Chopstix Brings
Pho and More
to Carmel
B Y M I C H A E L C H A T F I E L D
L
overs of "pho" no longer have to drive
over the hill to satisfy their craving for this
savory and satisfying Vietnamese beef noodle
soup. That's because Chopstix has arrived in
Carmel. The popular restaurant now has three
locations in Seaside, Monterey and Salinas, plus
another Seaside eatery, Plates.
"My wife Hoc and I opened the first Chopstix
in 2009," says Mikey Nguyen.
He had previously operated a nail salon for
a decade before the couple decided to go into
the restaurant business. Although they had
no food service experience, Chopstix was an
instant success.
"We had the right thing at the right time in
the right place," Nguyen says.
The same is true for the Carmel location, as it
has seen a packed house nearly every day since
it opened in July.
"We are Carmel residents, so it was only
natural that we open a restaurant in our town,"
Nguyen says. "We're really blessed and lucky
that the reception has been so positive."
Chopstix is not just about pho though. The
menu features many Vietnamese specialties,
including noodle and rice platters, sandwiches
(banh mi) and a huge selection of boba drinks.
The new Chopstix is at 26135 Carmel Rancho
Blvd. Menu can be viewed at chopstixboba.com.
SHORTCUTS
FOOD
Owner Mikey Nguyen at his Chopstix restaurant in Carmel. The Vietnamese
menu offers pho, rice and noodle dishes, banh mi, boba and more.
76 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 9
Photo:
Kelli
Uldall
