Finally.

We have pho.

A few of us living in East Honolulu have been waiting waiting waiting for Mama Pho to open in the Aina Haina Shopping Center. To the point where we’d pass by the shopping center just to see if the new eatery was open.

It’s our first Vietnamese restaurant (that I can remember) in our ‘hood — and we didn’t wait to try it.

I had been craving phở — pronounced “fah,” people! — mostly because I was sick and this traditional Vietnamese noodle soup dish is what I like to eat when I’m sniffing and sneezing.

But this eatery, right across from Encore! Espresso (which will be neighbors soon with a Dave’s Ice Cream), has more than just pho. Its menu features rice plates, grilled meats, cold noodles and desserts that aren’t served every day. (We know.)

Here’s what we ate this week:

Mama Pho dac biet

Image 9 of 11

This pho — also $8.75 — came with the restaurant's house special beef noodle soup with steak, flank steak, brisket, meatballs, tendon and tripe — really a meat buffet.

Mama Pho, Aina Haina Shopping Center, 820 West Hind Dr. Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: (808) 373-8887