Absolutely unforgettable experience! After a small hiccup with one of our dishes, our server Aarwin and Justin the manager graciously took care of us for the rest of the evening. Every dish we got was delicious and the drinks were exquisite- my favorites being the pork tomahawk and the pandan old fashioned.. The atmosphere was wonderful and the staff put in a lot of effort to keep the restaurant clean and running smoothly. I plan to make this a regular stop whenever I am in OC, and would heavily consider traveling from San Diego for the service alone. Truly well done! read more

Nep in Irvine is a masterclass in culinary reliability, proving to be a restaurant that always delivers exactly what you ask of it. We came in as a group of four and left completely impressed by how seamlessly the kitchen and bar executed our order. To kick things off, we went through four rounds of cocktails; the espresso martini was absolutely delicious, the lychee martini was a solid and refreshing choice, and while the margarita was just okay, the overall bar program kept the energy high. When it came to the table, every single dish completely delivered on flavor and presentation. We shared the rich pork tomahawk, the highly addictive garlic noodles with prawns, the beautifully glazed chicken wings, and a bright, fresh ceviche. What makes Nep truly remarkable is that even as it has gone through numerous menu changes over time, its core identity never wavers. It is the rare kind of establishment that adapts and evolves without ever losing its edge, ensuring that no matter what iteration of the menu you walk into, you are guaranteed an exceptional dining experience. read more

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The Irvine location is much larger than the original Fountain Valley location. The brunch menus are the same, I've never tried their dinner menu as the FV location turned into Gem Dining at the time. I always bring friends from out of town to dine here because the restaurant is beautiful and to try Vietnamese breakfast. Their egg Vietnamese coffees are very popular! Reservations are definitely recommended if you have a large party or if you're planning to eat during prime brunch hours on the weekend. The dao - 10/5, I love the truffle oil, potato purée, and poached egg combo. Very elite appetizer here! Banh Mi Chao - 5/5, A staple Vietnamese breakfast, I always add on the Laughing Cow cheese. Beef belly and Filet Mignon are both good protein choices. This can easily be shared with 2 as the portion is large. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

I was able to make a last minute reservation for my family of 5 as there was an issue with the original restaurant we wanted to go to. We came here for my mom's 60th birthday! It was my parents' first time here and our server, Jamie, was the absolute sweetest despite it being so busy and a holiday weekend. Jamie was attentive, so polite, and very transparent about all of the wait times. She told us upfront that some people were waiting awhile for their food, but if we did end up waiting long she offered to talk to her boss to get discounts or free dessert or something. Thankfully, nothing really took long to come to the table! It just came a little out of order which we didn't mind. I told Jamie it was my parents' first time and she gave us recommendations on what to eat and suggested family style so they could try a lot of things. My parents only really stick to what they know (viet food), and it was a slight risk taking them to Nep, but I knew they would enjoy the asian fusion food. My mom is super picky but she really liked it here! Jamie's recommendations were all delicious. We ended up getting the crispy calamari, fish sauce wings, whole branzino, garlic noodles with filet mignon with an add on of shrimp, and the seafood tom kha pasta. Everything was delicious. The calamari was the only thing that was mid though. It wasn't that crispy, kinda soggy and it was one of the last dishes to come out despite it being an appetizer. For drinks we got the tiramisu latte, matcha cloud foam latte, calamansi fizz, and matcha coconut. The calamansi fizz was okay, it was on the stronger side, but it wasn't super sweet or anything special. The non-alcoholic drinks were delicious. My dad loved his tiramisu latte especially with the whole ladyfinger on top and my mom kept sneaking sips of my matcha coconut lol. The restaurant is pretty large so it's quite noisy inside. The only complaint my parents had was that the ambient moody lighting was too dark for them and they couldn't read the menu . It was nice giving my parents the experience to try something new, but still have the asian flavors that they enjoy! My one small small disappointment was that we made the reservation noting it was for a birthday, but didn't get a little dessert or anything special. Overall, I would add this restaurant to my parents' rotation. read more

Cousins night out! I love almost everything Kei Concept touches. We've heard the hype about their brunch, but we wanted to try their dinner experience. Parking: Free parking lot. They're located in a high foot traffic plaza. Parking will be difficult to find. Ambiance/Environment: We visited on a Saturday evening around 19:30, and it was extremely busy. Luckily we were seated within 15 min. I love the vibes here. It's a bit loud, but you can still have a conversation. They have a large indoor area and a nice bar. Everything is kept clean. Service: Thank you Mia for taking care of us! She's very attentive, and throughput was surprisingly quick & efficient despite how busy it was. She also checked on us multiple times and refilled our waters. Food & drinks: We absolutely enjoyed everything! Safe to say the hype is real. 1) Curry Crab Omelette - This is my favorite dish. This was presented on a small skillet with rice in a separate bowl. The omelette was drenched in curry. The curry was seasoned well, semi thick consistency, with a hint of spice. 2) Vietnamese Shaken Beef (one w/ garlic noodles & one w/ rice) - I personally prefer the shaken beef at Vox. For whatever reason, the beef seemed to be overcooked bc it was very chewy. The vegetables tasted as expected, and the red rice was really delicious. The garlic noodles were good. 3) Lemongrass Tofu - The tofu was cooked well and seasoned deliciously. 4) 5-Spice Roasted Chicken - Exactly what the description says. The roasted chicken was huge. We weren't sure exactly what it was seasoned with, but we all devoured it. Yum! 5) Lychee Milk Punch - It's not dinner without alcohol. I thought it was pretty strong with the rum & whiskey. It's more on the sweeter end from the lychee & pineapple. The foam wasn't too thick, and it paired well with the drink. Pricing: These are elevated prices. We'll definitely be back for dinner, and we can't wait to try their brunch. Highly recommend joining the Kei Rewards! read more

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Fresh ingredients, rich flavors, great drinks, and a really nice atmosphere. One of those places that's worth the wait. I LOVE their ceviche it is my absolute favorite. Their matcha & coffee is also super delicious and perfectly balanced. I unfortunately don't have any photos of anything else because we are always so hungry & excited lol! We have tried the dao, which is creamy & tasty, the vietnamese salad which is super refreshing, and the delicious ribeye fried rice. Everything tastes fresh & is packed with flavor! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Mango Sticky Rice Matcha & Tiramisu Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Nep Cafe is a modern fusion restaurant conveniently located in a medium sized shopping center, Heritage Plaza near the freeway. There are many other small restaurants, businesses and grocery stores, including Ralph's, CVS, Mitsuwa, and Daiso, etc. parking is a good size but it does get busy during peak hours. Nep Cafe is part of KEI Concepts. I've enjoyed several of the restaurants from this group. They have two sister restaurants in the same plaza, Sup Noodle Bar for pho and ROL Hand Roll Bar for sushi. My lunch experience with my coworkers was fantastic and everyone enjoyed the food at Nep. We ordered a few dishes to share: fried calamari, chicken wings, broccolini, garlic noodles and filet mignon, chicken and sticky rice and chicken rice porridge. We ended it with a dessert of mango and pandan sticky rice. Each dish was bursting with different flavors and textures. They are all plated beautifully. I loved all of it! There was a lot of garlic and umami flavors, which I love. Nice touch with having complimentary mouthwash available inside the restroom. So thoughtful! The service was friendly and helpful. it does get pretty noisy inside with more patrons. I'd love to check out their happy hour next time. read more

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Went to NEP Cafe to celebrate Mother's Day. I made dinner reservations and expected business to be slow, but the restaurant was packed! We ordered a couple of fried rice dishes and the tom kha seafood pasta. I LOVE the green aji sauce that comes with the fried rice. The pasta was another winner. Service was very attentive and friendly. It's a little noisy inside, so if you want somewhere quiet, this is not the place. Plenty of parking in the lot. I do wish their website was better as they do not post a brunch /lunch menu and a dinner menu separately. If you click on "menu," it takes you to the Toast online ordering, which will reflect whatever menu is currently available - so if it's before 5pm, you'll see the lunch menu, instead of the dinner menu. If you love Kei Concept restaurants like Vox Kitchen, you'll love NEP Cafe! read more

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Absolutely the best modern Vietnamese restaurant. My husband and I make it a point to come here every time we visit family, and we're so happy there's now a closer location. The new Irvine spot is spacious, modern, and beautifully designed, with plenty of seating and a bar area for self-seating. We ended up coming twice during one weekend, once for brunch and once for dinner. They offer separate brunch, happy hour, and dinner menus. For brunch, I ordered the filet mignon bánh mì chảo, and my husband had the chicken congee. For dinner, we shared the beef carpaccio and ceviche. I ordered the shaken beef, and my husband chose the five-spice chicken. Everything was absolutely delicious. They also have a rewards program where you can earn discounts on future visits, which is a great bonus. read more

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I've been here a couple different times and the food is always amazing! We typically just get the garlic noodles, chicken wings, and calamari but I recently came with a larger party so we got the pork tomahawk that was amazing. The highlight of the night was definitely the pork and I love their matcha latte. The servers are also super friendly and pretty fast. They also have outdoor seating that I believe is dog-friendly. Overall a great spot to check out for brunch or dinner! read more

I'm sooo glad I remembered to write down Paul's name, because he definitely deserves to be recognized. I came with my hangry, old father and my rambunctious toddler son, and Paul (and the entire staff, really) worked hard to bring the food out quickly. Everything was delicious- and they have a good happy hour menu, as well. The ambiance is bright with lots of sunlight, making the experience even better. This is not my favorite restaurant out of this group (shoutout to Ini in Fountain Valley), but I'm impressed with the customer service here. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Shrimp Garlic Noodle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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I'm a total fan of all the Kei Concept restaurants. This is my first visit to this location for dinner. I loved the decor of the restaurant and service was excellent. We arrived had just arrived into LA and were starving. Everything we ordered was excellent. I especially liked the curry crab omelette. read more

Currently salivating just thinking about the salmon in the fried rice ‍‍ A bite of salmon starts as a crisp fried edge, then a soft, melt-in-your mouth texture. Crab curry omelette was also very unique and delicious! I went during dinner time so the menu selection was limited, so I look forward to going during happy hour or brunch the next time! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Curry Crab Omelet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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NEP Cafe Irvine, CA 4/19/26 Irvine after Tax Day feels like summer has quietly filed for incorporation. Culver Drive is all manicured hedge-jungle, sandstone barriers, curated palms, and the faint aura of wealth trying not to sweat. Everything in this part of Orange County looks half remembered, half franchised, half copied from the plaza next door. Yes, that is three halves. That is what Irvine does to the brain. My niece, a woman of exacting princess standards, was too high-maintenance to physically attend yet somehow still phoned in a request for the strawberry matcha yogurt drink. That alone told me this place has pull. A restaurant does not inspire absentee longing unless it has some hold over the local imagination, or at least over elegantly hydrated Gen Z royalty. The surrounding plaza is a whole anthropological exhibit: ramen, wings, noodles, Super Mex, Wendy's, Daiso, Wells Fargo, parking lot purgatory, and clusters of Sunday food pilgrims pretending their group hang is a summit of emotional importance. Jacaranda petals droop softly over the asphalt like nature trying to add lyricism to retail exhaustion. And there sits NEP. NEP has that dim, sexy, modern look that immediately makes you suspicious. Either the food is excellent or the lighting designer deserves criminal levels of praise. It feels like the kind of place where young urban professionals gather to flirt, network, and accidentally fall in love over small plates and good bone structure. Gorgeous bar. Expensive-looking interior. A room calibrated for pheromones, soft vanity, and excellent phone cameras. We waited about 24 minutes outside in the smug parking lot, which only deepened the mystery: what exactly does NEP stand for? Not Eating Pork? Never Ever Pho? North Eastern Pakistan? Apparently it may be a play on nếp, as in sticky rice, which is a much more graceful answer than anything my baby carafe of junmai was producing. Inside: loud, lively, but not unbearable. Friendly staff. Personable service. The menu is basically point-and-shoot, which I respect. No need to read it like an 18th-century Russian novel. We ordered beef carpaccio, fried calamari, house junmai cold sake, shaken beef, seafood tom kha pasta, and dry bun bo hue. The beef carpaccio was excellent. Bright, fresh, and carrying a Vietnamese twist with basil, mint, and that sweet-fish-sauce undercurrent that makes your brain sit up straight and pay rent. This dish had grace and flavor. 5/5. The fried calamari with jalapeños and lime mayo was better than I expected. I feared this place might be all cheekbones and no soul. Thankfully, I was wrong. I am not even a huge calamari person and still found this lively and enjoyable. 4/5. The shaken beef with broken rice and salad was good, but for me a little too mild. I am a flavor degenerate. I like dishes that kick in the door and overturn a chair. This was more restrained, more civilized, more "I went to business school." Still solid. 3.5/5. The seafood tom kha pasta had good ideas and real herbal notes, but it leaned too sweet. Reduce the sweetness by maybe 25% and increase the Vietnamese herbal personality by 25%, and this thing starts writing poetry in the margins. As served, good but not fully realized. The dry bun bo hue was also decent, though I wished they had gone further and added pork blood cubes. Some of us enjoy a little culinary menace. Still good. 4/5. I also appreciated that the portions were not absurdly tiny. I had feared fashionable starvation. Instead, each dish felt like a proper entrée: not foo-foo, not grotesquely oversized, just enough to justify being alive in Irvine on a Sunday. And bless the cheaper house junmai cold sake. Smooth, easy, and a good match for the food. So yes, NEP is stylish, a little performative, somewhat seductive, very Orange County, and thankfully not empty. The food mostly backs up the aesthetics, the service is amiable, and the room hums with youthful fancy without collapsing into pure nonsense. I would come back. read more

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Came for brunch and had the crab toast, bun bo hue dry noodles, banh mi chao and tom kha pasta. I LOVE tom kha, so this pasta was right up my alley, but all the food is solid. No complaints here. Definitely recommend the coconut matcha as well, so refreshing! Service was exceptional. Shoutout to our server, Paul who was amazing and so attentive!! He made sure we had everything we needed. A++ for service. Will definitely be returning read more

Spacious and open interior, great for larger parties. The service was great, you're limited by party size if you try to reserve a table online, but I was able to get a reservation for 14 by calling in during business hours. They were very helpful and accommodating, especially since we had children and babies in our party. I think the food was hit or miss. I appreciated the vision they had for each dish and the plating was nice. The Vietnamese shaking beef was solid, safe choice but not standout. The tom kha pasta was the unanimous winner of the night of our table though! I wasn't able to get a drink this time but I think I'd definitely come back to try the cocktails. They all looked very interesting and definitely piqued my interest as a cocktail hobbyist. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Vietnamese Shaking Beef - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Right after landing into California, I knew where I wanted to take my parents to dinner that night immediately! If you follow any of my other reviews, Asian fusion food IS MY THING. Kei Concept restaurants does such a great job at it, and Nep in Irvine is no exception. My parents, who are quite picky eaters when it comes to restaurants, enjoyed every bite, as did I. Though the food was spectacular, I want to give a full on shout out to our waitress - Janelle. She went above and beyond to make this experience for us truly memorable. What a phenomenal night. Okay, back to the food! I was trying to get my veggies in so I ordered the broccolini & squid/mango salad. I love a good goi! The sauce the broccolini was in was sooo yummy; I kept dipping everything in that sauce. I'm not much of a sauce girl myself, but the sauce that comes with the calamari is sooo freaking delicious. PERFECT definition of Asian fusion. It has a heavy taste of lemongrass, which I love. My parents really enjoyed the seafood tom kha pasta; they didn't skimp on the seafood portion! This location is bigger than their FV counterpart. Lots of space and very open location. Clean and sleek. I'll definitely be returning, and will request Janelle as my server because she rocks! read more

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Stumbled upon Nep Cafe and loved this Vietnamese fusion gem. Fresh, trendy vibe with light wood panel decor and live plants. The staffs were super friendly and knowledgeable. The seafood ceviche was a standout--perfectly balanced with coconut, mango, and Thai chili. Paired it with the squid mango salad--bright, herby, and had a delightful crunch of peanuts. We also shared the shaken beef and chicken wings (both great, but I favored the wings). Drinks impressed too--the Calamansi Fizz was refreshing, and the Pandan Old Fashioned was strong but well done (bonus points for the large ice cubes). Best detail? Complimentary mouthwash in the restroom--such a thoughtful touch after all those bold flavors. FYI- Our order came to about $116. Appetizers runs about $15-20. We shared the rice dish which run just under $30. The drinks were $16 each. Ironically we got married 01/16. It's our lucky number! I'd absolutely love to return and try their Crème Brulee Coffee! It's only an hour and a half drive from San Diego. I guess our next date is a road trip to indulge in some coffee! read more

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I recently tried Nepo. The restaurant felt clean, modern, and relaxed without trying too hard. It's one of those places that works whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a casual dinner. My family absolutely loved the food. They described themselves as being in a food coma after they were done. The pho had a rich, flavorful broth that you can tell was simmered for hours, and the meats were tender without being overcooked. I just took nibbles off of certain things on people's plates like the vegetables and rice, because I'm a vegan and unfortunately they do not have many vegan choices at all. I did try the lemongrass tofu and it was absolutely delicious. Service was friendly and efficient. Overall, Nepo is a solid spot if you're in Irvine and craving Vietnamese food that feels a step above the usual casual places. However, due to the lack of Vegan choices I won't be back soon but if you're a carnivore, this is a solid place to try. read more

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Bday dinner for bestie Nep Cafe hits the spot every time. I would highly recommend this exact combo of food we ordered -- garlic noodles (with CRAB), pork tomahawk, and Vietnamese salad with shrimp. The crab melts into the buttery garlic noodles, the tomahawk is cooked to perfection (so tender), and the salad cuts it all with bright, tangy, fresh flavors. read more

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I had a good experience at NEP Cafe and I would return. The restaurant itself looks great and the food was good. The brunch and dinner menus have different items so make sure you are familiar with the menus if you are going there to try something specific. FOOD Seafood Tom Kha Pasta Vietnamese salad Vietnamese beef I thought all 3 of these were good and worth ordering. SERVICE Friendly, good service. PARKING Large, shared parking lot (free) read more

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We ordered quite a few dishes (see photos), and I absolutely loved the appetizers, especially the raw beef tongue, which was a standout. The crab garlic noodles were good but not particularly memorable. They mentioned it would not be spicy, but it did have a noticeable kick. The Vietnamese shaking beef was unfortunately tough, and I would not recommend that dish. On the other hand, the spice-roasted chicken was very flavorful and not dry at all. The shrimp egg rolls are worth noting--they are all shrimp with no pork, which I personally liked, but they are different from the typical version people might expect. Overall, the appetizers felt stronger than the entrées. For dessert, the banana bread pudding was not to our taste. It was not very sweet, but it also did not quite feel like a dessert. The ice cream that came with it was the best part. Service was okay: friendly, but not very attentive. The music was also quite loud, which made the experience a bit less enjoyable. Overall, a solid spot with some standout starters, though I am not sure I would return given the mixed experience. read more

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Waited about 20-30 minutes on a Sunday afternoon. Got seated outside which was nice considering the breeze. Met with a gf and their family for a party of 7. We had an enjoyable lunch! The calamari, wings, crab toast, fries were delicious appetizers while the garlic noodles were perfect! My son enjoyed the beef belly rice bowl-- I thought the presentation of each dish was aesthetically pleasing and the ambiance was comfortable and nice. The drinks were unique. Joined the Kei concepts rewards. Looking forward to coming back. read more

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Establishment is busy, clean and spacious. Staff was professional and courteous. We ordered: 1. Boneless ribeye: perfect medium rare with garnishes and sauce, tender, flavorful, slightly cool 2. Seafood Tom Kha Pasta: excellent flavoring, great pasta 3. Spicy wontons: nice level of spice even for non-spice eaters 4. Coconut matcha: I've gushed about this drink at their Fountain Valley location, and I'm happy to report that it is just as good here. Highly recommend! TLDR: Excellent service, excellent food, excellent establishment, great value. Would recommend! read more

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Whelp, this is embarrassing. While being pretty tardy when it comes to posting my reviews isn't all that uncommon (if anything, it's the norm), I admit this is probably one of my more egregious cases. However, in my defense, I actually had this written out a long time ago! It's just that, for some reason, I somehow forgot to, you know...post this. The silver lining? Since almost everything I tried is no longer on the menu, it gave me the chance (forced me?) to come back to try even more! Between the great things I had heard and the number of friends who have recommended them, NEP Cafe has been sitting high my list of OC bookmarks for quite some time. Yet, despite how popular they are, it was surprisingly easy to snag a reservation on OpenTable both times we visited to avoid the typical line for walk-ins (did it about an hour in advance). As for the menu, they have a few fixtures, but the rest of it seems to change frequently (as I learned the hard way). However, whether it's a small tweak or a dish being replaced/reconceived, whatever mix of appetizers, entrees, noodle dishes, and drinks/cocktails they have is always be super enticing! -- VIETNAMESE PATE MOUSSE - Vietnamese Mayo, Pickles, Toast Pretty good, for the most part. The pate mousse was terrific - smooth and luscious - and the pickles helped cut the richness well. However, the baguette was more soft than toasted and there wasn't enough of it (we had to order more). -- SHRIMP TOAST - Milk Bread, Sesame, Hot Honey Mayo This was probably my favorite dish the first time we came here. Not only did the milk bread taste good, but it wasn't overtoasted and the shrimp meat (smear?) on this was so full of flavor! Easily could've polished off two orders of this! -- SEAFOOD TOM KHA HOT POT - Spicy Coconut Broth, Scallop, Calamari, Shrimp, Cabbage, Vermicelli Too bad this isn't offered anymore because we both thought it was great! The broth was oh so rich and had layers of flavor to it while the seafood was fresh and plentiful. I just wish the portion had been larger, as we thought the pot was fairly modest in size. -- GARLIC NOODLES (SIDE) - Garlic Butter Soy, Lemongrass Sate, Fried Garlic Not bad, but hardly special. While I liked how the noodles had a nice bite and were topped with chives, this wasn't as garlicky as I thought it would've been, especially with the chunks of garlic confit on top. -- CALAMANSI PALOMA - Tequila, Mezcal, Calamansi, Kaffir Lime, Lime, Grapefruit, Soda On the one hand, I wish this had a bit more tequila and mezcal in it, but this was still pretty solid! Given the three different types of lime, this felt equal parts tart and refreshing. -- EM-OI - Vietnamese Gin, Salted Apricot, Tamarind, Calamansi, Honey, Li-Hing, Lime, and Egg White I'm usually a fan of egg white cocktails, but this was just okay. That's not to say this was "bad", though - I'm just not big on gin and the salted apricot, tamarind, li-hing, and lime felt jumbled. -- TIRAMISU COFFEE - Black Coffee, Brown Sugar, Tiramisu Foam, Lady Finger This was terrific! Although the foam and brown sugar made this fairly sweet, I liked that this really did taste like tiramisu in a cup while still tasting like coffee. Plus, we loved dipping the lady finger into it as well! -- UBE COCONUT BEER Too unique not to try and I'm so glad I did - this was AWESOME. Aside from the super dark coloring (almost like grape juice), loved how well the ube and coconut mixed together and how easy this was to drink. -- BROCCOLINI - Charred Broccolini, Lemongrass Soy, Fried Garlic, Chili To be honest, this was a miss. Mostly, the broccolini itself wasn't the greatest - not very leafy and the stalks were super fibrous. The cook on it was fine, though, as well as the seasoning. -- SEAFOOD TOM KHA PASTA - Shrimp, Calamari, Scallop, Linguine, Tom Kha Cream, Shiitake The presumed replacement of their Seafood Tom Kha Hot Pot and, admittedly, the better of the two. The pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente, there was a good amount of fresh seafood, and the Tom Kha sauce was just as rich and flavorful. Delicious! -- WHOLE BRANZINO - Herbs, Turmeric, Peanuts, Wrap Set, Vermicelli Essentially a take on Cha Ca and a tasty one at that. Although it's not really battered, the branzino was crispy yet still really moist. Also, I love how they use watermelon daikon and butter lettuce, but there was a ton of tarragon. Beyond the food, both the ambiance and the service here have been terrific. We've eaten both inside and on their patio and they're equally relaxed (the latter is nice on a warm night). Whichever area you end up sitting, though, the servers do a great job of coming by to check on you without being overbearing, are super friendly and efficient, and the kitchen gets orders out quick! All in all, I'll definitely be recommending NEP Cafe as well and will be back for more...like to try their brunch! FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down for now. read more

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We've been coming to Nep almost every month and we had to bring my family to show them the amazing food! Food was 10/10! We had the beef belly banh mi, crab curry omelette, ribeye fried rice, and spicy wontons. What really topped it off was our server, James! He was an amazing server and made it such a memorable experience. I'm happy I trusted his judgement on what to order. It was lively and busy during lunch on Saturday, I'm glad we got a table under the skylight and with James! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Big fan of Nep Cafe and the KEI Concepts food group. My family stopped in on a busy Saturday for brunch. This restaurant was at max capacity. We ordered everything from from the beef tongue fried rice, crab toast, banh mi chao, bun bo hue dry noodles, and chicken wings. All of the flavors were on points and we literally finished each dish. The crab toast, bani mi chao and fried rice are must orders if you're here around lunch time. If you're a big coffee fan definitely try their creme brulee coffee, egg coffee, coconut ube coffee. Servers here were attentive and the food came out quickly. I loved the variety of hearty, rich and savory dishes. I feel like each dish was elevated with premium fresh ingredients and flavors. The ambiance here is very bright, warm and inviting. Perfect for small parties to large groups. I'll definitely be back to try their dinner menu. Highly recommend booking in advance even on week days as this is a very popular and gets packed. read more

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Nep Cafe has a modern liveliness to the restaurant! Service was smooth, attentive, and well-paced. Our server was proactive in attending my table's needs and made my friend and I feel extremely valued and well at home! Spicy Wontons (5/5) Started off with the Spicy Wontons and they were a hit right away! The spice and chili gave it a nice kick but didn't overpower the dish. What really stood out was how generously each wonton was packed with beef. They were bold and savory with each bight. Shrimp Garlic Noodles (4.5/5) The noodles were cooked to perfection as they had a nice chewy texture. The shrimp was slightly charred which rounded the dish reall well. There was a very small kick to the garlic noodles, which stood out from tasting like standard buttery noodles in the best way possible. Really enjoyed it! The Crab Curry Omelette (5/5) The curry in this dish brought a warm, aromatic depth to the dish. What I loved about this the most was that the amount of crab was super generous! When you pair it with the rice, it soaked up all the flavor. Pork Tomahawk (5/5) First of all, the presentation of this dish was absolutelye stunning. Beautifully plated, cooked to perfection, and the best part was that it was extremely moist! I get nervous that some pork might be served dry, but this tomahawk was extremely juicy. It had the right amount of fat and the char gave it a nice smoky flavor profile. The honey glaze also gave it a nice subtle sweetness that brought the dish all together. Bana Bread Pudding (5/5) This dish deserves all the awards and hype. It was AMAZING. They bruleed the top of the banana. Absolute genius idea because it was caramelized and torched to perfection. The bread itself was rich and savory with hints of toffee and had a balanced sweetness. The black sesame cornflakes added a nice crunch that elevated the texture. Paired with vanilla ice cream? I'll be eating this over and over again. Pandan Pina Colada (4/5) This was their drink special! The pandan had a nice sweetness to it. You can definitely taste the pineapple and coconut profile mixed with the drink, it was a little treat to sip on while eating dinner. This restaurant has such amazing food with amazing taste and would definitly come back over and over again. read more

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My family and I just tried NEP Cafe in Irvine for the first time, and it's already one of our new favorites in Southern California! My goodness--everything we tried was delicious. Our server, Annie, was amazing--so friendly, attentive, and helpful. I went with her recommendation for one of the more unassuming dishes, the curry crab omelette, and wow... it was incredible. The seafood ceviche was super fresh, and the coconut milk with fresh peppers really took it to another level. My daughter ordered the shrimp garlic noodles, and we were all blown away by the flavor. All of the seafood tasted like top quality and perfectly cooked. The ambiance is lively, clean, and comfortable, making it a great spot for a family meal. Thank you, NEP Cafe, for one of the best meals we've had in a while--we'll definitely be back with more family! read more

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I really liked the bar area here. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. The vibe was relaxed, Not as loud as the rest of the restaurant. The drinks were yummy and strong. I highly recommend the broccolini for an app too! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Visited with my sisters for brunch and we grabbed a little bit of everything from the menu to try. Good flavors and delicious bites. Great space. There is no waiting at this location when compared to the Fountain Valley location. Parking was easy also. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

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This place is a vibe! If you like garlic, this place is your jam. We ordered garlic noodles with shrimp, wonton and spicy chicken wings. All of them were delicious and I have no notes! Service was quick and they made our order pretty fast. Drinks at happy hour looked pretty great but was being a responsible driver. The bathroom needs a little love. Parking is right in front and relatively easy but heard it can get busy here! read more

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It's a Vietnamese fusion restaurant that blends modern flavors while still keeping the authentic essence of Vietnamese cuisine. The dishes are unique, flavorful, and beautifully balanced between traditional and contemporary styles. What impressed me the most was the service. Everyone was incredibly friendly and attentive. From my experience dining at many Vietnamese restaurants, servers usually take your order and rarely check back afterward. But this restaurant was completely different -- the staff constantly checked in, made sure everything was okay, and genuinely cared about the customers. It made the whole dining experience feel warm and welcoming. They serving Branch And happy hours is good deal read more

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So ive heard LOADS about this place and living just around the corner I finally caved in and gave it a try. It looks pretty busy on weekends so I went on a random weekday around brunchtime and the place was relatively empty and quiet. I even got to ask to change my seat to be outside in the sunshine (but there are shaded bits too if youd rather that)! Immediately I was attended to and since i knew what I wanted the whole process was super quick. You see the menu via a qr code on the table. I ordered two appetizers, the crab toast and the seafood ceviche. They both came out SO fast and with such beautiful presentation!! The crab toast was a buttery blend of creamy scrambled eggs and a hearty portion of lump crab with sourdough slices. It was amazing and i boxed half to take home (and enjoying it as i write this). The ceviche was out of this world!! There was a variety of flavors that worked just perfectly together. A nice tropical mango paired with a bit of red pepper spice and then the creamy base - the seafood was snappy and just YUM! While the price keeps me from coming back as soon as Id want, id love to try their other mains and maybe a coffee in the future. Get the price below 7 bucks a pop and im sold!! read more

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NEP does it again! Now just in Irvine instead of fountain Valley. The service was amazing, but I had to make sure to reserve a spot for a weekend lunch since it was packed when we arrived. The service was quick, efficient, and we were checked on consistently throughout the meal. The interior is a bit busy, but it makes send and it flowed well. The food was delicious. No other statement or review needed. Savory, great blend of flavors for the fried rice. The pork was tender and juicy. The drinks were a little under the food standard, but a nice refreshment overall. I need to come and try their other dishes if I have the chance. read more

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Of all the kei concepts restaurants, I would have to say that this and INI are my absolute favorites. For this restaurant, they stay very true to the Vietnamese flavors while adding a new twist to the presentation, to the execution, and the overall interpretation of Vietnamese food. The interior is very modern very fresh and very clean which I like. The food is presented in a very modern well still having those authentic flavors. I love the garlic noodles and I love their mango and squid salad. Their cocktails are also very creative and tasty. The service is always on point. Always attentive, always close by and responsive. I usually stop by this restaurant when I'm vacationing down south from NorCal. It's always on my list of things to do. read more

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We came as a group for a brunch get-together and arrived around 10:30 with a reservation. We started with mimosas and I believe everyone tried something different from the menu. I went for the Garlic Noodles with Crab. I usually lean toward savory dishes, so this one caught my eye. The crab on its own was mild, but mixed with the noodles it made a nice combination. The dish had more spice than I expected, not too overwhelming, but enough to clear your sinuses. The servers were very attentive, checking in and refilling waters throughout our meal. The menu is unique, with a nice mix of flavors and creative fusion dishes. This is one of the few restaurants from Kei Concepts I've tried. If you're into modern Vietnamese dining, it's worth checking out. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Crab Garlic Noodle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

It was our first visit here and Nick helped out us out and was AMAZING! He made our experience a great one by providing us with recommendations for the entire menu. If there is no parking due to the charging cars needing to charge do park across from the restaurant. Upon arrival the hostess outside and inside both were nice peoples too. This made our first impression of how the restaurant was nice and clean feel look to it. It's definitely a go to place to try. Their drinks, food, and desserts are delicious! Definitely a place to try and come back again! read more

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Continues to be a solid spot. Would get again: Egg coffee Banh mi filet mignon Beef belly rice bowl Shrimp salad Okay but would skip: Banh mi beef belly Shrimp fried rice Staff and service continues to be solid. The banh mi were not as good as last time though. Too hard and seemed overcooked. A little disappointing but willing to try again and hoping it was just an off day. Ambiance continues to be clean and nice read more

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