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Honolulu, HI

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Yi Xin Cafe

4.4 (478 reviews)
Closed • 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Yi Xin Cafe Photos

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YI XIN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Yi Xin Cafe

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Salted egg yolk chicken wings and Pork cheeks
Lori F.

My friend and I decided to try out a new Chinese restaurant and came across this place. I have anxiously awaited to eat here but was always crowded. Although they prefer reservations, they do take walk ins, if seats available. Food was different than what I'm use to, but delicious. As soon as we ordered food came 10 minutes later. Although it took awhile for waitress to initially take our order. There are many crab dishes, but decided to try Singapore noodles, egg salted fried chicken wings and pork cheeks with a sauce that was the game changer. Eat here if u have time, as the service is slow at the beginning, but I would come back to try the other dishes Ambiance wasn't quiet, but not extremely loud either.

Green Beans
Jolene L.

We dined in for a family dinner. Not sure if it is required but we called to make a reservation in advance. As it turns out, the restaurant was full on a week day for dinner so it was good to have a reservation. We ordered six items and started with the salted egg yolk chicken wings. Incredible flavor, crispy outside and juicy inside. This appetizer was so delicious! Next came the green beans and the sweet sour pork. My goodness, talk about perfect green beans, this was still crisp and not over cooked. Nicely seasoned and not too oily...I could eat that everyday! If you enjoy Honey Walnut Shrimp, they do an excellent job here. I like that it didn't have an abundance of mayonnaise. In fact, our batch had an added bonus for a nice crunch effect....kettle potato chips, whole and not crumbs. Might even have been the Maui Onion flavor, not sure but it was good! Last but not least, our family dinner enjoyed the House rice noodles and steamed fish. The thin rice noodles had generous portion of shrimp, beef, and vegetables. Quite hearty, here's to long life :) Easy to find, lots of free parking, not in Chinatown, and BYOB. What's not to like?

3/19/23 Singapore rice noodle with shrimp
Liane U.

Still one of our favorite restaurants! Located in market city next to Cafe Kaila and Earls Sanwiches. They've gotten busier too so if you want to guarantee a spot call ahead to make reservations! Some of our favorite dishes.. beef chow fun, eggplant long beans, shrimp crackers appetizer, pork cheeks appetizer, sizzling beef black bean platter, all of the curries and rice, shrimp dishes.... So many favorites! We have so many favorites it's hard to try new things here. We recently tried the honey walnut shrimp and it was good big shrimps fried perfectly with honey sauce and it's on top of potato chips so you get a little bonus of honey chips too! That was definitely a nice surprise and something different from any other restaurant. Service here is always great! We ordered and not even 5 minutes later our food was already coming out. They always come by to fill your water and check on you, They have their own men and women's bathroom located in the back which is clean. Their ac is nice and strong so nice on a hot day to enjoy good food and escape from the heat.

Curry crab
Tracy D.

5 stars for the CRAB CURRY!!! It's so creamy & good. The Dungeness crab was meaty and delish. The cute little milk tea was just so-so. I suggest you order the cute little iced bears with iced tea instead. The salted egg chicken is also a must!!! Servers were great! I'll be back.

HK Style Milk Tea (COLD) (冻)奶茶
Glenn N.

What rock have I been living under? My first time here to celebrate my birthday with someone dear friends. Yi Xin Cafe does not disappoint! True Hong Kong style Chinese food! The food took me back to my days of travel to Hong Kong in the 90s. The stand were the salt, egg, fried chicken wings, as well as the curry crab, and the fried green beans with minced meat with sambal! Definitely I must try. Also, the Hong Kong MilkTea was excellent with a cute little frozen tea, teddy bear on it. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves celebrating the service was excellent! Our server made great recommendations. I will definitely be back. Lots of parking available this place can get quite crowded so my recommendation would be to go in between lunch and dinner.

Alexander G.

I do a lot of my shopping at Market City and always notice when new signs pop up. This one got great reviews right away, so I was thankful when I received a gift card to come in and try it. It's located in the corner next to Earl Sandwich and where Long's used to be. There's free parking in either lot. It was busy! Lots of happy customers were eating inside with more waiting for takeout. They have a waiting area outside for tables, put your name in inside. They ask people limit their time to 90 min during busy times, we ended up staying until closure. We ordered a nice variety of items: beef spicy fried rice, shrimp wonton soup, broccoli with oyster sauce, and chicken curry. We loved everything, different backgrounds of the dishes led for a fun combination. The big draw seemed to be the various crab dishes, as well as the sizzling steak. I'd definitely like to try those on a return visit. It's BYOB for alcohol. We tired a lemon iced tea, and a lemon fruit drink and enjoyed both with the spicy and salty foods. Our servers were so friendly and fast to attend. Prices are reasonable for large portions and great quality. I'll definitely be back!

The star of the show: curry crab
Stephanie T.

Normally long waits if you don't book a reservation so make sure you book in advance. There a smaller restaurant and kind of tight in space. We were lucky to get in on a Wednesday evening. I hope they expand soon! We ordered so much food they had to move us to a bigger table. We tried the Curry Crab (of course), Thai style pork jowl, beef fried rice, salted egg chicken wings, and their milk tea and lemon iced tea with the cute bear ice. This place is so good, a little expensive, but worth every penny. My favorite was the curry crab and the salted egg chicken wings! I love their curry sauce and the naan bread. I typically dislike chicken wings at Asian restaurants like this but they really did their thing with the batter and sauce. The fried rice was a little plain but overall a nice balance to every meal. The sauce with their pork jowl was too good! I need the recipe.

Crab Curry, Ong Choy with Sambal Shrimp Paste, Salt Pepper Fish
Thy V.

Would come back over and over again! 4 stars for some dishes being a bit expensive for what it is, and don't expect the cuisine to be authentic in any way, it's a fuse between Chinese/HK/Thai/Hawaii. However, every dish I've had was always delicious. + Food: Crab Curry is their most popular. Love their curry sauce (tastes similar to Thai yellow curry), but the crab doesn't have a lot of meat for a $80 dish. They didn't have a shell cracker so eating was tricky. Sambal veggies, Salt pepper fish, fried rice, curry fries were all delicious and well-flavored. + Ambience: Medium sized restaurant with good amount of tables. Usually no wait but can't say for peak dinner time. Good service + Location: in the Foodland plaza with plenty of parking spots

Ginger onion crab
Mia M.

Yi xin is known for their crab, but really, everything here was excellent. The restaurant is small and in the space that used to be Anytime Cafe - I'd recommend making reservations because a lot of people were waiting outside when we left. We ordered 8 dishes for 6 people which was the perfect amount. Our standouts were the garlic onion crab, capital pork chops (so so tender!), salted fish chicken eggplant pot, and salted egg stir fried chicken wings. The salted fish fried rice was just okay, but other than that, everything was excellent. Great new addition to market city. We will absolutely be back!

Shrimp paste chicken wings

Haven't been back in awhile. Food is still excellent in flavor and quality. The black bean sauce clams were outstanding, large plump juicy meaty clams. The spaghetti covered in cheese yummy. The server was very attentive. Checking on how we were doing. The restaurant is small but cozy and not noisy at all. It accommodates seats from 2 to large groups. The fresh crab tank was full of lively crabs. A tiny restaurant in the heart of Kaimuki. Eat local as Yi Xin is locally owned.

Ramon T.

Finding that perfect spot for a family-style feast in Honolulu? Yi Xin Cafe in Market City is an absolute must-visit. Their fusion approach to Cantonese, Malaysian, and Singaporean flavors is honestly next level. You cannot leave without trying the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Wings-the crunch and flavor are unreal. Other standouts that hit the spot for me are the Thai Style Pork Cheeks and the Beef Omelette on Rice. Refresh your palate with the Instagram-able HK ice lemon tea with an iced teddy bear. Staff was attentive. Vibes gave me a Chinese resturant feel. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZOBd1dyCJH/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Cindy C.

09.04.2026 @4:52pm Came for take out. A lots of options with Honk Kong, Singaporean and Malaysian style foods in one place. Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings: good & crispy. Ong Choy w/Sambal Shrimp Paste: not flavorful and more stems over leaves. (I like leave with this type of vegetable). Spicy Eggplant: not spicy at all and overly salty. Black Bean Sauce Clams: it ws huge and fresh. Baked Meat Sauce w/ Spaghetti: ordinary HK style.

Beef & long beans (fresh veggies)
Joe P.

I saw local UTuber Sean Kaleponi (The Hawaiian Traveler) eat at YXC, and I said I gotta hit this place. Its located in the Foodland Mall in Kaimukī. We had to order one of their sig crab dishes, and we rounded out the meal w/ beef and long beans, sweet & sour pork belly, eggplant and fried rice. The crab was amazing! The curry sauce was so deep & complex. In addition, the crab was fresh bc they have tanks in the restaurant. Of course I called dibs on the head, and it was packed with goodies. I added rice to the head (in Ilocano this is called "labay", adding rice to soup or broth to extend the meal). I was in heaven. The other dishes were all big portions and very good. The meat was tender, and the veggies were fresh and crunchy. I believe all the other dishes were ~ $20/each. The staff was super nice. We didn't have a res, but luckily we were seated in 20 min on a busy Sun night. Regarding the dining area, its tight but comfy. You have to wash your hands after, and the bathrooms are clean. I will def return the next time I come home. I want to try another crab dish (about 8 versions), and build a meal around the crab.

String Fried Green Beans with Minced Meat & Sambal Paste 马拉盏肉碎炒四季豆

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Reviews are largely positive. People praise the crab curry, varied seafood dishes, and signature bear drinks. Most find the friendly staff and a lively, cozy setting.

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Yi Xin Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Yi Xin Cafe

Do they allow 'free' BYOB as of today (August 30,2025)?

There is no corkage fee as this restaurant does not serve alcoholic beverages.

Do they take reservations for dinner?

Yes they do, call them +1 (808) 738-0818

Do we get to keep the cup with the teddy bear ice tea?

Hello Lee I m so sorry the cup is use at the restaurant only But for left over milk tea or iced tea… 

Any crab or lobster dishes?

They have live crabs in tanks, so I assume you can get something with crab in it

Is MSG added to dishes?

From what the kitchen says, most dishes do have MSG added.

Do they have liquor license & serve beer & wine?

No, no beer or wine served. You can bring your own!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Kevin's Kitchen - 1lb roast pork

Kevin's Kitchen

4.1(213 reviews)
1.9 mi
•$$

Wow this place is good! It is hard to find good Chinese food outside of Chinatown and Jade dynasty…read moreI feel like but this place is a gem! Serving up Chinese classics we all love like honey shrimp, crab, lobster, soups, salt and pepper pork chop, duck, roast pork, and many more items. It was busy when we went so it is definitely a known spot. My family got the 10 person set meal for $599. It was definitely a treat but everything that came out was delicious. It included over 10 dishes with crab and lobster included. My favorite was the honey walnut shrimp! Check the pictures out of the set meal. I will be back!

Parent Approved and Worth the Reservation…read more Kevin's Kitchen is another parent-approved restaurant, and I've been impressed with every dish I've tried there so far. They do get busy, so I recommend making a reservation. Their Singapore Rice Noodles are fire. They also have great roast duck and char siu. One thing I appreciate is that they prepare a second batch of roast meats in the midafternoon, so they don't necessarily run out like some other places. If you really want to secure your duck or roast meats, call ahead and reserve them. The honey walnut shrimp and salt and pepper pork chops are also solid Chinese staples and both were delicious. They also offer course banquet dinners if you're coming with a larger group or celebrating a special occasion. Good Chinese food that gets my approval and, more importantly, the parent seal of approval.

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Kevin's Kitchen - Inside da restaurant........

Inside da restaurant........

Kevin's Kitchen - Pandamonium

Pandamonium

Kevin's Kitchen - Whole roast duck (back)

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Whole roast duck (back)

Kukui Cafe - Country Style Rice Noodle (good, but $16.99 for how basic this is. Other place few dollars cheaper with more ingredients)

Kukui Cafe

4.2(63 reviews)
3.5 mi•Chinatown
•$

I walked past this hole-in-the-wall corner spot near Chinatown for literal decades and never…read morethought much of it. It's wedged between the always-busy Royal Kitchen (known for their manapuas) and faces Izumo Taishakyo and Lum Sai Ho Tong, with a few yards of sidewalk in between that's usually occupied by crackheads nodding off or lighting up crystal methamphetamine. Honestly, that probably kept me from ever walking in over the years. Then Kukui Cafe popped up on my Yelp feed. I didn't even register the name -- I just saw the food photos. Beef brisket and wontons? Get in my mouth. I stopped by over the weekend to find out if it lived up to the pictures. The place is small and surprisingly clean, and the staff greeted me right away. I'd read other reviews mentioning the noise, and yeah -- it's loud. Cantonese and Taishanese conversations hit serious decibels, with a couple of guys in the back corner adding some colorful profanity for good measure. Everyone seemed to know each other; it had that unmistakable "regulars" energy that told me this place was legit. I figured out pretty quickly that the noise wasn't really about volume of people -- it's the concrete walls and tight square footage bouncing every sound around the room. Didn't bother me. It's part of the charm. Two massive split AC units kept the whole place ice cold despite the chaos. Service was fast -- drinks came out within minutes of ordering. While we waited for food, a homeless man walked in holding a huge scooping net, the kind you'd see someone hauling a giant salmon out of an Alaskan river with. He said something to the owner, who looked confused, so he repeated himself. I eavesdropped and burst out laughing once I understood: he'd caught a freshwater red-eared slider turtle -- about the length of an iPad -- out of Nu'uanu Stream, which runs right alongside the restaurant, and was trying to sell it to them. The owners just shook their heads, and the man left with his net and his turtle in under a minute. You can't make this stuff up. Shortly after, the food arrived. Heads up: paper plates only. But the food itself was excellent and well-seasoned -- the standout was the ten wonton and brisket dish without noodles for $20. Genuinely delicious. There's a parking lot in the rear with what I believe is one free hour. Look for the Sun Yat-Sen Cultural Center at 135 N. Kukui St -- the driveway entrance is just to the left of it. Customers were walking through the kitchen and into the main dining area so there must be an entrance from the garage. Cash only. Would I go back? Absolutely, without a doubt.

Ordered the Singapore noodles here and it was solid! Nice amount of curry flavor and the right…read moreamount of meat and veggies. Tasted authentic and could taste the wok heat. This place has been around for a while, and I believe ownership has changed since then but it's great to see this place still going strong. They have traditional Hong Kong breakfast as well. Need to try their milk tea next time! Check it out in Chinatown, across the river from the Japanese temple.

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Kukui Cafe - Inside the cafe

Inside the cafe

Kukui Cafe
Kukui Cafe - Entrance from the parking lot - through their kitchen

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Entrance from the parking lot - through their kitchen

Bo’s Kitchen - Beef noodle soup

Bo’s Kitchen

4.4(415 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$

Bo's Kitchen is a mom-and-pop Cantonese restaurant with other Asian favorites like laksa,…read morejajangmyeon, and Japanese curry, to name a few. This is my first time trying their food, and I have a lot of positive thoughts regarding their dishes. Their beef brisket noodle was one of my all-time favorites compared to other locations, because they are generous with the amount of brisket they give you and they use egg noodles by default. Their soup was okay, but the braised and marinated meat was definitely the highlight of this dish. Overall, a great late night evening option in town for Cantonese comfort food, even among those coming from China; I think that speaks volumes about the authenticity of their food and quality. Highly recommend and would love to return to try their laksa in the future.

I hadn't been here in three years. The first time here I did not like it at all. I decided to Uber…read moreEat it to my job. I got the wonton noodles with brisket. I'm not sure of the price, because Uber has different pricing from the establishment. This time around I really liked it. The broth was flavored and the wontons didn't have big chunks of pork in it. It was actually minced. The brisket was tasty and tender. If you don't know what to get from here, get this. The wonton noodles with brisket. I appreciate that they separated the broth from the noodles. Who wants to eat soggy noodles?

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Bo’s Kitchen - Inside seating

Inside seating

Bo’s Kitchen - Mini Sesame balls- jindui

Mini Sesame balls- jindui

Bo’s Kitchen - Inside seating

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Inside seating

Mini Garden Orient Cuisine - Beef Chow Funn

Mini Garden Orient Cuisine

3.3(331 reviews)
1.0 mi•Mo'ili'ili
•$$

This has been around forever but still one of our go-to spots for family gatherings because the…read morefood is very good, reasonably priced, BYOB, the service is so friendly, and they have a HUGE vegetarian menu! Everyone's favorite was the house special fried rice with egg (from the vegetarian menu)! Even the meat eaters at the table loved it! We were all surprised at just how good it was: umami, clearly had that smoky flavor from being cooked on a wok with a big fire. So good we even ordered a 2nd order of the same rice! Highly recommend trying it! My other favorite is always their steamed fish fillet, so soft, melts in your mouth, buttery, flaky, and the sauce always goes SO good on rice. Highly recommend! We all also loved the sweet and sour spare rib from the vegetarian menu, tastes just like sweet and sour pork! A little tangy, got a good chew to it, glazed perfectly, goes so good with the fried rice! The cold ginger scallion chicken was just a half chicken per order but was a HUGE portion which we loved! Very generous with the ginger scallion topping, which is a must for this dish. The chicken itself was fine, maybe a little dry, but not bad. The string beans with tofu chuck from the vegetarian menu was also great, freshly made, cooked to perfection, flavorful! The beef brisket and tendon with bean curd was good as well, good portion size, lots of sauce but also lots of meat and tendon, goes great on rice. The only thing we didn't care for was the clams in black bean sauce. The sauce when it gets cold kind of tastes like muck, and the flavor was just a bit too like if you just poured a jar of ready made black bean sauce on clams. Maybe they should think about serving this one on a sizzling plate or over a flame to keep it hot at the table? For 6 people on a Sunday night, it came out to around $200 before tax and tip, and that's with having to take some leftovers home to eat the next day! Very easy to call and make reservations, but they were empty on a Sunday night :( They tend to fill up more around the holidays, but hoping more people will help keep their business open! Food is good! Place is a little old on the inside, but clean enough. The spinning dolly in the middle of the table didn't spin very well, but again this restaurant has been around for a long time. They have lots of free parking right next to the restaurant, which can get full easily when the restaurant next door (Tane Vegan Izakaya) gets a lot of business. But otherwise ample free street parking across the road in the neighborhood! Will definitely be coming again! We had a great time!

They have the best ginger chicken :) always a favorite, go…read moreget yours and get a happy tummy too!

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Mini Garden Orient Cuisine - Inside

Inside

Mini Garden Orient Cuisine - Delicious Beijing duck wrap.

Delicious Beijing duck wrap.

Mini Garden Orient Cuisine

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Star Noodle - Garlic Noodles

Star Noodle

4.1(8.6k reviews)
77.9 mi
•$$

There are few places I can say that stay as good as they started. Star noodle doesn't have Sheldon…read moreas the chef anymore, but they are still so good. We had a sampling of dishes last night and each were amazing. - Adobo ribs are a must try. - Vietnamese crepe is a sleeper hit. It's a crispy crepe with a coconut milk forward mix of meat and shrimp. It's lighter than it seems and fresh - Singapore Noodles are the perfect flavor balance of curry, vegetables and meat. -shrimp tempura were HUGE. They were good but I wished there was more sauce. - pork buns were really good, especially with the daikon and pickles. Our server was also really good, fast and efficient. Malasadas for dessert were amazing. For four of us and a toddler, it was about $250 with tip. Not much different than Seattle prices.

Overall great experience, ambience, food, and service (thanks, Andy, for being a wonderful server…read moreand knowing your stuff.) My wife and I had heard about Star Noodle so much that it was time we finally tried it - our reservation was for 4:45 and we were promptly seated at a table for two with a view of the water. We decided to try a few starters, then move onto an entree or two. Steamed pork buns: the softest, fluffiest, bao bun we've ever had (you can order 3 or 4 to an order.) plenty of pork and veggie filling, and very tasty all around...these are a signature dish, so I recommend ordering if nothing else. Sticky adobo ribs: another solid offering - the adobo was tangy and tasty, and the outer texture of the rib was a little crunchy as if they briefly flash-fried it before serving. I'd definitely recommend this dish as a second appetizer... Green beans: I wanted to be a fan, but the dish lacked any flavor. In retrospect, I would have asked for some type of drizzled sauce to help amp it up a bit. But it's a light, clean, dish that you may want to try if you're sampling healthier items...

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Star Noodle - Interior

Interior

Star Noodle - Steamed Pork Buns

Steamed Pork Buns

Star Noodle - Tempura Shrimp - Faux'nagi Sauce, Garlic Aioli

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Tempura Shrimp - Faux'nagi Sauce, Garlic Aioli

Chao - Crab Pasta

Chao

4.4(464 reviews)
3.3 mi•Punchbowl
•$$

A Culinary Triumph in Honolulu: Modern Vietnamese Elegance at Chao…read more Honolulu's dining scene has welcomed a sparkling gem with Chao, a modern Vietnamese concept that brilliantly balances tradition, technique, and local soul. From meticulously crafted cocktails to an unforgettable sequence of small plates and mains, our experience here was nothing short of remarkable. The Aperitif Hour We kicked off the evening at the bar. I opted for the Dirty Martini. While initially leaning a bit too dry, a quick request for an extra splash of olive brine elevated it into a wonderfully savory, crisp starter drink. My husband selected the Chao Old Fashioned--a standout cocktail where complex, aromatic bitters took center stage, lending a warm depth to the classic spirit base. Starters & Shared Plates Chicken Wings (Cánh Gà Chiên Nước Mắm) The moment the plate arrived, we were met with the bold, funky perfume of caramelised fish sauce. But the magic happened on the very first bite: the fish sauce yielded a nuanced, perfectly balanced glaze rather than an overwhelming pungency. Intensely crispy on the outside, succulent within, and beautifully accented with fresh garlic, chives, and bright chili heat. Beef Carpaccio (Bò Tái Chanh) An absolute Masterclass in flavor harmony. Paper-thin slice of ultra-fresh beef layered beneath an aromatic herb mix, crisp onions, Thai chili, and a satisfying shallot crunch. The transition of flavors across the palate is seamless--starting with the silky, savory beef, moving through a light yet rich lime vinaigrette, and finishing with a vibrant pop of fresh mint that cleanses the palate and leaves a cool, refreshing aftertaste. The Entrées Soft Shell Crab Pasta (Mì Cua Lột) Pure decadence. Golden, shatteringly crisp soft-shell crab overflowing with sweet meat paired with perfectly al dente noodles. The pasta comes thoroughly enrobed in a velvety garlic beurre monte infused with delicate lemongrass, delivering incredible richness without feeling heavy. Whole Fried Moi (Cá Chiên) -- The Star of the Night If you know, you know. Moi holds a legendary place in Hawaiian culinary history as the coveted "Fish of Kings," and seeing it featured here was an instant highlight. Chao's execution is flawless. Filleted and fried to golden perfection, it offers a dramatic textural contrast: a crackling, crispy outer skin giving way to buttery, melt-in-your-mouth tender white meat. Accompanied by a sweet and spicy nước chấm dipping sauce, every bite seamlessly ties together crunch, salinity, and bright citrus-chili notes. The Sweet Finale Pumpkin Flan To wrap up the evening, we shared their seasonal Pumpkin Flan. Conceptually, it drinks more like a sophisticated, deconstructed pumpkin pie--featuring a velvety custard paired with buttery, spiced crumble on the side and a scoop of rich ice cream. The warmth of the spices against the silky texture of the flan made for an exceptional finale to an already stellar meal. Final Thoughts Chao is executing modern Vietnamese fare with immense care, precision, and flair. Between the vibrant atmosphere, thoughtful beverage offerings, and standout seafood execution, this establishment has earned a permanent spot in our regular dining rotation.

Chao- a Vietnamese fusion restaurant. Sounded interesting so we went for a date night…read more RESERVATIONS-They were easy to make on open table but you should make them way ahead of time if you're looking for a particular time slot. PARKING- the lot was absolute madness. I guess between Chao and Shinso tei(the bar next door), it gets busy. But I'm sure residents in the stress must use the lot too because I can't imagine that huge lot being full from 2 establishments. The lot was still full when we left at 9, after Starbucks was closed and I doubt oreillys has that big of a customer base that late at night. RESTAURANT-the interior has beautiful lamps and wallpaper. SERVICE-we arrived about half an hour early and the host tried his best to try to seat us right away but after we saw the panic in his face, we assured him that we know we are early and can wait outside. He was very apologetic and grateful. Our waitress was great and our water was always getting filled (a sign of great service) DRINKS- husband got a Pinot Noir and I got the coconut matcha cloud. Both yummy! MENU- the menu isn't huge but it was still difficult to choose. But, we ordered the seafood ceviche and Spanish octopus for pupus. The ceviche was great, it had coconut milk in it which was different and lovely. The Spanish octopus was a whole tako leg. They gave us a knife to cut it, but no fork. I think it looks nice plated whole but also think the restaurant should consider slicing it instead because the tako was harder than I expected. For entrees- we wanted the pork belly but they were out so we ordered the crab pasta and brisket beef stew with noodles added. The pasta came with 2 fried soft shell crab and the pasta itself was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce was creamy. My husband enjoyed his stew which also came with a crispy baguette. For dessert, we ordered the butter mochi with nice to net you corn ice cream. The mochi was grilled and had a firmer texture than most butter mochi but you could taste the char which I really enjoyed. It was just a little hard to cut while trying to keep the ice cream balanced on top. The next time we go, we'll try the pork belly and lobster dinner roll, which our friend says is the best.

Photos
Chao - Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

Interior dining room with bamboo-like lighting

Chao - Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

Fried Spring Rolls - Ch Gi

Chao - Ube Dream

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Ube Dream

Yi Xin Cafe - hkcafe - Updated October 2026

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