One of the places on my mom's list to try has been Bangkok Chef.Apparently they are a tiny restaurant in Chinatown which has been around for awhile, and have expanded to Manoa.
Since we figured parking would be kinda crazy in Chinatown, we checked out the one in Manoa.
We got there a little after 11:00 and the place was empty.
We placed our order and as we waited for our food, the place filled up.
Here's what we ordered: Fried chicken wings--lemon grass flavored fried chicken wings...the girl at the counter suggested that we order it ala carte so we would get more wings (10 pieces) and no rice...$7.25 + tax. These wings were so juicy and we loved the crisp skins. Dipped in nuoc mam (sweet chili sauce) this was really good.
Eggplant chicken--this came with sliced chicken, eggplant, sauteed in a spicy sauce with lots of fresh basil. Since we ordered this as a "plate" this came with half the container being filled of jasmine rice, which is their standard rice for all plates....$5.70 + tax. If you want brown rice or sticky rice, it will cost you a little more (I think like $.50 more).
We also ordered 2 orders of their summer rolls. These were HUGE!...$4.50 + tax for 2 pieces.And an order of their spring rolls...$5.95 + tax, this comes with 6 pieces.
Why my mom had this on her "to try" list was for only one thing...their house delight...mango ice cream over warm coconut mochi rice sprinkled with crushed roasted peanuts...she ordered 4 because she wasn't gonna share with anyone...$3.50 + tax for 1.We thought the mango ice cream should've been more "mango-y". Actually fresh mango in vanilla ice cream would've been nicer (and probably more expensive, though I hear that Roselani makes a good one).
And the place was so "loud" with chatter that it was quite hard to hear what we were saying to each other.
My last and final peeve was that each dish came in a styrofoam container. Granted if you wanted to take home your leftovers you didn't have to go ask for a container, but for all of us eating at the restaurant, I thought it was a really big waste of these containers and could envision even more trash being shipped to other States...
All in all, the food was good and I would go back, I just wish they would consider the environment a little more.
Bangkok Chef2955 E. Manoa Road (past Manoa Marketplace)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.988.0212
Monday-Saturday 10:30-21:00
Sunday 12:00-20:00
UPDATE:I wrote that they have a shop in Chinatown, but found out that it is on the outside of Chinatown on Nuuanu Avenue.
Totally craving eggplant and egg rolls right now.. Time to go eat! :) Oh the wings look and sound great too!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite places! Never tried the ice cream. . . looks good.
ReplyDeleteasian style chicken wings are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI really like the spring rolls there!
ReplyDeleteSo fun - another great place to try next time (hey, you're totally helping me fill out my Hawaii food itinerary :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kat - Those wings look delish. The portion sizes and prices seem good as well.
ReplyDeleteThe eggplant chicken is my favorite over there! I used to eat it at least once a week during grad school. I haven't been to the Manoa one yet since the Nuuanu one is closer for me. But you're right about being concerned about the parking. Sometimes you have to wait a minute or two for someone to leave to get parking at the Nuuanu one.
ReplyDeleteI am drooling over those chicken wings. Bummer on the styrofoam containers though. :-(
ReplyDeleteWhat's inside the fried spring rolls, Kat? ... and in other news.. the new intern broke all the plates that's why they used styro on that day. XD
ReplyDeleteI hope you got something delicious Dennis :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jalna, I hope you like their desserts.
I love them especially if they are fried Gtrine ;)
Take care.
Kat
Glad you're having such a wonderful time eating in Hawaii. We're going to be there in February - already thinking about what we're gonna eat!
ReplyDeleteThai fried chicken wings are awesome. We have a good recipe for them:
http://www.houseofannie.com/seven-secrets-perfect-thai-fried-chicken-wings/
They are delicious Rick!
ReplyDeleteHope you like it Jude :)
Really reasonable Kirk :)
I'm glad we tried the one in Manoa Lori :)
Very delicious Debinhawaii!
minced pork & veggies Mikuru :)
Thanks for your recipe and I hope you enjoy your visit Nate & Annie :)
Take care everyone.
Kat
mmm my family was living by the manoa location when Bangkok Chef just opened up...we used to get takeout practically every night...so much food, pretty awesome and so cheap!
ReplyDeleteFyi the "original" Nuuanu location isnt in chinatown but around the corner from the old hungry lion.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite reasonable Kathy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon, we assumed Nuuanu Ave was in Chinatown, now we know where it is :)
Take care you two.
Kat
Adding another place to my growing list of places to check out. MotH has never been to Chinatown anyway so that'll be an experience for him.
ReplyDeleteRowena, I found out that this place is outside of Chinatown, I'm going to update my post. Still I think MotH will enjoy walking around Chinatown :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Mmmmmmm....teriyaki style short ribs sound amazing! Such fun foodie adventures you are having outside of Japan :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lizzy, I'm trying to eat everything ;)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat