Vietnamese food but in a more high-end style. I appreciate that the restaurant has put efforts in elevating these casual-Vietnamese dishes. Very clean, fresh ingredients. I assume they use filet mignon here for their Shaken beef. Perfect for special occasion. However, a little on a pricier end. ( You can still find these flavor in a casual Viet food place, but if I want to introduce Vietnamese cusines in a more formal gathering , Little Sister is a great options). Their desserts are very creative, drinks are good as well. Not-to-sweet is my compliment for their sweet-treat menu. Parking might be a hassle during weekends. Service: professional and attentive. If you dont want to wait, they have tables outdoors. Cons: some dishes are overpriced in opinion ( claypot fish, chicken stirred fried with singer) read more

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Loved the food and service! Went during Restaurant Week and enjoyed the experience. Even though it was raining and it was a weeknight, the restaurant was still busy. The entrance/receiving area in front of the host stand is a bit tight, you constantly have to move out of the way because the servers are in and out of the area a lot to get supplies from the little corner area. The servings are big, it can easily be shared. Loved the veggies and salads, they are so refreshing. My favorite was the spring roll and shaky beef! A must try! read more

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When I realized the Irvine Spectrum had a Little Sister, I hit the pedal in my car and raced over here! The lemongrass beef is seriously that good, and it's impossible to resist. This location doesn't disappoint, either--it has an incredible outdoor space and a large interior dining area with a stylish bar that's center stage. My server, Eric, greeted me immediately, got me my water with lemon (just as I asked), and took my order without delay since I already knew what I wanted. He was super pleasant and even suggested an appetizer, but I had to turn it down because I was on a lunch break and needed to get to LAX. He totally understood and shared that the lemongrass beef is his favorite too. The vibe in here is urban and cool, with music from NWA and Rihanna playing--definitely some 80s and 2000s hits to set the mood. It feels hip but elevated, especially with the beautiful interior, from the seating to the immaculate bathrooms (which, let's be real, are a big deal when reviewing a place!). To top it all off, I learned that their happy hour runs from 3 to 6 PM, and the $29 vermicelli lemongrass beef bowl is only $15! I'll definitely be back for that deal. If you're in the area, run, don't walk to Little Sister! Hands down, the best Vietnamese food in SoCal read more

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worse service yet no body has came to serve us just gave us water and didnt even asked us if we wanted anything to drink just poured us water and thats it been here for 10 mins just water nothing else it not busy at all only a few people and thats it how can a place not be busy but no servers? DO NOT ORDER BLACK RICE FOR THE PRICE OF 39!!! there was 3 TINY TINY SCALLOP FOR THE PRICE OF 39?! read more

We came here today for lunch. It wasn't very busy, so we're seated promptly. However things seemed to go downhill from there. My wife ordered the Pho Bo and I ordered the Broken Rice dish. The food came out fairly quickly, but they gave my wife the Pho Ga instead. I told the food runner that we ordered the Pho Bo and not that one, so he took it back. The waitress then came by later and said we ordered the Pho Ga, but said she'd go ahead and put in the order for the Pho Bo. I wasn't trying to argue with her, but don't understand why she needed to insist we ordered something that I know we didn't (we've never order Pho Ga anywhere we go). I brushed it off as whatever. Then about halfway through the broken rice dish, I found a fly in my bowl! We both instantly lost our appetite, and I waived the hostess down and told her what happened. She took my bowl, but wasn't very apologetic, nor did she or anyone else offer any apologies or anything for what in my perspective is a pretty big deal! After feeling disappointed by the whole experience, I just asked for the check. Neither the waitress or anyone in management came to apologize or offer any recompense. I'm not expecting a free meal or anything, but this whole experience was frustrating and disappointing. Especially at what I would believe was a high end establishment (prices are very high for Vietnamese food!). I used to come here often with my coworkers (we work down the street) and I've even bought gift cards from them, but I don't think I'll be bringing any business here any longer. read more

Little Sister - A fly in my bowl!! - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

My wife visited the restaurant with her friends and told the waitress that she had a wheat allergy. The waitress seemed unsure about what my wife could and could not eat so she went back and asked the kitchen. She returned and confirmed with confidence that my wife would be fine to order the beef pho. Several hours later, my wife is throwing up, nauseous, and lying sick in bed. I called the next day and spoke to the manager who said yes, the meatballs in the pho have gluten. Your wife should not have ordered this dish. No service recovery offered, no apology, no accountability for the staff that assured my wife that she could eat this dish. If you have allergies or even if you don't, I would NOT eat at this establishment. Poor customer service and staff not knowledgeable about menu which could lead to sickness or worse for some patrons! STAY AWAY. read more

Stopped in for a team happy hour which ended up turning in to an early dinner. We were planning on having a few drinks and some small bites but got carried away when we saw the menu! Was hard to limit ourselves to just a few items with the many items offered at Little Sister. Some of the dishes ordered were: - Shaky Shaky Beef -- our favorite item, must order! - Crispy Prawns - Chicken and Shiitake Dumplings - Papaya Salad -- stronger seafood taste which I didn't mind but others in my group weren't a fan of - Bo Kho (Short ribs, bone marrows, baguette) - Banh Xeo -- very tasty but hard to split with our group. I ordered this as I mixed it up with banh khot and thought it would be easier to share - Spring Rolls - Crispy Tofu - Garlic Noodles -- the one item I was a bit disappointed in. I thought it was a bit bland and needed a stronger garlic taste. That being said, it was still a good filler and an easy dish for picky eaters This spot is pricier than what you'd pay for the same dishes in North OC but you're also paying for the ambiance and Spectrum prices. Although pricey in general, still comparable to the other Spectrum restaurants! We went in a little before 5pm on a Tuesday so it was still quiet. There was a good amount of people dining but it was quieter than what we were expecting. We did go during off hours so the restaurant is probably louder and more lively closer to dinner time or on the weekend. Little Sister is a good spot for special occasions or a pre-dinner happy hour with your team! read more

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Staff: We were helped by Gabriela who was nice but not memorably nice. She was friendly but didn't feel like a top waitress experience. Quality/Quantity: The food here is absolutely delicious. We had the beef, 2 types of spring rolls, a Vietnamese crepe, and a super delicious alcoholic drink called the Hanoi Heatwave. Beef - my absolute favorite item. The meat is tender, perfectly cooked, and when dipped in the seasoning with lemon, put a tear in my eyes for being so delicious! Spring Rolls - Tasty Vietnamese Crepe - this was tasty and crunchy with huge shrimps and veggies inside. The egg outside was crunchy and the whole dish tasty. Hanoi Heatwave - this was very tasty. Basically it is a blood orange margarita but with pepper inside that adds a small spice or heat to it. The thought of pepper in a drink seems unusual but it actually made it taste really good. Value: The pricing is fair considering the nice ambiance, good service, and very very good food. $270 pre tip which left 7 people very full along with the 2 alcoholic drinks. Overall: If be back for sure as the food was really good. read more

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Ordered the pho Bo and the green papaya salad with prawn. Food is overpriced and quality is definitely not there. The restaurant itself is nice but the food itself is just disgusting. Better to go to one of the family owned or hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurants. read more

I highly recommend calling to make reservations! The wait times can be long especially on the weekends. I recommend parking at the parking structure near target. The place has a nice calm atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. The staff members were all friendly and attentive. The food was good but didn't think it was amazing. It's a bit overpriced but if you're looking for authentic Vietnamese food, head over to the city of Westminster. read more

Little Sister - Vietnamese crepe, crispy shrimp rolls, and housemade dumplings - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

I love this place each time I visit! The sea bass was not as flavorful as 5 months ago, but still delicious. The presentation of the greens in the bowl looked like a mini potted plant. I added the iced green tea, very refreshing. Everything is pleasing to all the senses, but the music was too loud. ItThe lemon tart, the crust is not baked and it's perfect with the lemon custard. It was delicious and my mom ate most of it. She usually does not like dessert, but she loved it as much as me. Finally got to try it as it's usually out. If you don't want to have a meal, come for the unique and deliciously beautiful desserts. What will I try next? I can't wait for my next visit! read more

Little Sister - Coffee pot de crème dessert with mini palmiers and espresso chocolate bean - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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A huge shoutout to Jason our server! He checked in with us and made sure we were well taken care of. Even when we were busy getting through the food, he accommodated us so well. Thank you so much Jason. As soon as we entered into Little Sister, my sister and I could not help but take pictures of the interior. Incredibly well designed. We were seated within 10 minutes of waiting since we came in a less busy hours of around 2 pm. We got the following dishes *Goi Cuon - these spring rolls were accompanied by a peanut sauce that was so tangy. There were also candied nuts they had on the side that has been the "sprinkles on the icecream" of food for us. *Goi Du Du (Papaya Salad) - incredibly fresh. The best papaya salad I've ever had! *Shaky Shaky Beef - if you like steak, this is the dish to go. Incredibly supple meat accompanied by a fusion of rice and a nice salad *Sea Bass - the skin of the sea bass is crunchy while the inside is soft, the contrast is telling in the first bite! *Pho Ga - my mom commented on how the broth is unlike the pho you would get at the prior pho places we've been in! You can't taste the msg! *Triple Garlic Noodle - grateful that there's a lot of noodles because it had to be shared among five of us hungry family members. The garlic noodle sauce is not heavy at all *Brisket Banh Mi - generous portions. may as well be the most worth the price! We got this one to go since we noticed so many people grabbing it. We got a free Vietnamese coffee because of a coupon we found for purchases over $50. All the vegetables are incredible fresh! Flavorful, colorful, enhanced by the high ceiling. The portions for each dish is meant for one person, but my family went for attempting a family-style by sharing all our plates with each other still. It's do-able for a fancy, celebratory family meal, and well worth it! God bless you all. read more

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Hidden gem at the Irvine Spectrum! It's tucked next to the Apple Store, but once you step inside, you're surrounded by all the deliciousness!!!! The food is amazing, I'm obsessed with their rice rolls, noodles, rice... honestly, everything! This has quickly become my favorite Vietnamese spot. The service is always on point, and the vibe inside is fantastic with beautiful decor and friendly staff. Love it! read more

Little Sister - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Shaky Shaky Beef For the price, this dish was quite disappointing. The meat was tough, and the seasoning didn't taste very good. Honestly, it might have been better if it were simply grilled without the marinade. Green Papaya Salad This was absolutely delicious--no question about it. If I ever come back, this is something I would definitely order again. Pho Banh Cuon The meat inside was slightly chewy, but the fresh vegetables and sauce were bright and refreshing. There's also a nice spicy kick at the end that really stimulates the appetite. I would order this again. Triple Garlic Noodle This dish was just okay--neither particularly good nor bad. It didn't leave much of an impression. Black Rice When I saw photos on Yelp, I noticed many people left this dish unfinished, and I assumed it was because the portion was too large. However, it turned out the rice was simply too salty to finish. The seafood on top was mild and pleasant, but the rice itself was unevenly seasoned--some parts bland, others heavily sauced. I tried mixing it, thinking that might help, but it ended up making the whole dish overly salty. Overall The appetizers were generally good, but I wouldn't really recommend the main dishes. It might be fine for a light lunch focused on small plates, but I wouldn't choose this place again for a special occasion or dinner. Also, I noticed in Yelp photos that they sometimes serve a small dessert for birthdays. I let them know that it was my companion's birthday, but they didn't acknowledge it at all. I understand if that's not something they offer, but it would have been better if they had simply let us know rather than ignoring it. That was disappointing. read more

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Visiting this restaurant was a complete disappointment. The food wasn't just bad -- it was so poorly prepared that after dinner I experienced stomach pain and ended up getting seriously sick. The next morning I couldn't get out of bed, I felt like my body was going numb, I was vomiting, I was nauseous for another 4 days. I ordered the salt and pepper lobster -- not a cheap dish in its category -- and it was absolutely not worth the money. The other dishes my friends ordered weren't any better; everything had strange and unpleasant flavor combinations. The service was another major issue. Even though the restaurant was almost empty, the servers came to our table very rarely and kept switching throughout the evening. It felt completely chaotic, with absolutely no attention given to the guests. Honestly, they definitely did not deserve their tips. In the end -- wasted money, a ruined evening, several days of feeling unwell, and absolutely no desire to ever return. I do not recommend this restaurant. read more

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The restaurant is beautifully designed. Good servers. Great and fresh food. I had a hard time with the prices since I'm Vietnamese and grew up in SGV, but the food here is elevated and worth the price. Banh xeo is messy to eat, but good. The larger shrimp was amazing. It didn't need noodles served with it but I didn't mind. I'm used to steamed pork in inside - it just had small shrimp. Xoi which is the sticky rice was unexpected and delicious. The fried egg added to the dish. My favorite was the papaya salad, which was so fresh with cherry tomatoes and herbs. Just be aware it has little dried shrimp in it. I love it but some people may be put off when seeing it. Good selecting of wine and cocktails. Would definitely go back. read more

Little Sister - Sticky rice - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Every now and then I get the urge to write a review when my experience either sucks majorly or it was incredible. In this case I can't sing enough praises for this gem of a spot. I've been coming to Irvine spectrum for over a decade and have tried most of the restaurants here. They range from OK to pretty good. Little sister, however I feel is in a class of its own. The vibe feels elevated, perfect for a date night or a nice evening out. Our server, who was also the bartender, crafted some incredible cocktails. I ordered the Me Love Oo-Long Time and my guest had The Kennedy. Both were delicious, balanced, and strong enough that one drink gave us a nice buzz. Top-tier mixology skills. Then came the food, we shared the pork and shrimp, rice paper spring rolls, which were the best spring rolls I've had anywhere. The peanut sauce was perfect and they included pickled relish and peanuts that paired with the spring rolls in the most delicious way. We shared the pork chop for the main dish which came with jasmine rice that was incredibly light, fluffy and delicious, and when we broke the egg yolk over it... oh lordy, lord. The pork chop itself was juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Honestly, I'd come back for this dish alone. Our server was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive, exactly what great service should be. She knew the menu and answered any questions we threw at her. Overall To say I recommend this place is an understatement. Come for the ambience, stay for the food--but really, the food is the star here. I loved every bit of it and will absolutely be back. read more

Plenty of parking being its at the mall. Ok for groups. Ok for kids. Noise level was ok. Service was ok. Food was great. Second time visiting restaurant, lots of items to pick from on the menu. They have something for everyone. Additionally they offer a full bar. Must try spot read more

Little Sister - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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The food was disappointing. We ordered the grilled pork chop, but it was excessively salty, and the shaky shaky beef was no better. The only good items on the menu were the pho and the bread with liver paste. Everything else, including the drinks, was unsatisfactory. Additionally, the service was lacking. When I complained about my drink, the waitress responded with a bratty attitude, which only added to my frustration. Overall, it was not a pleasant dining experience. The price of the food and drinks was way overpriced! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND TIME in this place! read more

Unfortunately the first visit to Little Sister will be the last. From the lackluster service to the food, everything was a disappointment. We had to send back the an item. None of the clams opened. Which either means the clams were not fresh or undercooked. But the mussels were raw as well. Should have known something was wrong when none of the food came out hot. This visit may warrant for a phone call to the management. read more

Exquisite decor and plating, but the taste is average for a high-end Vietnamese meal. There are many delicious and affordable Vietnamese restaurants in Westminster or Garden Grove, but I still want to try this high-end style restaurant to see what they offer. The Oolong Thyme is a watered-down cocktail. The Pecan Tart, adorned with green leaves and yellow flowers, is quite pretty, but it's too sweet. The Pho Banh Cuon feels like a trendy, modern take on Vietnamese beef rolls. Compared to traditional fresh spring rolls, the thin rice paper wrapper has become thick rice noodles. The filling has plenty of herbs & beef. It would taste better if the beef were more tender. The Seafood Curry feels like a Vietnamese/Thai/Spanish fusion dish. It may sound odd, but my favorite part of all the dishes was the sauce that came with the Seafood Curry. Not sure what the green paste was, and the bits at the bottom of the red oil looked like fried garlic. Mixed together, it became a versatile dip that paired well with everything. All the dishes are mildly spicy. It's enough to make you sweat on your forehead and nose, but not so spicy that it's fiery. The hand wipes are arranged so beautifully that I almost can't bear to use them. If you're interested in modern Vietnamese cuisine like this restaurant, try NEP Cafe in Irvine, or Brodard in Fountain Valley. 裝潢和擺盤精緻，但味道一般的高級越餐。 其實到Westminster或Garden Grove有很多好吃便宜的越菜，但還想試試這個高級風格的店家到底賣的啥。 烏龍百里香嚐起來就是杯偏淡的酒水。 裝飾綠葉和黃花的山核桃塔挺美但太甜。口感似鬆餅，連同山核桃和冰淇淋混著吃。 感覺像新潮現代風的越式牛肉河粉捲。和傳統生春捲比較的話，外層薄米紙變厚河粉。內餡的香草/生菜/牛肉份量挺多，如果肉片再嫩點口感會更好。 感覺像融合越南/泰國/西班牙元素，含香菜/蒔蘿/干貝/貽貝的咖哩海鮮燉飯。 這樣說有點奇怪，但所有餐品中我最滿意的竟是海鮮湯所附醬料。綠色那坨不知是啥，旁邊沉在紅油底部一顆顆的像炒過的蒜末。全部混攪到一塊，不管拿來配什麼都好吃的百搭蘸醬。 白飯上方是蝦米，以及不知是大蒜還是洋蔥的炸片，和海鮮湯分開放。我直接把整碗飯倒入湯內混著吃。 所有餐品全微辣。會辣到額頭和鼻子冒汗，但不會辣到噴火那種。 擦手的濕紙巾擺這麼漂亮，有點捨不得用... 如果你對現代風越餐感興趣，可考慮試試爾灣的NEP Cafe，或Fountain Valley的Brodard。 read more

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Food here is amazing! All the dishes are creative and made with care. One mod my favorite places to visit.

Food: is amazing, the colors and flavors just burst in your mouth. We were celebrating my nephews birthday we had a large party so we were able to taste all the popular dishes and they didn't disappoint. The pho was perfect, big bowl, piping hot and all the fixings were fresh and crisp. Fresh spring rolls very tasty. Shaky Beef was 10/10. Sea bass was cooked to perfection. Ambiance: The place is very cute and chic with an unusual touch of street art but it somehow works well. It's giving Banksy street art New York. Service: This is where you lost me, and I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups. We were celebrating a family member's birthday (party of 18) and the entire experience fell flat by the poor service and lack of attention. We placed an order for starters and only half the table got served while we waited another 15 minutes for the other half to arrive, felt a little awkward because everyone was waiting for more food to arrive for everyone to have something to try. We placed the order for the children's food only to expedite their food only to be served a dish without the protein and trying to find our waitress was near impossible because she was busy waiting on tables outside. Food continued to come out a couple plates at a time and the entire vibe was awkward since not everyone had a plate to enjoy. Plates started to pile up on the ends of the tables due to no one bussing the tables. The entire time I only had one drink and at the end was offered a refill as we were paying. The worst part was that 2 of the younger kids had ordered pho with tofu and mind you we had placed their order ahead of time they were the last to be served and by this point everyone had ate. The conversation the entire time was where is our waitress, or where is the food at rather than it being about catching up with family and enjoying a meal together. 1 star for the food 1 star for the ambiance -3stars for the service read more

Little Sister - Proof we were there. - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

We walked in no reservations on a Sunday evening so we got sat outside. No complaints here just being realistic in case others stop by with no reservations on a weekend. It is the chance we take... When it started drizzling (it stopped after several minutes) , One of the staff was nice enough to move our table away against the wall to avoid the drizzle getting blown by evening wind towards our table. Full disclosure my husband is Vietnamese and I have been told by his relatives I won the mother in law lottery in terms of best cook in both families and I totally agree. I have been to Brodard and others and can't help but compare to my MIL's cooking - nothing compares I am afraid but this restaurant is pretty close. The waiter suggested right off the bat that the chef "recommends 2 dishes per person" so we ordered 4. Ambience - classy and elegant so perfect for celebrations or just because Parking - plenty in Irvine Spectrum. We parked by the Nordstrom side. Food - we ordered 4 dishes as recommended above . Pho bo (delicious broth and plenty of beef in a huge bowl). NOTE: we asked for small bowls so we can share and even with that my daughter took a lot to go enough for another meal Saigon Lemongrass beef - beef was well seasoned along with the sauces that came with it Pho banh cuon - came in 4 big pieces stuffed with marinated beef (wish it was pork) Fried Sea bass - Great presentation and the pieces were big but for $35 I can see why. My daughter said the fish was seasoned to her taste but for me could have used some salt in addition to the sauces provided on the side imho. We ended up taking half of each dish except for the fish home. People will say it pricey - it is not ...if you are willing to pay $30 for pasta. All the ingredients are fresh and again the ambience is superb! Service - I was worried since we were seated outside I might see someone in beginning and end but I was impressed that our server checked on us a lot along with the other staff. Everyone was responsive and super attentive which started with the front staff. Note: I took it home and my son started eating it the next day for lunch and asked is this grandma's cooking? So...compliments to the chef for being able to closely replicate one's comfort food. Does this remind you of Ratatouille? If my daughter and I return I will Definitely order the pho bo again, maybe shake shake beef or banh mi and papaya salad. read more

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I finally had the chance to visit little sister after hearing about this restaurant for a while. We sat in the patio on a Saturday afternoon. While the ambience was nice, and service was great, but the food was not that great. Our food took a long time to arrive. They were aware of their slow service and offered us a complementary fried shrimp. It was delicious! That dish came out first and everything else came out 30 mins later.. For party of 3, we didn't even order that much but food was honesty not that great so we couldn't even finish our food. read more

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Found a bug in our Saigon bowl and we told the staff to take it off our bill. Our waiter was not apologetic at all. We also had to constantly ask other staff to grab him as he never checked on us. They also forgot one of our orders. We told them about 25 min after the last one came out and they told us "it was still coming out". While I don't believe that, I wouldn't mind if they were apologetic about it. But again they weren't. Food and ambiance is good (loved the papaya salad), but service is seriously sub-par. Would not come back. read more

Beautiful upscale Vietnamese fusion restaurant with seasonal menu. All the meat dishes (bo kho, shaky shaky beef, etc) looked fantastic. However, there are limited vegetarian options. When i went it was basically the crispy tofu and eggplant (and i'm not a big fan of eggplant). Even the garlic noodles have chicken fat in them. I did ask about modifying any of the meat dishes and subbing the meat with tofu, but was told it wasn't possible except on the vermicelli dish they had. I ended up doing that with the lemongrass beef vermicelli dish. I thought the tofu was crispy but lacking flavor, lemongrass wasn't super present either, and the cold noodles (while usually a favorite viet dish of mine) were just needing more sauce/flavors to carry it besides the "fish" sauce. I ended up getting soy sauce on the side, which did help, but wasn't ideal. Overall nice place, attentive service, just not choice for vegetarians or vegans. read more

Little Sister - Tofu vermicelli - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here with a bunch of friends to celebrate a birthday. Everything we ordered was cooked to perfection. We ordered family style so we got to try out many different dishes. The sticky rice was a table favorite as it was a play on the traditional Zhong-Zi that many are familiar with by cubing the dish, deconstructing it a bit and frying it to make the outside crispy. Service was a little slow considering it was a weekday and not very busy making it hard to get anyone's attention when we wanted to order more food or drinks. read more

This place is so fun and unique! We came here after going to the Apple store because we were starving. My mom and I shared the house dumplings, the crepe, spring rolls, and noodles. All of the food was delicious, we would definitely go here again! The service was okay, our waiter was a little rude and seemed unhappy. Besides the service, everything else was really nice. read more

I came here with a party of 8, and overall we enjoyed the food but the servers made a number of mistakes I shook my head at. 1. I mentioned I had a peanut allergy, but they proceeded to add peanuts on top of one of our dishes. I could have suffered a reaction if we didn't catch this. 2. They served 2 of the same entree (garlic noodles), but we had asked for 2 different noodle dishes. 3. The waitress never told us that mezcal instead of tequila would be an additional $ charge for 3 of our cocktail beverages. Shame on you for not mentioning this. Seeing the average rating of other reviewers, I would concur with an overall ~3 star rating of Little Sister. The entrees were enjoyable with a unique twist on Vietnamese food, but the service makes me uncertain about coming back. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience! 5+ Stars all around--incredible service, the most delicious food, and beautiful restaurant! First of all, our server Vi set the vibe for a perfect dining experience. Thank you, Vi! She was so warm and friendly, with positive energy, welcoming us and suggesting some of the best items on the menu. She suggested the Shaky Shaky Beef which was the best I've ever had--so tender and flavorful! The restaurant is classy and comfortable inside and out, and I will definitely be going again. You won't regret going! read more

Little Sister - Most delicious Shaky Shaky Beef! - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

I came in without a reservation on a Sunday night with a party of 7 and we were seated after a short wait. We ordered the shaking beef, papaya salad, spring rolls, garlic noodles, fries, bo kho, and chicken wings. Every dish felt high quality and more elevated compared to more traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The standout dishes were the bo kho and the papaya salad. The bo kho broth was deep and complex, the meat was tender, and the bread with butter and pate was * chef's kiss* The papaya salad was also a highlight and had a good balance of sweet, pungent, spicy, and savory notes. If I had one suggestion however, it would be to speed up the process of getting the bill at the end of the meal. Other than that, this is easily one of the best Vietnamese fusion spots I've been to, and I'd definitely come back again. read more

Amazing flavorful food the dumplings were delicious, also the coconut chicken curry and the shaky shaky beef were amazing!! The service was great, friendly and the ambiance was very nice. Overall, I enjoyed everything and highly recommend. read more

Little Sister - Coconut Chicken Curry and Shaky Shaky Beef - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

First time at Little Sister with my girls and we had a great time like we always do but overall opinion is it's just mid. The ambiance is perfect for a date or intimate gathering with dimmed lights, good music and a bar with crafted cocktails. The experience is giving elevated Vietnamese cuisine and I liked it. Quality of food was really good and menu options were classic with a unique twist. There was a short hair (not mine) in my food but it was simple enough to remove. Service was truly hit or miss all in the same dining experience. Service hits: Mostly attentive service to take our order and dishes came out relatively quick. Server was nice and also took our photo for the mems. Service misses: We were waiting for our last dish to come out for over 20 minutes. The server must have forgotten about it because he checked in and asked if we needed anything else. When we asked about it he checked with the kitchen then let us know they were conveniently all out of all noodle dishes. Also had to ask him for boxes which he said he'd be happy to box the leftovers for us but when he came back, he handed me the boxes lol. Nbd but still lol. read more

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Vietnamese lunch is so good and addicted. I tried: 1. Phở bánh cuốn - beef & tendon herbs 2. Gà rôti - house spiced crispy chicken 3. Fried sea bass read more

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I am an Asian food freak and I absolutely love this restaurant! I have been to LSXO in Huntington Beach and also the Little Sister in downtown LA. I loved Little Sister in downtown LA and I'm so happy that they've put this location in Orange County!! This location is enormous so there's plenty of room for everybody. Our server was fantastic and recommended a few appetizers which we ordered. One of the fun things about this restaurant is to order multiple dishes to share but tonight everybody ordered their own dinner. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures before everybody dove, in! But I did get a photo of the shaky, shaky beef and are extremely yummy appetizers! I absolutely loved the pork and shrimp eggrolls. The presentation was spectacular and the flavor is delicious! read more

Little Sister - Crispy, shrimp and pork eggroll, housemade dumplings - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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It was such a beautiful day to go shopping. Irvine Spectrum has so many great places to shop at. After shopping, I was craving for some Vietnamese food. Lo and behold, Little Sister is a Vietnamese restaurant. The decor is amazing! More upscale than your regular Vietnamese restaurant. As we sat down, we were welcomed by our server right away. She was great and very attentive. We tried the XO Salt and Pepper. It was delicious! When it came out to the table, it took up about half the table. It was a lot of food for two people. I had to take half of it to go. So much food! 5/5 Also tried the Saigon Salad. It was just ok. I was hoping the noodles were warm. But it came out completely cold. The lemongrass beef was tender. 3/5 To finish it off, although the decor is nice, the price is a bit pricey for Vietnamese food. I'd still come back if i was at Irvine spectrum. Enjoy! read more

Little Sister - XO Salt and Pepper - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Overall the service was good a the food was good. We came in for a late dinner during the week. The server was really good although they clearly had too many tables to manage that night. We got an app and couple entree's and were happy with all our food choices. The star for us was the Sea Bass. It was served with really fresh vegetables and a nice mild fish sauce. I will come back to have that again. What I appreciate about Little Sister is that they have a higher food quality than most others at the Spectrum. While they are on the pricey side, all restaurant's at Irvine Spectrum are overpriced (thank you to The Irvine Company for charging ridiculously high overhead). At least Little Sister has keep up somewhat with the quality of product. read more

This was a great restaurant in so many ways. The food is excellent. The beauty and design of the place is amazing. We enjoyed the shaky shaky beef and the pho. The dumplings were excellent. Our server did an excellent job. The only wish I have is that the prices were lower. This makes this restaurant a once or twice a year for special occasion, not a weekly go to place. Maybe a Happy Hour or smaller bowls for cheaper prices. Overall, excellent restaurant. read more

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Little Sister at Irvine Spectrum was soo good!! Cozy ambiance, perfect for catching up with friends, and honestly one of the best restaurants at the Spectrum. We ordered the shaky shaky beef, chicken garlic noodles, and the pho banh cuon. The pho banh cuon was the highlight, super refreshing with soft rice rolls, fresh herbs, and that light sauce that just ties it all together. Comforting but still bright and fresh, I'd come back for this alone! The shaky shaky beef had amazing flavor with that savory-slightly-sweet glaze, and it paired so well with rice. The beef was just a tad on the dry side, but the seasoning made up for it. The chicken garlic noodles were good, but honestly didn't stand out too much for me, I was hoping for a bolder garlic kick. Definitely worth a visit if you want something more special than the usual chain spots. read more

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