“Eat your food as medicine; otherwise, you will need your medicine as food.” That’s the slogan at Vietnam Deli, which opened about three weeks ago in Kailua.
The biz prides itself on serving fresh, healthy Vietnamese cuisine — along with many vegan-friendly options — according to business owner Frank Nguyen.
“I used to have a restaurant — The Ripple of Smiles in Kaimukī,” he says. “It was there for five years; lots of Kailua people would go over there.”
He recalls how whenever he saw people who drove from Kailua to enjoy the food at his restaurant, “I promised one day I would make it here (to Kailua) to serve you guys.”
Once The Ripple of Smiles closed in Kaimukī, Nguyen saw an opportunity to open in Kailua.
“I love this town,” he says. “When I first came here seven years ago from Vietnam, there was no opportunity for me here (in Kailua), but I kept it in mind, ‘Someday, I will open here.’ Lots of people — especially from Ripple of Smiles — wanted me to reopen. I wanted to choose a name so that when people see it, they’ll known it’s Vietnamese food.”
The menu at Vietnam Deli focuses on the most popular dishes from The Ripple of Smiles, according to Nguyen. Popular appetizers include summer rolls ($13.75), crispy spring rolls ($15.50) and papaya salad ($16.50). The latter is a refreshing mix of green papaya, pickles, basil, vinegar, soy sauce, onions, mint, cilantro and shrimp (vegan choices available for an additional charge).
Providing customers with fresh-tasting, healthy options is a priority to Nguyen.
“It has to be made deliciously fresh, clean and healthy,” he says. “When it comes to health, I’ve never been one to cut corners.”
Popular entrees include the eatery’s pho noodle soup ($18) and banh mi sandwich ($15.50). The pho features rice noodles, cilantro, onions, peppers, bean sprouts, basil, and jalapeno in a flavorful broth. Meanwhile, the banh mi includes pickles and pineapple peppers, basil, cucumber, cilantro, jalapenos and your choice of chicken, beef or pork.
Nguyen notes that many of his customers are vegan, and he strives to provide vegan-friendly options that are fresh and flavorful.
“We need that delicious feeling when we enjoy food,” he says.
If you’re looking for a snack, check out the eatery’s manapua bao ($7.50). The fluffy manapua bun is stuffed with pork, eggs, mushrooms, onions and peppers.
Vietnam Deli is currently open Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays), but Nguyen says the eatery will potentially be open daily in the future.
CONTACT
Vietnam Deli
573 Kailua Road Ste. 102, Kailua
Therippleofsmiles.com
Instagram: @vietnamdelihawaii
Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays (closed Mondays)
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
