. Service was very welcoming and very quick. A very small restaurant that feels like a hidden gem in the heart of downtown Hilo. Definitely recommend! read more

Pho 99 - Combination Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Order a Banh Mi Special for lunch. Nothing really special about it. There was barely any protein in it. For the price it was a shorty 7-8" bread. Did not taste any pate in it. Sandwich was made fast but skinny. Maybe add more protein for the price being charge and you will get more orders.. read more

Great food, service, and ambiance. Felt like I was eating at a relative's house. Owner is very kind and helpful. Food was out faster than I thought for how small the staff is. read more

First they do not ever answer the phones for take out. Second, when I went in on a Saturday, on a piece of cardboard, they said "no take out orders". Then why open? We went on Sunday and they were closed already at 5:40 pm when they were supposed to open until 6:30 pm. Poor business sense and owners. They really should just retire already if they do not want to be open! read more

Well tickle my feet and call me Pete, this pho really outdid itself. The Asian uncle was very hospitable, it felt like I was at home with my family. There is no AC so I was sweating profusely in the chairs. However, everything else was splendid. God bless read more

Pho 99 is very small restaurant with only 5 tables. It's run by only 2 people but they are very efficient. Hubby and I tried their combo pho and beef stew. Both were so so, but satisfied our Asian food cravings. Portions were huge. They don't have AC so eating hot bowl of soup became little challenging. Only recommend if you have to have Vietnamese food in the area. read more

Pho 99 - Beef stew - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Such great richly flavored pho broth and a fun family atmosphere. Very small, closed Sunday and Monday.

Randomly entered this pho restaurant while traveling. Really really really really good!!!! Highly recommended. I got the beef stew pho, super good tasting with the bread. read more

Pho 99 - Beef stew pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

If I can give them 10 stars, I would. This place is absolutely amazing. I had pho soooooo many times all over US and this place became my #1. Not just the pho but the beef stew noodles were absolutely divine. Customer service was amazing too. I would come back to hilo just for their pho. You are missing out if you havent tried their food. read more

Delicious chicken pha, spring rolls & egg rolls & lots lots more, you tried the rest now try the best !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Small, family run, sit down Vietnamese restaurant. We tried chicken and beef pho. Both tasted amazing, fresh flavors, generous portion of side veggies, not sweet, very clear broth. Service was excellent and we appreciated the kindness of owner towards our small child. read more

When it comes to pho, I usually order the chicken variety, but after hearing about the different types of beef in the #4 menu item, beef pho, I decided to venture out. Boy, am I glad I did! The amazing broth, generous slices of tender beef, perfectly cooked noodles and fresh condiments made for a delicious meal! Also my friend raved about the texture of the tendon pho that she ate. I'll return and order #4 again, even if I have to dine in alone. It was that good! I also appreciated the friendly service! read more

The Pho is amazing The service is kind and authentic. The papaya spring roll salad was so fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the art on the walls and the airy clean ambiance. The green tea was delicious and the Vietnames coffee so warming and a perfect topper. The prices are very good. read more

A small mom and pop shop off the main strip, a block away from the Hilo farmers market (great selection of fruit and veggies there). Like the other mom and pop restaurants on the island I've been to they don't take carry out orders b/c there's only 2 people working. I got the pho dac biet. I enjoyed my pho, lots of meat and herbs accompanying the soup. The owner, an older gentleman was nice and friendly, enjoyed chatting with him. I would recommend this place for pho. read more

So happy to have found this place! Really great pho! If you're in Hilo and want some Vietnamese food that tastes authentic, this is the place! Thank you read more

Pho 99 - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

We had takeout bahn mi and a salad. Both were absolutely delicious! With just 2 people running the place, and most of the tables occupied, service was pretty quick. read more

Good traditional Vietnamese pho and banh mi shop in the middle of Hilo. The owner was nice and provided us immediate service and recommendation sightseeing locations for the area. He also gave us tips on where to buy local fruits. I ordered a Beef Pho. The beef pieces were lean. The pho broth was flavorful and tasty. I definitely recommend if you're in the mood for soup or Pho while touring Hilo! read more

Pho 99 - Beef Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Hands down the best pho on the island I've tried! It's a hole-in-the-wall type restaurant with no AC (was low-key dying from the heat but didn't care because the food was so good). The server spoke very little English but we didn't have hiccups with service. I wish I discovered this place sooner while in Hilo because I ate at another pho restaurant nearby and it wasn't nearly this delicious. I highly recommend trying the Pho Chay if you're vegan/vegetarian like I am :) Portions and prices are fantastic here and I look forward to visiting again when in Hilo next. Side note: The restaurant is tiny and can't seat many parties. We got there early for lunch and got seated right away, but mid-way through our meal the whole place was packed and the restaurant had to turn people away. When some asked for takeout, they warned it would take longer to make the food because they were already so busy with seated customers. So... come here early if you don't want to wait or get turned away ;) read more

Beef pho was amazing, broth was full of flavor. My kids ate it all up as well. service was friendly, owner is a sweet older couple.

Super authentic and home cooked pho. This place tasted so authentic and the couple is very sweet. Shared a list of sights located in the area and surprised the kids with balloons. It's a tiny hole in the wall- which is always a sign of the tastiest food out there. No ac- grab the primo table with the wall mounted fan if you can! read more

Delicious local Vietnamese mom and pop shop in Hilo! My family and I were visiting Hilo, HI from California for the first time and went here for lunch. My sister saw they had great reviews on Yelp & Google so we decided to give this place a try. It was a great choice! It's a family run business. The elder-looking gentleman working there took our order, brought out our water, food, and, I believe he cooked/made our dishes, too. That day we were there, two other staff members were also working in the back. As a vegetarian, I was super happy they had many options available. Here is what we all ended up ordering! - (I ordered) #13 Vegetarian Spring Roll Noodle - My sister ordered Beef summer roll - My dad - banh mi sandwich - My mom - Shrimp papaya salad Everything was so delicious! Please note - don't expect things to come out quickly as this restaurant definitely appears family-owned. The next time I am in Hilo again, I will definitely be coming back! read more

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Mm, we may have just found our new favorite pho place! Portions are big. Ma and Pa shop. Owners work very hard and serves delicious food! Definitely will be back! I had the beef stew pho. Tasted like a combination of pho and Thai curry. Meat was tender. My husband had the beef combination pho- his go to order whenever we eat Vietnamese! He says best in Hilo so far! Broth tasty. read more

Pho 99 - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

I had to try this place because of good reviews. It's a good pho place, but the old "pho viet" is still number one pho on the island for me. I am a very picky pho fan. This place is definitely cleaner, but they don't have that pho qualities I look for. I love plain beef pho, but meat has to be a good quality, nice clean thin cuts, soft and not chewy:) Reach flavourful broth and not too much of msg side effects, dehydration etc. I couldn't eat the meat in their pho. I dumped it into my husband's bowl, who prefers quantity over quality I guess ;))) Shrimp rolls were good. read more

Pho 99 - Beef pho and shrimp rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Great broth flavor, had beef combo, was a lot of food.. very tasty. Owners are nice and on site, momma making that broth for sure.. read more

Pho 99 - PHO, vegetables - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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New pho places are always the best in Hilo. When they first opened, I just had to give it a go, and now it's one of my favorites places for pho! It's located in a one-way street alley next to Tamari's Lunch Shop and Saucy Dogs. Literally behind Downtown KTA. There's ample parking around the area (lot and street parking). However, it may be a little more difficult to find parking during the lunch and dinner rush hours. I love getting their beef combination pho which contains a GENEROUS amount of beef (including tendon!) and noodles. The pho broth is actually one of the few similar ones that I'm used to back on Oahu with a "deep" beef flavor, and it's just absolutely delicious. They also offer a mini pho that is basically considered a small. I've tried their beef stew once which came with bread. It had a great, deep flavor with lots of stewing beef and carrots, but I still prefer the pho. I do want to try their banh mi one day. But knowing myself, I will definitely choose pho and probably not a banh mi because I would never be able to finish both meals in one sitting LOL. read more

Pho 99 - Beef combination pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Very sweet older couple running the shop! Always love getting pho here because it is quiet, fast, delicious and feels like home. read more

Pho 99 - Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Finally tried that place after multiple attempts. They close early or shutdown when they go on vacation and don't put up any signs. I ordered the beef pho and it's the best I've tasted in Hilo. Pho Viet is a close second in my book but the portions are bigger here and they give more garnishing. Noodles are not freshly made but were decent and the beef was tender and plentiful to balance out the amount of noodles. I was the only customer in the mid afternoon and the husband and wife weren't very friendly. I sat myself helped myself to a menu and after a couple of minutes they came over with a water and asked what I wanted. Left there full and completely satisfied with a belly full of pho. read more

Pho 99 - Beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

YUM! This was awesome. Very filling and lots of flavor. Service was speedy and the pork spring roll was a big highlight of the dish read more

Pho 99 - Shrimp with spring roll cold noodle - Vietnamese Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

An unassuming place that is not to be missed! My daughter-who has a particular gift for finding the best pho anywhere in the country- saw a sign for pho and walked us all in. Zero questions from us. We don't enjoy chain restaurants. We prefer small pop and ma places, and this fit the bill. It was the perfect meal on a cloudy and "cold" day. We had the beef pho and ban mi, w spring rolls to start us off. We were brought piping hot rolls w sweet and sour dipping sauce almost after ordering. The pho was delicious. All toppings were super fresh and tasty. The portion was very large but we managed to almost finish it all. My teen son inhaled the banh mi. I am assuming the man serving us is the owner, but i don't know for sure. He was friendly and so kind. My daughter holds this part of the island close to her heart, and the owner's generosity and hospitality is one of the reasons why. Excellent food w great service. Get it to go, and find a spot by the water and enjoy! read more

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Best pho broth I've had on the Big Island. They sell out very quickly with the Banh Mi's and that because they're probably one of the best I've had (ever). Sweet married couple, very kind man and owner. Great with kids, gave my son and niece a balloon at the end of the meal, and acknowledged them. I know this seems small but he took the time to interact with the kids and made us feel like we were eating dinner at his home. Will go back as much as I can. read more

They randomly closed the shop without updating their information online. We drove 1 hour to dine there and only saw the closing notice on the door. How lazy are these guys to not have the courtesy to even update their business hours online? Do call before you head there, or better still, skip this irresponsible place. read more