Cooking up Hawaii comfort food with Uncle Bo’s restaurant group

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – For nearly 20 years, Chef Bo Pathammavong, known affectionately as Uncle Bo, has served his popular comfort food inspired by his Southeast Asian roots.

Uncle Bo’s was started 18 years ago, when two local boys opened the original eatery on Kapahulu Avenue, creating a place they themselves would enjoy. The success of the venture led to a second Uncle Bo’s in Haleiwa nine years ago, followed by Yaya’s Chophouse in Kakaako, and then Pupu House and Kiki’s Tiki Bar in Waikiki, which just marked its 1 year anniversary.

Pathammavong, originally from Laos, and Uncle Bo’s director of operations Rebecca Tomacder joined HNN’s Sunrise to cook up classic favorites — his Thai Style Steamer Clams, inspired by Chef Bo’s mother’s cooking during their time in a Thai immigration camp and the Boca Rota, a cheesy bread dish served with a hearty steak and mushroom dip.

Originally concocted for himself and his team, it became a menu staple after rave reviews from customers from Italy, who named the dish after the Hawaii pidgin phrase for delicious — “broke da mouth.”

Ya-Ya’s Chophouse serves wet and dry-aged quality steaks, local seafood and an all-day happy hour at the bar with pet-friendly outdoor seating. The menu includes the impressive 42-ounce Tomahawk steak, sourced from Midwest family farms, and ahi poke made from locally caught, fresh filleted wild ahi. The restaurant offers live music on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The latest edition to Uncle Bo’s lineup is Pupu House, which just launched its break-feast service, including a plate with five different kinds of meats. For information, call (808) 735-8310. Their hours are 5-10 p.m. daily.

Uncle Bo’s Haleiwa is located at 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy. #101, (808) 797-9649. Hours are below:

• Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 4 – 9 p.m.
• Thursday and Friday: 2 – 9 p.m.