Pha lau — Vietnamese organ meat stew braised in coconut water and five-spice — is an acquired taste that is beloved in Vietnamese drinking culture. In Honolulu, it is a niche dish that appears at restaurants serving a Vietnamese-heritage clientele, particularly in Kalihi and Chinatown.
Pho Que Huong top-pick
Mon-Sun 10AM-10PM
Pho Que Huong's deep menu covers Vietnamese specialties beyond the pho basics, and pha lau occasionally appears as a special. Their kitchen has the skill set for slow-braised organ meats, and the five-spice and coconut water broth they produce is fragrant and properly reduced. Call ahead — this is not always on the menu.
Kim An Vietnamese Restaurant best-value
Mon-Sun 10AM-9PM
Kim An serves a Vietnamese clientele in Kalihi, and pha lau shows up as a special at this homestyle kitchen. The stew is rich, deeply flavored with coconut water and five-spice, and the tripe and pork organs are properly tender. This is the kind of dish Vietnamese regulars order by name.
An Di Dzo hidden-gem
Mon-Sun 11AM-10PM
An Di Dzo's name means come eat in Vietnamese, suggesting a kitchen that values traditional drinking food. Their pha lau, when available, is properly rich and served with French bread for soaking up the braising liquid. The Ward Village location brings pha lau to a more central Honolulu audience.